My first and last visit was recently, after hearing how one used to need a reservation days in advance, now you can walk in and be seated immediately. It is not the service, which is good, and it's not the ambiance, which is also pleasant. It's the food quality. Appetizers: frozen calimari, embarrassing bruschetta, and snails the consistncy of rubber erasers. Pasta: inconsistent, some chewy, some sticky, generally oversauced. Mains: cold, not particularly flavorful, but edible. Desserts: Good. Wine list: not especially impressive but you can't go wrong with major Italian-brand bottled beer or Stella Artois. I guess this place has just run out of steam. Poor location for the tourist trade, but locals will flock to great food value. The prices remained high while the quality slid downhill, hence the decline. When the owners bring back the quality, I have no doubt that Mattina's will regain its stature. Until then, you can do better.
(2)
Donna M.
Boy does AAA "underrate" this wonderful find! We had a delightful dinner there last night. Very clever item names. :) Fresh, delicious food; imaginatively put together -- like steak with marinara & cheese baked on top! Gracious waiter. Nice candle-lite atmosphere. And a location nicely "off" the main highway!
(4)
Anthony N.
Very good food and service, especially in the middle of nowhere. My biggest/only complaint is the weird time that they are open... Tues through Sat, only from 5 to 9PM?! What a shame, there's very little fine dining in the "giant" city of Kingman.
(4)
Lynn B.
Maybe the best restaurant in Kingman for a nice sit down meal. The service I experienced was timely and friendly. The Cesar salad I started with was fresh and crunchy; all the parts were there but Ceasar Cardini's work it wasn't but I still enjoyed it. The bread was very good. I had the Sawed off Sausage pasta. It was a large portion. Tasty. Maybe just a touch heavy with the oil. I had a good choice of wines by the glass with some notable Italians represented including a Prosecco. Overall, a very pleasant dinner. I will go back.
(4)
Chris L.
Great place to have dinner. James the pianist is a wonderful addition to the restaurant! I would recommend for date night. The food tonight was good nice portion size and the server was very nice.
(4)
Matthew G.
So....Yelp led me wrong. It's rare, but it happens. Walked in around 6pm, and there were few people in there. It was dead silent, besides listening to the others talk. Hostess/waitress was very polite. Ordered a coke and chicken parmigiana. Coke was flat, stuck with water. Bread came, it was awesome! My hopes were now high. Then my good came.....I looked and knew it wasn't a good situation. Big soggy piece of chicken under a layer of generic cheese. Breading was soggy, and Greece squirted out with every bite. I had to stop. Buttered noodles were good. Meal costed me $24. Wouldn't recommend this place.
(1)
Kathie L.
Very sweet little place in historic downtown Kingman. Food was excellent. I would recommend for a business dinner or a special night out. Great service and atmosphere.
(5)
Patti M.
We LOVE Mattina's ! Been going here for over 6 years! Great food,Great Service! Excellent! The photos show Chicken Parmesean and Special, Blackened Filet !
(5)
C P.
This used to be one of the best restaurants in Northern Arizona. Sadly no more. The food is ok and you'll find it palatable, but the value for price and exceptional service no longer exists. The quality of the food and preparation has gone from five stars to one. For over $30.00 per person you can expect a mediocre steak prepared in a very substandard manner. Upon my last visit I ordered the Rib Eye xtra rare...what I got was medium at best. The staff offered to replace it. As we had already been waiting over an hour I opted to eat it instead. All that was discounted for their lack luster performance was $10.00. In summary, they are ok, but not for the extraordinary prices they charge the quality and level of service is not there.
Recently disappointing. I used to really enjoy this place. I've gone there through many changes of owners - since the mid 90s when they were Portofino. Recently, however, the food quality has dropped a bit, while the portions have shrank and the prices have increased substantially. The service is excellent, and the food is still good. It's just not of a level justifying such a high price like it used to be. For that kind of money, I can wait and go to Rao's or Maggiano's in Las Vegas. Their tiramisu is still fantastic.
(2)
Andrea T.
Based on some of the reviews, we were a little reluctant to go back, but we did, and dinner was great! I had the Caesar salad, and the Sinatra Stuffed Sole, hubby had the Caprese and the Surf and Turf, we were both very happy. Our table was between the fireplace and the piano player. We totally enjoyed the piano player, he came around and spoke to everyone. Very nice. I'll be back again!
(4)
Megan D.
Amazing! I've never been disappointed over the many years I've been going and their food is always consistently great! Best chicken Marsala and tiramisu I've ever had!
(5)
Pamela C.
We've been going here for over ten years. Original owners were the best. The food is still pretty tasty although a little overpriced for the area. The service has been hit and miss for awhile but tonight was the worst service we've had anywhere in a long time. Waited for the server to take our order, waited even longer for the appetizer and salad. We had to ask when it was coming and then she had another server finally deliver it. When the entree was served we were never offered cheese for our pasta or checked back with by anyone until we were halfway through our dinner! She seemed like she just couldn't be bothered with us. It was very disappointing since I'm a server at a fine dining restaurant myself. If I need help to take care of a guest I ask for it. And if I make a mistake I acknowledge it and do what I can to make sure I have a return guest. We won't be trying Mattina's again for a long time.
(2)
Nolan B.
