REVIEWS

“We love this place. A must when we come here. Great food and service.”

“Extraordinary Italian cuisine and service. By far the top Italian place in the desert.”

“My husband and and I stopped early New Year's Eve and were seated graciously without a reservation. The dinner menu included three course options for $19.99 that were excellent. We enjoyed our dinners very much. The salads and entrees were excellent and the tiramisu and creme brûlée were very good. We had dined there last year and will certainly do so again this visit.”

“Eaten here many times over the years. Very consistent. Same staff. Well worth a visit. Very professionally run. No frozen packaged food here! This is a sophisticated restaurant with an older sophisticated well dressed crowd. Don't go in your shorts and tee shirt - you may be embarrassed. Very nice atmosphere. No loud music so you can talk. Good food, well served and a dessert trolley to die for! You will enjoy the experience. If you are a visitor to the area - ask to sit in the main dining room - not on their enclosed terrace.”

“You won't find their early dinner menu on their website because I think they want to limit the exposure to what a great bargain it is. Four of us ate there on Saturday night at 5:00 and were very pleased with everything. Friendly staff from the front desk through to the waiters and busboys. How about $19.95 for a three course meal! Only extra was the bottle of wine and it was reasonably priced. This is not a 'set menu' either, as you have multiple choices for all three courses. Mine was a caprese salad, petite filet and a generous dish of ice cream. What a bargain and done perfectly. I believe the early bird deal runs from 4:30 - 5:30. We'll be back.

“Ristorante Mamma Gina's extensive authentic Italian menu, friendly service, and savory, flavorful meals have combined to make it a "tradition" for my cousin and me to dine here each time I have visited Palm Desert over the past ten years. Whether it's in the high, shoulder, or low season, my experiences have been positive and memorable. January 9 was no exception. We were warmly greeted, seated at one of our regular tables, and thrilled to be served by Roger, whom we request by name as he is an amiable, professional waiter. Arranged by courses, the menu's sizable selection offers sufficient choices, but I often make it easy and order my favorites: salad and veal piccata. Seeking "figure friendly" options is always one of my priorities, so I started the meal with the tasty chopped salad tossed with a vinaigrette dressing. The light breading on the generous portion of veal was topped by mildly tart lemon caper sauce, and it provided my taste buds with a treat. Steamed spinach and mashed potatoes accompanied the entree. A selection of fresh breads plus balsamic vinegar and olive oil are part of the setup to enjoy while awaiting each course. Once again, I was tempted by a diverse selection of delectable bakery items on the dessert cart, but chose my favorite, a scoop of cappuccino ice cream. Our meals were preceded by a top shelf cocktail and then with our meal, a selection of wine off their extensive menu. Ninety minutes after arrival, we departed with smiles and appreciation for another memorable experience: fine dining in a friendly atmosphere. I will look forward to my next visit to Palm Desert, and will most assuredly visit Mamma Gina's.”

We went on a "Dessert Tasting Tour" and this was our third stop. We were given a small serving of gnocchi with half a glass of crisp white wine. I can honestly say that the gnocchi was the best I've EVER tasted, even when travelling throughout Italy! The smooth, plump, creamy noodles melted in my mouth. We were all in heaven. We were told that the line-ups are long in the late afternoon evenings, so do yourself a favour and go early - and order the gnocchi!

“Service was fantastic. The food was great! We got lucky and Roger was our waiter. We got there early enough for the three course price fix which runs from 4:30 - 5:30 (food must be ordered by 5:30 to qualify for $19.95 price). My hubby and I both had the Caesar salad and veal piccata which was served with mashed potatoes and spinach. Desert was tiramisu for hubby and crem brûlée for me - just divine!!”

“Had a very nice time here with family. So thankful I made reservations too as it was packed when we arrived. Maitre'd was amazing. Waitstaff was a bit impatient with us as we were trying to decide which bottle of wine to order. Dinner was good and dessert was delicious. Next time I'm in town I might just drop in for coffee/dessert and call it a night.”