Mama Carolla's — Restaurant in Indianapolis

I was so excited to visit mama Carollas as I had heard so many great things about their food. It saddens me to say that this was the worst experience I’ve had in a restaurant, from the service to the food. The server we had was Chaz and he was very rude. The initial interaction was him pouring water in our glasses and he didn’t speak. I had to speak to him and ask if he would be our server, I also had to ask his name. He was not forthcoming with a warm welcome or his name. He laughed when I asked his name as if it was a ludicrous question. He never asked if it was our first time, didn’t suggests dishes, or make conversation of any kind. He had a very dry affect and was of no help. We had the calamari appetizer and the breading was not as crispy as we would like. The sauce that came with it was very strong and acidic. We had salad that came with our food and Chaz gave us 3 options of salad but never explained what the salad had in it, we had to ask. I ordered the chicken rigatoni and my family members had the carbonara and the bolognese. The bolognese tasted like chef boyardee and didn’t taste fresh. The carbonara was thick and noodles were linguini instead of spaghetti. It had way too much garlic and was not presented well. The chicken rigatoni was disgusting and tasted like vomit, I’m assuming the liquid in the dish was broth and it was not well liked by me . I told Chaz I was not happy with my food and asked for chicken piccata instead. The piccata was disgusting as well and my chicken was not fresh. The chicken looked like it was swimming in caper juice and I couldn’t even chew the chicken. I didn’t bother to taste the angel hair as it looked like mush and was thrown on the plate. All of the dishes had an orange slice which I didn’t understand. Myself and the guests I had with me expressed dislike for our meal and the manager was brought over. The manager who I now know is the owners son, Justin was very rude and had a dry affect as well. He asked what was wrong and I was kind in my response. He was tomato red and breathing heavily as if he was offended. Very unprofessional and was not kind toward us at all. Not once did he apologize for our dislike of our dinner, he didn’t tell us if he would comp the meal. I was nice enough to pay for my salad as I did eat that. He walked off without us knowing if there was a resolve or not. To add insult to injury, the dinner napkins smelled of old lady and dirty shoes. Of course our bread which was liked more than anything rested on the said napkins. Later we found out that the meal was comped. I will never return to this restaurant and I’m very disappointed. It’s one thing for us to not enjoy the meal but to be abrasive and rude was appalling. Once I researched the restaurant, I saw that Justin recently took over the restaurant with no experience in running a restaurant let alone cooking. He went from ramen noodles to Fazoli’s which is an insult to that establishment. Even though I didn’t enjoy the dinner I hoped that I could at least respect the service and resolution of our issue. I will not be returning but I hope Justin takes this criticism to be better in the future. Where is Gordon Ramsay when you need him. Calling kitchen nightmares...

Mama Carolla’s: A Name Built on Reputation, but Is It Still Worth the Wait?

As an admirer of Indianapolis’ diverse dining scene, I had high expectations for Mama Carolla’s, a name synonymous with Italian dining in the area. My husband and I recently visited to celebrate our wedding anniversary, anticipating an evening of exceptional food and service to match the restaurant's celebrated ambiance. Unfortunately, while the atmosphere and service were admirable, the food fell far short of expectations, leaving us deeply disappointed.

I ordered the Chicken Parmesan, a dish that’s a hallmark of any Italian restaurant, and was surprised to find it served with penne noodles—a pairing I hadn’t experienced before. The chicken was overcooked, dry, and, to make matters worse, soggy. The exterior should have been crisp but soft throughout, almost as if the breading had been misapplied or added too late. Having enjoyed Chicken Parmesan at some of the best restaurants from Chicago to California, I felt this was a considerable letdown.

Additionally, the Caprese salad was another disappointment. The Roma tomatoes, which were used instead of the more flavorful heirloom variety, tasted under-ripe and flat. A dish that should be a celebration of fresh, simple ingredients lacked the flavor and vibrancy one expects.

