Mamma Gaucha: flavors from the mamma ready to pamper

At the southernmost end of the city, there exists an Italian-Argentine oasis of authentic flavors and close-knit service, just like a nonna or a mamma would provide. This cozy restaurant is a true breath of fresh air in a city where Argentine or Italian options are often too pretentious or taste like fast food. Mamma Gaucha started in 1993, initially on Avenida del Imán, with recipes from chef Mariadelia Encina’s lineage. Today, at Calzada del Hueso, their dishes replicate the flavors of the Italian nonna and the Argentine family of the chef. And just like a mamma would do, their kitchen begins with the selection of products, which are, of course, of high quality. Nothing that comes to your table will have come from a can or been industrially processed. Even the mayonnaise is made in-house!Mariadelia honed her skills alongside her grandmother and mother and later perfected her cooking in Switzerland. She has been a private chef for families and a chef for major restaurant chains. Her professional journey is faithfully reflected in every technique and every composition. Currently, that knowledge has been passed down to her children, who now cook shoulder to shoulder with her. The menu of Mamma Gaucha is simple yet substantial. The pastas are fresh and made to order. Then, you simply choose one of the sauces from the menu: cheese, bolognese, pomodoro, or pesto. Each recipe is the result of research and memories that Mariadelia has preserved among her pots. Don’t miss the ravioli stuffed with spinach and ricotta prepared with butter.If you’re in a carnivorous mood, their grill with ebony charcoal produces choripanes that will steal your heart, or one of the prime cuts of meat like short ribs, flank steak, or picanha. But wait, your visit to Mamma Gaucha will be incomplete if you forget to order empanadas. My favorite is the corn with mozzarella cheese, which I accompany with homemade chimichurri, or with the roasted habanero sauce that adds a spicy Mexican touch.Any pizza lovers around? The journey to this point in Coapa is worth it for their pizzas with a smoky wood flavor. I recommend the Roquefort cheese and the calabresa, which comes with Calabrian sausage, tomato, onion, and olives. The great selection of products is felt in every slice, which, of course, is never lacking a drop of dressing.On weekends, you must order the soup of the day, which is generally a comforting minestrone or the chicken a la casalinga served with rosemary potatoes and sweet potatoes. Vegetarians should ask for the eggplant Parmesan, and those arriving at dessert time should try the tiramisu or the apple strudel with a crispy handmade puff pastry.There’s no doubt that comfort food pampers, and at Mamma Gaucha, they know how to do it perhaps better than any other restaurant of its kind in the city.