Had the pepperoni pizza and meatballs which were amazing!!!! These were from my wifes baby shower and brought to me...absolutely fantastic!!! The bread was great as were their garlic flat bread chips. Plus the manager Jason was more than accomadating. Thanks again and will definately go back.
(5)
Kate P.
This was on the best meals I have had in recent memory. Divine flavors. The pasta and bread were also impressive standing on their own. Quite a nice, unexpected interior for the location. Good way to go out with a bang for a cross country road trip! Pricey, but worth it. Ask to sample a wine you're thinking of. I wouldn't have gotten the house white had I tasted it...not bad, just not my cup of tea.
(5)
Mike C.
Mattina's in Kingman, AZ has THE best food in Kingman. The chef creates some delicious dishes. There is almost always a new limited time dish to try. The Shrimp Diabla was the choice on our last visit. The Penne Fungie is amazing and should be ordered. The restaurant is in an old part town and retains the charm of the down town area of Kingman. The wait staff is very friendly and makes good drinks as well. Highly recommended. My only problem now is to make myself stop ordering The Capone ribeye steak every time I go.
(5)
Ann V.
We were told of this restaurant while staying overnight in Kingman, Arizona while on a cross country road trip. We are so pleased with our decision to dine here. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate. The staff is attentive and friendly. The food selection is outstanding, and the meals are prepared by a classically trained chef. We enjoyed the chicken marsala and the penne rustica for entrees along with the house salad. For dessert we shared the homemade key lime pie. Everything was OUTSTANDING and DELICIOUS! The prices are fair for the portion sizes. When we ever pass through Kingman again, we will definitely visit Mattina's again.
(4)
Kim P.
Went to Mattinas for a birthday dinner. I ordered a ribeye rare. They brought me a New York well done. They did offer to redo it but since I had already waited over an hour for my dinner, I went ahead and ate it. It was dry and tough. My dinning companion's steak was also well done. Each of our meals were over 30$ each. The people sitting next to us ordered fish. It smelled rancid. The smell was so bad it made me sick. For all of this, the server was very nice and extremely apologetic but the manager took a mere 10$ off our almost 200$ ticket. They should have taken both steaks off as they were pretty much not edible. This place continues to let me down. I will not be going back again as I only try them every couple of years. If it's possible, they are getting worse. Definitely not worth the price or waste of an evening.
I have been here twice now, and feel compelled to write a review. The best place in Kingman to eat! The staff is nice, numerous great choices for wine, the food fantastic, and great after dinner coffee. Overall a great date night place. My fiancee, his family, and I went. We were talking wedding plans, and the owner overheard our conversation and threw in some great ideas of her own. We are planning on having our out-of-towners dinner there prior to the wedding now. The only thing that I can say that I was disappointed in, was the waiter did not mention the specials. We had to ask for these, which I am always up for ordering when told about them. What I got....cheese tortellini with gorgonzola cream sauce ($18) and added grilled chicken ($6); I find when I usually go to a restaurant with these prices I get much less food, not the case here.
(4)
Erek E.
This has to be one of the best restaurants in this town. Prices are well worth the meal. Service is awesome and the chick is a hottie with a body. It's a must if your in the area. Make sure you tip! Don't be cheap!
(5)
Kit K.
Tonight was our first time back in a year and a half. Our last visit on Valentine's Day of 2013 was disappointing in so many ways - not the food, though! But tonight was a special occasion and we wanted to give them another try since they've changed ownership in the not too distant past. Service was attentive, as always; wine was outstanding; food - as has ALWAYS been the case with Mattina's - was outstanding. Sadly I am addicted to their Penne Funghi so that's what I always order; my hubs has something different every time and tonight it was their veal special. We each had a house salad, 3 glasses of wine total, the entrees, and then a Tiramisu for dessert. Total was $107. Yes, that's a lot of money for dinner (his veal dish was $34.95!!), but this WAS a special occasion. We can't afford to do this often, but if it's a special night out that you want, Mattina's is the place to go. Oh, and since our last visit they've added live piano music which was wonderful. And on a side note, on Friday and Saturday nights you can order their pizza while at Black Bridge Brewery and have it delivered. I've never had their pizza but I'll bet it's outstanding.
(5)
Judy G.
Had the ravioli and it was delicious. The service was very attentive. Great bread. Nice wine selections. For the price I would have like to have a soup or salad included but all in all, I really enjoyed my meal.
(4)
Phil R.
We had been wanting to try this place for some time and finally made it. We were seated right away despite not having a reservation. Water came quick and that's about it... Almost 20 minutes later we were finally served beverages and even linger for a simple glass of wine. When the waiter finally returned after over half an hour, our order was taken. Now almost an hour into waiting and not a single refill of water or even soft drink, we had to ask for bread. It was rushed out and almost tossed at our table. Again, that was the last time we saw our waiter. We noticed that people coming in even with reservations were waiting and at least two other tables got fed up and left. I was looking forward to the food, but it seems that it's mostly over priced plain pasta and frozen. There was little in the way of an apology from the staff either. They just claimed that the appetizers were coming out in a few minutes; almost an hour later. I won't be going back.
(1)
Carmela H.
The delightful food, service & live piano music took us back the very next evening! When our waiter Charles found I'd left my credit card, he ran out the door, but we'd already driven away. He called every hotel & motel in town; however, we'd registered under my husband's surname. The next day I called from home, & the general manager Jason sent it overnight by UPS! Talk about service.
