Mamma Zu
(804) 788-4205
501 S Pine St
Richmond,
VA
23220
37.539
-77.4504
Neighborhood: Oregon Hill
Reviews & Ratings for Mamma Zu
40 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 40 reviews
Okay, but is it worht the wait?
by LMMNorfolk
June 07, 2009
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
awesome food
by CSMobileUser
May 04, 2009
The food incredible!,quality and taste, mouth watering.for a memorable dining experiance this is the place...brings little italy to richmond.picture perfect.
Pretty good
by cecilibogardus
April 12, 2009
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.
Great food
by DoublePisces
March 29, 2009
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
One of my favorite restaurants in Richmond
by PiperValentine
February 16, 2009
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.
Great food, but prepare to get in and get out!
by aligib14
January 08, 2009
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.
You Wouldn't Even Believe....
by krushhoo32
January 03, 2009
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!
SOOOO GOOOOD!
by nkane11
December 20, 2008
It may not be in the best part of town but it has a very cool atmosphere. Yes they staff doesn't kiss your butt but they get the job done. On the other hand, this is the !best! Most Authentic italian restaurant in VA. The Oriquette there is the best pasta dish I have ever had. You know that it is fresh because they dont always have enough. They get their food fresh every single day. I would HIGHLY reccomend this to anyone who is intaerested in italian food.
- Pros: Great food
- Cons: Ok service, ok location, wierd area in the city
Finally I left.
by j556546
November 29, 2008
I never got to taste the food. We got there and signed up since all the tables (about 15 - 20 total) were full. I Swear nobody would leave. We waited about 30 minutes and people kept coming in and signing up to wait but nobody would finish and leave. People would drop out of line out of frustration and still nobody would get up and leave. Some more people would come in off the street and sign up and still others would give up and drop out of line and go away. 45 minutes later I swear nobody got up and paid their bill and left. Still others would walk in and sign up and others would drop out of line and go home. Still nobody would fininsh their meal and get the hell out so someone else could sit down. Finally I left.
Really nasty people
by dickm8
November 19, 2008
First, let it be said that, yes, the food is good. I don't care that it is kind of a dump. The location is inconvenient. All of this doesn't really matter. What matters is that the staff (especially the "host") seemingly takes great delight in being as rude as possible to their patrons. I have been there at least ten times, and NOT ONE TIME have I been greeted in an even cordial manner. i give up. No food is worth this kind of abuse.
- Pros: Rude, rude, rude
- Cons: Decent Italian food
