Mama Maria

Graduation was nearing so my parents came all the way from Beijing to attend my commencement. I thought it would be a good idea to bring them to the North End to get a taste of the Italian cuisine here in Boston. I made a reservation for Mama Maria after reading many excellent reviews on Yelp. The menu is seasonally inspired to ensure that the freshest ingredients are used yet are still heavily focused on traditional Italian dishes and cooking. After walking up a small flight of steps up to the restaurant we were greeted by a very gracious hostess who informed us that our table would be ready soon. Our table took longer than expected yet the hostess and the other waitstaff were very polite and apologetic which eased the displeasure greatly. We were led into a small room filled with three other tables, the decor of the restaurant was very elegant with pastel colors, delicate light fixtures, and dim lighting. Although classy, the restaurant did not feel overly stuffy or pretentious.

Beef Carpaccio with shaved truffle, arugula, capers, and parmesan cheese 
Amazing. Each bite of the carpaccio was a burst of perfect seasoning and texture. The dish was not merely drizzled with truffle oil but was generously flecked with large bits of shaved truffle. The truffle flavor was immense and heavenly. The nutty flavor of the arugula and the tangy saltiness of the capers all added to the perfect harmony of flavors of this excellent first course. 

Cape Bretin New Brunswick Oysters baked with Prosecco Zabaglione
The oysters were fat and juicy and although slightly heavy, was a delicious and hearty dish. The juiciness of the oysters were furthermore enhanced by the creamy texture of the sauce ladened on top of them and the baking of the dish resulted in a delicious cheesy crust on top. I usually prefer my oysters raw and fresh yet this preparation was still very enjoyable. The deep fried garnish on the top was very delicious although I failed to find out what it was. 

Lobster Pasta, Silky Agnolotti filled with Fresh Maine Lobster, Pan Roasted Mushrooms, and Crumbled Guancale
Once I bit into the pasta I could instantly tell that it was freshly made. The texture and flavor of the pasta was impeccable and could only be made from the freshest and highest quality ingredients. The pan roasted mushrooms had a lovely nutty flavor and also added a great textural aspect to the dish. The  delicious hearty chunks of lobster was fresh and contrasted with the silky texture of the pasta which wrapped around it. 

Pan Seared Canadian Halibut with Maine Fiddleheads, Oregon Morels, Fresh Herb Salsa Verde, and Creamy Parsnips
The fish was cooked perfectly and was tender and full of flavor. The fiddleheads were very curious to me for it is not something I eat often, this may be due to personal preference but I was not particularly enthralled by their taste or their appearance. The fresh herb salsa verde added a nice kick to the dish. A light and nicely made dish. 

Overall the experience at Mama Maria was excellent and I would love to return again to feast on such high quality Italian cooking.

Mama Maria
3 North Square 

Boston
MA

02113