To our guests,

As many of you now know, Marco Polo Italian Eatery closed its doors on March 31, 2008, after 18+ years at the same location.  Our lease was not renewed by the Irvine Company and for now we will work on finding a new location so that we can once again invite you to dine with us and enjoy all your favorite dishes.

On behalf of my entire staff, I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of you who helped to make the past 18 years memorable. It was our pleasure to meet you, celebrate your special events, have you as our “regulars”, and to welcome you over the years to dine with us.

We will keep our web site and telephone number live. We hope you will check back often to stay informed of our plans. We have received notes from many of you and below we are sharing your thoughts with all of our guests. We invite you to send us an email, so that we can let you know when and where you can join us again.

We will not say good-bye, but simply good-night until we meet again.

Sincerely,

Tony Hibbard, General Manager

Our History

In 1990 Marco Polo opened its doors for lunch and dinner in the Newport North Center. The interior design, by famed architect Melvin Fain of Dallas, captures the vitality of a Tuscan villa, including the wood burning oven imported from Italy!

At Marco Polo Italian Eatery in the tradition of Italy’s trattorias, the sights, sounds and aromas of authentic Italian cuisine are recreated fresh everyday. Marco Polo serves fresh, flavorful Italian dishes prepared from the finest ingredients. We make everything by hand in our restaurant daily from our delicious soups and flavorful sauces to our bread and salad dressing.  We strive to bring you a wonderful Italian experience with our warm hospitality.

We invite you to visit Marco Polo, enjoy lunch or dinner with a glass of wine or beer, or if you prefer you can call us at 949-721-0801 for take out and we will have your order ready when you arrive. 

Marco Polo has been the recipient of the “Italian Silver Award” from The Southern California Restaurant Writers’ Association. And we are proud to say we have been honored with this designation numerous times since our opening.

In response to our regular guests’ requests, we now offer catering for your special events. So if you are planning a party, big or small, call us or visit our catering page to print out our catering order form.  We will be happy to help you make your event special.

Our Community Commitment

Marco Polo Italian Eatery’s management gives back to the community by participating in events such as the Newport Beach Restaurant Association’s annual Restaurant Week.  In 2005, this event supported the Friends of Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter and in 2007 funds raised benefited the First Battalion First Marines of Camp Pendleton and their families.

Our guests say it best…

Notes from our guests…

Our lunch bunch every Friday finds ourselves at your place at least once a month. Was shocked to find you gone! Please let me know when you open up your new place. We anxiously await you re-opening!

Becky B.

Tony,

I just found out you guys closed.  I am shocked.  The student housing community at UCI has enjoyed your services for 18 years.  We have hosted many candidate dinners, held student banquets and used your restaurant as a place to celebrate Administrative Professional Day, staff recognition programs, etc.  We have been so pleased with the service, cost and atmosphere that you have provided.  Tony you have been absolutely the best to my UCI family and we will truly miss you and the food.  

Please let us know when you reopen so we can once again dine at one of the best Italian restaurants in the OC.

Fred L.
UC Irvine

Please let me know when and where you will re-open.  Campus Village at UCI will truly miss your great food, hospitality and overall great experience.

Good luck,
Susan

Please place me on your e-mail list.
Darlene B.

You had the best pasta in town, and we were so sad to discover that you’d closed.  I hope your new location is closer to my office’s new location!
We solemnly swear to continue frequenting your new location if you tell us how to make that blush sauce! 

Much love,
Mei

My wife and I moved here 3 years ago for my new job at UCI and enjoyed your good food and handy location for many meals.
We met there yesterday and found out you had shut down.

Please let us know when you are back up and running.
Good luck,
 
Dan & Bonnie

Hello,
Let us know when you re-open in a new location.
We wish you the best of luck and look forward to dining with you again soon.

James & Andrella C.
Command Graphic Design

Please keep us on your mailing list. We look forward to you re-opening a new location.

Regards,
Melody

Info below … I love your food.  Please let me know where you relocate to.
J U A N I T A  U.

Tony -
 
I'm Mark H., and you might not know my name, but I am the one that started coming to Marco Polo about 12 years ago when I was working as an architect.  We usually talked the stock market and/or sports lines.  Now, I used to come in with my two young daughters and wife.  We went by your restaurant two nights ago and were stunned to see it gone.
 
My oldest actually started to cry because Marco Polo was her favorite restaurant and she was planning to have her birthday dinner there.
 
PLEASE take my email down - and tell us if you are going to relocate at some point.  I would love to suggest moving to a spot on PCH along Corona del Mar because our area is completely devoid of moderately-priced restaurants that also serve good food and have a casual atmosphere.
 
But, anyway, we are very sad to see you go.  Please tell us if you are going to start back up and if I can help in any way.
 
Thanks (and I will miss those bread sticks soooooo much),
Mark H.

Dear Marco Polo Owners and Staff,

I was away on business and could not believe my eyes when I drove over for dinner the other night and the restaurant was closed up. Marco Polo is a gem and I am already jonesing for my Canneloni con Pollo. Please add my email address to your list and don’t hesitate to send word as to how I might help (letters, phone calls, boycotts, etc.). With all best wishes for finding a new location soon and all thanks for the great food and atmosphere you provided, in my short time in the neighborhood –

Best,
Vicky J.

Tony and all, thanks for updating your web site... just open in a new site as we are really getting hungry.  Your faithful guests for 18+ years,

Don and Patty P.

Hi - We were amazed to pull up at your former location last week and find that you were gone!  What a major disappointment.  I was sorry to read from the website that the reasons why were much what we expected.

My husband and I both work at UC Irvine and have been regular customers for many years.  Your cuisine is outstanding.  Coming from a full-blooded Italian, that is high praise indeed...we miss you and look forward to visiting again very soon.

