INGOOD TASTE
Robin Fernandez , Managing Partner and Co‐Owner ; Ann Fernandez , Co‐Owner , Mambo Italia
Mambo Italia BYOB 424 Broad St ., Sewickley ; 412.741.3700 , mamboitaliasewickley . com
On the Menu : Authentic Southern Italian menu offering antipasti dishes such as Beans and Greens ( escarole and cannellini beans sautéed with Italian sausage ), Stuffed peppers ( roasted banana peppers stuffed with spicy Italian sausage and mozzarella with marinara sauce ), traditional Italian Wedding soup , Arancini ( deep fried risotto rice balls stuffed with peas , meat and cheese with Bolognese sauce ) and homemade pork and veal meatballs . Salad options include Caesar , Toscana and Fresca , as well as a Mambo Beet Insalata with roasted beets , a Strawberry and Goat Cheese Insalata with baby spinach , fresh strawberries and toasted almonds , and an Apple and Pecan Insalata with a mix of candied pecans , fresh apples and topped with gorgonzola and raisins . Pizza and pasta range from a Margherita pizza and a Funghi Margherita-style version with mushrooms to a Capricciosa ( tomato sauce , fresh mozzarella , artichokes , mushrooms , Italian ham , olive oil and fresh basil ), Polpetta ( tomato sauce , ricotta , homemade meatballs , sweet Peruvian peppers , olive oil and fresh basil ), and Bianca pizza such as The Big Night ( olive oil , fresh mozzarella , Italian sausage , Rapini , shaved parmesan and fresh basil ) and
Candid conversations with the dining scene ’ s most engaging chefs
Pesto Mambo ( garlic , basil , pine nuts , olive oil , fresh mozzarella , grape tomatoes , Romano cheese and fresh basil ). Pasta options include Chicken Romano and Spaghetti and Meatballs , Shrimp Scampi and Chicken Piccata , Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo and Linguini and Clam , to name a few . Also on the menu are Dolci treats such as Nutella Pizza , Fruit Nutella , Tiramisu , Gelato , Cheesecake and Ricotta with honey and fresh berries .
Q A What led you to open Mambo
Italia ? [ Robin Fernandez ] I ’ ve been involved in the restaurant and beverage business for 41 years . It started with my grandmother ’ s Spanish restaurant in Donora . She opened it in 1950 and that ’ s where I fell in love with the business . One of my earliest ventures was in 1987 when I opened Metropol — a dance club in the Strip District [ already managing night clubs across the country in Tampa and New Orleans , to name a few , Fernandez saw a void in Pittsburgh for such a venue ]. I always believed that Sewickley had a void of comfortable , casual and affordable restaurants for families . This led to us opening Mambo Italia in 2014 . We serve families and others looking for quality , homemade Italian dishes and pizza . Today , the emphasis of the success of our place is all due to my wife , Ann , who is the star of our operation . She ’ s responsible for the quality we serve here at Mambo — in all aspects
Mambo Italia ’ s Lasagna
Ann Fernandez , Co-Owner , Mambo Italia .
of the business . I ’ m really just the concept guy and Ann deserves the attention more than me .
What was your influence growing up ? My biggest influence was my family . They always encouraged me throughout my career . And the menu at Mambo reflects simple , family fare of peasant or southern Italian food made with fresh ingredients to classic or traditional Italian dishes where everything is prepared daily from fresh , nonprocessed ingredients .
What ’ s your favorite quick meal to prepare at home ? I like all food , no particular favorite , but I must say our pizza , Bolognese sauce , gnocchi and meatballs are the best . I ’ m not a cook so I don ’ t cook at the restaurant . At home , I leave the cooking to Ann , who is extremely involved with the restaurant and the products and dishes we carry . She ’ s the cook . She makes all the pizza dough and recipes as well as the homemade gnocchi every week .
Other than your restaurant , where ’ s your favorite place to eat ? My favorite places to eat are Mambo Italia and Bruneaux — our other restaurant . We work seven days a week and really never get to go anywhere .
What is your favorite go-to ingredient ? Garlic — I love it .
What ’ s the next big food or dining trend ? I think people today are really looking for fresh and affordable food , of any type — just as long as it ’ s in a comfortable environment . n
— Reese Randall
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