Mosca's facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mosca's |
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Mosca's in 2009
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| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1946 |
| Food type | Louisiana Creole Italian cuisine |
| Street address | 4137 U.S. Highway 90 West |
| City | Avondale |
| State | Louisiana |
| Postal/ZIP code | 70094 |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 29°54′40″N 90°13′45″W / 29.9112°N 90.2292°W |
| Website | Official Site: http://www.moscasrestaurant.com |
Mosca's is a famous restaurant near New Orleans, Louisiana. It serves a special kind of Italian food mixed with local Louisiana Creole flavors. The same family has run Mosca's since it first opened in 1946. Many people think it's one of the best restaurants in the New Orleans area. It's known for tasty dishes like Oysters Mosca and Chicken a la Grande.
A Taste of History
Provino Mosca and his wife Lisa came from Italy. They had a restaurant in Illinois before moving to New Orleans in 1946. Their daughter, Mary, married a local oysterman named Vincent Marconi.
The family opened Mosca's in Avondale. This was a quiet area on the West Bank of the Mississippi River. The building was owned by a local businessman, Carlos Marcello, who enjoyed eating there often. Today, his son still owns the building where the restaurant is located. Some stories say that Provino Mosca used to cook for Al Capone in Chicago, but the Mosca family says this is not true.
Family Takes Over
Provino passed away in 1962. His wife Lisa, known as "Mama Mosca," took over the restaurant with their children, Johnny and Mary, and Mary's husband Vincent. "Mama Mosca" passed away in 1979, and Vincent in 2004.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused damage to the restaurant. But it was repaired and reopened in 2006. The kitchen was made bigger and got air conditioning, but the rest of the restaurant stayed mostly the same. Johnny mostly retired after the hurricane. His wife, Mary Jo Angelotti, became the main chef after Mary retired. Mary Jo and other family members, including her daughter Lisa, continue to run the restaurant today.
In 1999, Mosca's received an "America's Classics" award from the James Beard Foundation. This award celebrates beloved local restaurants that have stood the test of time.
Location and Unique Food
Mosca's is famous for being in an out-of-the-way spot. It's about a seventeen-mile drive from the main bridge in New Orleans. People also notice its simple, old-fashioned look. But most of all, they love its special Italian Creole food.
Food writers have described Mosca's as a "joyous place" with "no airs whatsoever." They say it's full of the sounds of people enjoying big meals. It's seen as a true "New Orleans institution." The food's heritage comes from central Italy, a region known for its seafood.
Sara Roahen, a writer about New Orleans food, said that Mosca's is the kind of family restaurant that locals love. She called it "creaky, set in its ways, and no picnic to find." Even after Hurricane Katrina, visitors say the restaurant feels just as it always has. They describe the food as incredibly flavorful, especially with lots of garlic!
Calvin Trillin, writing for The New Yorker, also noted how Mosca's seems unchanged since 1946. He shared that the family once thought about moving the restaurant to a more convenient spot. But their loyal customers, mostly locals, strongly disagreed.
Popular Dishes
When people visit Mosca's, they often order the same popular dishes. These are served family-style, meaning in very large portions for everyone to share. Some favorites include:
- Oysters Mosca: These oysters are a delicious mix of garlic, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and bread crumbs.
- Shrimp Mosca: These are large, whole shrimp cooked with olive oil and lots of garlic.
- Marinated Crab: This dish is served as a salad or inside the crab shell.
- Chicken a la Grande: A simple chicken dish cooked in a skillet. It's made with salt, pepper, rosemary, oregano, white wine, and plenty of garlic.
- Spaghetti Bordelaise: This features perfect homemade pasta with a rich, balanced sauce of oil and garlic.
- Pineapple Fluff: A sweet and delicious dessert.
