Just awesome... First time tonight. Had a scallop and risotto dish that was just beautiful and delicious... Bread pudding with chocolate and peanut butter was very good. Service was friendly even if we were the last party to leave the restaurant. Really excellent!
(5)
Jay T.
Phoenixville has excelled. Marly's is a culinary adventure. What distinctive flavor combos, creative cuisine and pleasant taste surprises. Service attentive and friendly. Holly's recitation of specials was theater. Kudos. Apps: green fried tomatoes, wontons, ahi all good. Hangar steak and edamame risotto entree delish but barely room temp. Shrimp and grits, too too. Wld give 4 stars but atmosphere the worst. Might as well have been at a Phillies game. The noise!!!! Those braying f@"*%%'s at the nxt table. Couldn't wait to get out on the street. A shame really to dampen the delight of such a creative kitchen. Wld return and demand a quiet corner.
I love Marly's byob! The food is consistently delicious. I love going where the food is prepared in a creative way I've never had before and all the better for it. The ambiance inside is nice but I especially like dining alfresco in their backyard. The beautiful lights, plants, flowers & music make me feel I'm at a party at a friends house...it's relaxed and inviting. The wait staff has always been exceptional.
(5)
Eric F.
Our favorite restaurant, go there at least once a month. Bento boxes are amazing and hopefully they bring them back! Right now they have a hummus of the day which is just as good, by far the best hummus I've ever had, always something sweet in it. Entrees are great too...hanger steak, crab cakes, the seasonal gnocchi, pappardelle pasta, cheese steak, all amazing. To top it if, BYO! Definitely top 2 restaurants in phoenixville (toss up with Black Lab)
(5)
Natalia K.
I had a great dinner here the other night. The service was great, as was the food, and it was BYOB so we had brought some bottles of wine to enjoy with dinner. The menu is an eclectic mix of american, southern, italian, and asian. There is something for everyone on this menu!
(4)
Lauren P.
A group of 8 of us visited Marly's last Friday night for our annual holiday friend dinner. I recommend making reservations as the place is small although it was not crowded for dinner on a Friday night. We like BYOB places so we can drink lots of wine and beer even had a champagne toast. What I loved was no corkage fee and our waitress happily brought us out champagne glasses. The cornbread they served was delicious- very moist. We started with 3 appetizers- the brushetta, dates with goat cheese ( appetizer special) and fried tomatoes. The brushetta was delicious- lots of fresh tomatoes and cheese. I did not try the dates but those in my party loved them! The menu does not have a ton of entree choices and they were out of 2 which is my pet peeve. Take note Marly's when you only have 10 entree choices you cannot be out of anything. Many of the options were fish which many in our group went with including the crab cakes and scallops-each came with high reviews. I ordered the steak which came with mashed potatoes and green beans. All very delicious and they cooked the steak perfectly although it was a very tiny piece and not worth $34. My only complaint about the entrees was one in our group ordered the Mac and cheese with sausage ( her second choice entree as they were out of the hanger steak). The Mac and cheese was delicious but came out in a scalding hot skillet which did not cool down until after we finished dinner so she was never able to eat it. The waitress apologized but unacceptable. For dessert which we did save room for (the entrees are very small) I split the peanut butter chocolate banana bread pudding. Very delicious but the small dollop of ice cream they serve it with is laughable. This restaurant has potential and hopefully they can improve.
(3)
Charles R.
Like this place, BUT...................Been here 3 times and everytime they never can seat you when you walk in. First time, which was almost the last, we didn't get seated for almost 1/2 hour. Second time it was 15 minutes after we arrived. Saturday night had a 7:30 reservation, got there a couple minutes before and again we waited almost 15 minutes to sit down. I had requested outside patio, which is very nice, and at first they said they had to set up the table, then they said the people were just leaving, then it was another excuse. What's really odd, is that once we walked outside, there were 3 other tables open??? They always seem disorganized when it comes to taking reservations and seating people somewhat on time. The staff reminds me of the Seinfeld episode...... they know how to TAKE the reservation, they just don't know how to HOLD the reservation...Well, to be fair, they do hold it, you just can't be seated on time for whatever reason. Ok, the food is good, nothing outstanding , but good. If you want a paced meal, you need to tell the server you don't have a curfew and to take their time. Once we ordered the starters and the main course arrived almost at the same time. Maybe they try to pick up the pace once you finally get seated. Nice people, but you'd think that since they've be open for a couple years now they could get the seating down a little better.
(3)
Karen o.
Service and food are always excellent! Our favorite spot when in PA!
(5)
Kristin M.
We are residents of Phoenixville and within walking distance to this resturant. The food has always been good! The service is generally sub-par and relaxed. If you are not in a hurry then this is the place to dine. My quam with this resturant is the reservation service they provide, and then failing to seat you at a reasonable time after arriving. Let me mention the lack of a lobby or place to wait to be seated as well before continuing. The past two experiences we have had were with parties of 6 and 8. The first time we waited 30 mintues to be seated and then the last time 45 minutes! The latest experience with a party of 8, the hostess was too busy conversing to greet us when we walked in for the first couple of minutes ( I thought she was a patron to tell you the truth) She did not ask our name after stating we had a reservation, and said it would be 10 minutes and continued her conversation and didn't check on our table or notify anyone we were there! When finally seated there was no apology for the 45 minute wait, or rush ( now 9:15 p.m.) to get the ball rolling with menus or specials for the evening. I have to say this has put a sour taste in my mouth to say the least. There are plenty of resturants that would love larger parties and would be willing to treat their patrons slightly better. I will be thinking twice before returning to this resturant with a large group.
(2)
Gina B.
My husband a friend and I ate at Marly's last night and we were disappointed. The service or lack there of of the wait staff and hostess ruined the meal. When we arrived it was so crowded there was no where to wait for our table. We waited about 10 minutes till a hostess appeared to sorta greet us. After we were seated our waitress was very distracted. Several times throughout the meal if we started to tell her something she quickly darted off and did not see if anyone else wanted to order something or open another bottle of wine. The noise level in the restaurant is so loud it was difficult to have a conversation with my guests. The food was good despite all the other issues. We ate the Bento box which was very different and the Ahi Tuna Starter. Each of our entree's were good. Our dessert was ok. In a time where good restaurants are popping up all over and in especially phoenixville, this restaurant needs to work on customer service before I would recommend it.
(2)
Dan G.
This was a very pleasant experience in spite of our waiter... six of us ended up at Marly's for a dinner before hitting Molly McQuire's for a drink or two... I had the butterfish and my date the salmon... have to tell you it was excellent... I liked the salmon, but not even close to the taste of the butterfish... the rest of the party seemed equally as pleased with their selections... after a few glasses of wine, there wasn't much additional reference to the food... in fact our table was quite loud with the ribbing and joking going on... fortunately the rest of the place seemed fairly lively, so hopefully we didn't spoil anyone's date... A mentioned earlier it seemed the waiter walked in off the street... I hope not with as many people needing jobs... ;-) anyway we made it through the little bit of ordeal it was with the slowness and very much enjoyed the meal!!
(4)
L G.
I have been to Marly's several times, and each time has been a fantastic experience. The staff is very attentive and friendly, whether you are the only people in the restaurant or it is a busy weekend night. The decor is warm and welcoming. Everything I've eaten here is delicious, but my favorite is the Orange-Molasses Glazed Hanger Steak with corn and risotto, and a sweet chili garlic aioli. The Marly's "Cheese Steak" is also a popular favorite. If it's available, be sure to try the bread pudding for dessert.
(5)
Dan B.
Ate at Marly's on Sat night (9/27). The food was amazing. I had the salmon with prawns and my wife had the sirloin. We split the chocolate chip banana cake for dessert. Service was OK, wondering if the waitress was new as she couldn't remember specials or what was in the bento box, but she was very friendly and was quick to accomdate us with our bottle of win. Would recommend for anyone looking for a BYO in Phoenixville.
(4)
Rich D.
We had dinner there on the Friday night of the Memorial Day Holiday which may have accounted for the food. I ordered a cheese salad with beet which wasn't bad and my wife had the fried green tomatoes which we're a bit overdone. For entrees, my wife had the veal which we both thought was good and I was anticipating a great fillet Mignon for my meal. After I ordered my $30 steak -medium, it unfortunately came out well done and the potatoes underneath were lukewarm. I would have asked for something else but but by the time our server checked in on us, (10 minutes later), my wife was well through her dinner. The server did offer to buy us dessert, in which we ordered the peanut butter bread pudding. Foiled again as it was more chewy than soft and moist. We're huge fans of BYOs (Black Lab, Twin Bays, Majolica) and we we're hoping to walk away with a great dinner story, but that was not to be. Won't be going back there.
(1)
Justin F.
Very nice BYOB. The Bento Box appetizers are yet to disappoint me. The menu is diverse and offers a little bit of everything to satisfy a number of tastes. The atmosphere is enjoyable both on the porch and inside the exposed brick dining rooms. I will dock them a star on service. While service is almost always friendly it can lag a little at time in attentiveness.
