Restaurant Spotlight

Apple Valley's Own Taste of Italy
by Susan Landers

Family and good food go together and never better than at Mama Carpino's. A warm and intimate ambiance in a comfortable setting with plenty of tasty and satisfying food combine to make Mama Carpino's one of the H.D.'s favorite Italian restaurants. Tom Carpino has been in the pizza business since 1986 and opened Mama Carpino's in 2003.

From delicious appetizers to rich desserts, your dining experience will be one to remember. Mama Carpino's freshly prepares a variety of traditional soups daily, and along with their salads, make a meal unto themselves.

Time-honored favorites like Baked Rigatoni, Lasagna and Manicotti are only topped by Mama Carpino's own Eggplant Parmesan, made with Mama's special recipe. Specialty chicken, veal, and fish dishes along with an array of pizzas, pastas, and deli sandwiches make it a challenge to decide what to order! One sure bet is the Parmesan Crusted Halibut, and on Sundays, be sure to try the Pork Ossobuco with roasted garlic and asiago potatoes, served with Italian vegetables.

Late afternoons and evenings in the H.D. offer the perfect opportunity to enjoy alfresco dining on Mama Carpino's lovely patio, which includes a fireplace. With such beautiful surroundings, you'll feel as though you have been transported to a relaxing, exotic resort, and you won't need to bring your passport.

Mama Carpino's has an in-house deli and offers take out on all their menu items. Have a special event coming up? Have Mama Carpino's cater, and your guests will be treated to an extraordinary meal. Be sure to go online and "Like" Mama Carpino's on Facebook and look for their website coming soon at www.mamacarpinos.net . If you have never been to Mama Carpino's, stop in and discover your new favorite Italian restaurant.

Mama Carpino's is located on Hwy. 18 in Apple Valley and is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm, and Sunday from 12 pm to 9 pm. They are closed on Tuesday.