"Speaking from experience, the bigger the group we bring to this loud and proud Italian spot in Kensington, the better. Come to Da Mario with four people and you’ll be in a comfy booth upstairs. Come with 12 and it’s a party in their basement dining room. The menu has satisfying big-plate pastas and marinara-heavy pizzas. There’s always at least one birthday being celebrated at any given time, and there’s always someone louder than the Facebook video your dad insists on playing on full volume." - rianne shlebak