Mama Ricotta's - Midtown

Italian
$35 - 2 people (1 glass chianti, 1 family style penne ala vodka, 1 small tuscan salad)

Mama's is a great restaurant and is always on the back burner when thinking, "where should we go to dinner?" It's great for groups, the food is consistently good although pretty rich, and it's reasonably priced. My friend Lauren turned me on to the Tuscan salad which is romaine, mozzarella, tomatoes, red onions tossed is an olive oil vinaigrette. It's really good but the onions are a little strong for me (and I don't think it's as good as Hawthorne's but don't tell Lauren). The Penne Ala Vodka has prosciutto and penne in a tomato cream sauce. It's so yummy that I get it almost every time I go. It seems like everyone has a favorite there. The broccoli and chicken is really good too, as is Mama's pasta (although it's too rich/creamy for me). They have amazing rolls they serve at the beginning of the meal but I like 'em soft so you may have to get another basket if they're too hard. Two appetizers are yummy, the goat/marscapone cheese and bread spread and the calamari. Great for group eating too. The Nutella pie for dessert is affectionately known as "crack" it's so good, but it will make you sick if you're not careful...it's awesome!! I recommend Mama's as a good place for a birthday party, date night, or somewhere not too fancy to take your parents. It also makes for great take-out. Yummy!