Mariano's Bakery - side

We met some friends for lunch at Ariano. It's in a nice downtown area of Media. There's a garage about a block away so parking is convenient. Ariano has a nice lunch menu with a variety of choices. My cioppino was excellent. The prices are reasonable and our server was very good. We recommend

We were here for a group birthday dinner. We were sat in the very upstairs area and it was very noisy since all of the din and conversations drifted up. It was so loud that it was difficult to converse with people sitting directly across from you or sitting next to. However the food that my husband and I had was very good. We had the calamari and the the pizza special for the night. A good meal can be had here for a very reasonable prize however since we had a large group everything was split equally which were not aware of so instead of paying the $50 that we spent plus tip we got hit up for $105.

I ordered the Marie Di Celli don't call this Italian food ever! It was breaded chicken, with prosciutto and topped with Ricotta (which was plain) on a bed of risotto with a few peas....so far could be good but then DRENCHED in BROWN GRAVY! That is not Italian, it was horrible and I could have gotten diner food that I enjoyed more. I will say that the people who work there gave great service.

As if my life had turned into a sitcom episode without a laugh track, we unknowingly found ourselves deciding to dine on a Wednesday evening in Media, the town that decided to host a dining extravaganza under the stars (May thru Sep). I mean, who needs parking anyway? Especially so that late model Vette owners could take up a block sharing obscure Chevy trivia with each other (guess it beats a Sonic Parking lot on a Sunday morning in Norristown). But believe it or not, the parking gods smiled upon us that day, guiding us to a miraculous parking spot. It was like finding a unicorn in a haystack – rare and utterly magical. And just when I thought the universe had bestowed upon us its greatest favor, we stumbled upon an indoor table at Ariano without having to put my Witness Protection name on the wait list. Cue the heavenly choir and soft-focus lighting. Now, let me set the scene for you. We were seated upstairs in a room that seemed to have a contest between screaming children and Millennials laughing at the thought of giving up remote working. If I didn 't know any better, I 'd think I had accidentally wandered onto the set of a reality show called Loudest Eatery in America. In a moment of sheer brilliance, I remembered the stash of earplugs in the glove compartment of the Buick Roadmaster – you know, for those spontaneous gun range visits we 're so fond of visiting when in PA. Armed with my day glow pink earplugs, I navigated through the Dining Under the Stars crowd, feeling like I was an extra in a Lane Bryant ad. Seriously, I haven 't seen so many confident, full-figured gals since my last trip to the Scrapple Festival in Delaware. Back at the table, the feast was underway – Rice Balls and Fried Artichokes leading the culinary charge, accompanied by glasses of Peroni beer that brought tears of joy to my taste buds. And the service? Oh, it was like having a personal concierge who could read your mind (her name is Lia). Cutlery was refreshed without asking and dirty dishes vanished faster than socks in a dryer vortex thanks to her equally professional colleagues. Let 's talk mains. Sea Bass, Paella, and Scallops made their grand entrance, prepared to perfection and flaunting flavors that could make a food critic weep. The Lemon Mascarpone cake was the final act, a dessert so divine that it made me want to start a petition for a national holiday in its honor. Once again though – this wasn 't a quiet, peaceful meal. No, it was more like dining at the intersection of Times Square on New Year 's Eve and a Clash concert at the Garden (actually experienced both). But you know what? Despite the decibel levels rivaling a jet engine, I 'd brave the auditory onslaught all over again for a taste of that culinary symphony. Just remember to bring your earplugs and a sense of adventure – and maybe, just maybe, you 'll find yourself embracing the chaos with a fork in one hand and a smile on your face.

Ariano is one of my go to places in Media. Cannot beat the atmosphere especially when you can sit outside or their windows are open. Everything on the menu is delicious with lots of variety. Gluten free pizza is excellent. Service is professional, knowledgeable and friendly. Never had a bad meal.