An Eclectic Italian Restaurant Thriving in Gulf Gate

A simple sign outside lets you know you arrived at Oh Momma Mia.  One step inside and you feel as if you stepped into the set of an Italian cooking show.  A large open kitchen is the main focal point of the room with peripheral tables, bar seating with overhead reflecting mirror to observe the culinary techniques of the chef, and a friendly staff cooking and greeting you.  The restaurant is small, simply decorated, and a bevy of activity. Although the restaurant states it accommodates walk-in’s, reservations are de rigueur.  On all our visits we observed the restaurant to be fully booked; perhaps a reflection on the size of the space, the quality of the food, or both!

The menu is extensive offering a wide selection of hot and cold appetizers, pastas, entrees, and desserts.  For our meals we chose the following:

Insalata:  Large salad, mix lettuce, cannellini beans, red onions, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and salami. $15.99
Big, chilled bowl, filled with fresh ingredients.
Penne Alla Vodka:  Sauteed with vodka, cream in a spicy tomato sauce. $19.99
Cooked al dente, sweet, creamy, not too cheesy. Really, really good!
Penne Broccolini e Salsiccia:  Penne pasta, sautéed with EVO, garlic, home made fennel sausage, and fresh baby broccoli.  Served with your choice of soup or house salad and fresh ciabatta bread  $19.99
A large sized portion of pasta with sweet sausage which had aslight kick to it…very nice.
Melanzane della Nonna:  Battered sliced fresh eggplant, stacked with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil and parmesan cheese.  Served with a side of pasta and your choice of soup or house salad and fresh ciabatta bread. $19.99
Rich, but not heavy, a work of eggplant parmesan art.
Vitello al Marsala e Porcini:  Tender veal scaloppini sautéed with butter, onions, porcini mushrooms, marsala wine and demi-glace served with a choice of soup or house salad, ciabatta bread, vegetable of the day and grilled polenta.  $28.99
Flavorful tender pieces of veal, nicely seasoned.
Triglia alla Modenese:  Grilled snapper filet, served with a balsamic vinegar and red onion reduction with a choice of soup or house salad, ciabatta bread, vegetable of the day and grilled polenta.  $19.99
Fresh and flavorful but the fish was a little dry, too many onions for me.
Involtini di Saltinbocca alla Romana: Thin slices of pork loin, rolled with prosciutto and sage, sautéed with butter and white wine served with a choice of soup or house salad, ciabatta bread, vegetable of the day and grilled polenta.  $24.99
A twist on a classic preparation, tender, flavorful, and delicious.

The bread service was very good.  Oh Mamma Mia offers an adequate selection of beer and wine to accompany your meal.  Although we found the wait staff to be friendly and attentive, we did request a takeout menu and had to ask 3 times before we received it.

Despite a few glitches, we found our experience at Oh Mamma Mia to be very satisfying.  Good food, a fun exciting atmosphere, and a lively friendly staff make any visit to Oh Mamma Mia memorable.

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