This place has grown on me, as I've found my way around the menu. It's probably the only place on its end of Brady Street with white tablecloths, but the ambience is still very casual. It never seems busy, and I sometimes wonder how well they are doing. I don't really know my way around the menu very well, so I'm reluctant to pass out recommendations: I can't eat seafood, and half their pasta dishes feature seafood, and I try to avoid creamy sauces, which rules out another portion of the menu. My last meal there was a fairly plain-Jane spinach and ricotta lasagna with a meat sauce. It was very good, but the menu has more creative choices, and foodies out there can give better advice.
(4)
Angela O.
So on Mimma's Cafe website and a sign they have out in front of their establishment clearly offers happy hour specials Mon- Fri 4-7. We had a party of 4 walk in at 6 last night and tell the hostess we are here for the happy hour and she directs us to the bar. We sit there for 15 minutes with no acknowledgement. We finally ask a server about a happy hour menu, and a someone comes over to our table and says they decided not to have happy hour tonight. I tell the hostess it clearly states it on their website and they have a sign outside offering this. The lady just said"We need to go take the sign down, we are too busy tonight". The bar wasn't even half full???? I would never give that place my business!
(1)
Tina B.
Great service! Delish Italian food, crusty Italian bread, wonderful olive dipping sauce! Ambience
(3)
Laura Z.
Mimma's gets the job done when you want Italian. I'd give it four stars but something about the ambiance doesn't sit well with me. I think its the empty deli display case right in the middle of the room that I just can't ignore. The food is good. Not over the top good, but consistently good. The pasta is always done well, and I'd recommend you stay away from the specials. They never taste as good as the pasta and cost WAY more. One item I can definitely recommend is the grilled calamari. Yum! This is a good place to bring a group. The server was extremely helpful and tolerant of our many voices and opinions.
100% all around great experience. From Frank the fantastic server and Mimma stopping by our table to make sure everything was great, to the bow tie pasta with homemade spicy chicken sausage and a tilapia that was bursting with flavor. But you know what really blew my mind? Mimma makes homemade lemoncello! We were so full from the dinner that there was no room for dessert, so we ended the dining experience (and with all the courses we had...it really was an experience) with a tumbler glass of this perfectly made lemoncello. I have to tell you that once you have Mimma's homemade lemoncello, you will never go back to store bought. Now if we could only get her to sell the stuff! Menu has just the right amount of selections and the wine list is perfectly done. Best Italian in town and best service in town. A+
(5)
Carrie M.
Stopped in on a whim on a Tuesday evening. Parking was a bit of a challenge, but one we overcame. There were only a few other tables occupied, and the atmosphere was quite lovely, especially whrn big, fluffy snowflakes began to fall outside Mimma's quaint windows. My partner had the mushroom ravioli and they were to die for. Rich, wonderfully herbed marsala sauce. I had a tenderloin special that was herb coated and expertly seared to a delightful rare (if the cow still moos, it's rare enough for me). The bread that prefaced our meal would have been even better served warm, but was still crusty and a great base for the olive, garlic and pesto olive oil that accompanied it. Overall, a lovely meal.
(4)
Mike C.
Was in town for business and this was recommended by a bartender downtown. We arrived just before closing, not knowing the time and we were welcomed in and sat at the bar. Mima came out and told us she would make anything we wanted. Food was fantastic real authentic Italian. Great sauce and perfectly cooked pasta. Don't pass on the homemade lemoncello as an after dinner drink
(5)
Glory J.
I've had a lot of firsts here in Milwaukee, and this was my first Italian experience. Mimma's did not disappoint. I had a birthday dinner here, and my goodness my food was delicious!!! I'm a carb and pasta lover and while I cannot remember the exact dish I had, I remember curling the noodles around my fork and that first bite of savory goodness. The ambiance was lovely for dinner. The lights were turned down low to give it a more intimate setting, soft music playing in the background; appropriate for a fancier dinner setting. Food was excellent, top notch. Our waiter was timely and able to give recommendations, on both food and wine, based on not only what would pair well together, but also what I taste I default to naturally (I'm a lover of white, sweet wines). I feel bad after reading some of the other reviews for those who had a terrible experience, I really hope there's was an anomaly, and not the other way around, because it is on the higher priced side.
(5)
Mark K.
Ruined Valentine's Day. Never told us there was a limited menu for the day when reserving. When we got there (8pm reso) they were out of half of the limited menu items. One person was a vegetarian and there was nothing for them. They offered the regular menu but the server followed up by trying to make us feel guilty by saying he didn't care if Mimma was mad if we ordered off of that. Who does that?! Never going back! If you are looking for good Italian and great service try Zarletti. Mimma, your time is up.
(1)
Maria F.
Came here for my birthday and had a lovely dining experience with great authentic Italian food in a nice atmosphere, with a very friendly waiter. Totally recommend.
(5)
Shannon C.
Excellent food -- so much better than Pasta Tree! There's no comparison. And their menu is huge and multifaceted -- I was pleasantly surprised that there were so many choices for vegetarians. The service is mixed -- we've had the typical awkward waiter, but we've also had very good service from both the waitstaff (ask your server if he's an Anne Rice fan!) and the bartender. And occasionally we've even seen Mimma herself bustling around the dining room in a pink velvet track suit, which made the experience all the better. The dining room side is a bit dated, but it does have a romantic feel, so it's probably better to check in with your significant other or a close group of friends.
(4)
Phil M.
One night in Milwaukee and one chance to have great home style Italian....this is it.,,,,hands down. The service, the food , the owner are unmatched. Outstanding is an understatement . Try it .....you will not be disappointed .
(5)
Elizabeth D.
They tried. The enthusiastic wait staff tried, but they could not over come the fatigued look, feel and (a-hem) smell of Mimma Cafe. Straight out of 1999, illuminated by bright florescent bulbs in the once subtle fixtures, the overly dressed salad, musty meats, salted, icy tomatoes and tired Italian noodle-ly food was too much to ignore. After all, we were there for dinner. We can never go back. As I walked back to the coat room, I noticed the framed pictures of a time when the place was hot. It's time to revamp or retire.
