| Thus, while I have eaten well at every one of the
Maria’s, I never thought I would face this conflict of principle. All of
the restaurants were 12-50 miles distant. Then Maria’s opened in Agoura
about a year ago. I refrained from reviewing the restaurant for the
reasons described. But I finally caved and decided that the people that read this
stuff can certainly figure it out on their own. |
Mama Alfano and Madelyn
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The justification offered is twofold:
First: Maria’s is in no way a corporate C
joint. On the contrary, it is an unpretentious family style
restaurant. The
quality of the food is consistent. However what is usually most apparent to the
diner is the naturally pleasant dining atmosphere. Servers .are actually mature adults that can put a sentence
together and are truly friendly and caring .You feel that they are real
people that seem happy to be part of the Maria’s family rather than be a
Hooters, Chile’s, Piatti’s or TGIF giggler.
The cooks are veteran
long-timers. Along with the servers, they have gone through rigorous training to prepare
and serve the
deceptively simple but finely honed Hoboken family recipes of Mama Maria. Mama is
a very real person. Maria’s Italian Kitchen is a real place rather than a façade
of a restaurant that has no heart.
Second and most important: I honestly
believe that Maria’s serves flavorful and satisfying portions of Italian
food at very fair prices.
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Maria's Italian Kitchen Entry
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As you enter Maria’s Italian Kitchen you are greeted
by sepia toned old pix of the Alfano’s family life in Hoboken. Frank
Sinatra is in one photo. The busy open kitchen is fronted by a
deli-style refrigerator case holding an assortment of homemade
desserts. The long room has comfortable banquettes, booths and
tables accented with Maria’s theme black and white checkerboard
décor. In pleasant weather most diners choose to eat
outside in the patio that rims two sides of the restaurant. |
As soon as you sit down, a hot basket of deliciously
addictive pizza bread is brought to the table. The menu is very extensive. If it’s
Italian the chances are you’ll find it. We usually start by splitting
Maria’s Chopped Salad (6.29) It’s actually enough for 4. There are lots
of other choices including an appealing Chopped Antipasto Salad (8.99
).
Pastas range from a simple Spaghetti Marinara
(7.79) to Linguini with Clams( 11.95) and my wife’s favorite spicy
Calamari Fra Diavolo (11.99). Basic pasta noodles are imported from
Italy. Ravioli and all stuffed pastas are made fresh daily.
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Dining on the Outdoor patio |
There are all kinds of choices of fish, chicken and
veal. My two favorites are Roasted Half Chicken with wonderful roasted
potatoes and vegetables (10.99) and Bracciole, which is a plate full of
simmered,stuffed and rolled cubes of round steak over Penne (13.99).
All veal dishes are $14.99. Maria’s prides itself on the freshness of
the sauces (all home made) and the other ingredients.
Maria’s also prides it self on its classic thin
crusted Napolitano Pizza (that is where it all started.). 12” pizzas
start at $7.99, 16” at $10.99. A wide range of add-ons starts at 1.29.
The Pizza’s come out of the oven with a very crisp and fresh taste. If
you order a 16” pizza and split a Chopped Salad, two can dine for under
$20 and take food home for two more meals.
Desserts are baked from scratch in house and
include the impossible to find Cannoli, the traditional Italian
dessert. There is a very well thought out, wide-ranging and fairly
priced selection of wine by the bottle and by the glass. Corkage is $7.
This restaurant is often very busy. When that
occurs service can occasionally falter..
As they say, “The ball is now in your court.”
Please voice any opinions with the Feedback feature at the
end of FrankAboutFood.com Maria's Italian Kitchen
29035 Thousand Oaks Blvd Agoura
Hills
(818) 865-8999 Most Credit
Cards Easy Shopping Center
Parking
Takeout and Delivery Corporate and Home Catering
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