This October 19 and 20, the Italian Festival will return to the Scottsdale Waterfront for its ninth year. The family-friendly fest will feature authentic Italian food, wine, merchandise, and more from Valley favorites like Pomo Pizzeria, Aroma Culinary, and North Scottsdale newcomer, Mamma Lucy, which opened in 2020. In anticipation of the event, I was invited to try the family-owned restaurant’s authentic Italian flavors and welcoming atmosphere.
The outside of the restaurant, located in an unassuming shopping plaza, doesn’t look like anything special. However, my mom and I were pleasantly surprised when we walked into a warm, open space with a cozy, family-friendly vibe. We enjoyed the casual, down-to-earth energy of the restaurant while reveling in its upscale decoration and design.
We were immediately greeted by the host and our waiter, Mark, who guided us to our table. I couldn’t help by notice that the entire restaurant immerses visitors in Italian culture, from t Italian programs playing on the TVs to soft Italian music coming from the stereo to the large painting of Italy on one of the walls.
The first thing we wanted to try was drinks. Mamma Lucy’s extensive cocktail menu includes spritzes like the Gin Spin made with Ford’s gin, Aperol, orange juice, Prosecco and soda water ($16); cocktails like The Smash made with Bulleit Bourbon, demi syrup, fresh mint, lemon juice and a big ice cube ($18); and a very large wine selection with wines like Pinot Noir Italo Cescon ($15 per glass; $58 per bottle). The restaurant also tailors its wine selections to your order. My mom and I opted to try one of their cocktails, The Luscious Lucy ($16), as a mocktail with strawberry syrup, basil, and lemon juice. It was very sweet, but not overpowering, thanks to the bitterness of the basil and lemon juice. This bittersweet sipper also typically includes Cointreau and Tito’s Vodka.
Before we arrived, I had already browsed the menu and set my sights on the Frittura Mista ($16), which features calamari, shrimp, zucchini, and house-made marinara sauce. I am a self-proclaimed calamari enthusiast who loves eating and comparing different restaurants’ calamari, so I was very excited to try this one. From the first bite, I was entranced by the flavorful seasoning and light breading of the calamari, shrimp, and zucchini as well as the temperature of the dish – not too hot and not too cold. The house-made marinara sauce was very fresh and light, with fresh spinach adding a twang of flavor. The restaurant’s manager, Alice Berdicchia, recommended the popular Pizzelle ($10), crispy fried pizzas with tomato sauce and parmesan. At first glance, the presentation reminded me of Chicago deep-dish pizzas, but once I bit into one, I got a completely different taste than what I expected. Though plentiful, the sauce was light and slightly sweet with a tang of bitterness from the added basil.
My mom and I were also very excited to try some Italian entrees that we had never experienced before. I ordered the Scaloppine Di Vitello ($38), which features veal cutlets, sauteed lemon-butter sauce, capers, and white wine reduction with a side of Spaghetti Al Pomodoro (spaghetti and marinara sauce). This was my first time trying veal, but I thought it had the perfect chewiness and was very easy to cut through, though I’d personally prefer it to be cooked a little longer. The lemon-butter sauce and capers added layered tanginess to the dish. I could also easily taste the dish’s fresh tomatoes and basil. My mom opted to try one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, the Cacio & Pepe pasta ($26). She said that she could taste the difference between the dish’s fresh pasta and regular store-bought pasta that other restaurants may use. She was happily surprised that she could taste the grated cheese and fresh peppers.
We finished our evening with a duo of desserts, though we were so full by this point because of the large portions of every other course that it was almost impossible for us to finish them. When I looked at the dessert menu, I was drawn in by the menu’s description of the crème brûlée ($10). It was described as having a “ velvety vanilla custard topped with a carmalized sugar crust. I have quite the sugar tooth, so I could not resist it and I was not disappointed. The sugar crust was so rich and full of flavor and once you break the crust, the vanilla custard makes it so much better. My mom was interested in the cannoli ($8) as she loves to make cannoli in her kitchen and wanted to try someone else’s recipe. She thought it was almost as good as the one she made herself. As for my thoughts on the crème brûlée, I thought it was pretty standard for Italian restaurants I have tried. I did, however, love the sweetness of the yogurt and the sugary top of the dessert.
All in all, my mom and I thoroughly enjoyed our experience at Mamma Lucy and would visit again. The restaurant is on the pricey side ($31-$50 per entree), but the experience and cuisine make it worthwhile. Get a taste of this authentic Italian eatery for yourself when the Italian Festival returns this fall.
6245 E Bell Rd., #111/112, Scottsdale, 602- 607-9969, mammalucy.com