(5)
Nery R.
We were visiting Kingman, AZ for the night as we made our way to the Grand Canyon and were recommended Mattina's Ristorante by our hotel concierge. I can't describe in enough words how friendly the staff was, especially the owner who took her time to suggest some sightseeing areas for us. Our server as well was a delight. They went beyond the expected customer service. I also experienced that with many other establishments at Kingman, AZ. Great people. Needless to say, they hugged us on the way out lol. The food was absolutely delicious! I had their baby spinach salad with prosciutto and Gorgonzola cheese as a starter and loved every bite. I then had their famous Dean Martin Marsala chicken, I get hungry just thinking on how delicious the meal was. The chicken was so succulent! My boyfriend had their creamy penne pasta with mushroom and it was so full of flavor. We've been to many Italian restaurants in our hometown (Orlando, FL) and this restaurant was by far one of our very favorites. We ended our dining experience with their mouth-watering Key Lime pie and that truly sealed our night. The cozy, intimate restaurant makes it an ideal place for couples. Frank Sinatra can be heard in the background and the walls are adorned with many of his famous photos. Once again, their staff is by far one of the friendliest staff we've come across in many of our vacations. I really wish I could visit Kingman, AZ again so I enjoy another great dinner.
(5)
Lisa H.
The food is excellent - I honestly haven't had anything better in town. Make note that it is a bit pricey, but like all things in life, you get what you pay for. This is a 'special occasion' restaurant for us. :)
(5)
Timothy C.
Our second visit to Mattina's while overnighting in Kingman. Though not overly crowded on a Friday night, they had a steady flow of customers, both locals and tourists. The lady in charge is delightful and personable, and keeps a good eye on things. The servers are also friendly and keep the meal moving. We had two different salads, a perfectly fine Chicken Piccata and a "special" chicken made with artichoke hearts, lemon and white wine. Everything was tasty, and they have a decent wine list too. Remember, you're in Kingman, and not in a major city, so the pickings are slim, and this has to be about the best there is when it comes to an all-around good dinner house.
(4)
Kurt K.
I was shocked to find a restaurant of this quality in Kingman. Stayed at the Best Western on the outskirts of town. Mattina's was on their list, along with some chain-restaurants. Didn't look like much from the outside, but it was an independent and I decided to give it a try. I had Salmon with wine caper sauce and broccolini. Outstanding. Lovely think salmon filet, cooked just right with a lovely sauce. I am from Chicago, and judging by my experience, I think this restaurant would succeed in a city of any size. If you are in Kingman, looking for a very good meal out, try Mattina's.
(5)
Larry T.
Probably the nicest restaurant in Kingman - I am a local and have eaten at most every restaurant and can say this is the nicest around. Great menu, nice atmosphere and friendly staff. For our appetizer we had the bruschetta. For dinner I had the stuffed sole and my wife has the broiled chicken Parmesan. Finished it all off with some decaf and Creme Brule. Total bill was $61 before tax & tip. Well worth it!
(5)
Anastasia M.
Very poor lighting; individual table lights would be a fantastic improvement. It's always pleasant to see one's food clearly! Upon sitting down, we we're given only what could be an older menu, and were surprised at the significantly higher prices of the bill. We grabbed two other menus and found quite a different selection.The food was decent (I had the caprese), though the prices were a little high for the area and quality of food being served.
(2)
Debby P.
Food , atmosphere and personnel... Impeccable !!! We would travel from Arizona to introduce our friends to this great dining experience . Debby and Tyler Pellegrini
(5)
Dianne H.
Amazing food! Veal was excellent, the real thing. Lobster ravioli to die for, don't miss this wonderful restaurant if you're traveling through Kingman. The owner is so personable, and the wait staff is attentive but not obsequious. Intimate setting, great place for a quiet dinner or "date nite".
(5)
Dolores G.
This was a nice intimate setting. When my coworker and his wife invited my other coworker and I who were traveling here to join them here for dinner I wasn't too sure what to expect. It was nicer than I was prepared for, as I just had jeans and a sweater and running shoes, I felt slightly under dressed. If I lived here this would be a perfect date place. The menu had a nice selection and they offered some specials that evening. I decided to get the seafood ravioli with what I would describe as a white clam sauce. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and the rest of the party enjoyed theirs (the others got the steak medallions and they raved about them). I had the house chardonnay to accompany my dinner, but was looking at the bottle of Tempranillo while I was contemplating the lamb. I decided to try the key lime for desert. Delish! Large enough to share but I took part of it home for later. If I lived here this is where I would go everytime I wanted a nice "escape" from the norm or to take visiting friends.
(4)
Charlie C.
I chose this place just because it was the closest to the hotel I was staying at. I found out about it through a restaurant map from my hotel. Good choice. I went in on a Friday night and it wasn't too busy. It is located kind of in an isolated area off Route 66. Very nice greeting upon entry and was immediately seated. I was brought my drink and I decided to go with the Sinatra Sole. It's covered with a cream sauce and peas and it was delicious. It began with about six little pieces of sourdough bread and a garlic butter that was excellent. After stuffing myself with the bread, I was barely able to finish my meal. My waiter was excellent (sorry, didn't get his name) and I am assuming the owner it was that came by was very nice. It looks like a wonderful little family owned place that many locals visit frequently. It would probably do much better if it were located closer to 66 or on a main road like Stockton Hill. I did think the price was a little excessive for my meal. I thought the menu was limited. But I did enjoy the meal and the ambiance of the place and I wish them the best of luck. I would probably search out another restaurant in town if I passed this way again, though.
