Mama D's serves Italian food with a familial feel

Originally published in the March 8, 2011 issue of the Coast Report
By Britney Peraza, Staff Writer

Warm greetings, nook-like dining, soft jazz in the background and a mix of artwork including children’s drawings and family photos–this mama knows how it’s done.

The Original Mama D’s Italian Kitchen is all about family and hospitality with the age-old recipes to go with it. The picture of Mama and Papa D over the fireplace gives it that real feel of the love that comes with being together around an Italian meal.

This restaurant is a new found love and not just because of the homemade food, but for its over-the-top customer service.

While waiting over an hour just to sit down on a Saturday night there was a non-stop bustle from hosts and managers to make sure every customer waiting received bread, drinks, free appetizers and complimentary blankets for those outside.

This is a place that makes sure you enjoy every single moment during your experience. Every employee feels like family, and encompasses the character to go with it.

The menu consists of genuine “like mama used to make it” Italian food with the option to add Mama D’s famous pink sauce. A creamy blend of their homemade alfredo and marinara sauce.

I completed my Saturday with friends at Mama D’s by starting with parmesan crusted bread—warm and made from scratch. The calamari fritti with marinara was the perfect shareable appetizer with a crunchy fried shell covering tender pieces of squid.

The Roma pasta with delicate mushrooms, Roma tomatoes, soft flavorful artichoke hearts tossed with moist chicken and Mama D’s famous pink sauce.

The developed richness of the sauce gave every bite the real taste of authenticity. Although the linguine pasta was heavy, the fresh vegetables gave the plate a light finish.

After falling into a Mama D’s food coma a dessert seemed far from an option and surprisingly there is no dessert menu. A tiny oven-warmed and gooey chocolate chunk cookie for each guest was brought to the table for the flawless ending to Mama’s experience.

Prices at Mama D’s range from $5 to $8 for appetizers and $10 to $22 for entrees.
The restaurant offers complimentary valet parking for guests and is located at 3012 Newport Blvd. in Newport Beach with two other locations in Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach.