By Liz Premo and Jessica Jenkins
Atlantic News/Beach News, Thursday, July 8, 2004
HAMPTON — Tucked between the two curved wrought iron stairways of the Hillcrest Inn on Hampton Beach is another stairway which leads to a beautiful restaurant where some of the most delicious food in the area can be found. That restaurant is Beautiful Mama Leone’s, a wonderful family eatery which has been a tradition in the Seacoast area for 30 admirable years.
Building up their establishment “piece by piece, year by year,” owners Gus and Linda D’Angelo have created a very special place for people who expect only the very best in Italian and pasta dishes, fresh seafood, prime steaks, lobster dishes, chicken and veal. Beautiful Mama Leone’s serves all this good food, and plenty of it, at a very fair price — always.
Gus, who notes that his recipes are the same today as the day his restaurant opened 30 years ago, says “Our food is always consistent. What you find today, you’ll find tomorrow.” That means it’s always available, and always delicious. It’s also very fresh too, with everything prepared on-site using only the freshest ingredients and the restaurant’s unique recipes. That special kind of care and attention is evident in every dish that comes from Mama’s kitchen.
“Our food is excellent,” says Gus. “It speaks for itself.”
Breakfast is served daily from 7:15-11:30 a.m., and the full menu offers such morning fare as muffins, eggs, pancakes, French toast, omelets, and side orders of bacon, sausage, ham and sirloin steak. Folks with appetites from “Kiddies” (one egg, two Danish-style country pancakes and cantaloupe) to “Gladiators” (two eggs, bacon, sausage or ham, homefries, toast, butter & jelly, cantaloupe and coffee, tea or milk) will be satisfied when they start their day at this Hampton Beach favorite.
When dinnertime rolls around, the best of Italian cuisine — as well as delicious seafood, steaks, veal and chicken — can always be found at Mama Leone’s. Pasta dishes (lasagne, linguine, spaghetti or ziti) topped with Mama’s delicious marinara sauce accompany many tasty dishes. A selection of tender prime steaks and mouth-watering seafood (delivered fresh daily) are always available, always fresh, and always delicious. The veal parmesan has always been a signature favorite. Antipasto and garden salads, homemade soups and warm bread help to make every meal at Mama Leone’s a satisfying one. Talented Chef, Andrea Bushway, has been with Mama’s for more than ten years and has contributed greatly to their reputation of excellence. In addition, Mama Leone’s has a children’s menu, desserts, take-out, and a full bar.
What Beautiful Mama Leone’s also has is a great waitstaff who will greet you with a smile and show you to your seat in one of three dining areas, with various Tiffany-style lamps and quiet ceiling fans overhead, and a decor that is inviting as well as comfortable. Linda manages the waitstaff and, says Gus, “has a fantastic rapport with [them.]” He adds, “We treat the help with respect, and they treat us with respect.” They treat their customers with respect, too, and they will do everything they can to help make a visit to Mama Leone’s a pleasant and memorable one.
Originally from Lawrence, Massachusetts, and with more than 54 years of experience in the restaurant industry from coast to coast, Gus brings a vast array of knowledge to his business. Says Gus, “We’ve enjoyed serving the people at Hampton Beach, and we hope to continue serving the best food possible for many years to come.” With an exemplary reputation for serving consistently delicious food season after season, Mama Leone’s is definitely a restaurant for those people who expect only the very best.
Discover for yourself. Come to Beautiful Mama Leone’s, and bring a big appetite. Mama Leone’s is open every day for breakfast from 7:15-11:30 a.m. and for dinner Monday through Saturday from 3:30-9 p.m. Sunday hours for lunch and dinner are from 12 noon to 9 p.m. Mama Leone’s is located at 113 Ocean Boulevard, in the Hillcrest Inn, across the street from the children’s playground. For more information, call (603) 926-5576.