If you happen to be in Hollywood Studios and are feeling a bit hungry then why not try this dinner option? Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano is pretty unique, blending as it does, Italy with Hollywood. It looks quite small from the outside, with its red and yellow striped awning over the door, and inside it boasts an eclectic mix of memorabilia.
It has its own story, as apparently, Mama Melrose left Italy to come to California to pursue an acting career, but instead she decided to open a restaurant. Over the years her collection of movie memorabilia from California grew, and now many items are displayed on the walls, together with items she brought over from Italy. There is even a Mona Lisa on the wall outside! In fact, the Mona Lisa is found several times inside, too.
Inside you will find that the walls are covered with famous Hollywood celebrities, and it is rather dark as there are few windows. High up there are wooden beams and air ducts, giving it the feel of a warehouse conversion. The walls are brick and the floors wooden, and high up there are dozens of fairy lights. In fact there is so much to see that each time you go you will notice something different. From Italian soccer flags, to Italian movie posters, cooking utensils and garlic cloves, and bottles of wine every inch of the walls is covered. Look out for American license plates and Los Angeles street signs such as Melrose Ave.
It is fun to watch the open kitchen, which has a huge brick oven where the pizzas are cooked. Not only can you pass the time watching the chefs cooking, but all the aromas spread through the dining area.
Because it is so laid back it is an ideal place to take children. The menu features many traditional favourites such as pizza, pasta, seafood and steak. For starters you may choose Crispy Calamari or Minestrone soup, or if you fancy something a little different then there is oak-fired clams cooked in better and served with Italian sausage over foccacia bread.
There are of course an array of flatbread pizzas, including Carne D’Italia which is topped with pepperoni, pancetta, Italian sausage and a spicy marinara sauce. For vegetarians there are the Vine-Ripened Tomato or Four Cheese flatbreads.
No meal would be complete without a dessert, and here you will find some favourites. Mama’s Tiramisu, Chocolate Cannoli Cake and Chocolate Amarettini Cheesecake are all popular.
It has its own story, as apparently, Mama Melrose left Italy to come to California to pursue an acting career, but instead she decided to open a restaurant. Over the years her collection of movie memorabilia from California grew, and now many items are displayed on the walls, together with items she brought over from Italy. There is even a Mona Lisa on the wall outside! In fact, the Mona Lisa is found several times inside, too.
Inside you will find that the walls are covered with famous Hollywood celebrities, and it is rather dark as there are few windows. High up there are wooden beams and air ducts, giving it the feel of a warehouse conversion. The walls are brick and the floors wooden, and high up there are dozens of fairy lights. In fact there is so much to see that each time you go you will notice something different. From Italian soccer flags, to Italian movie posters, cooking utensils and garlic cloves, and bottles of wine every inch of the walls is covered. Look out for American license plates and Los Angeles street signs such as Melrose Ave.
It is fun to watch the open kitchen, which has a huge brick oven where the pizzas are cooked. Not only can you pass the time watching the chefs cooking, but all the aromas spread through the dining area.
Because it is so laid back it is an ideal place to take children. The menu features many traditional favourites such as pizza, pasta, seafood and steak. For starters you may choose Crispy Calamari or Minestrone soup, or if you fancy something a little different then there is oak-fired clams cooked in better and served with Italian sausage over foccacia bread.
There are of course an array of flatbread pizzas, including Carne D’Italia which is topped with pepperoni, pancetta, Italian sausage and a spicy marinara sauce. For vegetarians there are the Vine-Ripened Tomato or Four Cheese flatbreads.
No meal would be complete without a dessert, and here you will find some favourites. Mama’s Tiramisu, Chocolate Cannoli Cake and Chocolate Amarettini Cheesecake are all popular.