(3)
Rhonda H.
Very good food and friendly, capable, and attentive service. Considerably better than one might expect in a small AZ city.
(4)
Mike S.
My opinion: Since Carlo died, this place has suffered. The last two times I have been in, the calamari steak appetizer was "not available" and I was told by one server that it was being taken off the menu. Apparently, the server was wrong. For me, the highlight of dinner at Mattina's has always been the tiramisu. In those last two times, once it was not available and the other, it came out and was dry and gritty. Perhaps that was just one batch, but I never got a bad tiramisu when Carlo was around.
(3)
Cathryn P.
BF took me here last night for a romantic dinner. FANTASTIC food n service! Not the biggest fan of tiramisu bc it's always soggy, BUT mattina's tiramisu was TO DIE FOR! Matter of fact, it might be the BEST DESSERT I've ever had! :) It was THAT good.
(5)
Kevin B.
We were traveling between Grand Canyon and Las Vegas at 8pm. We were looking for something that the kids would like as well as us. After reading the reviews here, my mouth was watering and I had high expectations. When we arrived, it seemed like an abandoned warehouse district. The lighting inside this concrete block box was so dim, we thought they were closed. I think Michele R.'s review here is very accurate. Maybe since I live near NYC I am used to a certain level of Italian food. There were some highlights such as my wife's shrimp with tomato cream sauce. It was really light and" tomatoey" and served on a bed of angel hair. I had the Seafood Ravioli which by themselves were excellent. Unfortunately they were smothered in a heavy, bland cream sauce with "baby clams" on top. I'm pretty sure the baby clams were chopped clams from a can. My daughter loves clams so she ordered the Angel hair with garlic / olive oil / white wine. She asked for the baby clams on this. Of course she unwittingly also got the chopped clams from a can. This dish was tasteless. I really should have sent it back but it was late and we were in a hurry to leave. My son got the cheese tortellini with a marinara sauce. Again, the tortellini was fresh and delicious. The sauce was heavy, acidic, and overbearing with a lot of chopped basil. My son took two bites. The bill came to $105 with no apps and one glass of wine. I left thinking that since some of the food was good, maybe I just ordered the wrong things. When you are paying top dollar for food, I expect everything to be delicious, not just some of it. Roll the dice if you feel lucky.... P.S. - The people were friendly and the waiter was good, I just wished the food was.
(3)
William L.
Very willing to oblige with a delicious gluten and lactose free meal
(4)
Thomas P.
what a great taste this place has,host for nice-blue cheese dressing and salad great-ribeye dish with sauce-tasty-salmon lemon capers dish and sauce to die for- service 5 star
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Brian Z.
My first and last visit was recently, after hearing how one used to need a reservation days in advance, now you can walk in and be seated immediately. It is not the service, which is good, and it's not the ambiance, which is also pleasant. It's the food quality. Appetizers: frozen calimari, embarrassing bruschetta, and snails the consistncy of rubber erasers. Pasta: inconsistent, some chewy, some sticky, generally oversauced. Mains: cold, not particularly flavorful, but edible. Desserts: Good. Wine list: not especially impressive but you can't go wrong with major Italian-brand bottled beer or Stella Artois. I guess this place has just run out of steam. Poor location for the tourist trade, but locals will flock to great food value. The prices remained high while the quality slid downhill, hence the decline. When the owners bring back the quality, I have no doubt that Mattina's will regain its stature. Until then, you can do better.
(2)Donna M.
Boy does AAA "underrate" this wonderful find! We had a delightful dinner there last night. Very clever item names. :) Fresh, delicious food; imaginatively put together -- like steak with marinara & cheese baked on top! Gracious waiter. Nice candle-lite atmosphere. And a location nicely "off" the main highway!
(4)Anthony N.
Very good food and service, especially in the middle of nowhere. My biggest/only complaint is the weird time that they are open... Tues through Sat, only from 5 to 9PM?! What a shame, there's very little fine dining in the "giant" city of Kingman.
(4)Lynn B.
Maybe the best restaurant in Kingman for a nice sit down meal. The service I experienced was timely and friendly. The Cesar salad I started with was fresh and crunchy; all the parts were there but Ceasar Cardini's work it wasn't but I still enjoyed it. The bread was very good. I had the Sawed off Sausage pasta. It was a large portion. Tasty. Maybe just a touch heavy with the oil. I had a good choice of wines by the glass with some notable Italians represented including a Prosecco. Overall, a very pleasant dinner. I will go back.
(4)Chris L.
Great place to have dinner. James the pianist is a wonderful addition to the restaurant! I would recommend for date night. The food tonight was good nice portion size and the server was very nice.
(4)Matthew G.
So....Yelp led me wrong. It's rare, but it happens. Walked in around 6pm, and there were few people in there. It was dead silent, besides listening to the others talk. Hostess/waitress was very polite. Ordered a coke and chicken parmigiana. Coke was flat, stuck with water. Bread came, it was awesome! My hopes were now high. Then my good came.....I looked and knew it wasn't a good situation. Big soggy piece of chicken under a layer of generic cheese. Breading was soggy, and Greece squirted out with every bite. I had to stop. Buttered noodles were good. Meal costed me $24. Wouldn't recommend this place.
