MAMA Oakland was built as an homage to your old-school Italian-American grandmother. The original Mama, specifically, is Maria Germano Stacionis, an Italian-American who emigrated to Rockford, IL, from the Abruzzo region and lived her life as the consummate hostess, mother and grandmother. Mama was always the first to pour you a drink, pull out a chair, and serve you up a huge bowl of pasta, laughing with a wink of mischief and absolutely delighted by your company.
MAMA Oakland exists to honor her legacy and extend the same sense of hospitality, to nurture the same sense of warmth and community—even family—that we found in her home. We believe in building relationships with and between our guests, in the power of sharing good food and beverages, and in their capacity to create opportunities for our guests to share experiences, stories, skills and laughter.
Photo credits: the incredibly delightful Emma K. Morris
MAMA is owned by Stevie Stacionis and Josiah Baldivino (also of Bay Grape wine shop): a young, passionate, husband-and-wife team who met working together in restaurants and whose fondest memories involve shared meals with friends and family. With the re-opening of MAMA, we have enlisted Hi Neighbor Group to operate and continue to evoke the passion, hospitality, and love MAMA brought to the table.