Marcolinoโs Italia opens doors in historic Wells Avenue location.
written by Heidi Bethel
photos by Lou Manna
It was a beloved space dating back to the early 1950s, where generations of the โwhoโs whoโ in Reno lingered over cocktails and enjoyed memorable meals in its storied booths. So when Marco and Lynette Brown and Bill Green were approached about relocating their Reno restaurant, Marcolinoโs Italia, to the former Rapscallion building in Midtown Reno, they knew it was an opportunity of a lifetime.
โEveryone knows this building, and it was a commitment we were all up for,โ Green explains.
Over the past three years, the Browns and Green have grown Marcolinoโs Italia from a 26-foot food trailer into a 38-seat restaurant on the Riverwalk in Downtown Reno. Now, theyโre proud to call the historic restaurant building on the corner of South Wells Avenue and Vesta Street home.
โIt was my wifeโs idea to start with a food truck,โ Marco explains. โThis has become everything weโve ever dreamed of. To go from serving 38 people to more than 200 at one of the cityโs most storied restaurants is incredible. The downtown restaurant was a stepping stone โฆ now we can shine.โ
The Experience Lives On The original restaurant, designed by Pat Kuleto, remains intact, including its stained glass, dark woods, and signature thematic elements. The Marcolinoโs owners reimagined the space with two full kitchens, three private dining rooms, and a fireplace that subtly separates the lively bar and lounge from the refined main dining room.
The updated dining room
A relaxed, if-you-know-you-know lounge sits just behind the bar with seating and TVs, while the main dining area conveys a romantic Italian atmosphere with warmth, ambience, and an intimate date-night feel.
The new location of Marcolinoโs includes this speakeasy-style lounge
The menu also has expanded significantly since the restaurantโs move.
โWhat used to be a two-page menu is now four,โ Green says. โWe went from one steak to five to seven, and we expanded the seafood side with additions like halibut, sea bass, and branzino. Weโre also introducing osso buco, beef short ribs, a bone-in veal chop, and a rack of lamb, giving us more diversity and flexibility.โ
Add an all-day happy hour from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; a robust cocktail, mocktail, and wine menu; and renewed intention throughout, and Marcolinoโs Italia is poised to make this beloved space Renoโs next hot spot once again. Cin Cin!
Marcolinoโs Italia 1555 S. Wells Ave., Reno 775-800-1693ย ยทย Marcolinositalia.com
