LOCATIONAt the top end of bustling Unley Road, a few doors down from the library.
PROFILED BY DEGROOTS MEDIAMamma Carmela extends the casual friendliness that goes so well with its hearty cuisine. It is predictably Italian based but there are some interesting surprises. Since chef Roger Peters took the reigns of the kitchen, he has introduced a “flavours of the world” philosophy. The specials board is where you will find dishes such as Thai curries and Texan barbecue chicken sitting alongside lamb shanks and grilled salmon with greens and cocktail potatoes. He and manager/owner Mona Aoukar are planning further menu extensions because they would also like to provide quick and easy options, like fresh wraps, to grab on the run. The huge dining area is filled with wooden chairs and tables, all with views of busy Unley Road.
The comprehensive menu includes a huge range of pasta staples of penne, fettuccine, ravioli and tortellini tossed with your favourite sauce. Spaghetti marinara is a classic which comes with scallops, prawns, baby octopus, mussels and squid simply tossed with olive oil and garlic. Squid can be enjoyed as salt and peppered or fritti style while prawns are plump and come with garlic or chilli. Chicken and veal are both offered pan-fried with marsala, white wine or pizzaiola sauces. Finish with home-made rocky road and you will find yourself returning to this Unley Road eatery very soon for seconds.
Roz Taylor