Rosemarie Motta
doesn’t want to brag, but she makes a "killer carrot cake."
Her desserts come out of Grandma Motta’s Italian Kitchen, whenever
Rosemarie and her sister-in-law, Catherine Motta, have a moment
to bake. (Rosemarie says Catherine "makes cookies to die
for.") The rest of the time, they’re dishing up traditional
Italian fare to take-out; heat and serve; or if one of the 12
seats is unoccupied, eat in-house.
The Kitchen, which opened in March and is owned by Rosemarie’s
brother Joseph Motta, has been drawing a crowd of meatball aficionados.
"First one person came in and ordered a couple of meatballs.
Then someone wanted six. Good meatballs are hard to find, even
in [Bay Ridge]," says Rosemarie.
Peek under the restaurant’s burgundy-and-green striped awning,
and you’ll see the women filling display cases with trays of
eggplant Parmesan, stuffed peppers, baked ziti and roasted chicken.
"It’s the kind of food I enjoyed in my grandmother’s kitchen,
and the sort of cooking I prepare for my own family," says
Rosemarie, who is pictured beneath a portrait of Grandma (Adele)
Motta with Catherine, left. The women will also make anything
to order that a customer craves; hero sandwiches are in big demand,
so they’ll fill a fresh Italian roll with sausages or chicken
Parmesan.
The same goes for the pasta dishes.
"Whatever they want, however they want it, we’ll fix it
for them," says Rosemarie. "We try to make everyone
happy."
Grandma Motta’s (8407 Third Ave. between 84th and 85th streets
in Bay Ridge) accepts American Express, Discover, Diner’s Club,
MasterCard and Visa. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner Monday
through Saturday. Closed Sundays. Entrees: $6-$12.95. Catering
is available. The kitchen will deliver in the immediate area.
For information, call (718) 836-2110.
FAMILY ’KITCHEN’
