From South of France to NYC: Mamo Restaurant Review
For decades, “Mamo Le Michelangelo” has been France’s “it” restaurant that attracts celebrities like Rihanna, Julia Roberts, and Angelina Jolie, during the Cannes Film Festival. Now, it’s come New York, with all its Mediterranean hospitality and refinement. Mamo, (Mamo Le Michelangelo’s sister restaurant in NYC) is the perfect marriage between contemporary and traditional Italian cuisine. With a single bite, this place brings the warmth of South of France to SoHo-- even in the midst of cold weather.
It was another freezing Manhattan night, and I was hastening towards the restaurant’s small door, to shield myself from the 30-degree weather; and behind Mamo’s entrance, lay a new world of elegance and coziness. Just what I needed!
Welcomed by a lovely hostess on the lower level of the restaurant, I checked my coat and went up a charming staircase, decorated with beautiful hand-painted tiles. My last step led me to an intimate dining room that instantly wowed me with its chicness: The majestically big grey and white marble bar. The large arch. The grey brick-wall. It all comes together to offer the contemporary with the traditional authenticity of Antibes-France.
As I sat at my table waiting for my friend to come, I entertained myself by reading the menu. It was neat, easy-to-read, and had the perfect variety of dishes. For the appetizers, my friend and I first decided to try the Truffle Fries, which were cooked in butter and were absolutely delicious. Then we tried the Mozzarella Roll. The cheese is clearly fresh but comes with a slightly bitter pesto sauce, that might not please all palates. The best part of dinner was, for sure, the main course: The Lobster Ravioli with Caviar. It was masterfully put together with a creamy sauce that melts in the mouth. We shared this Italian wonder with another dish, the New York Steak, which comes with a small pot of baked potatoes. The meat had a golden, thick crust with a perfectly-pink medium-rare center. Simply exquisite!
Yes, we ate a lot, which is why we decided not to order a desert, but the restaurant’s service is simply impeccable. The waiter offered us a tasty vanilla cake, that we ended up devouring. In fact, the servers are so attentive, that they even folded my friend’s table napkin when he went to use the restroom. You get what you pay for, and Moma’s high-end services and gourmet food are definitely worth their prices. As I drank my last sip of Sauvignon Blanc, I realized that it was time for me to don my coat again. Ciao coziness and warmth, and au revoir South of France! It is time for me to face New York’s cold again.