(4)
Er B.
I have been to Marly's three times: with a very large group (16+), just the husband and I, and with a mid-size group (7). All visits have been on different days of the week and seasons. All have been dinner visits. I think Marly's is a pretty solid restaurant, with a nice selection to offer; however, the menu does have few options for vegetarians. They can accommodate requests (as they have done on my visits there). My meals have included ordering or tastings of: the grilled romaine hearts, bento box, pear salad, smoked scallops (which have been modified on the menu), risotto, seared scallops (now on the menu) and crab cakes. I have not had the chance to order dessert, since I'm usually quite full after my meal (and I like to "spread the love" by patronizing some of the sweet shops in town). The coffee at Marly's is really good! I'm not sure why/how that is, but it surprised all of us when our very large group dined there. As noted in other reviews, the restaurant does get loud, but not "screaming-to-communicate" loud. Marly's has added furnishings to soften the sounds a bit, and it has helped. Marly's also offers outdoor dining, which I have not yet experienced. It is in the back yard of the property on an landscaped hill.
(4)
Andrew F.
I thought Marly's was very good. We started off with the Bento Box, which had ribs, fried ravioli, some sort of beef stew type dish, and hummus. The first three were good (I didn't try the hummus- can't stand the stuff). My wife's shrimp and noodle dish was good, as was my steak. It was a lot of food, and we both too home about half of our dish. My filet was huge, compared to what's normally served at other restaurants. All in all, a good meal.
(4)
Dan W.
My girlfriend and I heard great things about this place from a friend and gave it a try. I like some other byobs in Phoenixville so I figured I would give it a try. I could not have been more disappointed. We started out with the Bento Box which on our night was hummus, cold lo mein and fillet tips. This was probably one of the worst appetizers I have had at a nice restaurant. The hummus was okay, but that is pretty easy to pull off, the fillet tips tasted like pot roast and were not creative at all. On top of this app being terrible it was $18. I didn't ask how much the bento box was because all of the other apps were around 12 and I figured this would be around the same. I don't care about paying $18 for an app if it is good, but this was terrible and nothing in it would justify the $18. The dinner itself was more of the same. I had the pan seared salmon, it wasn't terrible, but it was very average at best. My girlfriend got the Marley's cheese steak. I thought this would be good since the waitress told us this was their specialty. There was nothing special about this steak, again not terrible, but very average. The worst part of the steak dish was the potato of the day that came it. These potatoes resembled something that stoner with a few potatoes and some cheese would make. Seriously that is the best way to describe them, except I think a stoner may have actually done a better job. I am not sure how Marley's gets good reviews, but I would avoid this place if you can. You can get a much better meal for the same price at Black Lab or Majolica right down the street.
(1)
Nathan R.
I really like this place. Some of the other reviewers have criticized the food, and I don't think the criticisms are unfair, but overall the experience is very nice. Everything about this place -- the decor, the service, and the food itself -- is well-executed (if not flawless), unfussy, relaxed, and enjoyable. I've been here twice and had steak both times. On my most recent visit, I had a hanger steak with a slightly spicy edamame risotto. The steak was cooked just right -- rare-to-medium-rare -- and lightly sauced, and the risotto was just the kind of comfort food I was hoping for. The cut of meat itself was a little disappointing -- it was a wee bit stringy -- but it was still a very satisfying meal. I highly recommend the ahi tuna appetizer, which was made well with super-fresh fish and served on a bed of Asian slaw (the slaw included some uncooked ramen noodles, which was charming and tasty). The desserts are pretty basic -- good, rich, sweet, big, and indulgent (bread pudding, cheesecake, pie, etc.). Overall, I think the menu is pitched right -- unpretentious but creative dishes, high-quality ingredients, prepared well. A little on the pricey side, maybe, but fair for what you get -- figure on thirty to forty bucks per person. Service was speedy, attentive, and professional. I really hope they do well. I live in Phoenixville and I think this is the kind of restaurant the town needs. By the way, you have to go up a flight of stairs to get into the dining room, at least if you go in the main entrance. If you're in a wheelchair, I'd suggest calling ahead to find out about their accessibility.
(4)
Gina E.
We went with a party of 17 and had an amazing experience. I was pleasantly surprised by the outstanding service and delicious food. It's also a BYO which makes it my new favorite place to go with a group. Although we had a reservation, it took awhile to be seated. However, we were seated in a private area, which was much appreciated but not requested. Appetizers were waiting for us - chicken dumplings and bruschetta - both well received by everyone. We ordered many different entrees and all were amazing. Particularly the shrimp and grits and the "cheesesteak". Simply put, go here now. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Amy A.
I went to a friends birthday party here last September. I enjoyed it a lot and was thrilled when I saw a deal on CBS. Marly's is a small byob in Phoenixville. I adore a good byob, so my husband and I made a reservation for Friday. We arrived and were promptly seated. Our server was super friendly. I wish I could remember her name, I believe she has some tattoos, but she was excellent. Asked if we had any dietary restrictions and shared with us some information about the menu. She opened our bottle of wine, brought an ice bucket and we looked over the menu. I was immediately drawn to the grilled romaine hearts with goat cheese as an appetizer. My husband chose the shrimp tostada. For a main dish I chose the hanger steak with the risotto and my husband chose the 5 spice duck. However, when we ordered we were told they were out of shrimp...on a Friday night...at 8p. I was disappointed, so my husband changed his appetizer to the crab wontons. Food came out timely. I love my salad, a little over dressed. The hanger steak with risotto was amazing. My husband's wontons were great, but missing the peas. His duck was a little over cooked and therefore dry. And the sides were ok. I wasn't a huge fan of his maim dish overall. We had a very pleasant experience and will certainly return for a date night again.
(4)
Amanda S.
This place gets an A for the food. The crab cakes are delicious. The filet is good, a bit heavy on the blue cheese. The service again, I give it a solid A. The place is just too small. You can hear everyone's conversation. Not recommended if you don't want the whole place to hear you talk.
(3)
Dustin M.
A group of us went for my friends birthday celebration. I didn't really know what to expect since I'd never heard of the place before. It's a short menu, which I prefer, because it lends to dishes that have been refined through lots of repetition. We were seated in a semi-private room that was well lit, with exposed brick walls and cool wine themed art. The servers we had handled the large group well. The fact that it's BYO helps, because the entrees are all over $20. I had the shrimp and grits which were very creamy and the bacon in it was a good texture contrast. I thought it was a little too cheesy, but that's a minority opinion. The greens were very good, and I'm snobby about greens. I was also really impressed with the crab cake. It's a big portion with little filler. The accompanied cream corn was good enough that my girl hoarded it. Overall, I would go back but the cost makes it not a regular spot.
(4)
Shane L.
Worth the trek out there from the city....a pleasant surprise for a local joint. Special shrimp and grits was phenomenal. Black bean hummus was perfect. Linguine in pesto white sauce was friggin' awesome. Croquettes starter was unexplainably good. Dim and comfortable decor with lots of cozy components. "Perfectly noisy" with the sound of people having a great time chit-chatting over multiple bottles of BYO (every table seemed to bring copious amounts). Servers were polite and didn't mind us being a tad bit obnoxious. It's always a good sign for me when I walk into a restaurant where you see people smiling, enjoying food, laughter and servers on the constant move. This restaurant is good.
(4)
Javier G.
Pros: food was good. The shrimps n grits was yummy. And, my friend enjoyed the ribs. Cons: the food selection was limited, and the prices were a little high. All the fish had a type of nut and they could not make it without. All the desserts had a nut or chocolate which I cannot eat so I was unable to get a dessert. Also, I took someone there for his birthday and they did nothing special, so truly 2.5 stars but I rounded to the nearest star. Last it's byob, so we brought a white wine. And the waiter offered to put it on the floor. I said no, we need it at a table level and they put it on a chair. :-/
(3)
Matt K.
When we first walked in, I knew that this place would appeal to many folks, dark heavy wood furniture, lots of candles, very casual, a good vibe. More like a tavern than an ecelectic Italian restaurant, but who cares? Unfortunately we were seated 17 minutes late, not a big deal since we all had already had a cocktail at home so we were all nicely lubed up! The restaurant was quite crowded and loud, great for a large group but maybe not for a date. (there were 6 of us) Service was generally attentive and very homey-friendly, but most of us were laughing and talking too much to notice. The waitress had to come back twice to tell us that they were out of something we ordered, not a big deal again but you can see why this place isn't getting 5 stars already. The menu is huge, and mostly Italian, but many dishes were eclectic with Asian influence. A huge menu is usually not a great sign, (think Applebees and TGI Fridays) but in this case it didn't detract a whole lot from the quality of the food, which was decent. This is not a gourmet restaurant, but everyone's food was tasty, and they didn't make any mistakes. I had the Tuscan white bean soup with sausage and escarole in it. It was seasoned perfectly, and very tasty. I had the veal main course, can't remember exactly what they call it since the name of it was a whole sentence long! But when I saw some of the menu items I started thinking about that famous Spam and bloody Vikings Monty Python skit: "Lobster Thermidor a Crevette with a mornay sauce served in a Provencale manner with shallots and aubergines garnished with truffle pate, brandy with a fried egg on top and spam." So you're like thinking: how did they come up with all that? And will it make sense, tastewise? Hmmmmm. But anyways. the veal had a marsala sauce, creamy mascarpone polenta underneath and olives, sun-dried tomatoes and capers. The combination was a bit odd, but I ate it all! The 3 chicks of course ordered dessert, and all 3 desserts had chocolate in them. I don't know how they remembered what the waitress even said because they didn't have dessert menus and she must have rattled off about 50 desserts. The men just sat, glassy-eyed, while the women clucked and clucked about who was going to get what. I had a bite of all 3 and they were all passable. All in all, a fun experience, and I would go to this restaurant again.
