Mama Tosca's Italian Restaurant Fine Dining Est.1982 — Restaurant in Bakersfield

The Italian cuisine is deeply rooted in my family, it’s part of who we are ... so we know when something is truly good and when it falls short. I first visited this restaurant before the pandemic and have returned twice a year for special occasions. The food was consistently enjoyable, and the atmosphere had a charm we always appreciated. However, during our visit in 2024 to celebrate an anniversary, we noticed several concerning changes. We ordered the New York steak, calamari, and pasta. Regrettably, the steak was of noticeably poor quality, the calamari was severely overcooked and unpleasant, and the pasta lacked structure, closer in texture to mashed potatoes than a proper dish. It was disappointing, especially for such a special evening. We used to visit another Italian Restaurant regularly because we adored the tiramisu the owner made and the chicken piccata, but it seems the quality, especially of the meat, has declined since the pandemic. It raises a broader concern, are some restaurants cutting corners by sourcing lower-quality ingredients? I sincerely hope that’s not the case here. One final detail: neatly pressed table linens would go a long way in maintaining the elegant atmosphere the restaurant is known for. I truly hope to see the high standards return. For now, though, I’m uncertain if I’ll be coming back to Mama Tosca. It’s difficult when a place you once loved begins to feel unfamiliar, it's...

This restaurant fell short in many aspects for me and my group.

Atmosphere gave off upscale vibes which was nice. The problem was...it was too dark to read the menu. Most of my group had to use our phones light to read it. There was candles at our table, but they weren't lit.

The food was lackluster at best. Over priced and severely lacking in flavor. Portion sizes were beyond small. I understand that in upscale restaurants you don't pay for the size of the dish. You pay for the quality of the dish. I would've expected my lasagna to taste better then the frozen stuff you bake in your over. SMH

Our server was good and attentive. The bus boy on the other hand...he needed help. Literally. He couldn't figure out how to open the door to our room(we had a large group).

I wouldn't recommend. Save your money and go to Olive garden. Food tastes better and you'll leave more satisfied.

I have more to say, but this review is already too long.

P.s. Please upgrade your menus. You can't charge this much and have me order out of the same type menu...

Mama Tosca’s is one of our favorite restaurants in town. Mama’s always provides a top tier dining experience. The pasta purses are always a go to appetizer, but the squash blossoms are AMAZING as well. They are filled with ricotta cheese and are crispy without being greasy. The marinara sauce they’re served with gives them the perfect balance of salty and sweet. My favorite entree is still the sea bass. I prefer fettuccine Alfredo and they’re always so nice and allow me to sub that instead of the penne pasta with marinara. In my opinion the best thing at Mama’s is the Mama’s Special. This warm spiked cappuccino is the perfect way to end any meal and pairs perfectly with all the desserts they serve. This is a great restaurant for people in town who crave fine dining or an elevated experience. The servers are very attentive and we love talking with Bruno every time we come in. I definitely recommend Mama Tosca’s they have indoor seating, private rooms for parties, and a nice patio area! I look forward to...