What a great place, food was fantastic and plentiful, the owners were great and the place was decorated adorably. The wait was a little long BUT we made reservations at the last minute. Will def be coming back here, so good! Oh yeah, it's BYOB
(5)
Kerry H.
"What's that? A fancy place to get a glass of wine in Avalon?" I said when I heard about Mia Madre Trattoria...followed by about two full minutes of laughing. But, wow, it's true. I can confidently say that Mia Madre Trattoria is the nicest restaurant in Avalon. Yes, the exterior is still the same as when Sergio's was in this spot (annnd Joe's Corner Store before that), but in this case don't judge the outside. Inside, the restaurant has been totally re-done: brick walls, a cool bar, fabric napkins. I felt like I stepped into Boston's North End. There is an awesome patio as well. So to the wine...A great list, served by the glass or the bottle. I liked the house pinot grigio, but the prosecco was excellent (tasted a little like sour apples, in a good way). You can also BYOB. The focaccia was perfection, so good that I'd stop by for just that app and a glass of wine. But if you insist upon entrees (and you should), the eggplant parmigiana and the baked ziti were almost as good as my Nonna's. To top off a great experience, the owner's wife is incredibly friendly and she makes sure you had a good time before she'll let you leave. Plus, the prices are reasonable and it's always easy to find free street parking in Avalon.
(5)
Event L.
Add half a star for a 3.5 experience! This place is not for the budget conscious folk - they belong at The Olive Garden. And other Italian places in Pittsburgh are pricier than this one. Mia Madre Trattoria is a family owned operation with deep roots in the Pittsburgh food industry. Food is unpretencious, reminiscent of traditional Bronx/Brooklyn/NorthEnd joint. This is not a New-Age creative chef 'foodie' place but rather an old style solid nostalgic Italian trattoria, not a ristorante. Don't let the white tablecloths fool you! In fact expect service to be relaxed, not overly trained, but friendly and competent. And the food is well done, made by a kitchen clearly influenced by a grandmother's style of cooking. Average before alcohol per person is $25 for a meat-based entre, pasta side, and salad. Complimentary Breadstick twists lean toward a firm pizza dough. Veal is the house specialty but you won't go wrong with the cod or salmon either.
(3)
Maura P.
This place is right up the street from me and I've been there several times. Every time I've gone I have had an outstanding experience! The food is good, but the service is great! The owners are friendly and the waitstaff has always gone the extra step to ensure our experience was the best it could be. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a classic mom and pop Italian restaurant.
(5)
Laura H.
I have eaten here on a few occasions and just found the entire experience to be very average, almost unmemorable. Considering Pittsburgh has a deep rooted Italian tradition, I expected more from a family-owned establishment advertising the recipes used are " my mothers authentic southern Italian" flavors. The atmosphere is rather dark and they do have frequent large parties dining so it can get loud. Service each time I have dined here has been courteous, not extremely welcoming, however, I have seen both times the wait staff being very friendly with certain tables, and from talking with others who have dined here, there are frequent regular customers here. The speed of service was on the slower side, although not slow enough to dock any stars for that aspect. My main complaint would be the food. Portions are large, they are fairly priced for the AMOUNT of food, however, I have found everything I have sampled to be bland. I have tried the Cod Romano (oily and bland), the chicken and peppers (some spice from the banana peppers but the chicken was overcooked and dry), the Chicken Mia (despite artichokes, spinach, and Roma tomatoes the dish had little flavor), the Chicken Marsala (this was my favorite dish I tried-the chicken was tender, mushrooms were plentiful, and Marsala was abundant....I'd recommend ordering this from my experience), and the Mediterranean pasta(very little feta, kalamata olives, roasted peppers. Lots of spinach but it was quite oily. A few tweaks with this dish and I think it could be tasty). Pasta marinara comes with the dinners as does a salad. The marinara sauce tastes like a less flavorful version of Ragu. And a $10 up charge to share items?! That's pretty cray-cray! I applaud this restaurant for opening in Avalon, which basically has zero in the way of dining options besides pizza, however I think if you are craving Italian, it's worth it to drive to Bloomfield for an authentic Italian dinner.
(3)
Jayna G.
Delicious, family-owned, Italian restaurant in Avalon. What you'd think of when you picture hearty, Italian food. Portions are large and savory and likely generations old. Place has two rooms with moderate seating. We showed up at 7pm on a Thursday night and had to sit at the bar- no tables for 2! Will call nezt time for reservations. Bartender became our friend by the end of the night and we appreciated his banter. Place is BYOB for $3.50/person. We got the lasagna and chicken parm. I barely ate half my plate and anytime I leave with leftovers, it's a plus. Food came hot and perfectly seasoned. Dessert was cannoli and it was deliciously classic. Worth the splurge! Thanks. We'll be back again!
(4)
Henry E.
My wife, two friends and I had dinner. I ordered the chicken mia. And it was delicious. The service was exceptional including the food server and hostess.
(5)
Brian M.
I eat there last week where I was served sour tea. The I ordered Chicken Mia and when I bite into the second piece of chicken it was rancid!!!!!! I never was asked how my meal was!!!! The waitress was just surprised that I didn't want a Togo box. So bad tea, really bad food, and bad service. And it wasn't that busy.
(1)
David A.
Good main dishes. They need to improve their side dishes. A bowl of spaghetti with marinara isn't creative enough for a restaurant with this much potential. Nice kinda dark atmosphere. Very pleasant overall. Not terribly expensive.
(3)
Carol C.
Discovered this restaurant by accident while visiting Pittsburgh. It turned out to be one our greatest finds. The food, service & owners were incredibly "off the charts" beyond 5-stars!! Everything we ate was delicious . Cannoli was the best we've ever had.
(5)
Maria S.
I'll agree with a previous poster that this is the nicest restaurant in Avalon. But that's not saying much. Sorry, I wasn't that impressed - this is slightly-better-than-average Italian American fare. It's good, honest, and homey, and while I really enjoyed my entree, almost everything else about the experience was slightly lacking. At times, the service was a bit loopy, and yet still trying too hard. Our group of five came in three quick phases, and at one point the waiter took the drink order of one of my dining companions, and walked away before he could take my order. We were also asked how we were doing before we had even ordered or even gotten some breadsticks - thanks, my water is particularly icy? Waitstaff wearing bad polyester ties is pretty '90s, as was the iceberg lettuce salad served first. I would have LOVED it if the progression of the meal was more traditionally Italian, because the portion sizes were perfect for it - that is, the side pasta served first, then main course, then salad (or salad with the main course). I REALLY enjoyed my main plate, cod with white beans. It was well-cooked, and had all of the flavors and consistencies I expected - the bread crumbs were a lovely addition. However, the marinara sauce had too much tomato paste going on, and the greens in the salad left something to be desired. I know salad greens are expensive, but iceberg lettuce isn't the way to go in a restaurant like this. Overall, I wish Mia Madre would cut back on the pretense or the fancy or whatever it is a bit - it's the honest home style food that makes people come back. For what you get, the value is good for the price. Also NB, it's cash only.
(3)
Erin N.
It was ok but definitely not worth even close to what they charge. Their house pinot tasted like they put grape juice in it. The food was so so. For $100 for two people I expect to get a really good meal and that's not what we got. .. not bad but never going back either
(3)
Gina S.
