Manalú Italian Restaurant
5227 Presidents Ct, Frederick, MD, 21703
Manalú Italian Restaurant Menu
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Address :
5227 Presidents Ct
Frederick, MD, 21703 - Phone (240) 578-4831
- Website https://www.manaluitalianrestaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Noah K.
Crowded, popular place although I don't see what the fuss is about. The previous establishment here (Dominick's) had wonderful food at giveaway prices, yet somehow underperformed. Yes, you had to order at the counter, but they brought it out to you and didn't even accept tips. With Dominick's departure, Frederick is really lacking in decent Italian offerings (although Il Porto and Nido's, both downtown, are quite good). Manalu expanded Dominick's into the next storefront, built a bar and made it a bit more slick inside, and suddenly the masses are here. I will say that the food is fine (not the great food that Dominick's had, but certainly pleasant), although the portions are skimpy, and therefore the value was not there. I noticed the alcohol prices seemed pretty inflated with $8 glasses of house wine and $6-7 beers. Service was good. I live within walking distance but it doesn't really occur to me to return when deciding where to dine, as the prices suggest something special and the food doesn't really back that up, but I'll probably be back someday at least for pizza. I wouldn't wait to eat here though.
(3)Nora H.
This is not only a nice place (recently done in a previous restaurant location), but their pizza and pasta are really delicious. Desserts are also great. Additionally, both the owners and their wait staff are really customer-oriented. And their prices are reasonable.
(4)Anne K.
This was our second visit, spurred on by a friend who frequents Manalu. Ratings would have been higher but it's very loud and service this time, unlike last time, was mediocre. Food is very good. We get what our friend recommends, which has been the musscles as an appetizer and the black ravioli. We also chose bruchetta which was excellent. Portions are generous and there is complimentary bread (pizza crust slices) and oil. Salads that go with entrees are small, fresh, and sufficient. (We make GREAT salads at home so these do not compare). Service our first time was outstanding. Our second visit I believe the server said she/he was new and I would guess that's true. They seemed harried and nothing arrived in expected order. At one point my husband had his appetizer (as did I) and his entree delivered within a minute of each other, while my entree was delivered 5-10 minutes later. No checks for additional beverages, but the glasses are large so we did OK. I expect service will smooth out as server gains experience. Regardless, we both enjoy the food. Will try to find a time of day when it is not so loud. Both times we've arrived around the end of happy hour so big crowds and noise is to be expected. We would definitely recommend to those looking for good food!
(4)Gina M.
Wow. Fresh, flavorful, and friendly. It made me reminisce about my trip to Italy. Marco the owner came and chatted with us. And my husband...who is hard to impress, loved the sauces. We had pizza American, veal Abruzzi, chicken Marsala, and mussels. Everything was amazing!
(5)Cindy A.
Husband and I went in on a Saturday for lunch - it was raining and there were few people dining. This is also in a tucked away location in a little strip shop and replaces another "Italian" restaurant which was awful (all the way around). First off, the expansion and remodel is STUNNING. Tuscan and warm, beautiful brick oven area. Service was outstanding, attentive but not overly so. Food? We thought it was just okay. This is "traditional" pizza, not the spiced up sauce most of us are used to, and my husband and I prefer. Pretty bland for our palate. We both ordered bar drinks and they were not stingy with the alcohol pour. I ordered pizza margherita with extra basil. The amount of basil was embarrassingly small, but the server was happy to bring more and I received a healthy serving. Husband ordered a chicken parm sandwich which he thought was just par for the course. It was accompanied by what appeared to be frozen fries. This place is doing itself a disservice by not serving hand cut, fresh fries. There was really nothing there that screamed at my husband to come back for their particular sandwich as opposed to the same in a different restaurant. We will probably give it another chance and try pasta. This has the potential to become a successful, regular neighborhood (non-chain) favorite. Again, LOVED decor and feel as well as service. By just need to bump their dishes up to differentiate and call the diner back for more.
(2)Jessica L.
