Mama, mia! Since chef Gordon Ramsay made over Carroll Gardens restaurant Mama Maria’s for the filming of his Fox television series “Kitchen Nightmares,” the eatery at 305 Court Street, has supplanted its traditional Italian vibe for a more Brooklyn feel. It also now features a shorter menu, shiny new paint and new decor.

The TV production sliced the restaurant’s menu down from 110 items to just 30, one of which is a special dish, Fox spokeswoman Joanna Wolff told DNAInfo. The menu still includes Italian favorites like a 10-inch pizza, lasagna and chicken parmesan.

“They cut down the menu so that each dish is better quality and more authentic, and changed some of the dishes so that the overall menu is a bit more modern, rather than strictly traditional Italian cuisine,” Wolff explained.

Aside from the entrees, tables have been covered with vintage newsprint bearing the restaurant’s name, alongside new artwork and a store sign with a more urban signature. The awning of the restaurant has also been removed and replaced with the simple sign.

The “Kitchen Nightmares” episode featuring the restaurant is scheduled to air this fall.

Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/7495