This is the first review I've ever written on yelp, but this place is so Great with a capital "G" that I felt compelled to write a little something and help steer Pittsburgh residents in the right direction... Once you go, I promise you'll leave wanting more!!! Everything on this menu is fresh and made to order - no freezer ready foods here! The flavors are mouth watering and the meats are ever so tender! I'm from Chicago, lived in NY for 5 years and currently reside in Los Angeles (for the past 10 years) and I promise you, I know Italian and this is where it's AT! In fact during my almost 2 week stay in Downtown Pittsburgh I had to revisit and take along a few friends -- if ever I'm back in Pittsburgh again soon, I know where I can get a great dinner that will never disappoint! The restaurant is family run and they take pride in what they do and it shows!!! It's worth the drive no matter where you are coming from - portions are large and each and every bite is scrumptious!! If you're a foodie like I am - This is a MUST and well worth the adventure! Try the Chicken Romano or Meat Lasagna - YOU WILL LOVE IT! Heck, try anything and everything - It's ALL GOOD!
(5)
Nicholas B.
This place I found to be outdated and unappetizing. The strange breadsticks were unpleasant, and they don't have regular bread (?). The service was in-your-face and obnoxious, though responsive. The food was average at best. Lastly, for the price, I'd be much happier at Alexander's, or even Bravo!. It's not an awful experience but, unless you live in Avalon, save yourself the trip and try one of Pittsburgh's other excellent Italian restaurants!
(2)
Travis D.
My wife and went there on 3/30/2013 for our wedding anniversary. This is a great family ran gem. They are all friendly and helpful with everything.The food and service was awesome. The wine suggestion from the bartender was one of the best glasses of wine I have ever had.. Be sure to make a reservation and they are CASH ONLY!! Well worth the drive "all the way out to Avalon". Next time we are in Pittsburgh area, I hope to go back.
(5)
Tony Z.
Great Italian restaurant, it's on the pricier side, but you get what you pay for. The special of the say is usually a few dollars off. The food here is delicious. This is a family run restaurant, from the hostess to some of the waitresses, to Al, the proprietor, it's all in the family and they make you feel at home. The recipes are based off of Al's mothers' southern Italian cuisine. This place is cash only but they have an ATM right in the restaurant. It's BYOB but the recently opened a bar and they have a great wine selection. If you live in Avalon or Bellevue and you haven't been here - get off your butt! Worth the trip to Avalon if you live somewhere else.
(5)
Rob P.
Great pasta, egg plant Parma and other classics...family run and worth a trip !
(5)
Tony D.
Great food! Great prices! Great family service! And did I mention they have great food!!! You can bring your own wine or use the full service bar. The appetizers are awesome. Try the bruschetta, banana peppers,greens and beans, fried mozzarella all are great to share. Ask for Alex, tell him Tony D says hello.
(5)
Deborah R.
My Italian grandmother died in 1990. This place was like walking back in time. This is real Italian cooking! The portions are huge and the service is lovely. This place is equally appropriate for a family dinner and a date night.
(5)
Kristin P.
Ok, slightly above average food but in my mind a bit pricey for what you get. I think they are trying too hard to be upscale when what they could be is a solid, neighborhood place. That said the food is pretty good as long as you stick with the red sauce. Any olive oil based sauces have been underwhelming. Has potential, just needs a few adjustments.
(3)
Chris D.
Incredible classic Italian done old school in the best possible way from the menu to the decor (I love the "Last Supper" painting in the dining room!). The appetizers are really good especially the bruschetta and stuffed peppers. The sausage in the stuffed peppers is surprisingly soft like a meatball and flavored really complement their marinara sauce. For dinner, definitely try the cod and beans. Deceptively simple, but prepared superbly with nicely seared fish, white beans, and sweet, sweet garlic.
(5)
Bill J.
Very pretty Italian Restaurant with very good food. They have a nice bar but still allow BYOB wine. The veal dishes are wonderful.Very fresh ingredients and the food is made with care. Must try if you haven't been here. Make sure you call ahead on weekends. They also will do parties so check with them if you have an event.
(5)
Stacey B.
Calimari app tasted a little bland at first but the flavor of the red sauce developed more over time to a delicious complex sauce crying out for bread - which arrived fresh from the oven. House chianti was fine & affordable. Entrees included veal parm & white clam linguini. By far, clam sauce is the way to go. Finish up w/ fabulous tira misu!! Overall, nice family run place w great service. If you don't like hugs, stay away. The owner's wife will track your departure to make sure you receive a warm hug and a solicitation for a review of your meal. I love that about this place but not everyone will like that. : )
(4)
Janel D.
We had heard a lot about this restaurant, and were excited to try it. Upon arrival, the ambiance definitely did not disappoint. The restaurant has an embossed tin ceiling which gives it a lot of charm and character. Our waitress was efficient, though it didn't seem that the owner thought so. We unfortunately heard her making comments to, and about the waitress, which we didn't find to be professional. The owner was loud and intrusive, which took away from our overall experience at the restaurant. We ordered the bruschetta for an appetizer, and it was quite good. They also brought us a generous amount of warm delicious bread sticks with a dip that was of a Mediterranean style. It was very good as well. Other than the starters, we found our food to be rather average, which was quite a let down. We had soup and salad for our next course and they were both subpar. The wedding soup didn't have one meatball in any bowl, and the salad, while fresh, consisted only of iceberg lettuce, and didn't seem to fit with the rest of the meal. The house balsamic was also bitter and tart. We ordered the Cod Romano and the Seafood and Peppers as our main course. While the cod had good flavor, it was heavy and greasy. The seafood and peppers was unexceptional. And the fact that they only accept cash is inconvenient, regardless of the ATM on premises which is the first thing that you see when you enter the restaurant. We would probably give this restaurant another chance if it weren't for the owner. When we were leaving the restaurant, it became clear to us that she was gossiping about us to our waitress, who looked embarrassed. If anyone should be embarrassed, it shouldn't be the waitress. Needless to say, we wont be returning.
(2)
Julia C.
Loved Mia Madre Trattoria! We had the Veal Filetto-chargrilled veal (very tender) in a bacon and cabernet sauce (WONDERFUL!) & Cod Romano (A TREAT) and lots of pasta! Everything is homemade! The owners introduced themselves and made excellent food recommendations. Everyone welcomed my 1 year old daughter. And she also LOVED their food! Cried when we took away her 2nd empty bowl of white bean spread. Our family will be making MIA Madre Trattoria a new favorite dining destination for sure! It's the ideal dining destination for a celebration with a group of friends or an intimitate date night. We plan on going back for both!
(5)
Melis P.
Great find! The staff couldn't have been more friendly, and the owners were so personable that it felt like a little taste of Italy in Pittsburgh. The homemade cannoli is a must... It was the best I've had since being in Rome!
(5)
Andi D.
Delicious! I would eat the bruschetta everyday if I could. And the house dressing with the side salad is simple yet so good. Everything I have had here has been great, chicken romano, pizza, fried mozzarella. They have an out door area which is nice in good weather!
(5)
Karen M.
Great food, friendly service, inviting atmosphere and reasonable prices. What's not to love?!?!
