Here is where is the best truffle pizza at, guess where is this? I can tell you a secret about the photo I hold above. The owner’s grandfather in this old photo. But why I want to show you this photo? Because this restaurant is a place full of family atmosphere, you just feel you are at your grandparents’ house for a sweet dinner.

Here is MAMO!

The Legendary Cannes Film Festival opens May, 2016 in the South of France, right around the same time that celebrity favorite MAMO restaurant celebrates its first year in New York’s bustling SoHo neighborhood. MAMO New York is the transatlantic sister to Cannes film festival go-to restaurant MAMO Le Michelangelo, a two decades old French Riviera staple and favorite among movie stars and socialites alike.

MAMO, the younger SoHo sibling, is run by Italian restauranteur Mike “Mamo” Mammoliti (son of MAMO Le Michelangelo’s Herve Mammoliti) and maintains the same authentic feel and dedication to Provençal flavors as its Antibes namesake. Just like MAMO Le Michelangelo, MAMO New York attracts a wide array of celebrities, including Rhianna, Magic Johnson, Alexander Wang, Diane Kruger, Samuel L. Jackson, Gigi Hadid, Beyonce and Jay Z.

Although an ocean away from its sibling restaurant MAMO Le Michelangelo, MAMO New York will be celebrating Cannes Film Festival and its 1 year anniversary from New York with some specials this May. These include decadent Cannes Favorites such as Raviolini al Tartufo (truffle ravioli), Focaccia al Tartufo (truffle pizza) and to drink, the signature Martini Al Tartufo (truffle martini).

Heading up the kitchen and the brand new spring 2016 menu is Michelin-Starred Executive Chef Massimo Sola, formerly of Eataly Roma and Ristorante Quattro Mori. A native of Italy, Sola grew up surrounded by the flavors and cooking style of the Italian/French Provençal cuisine. Drawing on colors and nature as inspiration, Sola is known for his simple yet eye catching dishes. Some of MAMO’s signature offerings include their flavorful Tagliata Di Filetto Al Vino Rosso, the MAMO Burger and the very popular home-style Capri salad. For those with a sweet tooth, MAMO also offers delicious desserts such as the classic Tiramisu, the rich Affogato alla vaniglia con fragole calde and the Cheesecake alla lavanda (cheesecake with a lavender twist).

 MAMO offers diners traditional southern Italian/French cuisine in an intimate yet elegant setting. The bi-level restaurant includes a casual lounge on the ground floor and a formal dining room upstairs. Both spaces capture the Riviera’s “sense of home” with original family photos and oversized vintage movie posters. The decor also incorporates classic New York-inspired touches such as exposed brick walls.

To complement the flavorful dishes, MAMO also boasts an impressive cocktail menu from which diners can enjoy specialty cocktails such as the MAMO Negroni, the MAMO Spritz and their one-of-a-kind Truffle Martini. In addition to the cocktail program, MAMO also has an extensive wine list of carefully selected French and Italian wines to complement the cuisine.

Specialty Dishes:                 

Lasagne Alla Bolognese  lasagna with meat sauce

Tagliata Di Filetto Al Vino Rosso  beef tenderloin in red wine

Raviolini al Tartufo  ravioli with fresh truffles

MAMO Burger  wagyo beef burger with fresh truffles and foie gras, served with MAMO gravy

Specialty Drinks:               

Martini Al Tartufo  dry vermouth, a dash of Campari, Black Moth Truffle Vodka, orange twist, garnished with shaved truffle

MAMO Spritz  Pimm’s, Cynar Italian bitter, Prosecco, soda + a couple secret ingredients

MAMO Negroni  Aperol, Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth, Gordon’s orange infused gin, orange bitters, garnished with orange peel

Roza  dry vermouth, rose cordial, Nolet’s dry gin, lemon twist, garnished with a rose petal

Cidre  pressed apple juice, fresh squeezed lemon juice, cinnamon syrup, Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka, garnished with a slice of apple

Florie di Miele  fresh squeezed lime juice, St. Germain liqueur, honey syrup, Pisco Kappa, garnished with a lime wedge

About MAMO and the Executive Chef：

Located on West Broadway between Grand and Canal Streets, MAMO restaurant is a purveyor of affectionate Italian and Provençal dining experience. MAMO is bringing a long tradition of Italian hospitality and Provençal charm to New York City’s SoHo neighborhood. MAMO, The New York outpost of Le Michelangelo, a 23-year-old staple located on the French Riviera, boasts Michelin-starred chef Massimo Sola (formerly of Eataly Roma, Ristorante Quattro Mori) as executive chef. Whether you prefer a relaxing night out with your closest friends, intimate gatherings and business meetings, or a grand cocktail party, you are certain to experience an unforgettable evening at MAMO and enjoy the incredible service and food. The menu incorporates a mix of classic family recipes as well as market specials. The restaurant’s design embodies the Riviera’s “sense of home” with a warm color palate, original family photos and oversized vintage movie posters. The multi-level restaurant offers an unforgettable experience where every single person is treated with affection and love.

Massimo Sola is the Executive Chef at the SoHo Provençal restaurant MAMO. Massimo is originally from Milan and has been in the culinary industry for 32 years. From 1985, he studied in Liguria at Istituto Migliorini Hotel School.

After then working in Switzerland, France, Spain, Italy and Lebanon, Sola opened his restaurant Ristorante Quattro Mori in Varese, Italy in 1993. This restaurant received a Michelin star in November 2007. Throughout his tenure at the restaurant, he emphasized the use of high quality techniques in a simple manner.

On the heels of the success at Ristorante Quattro Mori, he won Best Chef of the Lombardia region in 2009. Sola then went on to become the Executive Chef at Eataly in Rome in 2012, where he worked for a year and a half. In 2014, Chef Massimo joined Mike Mammoliti to open the New York outpost of the popular Provencal restaurant, MAMO Le Michelangelo. At MAMO, Sola skillfully prepares the menu passed on from MAMO with his Michelin-starred technique and crafts consistent market specials.

Chef Sola also won the Il Primo Manhattan 2016 competition for New York’s best pasta dish – his winning dish was an exquisite spin on a traditional pasta carbonara, or as the judges called it, a “quasi carbonara” made with finesse and elegance.

Chef Massimo now lives in New York City. During his free time, he enjoys walking through different neighborhoods, taking pictures and eating at Michelin starred restaurants.