My husband, friend and I went here last Saturday night. We did call ahead seating and were seated right away without any problems. The decor was nice, simple, and cozy. The server was friendly, although she did forget to bring bread, refill drinks, etc. The chef himself checked in at one point which I personally thought was a nice touch. The food itself I would say is "just okay". It wasn't bad, but none of us were "wowed" or can't wait to go back. Our appetizer of calamari was a bit on the colder side, I feel it must have been ready for a while before being brought over. My entree of lasagne was again, just okay. Better than boxed frozen lasagne but far from the best I've had. We would go back, but are not in a hurry to do so. I think next time we all agree we would give the pizza a shot as they have a whole area dedicated to just pizza.
(3)Victoria Z.
I hope Manalu does well, I really do. The previous two restaurants I saw here didn't last long. They extended the restaurant and remodeled it completely. I visited during the second week it was open and didn't experience any brand new restaurant growing pains. Service was very attentive and friendly. Three stars just because the food didn't blow me away, but it was good.
(3)Chris L.
As an Italian American from Northern NJ, I feel this is exactly what Ballenger Creek needed! Nothing beats a mom and pop Italian restaurant. I have been here several times and most recently over this past weekend after having a horrible meal elsewhere. The pizza and ingredients are fresh, the staff is friendly and they have Peroni on tap. The interior also looks nothing like it did when Dominic's was in this location which is a huge plus!
(5)Darlene T.
We celebrated our 18th anniversary here and not only was the food awesome, service great but the chef came out to meet us and congratulate us! He also made us a special dessert! We were with our two adult kids and we all left with left overs. The pizzas are so delicious and the calzone was so yummy. I highly recommend any one who loves Italian food to come here!
(5)Eric C.
We were looking for a new place to eat in Frederick, we found this restaurant. The restaurant is newer the Decour was nice and welcoming and warm. From the greeter to the waitstaff to the show everybody was fantastic. We started our meal with fried calamari and a sampler appetizer and Bread. The calamari was tender and flavorful. The marinara sauce was fantastic and although I'm not usually a fan of marinara this was exceptional. My wife had the asparagus crab salad my daughter had the chicken Parmesan my son had the seafood linguine and I had a crabmeat and pasta. For dessert we had cannoli. The food was served promptly and it was fantastic. It was a great relaxed atmosphere.
(5)Erica P.
Excellent from the moment we were greeted; nice comfortable atmosphere and the food was great too! We got the Bella Italia pizza and the Veal Abruzzi. Both were very authentic. Nice change from the chain restaurants that can't offer anything even close. Make sure you get the complimentary bread for the table too - delicious! The chef came around to make sure everything was to our liking and chatted for a bit which added to the comfortable feel. We will definitely be back!
(5)Joe W.
Best antipasti plate i have ever had and i live on those ingredients. Wow. Buf Mozz is so tender. Parma Ham is like butter. Yummers.
(5)Chill B.
Best Italian food I've had since I moved from San Francisco a month ago. Try the gnocchi. Amazing. Great food, great ambiance, great service. Five stars for sure!
(5)Angela M.
First time visit today for lunch. Service and food were excellent. I had the Eggplant Parmigiano which was great. The true authenticity test for an Italian Restaurant is always the sauce- Manalu passed with flying colors. The Menu was extensive and I noticed a fully stocked and cozy Bar also. Will definitely be back!
(4)Shane S.
We were staying over in the area for the night on the way south. Found Manalu's on Yelp. Can't say enough good things. Atmosphere is warm and inviting. Plenty of booths for families. Hostess was quick, our waitress was fantastic. Wish we'd gotten her name. The food: you can't go wrong. I had bolognese with rigatoni; among the best I have ever had. Wife had eggplant parmesan, she loved it, said it could be a bit more crispy. Kid menu is perfect, spaghetti including meatballs, chicken fingers and pizza. Highly, highly recommend a night, here. Locals are lucky to have it.
(5)Sherry N.
Our new favorite spot for pizza! It's the closest thing to real Italian pizza I've found in the area. The crust was perfectly thin with a nice char, but still soft on top. We ordered the prosciutto and arugula and it was delicious. Also ordered the antipasto for a starter; each item was fresh and full of flavor. We ate at the bar and Jen was our bartender. Super friendly and knowledgeable. The restaurant is beautiful inside. The owners did a wonderful job with the design. Can't wait to return!