(3)
amy v.
Wouldn't go back and would not recommend. Did not live up to our expectations. On a Saturday night, at 7PM, they were out of the 2 entree's that we planned on ordering already. My meal, which was a hanger steak, tasted like it was marinated with a Teriyaki sauce, nothing special about either meal we had (husband had the pork chop)...and mine was not a full steak. The waitress, who was extremely friendly, never came over to ask if everything was ok after we both ordered basically a substitute for what we originally went there for. Not impressed with our experience and was upset with the money we spent on meals that we didn't want.
(2)
Todd B.
Another wonderful dinner at Marly's. The Marly's cheesesteak was outstanding and the salmon was perfect. We ended our meal with the bread pudding - one of the best ever! The service from Sammy made our evening out quite enjoyable. We will be back again soon!
(5)
Tom L.
Located in downtown Phoenixville, right near Iron Hill if you need a familiar landmark. BYO is always a plus here with no corking fee. Laid back vibe from the second you walk up the stairs and into the tiny waiting area. Reservations recommended as the place fills up quickly. A handful of tables along the front windows of the restaurant and ample space in the main dining area (14 tables or so) and a more secluded seating area to the left as you walk thru the space that seats 6 parties or so from 2 tops to 6 I believe. I am a fan of the Bento boxes, but be prepared to pay $18-$20 for whatever they are offering up, which is typically 4 different items. A nice start to dinner if you are not a picky eater. I seem to always order the Crab cakes which is served on top of creamed corn (nothing like the canned stuff mom used to give us) and edamame. The sauce is creamy, but not a lot of butter and not the richest dish on the menu. My wife enjoys the Shrimp and Grits, which is a bit too heavy for my tastes, but the shrimp are large and at least a half dozen in there. Their homemade chocolate peanut butter bread pudding is where it's at if you have the room and enjoy decadent desserts. It's very, very good. One of my favorite places to dine among many on the strip. (yes, parking is tough around downtown, but be patient and give yourself an extra 10 minutes to find a spot and you'll be fine).
(4)
Emily A.
Went here tonight with another couple and I am so glad that we picked this place! The food and service were both fantastic! two of us had the rainbow trout and both of us loved it! Another had the hangar steak and another the papardelle pasta and everything was delish! Homemade tiramisu and bread pudding were also recommended. The white wine that we brought paired really nicely with everything. Great job Marly's!
(5)
Jeannie G.
Food was good, nice date spot. Too bad we had a loud table next to us, but we will 100% go back
(4)
Stacy T.
If it weren't for the wait I would give Marly's 5 stars. We were not greeted at the door, and waited about 5-10 minutes before anyone came to seat us. Our waitress was sweet and very attentive. The food took a bit longer to come out than I expected, but it was worth the wait! I had the wide noodle crab and mushroom meal (can't remember the actual name of the meal). It was really good! The crab was cooked perfectly and the trumpet mushrooms were a perfect addition to the creamy meal. My hubby got the crab cakes and they were amazing!
(4)
Pamela K.
Another great spot in Phoenixville! I never hesitate to bring new people to Marly's. The food is scrumptious: my faves are the crab cakes and the shrimp & grits. The staff is always wonderful and owner Samantha is a dear! Now, if we could only get a spot like this in downtown Royersford :)
(5)
Bernie P.
The weirdest and worst dining experience I've had in a very long time. Wedding rehearsal dinner caused us to be 50 minutes late to sit at our table simply because the owner didn't have the guts to politely approach the wedding party and ask them to clear the room. We then were seated and ordered. They did give us some salsa and chips and pot stickers complimentary because of our wait. We had hoped that was it. Then we got our food. First salads, which were good although one person had to wait 10 minutes after everyone had theirs. Then, after a very lengthy wait came our dinners. Of our party of 9, 5 were served at 10pm, 3 were served at 10:10 and the last meal came out wrong so it was sent back at 10pm. By 10:25 my friend had had it, since our reservation was for 8pm and at 10:25 he still had not had his entree. He politely asked to see the manager and was told that since he waited so long they figured he didn't want it in the dining room and they packed it to go. Cause everyone orders pork chops to go at 10:30pm right???? He asked to speak outside with the manager so other guests wouldn't be distracted and the owner, who is the manager, met him outside. She immediately became defensive and extemely argumentative and barked out that your meal is free. Which was the right thing to do after such a terrible experience. But she didn't stop there. She went crazy, screaming in her restaurant, making faces and body gestures. It was ridiculous and I have never seen behavior like this in my life from an owner of an establishment. Suffice to say I will never go back. The funny thing is, in our party of 9, three couples all had gift certificates from having their meals refunded from the last time they were at this restaurant yet none of us had gone there together. As one person in our party said when our waitress asked us to give them another chance, "This was the other chance". I will say, our waitress, I believe her name is Holly, was very friendly throughout the whole thing and you could tell she was having to put out the fires caused by the owner and the kitchen. She tried her hardest to make her friend the owner look good, but man did she have a hard job. I will never go back to this restaurant again, plain and simple and I can't recommend anyone else doing so either.
(1)
Percy N.
Went for dinner a few days ago and ordered: - Grilled balsamic romaine salad w/goat cheese - delicious salad but I wish they would crisp up the pancetta which seemed to be cold and soggy. - Shrimp and grits - Creamy smooth grits, smothered with jumbo shrimp in a slightly spiced sauce. It would have been perfect were it not for pre-sauteed Brussels sprouts and pancetta which were soggy instead of the crispy texture they could have contributed to the dish, making it divine. - Crab cakes - Well made with not a lot of filler, served on a bed of slightly creamed corn. Service was attentive and seemed to have improved. Guests at other tables seemed to like their dishes as well, so that is another good sign.
(4)
Christian B.
In the Phoenixville dining scene, many places complete for your dining dollars. Marly's is a nice choice, but can be a bit too pricey for some. Atmosphere - Going into Marly's on a warm fall night, we were greeted right away by a hostess. Extremely small dining area for a party of six, but right by the window so good for people watching. Not a very large place, definitely want to make a reservation for a party of more then four. Waitstaff - Our waitress was pleasant and friendly, took care of making sure we got the last of the specials of the night (a mahi mahi my friend loved) along with refilling our waters just at the right time. They provide a no cork fee for the BYO as well, which was good on our three bottles of classic wines. Food - Menu's are a simple one page affair, with everything from classics like Grilled Sirloin and Baked Gnocchi, to the adventurous Orange Glazed Molasses Hangar Steak. My group split appetizers of the Benton box, which while great value, is not for a party of six, maybe two at most. But is a great way to try a few things. We also had the hummus which I was not a fan of, but the majority of the table enjoyed. I went with the steak for dinner; Tender, and with a creamy risotto was very good. I will say I was disappointed in the portion size, thought there would be much more for the price we paid. Intangibles - Parking is, and has been for many years, atrocious in this area. Try the side streets or near the foundry, but be prepared to pay to park. Does offer a variety of interesting desserts, but the rest of my party was not up for it, alas. Not a kids place, the tables are too close together for those under seven, so they should stay at home with the babysitter (hint, hint) Overall - A decent entry into the dining scene. Marly's is not too busy, not overly dead, and the food can be simple or challenging depending on tastes. If you have some money to spend and are in the area, not a bad spot to consider.
(3)
Glenn J.
My wife and I went to Marly's last night...We had goat cheese and chorizo croquettes as an appetizer which was very good. For entrees, we had the filet (marly's cheesesteak) and the haibut special. The filet was one of the best I've had anywhere. For desert, we had the banana chocolate layer cake which was excellent....Overall, I would say this is one of the best restaurants in Phoenixville and we only spent $87 for a great dinner.
(4)
James W.
In one word, awesome! Was taken for my bday on a Friday night, 6:30-7pm. Place was just starting to fill in for the night. Blues music was playing. Waitress was attentive but was great at not being intrusive. Great service. Had the shrimp and grits. If you like bacon, GET THIS!!! Incredible dish. Had enough to take home for a second meal. Love the bento box appetizer special. On small side but nice selection of premium apps. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the place. Two meals and a bento box app and price was $60. Factor in our byob wine and it was a great evening.