(1)Kathie L.
Very sweet little place in historic downtown Kingman. Food was excellent. I would recommend for a business dinner or a special night out. Great service and atmosphere.
(5)Patti M.
We LOVE Mattina's ! Been going here for over 6 years! Great food,Great Service! Excellent! The photos show Chicken Parmesean and Special, Blackened Filet !
(5)C P.
This used to be one of the best restaurants in Northern Arizona. Sadly no more. The food is ok and you'll find it palatable, but the value for price and exceptional service no longer exists. The quality of the food and preparation has gone from five stars to one. For over $30.00 per person you can expect a mediocre steak prepared in a very substandard manner. Upon my last visit I ordered the Rib Eye xtra rare...what I got was medium at best. The staff offered to replace it. As we had already been waiting over an hour I opted to eat it instead. All that was discounted for their lack luster performance was $10.00. In summary, they are ok, but not for the extraordinary prices they charge the quality and level of service is not there.
(1)Michele R.
Outside the front door of Mattina's Ristorante Italiano is a row of several pair of shoes set in cement. (Get it? Of course you do.) I wondered if that footwear might have once belonged to Yelp reviewers who awarded Mattina's less than stellar scores. (My husband is Sicilian heritage. I know how this works.) If so, I was thinking I'd better hold on to my loafers as for my husband and me dinner here last month was "mezza-mezza". Maybe we'd have been happier had our expectations been not as high going in. But in reading some high praise Yelp reviews and seeing the restaurant tout "authentic Sicilian dining" we were expecting something different than we received. BOTTOM LINE: We'd go back in a pinch when traveling through Kingman again as one could for sure do worse than this. But one could likely do better too for the price. There were things we enjoyed about our dinner here. They are... ...THE GOOD THINGS: A nice Italian music themed mix on the sound system, from Pavarotti to Sinatra to Louis Prima, that would make Don Corleone and his progeny happy. One full star just for the great music. Our server was attentive, friendly and helpful. As for ambiance, while an older building all was sparking clean. And we got a kick out of the Italian décor that my hubby's parents, both Sicilian and life long New Yorkers, would have thought cool. Like Frank Sinatra's mugshot from his arrest (in 1938 for the seduction of a married woman...no kidding...times were different). That "nudge / wink" Italian theme was carried to food titles on the menu "Dino's Calamari Steak, "The Gotti", "Sophia Loren Florentine" and on and on. The wine list was a decent one for a little place. While we wished there were more by glass options, we appreciated there were mostly Italian varietals from which to choose. Plua a full bar if you want cocktails. We don't eat beef, but if you do and steak is your thing, then we imagine you may want to check this out as there were several steaks on the menu. But the not so good thing that lead to this mezza-mezza review had to do with the menu for Italian specialties, the food quality and prices which were too high for what it was. Or as my late mother in law would have said... ...THIS IS WHATSTHEMATTATHETROUBLE... My husband grew up in an Italian neighborhood in Brooklyn and knows something about "authentic Sicilian". Mattina's food was not that in spite of the fact the restaurant advertises with that tag line. In fact it seemed the menu leaned quite a bit to the white sauces (for example Alfredo sauce, gorgonzola cream sauce, tomato cream sauce, lemon caper cream sauce and just plain old cream sauce) of other parts of Italy and not the rustic red sauces or lighter olive oil and herb sauce fare of Sicily. There was also a "hitch" in quality of ingredients. For example, when reviewing the menu, my hubby asked our friendly server if the Italian sausage (which inexplicably was served in Alfredo sauce) was all pork. The waiter said no, it contained beef too. My hubby said (in uncharacteristically challenging tone) then it was NOT Italian Sausage. The waiter said "it is in Arizona". Ba da boom. When I asked about the kind of mussels used the spicy mussel dish the waiter left to ask the chef. I was expecting him to return with the answer of, say, Green Lip or Prince Edward Island. Instead he returned to say "our mussels are frozen". When I asked if that meant the mussels were served out of the shell, the waiter said "No. We cook them frozen in the shell and then serve them in the shell. We are in the desert. You can't get fresh mussels in the desert." I passed on the mussels. (And didn't tell him I also live in a desert and always can get fresh mussels.) Also, sacrilege for my husband in an Italian restaurant, the bread was not good. WHAT WORKED: We settled on sharing some things. First, antipasto platewith lots of olives (pretty good), a caprese salad ( mozzarella was good if not the tomatoes) and a pasta dish the chef was nice enough to make to our request which was this: "Would it be be possible to get the spicy red sauce that comes with the mussels and angel-hair but without the mussels and without the angel-hair, but with the mushrooms that come in the white sauce, but not the white sauce, and have that spicy mushroom sauce tossed with penne?" That the chef was willing to put together a dish from ingredients on the menu but which was not on the menu was a very good thing. It was a good dish and the important thing was the pasta was nicely al dente. THIS N THAT: PARKING & ACCESSIBILITY: Located in downtown Kingman, parking is on street. The bad news is there was no on street accessible parking, which would be important to know for my Yelp friends and others who use wheelchairs and need it. The good news is the restaurant is level in and there is an accessible route to seating and bar on upper level.
