Mari Luna Bistro

Very, very disappointing. Three of us arrived after a show, around 8pm on a friday evening.
The place was seriously empty — NOT a good sign. We were shown to a table, OK, and that’s the last we saw of any wait staff. We waited for about 20 minutes. Staff were busy on their smartphones, texting, whatever…
We saw one dinner come out to another table. After 20 minutes, we got up and left, nobody said a thing to us !!! If this was my business, I would be seriously worried about the management and the staff. Terrible.

The only reason this place is still in business is b/​c it’s located right next to Meyerhoff and they will get you in and out in time for your show. But warning… for that speed you will sacrifice service, taste, and quality.
Food is over-​priced — $ 9 for a «mixed green» salad full of yellow iceberg, huge chucks of poorly sliced radishes and missing half of the other ingredients advertised on the menu? Got a stuffed poblano smothered in a gummy, grainy, floury, bland bechamel sauce.
My husbands mixed fajitas were also bland and it was very obvious that none of the meat was fresh and the shrimps were bitter and rubbery.
Out waiter was inattentive and scarce beyond the obligatory taking our order, plopping out our food and check in time to get us out the door. Never checked on us, refilled water (even after we asked), or anything.
Not worth the visit on a regular day and if you have BSO tickets take the time to find somewhere else to grab a bite (or just eat at the café inside the Meyerhoff.

Large variety of guacamole and dishes, but overpriced and the wait staff is terrible-​not attentive or personable.

Wow — wish I’d read all the mediocre reviews before I made the reservation.
Guac, chips and salsa out of this world — good house margarita — all the makings of a perfect Pre theater dinner, right? But our –reserved — table sucked — a nice view of the kitchen from all angles and right under the hot lights — but when we asked to move they were complete jerks — except one server. The restaurant was uncomfortably hot and despite their proximity to multiple theaters the service is so slow we almost missed the curtain. My salad was a big tortilla bowl full of head lettuce with some carrots and an occasional jicama or beet nugget — a couple of nicely seasoned shrimp on top could not save it.
Bottom line — go for drinks and chips before the show — go to a good restaurant after.

The guacamole here is fantastic.
Everything else is pretty lacking. I came here after it first opened and had a good lunch inside. More recently I met friends for drinks on the patio outside and had a completely different experience. My friends were seated during happy hour, but because the waitress didn’t take their order until after HH ended, she actually took the special menu back. It took nearly an hour to get our (normally priced) drinks, and when they arrived they were weak and just… bad. We asked our waitress to take them back, and she just poured more alcohol in and brought them back. At that point we were almost ready to leave, so we told her we didn’t want them. Of course, they ended up on our tab anyway. I would total it up to one bad waitress, but the whole place seems to be going downhill. Dirty dishes had been left on the bar, fabric on the seats was badly torn, and the bathroom was dirty. Even the great guacamole isn’t enough to bring me back.

I really like this place’s food, my fiancée and I do carry out from them pretty regularly. What’s really obnoxious though is… well, their hours are completely random.
They have Tuesdays — Sunday (with slightly different hours for Tues-​Thurs) hours plastered on the side of the building but very often when I call, no one answers, and i hear a message about how they couldn’t get my phone call at that time. So i walk down the street. I pass the side of their restaurant, take note of their hours, look through the window, see lights, approach the front door, turn the knob.
And.
Locked. completely randomly. You see, i walk down here because very often i’ve noticed there really aren’t many staff in the place. So i’m guessing (hoping) they are all busy doing something. Though, when i get there, i get pretty irritated that the restaurant is closed and I’ve wasted my time.
There’s a new mexican grill supposedly opening a block up cathedral near the rite aid soon, so hopefully that motivates Mari Luna to get their act together. It’s not really that troublesome to rearrange hours and stick to them, is it?
And to nip things in the bud, yeah the economy sucks, I know. In fact, I know first hand because i deal with it as part of my job. That’s no excuse. They could easily collapse their hours and not frustrate their consumer base (ultimately risking their patron’s loyalty and worsening their own problem– if the problem is financial, anyway.)