(5)
Steph S.
Be very cautious ordering items to your liking... it's the owners way or no way and we learned the hard way. Appalling display of professionalism and pride in a business; when asked for a steak cooked "Medium Rare to Medium" and the steak comes out Well Done, the owner had the nerve to tell our table we were wrong and made a scene. We will never go back here, those poor servers I feel bad they have such a b*tch of a boss.
(1)
Jessica E.
Upon walking into Marly's, I was greeted with amazing smells. I felt confident that I would find a tasty meal here, and I was right. The decor and atmosphere were very nice. Service was ok. For my meal, I ordered the shrimp reggiano, which was served over pasta in a lobster broth. It was seasoned very well and had a nice balance of ingredients. I settle on a three star rating because, based on experiences at some other Italian restaurants, I felt that these prices were a bit steep. Had my dish been $5 less, it would be an extra star at least. I would go back to Marly's if I find myself in Phoenixville again though.
(3)
C.C. G.
I would not call this a memorable meal (in a good way) but for the price it should have been. Lost one star for stale rolls, not enough butter and only two bread baskets for nine people. Lost one star for stuffing us so tightly in a corner, my arm kept hitting the wall when I moved it. It was like eating on an airplane. Waitstaff could only serve from one side so food had to be passed over the heads of folks on the other side of the table. Lost a star for under cooked crab cake and gnocchi that was flavorful, but very gummy. Tasted like dough had been overworked. With so many other good choices in Phoenixville, I think I can safely say we will not be back.
(2)
Nancy O.
Crowded, cozy ambience, and glad we had reservations and weren't rushed. Samantha, our server/owner was awesome.. between six of us we tried the bento box, the calamari (both great) for apps, the filet, the shrimp and grits, the gnocchi, the scallops, the pasta with pesto, and the peanut butter chocolate bread pudding. Best choices were the calamari, the gnocchi and the bread pudding. We weren't rushed, sat out in the cozy(, as in bumping into the woman's chair behind me cozy) front enclosed porch area and overall had a great dinner! Service got a little slow, but it was packed, and a great night out with friends! Bringing great bottles of wine made for a great night at a cozy, no corkage fee BYO!
(4)
Phil G.
Another nice addition to the fabulous Phoenixville dining scene, although not quite as nice as it should be. The interior atmosphere is lovely, with lots of dark wood and exposed brick. The service was friendly, although I think our waitress was either the owner or a manager so I would hope so! My general feeling about the food is that the menu is too ambitious. For one, it is quite long, with fifteen totally different entrees to choose from. I wish they would pare that down a bit and focus their attention on the best ones. My wife had the "cheese steak," a filet mignon with a roquefort-walnut crust. Sounded good, but was actually kind of unappetizing. I had the scallops, which were average. A bright spot was dessert--they make their own pumpkin cheesecake which was divine. You'll quickly see that everything is a bit over-priced. I can't speak as to the lunch experience, but frankly it is a bit fancy of a place for a casual lunch. So overall, I have hopes that Marly's will be a great restaurant someday. There is a tendency in many Phoenixville restaurants to go for a kind of faux-fancy style, charging high prices for somewhat generic food (weirdly, very few make use of the many local food suppliers in Chester county!). Marly's is at least a little more experimental, but I hope they will focus their attention a bit more.
(3)
Pieta B.
On a recent trip to Pennsylvania, I got to try Marly's. Most of our food was fine, even good, but I had an experience so bad that I can't give the place more than one star. I made it very clear to my server that I was vegetarian and she was very pleasant about making substitutions, which was great. Unfortunately, she and the kitchen staff made a mistake and served me a salad dressing with meat in it. She did come over and offer a substitution, but after I'd had a taste. She did not offer to start over on the dish or to replace it with something else. Actually, she was very casual about the whole thing. This is probably one of the worst things that can happen in a restaurant (next to serving your celiac diner wheat or your peanut-allergic diner peanuts), so I can only give Marly's one star. The other thing that stood out was that it was very, very loud. I don't think it was the architecture -- the floor was carpeted and there was not a lot of glass. I just think that the patrons were yelling. When one arrived and announced his presence to the entire restaurant by saying "I just want to apologize in advance: it's going to get loud here," our little group fled, desserts unfinished. Meanwhile, servers were rushing to set up a table for a large group -- rushing too much for a restaurant. It was all very unsettling and not conducive to a pleasant dinner with the in-laws. My grilled romain salad was huge and a little bland (even with the unwanted meat). My main, one of the risottos normally served as a side was toothy and tasty. Dessert was a key lime pie that was very good -- tart and refreshing. The inlaws loved their dishes -- a salad with baked cheese to start, followed by a chicken dish for her and a fish dish for him. Staff gets props for being friendly if not completely professional.
(1)
Chris H.
We've been here a few times and have enjoyed it. I had the diver scallops and hubby had the crab cakes - both entrees were well presented and delicious. Previously, I've had the shrimp and grits and that was an outstanding dish. Service was good, no wait. The parking is always an issue in Phoenixville - but make the most of it by enjoying the renovation of the town and looking in the shops on your walk to the restaurant!
(4)
Kristin B.
I've been to Marly's several times - each time the meal was quite enjoyable, and the service is usually pretty good. The grilled hearts of romaine salad is delicious - and I especially enjoy the "Cheese Steak" (filet topped w/bleu cheese), they do a nice job cooking meat to requested temperature. Its definitely worth checking out (but don't forget your favorite bottle!). It does get crowded (and noisy if there are groups), so reservations are necessary.
(4)
Holly H.
Super fantastic time the other night has gained them another star. Always busy and bustling, we love the service, the unique space and the incredible food.
(5)
Seth R.
We love Marly's! #1: it's BYO with no corkage fees. #2: they are open when we want to go, hours are great. #3: the food is always good and reasonably priced. #4: The owner is a gem! Anne always takes care of us. Wish the pasta was homemade....
(4)
Jeff G.
Absolutely wonderful! The menu is a bit eclectic, kinda' soul food meets pan-Asian-Italian fusion BYO, but there is plenty for everyone. The atmosphere is very cozy and warm. The dinning room is split into several areas, which offers quiet surroundings and the sense of intimacy without isolation. I recommend sitting on the "porch" area. It's not actually outside though; it's a closed room that overlooks the street with large windows. Appetizers are great; I had the new crab lemon grass wontons. My wife had a simple cesare salad that she though was perfect (light but appropriately seasoned). They offer a "Bento Box," which is a selection of 4 of their appetizers, with the selections changing daily. Main courses were appropriately priced, beautifully presented, and as good as the rest of our meal. I had shrimp with grits (I know... sounds weird, but really really good); my wife had spinach gnocchi. Desert was a nice apple torte with a scoop of whipped creame on the side. Perfect with coffee. Can't wait to go back.
(4)
Rachel S.
Finally. A really good restaurant in Phoenixville. My old favorite used to be Twin Bays cafe but sadly, it closed. Since then, whenever I'd go home to visit my mother, we always had a hard time deciding on which mediocre restaurant to have dinner. Marly's is now my go-to dinner place while in Phoenixville. We ordered the Strawberry Salad, Shrimp and Grits and the Scallops with risotto. They were all really, really good. I think I liked my mom's smoked scallops the best. The shrimp and grits I would definitely order again but wait to do so during colder months. We sat outside on their elevated veranda and it was very quaint. The service was friendly and attentive. The only criticism I would give is to straighten up the passage to the back patio. It's a little too "back-of-the-house" to have a stream of customers passing through it.
(4)
Joe M.
I like this place...i like it alot. Really the overall experience was great. I love the location, hangin out on the far end of Bridge street, kinda like the rebel kid restaurant. I love the servers we had. Really nice and charming. The menu was nice, varied enough and not the same old same old. However, it falls a bit short on the food aspect. That being said, these are the problems I had. We shared the bento box, great idea btw... the duck confit was as dry as Grandma's roast beef(no disrespect Grandma). And the risotto with my delicious hangar steak was tasty, yet really undercooked, not al dente, but crunchy. I really wanted to like it, I will be back but, jus know what you are walking into...They did comp dessert, not necessary but hey.... Marly! I love ya....
(3)
Steven W.
Yummy! The food is amazing, the atmosphere is relaxing, and the staff is great! I'll definately be back again soon! BYO and lots of it! (Just 'cause!) The bento boxes are a must! safety meetings :-D
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy, Intimate Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
Peter M.
Just awesome... First time tonight. Had a scallop and risotto dish that was just beautiful and delicious... Bread pudding with chocolate and peanut butter was very good. Service was friendly even if we were the last party to leave the restaurant. Really excellent!
(5)Jay T.
