Mario’s Pizza

It’s hard to believe how long it has been since we first stepped into Mario’s. Not to sound like those people who talk about what it was like, “back in the day,” but there was a time when Mario’s provided the only decent, authentic western food in the city. What’s more exciting was that it was amazing Italian cuisine and not just a good burger. All of that has changed now because they have relocated just off Ligongdi to the location known simply as, “The Outlets.”

Today, Mario’s is still the best place to get a pizza and we’ll roshambo/rochambeau with anybody who disagrees. While the location has changed, the food and the prices haven’t, which is surprising considering the rent that they must be paying now. Besides Mario’s pizza being better than any other in town that’s not nearly all they offer. Mario’s has a long list pastas (the Penne all'arrabbiata teetered on perfection), antipasto, calzones, soups and salads (the Insalata Caprese was wonderfully refreshing) everything else that goes on a proper Italian menu including some very fine wines (the Montepulciano we had tied everything together) and desserts.

Like all good Italian restaurants large groups are well taken care of and not at all hard to accommodate. They have no problem seating more than a dozen people together and you need not worry about them moving tables around to do it. The space is already there for you. One thing that enamored some and bothered others about the old Mario’s location was the decor. Some enjoyed the unpretentiousness simplicity as it added to the intimacy of a warm family meal while others felt it did not do the food justice. To each their own, however, no one will find fault with the new location, a stone’s throw away from Jinji Lake and within spitting distance of the best shopping that Suzhou has to offer (actual spitting is not encouraged).