Mamma Italia - Rochester

Lots of room for improvement.Positives- fish and shrimp cooked wellNegatives- poor quality pasta, poor quality breadUnderstandable- prices were higher then expected given portions but newer restaurant, opened during a pandemicThe saddest part- tiramisu came with Hershey's? Chocolate syrup on top, and the top cream layer was almost gummy in texture ?Side note- no liquor license, neither here nor there just to be noted

We dined Friday evening, celebrating a birthday. They informed us they were out of Salmon (2 places on the menu) but had Sole and Swordfish. The birthday girl ordered Sole (which she loved) and another member ordered the Swordfish (and also loved it). I ordered Antipasto Italiano, which was excellent and enough for perhaps 4 people to share without spoiling dinner. The rolls and butter were good. Our waitress was very friendly and provided good service. I ordered Spaghetti Pescatore, which should come with calamari, clams, shrimp, mussels salmon. I could not detect calamari and we knew they were out of salmon. There were a lot of teensie clam shells, whose contents were difficult to find. The mussels were large and tasty (and still in their shells). The shrimp were fairly large and also delicious. I had the red sauce, which was thick, plentiful (which I like), a little spicy (which I also like), and moderately tasty (I like somewhat acidic tomato sauces). All of the seafood was covered in red sauce, and so I had to pick up the mussel and clam shells with my fingers to remove their contents. The shrimp still had their tails ' shells (and sometimes parts of the bodies ' as well). More saucy fingers. The waitress said there 'd be more of the other seafood to make up for what was missing, and I think there was. I finished cleaning shells just about the time others were finishing their dinners. My wife had Cappellini Checca. which she said was very flavorful and a little too oily. The main dining area is a little noisy. Luckily, we were seated in this little nook with 2 neighboring tables. The sounds of the main area were somewhat muted, and conversation was easy. The walls are covered with pictures of the chef with famous people. We were sitting next to pictures with Sandra Bullock, Chevy Chase, Eric Estrada, and Pat Morita. When the Tiramisu dessert arrived, it had a candle for the birthday girl. Nice touch. One member said the Tiramisu was the best she 'd ever had.

We met two friends who live nearby but had not tried it yet.I had read an article about their opening in the former 650 Restaurant location.Our server was very nice and did a competent job.They are still awaiting their liquor license so soft drinks were the beverages. The menu is limited but certainly has enough choices.The bread service was lacking One would think that a place with a large open wood fired pizza oven would serve some warm fresh bread.Not the case.Our two pasta dishes were ample but not really so good good flavor wise.Our friends had eggplant parm and chicken parm

GO HERE!I thought I was eating at Patsy's in NYC!The food and the ambiance reflects the passion of the owner chef that is cooking right in front of you and would be happy sit and talk if he has time.I don't know why he decided to open around the corner from my house but I could not be happier being a city boy that used to live near Rocky's and Roncone's. This rates with the great local Italian Restaurants like Agatina's and Papa Joe's. Great prices also!GO HERE!

Oh my so good! Great service, food and value. Make sure to save room for dessert.