Mama Mia Trattoria

We recently celebrated my father-in-law's 60th birthday at Mama Mia's and it was the perfect atmosphere for a family celebration. The food was fantastic, the corkage fee is reasonable and the service was flawless. Additionally, it is a very nice place that is still child-friendly.

Posted 10/02/05

Wow, even Tony Danza goes here. The perfect washed up element to add to washed up service and food.

Posted 09/21/05

I just had one of the best experiences, EVER. My service was attentive and helpful. The food was mouth-watering. I ate the chicken picatta with the olive oil side pasta and my taste buds were tantalized. Thank goodness I saved room for dessert because the tiramisu was out-of-this-world. I will definitely return and tell all my friends what a fabulous experience I just had. For all you reading this- You must go try Mama Mia's for yourself.

Pros: seating quickly, good looking staff, good portions

Posted 09/13/05

I had low to moderate expectations for this place, but was pleasantly surprised! Traditional Italian-American fare is what you'll find on the menu. Lots of standard pasta & red-sauce selections. I was pleased that the fried zucchini was actually prepared fresh. We tried the penne ala vodka with chicken and the prawns francese and they were both fresh, tasty, and were adequately-sized portions. The wine list was limited and more pricey than necessary. The decor was pleasant and the service, although friendly, was a little slow. Mama Mia is open late. I'm sure I'll be back.

Pros: Fresh Dishes, Decor

Cons: Pricey Wines, Parking

Posted 09/03/05

I am so suprised at some of the people below.
The food & service was incredible. I had truly had the best experience. I ate the Chicken Piccata with the side of the olive oil pasta. (my mouth waters every time I think about it) I also drank some really great cocktails... oh and lets not forget that pretty much everyone that works there is attractive!!
I will defintely go back and I am going to bring all my friends.
Don't listen to the negative reviews, go try for yourself and you will see that they are wrong!

Posted 08/27/05

Went to Momma Mia's for lunch. I have some friends who thought it was great at one point in time. They have even changed their tune. Well, i have had Ragu Sauce over Fred Meyer noodles before but they were at least half the cost not. I will say that Momma Mia's atmostphere was much better than my kitchen. I was sooo dissappointed in the food. Bland, runny, definatly not italien and i find it hard to believe it's homemade. I might stop in for a drink, now and again but I wouldn't order the food. You can do better at home!

Posted 08/14/05

food and service are terrible. This place is over rated, save your money and your time. This isn't aunthentic Italian food, it very much like Macaroni Grill/Olive Garden.

Pros: Not one thing

Cons: Slow service, bad food

Posted 08/10/05

I love these guys and it is the best italian food downtown!! Trust me :) It is sooo good
I highly reccommend it to anyone and their tirimisu is great. A+++

Pros: Everything

Cons: None

Posted 08/06/05

This place is very OK nothing special. The food is not a very good value the ambience just does not realy click its somthing out of a disney land resort concept.The women who runs it is sickening sweet in dinning room but you can hear hear screaming in the kitchen kind of a Rip Taylor Mr Hyde very obnoxious having said that the wait staff is pleasant I hope they can pull it together.The Sunday gravy tasted Old and the sauce tasted like it came right from the canThe mussels were gritty and if this is what they mean by Italian soul food they might want to look up the meaning or start looking for a new concept I wont be back

Pros: the bar, wine list

Cons: food presentation, ambience

Posted 07/03/05

The hype around the restaurant exceeds reality. Good quality food with sup par service, atmosphere and value. There are a lot of better alternatives

Pros: Flavor

Cons: Service, Menu choice, atmosphere

Posted 06/29/05

After hearing nothing but rave reviews I had to dine at Mama Mia's to see if it lived up to the hype. It was everything and more that I hoped for. Even with a packed house the service was exceptional. The food came quikly, and was fresh and full of authentic Italian flavor.

Posted 06/18/05

We have tried this restaurant on three separate occassions, all consistently bad, and left feeling more stressed than satiated. Service is poor, restaurant noisy, food overpriced, too salty, poorly prepared. Service on takeout was just as bad as dining in, wait was three times longer than what we were told over phone. After waiting to pick up the amount of time we were told over phone before picking up we had to wait another 1/2 hour in noisy restaurant before food was ready to take. Gratuity of 16% was added to bill for take out although no mention was made over phone of this policy. Will never go back.