Phoenixville has excelled. Marly's is a culinary adventure. What distinctive flavor combos, creative cuisine and pleasant taste surprises. Service attentive and friendly. Holly's recitation of specials was theater. Kudos. Apps: green fried tomatoes, wontons, ahi all good. Hangar steak and edamame risotto entree delish but barely room temp. Shrimp and grits, too too. Wld give 4 stars but atmosphere the worst. Might as well have been at a Phillies game. The noise!!!! Those braying f@"*%%'s at the nxt table. Couldn't wait to get out on the street. A shame really to dampen the delight of such a creative kitchen. Wld return and demand a quiet corner.
(3)Frank Z.
I had dinner on July 30, 2014 at Marly's BYO. Before even setting foot in the restaurant, you are faced with the dilemma of finding a parking spot and they have no valet. Upon setting foot in the restaurant, you are greeted by the hostess, who is also the waitress, and pretty much only person in the restaurant at 7:15 PM on a Thursday night. By this point in my review, it might be pointless to mention how disappointing the food (and service) was, but I will proceed anyways. I will only mention my entrée, though the appetizers were equally disappointing. I had the "Marly's 'Cheesesteak'". Here is the description. Pan-seared filet mignon, topped with a roquefort-walnut crust served with the potato of the day I am not an expert, but what I got was not a roqeufort-walnut crust, instead I received a charred crust with an overbearing taste of alcohol topped with grapes and feta cheese (thus the cheese pun), overcooked (I requested medium rare) and paired with potatoes and snap peas? Strangest tasting combination ever. The service was virtually non-existent despite there being one waitress and only one seated table. But we could have just ended this review at "empty at 7:15 PM".
(2)Mary C.
I love Marly's byob! The food is consistently delicious. I love going where the food is prepared in a creative way I've never had before and all the better for it. The ambiance inside is nice but I especially like dining alfresco in their backyard. The beautiful lights, plants, flowers & music make me feel I'm at a party at a friends house...it's relaxed and inviting. The wait staff has always been exceptional.
(5)Eric F.
Our favorite restaurant, go there at least once a month. Bento boxes are amazing and hopefully they bring them back! Right now they have a hummus of the day which is just as good, by far the best hummus I've ever had, always something sweet in it. Entrees are great too...hanger steak, crab cakes, the seasonal gnocchi, pappardelle pasta, cheese steak, all amazing. To top it if, BYO! Definitely top 2 restaurants in phoenixville (toss up with Black Lab)
(5)Natalia K.
I had a great dinner here the other night. The service was great, as was the food, and it was BYOB so we had brought some bottles of wine to enjoy with dinner. The menu is an eclectic mix of american, southern, italian, and asian. There is something for everyone on this menu!
(4)Lauren P.
A group of 8 of us visited Marly's last Friday night for our annual holiday friend dinner. I recommend making reservations as the place is small although it was not crowded for dinner on a Friday night. We like BYOB places so we can drink lots of wine and beer even had a champagne toast. What I loved was no corkage fee and our waitress happily brought us out champagne glasses. The cornbread they served was delicious- very moist. We started with 3 appetizers- the brushetta, dates with goat cheese ( appetizer special) and fried tomatoes. The brushetta was delicious- lots of fresh tomatoes and cheese. I did not try the dates but those in my party loved them! The menu does not have a ton of entree choices and they were out of 2 which is my pet peeve. Take note Marly's when you only have 10 entree choices you cannot be out of anything. Many of the options were fish which many in our group went with including the crab cakes and scallops-each came with high reviews. I ordered the steak which came with mashed potatoes and green beans. All very delicious and they cooked the steak perfectly although it was a very tiny piece and not worth $34. My only complaint about the entrees was one in our group ordered the Mac and cheese with sausage ( her second choice entree as they were out of the hanger steak). The Mac and cheese was delicious but came out in a scalding hot skillet which did not cool down until after we finished dinner so she was never able to eat it. The waitress apologized but unacceptable. For dessert which we did save room for (the entrees are very small) I split the peanut butter chocolate banana bread pudding. Very delicious but the small dollop of ice cream they serve it with is laughable. This restaurant has potential and hopefully they can improve.
(3)Charles R.
Like this place, BUT...................Been here 3 times and everytime they never can seat you when you walk in. First time, which was almost the last, we didn't get seated for almost 1/2 hour. Second time it was 15 minutes after we arrived. Saturday night had a 7:30 reservation, got there a couple minutes before and again we waited almost 15 minutes to sit down. I had requested outside patio, which is very nice, and at first they said they had to set up the table, then they said the people were just leaving, then it was another excuse. What's really odd, is that once we walked outside, there were 3 other tables open??? They always seem disorganized when it comes to taking reservations and seating people somewhat on time. The staff reminds me of the Seinfeld episode...... they know how to TAKE the reservation, they just don't know how to HOLD the reservation...Well, to be fair, they do hold it, you just can't be seated on time for whatever reason. Ok, the food is good, nothing outstanding , but good. If you want a paced meal, you need to tell the server you don't have a curfew and to take their time. Once we ordered the starters and the main course arrived almost at the same time. Maybe they try to pick up the pace once you finally get seated. Nice people, but you'd think that since they've be open for a couple years now they could get the seating down a little better.
(3)Karen o.
Service and food are always excellent! Our favorite spot when in PA!
(5)Kristin M.
We are residents of Phoenixville and within walking distance to this resturant. The food has always been good! The service is generally sub-par and relaxed. If you are not in a hurry then this is the place to dine. My quam with this resturant is the reservation service they provide, and then failing to seat you at a reasonable time after arriving. Let me mention the lack of a lobby or place to wait to be seated as well before continuing. The past two experiences we have had were with parties of 6 and 8. The first time we waited 30 mintues to be seated and then the last time 45 minutes! The latest experience with a party of 8, the hostess was too busy conversing to greet us when we walked in for the first couple of minutes ( I thought she was a patron to tell you the truth) She did not ask our name after stating we had a reservation, and said it would be 10 minutes and continued her conversation and didn't check on our table or notify anyone we were there! When finally seated there was no apology for the 45 minute wait, or rush ( now 9:15 p.m.) to get the ball rolling with menus or specials for the evening. I have to say this has put a sour taste in my mouth to say the least. There are plenty of resturants that would love larger parties and would be willing to treat their patrons slightly better. I will be thinking twice before returning to this resturant with a large group.
(2)Gina B.
My husband a friend and I ate at Marly's last night and we were disappointed. The service or lack there of of the wait staff and hostess ruined the meal. When we arrived it was so crowded there was no where to wait for our table. We waited about 10 minutes till a hostess appeared to sorta greet us. After we were seated our waitress was very distracted. Several times throughout the meal if we started to tell her something she quickly darted off and did not see if anyone else wanted to order something or open another bottle of wine. The noise level in the restaurant is so loud it was difficult to have a conversation with my guests. The food was good despite all the other issues. We ate the Bento box which was very different and the Ahi Tuna Starter. Each of our entree's were good. Our dessert was ok. In a time where good restaurants are popping up all over and in especially phoenixville, this restaurant needs to work on customer service before I would recommend it.
(2)Dan G.
This was a very pleasant experience in spite of our waiter... six of us ended up at Marly's for a dinner before hitting Molly McQuire's for a drink or two... I had the butterfish and my date the salmon... have to tell you it was excellent... I liked the salmon, but not even close to the taste of the butterfish... the rest of the party seemed equally as pleased with their selections... after a few glasses of wine, there wasn't much additional reference to the food... in fact our table was quite loud with the ribbing and joking going on... fortunately the rest of the place seemed fairly lively, so hopefully we didn't spoil anyone's date... A mentioned earlier it seemed the waiter walked in off the street... I hope not with as many people needing jobs... ;-) anyway we made it through the little bit of ordeal it was with the slowness and very much enjoyed the meal!!
(4)L G.
I have been to Marly's several times, and each time has been a fantastic experience. The staff is very attentive and friendly, whether you are the only people in the restaurant or it is a busy weekend night. The decor is warm and welcoming. Everything I've eaten here is delicious, but my favorite is the Orange-Molasses Glazed Hanger Steak with corn and risotto, and a sweet chili garlic aioli. The Marly's "Cheese Steak" is also a popular favorite. If it's available, be sure to try the bread pudding for dessert.
(5)Dan B.
Ate at Marly's on Sat night (9/27). The food was amazing. I had the salmon with prawns and my wife had the sirloin. We split the chocolate chip banana cake for dessert. Service was OK, wondering if the waitress was new as she couldn't remember specials or what was in the bento box, but she was very friendly and was quick to accomdate us with our bottle of win. Would recommend for anyone looking for a BYO in Phoenixville.
(4)Rich D.
We had dinner there on the Friday night of the Memorial Day Holiday which may have accounted for the food. I ordered a cheese salad with beet which wasn't bad and my wife had the fried green tomatoes which we're a bit overdone. For entrees, my wife had the veal which we both thought was good and I was anticipating a great fillet Mignon for my meal. After I ordered my $30 steak -medium, it unfortunately came out well done and the potatoes underneath were lukewarm. I would have asked for something else but but by the time our server checked in on us, (10 minutes later), my wife was well through her dinner. The server did offer to buy us dessert, in which we ordered the peanut butter bread pudding. Foiled again as it was more chewy than soft and moist. We're huge fans of BYOs (Black Lab, Twin Bays, Majolica) and we we're hoping to walk away with a great dinner story, but that was not to be. Won't be going back there.
