Marani Restaurant — Restaurant in New York

From the moment I reserved a table at this restaurant for a party of fifteen, the experience began to unravel. What was meant to be a joyful evening quickly turned into a frustrating and disheartening ordeal, marred by pushy service, poor communication, and a startling lack of hospitality. The first red flag appeared before we even stepped foot inside. I received two phone calls urging me to pre-order for my entire group—despite making it abundantly clear that each guest would order individually upon arrival. That should have been the end of it. But once at the restaurant, as I waited for the rest of my party to arrive, no fewer than three different staff members approached me, each pressing for orders and reiterating that our 6:45 reservation was slipping into delay (it was 7:15). Their tone felt less like concern for kitchen flow and more like an ultimatum: anyone who arrived late and ordered separately would need to wait an hour to be served. In a bid to avoid chaos, we scrambled to collect orders by phone from latecomers—an unnecessary and stressful exercise that undercut the entire spirit of our gathering. I did order a few appetizers and salads upfront, hoping to appease the staff, but the pressure didn’t relent. The final blow came when one of our guests brought a bottle of wine. We inquired about opening it and were led to believe it was permitted if it was kosher. We were ok with $35 corkage fee had been added to the bill. I acknowledged the misunderstanding and apologized, but their inflexible stance that felt unnecessarily punitive given the overall context. The food itself was passable, though not memorable enough to justify the heavy-handed service. Some of our guests mentioned that their chicken was not fresh. Unfortunately, whatever culinary merit the restaurant might claim is overshadowed by a tone-deaf and inhospitable approach to customer care. They kept lecturing us on importance of ordering in advance. Dining out—especially for a celebration—should feel welcoming, not transactional. This restaurant failed that test miserably. From the moment we walked in, we were treated not as guests, but as logistical problems to be managed. The result? A soured evening, a group of disappointed diners, and one event I regret choosing this venue for. Verdict:
Overbearing service, poor communication, and a rigid attitude toward hospitality left a lasting negative impression. A celebration turned sour, thanks to a restaurant more concerned with control than care. Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) – One star for the food, one for the ambiance, none for...

Okay food. Big family portions. "Homely" in terms of flavor. Best to get food to go. Almost no service. The lack of service and explanation of the menu was not the best experience. Waiters just sat around. The lady filled the water. Not sure what I'm tipping for. And they forgot to pack my eggplant (the best dish) left over to go 🙁☹️.

Booked a table for 2 almost a month in advance due their limited hours. Came on a Thursday evening. Not crowded at all. A reservation doesn't seem necessary because it was only us and 2 other tables. Even past 6pm it was just 3 tables including us. It was practically empty.

We ordered the eggplant appetizer with pomegranate and was really great. We also had the freshly baked bread. Which was enough for a table of 4. The appetizers really made an impression in terms of flavor and texture. Went incredibly well with the freshly baked Georgian bread! This combo was the best from the whole meal.

We got the meat pie/bowl with the egg. This was hearty, beefy, and flavorful. Really freshly made and came out piping hot. Excellent to share and good enough as an entree. This was another winner.

The soup dumplings were interesting at best. Why no spoon with this dish? How am supposed to eat this with the juices all over the plate? Didn't seem right. They were big and beefy and came with 6. Juicy but the juices just ran all over with the knife and fork or am I supposed to eat with my hands? Not the best experience here. Or maybe I'm missing something?

Finally, we had the lamb shank. Big enough for 4! Came with fries in on the bottom. This was fall off the bone tender. Not gamey. Lightly seasoned. There was a side of onion salad and cranberry sauce. Hearty and tender. Though rice is not included. I would describe this as "homely" in terms of flavor.

The first two dishes really stood out; eggplant app and the meat bowl. The dumplings and lamb shanks were more "home style" in flavor. Huge portions but didn't really stand out in terms of flavor.

The food was good with big portions. The price is almost justified. Almost. But the experience in the restaurant was not good at all. Would probably be better to order to go and eat at home and save yourself the tip and the waiting. The waiters just sat around until they need to bring out the food. The lady did mostly everything. And finally they forgot to pack the delicious eggplant appetizer even though there were...

A Hidden Gem of Georgian Cuisine – Marani Restaurant Deserves All the Stars!

If you’re looking for a culinary experience that combines rich tradition, unforgettable flavors, and fresh, high-quality ingredients, Marani Restaurant is the place to go. I’ve been here multiple times, and each visit is just as impressive—if not more—than the last.

First of all, the food is always fresh. That’s something you can taste immediately. From the first bite to the last, everything feels like it was made with care, passion, and authenticity. Marani takes pride in their ingredients, and it shows.

The highlight for me has always been their special Georgian dishes. You won’t find flavors like these just anywhere. The unique blend of herbs, textures, and presentation makes every dish feel like a celebration of Georgian culture. Two absolute must-tries: the Hinkali and Pilmani. The Hinkali dumplings are juicy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. Each one is a little bundle of joy that bursts with savory goodness. And the Pilmani? Comforting, satisfying, and seasoned just right—perfect for a hearty meal that leaves you smiling.

But honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Every dish I've tried—whether meat, vegetarian, or pastry—has been spot-on. The chefs really know what they’re doing, and the staff is always happy to explain the dishes if you’re new to Georgian cuisine.

The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with a cozy vibe that makes you feel like you're dining in someone’s home. The service is friendly and attentive, and the staff clearly love sharing their culture through food.

Highly, highly recommended. Whether you're new to Georgian cuisine or already a fan, Marani is a place you’ll want to return to again and again. Great for dates, family dinners, or just treating yourself to something special....