From The Famous Words of Abba “Mamma Mia”!

From the chef that brought us the luscious mac and cheese, chicken and dumplings and other such comfort food at Mother’s Bistro (www.mothersbistro.com), we have the Italian version of down home cooking at Mama Mia Trattoria on the other side of the block at 439 SW Second Ave.

The garlic bread, small pieces, just glazed over with butter and garlic, melted in my mouth and tickled my tongue just enough to want another piece. And another. And another. The first basket of garlic bread is free, and then you can order additional baskets if you want. Which you will want.

In spears like pickles, but without the tang and covered in crispy batter, the plain-ness of the pure vegetable flavor of the fried zucchini was a blank palette for the sweet, tomato dipping sauce. Finger licking, though strongly desired, was suppressed.

The Chicken Milanese was crispy chicken with an arugula salad topping it – crisp meeting crisp, warm meeting cold. Served with pasta aglio e olio (pasta with garlic and olive oil) it was a lovely, filling, and healthy feeling meal, though I can’t vouch for the authenticity of that healthy feeling.

Whatever healthy feeling I did have was decimated when I ate the Tartufo for dessert, which was chocolate truffle ice cream filled with candied hazelnuts, dipped in chocolate ganache and served with a Frangelico crème anglaise. I think the description is enough, don’t you?

Great service – prompt and friendly, and warm, homey, good old Italian food. Go home to Mama Mia.

Sunday - Monday 5pm – 9pm, Tuesday – Thursday 5pm – 10pm, Friday – Saturday 5pm – 11pm

Article by Elizabeth Fuss, Lizzy Dishes Portland

[image by Sashertootie's, flickr]