(1)Justin F.
Very nice BYOB. The Bento Box appetizers are yet to disappoint me. The menu is diverse and offers a little bit of everything to satisfy a number of tastes. The atmosphere is enjoyable both on the porch and inside the exposed brick dining rooms. I will dock them a star on service. While service is almost always friendly it can lag a little at time in attentiveness.
(4)Er B.
I have been to Marly's three times: with a very large group (16+), just the husband and I, and with a mid-size group (7). All visits have been on different days of the week and seasons. All have been dinner visits. I think Marly's is a pretty solid restaurant, with a nice selection to offer; however, the menu does have few options for vegetarians. They can accommodate requests (as they have done on my visits there). My meals have included ordering or tastings of: the grilled romaine hearts, bento box, pear salad, smoked scallops (which have been modified on the menu), risotto, seared scallops (now on the menu) and crab cakes. I have not had the chance to order dessert, since I'm usually quite full after my meal (and I like to "spread the love" by patronizing some of the sweet shops in town). The coffee at Marly's is really good! I'm not sure why/how that is, but it surprised all of us when our very large group dined there. As noted in other reviews, the restaurant does get loud, but not "screaming-to-communicate" loud. Marly's has added furnishings to soften the sounds a bit, and it has helped. Marly's also offers outdoor dining, which I have not yet experienced. It is in the back yard of the property on an landscaped hill.
(4)Andrew F.
I thought Marly's was very good. We started off with the Bento Box, which had ribs, fried ravioli, some sort of beef stew type dish, and hummus. The first three were good (I didn't try the hummus- can't stand the stuff). My wife's shrimp and noodle dish was good, as was my steak. It was a lot of food, and we both too home about half of our dish. My filet was huge, compared to what's normally served at other restaurants. All in all, a good meal.
(4)Dan W.
My girlfriend and I heard great things about this place from a friend and gave it a try. I like some other byobs in Phoenixville so I figured I would give it a try. I could not have been more disappointed. We started out with the Bento Box which on our night was hummus, cold lo mein and fillet tips. This was probably one of the worst appetizers I have had at a nice restaurant. The hummus was okay, but that is pretty easy to pull off, the fillet tips tasted like pot roast and were not creative at all. On top of this app being terrible it was $18. I didn't ask how much the bento box was because all of the other apps were around 12 and I figured this would be around the same. I don't care about paying $18 for an app if it is good, but this was terrible and nothing in it would justify the $18. The dinner itself was more of the same. I had the pan seared salmon, it wasn't terrible, but it was very average at best. My girlfriend got the Marley's cheese steak. I thought this would be good since the waitress told us this was their specialty. There was nothing special about this steak, again not terrible, but very average. The worst part of the steak dish was the potato of the day that came it. These potatoes resembled something that stoner with a few potatoes and some cheese would make. Seriously that is the best way to describe them, except I think a stoner may have actually done a better job. I am not sure how Marley's gets good reviews, but I would avoid this place if you can. You can get a much better meal for the same price at Black Lab or Majolica right down the street.
(1)Nathan R.
I really like this place. Some of the other reviewers have criticized the food, and I don't think the criticisms are unfair, but overall the experience is very nice. Everything about this place -- the decor, the service, and the food itself -- is well-executed (if not flawless), unfussy, relaxed, and enjoyable. I've been here twice and had steak both times. On my most recent visit, I had a hanger steak with a slightly spicy edamame risotto. The steak was cooked just right -- rare-to-medium-rare -- and lightly sauced, and the risotto was just the kind of comfort food I was hoping for. The cut of meat itself was a little disappointing -- it was a wee bit stringy -- but it was still a very satisfying meal. I highly recommend the ahi tuna appetizer, which was made well with super-fresh fish and served on a bed of Asian slaw (the slaw included some uncooked ramen noodles, which was charming and tasty). The desserts are pretty basic -- good, rich, sweet, big, and indulgent (bread pudding, cheesecake, pie, etc.). Overall, I think the menu is pitched right -- unpretentious but creative dishes, high-quality ingredients, prepared well. A little on the pricey side, maybe, but fair for what you get -- figure on thirty to forty bucks per person. Service was speedy, attentive, and professional. I really hope they do well. I live in Phoenixville and I think this is the kind of restaurant the town needs. By the way, you have to go up a flight of stairs to get into the dining room, at least if you go in the main entrance. If you're in a wheelchair, I'd suggest calling ahead to find out about their accessibility.
(4)Gina E.
We went with a party of 17 and had an amazing experience. I was pleasantly surprised by the outstanding service and delicious food. It's also a BYO which makes it my new favorite place to go with a group. Although we had a reservation, it took awhile to be seated. However, we were seated in a private area, which was much appreciated but not requested. Appetizers were waiting for us - chicken dumplings and bruschetta - both well received by everyone. We ordered many different entrees and all were amazing. Particularly the shrimp and grits and the "cheesesteak". Simply put, go here now. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Amy A.
I went to a friends birthday party here last September. I enjoyed it a lot and was thrilled when I saw a deal on CBS. Marly's is a small byob in Phoenixville. I adore a good byob, so my husband and I made a reservation for Friday. We arrived and were promptly seated. Our server was super friendly. I wish I could remember her name, I believe she has some tattoos, but she was excellent. Asked if we had any dietary restrictions and shared with us some information about the menu. She opened our bottle of wine, brought an ice bucket and we looked over the menu. I was immediately drawn to the grilled romaine hearts with goat cheese as an appetizer. My husband chose the shrimp tostada. For a main dish I chose the hanger steak with the risotto and my husband chose the 5 spice duck. However, when we ordered we were told they were out of shrimp...on a Friday night...at 8p. I was disappointed, so my husband changed his appetizer to the crab wontons. Food came out timely. I love my salad, a little over dressed. The hanger steak with risotto was amazing. My husband's wontons were great, but missing the peas. His duck was a little over cooked and therefore dry. And the sides were ok. I wasn't a huge fan of his maim dish overall. We had a very pleasant experience and will certainly return for a date night again.
(4)Amanda S.
This place gets an A for the food. The crab cakes are delicious. The filet is good, a bit heavy on the blue cheese. The service again, I give it a solid A. The place is just too small. You can hear everyone's conversation. Not recommended if you don't want the whole place to hear you talk.
(3)Dustin M.
A group of us went for my friends birthday celebration. I didn't really know what to expect since I'd never heard of the place before. It's a short menu, which I prefer, because it lends to dishes that have been refined through lots of repetition. We were seated in a semi-private room that was well lit, with exposed brick walls and cool wine themed art. The servers we had handled the large group well. The fact that it's BYO helps, because the entrees are all over $20. I had the shrimp and grits which were very creamy and the bacon in it was a good texture contrast. I thought it was a little too cheesy, but that's a minority opinion. The greens were very good, and I'm snobby about greens. I was also really impressed with the crab cake. It's a big portion with little filler. The accompanied cream corn was good enough that my girl hoarded it. Overall, I would go back but the cost makes it not a regular spot.
(4)Shane L.
Worth the trek out there from the city....a pleasant surprise for a local joint. Special shrimp and grits was phenomenal. Black bean hummus was perfect. Linguine in pesto white sauce was friggin' awesome. Croquettes starter was unexplainably good. Dim and comfortable decor with lots of cozy components. "Perfectly noisy" with the sound of people having a great time chit-chatting over multiple bottles of BYO (every table seemed to bring copious amounts). Servers were polite and didn't mind us being a tad bit obnoxious. It's always a good sign for me when I walk into a restaurant where you see people smiling, enjoying food, laughter and servers on the constant move. This restaurant is good.
(4)Javier G.
Pros: food was good. The shrimps n grits was yummy. And, my friend enjoyed the ribs. Cons: the food selection was limited, and the prices were a little high. All the fish had a type of nut and they could not make it without. All the desserts had a nut or chocolate which I cannot eat so I was unable to get a dessert. Also, I took someone there for his birthday and they did nothing special, so truly 2.5 stars but I rounded to the nearest star. Last it's byob, so we brought a white wine. And the waiter offered to put it on the floor. I said no, we need it at a table level and they put it on a chair. :-/
(3)Matt K.
