Discover an Italian Feast at Marco Polo

Marco Polo Restaurant is the kind of place you want to walk into totally starved, tuck your napkin under your chin (throwing all etiquette aside), and enjoy every last lick of “gravy” before rolling yourself back into the parking lot to pass out in a food coma—and I say this with the utmost good will and intentions.

The legendary restaurant was constructed in Summit in 1934, and while I can’t attest to its food service for all of its existence, I can say that this 77^th year is a very good one. With a menu that features over 100 dishes (I counted), daily specials, and children’s selections, Marco Polo’s offerings seem endless, yet at the same time are familiar comfort foods we all know and wish we had grown up eating.

Service begins with a basket of warm bread and beverage selections from their fully stocked bar. Both draught and bottled beers are available, as are wines by the glass ($5.50 to $11), by the half bottle ($9 to $20), and by the bottle ($26 to $250). Many of Marco Polo's wines hail from California and Italy.

I started my meal with Marco Polo’s Famous Italian Wedding Soup ($2.95 for a cup, $4.95 for a bowl), which was by far one of the best soups I’ve tasted in a long time. The homemade chicken broth, carrots, celery, escarole, and pastina all added to the soup’s incredible depth of flavor. Also worth mentioning is the fact that the small cup was practically overflowing with meat balls, making this one very hearty appetizer. Had I not already been married, I would rush to the altar just to eat this soup on my wedding day. It's that good.

Next was the difficult part. How does one navigate Marco Polo’s extensive menu and choose from so many dishes? The Italian restaurant categorizes its product by type: Pasta Combinations ($17.95-$18.95, various chicken or seafood dishes served over angel hair pasta), Signature Selections ($16.95-$25.95, seafood, pork, steak, and veal specialties), Casseroles al Forno ($12.95-$14.95, baked pastas and eggplant items), Lighter Fare ($10.95-$13.95, salads), Pizza ($7.95-$9.95 for individual, $10.95-$15.95 for large), and Sandwiches ($5.95-$9.95, burgers and chicken, meatball, and sausage options).

It was as daunting a task as exploring Asia, but I ultimately decided on the Shrimp Natasha ($19.95) and the Tuesday “Italian Feast Night” Southern Italian Combination plate ($17.95), both of which were just as Nonna made, if I had been born Italian.

Marco Polo’s Shrimp Natasha came with a “family style tossed salad” and a glass of house Chianti. The extra-large shrimps are sautéed in a creamy Vodka plum tomato sauce with fresh basil and mixed mushrooms and served over angel hair pasta. The dish came out of the kitchen piping hot, which probably caused the pasta to be just a bit overcooked. Other than that small oversight, one has very little to complain about and, frankly, a lot to be content with.

The Southern Italian Combination featured Chicken Parmigiana, Eggplant Rollatini, and Meat Tortellini topped with Meat Sauce Bolognese. There were three Italian treats on one plate—the best of which was the delicious chicken cutlet and the meat sauce. The eggplant got a bit lost in the generous sauce and cheese layers, but as a whole, the dish delivered nicely.

Desserts range from $4 to $6 and run the gamut from Key Lime Cheesecake to Tiramisu to Italian Spumoni. I chose the Italian Cannoli ($4) which featured a crisp shell and a treasure trove of chocolate chips tucked inside the sweet filling. As much as I wanted to finish off the whole thing, I was stuffed to the brim and could only sample a bite.

Service is friendly and paced well, but the décor at Marco Polo is a bit dated—exactly what you’d expect from a family Italian restaurant with deep roots. I think that’s part of its charm. Mirrors line the booths, still life paintings of fruit adorn the walls, and stained glass panels shine colored lights from above. The long bar at the front is a bit more updated with several flat screen tvs showcasing sporting events. The restaurant can accommodate a staggering 400 diners and offers event catering.

I left Marco Polo not only satisfied, but with leftovers in tow. For a reasonably priced, home-style Italian meal of generous portions and solid quality, there is no need for further culinary explorations.

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Marco Polo Restaurant

527 Morris Avenue, Summit

(908) 277-4492

(908) 273-9559 fax

Kitchen Open:
Monday through Saturday, 11 am-11 pm
Sunday, 12-10:30 pm

Bar Open:
Monday through Saturday, 11 am-midnight
Sunday, 12-11:30 pm

Weekly Specials:
Tuesdays, “Italian Feast Night”

Wednesdays, “Seafood Night”

Thursdays, “Prime Rib Night”

Monday through Friday, 3-6 pm, “Happy Hour”

Monday through Saturday, 9:30-11 pm, “Late Night Munchies” 5 items for $5 at the bar

Children’s Menu, catering, and private room available.

All major credit cards accepted.