10/28/09

Awful. Never Returning.

by mpa1981

In short, I will never visit this place again! We decided to visit at the suggestion of a friend who is connected to All Things Richmond. Trusting her judgment, and those of several reviewers online (tho, there are many who feel that this place is not worth it - we soon found out why), we ended up dining at the restaurant on Tuesday evening. Mamma Zu's is situated inside of a dilapidated old building in Oregon Hill. Inside, if the lights had been lit, you would have seen dirty walls, ceilings, and other unattractive elements in the settings that would perhaps have you thinking otherwise about dining at the establishment. The menu is written on a board behind the bar - a nice trick, if only they would explain what half of what's listed on the board really means! Mamma Zu's is definitely looking for a schtick, but since it's trying to find it in so many ways, it fails miserably at all of them. A few I noticed: rude wait staff, apparently hearing the reviewers who state you "go there for the food, not for the service." Don't take a date here... they will not be impressed. In fact, we had a couple sitting next to us and the lady kept shutting her ears because of all the noise (every once and awhile, amid the loud raucous among the restaurant, you'll hear a kitchen cook exclaim the name of a waitress in order to get their attention. I'm sorry, but I just paid handsomely for a bottle of wine and an entree to impress someone, and you're screaming loud enough to distract the whole place? I don't think so.) Our waitress promptly arrived, asking what it was we would like to eat. My friend ordered a Coke, while I ordered a Diet. "No Diet," she countered. No diet? "Fair enough," I say, and I stick with water. The food arrives relatively promptly, no complaints there. I had mushroom rissotto, a safe bet, seeing as I originally viewed it as the only relatively simple dish on the menu. It wasn't until sitting down I noticed the smaller writing on the lower left corner with the less expensive pasta's written down. That's another thing about this place - it tries to do Gourmet, but fails miserably! It seems to me the only reason the prices here are so expensive is so the guests can feel that they're dining in an exclusive restaurant (and believe me, if "snooty" is your scene, you just might love this place. It seems to me those less aware of real gourmet tend to gravitate to these places en masse, as if to say, "hey, I can do it too!" Believe me, if you want to eat well, there are many other options at your disposal.) and so the restaurant can nickle and dime you for all they're worth. More on that in just a moment, but first the food: my risotto was decent, with just the right amount of sauce, firmness, and Maitake mushroom. I'd probably have it again, if I was forced here against my will. My friend was less fortunate: He had the Spaghetti and Meatballs. When I tried it, my first instinct was to suggest that the sauce was made from ketchup. When I tasted the meatballs and asked him what kind of meat he thought it was, his reply was "gross meat." Enough said. At any rate, we ate a little more and finally had our fill (truth be told, we had our fill long ago, but we tried to enjoy ourselves.) Receiving the check, I whipped out my credit card. Well, at Mamma Zu's, the only thing they take is American Express! Along with cash or check, this was the only option available. Not carrying cash and not being American Express cardholders my friend left to hunt down an ATM machine while I waited. And waited. Only twenty minutes went by, but that was twenty minutes of my own time. Twenty minutes I could have spent at a coffeeshop getting the taste of this poor experience out of my mouth. Twenty minutes I could have been at home, writing this review about how horrible this place truly is. Remember what I said about nickle and diming you? This place does it oh so well. What a shame.

• Pros: Nothing.
• Cons: Everything.

09/25/09

Food as Opera

by mkljor

Best food I've ever eaten. I keep wondering what is the secret? This is the highest quality food prepared with respect for the ingredients. Made with a passionate generosity that intimidates some. When you step inside, you are in Ed's World - know that and succumb. The music, the lighting, the aromas, and of course the food, are all part of creating an experience that makes people feel as though they are in a privileged secret club teeming with possibilities - both gastronomical and interpersonal. Vasaio has created an opera that goes on year after year and loses none of its impact. Many are put off by host Dave's lack of social ease in taking names and seating people. But for many reasons he is indispensable to the place, and someone willing to wrangle the sometimes tactless folks who are used to a different style of restaurant experience. In the words of a genious: "If you don't like it - don't come back. And tell your friends!"

• Pros: generous amounts of high quality ingredients
• Cons: some self-important and obnoxious customers

07/19/09

food fine but not worth the line

by mandtwise

My husband and I decided to give this Richmond known restaurant a shot. Not knowing ANYTHING about the restaurant we parked and saw a crowd of about 15 people outside of a very shabby building. Dont judge yet, I said. We found out that we arrived b4 it opened...ok not problem. Around 540pm they opened the doors and we were instructed to take a table in the middle of the floor...no, "Hi welcome", "Please let me show you to a table" nothing. We sat at a table that had seen better days and the waiter began dishing out waters to everyone. Again, we had never been here and wondered where the menus were.. no one (that worked there ever told us to look at a big chalk board). We followed what others did. So many of the dishes had interesting names but I couldnt tell what they meant. The waiter appraoched and asked if we knew what we wanted.???? ummm ok... No- "ever dine with us before?", "let me explain how things work around here"..... we ordered and I have to say the food was fine- not GREAT but fine. Our waiter brought our food, cleared our plates but had as much personality as the keyboard I am typing on. Our bill was ~$70- 2 entrees, 1 appetizer, 1 dessert and 2 beers. I thought $21 was a bit high for 2 soft shells and a bowl of pasta.

I have to say that I am all for the dive type restaurant but I really feel that this place TRIES to use the shotty decor with virtually no lighting at all as a "we care more about the food than decor" excuse. I didnt buy it. A couple of gallons of paint and a few lighting fixures would go a long way. Training the staff to help first timers would guarantee return visits. I gave the place a 2 star for my over all dining experience- If I am going to spend this much money I have to enjoy the whole experience from the moment I walk in until I leave. I will not return.