When we first walked in, I knew that this place would appeal to many folks, dark heavy wood furniture, lots of candles, very casual, a good vibe. More like a tavern than an ecelectic Italian restaurant, but who cares? Unfortunately we were seated 17 minutes late, not a big deal since we all had already had a cocktail at home so we were all nicely lubed up! The restaurant was quite crowded and loud, great for a large group but maybe not for a date. (there were 6 of us) Service was generally attentive and very homey-friendly, but most of us were laughing and talking too much to notice. The waitress had to come back twice to tell us that they were out of something we ordered, not a big deal again but you can see why this place isn't getting 5 stars already. The menu is huge, and mostly Italian, but many dishes were eclectic with Asian influence. A huge menu is usually not a great sign, (think Applebees and TGI Fridays) but in this case it didn't detract a whole lot from the quality of the food, which was decent. This is not a gourmet restaurant, but everyone's food was tasty, and they didn't make any mistakes. I had the Tuscan white bean soup with sausage and escarole in it. It was seasoned perfectly, and very tasty. I had the veal main course, can't remember exactly what they call it since the name of it was a whole sentence long! But when I saw some of the menu items I started thinking about that famous Spam and bloody Vikings Monty Python skit: "Lobster Thermidor a Crevette with a mornay sauce served in a Provencale manner with shallots and aubergines garnished with truffle pate, brandy with a fried egg on top and spam." So you're like thinking: how did they come up with all that? And will it make sense, tastewise? Hmmmmm. But anyways. the veal had a marsala sauce, creamy mascarpone polenta underneath and olives, sun-dried tomatoes and capers. The combination was a bit odd, but I ate it all! The 3 chicks of course ordered dessert, and all 3 desserts had chocolate in them. I don't know how they remembered what the waitress even said because they didn't have dessert menus and she must have rattled off about 50 desserts. The men just sat, glassy-eyed, while the women clucked and clucked about who was going to get what. I had a bite of all 3 and they were all passable. All in all, a fun experience, and I would go to this restaurant again.
(3)amy v.
Wouldn't go back and would not recommend. Did not live up to our expectations. On a Saturday night, at 7PM, they were out of the 2 entree's that we planned on ordering already. My meal, which was a hanger steak, tasted like it was marinated with a Teriyaki sauce, nothing special about either meal we had (husband had the pork chop)...and mine was not a full steak. The waitress, who was extremely friendly, never came over to ask if everything was ok after we both ordered basically a substitute for what we originally went there for. Not impressed with our experience and was upset with the money we spent on meals that we didn't want.
(2)Todd B.
Another wonderful dinner at Marly's. The Marly's cheesesteak was outstanding and the salmon was perfect. We ended our meal with the bread pudding - one of the best ever! The service from Sammy made our evening out quite enjoyable. We will be back again soon!
(5)Tom L.
Located in downtown Phoenixville, right near Iron Hill if you need a familiar landmark. BYO is always a plus here with no corking fee. Laid back vibe from the second you walk up the stairs and into the tiny waiting area. Reservations recommended as the place fills up quickly. A handful of tables along the front windows of the restaurant and ample space in the main dining area (14 tables or so) and a more secluded seating area to the left as you walk thru the space that seats 6 parties or so from 2 tops to 6 I believe. I am a fan of the Bento boxes, but be prepared to pay $18-$20 for whatever they are offering up, which is typically 4 different items. A nice start to dinner if you are not a picky eater. I seem to always order the Crab cakes which is served on top of creamed corn (nothing like the canned stuff mom used to give us) and edamame. The sauce is creamy, but not a lot of butter and not the richest dish on the menu. My wife enjoys the Shrimp and Grits, which is a bit too heavy for my tastes, but the shrimp are large and at least a half dozen in there. Their homemade chocolate peanut butter bread pudding is where it's at if you have the room and enjoy decadent desserts. It's very, very good. One of my favorite places to dine among many on the strip. (yes, parking is tough around downtown, but be patient and give yourself an extra 10 minutes to find a spot and you'll be fine).
(4)Emily A.
Went here tonight with another couple and I am so glad that we picked this place! The food and service were both fantastic! two of us had the rainbow trout and both of us loved it! Another had the hangar steak and another the papardelle pasta and everything was delish! Homemade tiramisu and bread pudding were also recommended. The white wine that we brought paired really nicely with everything. Great job Marly's!
(5)Jeannie G.
Food was good, nice date spot. Too bad we had a loud table next to us, but we will 100% go back
(4)Stacy T.
If it weren't for the wait I would give Marly's 5 stars. We were not greeted at the door, and waited about 5-10 minutes before anyone came to seat us. Our waitress was sweet and very attentive. The food took a bit longer to come out than I expected, but it was worth the wait! I had the wide noodle crab and mushroom meal (can't remember the actual name of the meal). It was really good! The crab was cooked perfectly and the trumpet mushrooms were a perfect addition to the creamy meal. My hubby got the crab cakes and they were amazing!
(4)Pamela K.
Another great spot in Phoenixville! I never hesitate to bring new people to Marly's. The food is scrumptious: my faves are the crab cakes and the shrimp & grits. The staff is always wonderful and owner Samantha is a dear! Now, if we could only get a spot like this in downtown Royersford :)
(5)Bernie P.
The weirdest and worst dining experience I've had in a very long time. Wedding rehearsal dinner caused us to be 50 minutes late to sit at our table simply because the owner didn't have the guts to politely approach the wedding party and ask them to clear the room. We then were seated and ordered. They did give us some salsa and chips and pot stickers complimentary because of our wait. We had hoped that was it. Then we got our food. First salads, which were good although one person had to wait 10 minutes after everyone had theirs. Then, after a very lengthy wait came our dinners. Of our party of 9, 5 were served at 10pm, 3 were served at 10:10 and the last meal came out wrong so it was sent back at 10pm. By 10:25 my friend had had it, since our reservation was for 8pm and at 10:25 he still had not had his entree. He politely asked to see the manager and was told that since he waited so long they figured he didn't want it in the dining room and they packed it to go. Cause everyone orders pork chops to go at 10:30pm right???? He asked to speak outside with the manager so other guests wouldn't be distracted and the owner, who is the manager, met him outside. She immediately became defensive and extemely argumentative and barked out that your meal is free. Which was the right thing to do after such a terrible experience. But she didn't stop there. She went crazy, screaming in her restaurant, making faces and body gestures. It was ridiculous and I have never seen behavior like this in my life from an owner of an establishment. Suffice to say I will never go back. The funny thing is, in our party of 9, three couples all had gift certificates from having their meals refunded from the last time they were at this restaurant yet none of us had gone there together. As one person in our party said when our waitress asked us to give them another chance, "This was the other chance". I will say, our waitress, I believe her name is Holly, was very friendly throughout the whole thing and you could tell she was having to put out the fires caused by the owner and the kitchen. She tried her hardest to make her friend the owner look good, but man did she have a hard job. I will never go back to this restaurant again, plain and simple and I can't recommend anyone else doing so either.
(1)Percy N.
Went for dinner a few days ago and ordered: - Grilled balsamic romaine salad w/goat cheese - delicious salad but I wish they would crisp up the pancetta which seemed to be cold and soggy. - Shrimp and grits - Creamy smooth grits, smothered with jumbo shrimp in a slightly spiced sauce. It would have been perfect were it not for pre-sauteed Brussels sprouts and pancetta which were soggy instead of the crispy texture they could have contributed to the dish, making it divine. - Crab cakes - Well made with not a lot of filler, served on a bed of slightly creamed corn. Service was attentive and seemed to have improved. Guests at other tables seemed to like their dishes as well, so that is another good sign.
(4)Christian B.
In the Phoenixville dining scene, many places complete for your dining dollars. Marly's is a nice choice, but can be a bit too pricey for some. Atmosphere - Going into Marly's on a warm fall night, we were greeted right away by a hostess. Extremely small dining area for a party of six, but right by the window so good for people watching. Not a very large place, definitely want to make a reservation for a party of more then four. Waitstaff - Our waitress was pleasant and friendly, took care of making sure we got the last of the specials of the night (a mahi mahi my friend loved) along with refilling our waters just at the right time. They provide a no cork fee for the BYO as well, which was good on our three bottles of classic wines. Food - Menu's are a simple one page affair, with everything from classics like Grilled Sirloin and Baked Gnocchi, to the adventurous Orange Glazed Molasses Hangar Steak. My group split appetizers of the Benton box, which while great value, is not for a party of six, maybe two at most. But is a great way to try a few things. We also had the hummus which I was not a fan of, but the majority of the table enjoyed. I went with the steak for dinner; Tender, and with a creamy risotto was very good. I will say I was disappointed in the portion size, thought there would be much more for the price we paid. Intangibles - Parking is, and has been for many years, atrocious in this area. Try the side streets or near the foundry, but be prepared to pay to park. Does offer a variety of interesting desserts, but the rest of my party was not up for it, alas. Not a kids place, the tables are too close together for those under seven, so they should stay at home with the babysitter (hint, hint) Overall - A decent entry into the dining scene. Marly's is not too busy, not overly dead, and the food can be simple or challenging depending on tastes. If you have some money to spend and are in the area, not a bad spot to consider.
(3)Glenn J.
My wife and I went to Marly's last night...We had goat cheese and chorizo croquettes as an appetizer which was very good. For entrees, we had the filet (marly's cheesesteak) and the haibut special. The filet was one of the best I've had anywhere. For desert, we had the banana chocolate layer cake which was excellent....Overall, I would say this is one of the best restaurants in Phoenixville and we only spent $87 for a great dinner.