For our own personal interest as well as that of many co-workers here at UCI, I would very much like to be added to your mailing list.  We are anxiously waiting to hear of your new location as soon as it is available.

Terri and Jeff M.

Tony,

Both myself and my friend were really bummed to find out you were moving.  You all actually told us about CM being asked to move for a freaking pet shop...that was bad enough as we like both places very much and have been with you for the entire 18 years.

We really hope you find a place in the same general area.....not just so we can enjoy you but you have friends around here that will follow you if it is still local...

Oh…and hope you keep those bar stools...they are a trip...

Maybe you can keep the e-mail addresses your getting and send out a note to all when you select a new location...

Personally I have no love for the Irvine Company...they are pretty ruthless..

take care and we will miss you all and that bread!

Gregg & Joyce..

Dear Marco Polo owners,

How very disappointed we are that your lease was not renewed.....shame on the Irvine Co.  We have been coming to you place forever.  Not only did we think your prices were good but the fact you had a kids menu was important to us, many places don't have one.  We hope you will re-open and make a lot of people happy !!!

Thank you, The Smith Family from Rancho Santa Margarita

P.S. A restaurant space is available right by our lake out here, you should check it out the availability of it !!!

Please inform us when you reopen!
Noriko W.

Oh, no!  We've so much enjoyed the neighborly dining experience -- and wonderful food! -- at your restaurant when in Irvine to visit our daughter.  We wish you the very best and know your absence in that space will not be a plus.
Karen and David J

We are so very sorry to hear about the closing of your restaurant at your Bison location.  When you reopen again in the very near future, please drop us a note & let us know..... 

We look forward to dining at your restaurant again!! 

Best of luck! 

David & Kathy

I have been bringing my mother to your wonderful restaurant for years.
She loves coming and especially enjoys your fabulous pizza.
We would very much like to know when and where your new location will appear.
Would you be so kind as to send me an email as soon as you are "up and running" for business...and we will be there!

Most Sincerely,
Ann M.

My friends and I are totally bummed that you are no longer on Bison.  Please let us know where you will be opening your new restaurant.  We love your food and would like to continue going to the restaurant.  Hopefully you won’t be too far away!
Sharon G.

Please keep us advised of your new location and expected opening date. Thank you. Don P.

I have dined several times at your wonderful restaurant, and want to let you know I was very disappointed to hear that you were forced out of business by increasing lease rates. I understand. It is my hope that you'll be able to find another venue where you can make your outstanding, well-made cuisine. Besides your consistently great food, you also had some of the best, caring, well-mannered and friendly wait staff in the entire Newport area. (It was obvious, that your restaurant was well-managed.)

Just wanted to let you know that there are a lot of former guests out there that will be disappointed if you can't find a venue in the area that is "relatively" affordable to lease.

Best of Luck to you.

Sincerely,
Brent C.

I have been bringing my mother to your wonderful restaurant for years.
She loves coming and especially enjoys your fabulous pizza.
We would very much like to know when and where your new location will appear.
Would you be so kind as to send me an email as soon as you are "up and running" for business...and we will be there!

Most Sincerely,
Ann M.

Did you guys go out of business?  My wife said she drove by and the location was gone!
Please reply – we love your restaurant!
Warmest wishes,
Erik I.

I am so disappointed to hear you are closing. You are my favorite restaurant!  Will you be relocating to another area?  If you are closing down entirely, I was wondering if I could get the recipe for the "pink sauce" that I get on my gnocchi gorgonzola.  Thank you.
Davielle P.

I was so sad to discover that your restaurant was closed.  Please keep me updated when you find a new location.  Thanks!  -Joanna M.

Sorry to hear you lost your lease!  Many of us at UCI will miss your food (and wine at lunch)!
Please let us know of your new location.
Regards
Jill M.

You catered my birthday!  So sorry you are moving? Closing?  Please keep me on your mailing list... your food is cooked with love!!
Victoria S.

PLEASE KEEP ME INFORMED WHEN YOU GET A NEW LOCATION.
THANK YOU,
MICHELE

Please let us know where you will reopen! Thanks! We will miss you!
Randy, Bob, & Adriana B.

Marco Polo Family -
Thanks for so many fabulous meals and your outstanding customer service.  Our family has been eating at your wonderful restaurant since we moved here nine years ago.  We are so sorry to see you go, but look very forward to visiting you at your new location.
Please keep us posted for your re-opening date.  Thanks again!
The Kopaskie Family

We have thoroughly enjoyed the neighborhood feel, warmth, and good food at Marco Polo from the very beginning. One would think that the Irvine Co. would try harder to support their own community. Best wishes in finding a suitable new location. You have our support, and we look forward to visiting you again in your new restaurant, wherever it may end up.
Tom

Please keep me informed of your new location.
Thank you,
Lincoln C.

As a neighbor who has enjoyed the food, the service and the ambiance of a friendly informal restaurant I am going to miss you a lot.  How will I get along without my Spinach pizza and my husband loves all your pasta dishes.  Please do not go too far away. We wish you all the best and thank you for the last 18 years.
Your neighbors,
Karen and Jim G.

Sorry that you have to move-have enjoyed having your nearby for years-thanks
Please advise when and where you will go.
Gordon B.

Sure have enjoyed your restaurant for some years.
Let us know where and when you shall be opening elsewhere nearby.
Cheers!   Natalia and David

Dear MP Friends,
 Very sorry to hear about the lease situation.  Please keep us posted on your new locations
Joe & Bonnie

Tony and the gang thanks for the delicious food and first class service.
 Marco Polo has always been a favorite of ours  for lunch. We are shocked to here of your
closing. You will definitely be missed in the Newport North Center.  Sad to see you
go. Keep in touch with new location.  
Michael S.  

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