(1)
Hana C.
My parents were visiting from California, so my sister-in-law made reservations at this restaurant because it was supposedly the best Italian in Milwaukee. Our reservation was at 6:30 and we had 7 people at our table. This review is based on the service at Mimma's, which I felt so strongly compelled to write about because I was so appalled by it. Worst service I have ever experienced at a restaurant. BY A MILE. We were seated promptly and served water by the SA. There was a party of 8 old ladies sitting at the table across from us who had been perusing their menus slowly as we sat down. Our server zips past our table and tells us that he will be right with us. The server goes to the table of 8 across from us and specials them, takes time explaining the wine list and questions they have about the menu. He leaves, not even looking at our table. He comes back with a bottle of wine and gives them wine service. He leaves again, again not glancing at our table. He goes back to their table and takes down their order. Leaves again without looking at us. I mean, seriously I cannot even flag the guy down. He COMES BACK WITH THEIR DINNER. He hasn't even taken our freaking drink order. Are you serious? This time, we manage to flag the owner down because 1. we are starving and 2. their bread blows and 3. we had wanted to start with some appetizers. I think she's the owner? She actually gives us an excuse, telling us that everyone had gotten seated at once and then trails off in her sentence, telling us that she will send someone over to take our drink order. The BARTENDER comes over and takes our drink order. Still, no sign of the server even blinking at our table. Meanwhile, he has managed to special and greet another table that had been seated LONG after us. The bartender kindly takes our order and gives us wine service with the OTHER bartender. A different server, runner, or SA comes by with a notepad and starts taking our food order. She is really nice and at this point I am really wishing she was our server. Our salads are brought out by the runners. Still no sign of the server. After the SA refilled our water, she then promptly cleared our plates off the table. At this point, I am just really wondering if we still even have a server. As the server is zipping by our table again, I hear him tell the SA, "I am just gonna go check on THEIR (talking about our table) food" So I guess this guy IS our server. Bummer. He brings the food out and announces them extra loudly as he sets them down in front of us. Tells us Bon Apetit and zips off again. One of the dishes was WAY over-salted but there was no way of telling our server because he never checked on us again. Our plates were cleared and waters refilled all by the SA again. We ask another SA for the bill and the server promptly comes over and presents the check. Gratuity is included, 20%, which I expected because our party was 7. Our bill was close to $300, which in my opinion deserved hell of a lot better treatment than we got tonight. I only wish that the whole grat was split amongst ALL the support staff that helped us tonight because they all worked together to serve our table.
(1)
Jordan S.
This is by far the best place to go for great Italian food! The atmosphere is wonderful and service impeccable! Ask for Will! I've had him every single time I've gone there and he's great. Everything on the menu is wonderful and they always have great specials. Stop in for Happy hour, I think it's 4-7 Monday trough Friday. They have drink specials and most of their appetizers are only $5 during this time! The gelato is out of this world! I tried the mixed berry due to Will's recommendation. Definitely a place to try. I'll be back many times!
(5)
Xiomary S.
WORST Italian Restaurant I have EVER been to in my life. If I could give it no stars I would! I made reservations for a party of 6 to celebrate my best friends birthday. We arrived promptly to Mimmas at 7 (our reservation time) We weren't greeted by anyone and when we were it was an older Italian lady who I believe is the owner aka Mimma. She gave me attitude and had trouble finding my reservation. I'm not sure if it was because we were a younger crown in a "fancy" restaurant, but she treated us with little respect. Maybe that's in her Italian blood... Once seated I can tell you that the thing ONLY thing I can't complain about was the promo service of the water boy. Our glasses were never empty. They start of with this crusty, cold, stale bread. It was difficult to even tear it apart. Worst piece of bread I have ever ate. The olive oil they serve with it is even worse. The menu is quite large, larger than they show on their website. The explanations do little justice to what the actual food is like. We ordered the fresh mozzarella as an appetizer and it was alright. Nothing amazing. Each order comes with choice of soup or salad. We had both choices at our table and not a single person finished theirs or even took more than 3 bites. I had the soup and it tasted very dirty, watered down and plain out disgusting. At this point I don't know what else could go wrong... But it did... We got our food and it still to this day is the first time I go to ANY restaurant and can't even finish more than a few bites. It was that bad. I had the cannelloni and it's literally filled with spinach and nothing much of anything else it's list on the menu description. As I looked around I see more off the boiled green stuff. The waiter made it seem like "we would barely even notice the spinach" what a disappointment it was to find out he was a straight out liar. No one finished their food and the plates stayed stacked at our table since no one bother to clean them up in a timely manner. I was most excited to try their gelato when I saw they had it on their website but after such a horrible experience I decided to spare my stomach the trouble. Never coming back again and making sure no one I know does either.
(1)
Julia R.
Close to 5 stars. On a brief trip to Milwaukee three of us braved sub zero temps and high wind conditions to go to Mimma's. Now back home I've read the reviews and am surprised that they are all over the place from 1 star to 5. I know good Italian. This was pretty close to superb. Since it was so cold outside there weren't many patrons. The ambiance was perfect for us. Tasteful and none of that fake Italian tablecloth and kitchy music vibe. There was a simple elegance to the decor. The outdoor temperature may explain the outstanding service we got as there appeared to be only two servers and about 5 filled tables. Actually our server was memorable in a most gracious way. Two of us split the Piemontese salad which was dressed in one of the best vinagaretes I've ever experienced. I actually asked for the secret and the waiter asked Mimma for me. It was just high quality, true Italian olive oil, lemon, and great balsamic. There was no bitter bite to it at all. One order was plenty for two as there was a variety of fresh vegetables (asparagus, artichokes, etc.) along with the mixed baby greens. The presentation was lovely in a slanted white bowl. The three of us ordered different things. One got the ravioli con pepperonie salsiccio which she raved about. Al dente and enough to take a bit home. I had the tortellini which included just the right size and amount of pancetta, peas, and mushrooms in a cream sauce. A bit heavy for me (I don't usually get cream sauces) but delicious anyway. The third in our party had black pasta topped by a medley of shellfish which he raved about. We shared two desserts. Mamma's homemade gelato (they have many flavors and supply other restaurants) was delicious. One scoop of banana and one of pistachio. Smooth, creamy, and not overly sweet. Highly recommend. The other dessert was a special and not quite up to the rest of the meal. Profiteroles made OF chocolate pastry filled with cream sauce. I was expecting the traditional profiterole pastry filled with chocolate and was disappointed. Downtown Milwaukee parking is a nightmare. Mimma's can't help that and we knew we'd have a walk. We were willing, regardless of the parking and temperatures. We are so happy we went.
