Osteria Mamma

"Since 2007, this James Beard Foundation award-winning restaurant has been consistently impressing diners with its groundbreaking family-style Italian cuisine. Their signature entrées, such as their chicken liver rigatoni with Cipollini onions and sage, Bitto cheese, and mozzarella and cotechino sausage is worth making a reservation immediately." - Ernest Owens

"Osteria Mamma is the definition of a neighborhood standby. No one needs to be crossing town for their pasta, but if you live in the area (or are stuck in traffic on Melrose), this cozy, family-run trattoria always has a bowl of noodles and glass of wine ready for you. There are 15 pastas on the menu ranging from pappardelle with short rib to a very traditional all'amatriciana, but we suggest starting with the bigolotto nero. The squid ink pasta is tossed with shrimp and Calabrian chili and has a nice balance of heat and brininess. They also offer lunch, making it a good option if you work at a nearby studio and need to take a meeting." - brant cox, sylvio martins

"Osteria Mamma, the longtime Italian restaurant on Melrose Avenue, is celebrating its 14th anniversary this year with a new cookbook filled with recipes from the restaurant’s founding mother, Loredana Cecchinato, and a special menu featuring the family’s favorite dishes from the cookbook." - Cathy Chaplin

"Every year, Osteria Mamma prepares Thanksgiving Italian style. Takeout dinners include tagliatelle with Bolognese, crostini with burrata and black truffle, the seafood-vegetable treasure frittura mista, plus a bottle of wine or Champagne. This holiday meal runs until December 31. Dinner for two is priced $69, while a party of four costs $120. Pre-order by calling the restaurant at (323) 284-7060 or reserve online after November 1." - Mona Holmes

"Osteria Mamma is the definition of a neighborhood standby. No one needs to be crossing town for their pasta, but if you live in the area (or are stuck in traffic on Melrose), this cozy, family-run trattoria always has a bowl of noodles and glass of wine ready for you. There are 15 pastas on the menu ranging from pappardelle with short rib to a very traditional all'amatriciana, but we suggest starting with the bigolotto nero. The squid ink pasta is tossed with shrimp and Calabrian chili and has a nice balance of heat and brininess. They also offer lunch, making it a good option if you work at a nearby studio and need to take a meeting. " - Brant Cox