Here to sing the praises specifically of Mom Chaffe's tortellini bolognese, which I wish they'd put on the permanent menu but which I had from the specials menu last night. A simple and hearty dish, perfectly executed, and the portion sizes are big enough that it makes great leftovers for at least one more meal at home. It's rare that MC's ever disappoints. The filetto con funghi (steak) or the lobster ravioli are among my standard choices and I highly recommend them as some of the best food in the area. Plus, in a day and age where free bread is increasingly rare, you get a whole basket of soft, sliced Italian, along with a nice pad of butter or olive oil. Entrees also come with a side salad--again, not as common as it used to be. As someone who is claustrophobic, I will say there are times when the place is busy that it gets a bit tight and dark for my tastes--hello, it's in a "cellarette," with a low ceiling that's painted black. It is what it is. And because it's a small but popular space, it's also loud. You will have to raise your voices and may strain to hear. Just keep that in mind if planning to attend with a first date or someone who is hard of hearing, or if you're wanting to have private conversation (because you will be overheard, maybe by half the restaurant). It's a cozy and even sexy spot in its own way, but it's not what I'd call intimate. Other small things of note/convenience: they do have a bar, but it's very small--maybe like 4-5 seats at most. No parking lot, and it's tucked away in a residential neighborhood, so bring your parallel parking A Game and be prepared to walk a block or two. Anyway, it's amazing. Can't wait to do it again soon.

There are few words to describe how good the food is. Couple this with the atmosphere and this place is unbelievable! A must if visiting the Reading area.

Excellent food, and excellent service. Always a great experience. Pasta was great. Proteins done perfectly, well made a cocktails. Thanks you for a great family meal.

Great for: intimidate dates, excellent Italian food, small celebrations or milestones, treating yourself and your loved ones Avoid if: claustrophobic, or if you're having clandestine conversations This is the most aesthetic restaurant in West Reading. The space and decor reminds me of an Impressionistic painting - full of charm, color, warmth and vibrancy. I was really impressed. Service was excellent. Our server was thorough and attentive. The food was amazing. For drinks, I had one of their pina colada mocktails which was delicious. We also had bread while we waited for our food to arrive (I don't know if these were free or extra). Portion sizes were generous. I ordered the Veal Lorenzo and it came with a Russian Salad and Asparagus. For desert, I had the coconut cake which was very delicious and larger than I thought. A deterrent for this place might be the size of the dining area. It is very compact and the ceilings are low. Conversations could be overheard easily. My friends and I were seated in a 'secluded' area behind the bar so we were away from other diners so we were free to talk about whatever we wanted.

Management & staff (Rose) were perfect! Reservations needed!! - We got real lucky & got seats Food was PERFECT! Must try the specials

Great atmosphere, food, classic bar, and service. Quiet, cozy, and romantic. Great date location. Definitely for grownups.

The four of us had a nice meal here. I agree with other reviews-the tables are very close together so this might not be a great option if u want a quiet dinner. there is a potential for a lot of people in a small space which means it can be noisy. Service was good and the food was flavorful.

This was our second time trying restaurant week, and we will be coming back! So impressed with everything from the ambiance of the restaurant to the diligence of the service to the quality of the food. We got the bruschetta, fried mozzarella, chicken piccata, and peanut butter pie! This is addition to salads that come with dinner and bread for the table. An incredible value for your money! Only complaint is the parking situation, but that's to be expected for a restaurant in a city.

So I had my anniversary dinner at Mom Chaffe's Thursday night. Up to now I gave them 5 stars, but I got to take a star away. In the 40 plus years of going there, the ambiance has really never changed. This is a good news/ not so good thing. Familiarity is very comforting, but the place was a little too worn out. The tables are jammed very close, which I understand being it's small. The best part was the antipasto , which was superb. Also kudos for the ravioli and lasagna. In summary, still a good place to go but don't expect intimacy. Once it fills up, the noise levelcan be pretty irritating.

If you love good Italian food made from scratch this is the place to enjoy it They have rotating specials that are just awesome Their regular menu is delicious I highly recommend this place and suggest you make reservations A great place to gather with friends, special occasions and dates