My first visit to Mama Mia's made me think that I found my new favorite restaurant. The atmosphere is one of my favorites in Portland and Grandma's Gravy was the best Italian dish I'd had for a long long time. Unfortunately, my second visit made me not want to go back. Both times I got Grandma's Gravy. What I've found is that the meat items are GREAT but the sauce and everything else is below average. The atmosphere is the best thing there. I love the darkness of it (I could read the menu just fine), the furniture and decorations, and all the deep red. \r
My last visit was VERY irritating and is the sole reason I will not be going back. There wasn't more than 5 tables seated the whole time but for some reason we couldn't get any service. And when she did come around she was pretty snotty and short. Another table near us sat for over 15 minutes (yah, I actually did time it!) before they were ever even waited on! They were getting visibly irritated. The worst part was, all the staff was sitting over by the bar talking. They weren't even hiding in the back!! That is the most frustrating thing to me. If the meal or atmosphere is subpar, the one thing that can save the experience and bring me back is great service. Mama Mia's doesn't have it. \r
Oh, and don't waste your time with the lasagna...its watery and has no meat in it. (the staff actually told us that it was their meat version.)\r
Part of me recommends trying it once...if nothing else, for the beautiful atmosphere and maybe you'll get lucky with the other things. All I know is that I won't be back. \r
Pros: atmosphere, meat items were great
Cons: service, service, service...and the sauce was real watery
more