Mama Maria's
Citysearch calls Mama Maria's an "Old-school Italian restaurant in Carroll Gardens with a long menu of antipasti, salads, pastas, pizzas and entrees--including house specialties." And in an old Chowhound post, Dipsy says, "My favorite red sauce joint is Mama Maria's on Court. We've been going there for years and it's solid if you want that kind of food."
"The owner is really great. He took over the pizza place from his parents (Sal's Pizza) and created the restaurant next door," says Yelper Marc L. And fellow Yelper Valerie d. adds, "I wouldn't leave without trying the fried calamari... Also, the bolognese, chicken parmigiana, clam sauce, hot appetizers are all absolutely amazing." How would you rate Mama Maria's?
Reviews (7)
Yllebdael wrote a review on October 8, 2009 12:53 PM
I've never been - and that's because it's always empty. How good could it be? Calamari and other menu items must be frozen since I doubt there is much turnover in their inventory. Can't see it being that good or fresh.
adamsa wrote a review on October 8, 2009 1:19 PM
Its always dead which is a shame. I attribute that mostly to the pizza place not being very good (ironically). Whenever out of towners come, I always take them here for a good italian meal. The italian waiters are also amusing. Court street restaurants will never be as packed as smith street. Its a shame. Hopefully it doesn't kill their business. Love the homemade pasta here!
stjames wrote a review on October 8, 2009 2:27 PM
hm, this is considered Carroll Gardens? learn something new every day!
I just walked by this place earlier, wondered how it was. How timely! I will try it one day.
JBrklyn wrote a review on October 8, 2009 3:31 PM
Love the owner--very friendly guy. Was just here for the first time last weekend and will be back. My espresso martini was perfect and the brick oven pizza was very good.
stephenb wrote a review on October 9, 2009 10:09 AM
"Mama" in Italian is spelled with 3 m's M-A-M-M-A.
The food is just so-so as is the service. Rather walk a few blocks south to Casa Rosa. The food is better.
brookjoo wrote a review on October 9, 2009 12:15 PM
I love how that Chowhound post in the opening lines makes it sound like this place has been around for like 30 years or something. My recollection is that the owners of Sal's opened this place in early 2000's when a lot of other joints were opening. I guess the reason there here still while a lot of other places have passed on, is that they own the real estate--that's the only way I can imagine it, as they're frequently empty and the food is pretty pedestrian. The homemade pastas at Fragole are way better (although their mains need some attention), or if you want more of a red-sauce joint, the Red Rose on Smith does a better job (although we're still talking kitsch-factor over food-factor here). Who wants to eat in a place with a saloon door separating it from a pizza place? I guess the bonus is that you get a lot of attention from the waiter, as their workload isn't too crazy.
Carol Gardens wrote a review on October 12, 2009 10:58 AM
I've walked past this place many times and due to some of the more positive comments here decided to finally give it a try. The food was just ok, and not nearly as good as nearby Fragole or Red Rose or Ferdinando's or even Vinny's. The staff is nice, though. The other annoyance when I was there is that there a table of regulars/friends of the owner/part owners (I don't really know their status) who are outrageously loud. One guy was absolutely screaming throughout the Yankee game. Positive for some: There's a HUGE screen in the back room to watch said Yankee game. PS: There is an 8 by 10 of James Gandolfini.
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