(4)
Nancy R.
My first visit to this Brady Street icon. I had a spicy penne pasta dish with shrimp and pancetta as well as a side salad. Fresh italian bread and olive oil with minced olives came out with my salad. Everything was delicious. I was alone and the waiter did not recite the extensive list of specials. This has happened to me at other places as well. Apparently if you're by yourself, you're not interested in specials...or it's not worth reciting for one person. I don't know, but it always makes me feel somehow ostracized. Anyway, my server was attentive and my meal was good, so I'll stick to the 4-star rating.
(4)
Andy D.
Highly, highly recommend! Excellent service. Attentive, polite, funny. Great food. A lot of pastas on the menu with 4 or 5 other entree specials. I wish they had a bit more variety, but the specials (not pasta based) all sounded good. My wife got a seafood ravioli which was incredible while I got a pork special; also incredible. The homemade tiramisu was probably the best I've ever had and our grilled calamari appetizer was very different. Served in steak strips and delicious. Very reasonably prices for the protions in my opinion as well! Can't wait to come back the next time we're in Milwaukee!
(5)
Valerie W.
I went to Mimma's back in July while in town for Northwestern Mutual's annual meeting. There was a group of 8 of us, and our managing partner recommended it, so we couldn't pass it up. Everything was great. Food, wine selection, service, decor. We had 8 different plates on our table and everyone was raving about the food. I had their equivalent of zuppa de pesce, it was spicy and yummy. I cannot pass up good shellfish. The one thing I didn't try but wanted to was the homemade gelato. I was just too full from dinner. Best part of the evening: Mimma actually still runs the kitchen. When she found out who had sent us, she came out to say hello. The 8 of us have decided that Mimma's will be our Annual Meeting tradition from now on.
(4)
Gregg F.
I ordered the special beef tenderloin that was stuffed with egg and sausage. It was dry and over cooked. The meal was WAY over priced. The meal was more than twice the price of the highest priced item on the menu, they need to tell you the price of specials when explaining them so you have an idea. I about fell out of my chair when we got the bill. Drinks over priced. Decor outdated. Unless something changes here i won't be back.
(3)
Smart C.
A friend and I went to Mimma's this past weekend. We wanted to get some apps, drinks and dessert. The place is overpriced. We ordered the fried eggplant and caprese salad for apps. The fried eggplant was fine but I have had better from less fancy places. The caprese salad was way overpriced. All we realy got was a whole tomoto sliced up. Barely any olive oil on it. I was also expecting balsamic on it and there was none on. There were four little bocconcini - that was the only cheese for the salad. We basically paid $11 for a sliced tomato. We then ordered the homemade gelato and as the server called it their "award winning tiramisu'. The pistachio gelato was very perfumy. Not sure what it was but again I have had better. The hazelnut flavored one was pretty good. My friend and I both had a bit of the tiramisu and could not believe how bad it was. I have had my fair share of tiramisu at other places!!! The mascapone cheese was not blended well with the other ingredients and it did not taste good. The lady fingers were not soaked in the coffee liquor or rum or anything. The dessert was so heavy. We each took a bite and told the server we did not care for it at all. She charged us for it any way. We did not try the entrees and so not sure how they were but I would not want to go back ever!! You can find better food for a lot less!
(2)
Jordan S.
The food is alright, but far too over priced. The pasta, ravioli, breads and all desserts are all frozen or bought from other places, though she presents them as "fresh." The wine list is very comprehensive, but again, far over priced. The real problem with Mimma's is the unprofessional way in which she behaves. You can often hear her fighting and SCREAMING at staff in the kitchen. Instead of being welcomed, patrons who come without reservations are treated like a nuisance. Mimma is rude and abusive to her staff in front of guests, which explains why you will almost never be served by the same waiter or waitress twice - as the place has a revolving door for staff - a major red flag! Mimma waddles around the dining room with a bad mood, souring the atmosphere of the dinning room. She's unpleasant and has an attitude as abrasive as sand paper. She should stay in the kitchen where her talents lie and stay out of the dinning room where, conversely, her talents are utterly lacking. Yes, Mimma's used to be the thing in the day, but she's lost what's made her good. The only thing she makes fresh are the sauces poured over her frozen raviolis and store bought pastas. The food Olive Garden quality, dressed with a higher price tag. If you're looking for a date, find another place. There's much better in MIlwaukee. If you want store-bought deserts and frozen raviolis go to Olive Garden and save the cash.
(2)
Lauryn M.
I have only been here twice, but both experiences were amazing. Don't ask me to name the dish I had either time, but both were excellent, and the service was awesome as well. It's a cute spot, very clean, friendly staff, great date place :) I am sure I will be back some day!
(4)
Golfboy K.
For the fans of the hit NBC Show "The Office", you guys will love this place. I recently took my wife to Mimmas Cafe on Brady Street the other night and we were not a short of laughs with our server, Will. Dwight Schrute is alive in Milwaukee! Will happened to put on a great display of the colorful character with his antics and humor. The food: The menu was huge with a lot of different options. There were too many specials to follow during Will's rambling. It was similar to Will Ferrall in Old School when he blacks out during the debate scene. I ordered the Ravioli. Great portion and great flavor. The wife ordered some fettuccine in a light cream sauce. Both dishes were very good. The service was lacking a little professionalism. Although"Dwight" was great and always there to serve us, the water boy forgot what was in the olive oil and was very creepy walking from table to table. Mimma looks to be out of the kitchen and behind the hostess table. Lets just say she needs to go back into the kitchen and make her magic happen. She had a little trouble working the reservations on the computer and look flustered all night. Overall it was good experience but if we were to go back, we would have to sit in "Dwight's" I mean Will's section again! He was spot on!
