Have you Hurd... Sunshine state retirees always show up early for dinner.

I don't know what it is about New Yorkers and Chicagoans, but they all seem to gravitate towards exceptional ethnic foods.  Sometimes they find suitable sources when they move further south, whether it be for a career opportunity or the start of their retirement.  If not, you are certain to hear them complain about the lack of their favored delicacies every time they visit 'back home.'  -grimace-

I have some good friends who fit this pattern.  I met them while they were residents of Cincinnati, but Chicago is their real hometown.  Just over a year ago, they relocated to Lake Worth, Florida.   When planning a business trip to Fort Lauderdale, I realized I would be perilously close to their new hometown.  Never shy about inviting myself over, I called ahead and ask if they would be willing to put us up for a night at the start of our trip.  They were more than happy to be our bed & breakfast and insisted we join them for dinner at their favorite local Italian restaurant.  I won't reveal their identities, since I don't want them to be overwhelmed with lodging requests from my readership.  I am not sure if their neighborhood would allow them to start charging for overnight stays either. -sly smile-

Since they hadn't even lived there for a year when we visited, the fact that they had already found a favorite Italian restaurant was promising.  To say my expectations were high would be an understatement of the highest order.  Prior to our visit, if anyone mentioned Mamma Mia, I would think of the Broadway musical featuring the music of ABBA.  Now, all I can think about when I hear those words is fabulous bruschetta and a monster-sized plate of veal cacciatore.  I am sure by now my dedicated readers expect some level of excitement from me when discussing food.  In the case of Mamma Mia's Trattoria in Lake Worth, it is an excitement that extends to my lovely wife.  She still talks about the bruschetta.  Just looking at the pictures while I was typing this post made her want to jump on a plane and head back to Florida.  At least I hope it was because of her memories of the food and not some sudden repulsion to me.  -nervous grin-

I won't say their bruschetta
was better than mine.  I may
think that, but would never
say it out loud.  

Pesto dipping sauce was a
pleasant counterpoint to
the bruschetta.

The atmosphere at Mamma Mia's was quiet and comfortable.  It was a great place to enjoy dinner and catch up with our friends about their new-found home.  The fresh bread and house-made bruschetta and pesto dipping sauce were an excellent start to the meal.  A quartet of delicious salads arrived quickly after we ordered.  I opted for the wedge salad included with my entree.  It's a salad I rarely make at home, so I enjoy it out whenever I can.  This may be the only worthwhile use of iceberg lettuce that I can name.  Which is why I don't make it at home.  I don't allow iceberg lettuce in my household.  I don't even joke about it.               -sinister glare-

Wedge salad... Or as Mamma
Mia's likes to call it... The
Bistecca.  I don't speak Italian,
but it sure looks like a wedge
to me.

Just as we polished off our respective salads, the plates were cleared and the entrees arrived.  Given the enormous portions, I felt like I could easily share mine with two other people.  I am not saying I DID share it with anyone, just saying that I COULD.  I enjoyed every tasty morsel of it myself. -big smile- Although my eyesight and reflexes are not what they used to be.  Someone may have sneaked a sample and I just missed it.  I ordered a side of grilled seasonal vegetables to accompany my veal cacciatore.  Hearing the question in your mind, I feel compelled to share that it was not out of some misplaced desire to make amends with the gods of healthy eating.  I just had a taste for vegetables and Mamma Mia's cooked them to perfection.  They were tender and flavorful and were a pleasant accompaniment to the veal.

I downsized the photo, lest it push the rest
of the blog completely off the page.

Even carnivores enjoy tasty
grilled vegetables when they are
in season.

Although they had a great list of house-made desserts, I had to pass.  Perhaps another sign of my age.  I am occasionally able to exercise restraint when enjoying a meal.  What was it Dirty Harry used to say - "a man's got to know his limitations?"   I had definitely reached mine prior to the dessert course.  Hopefully, my dedicated readers won't think less of me.

If you should find yourself headed to South Florida, you may want to do as I did.  Plan to take a little side trip to  Lake Worth and visit Mamma Mia's Trattoria for dinner.  Arrive early or be prepared to wait a little while for a table.  Retirees don't need to get home and change out of their work clothes before going to dinner.  If you are vacationing there, you won't either.  That gives you at least a sporting chance.  If you manage to save room for dessert, please let me know.  I'll live vicariously through you until I can get back there again.

http://mammamiastrattoria.com/trattoria

 Your Dining Scout and Shade Tree Chef,

Michael Hurd, aka Big Mike

One more plus for your Dining
Scout and Shade Tree Chef.
If you don't know what this
means, that is what you get
for skipping to the end.  Please
go back and read from the beginning.