Pros: none, none, don't have to eat the

Cons: bad food overpriced, bad service, bad ambience

Posted 06/15/05

This is hands-down the greatest Italian comfort food in Portland. I should know, I had an Italian grandpa who labored over meat sauce for days at a time. Yes, the garlic bread is buttery ... just like my grandma's garlic bread. I loved every moment of my experience at Mama Mia, including the wonderful server named Andy. You won't be disappointed by anything. And this moderate price is so worth it. Sunday "Gravy" is a standout.

Pros: ambience, service, SAUCE

Posted 02/13/05

As parents of a 4 yr old boy, it was always difficult to find a restaurant. However, we had wonderful dinner at Mama Mia Trattoria because our server knew how to deal with kids. My son was very happy from the beggining to the end. Also, the price was very nice. We had Sunday gravy pasta, prawn, veal, meat ball pasta, cannoli, pannacotta, a cup of coffee and a glass of wine and the total was under $100 ( including 20% of tip). I liked Sunday Gravy pasta and prawn very much. My husband loved pannacotta. Thank you Mama Mia Trattoria! We will go back again!

Pros: Kids friendly, Easy access, Price

Posted 02/12/05

Another fine Portland Italian offering. They tease you with wonderful free garlic bread, but charge you if you want extra. The Lasagna of the day was excellent! The Veal Scallopini was above average, but the Linguini & clams a bit sub par. Nevertheless, we look forward to going back. To some, it's very noisy, but I like that sort of atmosphere.

Pros: wine selection, lasagna

Posted 02/01/05

We walked out without ever having been seated. After taking the trouble to make a reservation in advance and arriving several minutes early, we were offered the worst seat in the restaurant; right next to the front door. Upon inquiring about several other empty tables, we were informed that they were saving them for other parties. Excuse me, but wouldn't someone like us...with a reservation...be a "other party?" Anyway, the wait staff were unwilling to accomodate us and only offered us the option of waiting 30 minutes for a different table. They didn't even take the effort to offer we wait at their rather attractive bar or that they'd make a special effort to accomodate us as soon as possible. Instead of traingin $7 in drinks for a $80 meal, they istead caught only our tail-lights as we exited the restaurant for a much more pleasurable experiance at their competition.

Posted 01/23/05

The portions are good and the food was prepared well. However the place is very loud. The room is very open with a lot of large tables it was very hard to hear myself think, let alone hear what my wife was saying. They need to put up some walls or dividers to help reduce the sound. If you order a caraffe of wine vs. a bottle you get juice glasses to drink from instead of wine glasses...What's that about?

The menu wasn't true Italian, there were a few good items but if you want authenitic Italian there are better choices around town. Doubt I'd go back.

Pros: Fast Service, Good Portions

Cons: , Crowded

Posted 01/22/05

Our walking into this restaurant on a cold and windy night was one of the lucky times in our lives. The decor was warm and inviting with plum colored walls, white linens and spakling crystal. We were met at the door with charm and grace, shown our table and a glass of wine served quickly and smoothly. The food was wonderful. The whole experience so memorable we booked the private room for a family birthday party that will be held in March.

Pros: extensive menu, good service, lovely ambience

Posted 01/10/05

OMG! This was the best Italian food I have ever had. I have definitely found a place to go for good in Portland. The mother's Sunday gravy is very good. The chicken parm is to die for.

Pros: Food, Service, Amenable Staff

Posted 12/31/04

What a truly exceptional offering of Classic Italian fare in a truly classy and elegant dining room. The personal attention from the owner is heartwarming because you know, in an instant, that she cares if you are enjoying your meal.

Pros: Value for $, Attentive, Comfortable

Cons: , Wine List choice, Easy access

Posted 12/12/04

I've been to Mama Mia's twice for lunch. Both times I was NOT impressed. A friend and I shared the Fettucine Alfredo and it was so salty we sent it back. We were told there was no salt in it - it was the cheese. Either way, it was disgusting. The food is plain and a real dissapointment after eating at Mother's. I expected the quality of Mother's and did not get it. You can easily sit at your table for 15 minutes before being served on a busy afternoon. If you have a choice, pass Mama Mia's and go to Mother's.