(5)
Kerry H.
"What's that? A fancy place to get a glass of wine in Avalon?" I said when I heard about Mia Madre Trattoria...followed by about two full minutes of laughing. But, wow, it's true. I can confidently say that Mia Madre Trattoria is the nicest restaurant in Avalon. Yes, the exterior is still the same as when Sergio's was in this spot (annnd Joe's Corner Store before that), but in this case don't judge the outside. Inside, the restaurant has been totally re-done: brick walls, a cool bar, fabric napkins. I felt like I stepped into Boston's North End. There is an awesome patio as well. So to the wine...A great list, served by the glass or the bottle. I liked the house pinot grigio, but the prosecco was excellent (tasted a little like sour apples, in a good way). You can also BYOB. The focaccia was perfection, so good that I'd stop by for just that app and a glass of wine. But if you insist upon entrees (and you should), the eggplant parmigiana and the baked ziti were almost as good as my Nonna's. To top off a great experience, the owner's wife is incredibly friendly and she makes sure you had a good time before she'll let you leave. Plus, the prices are reasonable and it's always easy to find free street parking in Avalon.
(5)
Event L.
Add half a star for a 3.5 experience! This place is not for the budget conscious folk - they belong at The Olive Garden. And other Italian places in Pittsburgh are pricier than this one. Mia Madre Trattoria is a family owned operation with deep roots in the Pittsburgh food industry. Food is unpretencious, reminiscent of traditional Bronx/Brooklyn/NorthEnd joint. This is not a New-Age creative chef 'foodie' place but rather an old style solid nostalgic Italian trattoria, not a ristorante. Don't let the white tablecloths fool you! In fact expect service to be relaxed, not overly trained, but friendly and competent. And the food is well done, made by a kitchen clearly influenced by a grandmother's style of cooking. Average before alcohol per person is $25 for a meat-based entre, pasta side, and salad. Complimentary Breadstick twists lean toward a firm pizza dough. Veal is the house specialty but you won't go wrong with the cod or salmon either.
(3)
Travis D.
My wife and went there on 3/30/2013 for our wedding anniversary. This is a great family ran gem. They are all friendly and helpful with everything.The food and service was awesome. The wine suggestion from the bartender was one of the best glasses of wine I have ever had.. Be sure to make a reservation and they are CASH ONLY!! Well worth the drive "all the way out to Avalon". Next time we are in Pittsburgh area, I hope to go back.
(5)
Tony Z.
Great Italian restaurant, it's on the pricier side, but you get what you pay for. The special of the say is usually a few dollars off. The food here is delicious. This is a family run restaurant, from the hostess to some of the waitresses, to Al, the proprietor, it's all in the family and they make you feel at home. The recipes are based off of Al's mothers' southern Italian cuisine. This place is cash only but they have an ATM right in the restaurant. It's BYOB but the recently opened a bar and they have a great wine selection. If you live in Avalon or Bellevue and you haven't been here - get off your butt! Worth the trip to Avalon if you live somewhere else.
(5)
Rob P.
Great pasta, egg plant Parma and other classics...family run and worth a trip !
(5)
Hayley T.
What a great place, food was fantastic and plentiful, the owners were great and the place was decorated adorably. The wait was a little long BUT we made reservations at the last minute. Will def be coming back here, so good! Oh yeah, it's BYOB
(5)
Maura P.
This place is right up the street from me and I've been there several times. Every time I've gone I have had an outstanding experience! The food is good, but the service is great! The owners are friendly and the waitstaff has always gone the extra step to ensure our experience was the best it could be. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a classic mom and pop Italian restaurant.
(5)
Carol C.
Discovered this restaurant by accident while visiting Pittsburgh. It turned out to be one our greatest finds. The food, service & owners were incredibly "off the charts" beyond 5-stars!! Everything we ate was delicious . Cannoli was the best we've ever had.
(5)
Nicholas B.
This place I found to be outdated and unappetizing. The strange breadsticks were unpleasant, and they don't have regular bread (?). The service was in-your-face and obnoxious, though responsive. The food was average at best. Lastly, for the price, I'd be much happier at Alexander's, or even Bravo!. It's not an awful experience but, unless you live in Avalon, save yourself the trip and try one of Pittsburgh's other excellent Italian restaurants!
(2)
Laura H.
I have eaten here on a few occasions and just found the entire experience to be very average, almost unmemorable. Considering Pittsburgh has a deep rooted Italian tradition, I expected more from a family-owned establishment advertising the recipes used are " my mothers authentic southern Italian" flavors. The atmosphere is rather dark and they do have frequent large parties dining so it can get loud. Service each time I have dined here has been courteous, not extremely welcoming, however, I have seen both times the wait staff being very friendly with certain tables, and from talking with others who have dined here, there are frequent regular customers here. The speed of service was on the slower side, although not slow enough to dock any stars for that aspect. My main complaint would be the food. Portions are large, they are fairly priced for the AMOUNT of food, however, I have found everything I have sampled to be bland. I have tried the Cod Romano (oily and bland), the chicken and peppers (some spice from the banana peppers but the chicken was overcooked and dry), the Chicken Mia (despite artichokes, spinach, and Roma tomatoes the dish had little flavor), the Chicken Marsala (this was my favorite dish I tried-the chicken was tender, mushrooms were plentiful, and Marsala was abundant....I'd recommend ordering this from my experience), and the Mediterranean pasta(very little feta, kalamata olives, roasted peppers. Lots of spinach but it was quite oily. A few tweaks with this dish and I think it could be tasty). Pasta marinara comes with the dinners as does a salad. The marinara sauce tastes like a less flavorful version of Ragu. And a $10 up charge to share items?! That's pretty cray-cray! I applaud this restaurant for opening in Avalon, which basically has zero in the way of dining options besides pizza, however I think if you are craving Italian, it's worth it to drive to Bloomfield for an authentic Italian dinner.
(3)
Jayna G.
Delicious, family-owned, Italian restaurant in Avalon. What you'd think of when you picture hearty, Italian food. Portions are large and savory and likely generations old. Place has two rooms with moderate seating. We showed up at 7pm on a Thursday night and had to sit at the bar- no tables for 2! Will call nezt time for reservations. Bartender became our friend by the end of the night and we appreciated his banter. Place is BYOB for $3.50/person. We got the lasagna and chicken parm. I barely ate half my plate and anytime I leave with leftovers, it's a plus. Food came hot and perfectly seasoned. Dessert was cannoli and it was deliciously classic. Worth the splurge! Thanks. We'll be back again!
(4)
Henry E.
My wife, two friends and I had dinner. I ordered the chicken mia. And it was delicious. The service was exceptional including the food server and hostess.
(5)
Brian M.
I eat there last week where I was served sour tea. The I ordered Chicken Mia and when I bite into the second piece of chicken it was rancid!!!!!! I never was asked how my meal was!!!! The waitress was just surprised that I didn't want a Togo box. So bad tea, really bad food, and bad service. And it wasn't that busy.
(1)
David A.
Good main dishes. They need to improve their side dishes. A bowl of spaghetti with marinara isn't creative enough for a restaurant with this much potential. Nice kinda dark atmosphere. Very pleasant overall. Not terribly expensive.
