ABOUT MAMMA LUCA
Mamma Luca is an authentic pizzeria, cucina, and bar by acclaimed Chef Mario LaPosta now open in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Named for his wife & mother (“mamma”) and his first-born son (Luca), Mamma Luca weaves together the rich threads of family, passion, tradition, and Italian culture.
Chef Mario’s latest concept specializes in two kinds of pizza: wood-fired pizza napoletana and pizza taglio, the latter being the square, street style pizza-by-the-slice that is ubiquitous in Rome. Both styles are made with Mario’s proprietary whole wheat flour blend and an 8 year-old lievito madre, or mother dough—yet another mamma in this story. The menu includes both classic and inspired dishes ranging from Nonna’s beloved polpette to fresh salads, hand-crafted pastas and chicken parm, rounded out by the best of local game and poultry.
Of note is the constantly-humming gelato machine, which churns out complimentary olive oil soft serve gelato for guests upon their departure.
CHEF MARIO LA POSTA
Mario began his career as a dedicated and passionate pizzaiolo at a Connecticut pizzeria at the tender age of 15, and for 20 years has honed his craft at notable pizzerias around the world, including in Rome, New York, and Boston, as well as Campania, Italy—where his family originally hails from—under famed pizzaiolo Francesco San Pietro.
During his time working with Tarry Lodge in New York state and Connecticut, Mario earned several accolades including GQ’s “Best American Pies” and the “Snail of Approval” by Slow Food USA—a designation given to restaurants contributing to the quality, authenticity, and sustainability of local food. During this time, Mario also placed tenth in the “World Pizza Championships” in Parma, Italy. In 2015, Mario opened Babbo Pizzeria e Enoteca in Boston’s Seaport District as the executive chef to much fanfare.
In 2020 he opened da LaPosta in Newtonville, MA to much acclaim, where it continues to be an Italian food stronghold in the greater Boston area.