(3)
Stephen A.
Great food, however the wait staff experience we had was questionable. The guy was constantly at the table talking and yes I know the restaurant is called Mimma's and that Mimma actually works and cooks there but please do not refer to everything as Mimma's. Example: Mimma has a wonderful soup prepared for tonight..... Mimma has prepared some amazing specials tonight. One of Mimma's favorite dishes is.... Ok I get Mimma is the boss of this kitchen but man give it a rest...
(3)
Mike D.
The food is good I wont lie but the staff sucks. Two times had the same bad experience. In college I took a date there we had just finished our dinner and they bus boy took our plates away when the host came up to us and said, "We need this table can you go" At first i was like oh yea sure, then I got home thought about it and got angry that this just happened. The following year was parents weekend and a friend of mine had their entire family in town and we went to dinner here, so it was about seven 50 year olds and 4 of us college kids. The service took forever, it was 20 min before they came by for our order. Bottles of wine were ordered, and everyone had an appetizer, entree, and dessert so the bill was over $800. During dessert the host (a different one) came up to the table and said "you folks have been here too long and have taken up too many tables, can you hurry it up". My friends father who was paying for this dinner didn't take to kindly to being rushed after it took so long to get served and then the large bill. The host then came up again and asked us to leave because they wanted the tables. Wont go back and wont tell anyone to eat here
(1)
MV M.
Had a great experience at Mimmas with my wife. We went on a Sunday night without reservations. There was no one at the front of the house, so we waited for a few minutes till a lady,( who might be the owner?) came by and told us it would be a few minutes. We waited for about 10 minutes before we were seated. Our server was very helpful and attentive and knew the menu well. I had a soup and salad to start which were okay, nothing to write home about. My wife is pretty much a vegetarian and she ordered a pasta dish which had rich flavors and spices. I had duck with sweet sauce that was fantastic. We finished with homemade gelato which was also excellent. Overall, we enjoyed our dining experience. It's a great place for a date, the ambience is excellent and the food is above average. I would recommend reservations, especially if going on a weekend. We look forward to visiting again.
(4)
Erika B.
Mimma's (pronounced MEE-mas) is a Brady Street institution, which might explain why you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone that doesn't rave about it. I was less than impressed - the pasta I had was overcooked and the chicken was poorly prepped before cooking (mmmh, gristle). The ambiance is nice in that stuffy, old-school way, it's romantic and it's well-known for being impressive and expensive, which is probably why they can get away with food that isn't that spectacular. The service is good and the wine list is complete. If you're looking to impress someone, Mimma's is a good bet if you lower your expectations of the food.
(3)
Becky D.
Go for dessert. Sit at the bar. No service problems there. In fact, I'd say just the opposite very attentive service. The tiramisu was really good, and so was the cappuccino cheesecake. There was a ganache on the cheesecake that i could have eat as a dessert by itself. No complaints on dessert here, I highly recommend it after any of the local establishments on Brady (drinks or dinner).
(4)
David R.
I'm torn here because I've read so many reviews that mention poor service here, and that is definitely not cool, but I can only speak for myself and I have yet to receive bad service here; it's always been above average, so my review is mainly about the food. I think Mimma's has some of the best pastas in Milwaukee. They're as good as the pasta dishes at Osteria, Zarletti's, or Ristorante Bartolotta. The difference though is that there are ONLY pastas on the menu here but there's also nothing on the menu over $20, which is why I consider this place a very good value, and easily some of the best Italian food in Milwaukee. If I ever do receive service that some of these other reviewers mention though that would be enough for me to take 2 stars off my rating. As long as I continue to get good service I'll continue to go for some of the best pasta dishes I've ever had. Try the homemade tiramisu too, it's incredible.
(5)
Tonya C.
Fantastic Italian food with the best service I've experienced in Milwaukee-- personally knowledgeable about all entries on the menu... AND the wine list... AND the dessert menu. The delivery was impeccable, with sufficient space between appetizer, entrees, and desserts to really savor the tastes we'd just enjoyed. Their regular menu is almost entirely variations on pasta dishes, with a whole page dedicated to a specific sub-set focused on seafood pasta dishes. My husband was talked into a mixed seafood pasta dish (having first considered just a lobster ravioli dish) that included lobster ravioli, crab ravioli, and shrimp ravioli and a creamy sauce that included even more fruits of the sea. For me, I was tempted away from one of several pasta dishes to a steak wrapped in prosciutto with a light gorgonzola sauce that came with roasted fresh vegetables and roasted herbed potatoes. None of this is forgetting the lovely tapenade they created for the (Sciortino's!) bread they served prior to the arrival of our antipasto misto--with fresh caponata, pepperonata, and some intriguing vinegary treatment of eggplant, along with a fantastic array of fresh meats and cheeses. Since the maitre de was kind enough to seat us in front of the dessert case, we couldn't forgo dessert either. And were then informed that two of the items on the list of 20 were flown in from a specialty baker in Venice--and they make their own gelatto. I will gladly return even just for another dish of gelatto! But their other desserts were also not neglected... I would HIGHLY recommend both of the imports.
(5)
Corey T.
Quality food is always on the menu. The specials are sure to please. Excellent wine list. Service is charming. I was blown away by the tenderloin wrapped in prociutto.
(5)
Karma K.
While visiting from out of town, we stumbled upon Mimma's. If you want Italian - then Italian is what you're going to get - vast array of pasta choices (I do wish mine had been a bit more al dente). Overall, the food was hearty and tasty - love that garlic! The bread could have been fresh baked and warm, instead of cold and stale, but that was the only let down. Lastly, the service was impeccable. Our server, Russ (?), gave us great attention, as well as answered our many questions about the local nightlife and where to stay. We'll be back! :)
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No 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.
Bob C.
