By: Marcella Zimmerman, a Marvelous Mouse Travels agent
Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano Restaurant, located in Disney's Hollywood Studios is nestled in the corner of the Streets of America. This location screams Old Hollywood and serves up some of the best Italian cuisine found within Disney parks. This restaurant offers a great escape from the midday heat and a break for your feet while enjoying tasty cuisine.
Reservations are required at Mama Melrose's, so ensure that you are booking your reservation at your 60-day mark. Park attire is also acceptable in the establishment.
The location is covered in red bricks outside and brightly colored red and yellow signage. It's located near Muppet Vision 3-D in a quiet corner. Before you step foot inside you can smell the appetizing aromas of the kitchen. The sweet smell of tomatoes and basil are hard to ignore. Upon walking in, you'll check in with the host and await your name to be called. The waiting area is surrounded by photos of celebrities which leads to views of the kitchen and chefs preparing the food.
Once our name was called, we were taken to our table in the middle of the main dining area. Not only are there tables but also booths found in the restaurant. The dining room is decorated with strings of lights overhead, greenery and checkered curtains. The lighting is dimmed to set a more private feel to the restaurant. This sets the feel for the overall dinner as well.
Complimentary bread with oil based dipping sauce was brought to our table as the waitress arrived. The bread is warm and paired well with the dipping sauce.
There are many appetizers to choose from. Luckily, I had met up with several other MMT Agents and was able to try a variety of appetizers. First up was the Fried Fresh Mozzarella. It was served with Marinara sauce, Ricotta Salata, and Lemon Oil. This included a slice of mozzarella deep fried to perfection and sat on a bed of marinara sauce with pieces of cheese drizzled on top. The sauce was a great pairing with melted cheese. The dish was enough to share and a great start to a delicious meal.
We also tried the Crispy Calamari. This dish was also fried just right. It was served with spicy pickles and fresh lemon. I would highly recommend ordering this appetizer for your table. This is also a shareable portion.
Lastly, we ordered the Margherita Flatbread for an appetizer. This was a huge portion and definitely a shareable portion. The flatbread's crust was crispy with mozzarella, marinara sauce, and fresh basil as toppings. I could have ate this as a meal if I had chosen to. There are so many great options but this one was my favorite.
After taste testing several appetizers, my entree was brought to the table. I ordered chicken parmigiana. The chicken was oven baked and topped with the marinara sauce found in our appetizers. It was paired with spaghetti which was also topped with the sauce. The chicken was baked to have a nice crisp but yet was still moist on the inside. Overall, this entree is something I would order again on my next visit.
Disney's Hollywood Studios is not just a great park for thrill seekers but foodies alike. With so many great quick service and table service locations, Mama Melrose's quickly rose to the top of my favorite places to eat in the park. By booking your next Disney World vacation with a Marvelous Mouse Travel Agent, they can assist you in choosing the right restaurant for you and your family to enjoy while in the parks.
