For a true taste of fine Italian cuisine and the sensation of being transported to places like Naples or Florence, without the expense of a flight, then Mama Mia’s should be your next dining out destination.

The Venue
Situated on Upper Piccadilly, just off Manor Row and near the Registry Office, Mamma Mia’s resides in what is known as the quieter end of the city. With no real bars or pubs in the vicinity, the establishment trades on its reputation as there is unlikely to be much walk-in business. Once inside there is a bar area and a cosy and intimate (but not uncomfortable) dining area.

The Atmosphere
Consistently, the vibe of Mamma Mia’s is extremely enthusiastic. This is a family-run business and that sense of warmth and friendliness comes across in spades. You are positively encouraged to enjoy an aperitif before your meal as it adds to the experience. Staff are extremely attentive and will enquire about your well being, both meal related and otherwise. With Italian music and flamboyant celebrations of birthdays and anniversaries, in the form of desserts with sparklers accompanied by a song and a tambourine-wielding waiter, the atmosphere is simply to be soaked up and enjoyed.

The Food
An extensive menu of authentic Italian food is available. One dish that rarely disappoints is calamari fritti (£6.50). The texture is succulent and the additional side salad compliments it nicely.

For mains, the menu covers a variety of steaks, pastas, poultry and pizzas. One dish that’s a satisfying choice is the speatino pazzo (£11.20). This contains strips of chicken served under onions, peppers and tomato sauce. These ingredients are fused together with a covering of wine, which not only makes the sauce tastier through adding an acidic element, but also helps to marinate the chicken. Again there are a wide arrange of choices for dessert, but the three-scoop ice cream is an enticing option for those with the larger appetites. With flavours including vanilla, chocolate and strawberry this is a traditional end to an authentic Italian feast.

The Drink
A selection of draught beers, Carlsberg, John Smiths and Fosters are available (£2.90 per pint), with bottles of Peroni (£3) on hand for the fussier beer lover. Wines are, naturally, Italian and a bottle of house white, red or rose will set you back £11.90. Larger litre servings weigh in at £13.90. But the perfect end of meal drink if you are a little sluggish is a cappuccino (£1.90). A real cappuccino from an authentic Italian restaurant has that edge over high street alternatives. Whether you have it with or without cream, or with chocolate flakes on top, this drink is a great way to end your visit.

The Last Word
If Mamma Mia does get most of its business from word of mouth then it is unsurprising and totally deserved. The staff and owners are blatantly passionate about what they do and that is evident is every dish. A visit is an event, not just a meal, and should be savoured and enjoyed.

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