Mamma Maria Restaurant

My fiancé and I thought we would start our 1 year countdown to getting married by celebrating at a wonderful restaurant where we would return to each year to celebrate our marriage. Reading the reviews and description of this restaurant ,we thought we were going to find it very romantic. First, after sitting in the car for over 5 minutes waiting for the valet attendants to stop speaking to their friends who were sitting in their car where customers should have been able to park, I started out of my car when one of them started his way towards me with an attitude. Clearly he changed his way when he realized that I may have been someone who’s occupation warranted a second thought. We walk into this restaurant where it in this neighborhood it is typically small and were seated at a corner table where it felt like a closet. The romantic ambience was absent when the people around us were seated in jeans and sneakers. The carpet was just ok and the inside of the restaurant was dark and gloomy. The waiter approached us, and he totally disrespected my fiancé and myself by his attempt to flirt with her. After his third attempt, I was now getting ready to take action when my fiance asked me not to. Clearly he was made well aware that I was not happy with the chain of event’s that had ensued. Needless to say his service towards me was different then what I observed at other tables. We both ignored him and he got the message loud and clear. The food was just okay. At thirty two dollars a plate one would have thought the food would be exceptional. It wasn’t. Cleo’s or XO’s is far more superior in their service, professionalism, and respect for their customers. Perhaps we lucked out and got someone who just didn’t get the fact that some people come to dine out because they are couples, and by them sitting at the table does not mean is open hunting season. Yes my fiancé is the most beautiful woman who has ever walked this planet. I would hope he learns that respect is what she and other women deserve and not to be insulted. Pros: Dessert Cons: Ambiance & Waiter more

Dinner was great family experience for all of us. Mama Maria was a feast for the senses as we enjoyed our excellently prepared dinner. The waitstaff was very helpful and our teens had a truly enjoyable dinner. It was a great way to usher in a family vacation. Pros: Great food, efficient service, knowledgeable staff, great wine list more

We went to Mamma Maria as a group of 11. The waiter asked if we wanted to have a few appetizers to share among the table. We agreed and he brought out a few appetizers for each person. When we got the bill, we found out that he had chosen two expensive appetizers and charged us for 11 of each, plus 3 orders of 3 other appetizers. In the end, our appetizers cost more than $400. The waiter also tried multiple times to upsell us on more expensive wine. It ended up costing us $100 per person for the meal (after we battled them down from $120 per person). In addition, they charged us a mandatory tip (despite getting ripped off by the waiter). The menu said the tip was 18%, but they ended us charging us 20% (netting the waiter another $20) I would never go back here again. Maybe this was the case of a waiter gone bad, but it was enough to sour my opinion of the place. Pros: Food Cons: Cost, Ethics of Wait Staff more

yes, pricey, and i personally enjoy slightly more casual (upbeat yet casual) dining environments than this. excellent food, though. love their lamb gnocchi--VERY filling, but oh... so good. this place is "unique" in a sense that the establishment is located in a house (or at least the place was a house previously): you have to walk up the stairs into different floors of dining areas. it's not like you go in on street-level and see everything there at once. great ambiance for dates (if anyone's worth a pricey date!). :) Pros: good food, nice ambiance Cons: pricey, parking more

We had a great time, had great food, and enjoyed the atmosphere. Yet, in the following two days after we dined there, suspicious activity started to show-up on my credit card. I hadn't used my card in several weeks (where it would be out of my possession to be processed) and I find this highly non-coincidental that on the day that I do, fraudulent charges show up on my account. I was forced to cancel my credit card and luckily was able to stop this identify theft from occurring any further. This ruined our experience at the restaurant and I would never go back here again because of it. This could have ruined my credit. There has been numerous television specials regarding this, how people sell card numbers on the internet, etc., and this potentially this could be taking place here. Of course this is hard to prove, but I don't feel this is a coincidence and has tarnished their reputation for me and everyone I know. I just don't want this to happen to other people as well. It's too bad because their Osso Bucco was amazing. Pros: food, location Cons: experience more

The ambiance is lovely - the charming townhouse, very good service - but the food quality is uneven. Our party of four had 2 excellent appetizers (mushroom polenta and baked oysters) and two very average ones (bacon and arugala salad, lobster ravioli), and three very good dinners (rabbit and pasta, scallops and pasta, and gnocci carbonara) and one medicore one (the riboletta). For dessert, the tiramisu was terrific, the panna cotta very good, the chocolate cake dry and almost inedible. Overall, I'd say it's a very good dinner, and at a less expensive place, "very good" would be fine. But for $300, I expect more consistent quality. It was nice to go once, but I won't be back. A place like Antico Forno is just as good and much less expensive. Pros: charming setting, good service Cons: overpriced more

We have been enjoying Mamma Maria for many years. It is the closest thing to a classic European restaurant in Boston. The setting is completely unique overlooking this really old square in the North End. The food is absolutly authentic - don't know what the previous reviewer was talking about! Yes, it is busy, but that's part of the fun. They park you car, they are good with their reservations and the staff is always accomodating. Try to reserve on the many private rooms -great for celebrations. Highly recommended! Pros: great food, consistent, fun Cons: can be busy, semi-expensive more

