Mamma Lombardi's Ristorante 400 Furrows Road Holbrook, NY (631) 737-0774 www.mammalombardis.com

Established in 1976, Mamma Lombardi’s Ristorante, named "the unofficial capital of Tomatoland" by Peter Gianotti of Newsday, was the first, but certainly not the last, successful business venture for the Lombardi family. Professional and personal service, robust flavors, and generous portions set the standard for this family-owned restaurant, serving Southern Italian cuisine, where "Reputation is everything."

Mamma Lombardi opened the original pizza parlor in Bay Shore with sons, John and Guy, before moving to larger quarters in Holbrook in 1980. Mamma, now 75, has been chef, owner, operator and mentor to all the Lombardi children passing on homemade, authentic Neapolitan recipes that the family has prepared for generations. She remains a familiar face at the restaurant, which she continues to open each morning while working alongside her grandchildren. Guy, who has taken over Mamma’s role as executive chef, is the head of the family’s operations and oversees Mamma Lombardi’s, Villa Lombardi’s, Lombardi’s Market, and Lombardi’s on the Sound.

Antipasti, ranging from $6.95 to $15.95, includes hot sausages and shrimp oreganata. Salads, priced from $4.50 to $9.50, includes caprese salad with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes and spinach salad. Pasta dishes, ranging from $10.95 to $19.95, includes rigatoni all’Amatriciana with prosciutto and penne arrabiatta with spicy hot red peppers. Entrées vary from $16.95 to $28.95 and features pork braciola, lobster fra diavolo, fritto misto, and chicken parmigiana. Mamma’s homemade desserts include cannoli, tiramisu, and cassata cake. The attached pizza parlor offers the same hearty meals for take-out, in addition to an array of brick-oven pizzas, heroes, and other specialties including calzone and stromboli. Mamma’s own wine cellar, which sits below the restaurant, houses the Lombardi family’s homemade vintage along with hundreds of the world’s finest wines.