Mamma Lucia better than home

For Mamma Lucia, the saying "don't judge a book by its cover" doesn't apply. The restaurant's pleasant appearance and cozy-looking atmosphere is enough to judge (and not simply hope) that the food will be good. From the warm environment to the broad range of dishes displayed fashionably in a glass case, Mamma Lucia in downtown Silver Spring makes sure you'll enjoy every minute of your stay.

The very sight of chefs working behind the counter preparing spinach rolls, stirring veggies sizzling on a grill, and stretching and kneading pizza dough sends tickles down your spine and sends growls through your stomach. The eatery offers a wide range of dishes for lunch and dinner and each plate is scrumptious enough to convince you to come back for more.

The sounds of relaxing elevator music blend with the pastel-colored walls, decorative lampshades and picture frames displaying images of town-homes and other Italian residence styles. Each table is dressed with the necessities (hot pepper, black pepper, cheese and salt) allowing you to draw your attention away from your waiter and onto your exciting meal.

Because the restaurant is open for more than 12 hours daily, dishes served cater to your every craving no matter the hour of the day. Garden, Caesar and Greek Salads are a few Insalatas (starters) offered under the price of $10. The Antipasto Italiano salad, complete with prosciutto, salami, provolone, artichoke and capicalo served over fresh garden vegetables, is delicious even for the pickiest of eaters. The pasta offered here range in style, from Spaghetti con Polpette (spaghetti with meatballs) to Fettuccine Alfredo (egg noodles in a cream sauce) and Rigatoni Siciliania (rigatoni pasta with diced baby eggplant).

For the main dish the Salmon Rose is a treat with its chunks of fresh salmon in a pink sauce over penne pasta. Every single bite of this meal will have you praising everything imaginable. Tomatoes in the dish are bursting with flavor, and the pink sauce is seasoned in all the right places. The Gamberetti Alfredo is also delightful, consisting of fresh shrimp served in a cream sauce over fettuccine. This dish is delicious with each piece of pasta saturated with an irresistible creamy sauce that brings out the taste in the shrimp, which itself is cooked to perfection. Topped with parsley and black pepper, this dish is highly recommended. The food is served at the right temperature—hot enough, but not to burn your tongue.

Mamma Lucia makes sure her every diner leaves content and wanting more. For those yearning for a simple meal, the restaurant offers various pizzas (including New York Style) and subs. Those arriving with a sweet tooth can choose from the New York classic cheesecake, Mamma's Own Tiramisu (espresso-soaked lady fingers layered with mascarpone and chocolate shavings) or the wide selection of Gelato treats up front.

Dishes are filling and offer large portions so that the average eater is stuffed halfway through the meal. Because of this large serving size the prices here are convenient; the most costly lunch dish is $12 and dinner dish is $21.

Unfortunately for the diner, the service doesn't quite match up to the high quality of the food or peaceful ambience of the room. There are hardly any waiters available during the lunch hours, and those that are present don't devote their complete attention to those dining. Although the plates on which the food is served on are clean, those located on a table off to the side aren't in the same condition. All this, however, does not take away from having a good meal.

Mamma Lucia is located at 1302 East-West Highway in Silver Spring, MD, and is open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. For delivery, call (301)-689-0300; carry-out also available. For information on catering and for other restaurant locations, visit Mamma Lucia's website.