(5)Michael K.
Second visit to this restaurant hoping for a better experience then the first visit. In addition to a tiny salad that is served with the entrees the entree portions are small and in my opinion lacking in taste.
(2)Lauren V.
AWFUL... Went on New Years Eve...waitress decided to quit mid-service. She didn't know the wine list, came back to get our order because she couldn't read her writing, forgot to bring the wine ordered. She was a mess. Next thing, she is walking out of the restaurant and we never saw her after that. I spoke with the manager to let her know what had happened, but I'm not sure she understood what I was saying as there seemed to be a language barrier there. I didn't really get to explain the situation completely, but she sure seemed to have plenty of time to chat it up with her friends who had come in for a meal. When my meal eventually came out, it wasn't even close to what I ordered. The calamari app was also overdone and rubbery. After all that, no offer for complimentary drink or dessert was made for the inconvenience. The only positive thing I can say is that the pasta is fresh, not boxed. Can't say that we will be going back anytime soon. Be better Manalu...poor form on almost every aspect of the dining experience.
(1)RG S.
Pizza was very good. Fettuccine Alfredo was perfect. I liked the pizza crust bread. My wife rated the crab meat as just average, but what she expected for the price. The service was very friendly. I look forward to returning.
(4)Barbara N.
This cozy, charming Italian restaurant is just what Frederick needed. A lovely non-chain restaurant, where the quality of food is very good, and everything is homemade in the kitchen. The bar is very quaint & welcoming. A great place to stop for HH, or wait for a table if needed. Great bartenders & staff. They make you feel welcomed.I have tried quite a few of the dishes on the menu and have had no complaints. They have a variety of pizzas from a seafood pizza to the type you'd order from a pizza shack. But, all pizzas are cooked in the wood-fired oven! The salads are always fresh and tasty. Try the bruschetta, you won't regret it. Have had the best homemade Italian Wedding Soup here. You are greeted with a basket of bread and dipping oil at your table. The pastas I've eaten have been scrumptious ....gnocchi to the cappellini with fresh herbs. And don't forget to save room for the homemade cannoli! Don't overlook this Tuscan flair of a restaurant called Manalu's!
(5)Sheri W.
Christmas Eve Lunch...fabulous! Great service, great food, great atmosphere!
(5)Brian D.
I am on Business Travel in Frederick. During this time, I passed this restaurant a few times & decided to give it a shot. Let me just concisely review each part of my horrible experience: 1) Small Ceasar Salad (no meat) - the romaine lettuce seemed like it was right on the cusp of wearing, croutons are what you get in a Great Value product at Walmart, and dressing had no anchovy taste 2) Antipasta Appetizer - the tomatoes in the bruschetta did not taste fresh, f Bread appeared/tasted to be "thaw and serve", and there was too much cheap tasting olive oil on everything 3) Seafood Rigatoni - absolute worst pasta dish I have ever ordered at any restaurant. If I am paying more than 15 dollars for a dish, I better not receive frozen seafood. But guess what I got....shrimp no bigger than a finger nail and "scallop pieces" What an absolute assault on not only Italian cuisine but just dining in general. I would never in my wildest dreams encourage anyone to pay these prices for this substandard cooking.
(1)Samantha L.
Going this place on yelp. We decided to give this one a try. We had the mozzarella frittata- the marinara that comes with it is wonderful. The bread that is given is toasty and warm. I had gnocchi and it was cheesy and yummy exactly the comfort food I was looking for. Husband had the chicken piccata. He really liked it. We finished up sharing a tiramisu. Was probably the second best we have ever had. Highly recommend this new place in Frederick.
(5)Brittany S.
The pizza is very good..Great atmosphere. Friendly staff.. Portions are a bit small for the price... I've been to this place a handful of times and get the same dish, chicken Alfredo (Alla Panna I believe) the flavors aren't very consistent from time to time but when it's good it's good otherwise your kind of left desiring "that good time"
(3)Ca D.