This place has grown on me, as I've found my way around the menu. It's probably the only place on its end of Brady Street with white tablecloths, but the ambience is still very casual. It never seems busy, and I sometimes wonder how well they are doing. I don't really know my way around the menu very well, so I'm reluctant to pass out recommendations: I can't eat seafood, and half their pasta dishes feature seafood, and I try to avoid creamy sauces, which rules out another portion of the menu. My last meal there was a fairly plain-Jane spinach and ricotta lasagna with a meat sauce. It was very good, but the menu has more creative choices, and foodies out there can give better advice.
(4)Angela O.
So on Mimma's Cafe website and a sign they have out in front of their establishment clearly offers happy hour specials Mon- Fri 4-7. We had a party of 4 walk in at 6 last night and tell the hostess we are here for the happy hour and she directs us to the bar. We sit there for 15 minutes with no acknowledgement. We finally ask a server about a happy hour menu, and a someone comes over to our table and says they decided not to have happy hour tonight. I tell the hostess it clearly states it on their website and they have a sign outside offering this. The lady just said"We need to go take the sign down, we are too busy tonight". The bar wasn't even half full???? I would never give that place my business!
(1)Tina B.
Great service! Delish Italian food, crusty Italian bread, wonderful olive dipping sauce! Ambience
(3)Laura Z.
Mimma's gets the job done when you want Italian. I'd give it four stars but something about the ambiance doesn't sit well with me. I think its the empty deli display case right in the middle of the room that I just can't ignore. The food is good. Not over the top good, but consistently good. The pasta is always done well, and I'd recommend you stay away from the specials. They never taste as good as the pasta and cost WAY more. One item I can definitely recommend is the grilled calamari. Yum! This is a good place to bring a group. The server was extremely helpful and tolerant of our many voices and opinions.
(3)Jonathan W.
Was in town for a convention. A small group of us went there for dinner after a friend recommended this restaurant. The service was fabulous. The waiter made great wine and food recommendations! The soup and main entrées were excellent! If I'm ever back in Milwaukee I will be back!
(5)Mary C.
100% all around great experience. From Frank the fantastic server and Mimma stopping by our table to make sure everything was great, to the bow tie pasta with homemade spicy chicken sausage and a tilapia that was bursting with flavor. But you know what really blew my mind? Mimma makes homemade lemoncello! We were so full from the dinner that there was no room for dessert, so we ended the dining experience (and with all the courses we had...it really was an experience) with a tumbler glass of this perfectly made lemoncello. I have to tell you that once you have Mimma's homemade lemoncello, you will never go back to store bought. Now if we could only get her to sell the stuff! Menu has just the right amount of selections and the wine list is perfectly done. Best Italian in town and best service in town. A+
(5)Carrie M.
Stopped in on a whim on a Tuesday evening. Parking was a bit of a challenge, but one we overcame. There were only a few other tables occupied, and the atmosphere was quite lovely, especially whrn big, fluffy snowflakes began to fall outside Mimma's quaint windows. My partner had the mushroom ravioli and they were to die for. Rich, wonderfully herbed marsala sauce. I had a tenderloin special that was herb coated and expertly seared to a delightful rare (if the cow still moos, it's rare enough for me). The bread that prefaced our meal would have been even better served warm, but was still crusty and a great base for the olive, garlic and pesto olive oil that accompanied it. Overall, a lovely meal.
(4)Mike C.
Was in town for business and this was recommended by a bartender downtown. We arrived just before closing, not knowing the time and we were welcomed in and sat at the bar. Mima came out and told us she would make anything we wanted. Food was fantastic real authentic Italian. Great sauce and perfectly cooked pasta. Don't pass on the homemade lemoncello as an after dinner drink
(5)Glory J.
I've had a lot of firsts here in Milwaukee, and this was my first Italian experience. Mimma's did not disappoint. I had a birthday dinner here, and my goodness my food was delicious!!! I'm a carb and pasta lover and while I cannot remember the exact dish I had, I remember curling the noodles around my fork and that first bite of savory goodness. The ambiance was lovely for dinner. The lights were turned down low to give it a more intimate setting, soft music playing in the background; appropriate for a fancier dinner setting. Food was excellent, top notch. Our waiter was timely and able to give recommendations, on both food and wine, based on not only what would pair well together, but also what I taste I default to naturally (I'm a lover of white, sweet wines). I feel bad after reading some of the other reviews for those who had a terrible experience, I really hope there's was an anomaly, and not the other way around, because it is on the higher priced side.
(5)Mark K.
Ruined Valentine's Day. Never told us there was a limited menu for the day when reserving. When we got there (8pm reso) they were out of half of the limited menu items. One person was a vegetarian and there was nothing for them. They offered the regular menu but the server followed up by trying to make us feel guilty by saying he didn't care if Mimma was mad if we ordered off of that. Who does that?! Never going back! If you are looking for good Italian and great service try Zarletti. Mimma, your time is up.
(1)Maria F.
Came here for my birthday and had a lovely dining experience with great authentic Italian food in a nice atmosphere, with a very friendly waiter. Totally recommend.
(5)Shannon C.
Excellent food -- so much better than Pasta Tree! There's no comparison. And their menu is huge and multifaceted -- I was pleasantly surprised that there were so many choices for vegetarians. The service is mixed -- we've had the typical awkward waiter, but we've also had very good service from both the waitstaff (ask your server if he's an Anne Rice fan!) and the bartender. And occasionally we've even seen Mimma herself bustling around the dining room in a pink velvet track suit, which made the experience all the better. The dining room side is a bit dated, but it does have a romantic feel, so it's probably better to check in with your significant other or a close group of friends.
(4)Phil M.
One night in Milwaukee and one chance to have great home style Italian....this is it.,,,,hands down. The service, the food , the owner are unmatched. Outstanding is an understatement . Try it .....you will not be disappointed .
(5)Elizabeth D.
They tried. The enthusiastic wait staff tried, but they could not over come the fatigued look, feel and (a-hem) smell of Mimma Cafe. Straight out of 1999, illuminated by bright florescent bulbs in the once subtle fixtures, the overly dressed salad, musty meats, salted, icy tomatoes and tired Italian noodle-ly food was too much to ignore. After all, we were there for dinner. We can never go back. As I walked back to the coat room, I noticed the framed pictures of a time when the place was hot. It's time to revamp or retire.