(3)
Maria S.
I'll agree with a previous poster that this is the nicest restaurant in Avalon. But that's not saying much. Sorry, I wasn't that impressed - this is slightly-better-than-average Italian American fare. It's good, honest, and homey, and while I really enjoyed my entree, almost everything else about the experience was slightly lacking. At times, the service was a bit loopy, and yet still trying too hard. Our group of five came in three quick phases, and at one point the waiter took the drink order of one of my dining companions, and walked away before he could take my order. We were also asked how we were doing before we had even ordered or even gotten some breadsticks - thanks, my water is particularly icy? Waitstaff wearing bad polyester ties is pretty '90s, as was the iceberg lettuce salad served first. I would have LOVED it if the progression of the meal was more traditionally Italian, because the portion sizes were perfect for it - that is, the side pasta served first, then main course, then salad (or salad with the main course). I REALLY enjoyed my main plate, cod with white beans. It was well-cooked, and had all of the flavors and consistencies I expected - the bread crumbs were a lovely addition. However, the marinara sauce had too much tomato paste going on, and the greens in the salad left something to be desired. I know salad greens are expensive, but iceberg lettuce isn't the way to go in a restaurant like this. Overall, I wish Mia Madre would cut back on the pretense or the fancy or whatever it is a bit - it's the honest home style food that makes people come back. For what you get, the value is good for the price. Also NB, it's cash only.
(3)
Erin N.
It was ok but definitely not worth even close to what they charge. Their house pinot tasted like they put grape juice in it. The food was so so. For $100 for two people I expect to get a really good meal and that's not what we got. .. not bad but never going back either
(3)
Gina S.
This is the first review I've ever written on yelp, but this place is so Great with a capital "G" that I felt compelled to write a little something and help steer Pittsburgh residents in the right direction... Once you go, I promise you'll leave wanting more!!! Everything on this menu is fresh and made to order - no freezer ready foods here! The flavors are mouth watering and the meats are ever so tender! I'm from Chicago, lived in NY for 5 years and currently reside in Los Angeles (for the past 10 years) and I promise you, I know Italian and this is where it's AT! In fact during my almost 2 week stay in Downtown Pittsburgh I had to revisit and take along a few friends -- if ever I'm back in Pittsburgh again soon, I know where I can get a great dinner that will never disappoint! The restaurant is family run and they take pride in what they do and it shows!!! It's worth the drive no matter where you are coming from - portions are large and each and every bite is scrumptious!! If you're a foodie like I am - This is a MUST and well worth the adventure! Try the Chicken Romano or Meat Lasagna - YOU WILL LOVE IT! Heck, try anything and everything - It's ALL GOOD!
(5)
Tony D.
Great food! Great prices! Great family service! And did I mention they have great food!!! You can bring your own wine or use the full service bar. The appetizers are awesome. Try the bruschetta, banana peppers,greens and beans, fried mozzarella all are great to share. Ask for Alex, tell him Tony D says hello.
(5)
Deborah R.
My Italian grandmother died in 1990. This place was like walking back in time. This is real Italian cooking! The portions are huge and the service is lovely. This place is equally appropriate for a family dinner and a date night.
(5)
Kristin P.
Ok, slightly above average food but in my mind a bit pricey for what you get. I think they are trying too hard to be upscale when what they could be is a solid, neighborhood place. That said the food is pretty good as long as you stick with the red sauce. Any olive oil based sauces have been underwhelming. Has potential, just needs a few adjustments.
(3)
Julia C.
Loved Mia Madre Trattoria! We had the Veal Filetto-chargrilled veal (very tender) in a bacon and cabernet sauce (WONDERFUL!) & Cod Romano (A TREAT) and lots of pasta! Everything is homemade! The owners introduced themselves and made excellent food recommendations. Everyone welcomed my 1 year old daughter. And she also LOVED their food! Cried when we took away her 2nd empty bowl of white bean spread. Our family will be making MIA Madre Trattoria a new favorite dining destination for sure! It's the ideal dining destination for a celebration with a group of friends or an intimitate date night. We plan on going back for both!
(5)
Melis P.
Great find! The staff couldn't have been more friendly, and the owners were so personable that it felt like a little taste of Italy in Pittsburgh. The homemade cannoli is a must... It was the best I've had since being in Rome!
(5)
Andi D.
Delicious! I would eat the bruschetta everyday if I could. And the house dressing with the side salad is simple yet so good. Everything I have had here has been great, chicken romano, pizza, fried mozzarella. They have an out door area which is nice in good weather!
(5)
Karen M.
Great food, friendly service, inviting atmosphere and reasonable prices. What's not to love?!?!
(5)
Chris D.
Incredible classic Italian done old school in the best possible way from the menu to the decor (I love the "Last Supper" painting in the dining room!). The appetizers are really good especially the bruschetta and stuffed peppers. The sausage in the stuffed peppers is surprisingly soft like a meatball and flavored really complement their marinara sauce. For dinner, definitely try the cod and beans. Deceptively simple, but prepared superbly with nicely seared fish, white beans, and sweet, sweet garlic.
(5)
Bill J.
Very pretty Italian Restaurant with very good food. They have a nice bar but still allow BYOB wine. The veal dishes are wonderful.Very fresh ingredients and the food is made with care. Must try if you haven't been here. Make sure you call ahead on weekends. They also will do parties so check with them if you have an event.
(5)
Stacey B.
Calimari app tasted a little bland at first but the flavor of the red sauce developed more over time to a delicious complex sauce crying out for bread - which arrived fresh from the oven. House chianti was fine & affordable. Entrees included veal parm & white clam linguini. By far, clam sauce is the way to go. Finish up w/ fabulous tira misu!! Overall, nice family run place w great service. If you don't like hugs, stay away. The owner's wife will track your departure to make sure you receive a warm hug and a solicitation for a review of your meal. I love that about this place but not everyone will like that. : )
(4)
Janel D.
We had heard a lot about this restaurant, and were excited to try it. Upon arrival, the ambiance definitely did not disappoint. The restaurant has an embossed tin ceiling which gives it a lot of charm and character. Our waitress was efficient, though it didn't seem that the owner thought so. We unfortunately heard her making comments to, and about the waitress, which we didn't find to be professional. The owner was loud and intrusive, which took away from our overall experience at the restaurant. We ordered the bruschetta for an appetizer, and it was quite good. They also brought us a generous amount of warm delicious bread sticks with a dip that was of a Mediterranean style. It was very good as well. Other than the starters, we found our food to be rather average, which was quite a let down. We had soup and salad for our next course and they were both subpar. The wedding soup didn't have one meatball in any bowl, and the salad, while fresh, consisted only of iceberg lettuce, and didn't seem to fit with the rest of the meal. The house balsamic was also bitter and tart. We ordered the Cod Romano and the Seafood and Peppers as our main course. While the cod had good flavor, it was heavy and greasy. The seafood and peppers was unexceptional. And the fact that they only accept cash is inconvenient, regardless of the ATM on premises which is the first thing that you see when you enter the restaurant. We would probably give this restaurant another chance if it weren't for the owner. When we were leaving the restaurant, it became clear to us that she was gossiping about us to our waitress, who looked embarrassed. If anyone should be embarrassed, it shouldn't be the waitress. Needless to say, we wont be returning.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate, Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Hayley T.
