For starters, try either the Seafood Gumbo or the Cream of Artichoke soup. They are both wonderful. I also like the Fried Calamari. This is a dish that most Italian restaurants serve. Mandina's has one of the best in the city.
In the entree section, there are many winners to choose from. I cannot pick a favorite because I always have a hard time choosing from this menu. The Osso Bucco is out of this world. This veal shank is marinated for 24 hours to achieve its fall off the bone quality. They also make a wonderful Veal Parmigiana.
If you are hungry for seafood, there are a couple of dishes with an Italian twist done here. My favorite here is the Shrimp Mandina. This dish consist of large shrimp, sauteed in Mandinas' secret brown sauce, served over pasta topped with the same brown sauce. The menu syas that it is on the spicy side. This dish does satisfy your craving for spicy but the spice does not linger in your mouth. It has a nice kick but does not require you to drink a quart of water afterwards. Also good are the Shrimp & Crabmeat Veal Classico and the Strata Del Mare. The veal is topped with a shrimp and crabmeat dressing, topped with Alfredo sauce and served with Angel Hair Marinara. The Strata Del Mare, Layers of Seafood, Is fresh gulf shrimp, crabmeat and catfish layered between sheets of pasta topped with a seafood marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. All of the entrees come with a small house salad and a basket of garlic bread and homemade rolls.
Mandina's lunch menu prices tend to be a little lower than the dinner menu. But it is the weekly specials that pack the house for lunch. All day Tuesday, they offer 2 for 1 Meatballs & Pasta. This is the day which has put Mandina's on the map. On Wednesdays, It is Veal Parmigiana Day. Thursdays is Lasagne Day. Fridays is Freid Catfish Day. On Friday, I would skip the catfish for the Seafood Manicotti.
There is a piano player in the house on the 3 nights they are open, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. I think this adds a nice touch to the atmosphere, which tends to get a little loud. But that is my only problem with the place.
Mandina's is located on Pratt street right off the Westbank Expressway. If you are not careful you might miss it. And that would be your loss, because this is a place not to be missed.
Fried Calimari
Cream of Artichoke Soup
Shrimp Mandina
Strata Del Mare
Osso Bucco
Veal Parmigiana
Shrimp & Crabmeat Veal Classico
Tuesday 11:00am to 9:00pm
Wednesday 11:00am to 2:00pm
Thursday 11:00am to 2:00pm
Friday 11:00am to 10:00pm
Saturday 5:00pm to 10:00pm