Pros: Location for lunch

Cons: , Boring food

Posted 12/03/04

My mom will kill me for saying this, but this is the first Italian sauce I've had at a restaurant that is as good as hers! I had the sunday gravey and I was stuffed afterwards. My cousin had prawns but they were so good she wouldn't share.

Pros: Sauce., Big servings., Garlic Bread.

Posted 11/11/04

Our dinner experience here was top rate. The food was delicious, portions were big, I thought it was a little spendy until I saw the size of the meal--then I thought it was a bargain (I took home as much as I ate!) It is also very romantic.

Pros: Portion size, Quality, Romantic

Posted 11/04/04

My whole family was born in Italy and since I was part of the first generation born in America I compare the food my mother and Nonna make to Italain restaurants. While no sauce can replace what I can get at home, this is the first place that didn't taste like Ragu (or what I assume Ragu would taste like since I have never had it). The prices were reasonable, the service was very good, and the setting was kind of romantic for my wife and I. Note that the restaurant is small so reservations are a good idea.

Pros: Reasonable Pices, Good Service

Posted 10/20/04

We had my birthday party here in the small private dining room. I felt like a princess! There were flowers in the room, excellent service, the food was exceptional. Thank you for making this a wonderful birthday!!!!

Pros: Private Dining Room, Exceptional food

Posted 10/18/04

My manicotti melted in my mouth. The chef herself wandered by our table to make sure everything was fine and told me every part of the manicotti was home made...and i believe it. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! I think there were 7 or 8 different vegetarian dishes and some low carb as well. My waistline appreciated that! Extensive wine list as well. Friendly service. The bathroom was georgous! Best Italian in the city! Best vegetarian downtown!

Pros: Vegetarian Dishes, MANICOTTI!, Attentive Service

Posted 10/13/04

I've eaten at Mothers a few times and had to give Mama Mia a chance. I can say that the chances of me eating Italian food anywhere else in Portland is nearly zero. The wine list is awesome. The food was perfection (the garlic bread a little buttery). My eggplant parm was the very best I have ever had. They make their own mozzarella cheese! It is also about the most beautiful restaurant in town. Service was friendly but obviously new staff.

Pros: Reasonable Price, Best Italian in Pdx, Sexy Atmosphere

Posted 10/12/04

Mama Mia's has the best Italian food in the city. The atmosphere is old world romantic, the service prompt and the food is amazing. Be sure to order the zucchini appetizer and try the fresh mozzarella with tomatoes. yum yum!

Posted 10/12/04

Mama mia's is some of the best italian in portland. Lisa has outdone herself again. The service is amazing and the sunday gravy is better than grandma's. Lisa (head chef and owner) checked on us twice durring our meal. Also, the interrior is so beautiful. The food and atmosphere is so comforting. They have a large room for groups that was recently featured in Fine Living you have to check it out. I am hooked.

Posted 10/03/04

Lisa Schroeder, mother of Mother's Bistro has a new hit with Mamma Mia. Excellent food quality, attentive but not overbearing service, good wine by the glass choices, and a melt in your mouth tartufo. We had the chicken parmagiana and veal marsala. The chicken piccata at the next table looked great too. It's hard to find good Italian restos in Portland, and this one is a winner.

Pros: food, decor, service & price

Posted 09/25/04

The lovely people who run Mother's Bistro have done it again! The old Elephant & Castle now houses this gem. This is REAL homestyle italian. The house wines are inexpensive ($10 a caraffe) and served in wine glasses, and really good to boot (there is an exceptional wine list for those who want more). The sausage is stellar, and the pasta cooked perfectly. The red sauce is tasty, perfectly spiced, so you can taste the fresh tomato flavor. The service is as friendly and warm as eating at Grandma's, the portions are huge. No, seriously HUGE! The deserts are mazing and there is even a large grappa selection. Nice beers on tap too. Try the veal and every pasta you can. Fun for lunch or dinner, couples or crowds!

Pros: food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, deserts, grappa

Posted 09/24/04