It's Always a Good Evening for Mama's Rigatoni

When the weather turns chilly, there's just something about indulging in a spicy pasta dish that can't be beat. So on Friday evening, my husband, our friend Mary and I made a return trip to Mama Carolla's. We've never eaten in the same room twice here; on this visit, we sat in a cozy, four-table front room. We took a break from our usual bruschetta appetizer to try the fried ravioli, suggested by Mary with good reason--the tasty, crispy little pasta squares encasing mild, gooey cheese were the perfect opener.

While the menu is packed with inviting descriptions, Mary and I just can't bring ourselves to venture beyond our fave--the chicken rigatoni, served in a spicy white-wine sauce. This is so good--and so plentiful. We each had plenty to take home for seconds, so we could enjoy the flavorful combo of juicy chicken, savory pancetta and kicky spices one more time.

It's a nice bonus that soup or salad and yummy warm Italian bread are included with meals at Mama's as well. It's so much easier on the wallet when everything doesn't have to be purchased a la carte. I just wish that one time I had room to try dessert. Maybe sometime I'll just drop in for something sweet -- but oh, to visit Mama Carolla's and not indulge in my favorite rigatoni--I don't think I have the will power!

Very pretty but no substance

So tired of going to "Italian" places that really aren't. . .just an evocation of the way a great, great grand aunt from Sicily used to cook in Idaho. Give us a break. Recommendation: buy yourselves Marcella Hazan's book on Italian cookery and follow the recipes and let the food speak for itself! Sure the restaurant is beautiful, but one can't eat decor!

Great Date Place

Fantasic local italian food and even better ambiance!

Not That Great!

I really wanted to like this place! I really did! It is so pretty to look at, and the inside is pretty as well. But than the food is just...blah. Not the best Italn. food at all. But better than places like "Spght Fctry" But really if you eat out a lot and like Itln. food you more than likely will be a little :0( At the end of the nght!

Worth A Visit or Two

The best thing about Mama Carolla's is the atmosphere. The building is beautiful, and your dining experience is intimate and romantic. The food was good, not spectacular, but very tasty. The wine selection was nice, and a good bottle of wine always makes dinner better. The best thing on the menu is a chocolate desert (I don't remember what it was called, maybe a black tie something?) which was the perfect ending to a romantic evening.

Mama Carolla's Old Italian Restaurant

hmm... I'm just curious what you might have eaten at mama's that wasn't at least a little better than good? i personally find the inside dining to be a bit cramped, but out back in the summer, it is a sure treat. I recommend Uncle Vino's Steak... or the Rosemary Chicken Lasagna... always better than good, in my experiences!

Amazing atmosphere

The inside is small, but feels homey. I love eating upstairs where there are just a about 8-10 tables. In the summer it is perfect sitting outside right on the Monon and beautiful flowers everywhere.

Oh yeah, the food is great too!

Perfect for a date

The atmosphere is what sets this restaurant apart from other Italian joints around town. It's often crowded, but well worth the wait. Luckily you can grab a glass of wine from the bar as you wait for a table to open up. As mentioned before, the food is good but not phenomenal. Way better than the chain Italian places and reasonably priced. The ambiance is very romantic, so take your time and enjoy the total experience.

My wife found part of the plastic that contained her pasta in her meal

Yes it's pretty but the service is not also they left plastic in my wife's meal and didn't offer to pick up the tab for it either, not that we wanted to eat anything after that though.

Best Italian Ever

Went there for our 10 year anniversary and we weren't disappointed. The food, price, and service were tops! Way better than Olive Garden and Buca D'Peppo's.

Will go back again...