Overview

This is a lovely, traditional Italian pizzeria which is step free and serves wonderfully delicious food. I had an issue about seating which I will say more in the staff section of the review. There are two branches of Mamma Mia in Oxford. This review is for Summertown. Sorry there are no photos of the restaurant itself I was very low on spoons when I visited.

Transport & Parking

There are a few bus routes that stop close by and it is a short level walk to the restaurant.

Access

The entire restaurant is on the ground floor and has step free access. At the front of the restaurant there is an area with outdoor seating with free standing tables and chairs and this is where I sat. The entrance door is manual and was open when I arrived. Inside there free standing table and chairs.

Toilets

I am unable to comment as I didn't use the toilet.

Staff

The visit did not get off to a good start. I had pre-booked a table and in the comment box I had written I am clinically vulnerable and would like a table outside. I had received an email confirming the booking. During the day of the visit I had missed a call from the restaurant. They had not left a message to explain why they had called. When I arrived there was a short queue. The restaurant was very busy and people who had not pre-booked were being turned away. I explained I had booked and the waiter started to take me to a table inside the restaurant. I did not follow and said that I had specifically requested on the booking form a table outside as I was clinically vulnerable. She replied that they do not take bookings for outside tables and that I had been phoned earlier that day by the restaurant to explain that but I had not picked up my phone (as thought that was my fault). I stated that I did not want a table indoors due to having had cancer and being clinically vulnerable and not being prepared to take off my mask indoors. I explained that there are many clinically vulnerable people who are wanting to go out safely and that maybe they should review their policy about not being able to pre-book an outside table. I was advised that I would wait for an outside table to become available, so I went outside to the street and stood. I had to wait about 5-8 minutes. It would have been appreciated if I had been offered a chair outside while I waited as I use a crutch so my mobility disability is visible and it was painful and uncomfortable standing. I think the waiter arranged for the customers at one table who had finished their meal but were still having drinks to go inside to enable me to have an outdoor table sooner. I really appreciated this but it also made me feel guilty that someone else had been asked to move. Once seated the service was excellent, quick and attentive. The rest of the visit went really well and service was great.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

I only felt safe eating outside in the area which didn't have the plastic covering over it. I would certainly recommend this restaurant for its excellent food and general atmosphere. The food is delicious and portions are plentiful. I had Pane Pomodoro for starter, which was bread with tomato sauce, garlic, sea salt, oregano and extra virgin oil. Then I had a Quattro Formaggi pizza with side salad of Heritage and Vine Tomato and Red Onion. They serve a good range of San Pellegrino non alcohol drinks, and I was delighted to see that they had Chinotto, which an Italian friend has got me into. It's a non alcoholic drink made from myrtle-leaved orange trees, the drink looks like cola but has a bitter sweet taste, not many places serve it so it was a lovely treat to see Chinotto on the menu. I was so full I was unable to make it to a dessert. While I enjoyed my visit, I do think the restaurant does need to re-think its policy on outdoor seating. I feel given that I had shared my personal, confidential medical information and advised the restaurant that I was clinically vulnerable on my booking form, they could have showed more consideration for my medical needs and accommodated my request for outdoor seating as it was a reasonable request to help keep me safe. When they phoned they could have left a message explaining the situation or asking me to call back instead of just hanging up. I appreciate that they tried to get me an outdoor table as soon as possible and asked other customers to move to enable that, if they had not been so rigid and more flexible in their booking policy they could have avoid this situation arising in the first place. However, it set the visit up to a bad start. I ended up saying more about my health situation by disclosing that I am in remission for cancer, as I was upset and disappointed, and was desperate to try to justify why an outdoor table was so important for me to the waiter inside a busy restaurant as I had been made to feel that my request unreasonable as it was outside the restaurants rules. I had no idea when an outdoor table would become available for me and I did consider just leaving at that point. After I was seated the rest of the evening went very well. I was very happy with the service and food. However, I don't feel confident in being able to pre-book an outdoor table and I have no wish to have a similar experience again, so I would most likely not visit again unless it was a cold or rainy day when everyone else wanted to sit indoors so I would be guaranteed and outdoor space. If you don't mind where you sit I would whole heartedly recommend this restaurant.

Photos