Joe Mama's

 New Italian on Forbes in Oakland.  Ate there for lunch yesterday.  Had
 we not been told that it was their first day open, I'd never have
 guessed.  Large space (3 floors), all renovated.  I'm amazed that
 someone sunk that much money into a restaurant in Oakland.

 We ordered the portobello and polenta appetizer (at the server's
 suggestion).  For ~$5, excellent.  The marinara sauce was particularly
 impressive.  And a pizza (tomato, fesh mozerella, and basil).  Six
 cuts, tasty.  Not enough basil, crust a bit doughy.  But not
 disappointing.  Supposedly the cappucino had some problems, but, not
 being the coffee drinker in the crowd, I can't name them.

 Menu included "sheet-pan pizzas", daily specials ($5-6) served with
 salad, sandwiches, and pastas ($6-10 including salad, with family
 portion discounts).  We didn't sample the "tall cocktails".
 Supposedly they have a late night menu from 11-1.

 I'd certainly go back.

 -- Sam

 > Thanks for the review!  Could you be more specific on the location?

 It's on Forbes right next to Pitt's new construction site, just across
 the street from Burger King (southwest corner of Oakland Ave.?).  It
 looks like a diner.

 And some more information and answers to other questions I've been
 asked: there were some vegetarian options, the kitchen was not quick,
 and prices are comparable to Fuel & Fuddle (not sure if the menu we
 saw was lunch-only or if it's a unified menu).

 I'm not sure if the place is a chain, but the amount of money invested
 and the polish of the first-day service make me suspect that it is. It
 sort of feels like the Cap City Diner at the waterfront in Homestead
 but with an attitude -- on one wall in big letters: "If you were a
 good customer, you'd order more."

 A friend warns that lunch today took forever and suggests bringing a
 book, sleeping bag, and a change of clothing.  About the food, he says
 "the ravioli was pretty tasty", but "the antipasto isn't so much
 'antipasto' as 'the house salad with a few pieces of meat and cheese
 on top, along with some olives'".  Another clarifies "where few = 2
 pieces of meat and 3-4 pieces of cheese" and adds "however, my
 sandwich was really really darn good".

 Another reports that the eggplant parm sandwich "is better than many
 eggplant parm sandwiches I have eaten in the past, but it is not as
 good as Napoli's eggplant parm, which is the best eggplant parm
 sandwich on the face of the earth."

 I'm reminded that the place is a little noisy.  I didn't notice it
 with two people, but they (with a half dozen) certainly did.

 -- Sam

 Julian9EHP wrote:
 > Manditory on-topic comment:  most of the Italian restaurants I've seen have
 > seemed expensive.  Aren't there any cheap hole-and-corner spaghetti joints with
 > good prices?

 One of my favorite places is Bella Luna in the Murrysview Plaza.

 Just keep going up rt 22 past Monroeville. Keep going until you see a
 Franks Nursery & Crafts. It's in that complex.

 They used to be a very good deal, now they are more expensive, but they
 make their own pasta and it makes a difference.

 Their Pasta Bolognase (Pasta w/ meat sauce) is excellent!

 Martha

 Hello everyone,
 I have a secret to tell you... I found, what I think to be one of the best
 hole-in-the-wall Italian cafe in Oakland. Only problem is I can't remember
 the name of it!
 It's on Forbes, next to the valley between Oakland and CMU(after Craig and
 the Museum and before Morewood), across from the Exxon Gas station, next to
 a thrift shop... I had dinner there, and the food was amazing and most of it
 was homemade. One of my friends of our group is a gourmet Italian chef, and
 he said it was very good. Now coming from him with such discriminating taste
 I would have to recommend it. I would recommend it anyways!
 It's quaint and small, with limited indoor seating and more expansive
 outdoor seating during the summer. I went during the summer, and we all sat
 outside, and it reminded me of when I was Italy, having dinner at night on
 the palazzos in a small Italian cafe!   The service was smart, informative
 and friendly, (one of the owners family), and was able to provide a nice
 description for many of the items that I didn't know the ingredients of. It
 was a wonderful experience.
 As for cost, it's moderate, and BYOB I believe.

 As for Joe Momma's, it's owned by the same people who own Fuel N' Fuddle,
 and Uncle Sam's Subs on the same block. It is definitely filling a badly
 needed restaurant category in Oakland. (Sit-down upscale with comfortable
 casual themed-humorous atmosphere). It's certainly the only alternative to
 Hemingway's (Yuk!) in the area. I will have to say though, the portions are
 large, but the unique-ness of the food is not yet in it's stride. IMHO. The
 place hasn't yet got it's legs -so to speak- in the food department, but
 what they do offer is a great start! BTW, When I went, I had the Tuscany
 Steak (Chopped Planks of my filet?!?) which comes with a side of mixed
 el-dente veggies in a lite olive/butter sauce, and the normal side of salad,
 with a vinegar Italian..(nothing special except quantity). For my appetizer,
 I always have to try the calamari if offered, and it was more bland than I
 expected, with a nice Californian Merlot to round things out (would pick
 differently in the wine department next time).  As I said, the place is just
 now getting its legs, and I would recommend going, just so you can have a
 comparison later on, when the chef gets more comfortable. (I hope)

 For sit-down casual that's fun, comfortable and the food is really good, I
 will stick to Fuel & Fuddle's atmosphere, and uniquely tasty food.

 ~Charlie

 Someone wrote:
 > >Subject: Re: Joe Mama's
 > >From: andy [email removed]
 >
 > [ . . . ]
 >
 > > Instead of applauding the gumption, as well as
 > >forethought and taste, of others to turn a decrepit corner of a
 > >second-rate-university town
 >
 > [ . . . ]
 >
 > I object to this comment.
 > Pittsburgh isn't supposed to be like anywhere else.  It is unique, and
 good at
 > what it does.  I want it to be able to do this more completely.
 >
 > Manditory on-topic comment:  most of the Italian restaurants I've seen
 have
 > seemed expensive.  Aren't there any cheap hole-and-corner spaghetti joints
 with
 > good prices?
 >
 >
 > E. P.