What a great place, food was fantastic and plentiful, the owners were great and the place was decorated adorably. The wait was a little long BUT we made reservations at the last minute. Will def be coming back here, so good! Oh yeah, it's BYOB
(5)Kerry H.
"What's that? A fancy place to get a glass of wine in Avalon?" I said when I heard about Mia Madre Trattoria...followed by about two full minutes of laughing. But, wow, it's true. I can confidently say that Mia Madre Trattoria is the nicest restaurant in Avalon. Yes, the exterior is still the same as when Sergio's was in this spot (annnd Joe's Corner Store before that), but in this case don't judge the outside. Inside, the restaurant has been totally re-done: brick walls, a cool bar, fabric napkins. I felt like I stepped into Boston's North End. There is an awesome patio as well. So to the wine...A great list, served by the glass or the bottle. I liked the house pinot grigio, but the prosecco was excellent (tasted a little like sour apples, in a good way). You can also BYOB. The focaccia was perfection, so good that I'd stop by for just that app and a glass of wine. But if you insist upon entrees (and you should), the eggplant parmigiana and the baked ziti were almost as good as my Nonna's. To top off a great experience, the owner's wife is incredibly friendly and she makes sure you had a good time before she'll let you leave. Plus, the prices are reasonable and it's always easy to find free street parking in Avalon.
(5)Event L.
Add half a star for a 3.5 experience! This place is not for the budget conscious folk - they belong at The Olive Garden. And other Italian places in Pittsburgh are pricier than this one. Mia Madre Trattoria is a family owned operation with deep roots in the Pittsburgh food industry. Food is unpretencious, reminiscent of traditional Bronx/Brooklyn/NorthEnd joint. This is not a New-Age creative chef 'foodie' place but rather an old style solid nostalgic Italian trattoria, not a ristorante. Don't let the white tablecloths fool you! In fact expect service to be relaxed, not overly trained, but friendly and competent. And the food is well done, made by a kitchen clearly influenced by a grandmother's style of cooking. Average before alcohol per person is $25 for a meat-based entre, pasta side, and salad. Complimentary Breadstick twists lean toward a firm pizza dough. Veal is the house specialty but you won't go wrong with the cod or salmon either.
(3)Maura P.
This place is right up the street from me and I've been there several times. Every time I've gone I have had an outstanding experience! The food is good, but the service is great! The owners are friendly and the waitstaff has always gone the extra step to ensure our experience was the best it could be. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a classic mom and pop Italian restaurant.
(5)Laura H.
I have eaten here on a few occasions and just found the entire experience to be very average, almost unmemorable. Considering Pittsburgh has a deep rooted Italian tradition, I expected more from a family-owned establishment advertising the recipes used are " my mothers authentic southern Italian" flavors. The atmosphere is rather dark and they do have frequent large parties dining so it can get loud. Service each time I have dined here has been courteous, not extremely welcoming, however, I have seen both times the wait staff being very friendly with certain tables, and from talking with others who have dined here, there are frequent regular customers here. The speed of service was on the slower side, although not slow enough to dock any stars for that aspect. My main complaint would be the food. Portions are large, they are fairly priced for the AMOUNT of food, however, I have found everything I have sampled to be bland. I have tried the Cod Romano (oily and bland), the chicken and peppers (some spice from the banana peppers but the chicken was overcooked and dry), the Chicken Mia (despite artichokes, spinach, and Roma tomatoes the dish had little flavor), the Chicken Marsala (this was my favorite dish I tried-the chicken was tender, mushrooms were plentiful, and Marsala was abundant....I'd recommend ordering this from my experience), and the Mediterranean pasta(very little feta, kalamata olives, roasted peppers. Lots of spinach but it was quite oily. A few tweaks with this dish and I think it could be tasty). Pasta marinara comes with the dinners as does a salad. The marinara sauce tastes like a less flavorful version of Ragu. And a $10 up charge to share items?! That's pretty cray-cray! I applaud this restaurant for opening in Avalon, which basically has zero in the way of dining options besides pizza, however I think if you are craving Italian, it's worth it to drive to Bloomfield for an authentic Italian dinner.
(3)Jayna G.
Delicious, family-owned, Italian restaurant in Avalon. What you'd think of when you picture hearty, Italian food. Portions are large and savory and likely generations old. Place has two rooms with moderate seating. We showed up at 7pm on a Thursday night and had to sit at the bar- no tables for 2! Will call nezt time for reservations. Bartender became our friend by the end of the night and we appreciated his banter. Place is BYOB for $3.50/person. We got the lasagna and chicken parm. I barely ate half my plate and anytime I leave with leftovers, it's a plus. Food came hot and perfectly seasoned. Dessert was cannoli and it was deliciously classic. Worth the splurge! Thanks. We'll be back again!
(4)Henry E.
My wife, two friends and I had dinner. I ordered the chicken mia. And it was delicious. The service was exceptional including the food server and hostess.
(5)Brian M.
I eat there last week where I was served sour tea. The I ordered Chicken Mia and when I bite into the second piece of chicken it was rancid!!!!!! I never was asked how my meal was!!!! The waitress was just surprised that I didn't want a Togo box. So bad tea, really bad food, and bad service. And it wasn't that busy.
(1)David A.
Good main dishes. They need to improve their side dishes. A bowl of spaghetti with marinara isn't creative enough for a restaurant with this much potential. Nice kinda dark atmosphere. Very pleasant overall. Not terribly expensive.
(3)Carol C.
Discovered this restaurant by accident while visiting Pittsburgh. It turned out to be one our greatest finds. The food, service & owners were incredibly "off the charts" beyond 5-stars!! Everything we ate was delicious . Cannoli was the best we've ever had.
(5)Maria S.
I'll agree with a previous poster that this is the nicest restaurant in Avalon. But that's not saying much. Sorry, I wasn't that impressed - this is slightly-better-than-average Italian American fare. It's good, honest, and homey, and while I really enjoyed my entree, almost everything else about the experience was slightly lacking. At times, the service was a bit loopy, and yet still trying too hard. Our group of five came in three quick phases, and at one point the waiter took the drink order of one of my dining companions, and walked away before he could take my order. We were also asked how we were doing before we had even ordered or even gotten some breadsticks - thanks, my water is particularly icy? Waitstaff wearing bad polyester ties is pretty '90s, as was the iceberg lettuce salad served first. I would have LOVED it if the progression of the meal was more traditionally Italian, because the portion sizes were perfect for it - that is, the side pasta served first, then main course, then salad (or salad with the main course). I REALLY enjoyed my main plate, cod with white beans. It was well-cooked, and had all of the flavors and consistencies I expected - the bread crumbs were a lovely addition. However, the marinara sauce had too much tomato paste going on, and the greens in the salad left something to be desired. I know salad greens are expensive, but iceberg lettuce isn't the way to go in a restaurant like this. Overall, I wish Mia Madre would cut back on the pretense or the fancy or whatever it is a bit - it's the honest home style food that makes people come back. For what you get, the value is good for the price. Also NB, it's cash only.
(3)Erin N.