(4)James W.
In one word, awesome! Was taken for my bday on a Friday night, 6:30-7pm. Place was just starting to fill in for the night. Blues music was playing. Waitress was attentive but was great at not being intrusive. Great service. Had the shrimp and grits. If you like bacon, GET THIS!!! Incredible dish. Had enough to take home for a second meal. Love the bento box appetizer special. On small side but nice selection of premium apps. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the place. Two meals and a bento box app and price was $60. Factor in our byob wine and it was a great evening.
(5)Steph S.
Be very cautious ordering items to your liking... it's the owners way or no way and we learned the hard way. Appalling display of professionalism and pride in a business; when asked for a steak cooked "Medium Rare to Medium" and the steak comes out Well Done, the owner had the nerve to tell our table we were wrong and made a scene. We will never go back here, those poor servers I feel bad they have such a b*tch of a boss.
(1)Jessica E.
Upon walking into Marly's, I was greeted with amazing smells. I felt confident that I would find a tasty meal here, and I was right. The decor and atmosphere were very nice. Service was ok. For my meal, I ordered the shrimp reggiano, which was served over pasta in a lobster broth. It was seasoned very well and had a nice balance of ingredients. I settle on a three star rating because, based on experiences at some other Italian restaurants, I felt that these prices were a bit steep. Had my dish been $5 less, it would be an extra star at least. I would go back to Marly's if I find myself in Phoenixville again though.
(3)C.C. G.
I would not call this a memorable meal (in a good way) but for the price it should have been. Lost one star for stale rolls, not enough butter and only two bread baskets for nine people. Lost one star for stuffing us so tightly in a corner, my arm kept hitting the wall when I moved it. It was like eating on an airplane. Waitstaff could only serve from one side so food had to be passed over the heads of folks on the other side of the table. Lost a star for under cooked crab cake and gnocchi that was flavorful, but very gummy. Tasted like dough had been overworked. With so many other good choices in Phoenixville, I think I can safely say we will not be back.
(2)Nancy O.
Crowded, cozy ambience, and glad we had reservations and weren't rushed. Samantha, our server/owner was awesome.. between six of us we tried the bento box, the calamari (both great) for apps, the filet, the shrimp and grits, the gnocchi, the scallops, the pasta with pesto, and the peanut butter chocolate bread pudding. Best choices were the calamari, the gnocchi and the bread pudding. We weren't rushed, sat out in the cozy(, as in bumping into the woman's chair behind me cozy) front enclosed porch area and overall had a great dinner! Service got a little slow, but it was packed, and a great night out with friends! Bringing great bottles of wine made for a great night at a cozy, no corkage fee BYO!
(4)Phil G.
Another nice addition to the fabulous Phoenixville dining scene, although not quite as nice as it should be. The interior atmosphere is lovely, with lots of dark wood and exposed brick. The service was friendly, although I think our waitress was either the owner or a manager so I would hope so! My general feeling about the food is that the menu is too ambitious. For one, it is quite long, with fifteen totally different entrees to choose from. I wish they would pare that down a bit and focus their attention on the best ones. My wife had the "cheese steak," a filet mignon with a roquefort-walnut crust. Sounded good, but was actually kind of unappetizing. I had the scallops, which were average. A bright spot was dessert--they make their own pumpkin cheesecake which was divine. You'll quickly see that everything is a bit over-priced. I can't speak as to the lunch experience, but frankly it is a bit fancy of a place for a casual lunch. So overall, I have hopes that Marly's will be a great restaurant someday. There is a tendency in many Phoenixville restaurants to go for a kind of faux-fancy style, charging high prices for somewhat generic food (weirdly, very few make use of the many local food suppliers in Chester county!). Marly's is at least a little more experimental, but I hope they will focus their attention a bit more.
(3)Pieta B.
On a recent trip to Pennsylvania, I got to try Marly's. Most of our food was fine, even good, but I had an experience so bad that I can't give the place more than one star. I made it very clear to my server that I was vegetarian and she was very pleasant about making substitutions, which was great. Unfortunately, she and the kitchen staff made a mistake and served me a salad dressing with meat in it. She did come over and offer a substitution, but after I'd had a taste. She did not offer to start over on the dish or to replace it with something else. Actually, she was very casual about the whole thing. This is probably one of the worst things that can happen in a restaurant (next to serving your celiac diner wheat or your peanut-allergic diner peanuts), so I can only give Marly's one star. The other thing that stood out was that it was very, very loud. I don't think it was the architecture -- the floor was carpeted and there was not a lot of glass. I just think that the patrons were yelling. When one arrived and announced his presence to the entire restaurant by saying "I just want to apologize in advance: it's going to get loud here," our little group fled, desserts unfinished. Meanwhile, servers were rushing to set up a table for a large group -- rushing too much for a restaurant. It was all very unsettling and not conducive to a pleasant dinner with the in-laws. My grilled romain salad was huge and a little bland (even with the unwanted meat). My main, one of the risottos normally served as a side was toothy and tasty. Dessert was a key lime pie that was very good -- tart and refreshing. The inlaws loved their dishes -- a salad with baked cheese to start, followed by a chicken dish for her and a fish dish for him. Staff gets props for being friendly if not completely professional.
(1)Chris H.
We've been here a few times and have enjoyed it. I had the diver scallops and hubby had the crab cakes - both entrees were well presented and delicious. Previously, I've had the shrimp and grits and that was an outstanding dish. Service was good, no wait. The parking is always an issue in Phoenixville - but make the most of it by enjoying the renovation of the town and looking in the shops on your walk to the restaurant!
(4)Kristin B.
I've been to Marly's several times - each time the meal was quite enjoyable, and the service is usually pretty good. The grilled hearts of romaine salad is delicious - and I especially enjoy the "Cheese Steak" (filet topped w/bleu cheese), they do a nice job cooking meat to requested temperature. Its definitely worth checking out (but don't forget your favorite bottle!). It does get crowded (and noisy if there are groups), so reservations are necessary.
(4)Holly H.
Super fantastic time the other night has gained them another star. Always busy and bustling, we love the service, the unique space and the incredible food.
(5)Seth R.
We love Marly's! #1: it's BYO with no corkage fees. #2: they are open when we want to go, hours are great. #3: the food is always good and reasonably priced. #4: The owner is a gem! Anne always takes care of us. Wish the pasta was homemade....
(4)Jeff G.
Absolutely wonderful! The menu is a bit eclectic, kinda' soul food meets pan-Asian-Italian fusion BYO, but there is plenty for everyone. The atmosphere is very cozy and warm. The dinning room is split into several areas, which offers quiet surroundings and the sense of intimacy without isolation. I recommend sitting on the "porch" area. It's not actually outside though; it's a closed room that overlooks the street with large windows. Appetizers are great; I had the new crab lemon grass wontons. My wife had a simple cesare salad that she though was perfect (light but appropriately seasoned). They offer a "Bento Box," which is a selection of 4 of their appetizers, with the selections changing daily. Main courses were appropriately priced, beautifully presented, and as good as the rest of our meal. I had shrimp with grits (I know... sounds weird, but really really good); my wife had spinach gnocchi. Desert was a nice apple torte with a scoop of whipped creame on the side. Perfect with coffee. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Rachel S.
Finally. A really good restaurant in Phoenixville. My old favorite used to be Twin Bays cafe but sadly, it closed. Since then, whenever I'd go home to visit my mother, we always had a hard time deciding on which mediocre restaurant to have dinner. Marly's is now my go-to dinner place while in Phoenixville. We ordered the Strawberry Salad, Shrimp and Grits and the Scallops with risotto. They were all really, really good. I think I liked my mom's smoked scallops the best. The shrimp and grits I would definitely order again but wait to do so during colder months. We sat outside on their elevated veranda and it was very quaint. The service was friendly and attentive. The only criticism I would give is to straighten up the passage to the back patio. It's a little too "back-of-the-house" to have a stream of customers passing through it.
(4)Joe M.
I like this place...i like it alot. Really the overall experience was great. I love the location, hangin out on the far end of Bridge street, kinda like the rebel kid restaurant. I love the servers we had. Really nice and charming. The menu was nice, varied enough and not the same old same old. However, it falls a bit short on the food aspect. That being said, these are the problems I had. We shared the bento box, great idea btw... the duck confit was as dry as Grandma's roast beef(no disrespect Grandma). And the risotto with my delicious hangar steak was tasty, yet really undercooked, not al dente, but crunchy. I really wanted to like it, I will be back but, jus know what you are walking into...They did comp dessert, not necessary but hey.... Marly! I love ya....
(3)Steven W.
Yummy! The food is amazing, the atmosphere is relaxing, and the staff is great! I'll definately be back again soon! BYO and lots of it! (Just 'cause!) The bento boxes are a must! safety meetings :-D
(5)