(3)Bryan G.
Recently disappointing. I used to really enjoy this place. I've gone there through many changes of owners - since the mid 90s when they were Portofino. Recently, however, the food quality has dropped a bit, while the portions have shrank and the prices have increased substantially. The service is excellent, and the food is still good. It's just not of a level justifying such a high price like it used to be. For that kind of money, I can wait and go to Rao's or Maggiano's in Las Vegas. Their tiramisu is still fantastic.
(2)Andrea T.
Based on some of the reviews, we were a little reluctant to go back, but we did, and dinner was great! I had the Caesar salad, and the Sinatra Stuffed Sole, hubby had the Caprese and the Surf and Turf, we were both very happy. Our table was between the fireplace and the piano player. We totally enjoyed the piano player, he came around and spoke to everyone. Very nice. I'll be back again!
(4)Megan D.
Amazing! I've never been disappointed over the many years I've been going and their food is always consistently great! Best chicken Marsala and tiramisu I've ever had!
(5)Pamela C.
We've been going here for over ten years. Original owners were the best. The food is still pretty tasty although a little overpriced for the area. The service has been hit and miss for awhile but tonight was the worst service we've had anywhere in a long time. Waited for the server to take our order, waited even longer for the appetizer and salad. We had to ask when it was coming and then she had another server finally deliver it. When the entree was served we were never offered cheese for our pasta or checked back with by anyone until we were halfway through our dinner! She seemed like she just couldn't be bothered with us. It was very disappointing since I'm a server at a fine dining restaurant myself. If I need help to take care of a guest I ask for it. And if I make a mistake I acknowledge it and do what I can to make sure I have a return guest. We won't be trying Mattina's again for a long time.
(2)Nolan B.
Had the pepperoni pizza and meatballs which were amazing!!!! These were from my wifes baby shower and brought to me...absolutely fantastic!!! The bread was great as were their garlic flat bread chips. Plus the manager Jason was more than accomadating. Thanks again and will definately go back.
(5)Kate P.
This was on the best meals I have had in recent memory. Divine flavors. The pasta and bread were also impressive standing on their own. Quite a nice, unexpected interior for the location. Good way to go out with a bang for a cross country road trip! Pricey, but worth it. Ask to sample a wine you're thinking of. I wouldn't have gotten the house white had I tasted it...not bad, just not my cup of tea.
(5)Mike C.
Mattina's in Kingman, AZ has THE best food in Kingman. The chef creates some delicious dishes. There is almost always a new limited time dish to try. The Shrimp Diabla was the choice on our last visit. The Penne Fungie is amazing and should be ordered. The restaurant is in an old part town and retains the charm of the down town area of Kingman. The wait staff is very friendly and makes good drinks as well. Highly recommended. My only problem now is to make myself stop ordering The Capone ribeye steak every time I go.
(5)Ann V.
We were told of this restaurant while staying overnight in Kingman, Arizona while on a cross country road trip. We are so pleased with our decision to dine here. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate. The staff is attentive and friendly. The food selection is outstanding, and the meals are prepared by a classically trained chef. We enjoyed the chicken marsala and the penne rustica for entrees along with the house salad. For dessert we shared the homemade key lime pie. Everything was OUTSTANDING and DELICIOUS! The prices are fair for the portion sizes. When we ever pass through Kingman again, we will definitely visit Mattina's again.
(4)Kim P.
Went to Mattinas for a birthday dinner. I ordered a ribeye rare. They brought me a New York well done. They did offer to redo it but since I had already waited over an hour for my dinner, I went ahead and ate it. It was dry and tough. My dinning companion's steak was also well done. Each of our meals were over 30$ each. The people sitting next to us ordered fish. It smelled rancid. The smell was so bad it made me sick. For all of this, the server was very nice and extremely apologetic but the manager took a mere 10$ off our almost 200$ ticket. They should have taken both steaks off as they were pretty much not edible. This place continues to let me down. I will not be going back again as I only try them every couple of years. If it's possible, they are getting worse. Definitely not worth the price or waste of an evening.
(1)Jaime F.
Apparently having cloth table linens means you can charge $20 for a plain pasta plate. I ordered the fettuccini Alfredo, yes you may add meet only for another $10.. they have absolutely no vegetable or nuts added to this plate, or any other plate options. This is just obscure. My 7 year old niece could make something more creative and upscale. if your going to charge at least meet up to par. The service was a joke. We walked in and the owner or staff was eating at corner table, the place smelt like cat pee. My fiancé and I could not wait to get the heck out of there. You feel like once you sit down and have ordered a drink you are obligated to stay, next time I will leave and just follow my instinct, this place was nasty.
(1)Tiffany B.
I have been here twice now, and feel compelled to write a review. The best place in Kingman to eat! The staff is nice, numerous great choices for wine, the food fantastic, and great after dinner coffee. Overall a great date night place. My fiancee, his family, and I went. We were talking wedding plans, and the owner overheard our conversation and threw in some great ideas of her own. We are planning on having our out-of-towners dinner there prior to the wedding now. The only thing that I can say that I was disappointed in, was the waiter did not mention the specials. We had to ask for these, which I am always up for ordering when told about them. What I got....cheese tortellini with gorgonzola cream sauce ($18) and added grilled chicken ($6); I find when I usually go to a restaurant with these prices I get much less food, not the case here.