It was ok but definitely not worth even close to what they charge. Their house pinot tasted like they put grape juice in it. The food was so so. For $100 for two people I expect to get a really good meal and that's not what we got. .. not bad but never going back either
(3)Gina S.
This is the first review I've ever written on yelp, but this place is so Great with a capital "G" that I felt compelled to write a little something and help steer Pittsburgh residents in the right direction... Once you go, I promise you'll leave wanting more!!! Everything on this menu is fresh and made to order - no freezer ready foods here! The flavors are mouth watering and the meats are ever so tender! I'm from Chicago, lived in NY for 5 years and currently reside in Los Angeles (for the past 10 years) and I promise you, I know Italian and this is where it's AT! In fact during my almost 2 week stay in Downtown Pittsburgh I had to revisit and take along a few friends -- if ever I'm back in Pittsburgh again soon, I know where I can get a great dinner that will never disappoint! The restaurant is family run and they take pride in what they do and it shows!!! It's worth the drive no matter where you are coming from - portions are large and each and every bite is scrumptious!! If you're a foodie like I am - This is a MUST and well worth the adventure! Try the Chicken Romano or Meat Lasagna - YOU WILL LOVE IT! Heck, try anything and everything - It's ALL GOOD!
(5)Nicholas B.
This place I found to be outdated and unappetizing. The strange breadsticks were unpleasant, and they don't have regular bread (?). The service was in-your-face and obnoxious, though responsive. The food was average at best. Lastly, for the price, I'd be much happier at Alexander's, or even Bravo!. It's not an awful experience but, unless you live in Avalon, save yourself the trip and try one of Pittsburgh's other excellent Italian restaurants!
(2)Travis D.
My wife and went there on 3/30/2013 for our wedding anniversary. This is a great family ran gem. They are all friendly and helpful with everything.The food and service was awesome. The wine suggestion from the bartender was one of the best glasses of wine I have ever had.. Be sure to make a reservation and they are CASH ONLY!! Well worth the drive "all the way out to Avalon". Next time we are in Pittsburgh area, I hope to go back.
(5)Tony Z.
Great Italian restaurant, it's on the pricier side, but you get what you pay for. The special of the say is usually a few dollars off. The food here is delicious. This is a family run restaurant, from the hostess to some of the waitresses, to Al, the proprietor, it's all in the family and they make you feel at home. The recipes are based off of Al's mothers' southern Italian cuisine. This place is cash only but they have an ATM right in the restaurant. It's BYOB but the recently opened a bar and they have a great wine selection. If you live in Avalon or Bellevue and you haven't been here - get off your butt! Worth the trip to Avalon if you live somewhere else.
(5)Rob P.
Great pasta, egg plant Parma and other classics...family run and worth a trip !
(5)Tony D.
Great food! Great prices! Great family service! And did I mention they have great food!!! You can bring your own wine or use the full service bar. The appetizers are awesome. Try the bruschetta, banana peppers,greens and beans, fried mozzarella all are great to share. Ask for Alex, tell him Tony D says hello.
(5)Deborah R.
My Italian grandmother died in 1990. This place was like walking back in time. This is real Italian cooking! The portions are huge and the service is lovely. This place is equally appropriate for a family dinner and a date night.
(5)Kristin P.
Ok, slightly above average food but in my mind a bit pricey for what you get. I think they are trying too hard to be upscale when what they could be is a solid, neighborhood place. That said the food is pretty good as long as you stick with the red sauce. Any olive oil based sauces have been underwhelming. Has potential, just needs a few adjustments.
(3)Chris D.
Incredible classic Italian done old school in the best possible way from the menu to the decor (I love the "Last Supper" painting in the dining room!). The appetizers are really good especially the bruschetta and stuffed peppers. The sausage in the stuffed peppers is surprisingly soft like a meatball and flavored really complement their marinara sauce. For dinner, definitely try the cod and beans. Deceptively simple, but prepared superbly with nicely seared fish, white beans, and sweet, sweet garlic.
(5)Bill J.
Very pretty Italian Restaurant with very good food. They have a nice bar but still allow BYOB wine. The veal dishes are wonderful.Very fresh ingredients and the food is made with care. Must try if you haven't been here. Make sure you call ahead on weekends. They also will do parties so check with them if you have an event.
(5)Stacey B.
Calimari app tasted a little bland at first but the flavor of the red sauce developed more over time to a delicious complex sauce crying out for bread - which arrived fresh from the oven. House chianti was fine & affordable. Entrees included veal parm & white clam linguini. By far, clam sauce is the way to go. Finish up w/ fabulous tira misu!! Overall, nice family run place w great service. If you don't like hugs, stay away. The owner's wife will track your departure to make sure you receive a warm hug and a solicitation for a review of your meal. I love that about this place but not everyone will like that. : )
(4)Janel D.
We had heard a lot about this restaurant, and were excited to try it. Upon arrival, the ambiance definitely did not disappoint. The restaurant has an embossed tin ceiling which gives it a lot of charm and character. Our waitress was efficient, though it didn't seem that the owner thought so. We unfortunately heard her making comments to, and about the waitress, which we didn't find to be professional. The owner was loud and intrusive, which took away from our overall experience at the restaurant. We ordered the bruschetta for an appetizer, and it was quite good. They also brought us a generous amount of warm delicious bread sticks with a dip that was of a Mediterranean style. It was very good as well. Other than the starters, we found our food to be rather average, which was quite a let down. We had soup and salad for our next course and they were both subpar. The wedding soup didn't have one meatball in any bowl, and the salad, while fresh, consisted only of iceberg lettuce, and didn't seem to fit with the rest of the meal. The house balsamic was also bitter and tart. We ordered the Cod Romano and the Seafood and Peppers as our main course. While the cod had good flavor, it was heavy and greasy. The seafood and peppers was unexceptional. And the fact that they only accept cash is inconvenient, regardless of the ATM on premises which is the first thing that you see when you enter the restaurant. We would probably give this restaurant another chance if it weren't for the owner. When we were leaving the restaurant, it became clear to us that she was gossiping about us to our waitress, who looked embarrassed. If anyone should be embarrassed, it shouldn't be the waitress. Needless to say, we wont be returning.
(2)Julia C.
Loved Mia Madre Trattoria! We had the Veal Filetto-chargrilled veal (very tender) in a bacon and cabernet sauce (WONDERFUL!) & Cod Romano (A TREAT) and lots of pasta! Everything is homemade! The owners introduced themselves and made excellent food recommendations. Everyone welcomed my 1 year old daughter. And she also LOVED their food! Cried when we took away her 2nd empty bowl of white bean spread. Our family will be making MIA Madre Trattoria a new favorite dining destination for sure! It's the ideal dining destination for a celebration with a group of friends or an intimitate date night. We plan on going back for both!
(5)Melis P.
Great find! The staff couldn't have been more friendly, and the owners were so personable that it felt like a little taste of Italy in Pittsburgh. The homemade cannoli is a must... It was the best I've had since being in Rome!
(5)Andi D.
Delicious! I would eat the bruschetta everyday if I could. And the house dressing with the side salad is simple yet so good. Everything I have had here has been great, chicken romano, pizza, fried mozzarella. They have an out door area which is nice in good weather!
(5)Karen M.
Great food, friendly service, inviting atmosphere and reasonable prices. What's not to love?!?!