• Pros: food is ok
• Cons: service, price, overall dining experience

06/07/09

Okay, but is it worht the wait?

by LMMNorfolk

Everyone raves about Mamma Zu. I admit the food is good, but is it really worth the wait? To me, no it is not. The owners obviously have played the shabby decor, aging building and rude staff cards to their advantage. People seem to enjoy waiting and enduring the noise and abuse just to say,"I waited two hours for a table at Mamma Zu...the host was rude to us...the service was awful...the food was wonderful!" Honestly, who would be fool enough to admit they endured wait and abuse only hate the meal? The entrees are overpriced and overly simple. An arugula salad will set you back $9 and what you get is arugula, cheese and some poor quality olive oil and vinegar for a dressing. Not impressive at all. The pastas are cooked well, but the sauces are very over-seasoned. Lots of salt. I missed the appearance of a single fresh herb. The dishes are again, overly simple. And you get pasta, and sauce....nothing else. We wanted meat lasagne (at 6pm on a Saturday), but were told it would not be ready and we had to choose something else. What? Why is it on the menu? I guess it was more complicated to prepare than the other dishes on the menu. Anyway, people seem to keep coming back. Why? To be seen. To say you ate there. To say you had horrible service. It is edgy. And the owners know that and play it to their advantage. Reminds me of the soup vendor episode on Seinfeld. Except in this case, it is not the best Italian food you have ever had. It is okay, and just that...okay. If you want an experience, go there. If you want real Italian food...keep looking.

• Pros: Cannoli is good
• Cons: Food is just okay

05/04/09

awesome food

by CSMobileUser

The food incredible!,quality and taste, mouth watering.for a memorable dining experiance this is the place...brings little italy to richmond.picture perfect.

04/12/09

Pretty good

by cecilibogardus

Nice! The wine selection is great and the food is delicious. I enjoyed the pasta, since I am a pasta lover! The food is excellent, but you must remember they dont take cards, so bring cash.

03/29/09

Great food

by DoublePisces

I left Richmond 4 years ago and still dream about the food at Mamma Zu's. Get there early, go on a weeknight, take cash or an Amex card (although they may still take checks), and if you like fish, order whatever fish you see on the chalkboard. The menu changes daily, and I swear I once saw horse listed, but I have never had a bad meal. I don't recommend going with a large group - the restaurant staff is not flexible and you will be forced to order a limited number of family style dishes. You will also be glared at continually by those waiting for a table because this place is tiny. They don't do special requests, the wine comes in jelly glasses, and the host is legendary for his failure to care whether you stay or go. But the fish, the osso bucco, the lasagne...it's worth it all.

• Pros: FOOD
• Cons: weekend wait, no credit cards other than AMEX

02/16/09

One of my favorite restaurants in Richmond

by PiperValentine

I'm surprised to see reviews by people who claim that the food at Mama Zu's is pricey and that you'd better bring cash. Mama Zu's offers HUGE plates of food at reasonable prices and some really excellent wines at only a small percentage above cost. (You can find Adelsheim Pinot or Ridge Lytton Springs Zin at nearly $20 below what other restaurants charge.) Furthermore, in my experience, they've always accepted the American Express Card (just another reason to not leave home without it). I'd heard that service could be surly, but in the four years that I've eaten there regularly, the staff has always been attentive and accommodating, and the food has *always* been beyond my expectations.

01/08/09

Great food, but prepare to get in and get out!

by aligib14

The food is amazing! However last time we were there we ordered a bottle of wine, 2 apps, 2 entrees, 1 desert and coffee. We had been there for about 1.5 hours and the server asked us to hurry up!! I asked to speak to the manager b/c being a server for 4 years I know this is NOT acceptable in any circumstance (but especially if you want a good tip). He told me the manager wouldn't come over and they needed to turn over the table. The total came to around $150 and being a past server would have tipped a good $40. But being rushed out a resturant is just wrong. If you want to relax and have good service, don't go to this place. You can find good food elsewhere.

01/03/09

You Wouldn't Even Believe....

by krushhoo32

Other reviewers have discussed service. The few times I've been, I haven't had problems with the service. I've actually had very good service.

GET THERE EARLY!!! It's only open on weekends starting at 5:30pm. Get there at 5:15pm. If you have a group of more than 6, you can make a reservation in advance (something I highly suggest, it's a great place for a "multi-date"). If you aren't there within 15 minutes of your reservation time, they give up your table. Basically, you'll have to plan your evening around the restaurant. It's more of an "event" than just a dinner. If you get there and there is a wait, you might as well cancel and go back on a different night. It's not that the service is slow as much as it is the fact the place is so small and such a "date" atmosphere where people aren't in a rush to leave.

Wine selection is excellent. Food is UNREAL! I've tried the seafood as well as the pasta. Pasta dishes (vegetable lasagne, etc) are great, but I really enjoyed the fish better. Fresh and delicious. Rockfish is great, but I had a tuna steak and it was AMAZING. Tasted like a beef steak. Pepper flavored, absolutely delicious seasoning.

The asparagus appetizer is awesome as well.

It is a bit pricy. Two entrees and a bottle of wine was $80. And they don't take cards. Bring cash. BRING CASH! But it was worth every penny and the annoyance of carrying that much cash.

If you're from Richmond, trust me, the area is not nearly as bad as other reviewers make it seem. It's not like the East End. If you're familiar with Richmond, you won't be uncomfortable in the area. Off-street parking is not fun, but if you're there early, you'll be fine. The restaurant is in a little nasty building. Very similar to a "dive bar".

Pros: amazing food, great atmosphere, amazing food, amazing food, Did I mention the food is amazing?

Cons: no "non-smoking" seating, pricy, must use cash, the wait, parking

Overall, the pros heavily outweigh the cons. Go for it! Seriously!