I tried the original location on Reistertown Road a number of years ago and absolutely loved the food, although the service could be stomach growlingly slow at times. This was my first time at the downtown location, near Meyerhoff, and the service was terrific but the food just didn’t taste as special. In fact, the service was quite attentive and considerate with extra salsa, tortillas and nachos provided.
My friend, S, ordered the Torta Milanesa and declared that it was cooked very well and the meat was tender. The so-​called, Mexican fries, were crispy and seasoned well. We couldn’t figure out why they were so named because they looked like simple waffle fries.
I ordered three tacos: shrimp, lamb and fish (tilapia). The shrimp was forgettable and not worth the trouble but the fish and lamb were yummy. Oh, and the margarita was delicious!
I would be willing to give it another try since the service was friendly and helpful, especially if I am attending a performance at the Meyerhoff, which might happen since my fav. singer Emili Sande is performing there in October.
I’m giving it 3 stars for the service but really the food deserves only 2 stars on this go around.

I wish there were a better rating system on Unilocal because I would give this 3.5 stars for food, but 1 star or less for Service.
My best friend and I dined here on a show night (Harry Connick Jr at the Lyric — yay!) and arrived a little late as we got stuck in bad evening Baltimore traffic. They seated us right away since we had a reservation, but we waited forever to get any service. When our waitress finally came over– we told her we were in a rush for our show and I feel as if that made her want to serve us even slower — the attitude we had from her was HORRIBLE — major ‘tude and for no reason at all. Had no idea what her deal was, but it as a weird vibe for sure. We were almost late for our show.
The fresh guacamole is terrific — but if you are going on a show night, I DO NOT recommend this place.

They should get 3.5 stars for having great food and drinks, but slow service. I’ve been there twice, and both times the service was very slow (although I suspect this is an understaffing issue, not laziness on the servers’ parts). The first time, we were getting dinner before a show and asked them to accommodate us time-​wise. Somehow that translated into getting our appetizers at the same time as our meals, which isn’t a big deal. Last time, I went on Cinco de Mayo and despite the restaurant being maybe ¹⁄₃ full, we waited FOREVER for our food. We had 2 refills of our tortilla chips before our guacamole came out.
Speaking of which, their guacamole is awesome. They got really creative with their flavors and the results are delicious. I’ve gotten tacos the last 2 times I went, and both times my BF and I agreed that the al pastor is the best. Portions are gigantic so expect to take food home. Also, their sangria might be the best I’ve ever had.

Pretty disappointed with Mari Luna. We went on a non-​show night so the place was completely empty, which should have been reason enough to leave right then (the kitchen on empty nights is just never going to run as well as it should).
Our server was good, and fast, although he seemed a little bored. We ordered the Yucatan guacamole, which was decent, but needed more lime. The sangria was passable, but nothing special (although there was PLENTY of it).
I ordered the Carnitas Uruapan, which I mistakenly believed would be similar to carnitas I have had before, but instead of being nice slow-​roasted falling apart pork shoulder, spiced with cinnamon and slow cooked, it was more like marinated slices of pork chop that had been microwaved to a consistent temperature. The sauce on the carnitas was good, but the meat was really uninspiring. My wife had a grilled vegetable dish that was decent even as leftovers the next day.
I’m not really impressed with the food or the venue, so I would be hard pressed to recommend.

