Mamma Zu

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. more

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 more

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.\r 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 more

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 more

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

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. more

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 more

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. more

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. more

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.\r \r 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.\r \r 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.\r The asparagus appetizer is awesome as well.\r \r 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.\r \r 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"". \r \r Pros: amazing food, great atmosphere, amazing food, amazing food, Did I mention the food is amazing?\r \r Cons: no ""non-smoking"" seating, pricy, must use cash, the wait, parking\r \r Overall, the pros heavily outweigh the cons. Go for it! Seriously! more

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 more

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. more

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 more

Took my inlaws there and my mother-in-law said it best. ""I went to an area I would never go to, through a door I would never enter, walked on a floor and sat at a table that I would never sit at, ......and proceeded to have one of the best meals in my life"" Trust her.. more

Yes, there can be a long wait; yes, the staff don't kiss your butt and pretend to like you; and yes, the food is incredible and authentic. The rockfish and eggplant Parmesan are to die for. The food is definitely worth any corks the restaurant has- it's all part of the charm. more

All I can say is that the guys that seats people is just plain old, mean, hateful and nasty.\r God forbid you live across the street and be a neighbor and you mistakenly take a cup full of cold water in the door. Geez, I did not shoot anyone?\r \r Again, just plain old, mean, hateful and nasty. Yes, Dave I mean you. \r \r Dont waste your time or money to be treated that way. The food aint all that. Cons: mean, hateful and nasty staff more

Rude Staff! Ed, your food isnt really all that. Your bus boy who was taking a list of names at the door is lucky I didnt sock him in his emenim looking head when he started mouthing off to me and my girlfriend.,\r It's all good you will never get my money again. Pros: non Cons: the service staff need spankings.. more

Amazing authentic Italian food... as if it slid off a hill in a little town like La Spezia... you won't find linen table cloths or sunshine up yours service, but it's authentic. No chain lovers! A locals only kind of joint if you were in a tourist town... Pros: best food in town, authentic atmosphere, vino Cons: parking, waiting when hungary, anticipation! more

I'm from Brooklyn and raised in Long Island, NY where there are amazing Italian restaurants on every corner. Take it from me, YOU NEED TO EAT HERE IF YOU LOVE GOOD ITALIAN FOOD. If cheerleader service and Sbarros quality food is what you like - DON'T BOTHER. This is a bare-bones, no-frills restauant that pumps out amazing authentic food.You'll feel like you found Richmond's best kept secret that all the locals know about. Top quality, knowledgable service, and fresh ingredients, no kidding. I had the meat lasagne and if you've ever had a traditional Lasagne (not with ricotta but rather with a bechemelle) you know you've struck gold. For an appetizer, the brocollette was killer! Garlicly, pie nut filled goodness. Do yourself a favor and go here! Pros: Quality, Authenticity, Flavor, Freshness, Best in class italian food. Cons: Atmosphere is rustic, wait can be long (but worth it) more

I can sympathize with the reviewers that had a bad experience with the service, but that has not been the case in any of my visits. The place is what it is. It's not TGI McTuesdaygans. It's not Chez FooFoo. It is a dive. It is loud. If you don't get seated in the first group, just forget it. That said, the food is excellent. I have had some of the best restaurant meals I've ever eaten there. Seafood and pasta are cooked properly, and the deserts are excellent. The best Tiramisu I've ever eaten! Try Edo's Squid as well for another unique dining experience. Pros: Food, food, food. Cons: It's too small. more