MAMA Oakland
Italian restaurant · Adams Point ·
Seasonal Italian prix-fixe dinners & thoughtful wines
Seasonal Italian prix-fixe dinners & thoughtful wines
"Opened by a husband-and-wife team just a few doors down from their wine shop (Bay Grape), this alluring spot has that simple yet chic look down pat. Envision a dark green ceiling, brass-and-glass chandeliers, and live plants scattered throughout. The premise is simple—a reasonably priced, three-course dinner and there are no reservations. Choose one of two options for each course—like a soup or salad tailed by pasta and dessert. Items change often, but one constant is house-made pasta dressed with a hearty tomato sugo featuring braised pork and beef, which also served as the inspiration behind this establishment. The wine list is full of interesting labels and employs symbols for easier navigation." - Michelin Inspector
"MAMA is one of Oakland’s best dining deals, which makes sense because for about $39.95 they serve a full meal including a salad, pasta, and dessert. Diners can choose between two options for each course, such as MAMA’s sugo and pappardelle or lemon ricotta rigatoni. The menu changes weekly, and the wine list highlights small-production wines for about no more than $18 a glass." - Eater Staff
"The Bay Area can get expensive, so it’s a relative relief when a restaurant serves a delicious meal at a shockingly low price. Such is the case at Mama, which serves a seasonal, three-course meal for $39.95 per person. Diners will have the option of two choices for each course, starting with a bright salad or hearty soup, a choice of main course — word to the wise, add on the optional meatballs if you can — plus dessert. There are also add-ons if you’re looking for a dish to share, such as a recent balsamic-braised short rib. Add on a glass of wine and enjoy the welcoming and cozy dining room filled with locals." - Dianne de Guzman, Eater Staff
"Going to Mama in Adams Point is like scooting into your friend’s breakfast nook and recovering from a hangover over eggs and coffee—but instead of breakfast, you’re getting a delicious Italian dinner. Mama does a three-course prix fixe dinner for only $39.95 that changes weekly. And on any given night, you can get things like a salad with roasted delicata, pomegranate, and pear, beet ravioli with spaghetti squash and ricotta, and polenta cake with baked apples for dessert (they’ll also serve gluten-free and vegetarian sets). If you’re looking for more of a classic, the spaghetti with Mama’s tomato sugo, beef, and pork is amazing and never leaves the menu." - lani conway, julia chen 1
"A dinner at Mama hinted at the upcoming spring with items like an English pea risotto topped with roasted maitake, but the show-stealer was a roasted lamb shoulder ravioli special: round ravioli stuffed with tender lamb served over a balsamic-laced sauce with a shaving of cheese, accompanied by charred broccolini and its flowers and, most importantly, bits of kumquat whose citrus-sweet bites cut through the lamb and sauce in a lovely, surprising way — a subtle dish that just wows." - Lauren Saria
