Looking for great Italian food? Try Marcello's Wine Market Lafayette | Food Finds

WaTeasa Freeman, Lafayette Daily Advertiser
·2 min read

Birthed from a legacy of classic Italian cooking Marcello's has become a staple across Louisiana. Gene and Marcello Todaro founded the restaurant in 1981 after noticing the lack of authentic Italian food in the Acadiana area. Now almost 41 years later, the legacy and recipes of that family continue to warm the hearts and tummiesof Lafayette.

The first Marcello's location was on Abbeville Highway and was owned and operated by the Todaro brothers. They soon expanded to a second Lafayette location and were experiencing high levels of success. While operating both locations the oil industry faced a major decline that led to the closure of both. In 2007 after successfully operating two wine markets in Lafayette and New Orleans, Marcello's Wine Market Café officially opened.

Charlie Goodson and Jody Ferguson at Marcellos in Lafayette, LA. Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022.
Charlie Goodson and Jody Ferguson at Marcellos in Lafayette, LA. Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022.

Food Finds: Enjoy a taste of Spain at Pamplona Tapas Bar

After fourteen years the Todaros sold the restaurant to Charlie Goodson and Jody Ferguson with Southern Hospitality group in 2021. Goodson who is the founder of Charley G's in Lafayette has been working in restaurants for over 40 years and hopes to maintain the authenticity of the Marcello's.

"We wanted to keep a lot of elements the same," Goodson said. "This has always been a well managed establishment and very popular. When we were approached about purchasing we thought it would be a great fit and keeps it locally owned."

Chef Jordan Causey at Marcellos in Lafayette, LA. Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022.
Chef Jordan Causey at Marcellos in Lafayette, LA. Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022.

Southern Hospitality group has left much of the restaurant the way it was but did bring a new flare into the kitchen. Chef Jordan Causey has been cooking professionally since 2009 and started as a line cook for Blue Dog Café. He is now dedicated to providing guests with the best quality Italian cuisine possible.

CONSIDER SUBSCRIBING TODAY: Help support local journalists like WaTeasa Freeman

"It's important to me to kind of keep Mr. Todaro's family traditions alive," Causey explains. "There are people who have been coming to this restaurant having dishes that are the same recipes longer than I've been cooking. So my focus is taking classic recipes and adding some modern techniques and high quality ingredients to them."

Food Finds: Looking for vegan or gluten free options in Lafayette? Try Karma Collective

As Valentines Day approaches Marcello's Wine Market has added a new special for couples. The Valentine’s gift set includes their antipasto board and two bottles of wine. This special is only for pick-up orders and must be placed by February 9 to guarantee fulfillment.

Marcellos in Lafayette, LA. Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022.
Marcellos in Lafayette, LA. Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022.

Some of the most popular items on the menu include: oysters romesco, pesce limone fish of the day and the traditional spaghetti and meatballs. Causey recommends the linguini tritone— a seafood pasta with lobster, shrimp and crab meat.

Marcello's Wine Market accepts reservations for both dinner and lunch. To place an order for the Valentine's special call 337-235-1002. For menus, reservations and hours of operation visit their website www.marcelloslafayette.com

Connect with WaTeasa Freeman by email wfreeman@theadvertiser.com or on Twitter @wateasaf

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Marcello's Wine Market Lafayette Food Finds