MAMA D'S

PICTURED (top to bottom): Restaurant,  Complimentary Bread Basket with Crushed Garlic in Olive Oil, Complimentary Cheese Ravioli, Kyle's Mozzarella Marinara, Stuffed Mushrooms, Chicken Ravioli in Pink Sauce, Chicken Ravioli in Spicy Pink Sauce, Little Jack's Chicken Marsala, Large Meatball Side Order, Veal Denni, Complimentary Warm Chocolate Chip Cookies.

(Photo Credits: Sweetie Pie)

We had heard that, in Newport Beach, Mama D's was truly "where the locals eat" for good Italian food. So we decided to check it out. It is family owned and family friendly. Hospitality runs rampant here, from the complimentary Cheese Ravioli on your first visit to the complimentary Warm Chocolate Chip Cookies for dessert. Our server even gave us a card for a free appetizer on our next visit. The service is excellent. Our server was attentive, energetic and too nice for words.

After being seated ("sit anywhere you like"-nice touch), we were promptly served warm bread with garlic'd olive oil. Since it was our first visit, we were also served complimentary Cheese Ravioli, which we thoroughly enjoyed. We decided to share two appetizers. Kyle's Mozzarella Marinara- lightly breaded and fried Mozzarella sticks in Mama D's homemade Marinara. These were really good and Mama D's Marinara is one of the best around! Then we tried the Stuffed Mushrooms- stuffed with seasoned bread crumbs, fresh herbs and tiny mushroom pieces. These were "just ok".

For her entree, Sweetie Pie decided on the Chicken Ravioli- stuffed with Chicken and Light Ricotta. She decided to split the order and have half with Mama D's Original Pink Sauce, and the other half with the spicy version of the Pink Sauce. Both were delicious! Mama D's is known for their great Homemade Ravioli. Sweetie Pie preferred the Original Pink Sauce, but I liked the spicy version. Sweetie also ordered a Large Meatball Side Order with Marinara and Grated Parmesan. It was big, beautiful and delicious. Her mother tried Chicken Marsala with Angel Hair Pasta, which was "pretty good"; but the sauce was a little too bland and the pasta a little dry. I chose the Veal Denni-Lightly Breaded Cutlets with Eggplant, Marinara Sauce, Parmesan and Melted Mozzarella; served with Linguini Marinara. This was really a fantastic dish- tender meat, great eggplant, delicious sauce and loaded with melting cheese. I would definitely order it again. However, the table next to us was having Lasagna and Pizza; and those both looked very tempting.

Tonight's Mama D's dinner gets two and a half thumbs up from the 3 Tubby Tummys!