Inside Pink Mama’s: The Italian Eatery That Feels Like Home

Perched on the corner of 49 Eastwood Rd, Dunkeld is an Italian haven that we have grown to love known as Pink Mama’s. Serving some of the most al dente pasta in town.

A Warm Welcome with Prosecco Mimosas

Chilling on a sunny autumn Friday afternoon, Pink Mama’s offered the warmest end to a most intense week. Welcoming us with prosecco mimosas, wide smiles and authentic compliments, Pink Mama’s is the home that you never knew you had. Decked in modern eclectic with a touch of tropical and vintage elegance, Pink Mama’s has all the elegance with none of the stiffness.

Starters That Set the Tone

Filled with the sound of the old country, it filled the space with joy. On arrival, we started off strong with some fresh antipasti. For the table, we ordered:

• Crispy fried zucchini fries covered in Parmigiano Reggiano (Zucchini Fritti)
• Burrata, prosciutto, and cantaloupe
• Deep-fried Patagonian heads and tubes (Calamari Fritti)
• Thinly sliced rare beef, dressed with a Parmigiano Reggiano aioli, rocket & wild herbs salad, pink radish, and Pecorino Romano (Beef Carpaccio)

Shared amongst the four of us, everything was fresh to death, bright and gleaming with goodness and nutrition. The Zucchini Fritti were lightly crispy, with each bite delivering a well-seasoned taste thanks to the Parmigiano Reggiano. Summer on a dish is exactly what the delicate burrata, prosciutto, and melon are. The combination of the mildly sweet melon, salty prosciutto and creamy burrata, placed us in Tuscany during the springtime.

The presentation of the dish saw the thingly cut fruit rings act as the base of the dish, prosciutto placed on it gently, and the burrata left as a ball, of course, offered the opportunity for us to take as little, or as much, as we wanted to create the luxurious appetiser of our liking.

Cooked to perfection, and a real treat when drilled with a little lemon, the Calamari Fritti needed its fair share of seasoning. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a salt and pepper shaker in sight, and I could only imagine how much better it could be with a little sprinkle when it already shone so much. Delicate and earthy, the Beef Carpaccio could have also done with more seasoning, in the form of the Parmigiano Reggiano aioli or Pecorino Romano, to really brighten up the dish some more.

Mains That Hit… and Miss

The best part of breaking bread and sharing a drink with those closest to you is that you get to eat a little bit of everything! Special shout out to my mates. Because of this, I enjoyed the Snapper alla Milanese’s salty lemon and caper beurre blanc with their shoestring fries that I used to lap up the luxurious sauce with.

Personally ordering the Bistecca alla Fiorentina – a Premium T-bone steak, sous vide to medium-rare, finished with a wood-fire flame-kissed grill, and served a side of shoestring fries. Asking the waiter if they cook their meat too rare, and he said yes, I opted to order mine medium leaning more to well and I regret it to this day. It turned out to be more well-done than medium, which means it died a second time on that grill. Ah well, it is what it is. Like some of the previous dishes, this one was also disappointed with a dire need of seasoning. Sign.

Guys, salt and pepper are what bring together people and flavours, and in this regard, Pink Mama’s is lacking greatly.

Of course, being at our Italian corner, I had to try their pasta. Ordering the Rigatoni alla Zozzona for a mate, the pasta was cooked to absolute perfection. Al dente on al dente, the bite itself was nothing short of heavenly. Of course, I didn’t expect anything else. The dish is rich, hearty and a hug in a bowl. With just the right amount of acidity, the dish is well-balanced with umami and is fragrantly creamy all at once. The best part of it all – it was seasoned so well that it didn’t need anything extra.

Love the portion sizes that Pink Mama’s serves. They could easily feed two or make for a healthy serving for later on, or the next morning. Afterall, who doesn’t like leftovers in the form of a doggy bag?

Service: Room for Growth

Although I was advised incorrectly on how well, or rare, the kitchen’s touch is on the steak, the service was okay, honestly. It can definitely be faster and more attentive. By the grace, when you can get them, they are friendly, honest and willing to help.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to eat anything soft and sweet – a treasured combo of mine. Honestly, I was too stuffed but do wish I finished with a dessert followed by an espresso, then concluded with the big meal with an ammazzacaffè. The day was beautifully wrapped with a chilly evening and warm hugs wishing everyone a good evening.

Final Thoughts: A Place for Vibes, Friends & Forkfuls

Pink Mama’s isn’t perfect but honestly, it doesn’t have to be. It’s a feel-good kind of place that’ll leave you feeling better than how you entered. The drinks are delicious and the decor is beautiful. Although their service could use a pep in its step and their food could use a heavier hand with the seasoning, their technique is undeniably good and the ambiance feels like home.

The unofficial spot for slow Fridays, soft Saturdays and hungover Sundays. Pink Mama’s doesn’t always hit every note – but when it does, it hums and you’ll be jamming along with your happy dance.

Quick Info for Foodies & First-Timers

Location	49 Eastwood Rd, Dunkeld, Johannesburg
Best Times to Visit	Lazy Fridays, late brunch Saturdays, hungover Sundays
Must-Try Dish	Rigatoni alla Zozzona
Drinks to Try	Prosecco Mimosas
Vibe	Eclectic elegance with feel-good energy
Pro Tip	Ask for salt & pepper up front

TL;DR: Why You’ll Love Pink Mama’s

Pros	Cons
Unbeatable pasta game	Needs more seasoning
Lush decor that’s Instagram-worthy & not intimidating	Service could be quicker
Generous portions & feel-good ambiance

Pro Tip
Order pasta. Share plates. Bring friends.