My husband’s sausage dish didn’t fare any better. The flavors were unbalanced, and the presentation was chaotic. It lacked the refinement and attention to detail we had hoped for. We took only a few bites from each of our plates before deciding to leave the meals unfinished—they were tasteless. I went home hungry. Let me mention, however, that we did enjoy the dessert. That was tasty.

To make matters worse, I had booked the reservation ahead of time and made a point to mention that we were celebrating our wedding anniversary. Despite this, the staff failed to acknowledge it until I brought it up myself. In high-end restaurants, it’s customary for special occasions to be recognized, often with a complimentary dessert or cocktail. The lack of this gesture left us even more disheartened about the overall experience.

While the service and ambiance were on point, the food and the failure to acknowledge our special occasion left much to be desired. For a restaurant with Mama Carolla’s reputation, the food should speak for itself, but sadly it did not.

Restaurants with reputations that precede them cannot simply rest on their name; the food must live up to the expectations that reputation creates. Given how difficult it is to secure a reservation at Mama Carolla’s, you would think the food would be worth the wait. We tried for months to get in, and when we finally did, the result was a letdown. Mama Carolla’s seems to be capitalizing on its past rather than ensuring the quality of the present. Entrées were disappointing, and the missed opportunities—low-hanging fruit that should have been easy to get right—only worsened the experience.

For atmosphere and service, Mama Carolla's gets an "A." For food and flavor, it sadly earns an "F." They would do well to take a closer look at their food before the reputation they’ve relied on begins to fade. Regrettably, we will not...

Overall, my experience at this establishment was thoroughly enjoyable. The ambiance exuded a delightful charm, and the culinary offerings left a lasting impression. Our waitress displayed both attentiveness and warmth, providing insightful recommendations for both food and libations. Whether seeking an ideal locale for a romantic evening or simply in pursuit of exceptional Italian cuisine, this establishment unquestionably fits the bill.

Commencing with the appetizers, the Portabella Mushroom dish was a revelation, boasting an exquisite flavor profile that left a memorable imprint. The portabella, remarkably tender, was accompanied by a sublime cream sauce that proved an ideal companion for the subsequent bread course. While the presentation may have appeared somewhat disheveled, the contents more than compensated for any aesthetic considerations.

Conversely, the Fried Fresh Mozzarella, while not displeasing, did not resonate as profoundly. The aged balsamic vinegar's assertiveness at times overshadowed the dish's other flavors, resulting in a slightly unbalanced composition. Personal preferences aside, it remained a respectable choice.

Transitioning to the entrees, the Eggplant Puttanesca presented a delightful surprise for someone not typically enamored with eggplant. Notably absent was the often lamented sogginess, with harmonious flavors and appealing presentation enhancing the overall experience.

The Veal Medallions, despite an artful presentation and hearty portion, left a minor point of contention regarding tenderness. Nonetheless, the dish's flavor profile more than compensated for this slight shortcoming, with the creamy gorgonzola cheese sauce offering a memorable gastronomic encounter. Wholeheartedly, I endorse this selection.

For dessert, the Tiramisu was unequivocally the highlight of the evening. Having sampled this dessert across the nation, I am unequivocally declaring it the finest rendition I have ever encountered. Its harmonious pairing with the mint chocolate martini further elevated the culinary journey.

Regarding libations, the Espresso Martini exhibited a pleasing smoothness, with a mild yet refreshing flavor profile. The Pineapple Upside Down Cake Martini admirably lived up to its name, showcasing impeccable presentation and delivering a flavorful experience with no room for criticism. Lastly, the Mint Chocolate Martini can be likened to an adult version of mint-infused chocolate milk, pleasingly sweet, cold, and velvety.

In summation, this dining establishment presents a remarkable culinary voyage, where exemplary dishes and well-crafted libations converge to create a memorable dining experience. I wholeheartedly recommend it to those seeking an exceptional Italian...