(5)Kerry H.
"What's that? A fancy place to get a glass of wine in Avalon?" I said when I heard about Mia Madre Trattoria...followed by about two full minutes of laughing. But, wow, it's true. I can confidently say that Mia Madre Trattoria is the nicest restaurant in Avalon. Yes, the exterior is still the same as when Sergio's was in this spot (annnd Joe's Corner Store before that), but in this case don't judge the outside. Inside, the restaurant has been totally re-done: brick walls, a cool bar, fabric napkins. I felt like I stepped into Boston's North End. There is an awesome patio as well. So to the wine...A great list, served by the glass or the bottle. I liked the house pinot grigio, but the prosecco was excellent (tasted a little like sour apples, in a good way). You can also BYOB. The focaccia was perfection, so good that I'd stop by for just that app and a glass of wine. But if you insist upon entrees (and you should), the eggplant parmigiana and the baked ziti were almost as good as my Nonna's. To top off a great experience, the owner's wife is incredibly friendly and she makes sure you had a good time before she'll let you leave. Plus, the prices are reasonable and it's always easy to find free street parking in Avalon.
(5)Event L.
Add half a star for a 3.5 experience! This place is not for the budget conscious folk - they belong at The Olive Garden. And other Italian places in Pittsburgh are pricier than this one. Mia Madre Trattoria is a family owned operation with deep roots in the Pittsburgh food industry. Food is unpretencious, reminiscent of traditional Bronx/Brooklyn/NorthEnd joint. This is not a New-Age creative chef 'foodie' place but rather an old style solid nostalgic Italian trattoria, not a ristorante. Don't let the white tablecloths fool you! In fact expect service to be relaxed, not overly trained, but friendly and competent. And the food is well done, made by a kitchen clearly influenced by a grandmother's style of cooking. Average before alcohol per person is $25 for a meat-based entre, pasta side, and salad. Complimentary Breadstick twists lean toward a firm pizza dough. Veal is the house specialty but you won't go wrong with the cod or salmon either.
(3)Travis D.
My wife and went there on 3/30/2013 for our wedding anniversary. This is a great family ran gem. They are all friendly and helpful with everything.The food and service was awesome. The wine suggestion from the bartender was one of the best glasses of wine I have ever had.. Be sure to make a reservation and they are CASH ONLY!! Well worth the drive "all the way out to Avalon". Next time we are in Pittsburgh area, I hope to go back.
(5)Tony Z.
Great Italian restaurant, it's on the pricier side, but you get what you pay for. The special of the say is usually a few dollars off. The food here is delicious. This is a family run restaurant, from the hostess to some of the waitresses, to Al, the proprietor, it's all in the family and they make you feel at home. The recipes are based off of Al's mothers' southern Italian cuisine. This place is cash only but they have an ATM right in the restaurant. It's BYOB but the recently opened a bar and they have a great wine selection. If you live in Avalon or Bellevue and you haven't been here - get off your butt! Worth the trip to Avalon if you live somewhere else.
(5)Rob P.
Great pasta, egg plant Parma and other classics...family run and worth a trip !
(5)Hayley T.
What a great place, food was fantastic and plentiful, the owners were great and the place was decorated adorably. The wait was a little long BUT we made reservations at the last minute. Will def be coming back here, so good! Oh yeah, it's BYOB
(5)Maura P.
This place is right up the street from me and I've been there several times. Every time I've gone I have had an outstanding experience! The food is good, but the service is great! The owners are friendly and the waitstaff has always gone the extra step to ensure our experience was the best it could be. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a classic mom and pop Italian restaurant.
(5)Carol C.
Discovered this restaurant by accident while visiting Pittsburgh. It turned out to be one our greatest finds. The food, service & owners were incredibly "off the charts" beyond 5-stars!! Everything we ate was delicious . Cannoli was the best we've ever had.
(5)Nicholas B.
This place I found to be outdated and unappetizing. The strange breadsticks were unpleasant, and they don't have regular bread (?). The service was in-your-face and obnoxious, though responsive. The food was average at best. Lastly, for the price, I'd be much happier at Alexander's, or even Bravo!. It's not an awful experience but, unless you live in Avalon, save yourself the trip and try one of Pittsburgh's other excellent Italian restaurants!
(2)Laura H.
I have eaten here on a few occasions and just found the entire experience to be very average, almost unmemorable. Considering Pittsburgh has a deep rooted Italian tradition, I expected more from a family-owned establishment advertising the recipes used are " my mothers authentic southern Italian" flavors. The atmosphere is rather dark and they do have frequent large parties dining so it can get loud. Service each time I have dined here has been courteous, not extremely welcoming, however, I have seen both times the wait staff being very friendly with certain tables, and from talking with others who have dined here, there are frequent regular customers here. The speed of service was on the slower side, although not slow enough to dock any stars for that aspect. My main complaint would be the food. Portions are large, they are fairly priced for the AMOUNT of food, however, I have found everything I have sampled to be bland. I have tried the Cod Romano (oily and bland), the chicken and peppers (some spice from the banana peppers but the chicken was overcooked and dry), the Chicken Mia (despite artichokes, spinach, and Roma tomatoes the dish had little flavor), the Chicken Marsala (this was my favorite dish I tried-the chicken was tender, mushrooms were plentiful, and Marsala was abundant....I'd recommend ordering this from my experience), and the Mediterranean pasta(very little feta, kalamata olives, roasted peppers. Lots of spinach but it was quite oily. A few tweaks with this dish and I think it could be tasty). Pasta marinara comes with the dinners as does a salad. The marinara sauce tastes like a less flavorful version of Ragu. And a $10 up charge to share items?! That's pretty cray-cray! I applaud this restaurant for opening in Avalon, which basically has zero in the way of dining options besides pizza, however I think if you are craving Italian, it's worth it to drive to Bloomfield for an authentic Italian dinner.
(3)Jayna G.
Delicious, family-owned, Italian restaurant in Avalon. What you'd think of when you picture hearty, Italian food. Portions are large and savory and likely generations old. Place has two rooms with moderate seating. We showed up at 7pm on a Thursday night and had to sit at the bar- no tables for 2! Will call nezt time for reservations. Bartender became our friend by the end of the night and we appreciated his banter. Place is BYOB for $3.50/person. We got the lasagna and chicken parm. I barely ate half my plate and anytime I leave with leftovers, it's a plus. Food came hot and perfectly seasoned. Dessert was cannoli and it was deliciously classic. Worth the splurge! Thanks. We'll be back again!
(4)Henry E.
My wife, two friends and I had dinner. I ordered the chicken mia. And it was delicious. The service was exceptional including the food server and hostess.
(5)Brian M.
I eat there last week where I was served sour tea. The I ordered Chicken Mia and when I bite into the second piece of chicken it was rancid!!!!!! I never was asked how my meal was!!!! The waitress was just surprised that I didn't want a Togo box. So bad tea, really bad food, and bad service. And it wasn't that busy.
(1)David A.
Good main dishes. They need to improve their side dishes. A bowl of spaghetti with marinara isn't creative enough for a restaurant with this much potential. Nice kinda dark atmosphere. Very pleasant overall. Not terribly expensive.
(3)Maria S.