(4)Erek E.
This has to be one of the best restaurants in this town. Prices are well worth the meal. Service is awesome and the chick is a hottie with a body. It's a must if your in the area. Make sure you tip! Don't be cheap!
(5)Kit K.
Tonight was our first time back in a year and a half. Our last visit on Valentine's Day of 2013 was disappointing in so many ways - not the food, though! But tonight was a special occasion and we wanted to give them another try since they've changed ownership in the not too distant past. Service was attentive, as always; wine was outstanding; food - as has ALWAYS been the case with Mattina's - was outstanding. Sadly I am addicted to their Penne Funghi so that's what I always order; my hubs has something different every time and tonight it was their veal special. We each had a house salad, 3 glasses of wine total, the entrees, and then a Tiramisu for dessert. Total was $107. Yes, that's a lot of money for dinner (his veal dish was $34.95!!), but this WAS a special occasion. We can't afford to do this often, but if it's a special night out that you want, Mattina's is the place to go. Oh, and since our last visit they've added live piano music which was wonderful. And on a side note, on Friday and Saturday nights you can order their pizza while at Black Bridge Brewery and have it delivered. I've never had their pizza but I'll bet it's outstanding.
(5)Judy G.
Had the ravioli and it was delicious. The service was very attentive. Great bread. Nice wine selections. For the price I would have like to have a soup or salad included but all in all, I really enjoyed my meal.
(4)Phil R.
We had been wanting to try this place for some time and finally made it. We were seated right away despite not having a reservation. Water came quick and that's about it... Almost 20 minutes later we were finally served beverages and even linger for a simple glass of wine. When the waiter finally returned after over half an hour, our order was taken. Now almost an hour into waiting and not a single refill of water or even soft drink, we had to ask for bread. It was rushed out and almost tossed at our table. Again, that was the last time we saw our waiter. We noticed that people coming in even with reservations were waiting and at least two other tables got fed up and left. I was looking forward to the food, but it seems that it's mostly over priced plain pasta and frozen. There was little in the way of an apology from the staff either. They just claimed that the appetizers were coming out in a few minutes; almost an hour later. I won't be going back.
(1)Carmela H.
The delightful food, service & live piano music took us back the very next evening! When our waiter Charles found I'd left my credit card, he ran out the door, but we'd already driven away. He called every hotel & motel in town; however, we'd registered under my husband's surname. The next day I called from home, & the general manager Jason sent it overnight by UPS! Talk about service.
(5)Nery R.
We were visiting Kingman, AZ for the night as we made our way to the Grand Canyon and were recommended Mattina's Ristorante by our hotel concierge. I can't describe in enough words how friendly the staff was, especially the owner who took her time to suggest some sightseeing areas for us. Our server as well was a delight. They went beyond the expected customer service. I also experienced that with many other establishments at Kingman, AZ. Great people. Needless to say, they hugged us on the way out lol. The food was absolutely delicious! I had their baby spinach salad with prosciutto and Gorgonzola cheese as a starter and loved every bite. I then had their famous Dean Martin Marsala chicken, I get hungry just thinking on how delicious the meal was. The chicken was so succulent! My boyfriend had their creamy penne pasta with mushroom and it was so full of flavor. We've been to many Italian restaurants in our hometown (Orlando, FL) and this restaurant was by far one of our very favorites. We ended our dining experience with their mouth-watering Key Lime pie and that truly sealed our night. The cozy, intimate restaurant makes it an ideal place for couples. Frank Sinatra can be heard in the background and the walls are adorned with many of his famous photos. Once again, their staff is by far one of the friendliest staff we've come across in many of our vacations. I really wish I could visit Kingman, AZ again so I enjoy another great dinner.
(5)Lisa H.
The food is excellent - I honestly haven't had anything better in town. Make note that it is a bit pricey, but like all things in life, you get what you pay for. This is a 'special occasion' restaurant for us. :)
(5)Timothy C.
Our second visit to Mattina's while overnighting in Kingman. Though not overly crowded on a Friday night, they had a steady flow of customers, both locals and tourists. The lady in charge is delightful and personable, and keeps a good eye on things. The servers are also friendly and keep the meal moving. We had two different salads, a perfectly fine Chicken Piccata and a "special" chicken made with artichoke hearts, lemon and white wine. Everything was tasty, and they have a decent wine list too. Remember, you're in Kingman, and not in a major city, so the pickings are slim, and this has to be about the best there is when it comes to an all-around good dinner house.
(4)Kurt K.
I was shocked to find a restaurant of this quality in Kingman. Stayed at the Best Western on the outskirts of town. Mattina's was on their list, along with some chain-restaurants. Didn't look like much from the outside, but it was an independent and I decided to give it a try. I had Salmon with wine caper sauce and broccolini. Outstanding. Lovely think salmon filet, cooked just right with a lovely sauce. I am from Chicago, and judging by my experience, I think this restaurant would succeed in a city of any size. If you are in Kingman, looking for a very good meal out, try Mattina's.
(5)Larry T.
Probably the nicest restaurant in Kingman - I am a local and have eaten at most every restaurant and can say this is the nicest around. Great menu, nice atmosphere and friendly staff. For our appetizer we had the bruschetta. For dinner I had the stuffed sole and my wife has the broiled chicken Parmesan. Finished it all off with some decaf and Creme Brule. Total bill was $61 before tax & tip. Well worth it!
