IT'S NO FLUKE. This update--from a subsequent visit--fully confirms that this place rocks. The food is incredible and the service outstanding. And. oh... that bruschetta... wow, is that ever good--the bread is incredible. And Irving--whom we were fortunate enough to have serve us once again--is a shining star that made the evening a smash, yet again. Read my other reviews and you'll know that I'm not an easy guy to please. This place hit it out of the park, yet again. Quality can be occasionally found. CONSISTENT quality is especially pleasing. And rare. Heck, on the way out I swear that I was thanked and told "good night" by every employee whom I passed. Boy, is this manager doing it right... with a team of polished pros who apparently really care what they're doing.
Review Source:This is a very small bar attached to a very pricey restaurant. But the bar offers many of the same pasta dishes, in slightly smaller portions, for less than half the price. The drinks are served right. All day happy hour.
I suggest the bruschetta.
Enter by the front door (Mama Gina's) and head left. Get your name on the chalkboard. Enjoy.
Found my new spot in the PD area. Perfect spot at the bar for good food, pretty good service and the prices are wonderful. Perfect for the single diner here on business, even better if a game is on. Bar menu is great. Had Minestrone, wedge salad and pasta with meat sauce. Really enjoyed myself.
Review Source:I'm being generous when I say this place is average. Â I was there during their "All Day Happy Hour." Â (What is that about, anyway? Â So really, their Happy Hour is just their normal bar menu. Â Do they think their customers are dense?) Â The two small plates of ravioli I had (lobster and mushroom) would have been good if they hadn't been served cold. Â The chicken parm was served burn-your-mouth-hot, and when it finally cooled down, it was disgusting... Â I mean, seriously inedible. Â The Italian margarita I had was average, but it came out LONG after my three small plates did. Â (What's up with that?) Â All and all, this place is nothing special.
Review Source:4*Mamma Gina
Enoteca
Great Happy Hour everyday starting at 4:30
Wine $5 beer $3.50/4.50
HH menu starts at $5.90
Great pasta e fagioli & minestrone appetizers
Delicious pasta dishes
Chicken parmigiana was substantial
Ice cream, tiramisu, & bongo bongo desserts
Friendly & efficient food service
Loud atmosphere
A hidden gem! An all day happy hour with over 30 items including salads, burgers, desserts and fabulous pasta dishes to choose from?!?!?! My husband and I went here as a suggestion from the Lake La Quinta Inn and it was AMAZING! I had the ravioli in lobster sauce for $7.90 and husband had the spaghetti bolognese for under $7. We had two vodka tonics and garlic bread as well as creme brulee and got out of there under $40. The bartender educated us on how the Mama Gina's restaurant had been there over 25 years and handmade their pasta and fresh desserts daily. My husband who is Italian said...You can tell! The service was excellent! We sat at the bar and they put down cloth napkins so we felt like a tablecloth had been laid, brought us bread plates and rolled fabric napkins with silverware. Then when our food arrived it was hot and fresh and we were asked if we wanted fresh parmasian. Of course! Our favorite place to go to in La Quinta!
PS It is a bar and the locals are loud and fun to listen to! LOL
Okay, I'm cheating to be first to review, but this technically separate from Mama Gina's. The bar is also more casual and user friendly than their more upscale restaurant that adjoins this place.
I did not even know this place existed. I mean, I know Mama Gina's had a bar, I just never went over there when I was having dinner at Mama Gina. This place was completely rockin on a Monday night in the desert (in the middle of summer!) Every bar stool and table was taken. There is an outside area that would be a great place to hang out when the wheather is more, well, fortunate. In the summer, it's happy hour all day every day. Check out the website (as of this review, the menu is way outdated, but similar specials exist.)
The $5 burger is king here, or so I was told by my friend next to me at the bar. I had the small plate (Happy Hour) Prosciutto e melon and the lobster ravioli small plate.
This place is great for inexpensive good food, cheap drinks and trust me when I say, happening for a place in the desert in the middle of summer..