(1)Hana C.
My parents were visiting from California, so my sister-in-law made reservations at this restaurant because it was supposedly the best Italian in Milwaukee. Our reservation was at 6:30 and we had 7 people at our table. This review is based on the service at Mimma's, which I felt so strongly compelled to write about because I was so appalled by it. Worst service I have ever experienced at a restaurant. BY A MILE. We were seated promptly and served water by the SA. There was a party of 8 old ladies sitting at the table across from us who had been perusing their menus slowly as we sat down. Our server zips past our table and tells us that he will be right with us. The server goes to the table of 8 across from us and specials them, takes time explaining the wine list and questions they have about the menu. He leaves, not even looking at our table. He comes back with a bottle of wine and gives them wine service. He leaves again, again not glancing at our table. He goes back to their table and takes down their order. Leaves again without looking at us. I mean, seriously I cannot even flag the guy down. He COMES BACK WITH THEIR DINNER. He hasn't even taken our freaking drink order. Are you serious? This time, we manage to flag the owner down because 1. we are starving and 2. their bread blows and 3. we had wanted to start with some appetizers. I think she's the owner? She actually gives us an excuse, telling us that everyone had gotten seated at once and then trails off in her sentence, telling us that she will send someone over to take our drink order. The BARTENDER comes over and takes our drink order. Still, no sign of the server even blinking at our table. Meanwhile, he has managed to special and greet another table that had been seated LONG after us. The bartender kindly takes our order and gives us wine service with the OTHER bartender. A different server, runner, or SA comes by with a notepad and starts taking our food order. She is really nice and at this point I am really wishing she was our server. Our salads are brought out by the runners. Still no sign of the server. After the SA refilled our water, she then promptly cleared our plates off the table. At this point, I am just really wondering if we still even have a server. As the server is zipping by our table again, I hear him tell the SA, "I am just gonna go check on THEIR (talking about our table) food" So I guess this guy IS our server. Bummer. He brings the food out and announces them extra loudly as he sets them down in front of us. Tells us Bon Apetit and zips off again. One of the dishes was WAY over-salted but there was no way of telling our server because he never checked on us again. Our plates were cleared and waters refilled all by the SA again. We ask another SA for the bill and the server promptly comes over and presents the check. Gratuity is included, 20%, which I expected because our party was 7. Our bill was close to $300, which in my opinion deserved hell of a lot better treatment than we got tonight. I only wish that the whole grat was split amongst ALL the support staff that helped us tonight because they all worked together to serve our table.
(1)Jordan S.
This is by far the best place to go for great Italian food! The atmosphere is wonderful and service impeccable! Ask for Will! I've had him every single time I've gone there and he's great. Everything on the menu is wonderful and they always have great specials. Stop in for Happy hour, I think it's 4-7 Monday trough Friday. They have drink specials and most of their appetizers are only $5 during this time! The gelato is out of this world! I tried the mixed berry due to Will's recommendation. Definitely a place to try. I'll be back many times!
(5)Xiomary S.
WORST Italian Restaurant I have EVER been to in my life. If I could give it no stars I would! I made reservations for a party of 6 to celebrate my best friends birthday. We arrived promptly to Mimmas at 7 (our reservation time) We weren't greeted by anyone and when we were it was an older Italian lady who I believe is the owner aka Mimma. She gave me attitude and had trouble finding my reservation. I'm not sure if it was because we were a younger crown in a "fancy" restaurant, but she treated us with little respect. Maybe that's in her Italian blood... Once seated I can tell you that the thing ONLY thing I can't complain about was the promo service of the water boy. Our glasses were never empty. They start of with this crusty, cold, stale bread. It was difficult to even tear it apart. Worst piece of bread I have ever ate. The olive oil they serve with it is even worse. The menu is quite large, larger than they show on their website. The explanations do little justice to what the actual food is like. We ordered the fresh mozzarella as an appetizer and it was alright. Nothing amazing. Each order comes with choice of soup or salad. We had both choices at our table and not a single person finished theirs or even took more than 3 bites. I had the soup and it tasted very dirty, watered down and plain out disgusting. At this point I don't know what else could go wrong... But it did... We got our food and it still to this day is the first time I go to ANY restaurant and can't even finish more than a few bites. It was that bad. I had the cannelloni and it's literally filled with spinach and nothing much of anything else it's list on the menu description. As I looked around I see more off the boiled green stuff. The waiter made it seem like "we would barely even notice the spinach" what a disappointment it was to find out he was a straight out liar. No one finished their food and the plates stayed stacked at our table since no one bother to clean them up in a timely manner. I was most excited to try their gelato when I saw they had it on their website but after such a horrible experience I decided to spare my stomach the trouble. Never coming back again and making sure no one I know does either.
(1)Julia R.
Close to 5 stars. On a brief trip to Milwaukee three of us braved sub zero temps and high wind conditions to go to Mimma's. Now back home I've read the reviews and am surprised that they are all over the place from 1 star to 5. I know good Italian. This was pretty close to superb. Since it was so cold outside there weren't many patrons. The ambiance was perfect for us. Tasteful and none of that fake Italian tablecloth and kitchy music vibe. There was a simple elegance to the decor. The outdoor temperature may explain the outstanding service we got as there appeared to be only two servers and about 5 filled tables. Actually our server was memorable in a most gracious way. Two of us split the Piemontese salad which was dressed in one of the best vinagaretes I've ever experienced. I actually asked for the secret and the waiter asked Mimma for me. It was just high quality, true Italian olive oil, lemon, and great balsamic. There was no bitter bite to it at all. One order was plenty for two as there was a variety of fresh vegetables (asparagus, artichokes, etc.) along with the mixed baby greens. The presentation was lovely in a slanted white bowl. The three of us ordered different things. One got the ravioli con pepperonie salsiccio which she raved about. Al dente and enough to take a bit home. I had the tortellini which included just the right size and amount of pancetta, peas, and mushrooms in a cream sauce. A bit heavy for me (I don't usually get cream sauces) but delicious anyway. The third in our party had black pasta topped by a medley of shellfish which he raved about. We shared two desserts. Mamma's homemade gelato (they have many flavors and supply other restaurants) was delicious. One scoop of banana and one of pistachio. Smooth, creamy, and not overly sweet. Highly recommend. The other dessert was a special and not quite up to the rest of the meal. Profiteroles made OF chocolate pastry filled with cream sauce. I was expecting the traditional profiterole pastry filled with chocolate and was disappointed. Downtown Milwaukee parking is a nightmare. Mimma's can't help that and we knew we'd have a walk. We were willing, regardless of the parking and temperatures. We are so happy we went.