(5)Anastasia M.
Very poor lighting; individual table lights would be a fantastic improvement. It's always pleasant to see one's food clearly! Upon sitting down, we we're given only what could be an older menu, and were surprised at the significantly higher prices of the bill. We grabbed two other menus and found quite a different selection.The food was decent (I had the caprese), though the prices were a little high for the area and quality of food being served.
(2)Debby P.
Food , atmosphere and personnel... Impeccable !!! We would travel from Arizona to introduce our friends to this great dining experience . Debby and Tyler Pellegrini
(5)Dianne H.
Amazing food! Veal was excellent, the real thing. Lobster ravioli to die for, don't miss this wonderful restaurant if you're traveling through Kingman. The owner is so personable, and the wait staff is attentive but not obsequious. Intimate setting, great place for a quiet dinner or "date nite".
(5)Dolores G.
This was a nice intimate setting. When my coworker and his wife invited my other coworker and I who were traveling here to join them here for dinner I wasn't too sure what to expect. It was nicer than I was prepared for, as I just had jeans and a sweater and running shoes, I felt slightly under dressed. If I lived here this would be a perfect date place. The menu had a nice selection and they offered some specials that evening. I decided to get the seafood ravioli with what I would describe as a white clam sauce. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and the rest of the party enjoyed theirs (the others got the steak medallions and they raved about them). I had the house chardonnay to accompany my dinner, but was looking at the bottle of Tempranillo while I was contemplating the lamb. I decided to try the key lime for desert. Delish! Large enough to share but I took part of it home for later. If I lived here this is where I would go everytime I wanted a nice "escape" from the norm or to take visiting friends.
(4)Charlie C.
I chose this place just because it was the closest to the hotel I was staying at. I found out about it through a restaurant map from my hotel. Good choice. I went in on a Friday night and it wasn't too busy. It is located kind of in an isolated area off Route 66. Very nice greeting upon entry and was immediately seated. I was brought my drink and I decided to go with the Sinatra Sole. It's covered with a cream sauce and peas and it was delicious. It began with about six little pieces of sourdough bread and a garlic butter that was excellent. After stuffing myself with the bread, I was barely able to finish my meal. My waiter was excellent (sorry, didn't get his name) and I am assuming the owner it was that came by was very nice. It looks like a wonderful little family owned place that many locals visit frequently. It would probably do much better if it were located closer to 66 or on a main road like Stockton Hill. I did think the price was a little excessive for my meal. I thought the menu was limited. But I did enjoy the meal and the ambiance of the place and I wish them the best of luck. I would probably search out another restaurant in town if I passed this way again, though.
(3)Rhonda H.
Very good food and friendly, capable, and attentive service. Considerably better than one might expect in a small AZ city.
(4)Mike S.
My opinion: Since Carlo died, this place has suffered. The last two times I have been in, the calamari steak appetizer was "not available" and I was told by one server that it was being taken off the menu. Apparently, the server was wrong. For me, the highlight of dinner at Mattina's has always been the tiramisu. In those last two times, once it was not available and the other, it came out and was dry and gritty. Perhaps that was just one batch, but I never got a bad tiramisu when Carlo was around.
(3)Cathryn P.
BF took me here last night for a romantic dinner. FANTASTIC food n service! Not the biggest fan of tiramisu bc it's always soggy, BUT mattina's tiramisu was TO DIE FOR! Matter of fact, it might be the BEST DESSERT I've ever had! :) It was THAT good.
(5)Kevin B.
We were traveling between Grand Canyon and Las Vegas at 8pm. We were looking for something that the kids would like as well as us. After reading the reviews here, my mouth was watering and I had high expectations. When we arrived, it seemed like an abandoned warehouse district. The lighting inside this concrete block box was so dim, we thought they were closed. I think Michele R.'s review here is very accurate. Maybe since I live near NYC I am used to a certain level of Italian food. There were some highlights such as my wife's shrimp with tomato cream sauce. It was really light and" tomatoey" and served on a bed of angel hair. I had the Seafood Ravioli which by themselves were excellent. Unfortunately they were smothered in a heavy, bland cream sauce with "baby clams" on top. I'm pretty sure the baby clams were chopped clams from a can. My daughter loves clams so she ordered the Angel hair with garlic / olive oil / white wine. She asked for the baby clams on this. Of course she unwittingly also got the chopped clams from a can. This dish was tasteless. I really should have sent it back but it was late and we were in a hurry to leave. My son got the cheese tortellini with a marinara sauce. Again, the tortellini was fresh and delicious. The sauce was heavy, acidic, and overbearing with a lot of chopped basil. My son took two bites. The bill came to $105 with no apps and one glass of wine. I left thinking that since some of the food was good, maybe I just ordered the wrong things. When you are paying top dollar for food, I expect everything to be delicious, not just some of it. Roll the dice if you feel lucky.... P.S. - The people were friendly and the waiter was good, I just wished the food was.
(3)William L.
Very willing to oblige with a delicious gluten and lactose free meal
(4)Thomas P.
what a great taste this place has,host for nice-blue cheese dressing and salad great-ribeye dish with sauce-tasty-salmon lemon capers dish and sauce to die for- service 5 star
(5)