My friend Johanna asked me if I wanted to go with her to see Mamma Mia! I had to consult with my oracle, imdb.com (Internet Movie Database), before accepting the invitation. The plot: The story of a bride-to-be, trying to find her real father, told using hit songs by the popular '70s group ABBA.

Survey says: Not if it was the last movie on the planet.

Bride-to-be. Finding real father. ABBA. The trifecta of what I'm not looking for in a flick. Regardless of my, ''movie and music snobbery,'' Johanna said she had a feeling I'd eventually go see Mamma Mia!

Her prophecy turned out to be partially correct. I headed to downtown Hollywood that same night and by a simple twist of fate, ended up having drinks at Mama Mia Italian restaurant. I wrote about this restaurant/nightspot three years ago and I couldn't help but notice when I returned that my column wasn't hanging among the 10 others framed on the wall. Maybe my incessant references to movies, music and TV turned off the management. Maybe I'll try a more straight-forward journalistic approach, so here goes.

Mama Mia, at 1818 S. Young Circle, recently celebrated its 18th year in business and -- wait, wait, wait. Sorry to interrupt my new reporting style, but can someone please tell me why the two TVs behind the bar were both tuned to a ''professional'' wrestling match? Isn't the cat out the bag on this issue? It's fake, right? But I'll tell you this, if two professional wrestlers were looking for their father with ABBA providing the soundtrack, I'd be the first in line at the theater.

But I digress. Mama Mia recently celebrated its 18th year in business and besides a few add-ons such as a walk-in wine cellar, the decor is in a permanent holding pattern. The proprietors wouldn't dare modernize because the customers who have been coming here since Day One appreciate the old-school style. While a great deal of downtown Hollywood is rushing to get with the times, the wall-to-wall mirrors at Mama Mia are still frosted, wooden beams remain exposed, and a red light bulb creates a seemingly eternal, internal red glow throughout the glassware behind the bar as it used to in pubs of old.

Enjoy 2-4-1 appetizers from 3 to 6:30 p.m. and 3-4-1 drinks from 5 p.m. until midnight on Fridays. This Hollywood hangout is quite conducive for a cozy date or a quiet evening with close friends. Choose from more than 200 wines, 10 beers and 15 types of sake.

Sake in a traditional Italian joint? Yes. The owners of Mama Mia also own the Sushi Room next door (1810 S. Young Circle); head here if you prefer a place with more panache. The slate tiled floors are charcoal gray and the walls and ceiling are as black as a starless night. The Sushi Room is illuminated by a rose colored haze emitted from a pink, plastic structure that hangs over the bar like a giant letter ``m.''

Club music pounds, flat screen TVs flicker and Elise the bartender concocts drinks and caters to customers. She has been employed here only for a few months and hasn't, as of yet, grabbed for the ninja sword on display behind the bar to deal with the massive rush on weekends.

Ten specialty martinis are available. Try the X-Rated, mixed with Van Gogh Raspberry Vodka and a splash of Cointreau with pineapple juice and Sprite. The Tiramisu Martini is a mixture of Van Gogh Espresso Vodka, butterscotch schnapps, Frangelico and a splash of Irish Cream (and a sprinkle of nutmeg for good luck).

For 20 additional martini selections, walk over to the nearby SAS Martini Lounge (1814 Harrison St.). SAS stands for Sauer Apple Saloon, which was the bar's previous name under the previous owners. It has been completely remodeled and now looks nothing like a saloon and everything like a SoBe nightclub. Ceiling mounted mini spotlights swish around the room and the sound system reverberates with intensity. On a Monday night when Hollywood looks like a ghost town, SAS is packed for ladies night like a college bar after the last day of finals.

If you're interested in a more eclectic scene, check out Exotic Bites down the block at 1848 Harrison St. Laid-back locals and arty folks from across South Florida sit and smoke from hookahs, sip Turkish coffee and share bottles of exotic wine while a belly dancer gyrates between their tables.

You'll hear a mix of authentic Middle Eastern beats, electro Latin grooves but never, under any circumstances, ABBA.

COMING UP

•  Secondhand Serenade plays Friday at Fort Lauderdale's Culture Room (3045 N. Federal Hwy.) with Rookie of the Year, The Graduate, PlayRadioPlay! and My American Heart. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; $15 at the door.

• Hard-rocking Panic Disorder rocks Automatic Slims (15 W. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale) at 9 p.m. Saturday. No cover.

Join the discussion

Note: If this is your first time using our NEW commenting system, you will have to LOG OUT and then LOG BACK IN.

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.CommentBody@

@Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@