(4)Nancy R.
My first visit to this Brady Street icon. I had a spicy penne pasta dish with shrimp and pancetta as well as a side salad. Fresh italian bread and olive oil with minced olives came out with my salad. Everything was delicious. I was alone and the waiter did not recite the extensive list of specials. This has happened to me at other places as well. Apparently if you're by yourself, you're not interested in specials...or it's not worth reciting for one person. I don't know, but it always makes me feel somehow ostracized. Anyway, my server was attentive and my meal was good, so I'll stick to the 4-star rating.
(4)Andy D.
Highly, highly recommend! Excellent service. Attentive, polite, funny. Great food. A lot of pastas on the menu with 4 or 5 other entree specials. I wish they had a bit more variety, but the specials (not pasta based) all sounded good. My wife got a seafood ravioli which was incredible while I got a pork special; also incredible. The homemade tiramisu was probably the best I've ever had and our grilled calamari appetizer was very different. Served in steak strips and delicious. Very reasonably prices for the protions in my opinion as well! Can't wait to come back the next time we're in Milwaukee!
(5)Valerie W.
I went to Mimma's back in July while in town for Northwestern Mutual's annual meeting. There was a group of 8 of us, and our managing partner recommended it, so we couldn't pass it up. Everything was great. Food, wine selection, service, decor. We had 8 different plates on our table and everyone was raving about the food. I had their equivalent of zuppa de pesce, it was spicy and yummy. I cannot pass up good shellfish. The one thing I didn't try but wanted to was the homemade gelato. I was just too full from dinner. Best part of the evening: Mimma actually still runs the kitchen. When she found out who had sent us, she came out to say hello. The 8 of us have decided that Mimma's will be our Annual Meeting tradition from now on.
(4)Gregg F.
I ordered the special beef tenderloin that was stuffed with egg and sausage. It was dry and over cooked. The meal was WAY over priced. The meal was more than twice the price of the highest priced item on the menu, they need to tell you the price of specials when explaining them so you have an idea. I about fell out of my chair when we got the bill. Drinks over priced. Decor outdated. Unless something changes here i won't be back.
(3)Smart C.
A friend and I went to Mimma's this past weekend. We wanted to get some apps, drinks and dessert. The place is overpriced. We ordered the fried eggplant and caprese salad for apps. The fried eggplant was fine but I have had better from less fancy places. The caprese salad was way overpriced. All we realy got was a whole tomoto sliced up. Barely any olive oil on it. I was also expecting balsamic on it and there was none on. There were four little bocconcini - that was the only cheese for the salad. We basically paid $11 for a sliced tomato. We then ordered the homemade gelato and as the server called it their "award winning tiramisu'. The pistachio gelato was very perfumy. Not sure what it was but again I have had better. The hazelnut flavored one was pretty good. My friend and I both had a bit of the tiramisu and could not believe how bad it was. I have had my fair share of tiramisu at other places!!! The mascapone cheese was not blended well with the other ingredients and it did not taste good. The lady fingers were not soaked in the coffee liquor or rum or anything. The dessert was so heavy. We each took a bite and told the server we did not care for it at all. She charged us for it any way. We did not try the entrees and so not sure how they were but I would not want to go back ever!! You can find better food for a lot less!
(2)Jordan S.
The food is alright, but far too over priced. The pasta, ravioli, breads and all desserts are all frozen or bought from other places, though she presents them as "fresh." The wine list is very comprehensive, but again, far over priced. The real problem with Mimma's is the unprofessional way in which she behaves. You can often hear her fighting and SCREAMING at staff in the kitchen. Instead of being welcomed, patrons who come without reservations are treated like a nuisance. Mimma is rude and abusive to her staff in front of guests, which explains why you will almost never be served by the same waiter or waitress twice - as the place has a revolving door for staff - a major red flag! Mimma waddles around the dining room with a bad mood, souring the atmosphere of the dinning room. She's unpleasant and has an attitude as abrasive as sand paper. She should stay in the kitchen where her talents lie and stay out of the dinning room where, conversely, her talents are utterly lacking. Yes, Mimma's used to be the thing in the day, but she's lost what's made her good. The only thing she makes fresh are the sauces poured over her frozen raviolis and store bought pastas. The food Olive Garden quality, dressed with a higher price tag. If you're looking for a date, find another place. There's much better in MIlwaukee. If you want store-bought deserts and frozen raviolis go to Olive Garden and save the cash.
(2)Lauryn M.
I have only been here twice, but both experiences were amazing. Don't ask me to name the dish I had either time, but both were excellent, and the service was awesome as well. It's a cute spot, very clean, friendly staff, great date place :) I am sure I will be back some day!
(4)Golfboy K.
For the fans of the hit NBC Show "The Office", you guys will love this place. I recently took my wife to Mimmas Cafe on Brady Street the other night and we were not a short of laughs with our server, Will. Dwight Schrute is alive in Milwaukee! Will happened to put on a great display of the colorful character with his antics and humor. The food: The menu was huge with a lot of different options. There were too many specials to follow during Will's rambling. It was similar to Will Ferrall in Old School when he blacks out during the debate scene. I ordered the Ravioli. Great portion and great flavor. The wife ordered some fettuccine in a light cream sauce. Both dishes were very good. The service was lacking a little professionalism. Although"Dwight" was great and always there to serve us, the water boy forgot what was in the olive oil and was very creepy walking from table to table. Mimma looks to be out of the kitchen and behind the hostess table. Lets just say she needs to go back into the kitchen and make her magic happen. She had a little trouble working the reservations on the computer and look flustered all night. Overall it was good experience but if we were to go back, we would have to sit in "Dwight's" I mean Will's section again! He was spot on!
