Little Mama’s Italian

"Little Mama’s Sunday brunch is everything but little— the plate-sized cream cheese cinnamon roll is there to prove that. The prosciutto quiche and poached eggs in a cheesy tomato stew are two satisfying breakfast staples, but visitors can still get the beloved mozzarella bar, the penne alla vodka, and the lasagna during the morning meal. Finish strong with a boozy dessert  — the prosecco limoncello sorbet float or the espresso martini affogato." - Kayleigh Ruller, Nikki Miller-Ka

"Little Mama’s makes you feel like you’ve traveled back in time to a classy New England Italian joint in the 1950s. Except they have something that Cape Cod probably didn’t in 1958: a mozzarella bar. Not only does Little Mama’s make fresh pasta, but they have made-to-order cheese, too. It’s an unwritten rule that you have to order both, but the latter comes with your choice of accompaniments like goat cheese-and-mascarpone-stuffed peppadews or marinated artichoke hearts. You should also get a classic red-sauce plate, which Little Mama’s excels at, like spaghetti and meatballs, ravioli, lasagna, or the spicy ziti al telefono, with tomato, basil, calabrian chilis, and that luscious mozzarella." - tess allen

"Little Mama’s makes you feel like you’ve traveled back in time to a classy New England Italian joint in the 1950s. Except they have something that probably didn’t in 1958: a mozzarella bar. Not only does Little Mama’s make fresh pasta, but they have made-to-order cheese, too. It’s an unwritten rule that you have to order both, but the latter comes with your choice of accompaniments like goat cheese-and-mascarpone-stuffed peppadew peppers or marinated artichoke hearts. You should also get a classic red-sauce plate, which Little Mama’s excels at, like spaghetti and meatballs, ravioli, lasagna, or the spicy ziti al telefono, with tomato, basil, calabrian chilis, and that luscious mozzarella. " - Tess Allen

"Is there a regional cuisine that restaurateur Frank Scibelli hasn’t put his finger in? Little Mama in SouthPark is his upscale sequel to the ever-popular Mama Ricotta’s. Despite the name, it’s a little more grown-up and elegant but still focused on classic Italian American cuisine, with touches like a mozzarella bar with fior di latte or stracciatella, housemade pastas and parms, steaks, and broiled branzino. Open for lunch and dinner, plus Sunday brunch." - Timothy DePeugh, Kathleen Purvis

"Frank Scibelli knows what customers want, and he’s proven it with restaurants all over Charlotte, from barbecue to tacos. His newest, in SouthPark, is as comforting as his original Mama Ricotta’s, with the addition of housemade pastas and a mozzarella bar. Nice touches for lunch: Diners can get small or large orders of pasta. Or skip the carbs and go with salads, including a warm, fluffy version of quinoa salad as a side." - Katie Toussaint, Kathleen Purvis