Went in for a pre-​symphony dinner (In the old Spike & Charlie’s location, it could not be more convenient). They promote a pre-​show menu, which is a nice idea, but they did not seem adequately staffed to deal with what was essentially the entire joint filled with folks who all needed to leave at about the same time. Maybe folks called out sick… but just in case, would allow a little extra time. (6:15 rez, 8 p.m. show – just made it.)
The ceviche was simple, but nice. Everything tasted fresh, the balance of lime juice, cilantro and red onions was even. My companions all had the fish of the day, a Chilean Sea Bass. Although each spoke well of the dish, it seemed odd to me that the kitchen had used the entire filet the way they had – one person’s cut was solidly two inches thick at its peak, the other’s was flat ¾ inch. Hardly looked like the same fish.
They were all jealous of my meal, regardless. I had the lamb shank. The meat was literally falling off the bone. It was rich and gamey (in the best way), and I ended up chawing down on it Henry VIII-​style because I couldn’t bear to miss a scrap.
My side dishes – rice and some kind of green leaves – were entirely boring, flavorless and not worth plating. But I didn’t care, since I was fully lambgaged. I assume the mixed veggies my companions had were similarly boring, as everyone had plenty left when the plates were cleared.
Since the slightly slow service meant we couldn’t do dessert pre-​show, we came back post-​symphpony. Our desserts were okay, but a bit… uniform in flavor. I’d describe each – the bread pudding, the banana cake, the crepes and the apples enchiladas – as «sweet,» which for a dessert is kind of daming with faint praise. The espresso was bitter.
For convenience and «not bad”-ness, I’d go again for a pre-​show meal. Otherwise, there are better places to eat.

*Blech*, If I was going to give a one word review that would be it. The food is uninspired, bland, and boring. The shrimp tasted slimey and smelly (at least in my opinion). The rotisserie chicken was passable but lacking in flavor and spice. I get heart health but throw some salt on your food. The chips were chips but the salsa was downright boring. I can’t think of the last salsa I had that actually took flavor away from the chip.
If you’re looking for lunch go to soups on, right around the corner. if you’re looking for dinner Aladdin on the the other corner is always a good choice.

The guacamole was really delicious. I strongly recommend it. I liked the guacamole with the pepitas and goat cheese, etc.
I had the mole, which was mediocre. Not a strong flavor, and the chicken was dry. The sides were also bland.
I would suggest something that is more classic Mexican-​like enchiladas or something harder to botch.

Once the thermometer tops 80 I start to get a mean hankering for sangria. There’s no better way to usher in summer than with a big pitcher of cold, fruity wine and I decided this weekend was finally the time to start. I’d heard some good things about Mari Luna so I decided to give it a go.
My friend and I got a table on the patio and ordered a pitcher of the red which is supposedly meant for 6 people but if you want to get your buzz on then it’s just right for 2. It was exactly what I wanted; not too heavy, refreshing, and went down like fruit punch. It’s not nearly as strong as some other sangrias I’ve had but I sort of liked that – the red wine flavor was mild so it was the perfect way to cool down in the hot sun. But be careful because this stuff is dangerous! Before I knew it I’d downed 3 glasses and didn’t feel it until I went to stand up. It definitely packs a punch.
We weren’t planning on getting food but after looking at the guacamole menu we just couldn’t resist. We went with the Veracruz, a fruity combination involving mango and pomegranate seeds. Now I don’t consider myself much of a guacamole connoisseur (it all usually tastes the same to me) but this stuff was to die for. It was, without a doubt, the best avocado spread I have ever had in my life. At $ 13 it wasn’t exactly cheap but it would’ve been enough for 4 people as an appetizer and it was so unique and delicious that you should try it regardless of the price.
Service was a little spotty but this may have been due to the fact that we got there just after they’d opened at 4 pm on a Friday. I also wish they had more shade on the patio because it got mighty hot in the sun but let’s be honest; that’s not going to prevent me from going back for more sangria and guacamole. I predict this place will become a summer staple for me.