(3)Stephen A.
Great food, however the wait staff experience we had was questionable. The guy was constantly at the table talking and yes I know the restaurant is called Mimma's and that Mimma actually works and cooks there but please do not refer to everything as Mimma's. Example: Mimma has a wonderful soup prepared for tonight..... Mimma has prepared some amazing specials tonight. One of Mimma's favorite dishes is.... Ok I get Mimma is the boss of this kitchen but man give it a rest...
(3)Mike D.
The food is good I wont lie but the staff sucks. Two times had the same bad experience. In college I took a date there we had just finished our dinner and they bus boy took our plates away when the host came up to us and said, "We need this table can you go" At first i was like oh yea sure, then I got home thought about it and got angry that this just happened. The following year was parents weekend and a friend of mine had their entire family in town and we went to dinner here, so it was about seven 50 year olds and 4 of us college kids. The service took forever, it was 20 min before they came by for our order. Bottles of wine were ordered, and everyone had an appetizer, entree, and dessert so the bill was over $800. During dessert the host (a different one) came up to the table and said "you folks have been here too long and have taken up too many tables, can you hurry it up". My friends father who was paying for this dinner didn't take to kindly to being rushed after it took so long to get served and then the large bill. The host then came up again and asked us to leave because they wanted the tables. Wont go back and wont tell anyone to eat here
(1)MV M.
Had a great experience at Mimmas with my wife. We went on a Sunday night without reservations. There was no one at the front of the house, so we waited for a few minutes till a lady,( who might be the owner?) came by and told us it would be a few minutes. We waited for about 10 minutes before we were seated. Our server was very helpful and attentive and knew the menu well. I had a soup and salad to start which were okay, nothing to write home about. My wife is pretty much a vegetarian and she ordered a pasta dish which had rich flavors and spices. I had duck with sweet sauce that was fantastic. We finished with homemade gelato which was also excellent. Overall, we enjoyed our dining experience. It's a great place for a date, the ambience is excellent and the food is above average. I would recommend reservations, especially if going on a weekend. We look forward to visiting again.
(4)Erika B.
Mimma's (pronounced MEE-mas) is a Brady Street institution, which might explain why you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone that doesn't rave about it. I was less than impressed - the pasta I had was overcooked and the chicken was poorly prepped before cooking (mmmh, gristle). The ambiance is nice in that stuffy, old-school way, it's romantic and it's well-known for being impressive and expensive, which is probably why they can get away with food that isn't that spectacular. The service is good and the wine list is complete. If you're looking to impress someone, Mimma's is a good bet if you lower your expectations of the food.
(3)Becky D.
Go for dessert. Sit at the bar. No service problems there. In fact, I'd say just the opposite very attentive service. The tiramisu was really good, and so was the cappuccino cheesecake. There was a ganache on the cheesecake that i could have eat as a dessert by itself. No complaints on dessert here, I highly recommend it after any of the local establishments on Brady (drinks or dinner).
(4)David R.
I'm torn here because I've read so many reviews that mention poor service here, and that is definitely not cool, but I can only speak for myself and I have yet to receive bad service here; it's always been above average, so my review is mainly about the food. I think Mimma's has some of the best pastas in Milwaukee. They're as good as the pasta dishes at Osteria, Zarletti's, or Ristorante Bartolotta. The difference though is that there are ONLY pastas on the menu here but there's also nothing on the menu over $20, which is why I consider this place a very good value, and easily some of the best Italian food in Milwaukee. If I ever do receive service that some of these other reviewers mention though that would be enough for me to take 2 stars off my rating. As long as I continue to get good service I'll continue to go for some of the best pasta dishes I've ever had. Try the homemade tiramisu too, it's incredible.
(5)Tonya C.
Fantastic Italian food with the best service I've experienced in Milwaukee-- personally knowledgeable about all entries on the menu... AND the wine list... AND the dessert menu. The delivery was impeccable, with sufficient space between appetizer, entrees, and desserts to really savor the tastes we'd just enjoyed. Their regular menu is almost entirely variations on pasta dishes, with a whole page dedicated to a specific sub-set focused on seafood pasta dishes. My husband was talked into a mixed seafood pasta dish (having first considered just a lobster ravioli dish) that included lobster ravioli, crab ravioli, and shrimp ravioli and a creamy sauce that included even more fruits of the sea. For me, I was tempted away from one of several pasta dishes to a steak wrapped in prosciutto with a light gorgonzola sauce that came with roasted fresh vegetables and roasted herbed potatoes. None of this is forgetting the lovely tapenade they created for the (Sciortino's!) bread they served prior to the arrival of our antipasto misto--with fresh caponata, pepperonata, and some intriguing vinegary treatment of eggplant, along with a fantastic array of fresh meats and cheeses. Since the maitre de was kind enough to seat us in front of the dessert case, we couldn't forgo dessert either. And were then informed that two of the items on the list of 20 were flown in from a specialty baker in Venice--and they make their own gelatto. I will gladly return even just for another dish of gelatto! But their other desserts were also not neglected... I would HIGHLY recommend both of the imports.
(5)Corey T.
Quality food is always on the menu. The specials are sure to please. Excellent wine list. Service is charming. I was blown away by the tenderloin wrapped in prociutto.
(5)Karma K.
While visiting from out of town, we stumbled upon Mimma's. If you want Italian - then Italian is what you're going to get - vast array of pasta choices (I do wish mine had been a bit more al dente). Overall, the food was hearty and tasty - love that garlic! The bread could have been fresh baked and warm, instead of cold and stale, but that was the only let down. Lastly, the service was impeccable. Our server, Russ (?), gave us great attention, as well as answered our many questions about the local nightlife and where to stay. We'll be back! :)
(4)