Mamma Zu's

08/18/2008 Posted by mamazussucks

All I can say is that the guys that seats people is just plain old, mean, hateful and nasty. 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? Again, just plain old, mean, hateful and nasty. Yes, Dave I mean you. Dont waste your time or money to be treated that way. The food aint all that.

Cons: mean, hateful and nasty staff

08/17/2008 Posted by vafirecracker

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., It's all good you will never get my money again.

Pros: non

Cons: the service staff need spankings..

07/08/2008 Posted by kimhahn

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!

06/14/2008 Posted by jaydrubin

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)

04/09/2008 Posted by EdMaple

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.

01/28/2008 Posted by misterdub

The customer service is awful. Let me just get that out of the way right now. We were going with a large party (7 people) and called to make reservations. The fellow taking our reservation was curt (bordering on rude). The wait staff, while knowledgeable, was rushed and somewhat disinterested. Because of the time of day that we came and the size of our party, we were told we could only order "family style" meals and therefore could only order 4 dishes. They don't take credit cards except Amex, which was also a pain. We knew that going in but the wait staff didn't mention it until the end. Had we not known, that could've been really bad. All in all, the customer service made it feel as though we were catering to their needs. In a restaurant, I expect it to be the other way around. All that said, the food was fantastic. Almost worth putting up with the rest. I had some of the best Eggplant Parmesan there that I've ever had in my entire life. All the other dishes were excellent as well. The atmosphere was cool in my opinion. I see others have griped about it so be prepared: it's a dive. It looks run down outside and inside. Tips: Skip large parties here, it's a pain. Avoid the dinner rush, you'll never get a seat. Don't go there when you want to be pampered or when you're in a rush. This is a city dive and you'll be treated as such. I do recommend going though -- the food was outstanding.

01/12/2008 Posted by nyer99

I'm a picky Italian, from the northeast, and this place offers great Italian food! The atmosphere, wait, and service are all part of the experience...but if a "hole in the wall", long wait, slow service aren't part of what you want with your excellent food, then try the sister restaurant Edo's Squid, which offers a similar menu but "fancier" digs. My favorites: scungilli, broccoletti, orecchietti, rockfish, and the ny strip steak...

Pros: Food, wine, atmosphere

Cons: Location, service

10/18/2007 Posted by sobored

I have been in Richmond for several years and have heard good reviews about this place. I finally got an opportunity to go for a friends final day at work party. OMG.... this place was a total dump. But I didn't let that turn me off because usually the run down places have good cooks.... however I was thoroughly disappointed. We had to be served large portions because of the size of the party and all the dishes seemed alike to me. They all had the same type of noodles (rigatoni) with some vegetable or maybe a meat thrown in. I assume my party wasn't aware of other maybe better choices from the menu...or maybe they just aren't available if u come with a crowd. I do know that the food was terrible...how do u mess up a simple pasta dish is beyond me. Also it cost me at least $15 and I was still hungry because I didn't eat much. Least to say I will not be returning...

10/09/2007 Posted by julesagogo

I've been to Mamma Zu's about twenty times, and sure, the service can be curt and the wait long, but let me tell you - it's worth it. This place rocks with a wonderful selection of fabulous dishes. A couple of my favs are the gorgonzola pasta, sauteed calamari, brocoletti, and the white pizza they make at the bar. Don't let the location, the exterior, the interior or the staff scare you away, this place is fantastic. OR actually do let them scare you away so I don't have to wait as long.

Pros: Incredible food, nice and not-fancy ambience

Cons: Curt service, wait

07/11/2007 Posted by declan5

Apologies to my sainted grandmother, but given the choice of a last meal as a condemned man, I would without hesitation, demand a final taste of Mamma 'Zu. I should say that I am a former employee (years removed) and before that a regular patron (I've never had better tiramisu...which I had to boycott upon my hiring, otherwise I'd easily weigh 400 lb.s) I read reviews damning them for bad service and granted it can be downright rude at times...SHAME on the woman who implied that perhaps her race was the reason for her wait/ treatment at Mamma 'zu...(In fact, that is what urged me to write this review.) Let's be honest, service can be curt...only because it has to be (I'll happily leave the "hostess" to be be your punching bag...as we all know, at times he deserves it! ) You see that line outside the door, starting at times 30 minutes before service, you need to streamline things (imagine you're that person waiting for a table and there appears to be a party "lounging" after service...courtesy has got to enter in somewhere) It's a very small space (16 tables at most...an earlier poster said 30...not true) Logistics aside, most people come here for the FOOD. I've never had better Italian. (It pains me to say that having grown up in Boston...ANTHONY!) (Aside from my list of favorites the menu is changed DAILY.)Mozzerella & Peppers, Rapini, Sardines, Fried Oysters, Vitello Tonnato, White Pizza, Penne Gorgonzola, Zuppa de Pesce, Veal Sweetbreads, Eggplant Parmesan, Grilled Branzino, Bucatinni Alla Matriciana, Tiramisu...ETC. So, If you're willing to let go of the thought of being pampered and want to taste True Italian Food, (with, if you're lucky, a live action soap opera) ENJOY!