We really enjoyed this place. The atmosphere is one of the biggest factors my husband and I take into consideration. It was very comfortable. The food was good, I ordered the baked ziti. Our food came out very quick, before I could finish my salad. Defiantly one of the top experiences we've had at a restaurant in a while. We would defiantly go back.
(4)Terri R.
Great food and great service! Can't wait to go back again. Everything was great! Pizza is authentic Naples style. Yum!
(5)Martin V.
For my first time, I am gonna do a 4 star....would probably do 4.5 if I could. We didnt get to try too much but will def be back. I have been to almost every place that is tried to make it at this location and they all fail...I really hope Manalu makes it. The place was almost unrecognizable....gorgeous inside and looks much bigger than last place. They have a huge restaurant area and also a nice bar. We just did a couple drinks and a Margherita pizza. I loved it....thought the crust was perfect and had a nice char, the cheese was creamy, and sauce mixed well. I want to try a few more dishes and hopefully I will up my rating. They had a pizza with french fries and hot dogs....someone please post a picture!
(4)Derek T.
You need to try this place!!! I am happily giving Manalu all five stars I have visited there on several occasions now and the food has always been top-quality. Whether you are going in for one of the various pasta dishes with multiple choices of sauces or the brick fired oven pizza and calzone you really can't go wrong. I have taken both my parents and my in-laws there and the food was well praised across the board. Recently we took my parents there for their 18th anniversary dinner, ( congratulations Parents! ) and the chef owner came out to the table with a dessert we didn't even know was coming large enough for the table to share a fried go with cinnamon and sugar on it decorated with strawberry sauce saying happy and chocolate sauce saying anniversary. This is the type of touch I want in my hometown go to Italian restaurant. The service is always top notch even when we seen them deal with difficult tables or been kind of difficult ourselves. Be sure to try this place out you will not regret it, you will walk away satisfied with food ,service, and atmosphere.
(5)Pixie A.
My new favorite place for Tira Misu! Haven't found a decent place for the dessert in years and am so lucky to have stumbled upon this! Also ordered eggplant parm which was just about perfect as well. Grateful the sub par service and food of Dominick's is gone! Never had a good experience or meal there.
(4)andrew n.
I have found that it's hard to get good pasta in Frederick, so we decided to give Manalu a try. Cons: 1. There was no hostess when we came in. This was 1:00 PM on a Saturday, so it seemed a bit odd that there wasn't a hostess. Not a big deal, but not the way to make the best first impression. 2. My wife's pasta wasn't properly drained, so there was a bunch of water in the bottom of her plate. She orders an eggplant dish, so the eggplant ended up soggy. Pros: 1. Service was great. 2. My son had the pizza. Crust was a little on the thick side, but the sauce was awesome. 3. Big selection. They have 8-10 different sauces and you can pick what type of pasta you want with it. Lots of fish and seafood options. 4. I had the aglio y olio with paccheri pasta. It was outstanding. Lots of garlic, plenty of pepper. Probably the best aglio y olio I've had outside of Italy. Overall, we enjoyed it. We're going to go back and try some of the other pasta dishes.
(4)Sean S.
I'm impressed with the change this new restaurant has made to this space. I have seen other restaurants come and go from this location and this is the first that fits and created the best layout and presentation. The menu is amazing as is the food. Service was very good and I got the impression that this was a family operation by watching the staff. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Michelle A.
Update- Since posting my review on Sunday evening, I have clarified a few facts that I feel obligated to post- 1. At the end of the evening the group ended up paying what was originally agreed upon in writing, PLUS extra tip for the waitress to make sure she got something since part of the arguments over payments focused around the tip- the owners agreed in writing to the rate and said it included tip and tax, but then tried to charge to separately when the bill came, and in the course of the argument it sounded like there was the consideration of not tipping the server. The diners tried to do the right thing, chipping in extra money they never should have had to pay, to make sure the server was compensated. To correct my original email- I originally stated the group paid what was originally requested, which was $100 over what they agreed upon in writing. What they actually paid was what was agreed upon, plus approx $40 as a tip to make sure the waitress was compensated. 2. The owners had numerous exchanges on Monday via phone with the event coordinator, after the event. I feel strongly that the owners of this restaurant did a few things that to me are unacceptable for a Business to do- 1. The owner agreed in writing to a rate, and then his wife tried to change the deal when It was time to pay 2. The owners wife argued publically with the diners about it, coming out into the dining room three separate times 3. It was only after 30+ minutes of arguing that the owner himself came out and admitted he did agree in writing to the deal 3. The owner and his wife called the next day to continue conversations about this topic- what more could have possibly had to be said? I strive to present accurate facts as well as my personal opinion in every review I write, and I hope this update corrects the misstatement in my first review that the group paid what was originally asked.
