Owner Leone Palagi brings Mario’s Place to life, blending Riverside with old-world Italian charm. Savor refined cuisine and fine wines in an elegant setting with a jazz flair.
Imported Japanese Hamachi with house-made pepperoncino oil , chives, lemon, espelette pepper, & micro greens.
YELLOWTAIL CRUDO
Unique cheese originating in Southern Italy (Puglia). Outside skin of mozzarella filled with “stracciatella,” a soft cheese made from mozzarella curd and cream. We get ours from DiStefano in Pomona, run by Mimo diBruno.
BURATA
CORN SOUP
Sweet Corn Soup with pancetta, cilantro, and sautéed wild prawns.
RISOTTO DI AGRUMI
Made from Carnaroli rice from Lombardia, Italy. Slow cooked with vegetable stock and shallots. Finished with parmigiano and butter & flavored with grated lemon zest, orange zest confit, & lemon juice.
DUNGENESS CRAB
Bornstein Dungeness crab with lemon juice & extra virgin olive oil over fresh avocado with citrus vinaigrette topped with micro greens (seasonal).
CHEESECAKE
Recipe given to Mario in 1969 by his mother-in-law, Anne Bloom. Not at all Italian, but the recipe has never changed in over 56 years.
Calamari
Calamaretti Fritti fried baby squid with tomato-basil vinaigrette and optional lemon butter sauce.
Angus Beef Tenderloin
Revier Ranch Angus Beef Tenderloin grilled to order over caramelized red onions with herbed extra virgin olive oil and 15-year aged balsamico, pommes frites.
Penne Rigate
Penne Rigate (striped) Pasta with ragu of braised oxtail and Chianti, shaved parmigiano & Italian parsley.
Warm Polenta Cake
Baked Valrhona Chocolate “Manjari” Polenta Cake served warm, molten center with preserved Marasca cherries.
“Came for my birthday! Food was delicious. I ordered classic spaghetti. Not too saucy to ruin my outfit either! Greeted by friendly server. Seated immediately and served with grace. Would return.”
— FIVE STARS - MARCH 3rd, 2025
“This was the best meal we have had in a long time! First of all, walking in the door the hosts were so welcoming. We started with the carpaccio and calamari. It was the BEST we have had. Fresh and savory with the butter sauce, and the tomato sauce with the calamari was magical! Then moved on to the special Raviolo- sumptuous rich, and fantastic to share. Salmon was cooked perfect, crisp skin and side of fingerling potatoes were the perfect balance of salty and buttery(?). Finished with a variety of desserts for all of us. Tiramisu is a martini glass, trio of sumptuous desserts.... Everything was yummy! The staff were so energetic. Our server was a perfect showman! He made the food sound as good as it taste.”
— FIVE STARS - DECEMBER 27th, 2024
“The Wild Mushroom Ravioli was fantastic! A huge thanks to the chef because the flavor was impeccable. The taste of the mushroom really popped with every bite, and you could tell that the ravioli was prepared thoroughly with intention and care. On the far end was a daily special consisting of a delicious duck ragu over pappardelle pasta. The duck was so tender, the sauce was so abundant, and the noodles had soaked up all the external flavor. Everything about this dish was perfect. Together, they became a perfect balance of flavor, leaving us very very satisfied. Plus, the service was excellent. We requested a table switch since we wanted to move to someplace indoors and the staff were quite accommodating. It's a great place to at least try once! Despite the price, treat yourself if you can!”
— FIVE STARS - DECEMBER 16th, 2024
LOCATION
3646 Mission Inn Avenue
Riverside, California 92501
HOURS
Sunday – Monday
Closed
Tuesday – Wednesday
5:30pm – 9:00pm
(bar opens at 4:00pm)
Thursday
5:30pm – 9:30pm
(bar opens at 4:00pm)
Friday – Saturday
5:30pm – 10:00pm
