By Chloe Miles

My family and I rarely eat Italian food, but when we do, Mama Cucina Italian Restaurant in Innsbrook never fails to satisfy our appetites. The homey setting, lively ambiance, and attentive service provided for a divine experience at Mama Cucina.

Walking into the restaurant, we see no empty tables. People of all demographics are present at this family-owned business. There are seniors, mothers and daughters, neighbors, and diverse friend groups. I was welcomed at the door and led to the table my family had reserved. 

Side of meatballs appetizer.

Our server quickly brought out fresh garlic bread and ice water. Immediately, she asked if we had any questions and was very accommodating, letting us know that they could make an assortment of dishes not included on the menu. This was perfect for me, because on this particular visit I was craving chicken fettuccine alfredo, which is not on the menu. 

For our appetizer, we began with the side meatballs. They came out steaming hot and covered in parmesan cheese. It was truly a sight to behold, the perfect antidote for an obnoxiously rumbling stomach. The portion was humongous, large enough to feed a village. The meatballs were tender and well-cooked. The meat itself was a bit bland, but the red sauce was able to make up its own flavor. It was sweet, creamy, and chunky. If I had not paced myself, I would have most definitely filled up on this appetizer alone. It was a satisfying way to begin the meal.

Chicken pasta alfredo.

To our surprise, our waitress approached our table, holding a large salad bowl. Initially confused, we realized salad is complimentary with entrees. The salad was composed of fresh lettuce and spinach, olives, tomatoes, and onions, topped with truly the best balsamic vinaigrette I have ever had. Brandon Miles, my dad, immediately noted that the dressing was definitely homemade. It was sweet, soft, and refreshing, not tangy or harsh like a typical balsamic vinaigrette. My mom, Morenike Miles, excitedly exclaimed, “I actually want to buy a bottle and take it home.” Unfortunately, we forgot to act on this.

Shortly thereafter, our food was brought to the table. Our mouths were quite literally left ajar when we saw the portions. Each plate was overflowing with creamy and gooey dishes of pasta. The sauce of my chicken pasta alfredo was thick and rich, and the garlicky chicken was cooked to perfection. I thoroughly enjoyed the five bites of pasta that I ate before I had to tap out, full of the previous appetizers. My only criticism was that it was a little bland. However, the grinded pepper added a nice subtle flavor.

Chicken Palmero.

My mom enjoyed the chicken Palermo, which is chicken pesto pasta with penne. The pesto was a beautiful bright green color topped with cheese and tomatoes. You could tell it was fresh by the vibrance of the vegetables and other toppings. After having her first bite, she noted that it was very seasoned and cooked “perfectly al denté.” She added, “I appreciate the garnish of fresh basil.”

The chicken was prepared in a thin filet, which made it very easy to eat.” Thoroughly pleased with her meal, she remarked, “[This meal] is one of my favorites, I get this every time I come here.”

Rigatoni rosa.

My sister Carlin (‘25), a very picky eater, chose rigatoni rosa, her favorite type of pasta. Whenever Italian is on the menu, it can be easily inferred that Carlin will choose some type of rigatoni. The sauce smelled divine, and the fresh basil added a colorful touch to the meal. It resembled the chicken palermo with its gorgeous colors. Carlin explained, “Good cheesy sauce, and I feel like the chicken and sausage are flavorful. The sautéed spinach adds a kind of nice delicate touch to the meal.” Her only criticism was that the sauce could have been a little sweeter. She noted her portions were so large that she would have leftovers for the next three days. 

Veal and chicken caterini.

My dad, the family’s food connoisseur, got the special of the day: veal and chicken caterini. This is veal and chicken sautéed in a pink sauce topped with prosciutto, zucchini, roasted peppers, mozzarella, and shrimp, served over campanelle. 

Reading the description, I had no clue what half of the ingredients were, but my dad was willing to venture out and try it. Like the rest of us, he “was astonished at the huge portion.” In some odd way, his portions were as wide as they were tall. The meal was so smothered in bright orange sauce, I could not tell what was hiding underneath it. He said, “I was very pleased to have three proteins. The savory pink sauce was not overwhelming and blended perfectly with the zucchini and mozzarella.” Consistent with the rest of the family’s commentary, he noted, “All of the proteins were tender.”

Cannoli.

We decided it would only be right to finish our Italian journey with dessert. We settled on cannoli and tiramisu to-go for my mom. Both were excellent choices. The cannoli was plated beautifully and tasted even better. The cream was smooth and sweet, but not too overpowering. The shell was crispy and crumbled exquisitely in your mouth. The strawberries added a refreshing addition to the dessert, and the dark chocolate subdued the sweetness in the cream. The tiramisu, on the other hand, melted perfectly in your mouth, and the cacao powder on top also softened the sweetness of the cake. 

Posing with the tiramisu.

Irritable and starving when we arrived, I was content and stuffed walking out of Mama Cucina. The service was superb, as our waitress did not try to upsell us on anything but wanted us to be fully satisfied with our meals. Her recommendations led us in the right direction, and we could not have been happier with her service. The food topped our expectations and seems to get better every time we eat there. 

In reflecting on the meal, my mom stated, “Every time I come here, I wonder why we don’t come more often, because it is such a satisfying experience. And they have the best value in town. It’s like three different meals for one price.” I confidently recommend Mama Cucina to anyone who enjoys large portions for a fair value and any and all Italian lovers. 

All photos by Chloe Miles.