Detailed Review of Mama Della's!

[Esmeralda]

Mama Della’s (in Portofino Bay)
We had a 6:30 p.m. dinner PS at Mama Della’s that we called a couple of hours before and changed to 7:30 p.m. Background:

My Mom (50s) – likes practically everything but is the best at knowing what’s good and what isn’t. Favorites are Italian and seafood.
My dad (50s) – extremely picky! Favorites are Barbecue, Italian and seafood.
Myself (30) - always told I was a picky eater but compared to my dad, I’m not! Favorites are Asian food and seafood.
My daughter (5-1/2) – doesn’t like “traditional” kid’s foods like mac and cheese, etc. Has developed a gourmet taste already! Favorites are pasta, crab legs, salmon and ribs.
We are all major dessert lovers.
Our rating system is yucky, so-so, good, very good, and excellent.

I ordered just the minestrone soup. I wasn’t feeling good (exhausted, hot, thirsty). It was “good.”

My mom ordered the fettuccini with red oyster sauce and rated it “good but plain.”

My dad ordered the Caprese (one of his favorite things) and the chicken parmesan and also rated it “good but plain.”

My daughter ordered the spaghetti and meatballs off the kid’s menu. She said it was “good.”

I really like the atmosphere here and the strolling musicians were excellent. I just wish the food was a little tastier. The best thing was the bread, which came with olive oil with rosemary and roasted garlic. We all agreed it was “excellent.”

Note: Mama Della’s does NOT accept the AAA or Universal Fan Club cards as discounts.

We may eat at Mama Della’s again on our next trip to IOA, depending on what is new by then.

Check out my other Universal restaurant reviews on this board including: Mythos, Confisco Grille, Latin Quarter, Emeril’s, The Kitchen & Tchoup Chop, as well as my Disney restaurant reviews on the Disney Restaurants board!

 

[bjakmom]

Thanks for the review, Esmeralda - I think I've decided on Mama Della's for my birthday dinner -there will be 11 of us - ranging in age from 5 mos. to 50 (years!). We'll all be checking into HRH that day from different places and don't want anything too fancy that we'll have to dress up for - just a fun place that's noisy enough for the younger ones to feel comfortable and where we can talk and laugh and sing - maybe I'll even dance on the table if the wine is good - well, it will be my birthday- I have to get a little crazy!! I hope we have a better experience with the food - I also heard that the boat ride over to PB from HRH after dark is quite impressive - since we've never been to PBH I thought it would be a fun way for everyone to see it for the first time.

 

[Selina]

Quite surprised with this one....as most reviews of the food here are good. The atmosphere obviously plays a big part in this restaurant's attraction - do you think?

 

[highlander447]

Thanks for the review we have decided to eat therenext march due to the positive reviews this restaurant gets

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Thank you for sharing! The atmosphere really does add to the experience here!

 

[Esmeralda]

OK, don't get me wrong, you'll notice I said the food was "good" here! My parents are Italian and we like food with lots of spice and flavor. Everything was good, just less flavorful than we were hoping for. The exception was the bread which I already mentioned was delicious (probably the best bread on our trip). The atmosphere is very nice and service was good, as well, so go with your plans to eat here and enjoy!

 

[msdisney53]

I agree with you Esmerelda. We had PS for 5:30 on 10/22. DH,DD12,DD11 and myself. Food was mediocre. We had brushetta and mussels for an appetizer which were okay. The girls had ravioli,they said it was good. I had the veal parm. The veal was a little to thick for my liking and their was no taste whatsoever. My husband had the Chicken Marsala which was okay. I was disappointed.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

The calamari is reeeeeeaaaaallllllyyyyyyyy good!