Orange County Register

Sorry for the lull in blogging, folks. I took a few days off to celebrate the big 3-0 and actually, uh … I’m still recovering. I wish I could turn 30 every year because I don’t think I’ve ever gotten so many dinner invitations, yay. One of my many birthday meals was at Mama D’s in Newport Beach, which has got to have the friendliest and most courteous service I’ve ever received at any restaurant.

It’s a small Italian chain (I believe there’s one in Manhattan Beach and Hermosa) and this O.C. outpost is located right on Balboa peninsula, sandwiched between Newpie bars like Rudy’s and Newport Brew Co.

When we first approached the entrance, a server from inside actually sprinted to the door to open it for us. Big smiles all around. There was a wait but we were offered complimentary bread and there’s a cozy little living room-ish waiting area complete with leather sofas and a brick fireplace.

Our waiter Luke was super nice without being overly pushy. Again, I was really taken aback by the warm hospitality. The menu was rather extensive but we zeroed in on the specialties that we’ve heard others rave about: Mama D’s pink sauce pasta and the homemade ravioli.

The pink sauce — a marinara with fresh grated Parmesan and cream — was out of this world. Seriously, get the pink sauce. Savory, tangy, with the right amount of cheese and not too creamy at all. I could eat buckets of it. Well, maybe. You can choose from the usual pasta suspects like penne, bowtie, linguini, etc., — I opted for the angel hair and added chicken ($14). My plate yielded a mountainous serving, easily enough for two or three to share. The ravioli were delicate but as big as coasters, stuffed with either spinach and cheese, plain ricotta or chicken ($10-$12). That night, my friend Kim tried the special ravioli — shrimp ravioli in a lobster sauce ($22). If you’re a fan of shrimp and lobster, you’ll really enjoy this dish.

Of course Kim blurted out that it was my birthday — I’m sure she was hoping for one of those embarrassing displays where the entire staff swarms you with a silly song and yep, that’s what I got — but also a slice of tiramisu with a candle in it and a card signed by the Mama D’s staff AND a pair of wacky heart-shaped sunglasses made for a 2-year-old.

Even if it isn’t your birthday, you’ll still get a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies. Yet another homey touch at a place where you really get treated like family. Maybe even better, ha.

Mama D’s

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