This restaurant is truly an underachiever and definitely takes advantage of being the only restaurant five minutes away from Meyerhoff Hall and the Lyric.
Every time I have come to eat here, the service has been subpar. When I come here for a meal before a show, I don’t order anything complicated — soup or an appetizer and a salad. And no matter what, it takes forever to arrive.
Recently I sat on the outdoor patio (which was a nice treat) and it was completely disorganized. Food runners coming out presenting dishes to each table to see who would claim it, multiple waiters checking on the same table, and, once again, more delays than public transportation. The only bright point was when the wrong item was brought to my table and when I pointed it out, the bartender (yes, the bartender from inside was also running food outside) without pausing said, «I’ll take care of it.» The only time I received decent service was when I was practically the only person in the restaurant after a symphony concert. And even that was marred, as the manager came and spoke with me during my meal and proceeded to say some very unkind things about the prior management and staff.
To be fair, the food I’ve had here has been very good — I especially enjoy the spinach and goat cheese salad, and the black bean soup is fantastic (although it would be nice if it came with more crema on top!) and of course, the guacamole is immensely delicious and comes in a molcajete big enough to serve a house party. And their happy hour specials make even the imported beers affordable. But, lackluster service definitely affects how I would rate this place.
Every time I come back hoping for improvements… so far the trend doesn’t point towards that.

Have you ever considered a huge bowl of guacamole for dinner? Neither had I until I went to Mari Luna.
They have a fresh guac bar with a menu of different combinations that is incredibly flavorful and fresh. I could sit there with chips all evening long! it’s worth checking the place out just for this one item.
WARNING: Check the schedule for the Meyerhoff Hall. When there is a show, the restaurant gets slammed for an hour before. The customers get pissed because they can’t be served immediately and they’re stressed because they might miss the show.
Having 100 people show up at once and expect service in an hour is taxing for the best restaurant. If you’re going to a show at Meyerhoff and want to try Mari Luna, go early. If you’re not going to a show, avoid show times and you’ll have a much better experience.

A really disappointing meal and experience. We went for a pre-​symphony dinner and left feeling like the only reason the restaurant was still open was it’s location — definitely not because of the food or service! I ordered Rock fish but was served some very flat, very dry and very (temperature) cold alternative. My guess is it was flounder. When I asked mt waiter to confirm this was what I ordered he disappeared for nearly 15 minutes and then clearly forgot he had been asked. My date ordered the grilled Salmon and it was also served cold.
$ 13 Guacamole appetizers, mediocre entrees and inattentive service. Sadly nothing like it’s counterparts.

Be forewarned: I have only visited the bar; but from my experiences there, I cannot wait to eat in the restaurant.
Mari Luna Bistro has a great happy hour with awesome eatables. The guacamole easily serves 3 – 4 people and is $ 2 off its normal price. (Trust me; that’s a good value.) The nachos are also a sight for sore eyes; they aren’t your traditional stack of tortilla chips, and each chip is loaded with meat and cheese. Always served on a hot plate; so the awkward gooey tepid cheese problem never comes into play.
As far as drinks, they have great beer on tap and a delicious mojito. And if you’ve never tried a caipirinha, Mari Luna’s a good place to have your first — or one of their two alternatives to it. Also if you’re a sangria fan, their tropical version tastes great in red or white. It’s proximate to the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and a great place to mellow out before taking in a performance. The bartenders are friendly and attentive, and Mari Luna is a very good Charm City find.

Brunch served with a taste of jalapeño.
Sunday I had the unique pleasure of strolling into Mari Luna for a quick brunch stop.
Initially I was under the assumption that they had a brunch buffet but, this is not the case.
I ordered the Steak and eggs, which came with a nice spicy pico hash. I was not disappointed. Each bite was savory!
For my mimosa drinkers, there is no pitcher ordering option. Each mimosa was 6.50. The drink was delicious, so beware… it’s easy to sip 20 bucks of mimosa in one sitting.
I do intend to go back for lunch or dinner.

Dont judge a book by it’s cover. Although deceivingly plain on the outside Mari Luna’s interior is a gem. I’ve been searching high and low for a good Mexican restaurant in Baltimore and finally hit pay dirt. The Traditional guacamole was fresh and tasty. The Taco salad had good flavor and generous portions, and the Paella was «better than Tio Pepe’s» according to my BF.
For dessert, try the Rice Pudding empanadas. Weird combination but tasty.
The service was very good, attentive. They have salsa lessons too. Definitely worth a try.