I was really looking forward to dinner here with my family when they came to visit. I read good things. It was AWFUL. #1 - Upon arrival, the hostess was being yelled at right in front of everyone. I thought she might cry. The place was noisy, overcrowded and hectic. #2 no one who works here is Italian. NO ONE. The staff is all Moroccan. The food is barely Italian. It's mostly French/Morrocan. They serve some decent Italian wines... that's about it as far as authenticity. #3 The service was terrible: our waiter forgot or screwed up our drink order TWICE, he forgot my salad, and after telling him explicitly that I had an allergy to mushrooms, my lobster ravioli came out with a smothered in a mushroom sauce (which wasn't mentioned on the menu). SMOTHERED. $350 later, I am still apologizing to my parents for picking this place. Pros: valet Cons: overpriced, not Italian , loud more

We just had dinner at Mama Maria during restaurant week. Fantastic dinner. Was skeptical going in because had read bad reviews about service....Service was terrific from the hostess to waiter to bus boys. Was seated right away at great terrace table. Very impressed. Food was delicious - scallops, tuna, ravioli and choc cake! Will definitely recommend and go back. more

If you're looking for good food and don't mind rude service and managers this place is for you! more

We were looking for Italian but not a traditional meal. The menu on the outside of Mamma Maria's enticed us. We were able to be seated, fortunately, without a reservation on a Tues. night. The wine list was extensive. The Roasted Duck and Lobster/Scallop appetizers were very good. I had the Lobster Ravioli which were awesome,huge chunks of lobster in them. He had the Beef Tenderloin which was grilled nicely and had lots of flavor. For dessert we had the pear pastry tart w. honey, delicious! Loved that our water was always filled. Outside of that, the service was poor. Our waiter was always no where to be seen, he was extremely unfriendly. The food and one of the other servers had to make up for his lack of attentiveness and unprofessionalism! We felt like the other server was ours! The food was good. Pros: Food Cons: The Service more

The best fine dining in the North End and one of the very best in Boston. A great space, especially if you make sure you sit by a window. Excellent service. Antipasto tower was outstanding. Steak, lamb, striped bass and ossobucco were top flight. Desserts were all brilliant. Fantastic wine list with a knowledgeable server who helped us make the right selection. Pros: Amazing food, Beautiful space, Wine list more

go see it and and you will agree with me more

I went to Mamma Maria's last night for a friends birthday and didnt really know what to expect, we arrived and it was BEAUTIFUL. The Menu was small, but had something for everyone. The bread was obviously home-made and great, then came our meals; nothing less than AWESOME. I have been to many great restaurants, but this is by far the best one yet. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT! Pros: Romantic, Valet Parking more

My husband and I celebrated our anniversary here and enjoyed the entire experience. We had reservations and were seated right away. The service was great and the food was wonderful. I like the atmosphere, relaxing, elegant/casual and right in the heart of the north end. We were treated with a complimentary glass of champagne in celebration of our anniversaryas soon as we were seated. Would go back here and recommend to others as well. more

the food was great. the server was very attentive and very nice. we showed up 20 mins before our reservation on a saturday night and our table was waiting for us. couldnt say enough good things about it. we sat on the ground floor, me facing the window and the car headlights were shining through the window into my eyes. would definitley go back. Pros: food, service Cons: , noisey more

Great food and good service - until the last moment when we were asked to "please hurry up and leave"!! Evidently the restaurant had overbooked (as I understand they do frequently) and after a $250 meal for four we were asked to depart before finishing our dessert and coffee as "other diners are waiting for tables". Unbelievably rude treatment that ruined an otherwise delightful evening. Pros: food quality Cons: , crowded, loud more

With all the praise laid upon this restaurant I was sure it would not live up to the billing and I was right, it did not.... it surpassed it! The quaint little townhouse tucked into the North End just off the main drag is the perfect setting for one of the most delicious meals you could ever imagine. The host and wait staff were attentive, knowledgeable and pleasant. The food was incredible and I would not hesitate to say that is the best meal I've ever enjoyed. The wine matched the meal perfectly and the dessert finished off a magical dining experience that just so happened to be in view of the Boston skyline (try getting a table on the second floor. The view won't disappoint!). Next time I'm up there, I will definitely be back to Mamma's! Pros: Food, Service, View more

Food was excellent- try the veal (their expertise) or the beef tenderloin. Both were so tender- the meat literally fell right off the bone. Extensive wine list however wines I buy for $15 at a store are jacked up to $75!! Service- it took awhile for the waiter to come over. There was another couple that came in after us and were waited before us. Atmosphere- kind of stuffy. Lots of suits and ties Lots of stares if you didn't look like they did. I had gotten out of work and went dressed in a nice pair of slacks and a sweater- and felt uncomfortable. Yet, there were others in jeans..weird. Hostess was a real B***H. She gave us such attitude, I wanted to knock her right down the stairs. The food was great so I can't really slam this place however, it's in dire need of an attitude adjustment. more

I went to Mamma Maria on Tuesday night with my male friend. It was first time to go there, but as soon as we walked in, we were warmly welcomed by very attentive and friendly people. The waiter was very knowledgeable to recommend us the appetiser risotto, entree and wine. All food and service was the best makes Mamma Maria the best Italian in Boston. Pros: Food, Service, Ambience more