Rosa Mia, Mama Mia!!!

We all know how much I love Italy. That being said I'd like to tell you all about a little bit of Italy right here in Johns Creek.

, a small restaurant located at 11730 Jones Bridge Road, is an Italian gem.

It is owned and operated by two woman, Rosa and Maria. Their greetings make you feel as if you've just walked into your favorite aunt's house for dinner. These two women, Rosa from South Africa and Maria from Brooklyn, N.Y., are both of Italian decent. They have taken their family recipes and turned those dishes into fabulous presentations to give us an amazing place to dine.

I say, "una festa di sapori" – for those of you who do not speak Italian (and that includes me. I can get by, but am clearly not an Italian linguist) this mean a celebration of tastes.The food is prepared with love and the freshest ingredients. The other night I was there with the usual suspects, Alissa, Kelly and Scarlett (we missed you Tara!). We all had the opportunity to share several different menu items.

Here are the comments and the dishes we shared. Alissa: Lasagna, made with a Bechamel sauce, one of Rosa Mia's signature dishes, is served in an oven crock and presented to you bubbling hot. It appears as if its a picture out of a magazine. Alissa thinks this dish is "scrumptious," or in my head, delizioso!

Scarlett and I ordered the Veal Saltimbocca with prosciutto and sage. OMG!!!! "Fabulous"- favoloso- Scarlett's word is "exceptional," eccezionale, and I think this is one of the best dishes I have ever eaten here. I have tried everything on the menu at least once, well, you know, except the chicken dishes. Kelly ordered the Chicken Petronella, Rosa Mia's version of Picatta. Her word was "phenomenal," fenomenale. That word was used all night long as the appetizers of Caprese Salad, Leek Soup and Flatbread Pizza alla Genovese (minus the chicken for me) were shared along with the meals and then, of course, the desserts. There are several dessert selections with a few new dessert items having just been added. The cheesecake with Nutella is outstanding!

The menu contains daily selections as well as the favorites I mentioned above. It is also full of pasta, eggplant, Gnocchi and much more.

When I go to Rosa Mia's, and that is often, in my little brain, I think I am going to Italy. No one has dared to figure out what goes on in that brain of mine. To describe the atmosphere is to say it is cozy and friendly. Maria and Rosa are always on hand to welcome their guests to dinner. There is live music on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. A mandolin always makes me feel as if I have stepped back into ancient Rome. While dining you can listen to Tom Matlina softly playing one while he sings your favorite Italian tunes.

Rosa Mia is a wonderful local establishment where you go for friendly atmosphere, to enjoy your old friends, welcome new ones and to savour the tastes of Maria and Rosa's love of family and food.

Reservations are recommended.

www.traveltipsbybabs.com