I'll agree with a previous poster that this is the nicest restaurant in Avalon. But that's not saying much. Sorry, I wasn't that impressed - this is slightly-better-than-average Italian American fare. It's good, honest, and homey, and while I really enjoyed my entree, almost everything else about the experience was slightly lacking. At times, the service was a bit loopy, and yet still trying too hard. Our group of five came in three quick phases, and at one point the waiter took the drink order of one of my dining companions, and walked away before he could take my order. We were also asked how we were doing before we had even ordered or even gotten some breadsticks - thanks, my water is particularly icy? Waitstaff wearing bad polyester ties is pretty '90s, as was the iceberg lettuce salad served first. I would have LOVED it if the progression of the meal was more traditionally Italian, because the portion sizes were perfect for it - that is, the side pasta served first, then main course, then salad (or salad with the main course). I REALLY enjoyed my main plate, cod with white beans. It was well-cooked, and had all of the flavors and consistencies I expected - the bread crumbs were a lovely addition. However, the marinara sauce had too much tomato paste going on, and the greens in the salad left something to be desired. I know salad greens are expensive, but iceberg lettuce isn't the way to go in a restaurant like this. Overall, I wish Mia Madre would cut back on the pretense or the fancy or whatever it is a bit - it's the honest home style food that makes people come back. For what you get, the value is good for the price. Also NB, it's cash only.
(3)Erin N.
It was ok but definitely not worth even close to what they charge. Their house pinot tasted like they put grape juice in it. The food was so so. For $100 for two people I expect to get a really good meal and that's not what we got. .. not bad but never going back either
(3)Gina S.
This is the first review I've ever written on yelp, but this place is so Great with a capital "G" that I felt compelled to write a little something and help steer Pittsburgh residents in the right direction... Once you go, I promise you'll leave wanting more!!! Everything on this menu is fresh and made to order - no freezer ready foods here! The flavors are mouth watering and the meats are ever so tender! I'm from Chicago, lived in NY for 5 years and currently reside in Los Angeles (for the past 10 years) and I promise you, I know Italian and this is where it's AT! In fact during my almost 2 week stay in Downtown Pittsburgh I had to revisit and take along a few friends -- if ever I'm back in Pittsburgh again soon, I know where I can get a great dinner that will never disappoint! The restaurant is family run and they take pride in what they do and it shows!!! It's worth the drive no matter where you are coming from - portions are large and each and every bite is scrumptious!! If you're a foodie like I am - This is a MUST and well worth the adventure! Try the Chicken Romano or Meat Lasagna - YOU WILL LOVE IT! Heck, try anything and everything - It's ALL GOOD!
(5)Tony D.
Great food! Great prices! Great family service! And did I mention they have great food!!! You can bring your own wine or use the full service bar. The appetizers are awesome. Try the bruschetta, banana peppers,greens and beans, fried mozzarella all are great to share. Ask for Alex, tell him Tony D says hello.
(5)Deborah R.
My Italian grandmother died in 1990. This place was like walking back in time. This is real Italian cooking! The portions are huge and the service is lovely. This place is equally appropriate for a family dinner and a date night.
(5)Kristin P.
Ok, slightly above average food but in my mind a bit pricey for what you get. I think they are trying too hard to be upscale when what they could be is a solid, neighborhood place. That said the food is pretty good as long as you stick with the red sauce. Any olive oil based sauces have been underwhelming. Has potential, just needs a few adjustments.
(3)Julia C.
Loved Mia Madre Trattoria! We had the Veal Filetto-chargrilled veal (very tender) in a bacon and cabernet sauce (WONDERFUL!) & Cod Romano (A TREAT) and lots of pasta! Everything is homemade! The owners introduced themselves and made excellent food recommendations. Everyone welcomed my 1 year old daughter. And she also LOVED their food! Cried when we took away her 2nd empty bowl of white bean spread. Our family will be making MIA Madre Trattoria a new favorite dining destination for sure! It's the ideal dining destination for a celebration with a group of friends or an intimitate date night. We plan on going back for both!
(5)Melis P.
Great find! The staff couldn't have been more friendly, and the owners were so personable that it felt like a little taste of Italy in Pittsburgh. The homemade cannoli is a must... It was the best I've had since being in Rome!
(5)Andi D.
Delicious! I would eat the bruschetta everyday if I could. And the house dressing with the side salad is simple yet so good. Everything I have had here has been great, chicken romano, pizza, fried mozzarella. They have an out door area which is nice in good weather!
(5)Karen M.
Great food, friendly service, inviting atmosphere and reasonable prices. What's not to love?!?!
(5)Chris D.
Incredible classic Italian done old school in the best possible way from the menu to the decor (I love the "Last Supper" painting in the dining room!). The appetizers are really good especially the bruschetta and stuffed peppers. The sausage in the stuffed peppers is surprisingly soft like a meatball and flavored really complement their marinara sauce. For dinner, definitely try the cod and beans. Deceptively simple, but prepared superbly with nicely seared fish, white beans, and sweet, sweet garlic.
(5)Bill J.
Very pretty Italian Restaurant with very good food. They have a nice bar but still allow BYOB wine. The veal dishes are wonderful.Very fresh ingredients and the food is made with care. Must try if you haven't been here. Make sure you call ahead on weekends. They also will do parties so check with them if you have an event.
(5)Stacey B.
Calimari app tasted a little bland at first but the flavor of the red sauce developed more over time to a delicious complex sauce crying out for bread - which arrived fresh from the oven. House chianti was fine & affordable. Entrees included veal parm & white clam linguini. By far, clam sauce is the way to go. Finish up w/ fabulous tira misu!! Overall, nice family run place w great service. If you don't like hugs, stay away. The owner's wife will track your departure to make sure you receive a warm hug and a solicitation for a review of your meal. I love that about this place but not everyone will like that. : )
(4)Janel D.
We had heard a lot about this restaurant, and were excited to try it. Upon arrival, the ambiance definitely did not disappoint. The restaurant has an embossed tin ceiling which gives it a lot of charm and character. Our waitress was efficient, though it didn't seem that the owner thought so. We unfortunately heard her making comments to, and about the waitress, which we didn't find to be professional. The owner was loud and intrusive, which took away from our overall experience at the restaurant. We ordered the bruschetta for an appetizer, and it was quite good. They also brought us a generous amount of warm delicious bread sticks with a dip that was of a Mediterranean style. It was very good as well. Other than the starters, we found our food to be rather average, which was quite a let down. We had soup and salad for our next course and they were both subpar. The wedding soup didn't have one meatball in any bowl, and the salad, while fresh, consisted only of iceberg lettuce, and didn't seem to fit with the rest of the meal. The house balsamic was also bitter and tart. We ordered the Cod Romano and the Seafood and Peppers as our main course. While the cod had good flavor, it was heavy and greasy. The seafood and peppers was unexceptional. And the fact that they only accept cash is inconvenient, regardless of the ATM on premises which is the first thing that you see when you enter the restaurant. We would probably give this restaurant another chance if it weren't for the owner. When we were leaving the restaurant, it became clear to us that she was gossiping about us to our waitress, who looked embarrassed. If anyone should be embarrassed, it shouldn't be the waitress. Needless to say, we wont be returning.
(2)