(1)Natalie K.
The chef sent over a special appetizer and dessert plate for me and my friends once they found out it was my birthday. They had even spelled out my name on the dessert plate with a raspberry sauce. I was really touched--this truly is the perfect neighborhood Italian restaurant!
(5)Gregory S.
I love going here for Italian food which is authentic and reasonably priced. I think there are a lot of Pizza/Italian joints in Frederick, but this place is definitely more than that. The things on this menu I really enjoy are the different options for pasta dinners, the calamari appetizer, and the steak I had once was even a solid choice. Noise level is always low to moderate so you can hear the people you are dining with. I have been here almost 10 times now and never had a bad experience with the waiter/waitress. If you are in Frederick and looking for a lovely Italian food experience, this will not disappoint.
(4)Kristin H.
The Bruschetta is fantastic, and if you can spare the calories the Fettuccine Alfredo was delicious. The fettuccine tasted like it had been freshly made! Had my birthday celebration there and they brought out delicious cinnamon sugary doughy treats-- enough for our party of 16!!! And they all sang - even the chef! We enjoyed our meal and will definitely return again & again!
(5)Ryan P.
My wife and I ordered takeout from this place last weekend. Since I had takeout, I can only opine on the food, given we didn't have a server and clearly if we dined in the presentation and ambiance would factor in (well, not for my rating anyway, provided food/service is good, the rest doesn't matter). Our meal came with bread that was moist, fresh, and somewhat chewy (not in a negative way). It didn't come with a dipping sauce -- so not sure if they offer that in the restaurant -- and it was only a few slices. And although it was very good, I could have had another slice or two. I ordered the Ravioli Mare E Monti -- black ravioli stuffed with lobster meat with shrimp, sea scallops, and shiitake mushrooms tossed in a rose sauce. It was absolutely superb. The ravioli was awesome, the seafood fresh, and the mushrooms have a consistency and texture that really goes well with everything else. The sauce was also very flavorful but not overly so, and it wasn't too thick or rich. This dish was very well thought out and put-together. I added some Parmesan cheese to top it off. Very tasty. My wife ordered the Chicken Grigliato--marinated chicken over spinach with grilled vegetables. I tasted the chicken and it was cooked perfectly with a good flavor. I didn't try any of the spinach or vegetables but my wife said she really liked the whole thing. We didn't order any desserts or appetizers. Overall, this place was great and will likely be our go-to italian joint in Frederick given its proximity to our house.
(4)Ebbonie K.
As others have said...the food was good but not great. Their tomato red pepper soup was quite yummy but the bread was just ok....they could take a note from macaroni grill on great bread. The salad was cold but the lettuce just not drained well enough. Ziti with tomato cream sauce was good but more heavy on cream and cheese than tomato so it tasted good but was just too rich to finish. Water was very nice and service good. Not a bad place but not running back tomorrow. We will probably try them again after they are open a bit longer to see if the improve.
(3)Dolly G.
The place is newly renovated from a previous restaurant "Dominick's Italian" When stepping in this restaurant it looks nothing like the old one. They have expanded a little bit and their interior design nice. It has a brick oven pizza area. Their bar area is also cozy. My husband and I ordered their pizza and it was pretty good. It hasn't made us feel the "OMG it's to die for pizza" but I did enjoy their crust. We would come back next time and try their pasta. My husband thinks it's so so and would give a 3 star rating.
(4)Anthony T.
The food is great and the atmosphere is even better. The family that owns The place is great and makes it feel like you are part of the family. They recently hosted an anniversary party for my parents and could not have been more hospitable. It is the Best Italian food in the area.
(5)