Mamas Bar and Grill – a perfect spot for Italian comfort food and fresh seafood

By Ania Askwith

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Mamas Bar and Grill, 1 Houghton Road, Houghton-le-Spring, DH4 4BA

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If you’re anything like me, nothing beats a good, hearty Italian meal (especially in weather like this), and Mamas Bar and Grill is a true hidden gem for just that. I know the term ‘hidden gem’ is overused, but it fits perfectly to describe this place.

This family-run restaurant is not your standard Italian though; we found the menu to be a little more like a New York Italian, including a variety of both the classic dishes you’d expect to see on an Italian menu, as well as a few surprises like steaks, a lot of varied seafood dishes, and even Latin-inspired tapas-style options.

The menu really is packed with variety, and as a seafood lover, I was in heaven and couldn’t pass up the chance to try a selection of their seafood dishes. We tried:

• Piri Piri Tiger Prawns on garlic crostini sourdough with Cajun peppers – those were full of bold, fresh flavours with a little spicy kick. Cooked so well, the dish was super enjoyable.
• Scallops with Black Pudding & Pancetta on a minted spring onion pea purée—this dish was super rich and deliciously savoury, with a subtle burst of freshness from the purée.

• Frutti di Mare Pasta – the pasta was absolutely LOADED with seafood, which I loved! I think that’s often what sets a family-run restaurant apart from its competitors – the flavours were delicious, and the servings of all the good stuff were really generous; I really loved this dish! Last time I had this much octopus was in Malta – such a great serving. I actually went for a different type of pasta than I’d normally choose, and it was a hit.

• Pizza Pescaro – another option which was overflowing with seafood and all cooked to perfection. Seafood pizza can be a risk as it can make the seafood overcooked, but this was not the case here. The seafood was perfect, and the pizza was a little spicy in a most delightful way, so whether spice is your thing or not – I can definitely recommend this option.

Desserts. Even though I am more of a starter than a dessert person, I couldn’t not go with the recommendation (read: I saw the desserts come to the tables next to us and HAD to have one too). We had:

• Homemade Brownie with Hot Mars Bar Sauce & Ice Cream— this was recommended to us, and it was a great shout. Super decadent and rich, it had a bit of a sticky toffee pudding vibe. Absolutely perfect dessert for autumn.
• Homemade Tiramisu was made exactly the way I like it: creamy and rich, and the portion was generous, so I was really impressed. You can tell it is freshly made in-house, so good with a coffee at the end of the meal.

We honestly had such a lovely little date night experience at Mamas Bar and Grill; they just have a way to balance familiar, comforting Italian dishes with fresh, well-executed, and sometimes surprising flavours that makes you want to try more of their menu to see what other twists they put on the classics.

I’d love to try their Sunday dinners next time because if they’re made with such attention to detail and delicious twists as the weekday menu, it could be one to watch.

And I have to add – I was super impressed by how quick the service was, even though the place was quite busy we didn’t have to wait long and the dishes were served hot.

Location

Mamas Bar and Grill is located at 1 Houghton Road, Houghton-le-Spring, DH4 4BA. The nearest train station is Houghton-le-Spring, within walking distance, but we opted to drive as they have on-site parking available, which is a huge plus.

Tips for Visiting:

• Book ahead: It was a Wednesday night and the place was busy; it gets even livelier on weekends, so make sure you book (we did). They currently don’t offer online booking, but you can ring to make a reservation (here’s their number: 0191 584 0088).
• Tapas choices: The tapas-style dishes make great starters but can be shared tapas-style. They looked delish.
• Dietary requirements: If you avoid gluten, each pasta dish can be made gluten-free.
• Set menus: They offer both 2 and 3 courses set menus, and they are both a great deal (very reasonably priced) in my opinion.

I have already said it, but I will say it again; Mamas Bar and Grill is such a hidden gem; the food is hearty and comforting, the atmosphere is relaxed, and they focus on fresh ingredients and great value, which I think are all factors that make this place one to add to your list to try!

For menu updates and deals checkout their socials on Instagram here or Facebook here

Reviews:
Mamas consistently receives praise, with many reviewers mentioning its comforting atmosphere, family-friendly vibe, and quick service. The mixed grill and pizza dishes are frequently highlighted as customer favourites. On Tripadvisor, it holds an average rating of 4 out of 5. I will go back to try their Sunday lunch and update on that too, so watch this space.

Best for:

Casual dining, Italian-style food, family dining, pizza, pasta, Italian restaurant in Houghton-le-Spring, seafood dishes, family-run Italian dining

Enjoyed this post? If you love discovering things to do, places to go, and the best spots to eat and drink in the North East and beyond, be sure to follow my blog for more reviews, recommendations, travel tips, and hidden gems. And for a closer look at my day-to-day experiences, follow me on Instagram @ania.askwith for behind-the-scenes content and even more discoveries! Let’s explore together!

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