Mambu

08/15/08

Our Top Choice

by gbd1123 at Citysearch

I cannot say enough about Mambu! My fiance is a chef and is very picky about where we spend our dining dollars. Mambu is the first place he picks. Every time! The atmosphere is clever, fun, retro, clean, and unique adding to the dining experience. Every time I have been in Mambu I have felt at home. GET THE LOBSTER ROLLS!!!!! Don't stop there....we always get the calamari. I don't know the genius mind behind the menu, but it is consistent and delicious every time. That is why we keep coming back. Side note: my fiance has been out of town for a month and his first request upon coming home: dinner at Mambu.

08/01/08

Not worth the hype

by Nashvegas1976 at Citysearch

I've heard a few people talking about this establishment and have visited a couple times over the past couple months. The food I had, as well as the food sampled by peers of mine, has been mediocre at best. The atmosphere is kitschy, each room having its own decor that looks thrown together from goodwill rejects. From what I've learned of the staff, the cooks are in constant turnaround, which may explain why the food is not consistent. When the restaurant is busy, dishes are often served incorrectly or just forgotten. On my visit, in a party of 10, one patron at our table (the one paying the bill, i might add) waited for 10 minutes for his food while the rest of the party ate. The drinks made by the male bartender working that night were poorly made. The second visit was for lunch and the place was full of obnoxiously loud power lunchers yapping on cell phones while we attempted to eat. Also, there was swearing coming from the kitchen loud enough for our table and other tables around us to hear. I don't know what was going on back there, but I'm guessing yet another cook bit the dust.

Also, the construction going on across the street makes parking a hassle. The noise from the construction during the day is almost intolerable.

I would not recommend Mambu to friends or peers, and will not be returning.

06/30/08

Food is good - go elsewhere for a drink...

by jackal4eva at Citysearch

We enjoyed some good to great food at Mambu recently. The drinks, however, are not good. We ordered some margaritas and mojitos. The margarita tastes like it comes from a bottle of bad sour mix, the mojitos are the worst I have ever tasted (imagine liquid spearmint gum). We went a backup bottle of wine - too bad it was served at about 85 degrees (note to owner/bar manager: you need to chill white wine and slightly chill red wine to about 55-60 degrees). It's too bad that you cannot get a great meal and a great drink at Mambu, hopefully they will read this and make it an even better experience!

• Pros: Food, service, venue
• Cons: Drinks, Drinks, Drinks... Wow.

04/27/08

Food below par.

by rio6 at Citysearch

My girlfriend and I went to Mambu's expecting to taste some amazing food (at least good enough to justify its prices and live up to some of these reviews). I have to say the atmosphere was great, and the staff very friendly. However, we were very disappointed with the food. We started up with the vegetarian fried wontons as an appetizer. Some of these were FROZEN in the middle, and the others just plain, not flavorful at all. For our entrees we had the "Mariscada" (which they describe as a "paella"), and a tofu-vegetable stir-fry. The peanut-sauce-based stir-fry was pretty tasty, but got boring after a few bites. The so-called "paella" was a tomato-based broth with some rice in it and seafood (shrimp, scallops, mussels... also chicken and sausage but we had it without them). Obviously nothing like a real paella if you've ever had one (it's not meant to be a soup!). This plate actually resembled one they have a Rumba's, but did not taste nearly as good.

Overall very disappointed.

• Pros: Atmosphere, Staff
• Cons: Food!

04/19/08

Best Shrimp Dumplings...Ever!

by nashdiva at Citysearch

I have eaten at many places in Nashville and this has to be at the top of my list. Extremely satisfied with my experience. Well done Mambu! Service was great. Have to go in and meet the crotchie old hostess/owner Anita (very funny person). Go early and beat the rush. LOVED IT!!!

04/19/08

READ THIS!!

by blacknmild at Citysearch

Nashville little hidden gem. The crazy lady owner is a very funny person. She had us laughing from the time we came in. This was my first time in and i loved it. Would come back again...and again. The cuisine was incredible!!!

04/19/08

One of a kind experience

by lover0929 at Citysearch

One word AWESOME. The food was great, the people were kind, and the drinks were good. By the way the waiter was soooooo hot. We love you Jabari. My only complaint was that i there was so much food i couldnt save room for dessert. I love you mAmbu.

• Pros: Amazing food, drinks and decor

04/19/08

Great food

by foodlover001 at Citysearch

Food was awesome. Try the shrimp dumplings! The nightly specials were awesome. The service was awesome but the food was even better. Come and enjoy yourself. Drink , eat, and be happy.

04/19/08

Best Atmosphere

by madblackman at Citysearch

Food was awesome> Corey and Anita bring some great artistic flare into there food. It was awesome and i loved everything that i had (and i am harsh critic). Come and try out the food and enjoy the service.

04/19/08

Best food in Nashville

by fan0001 at Citysearch

We have intended to try mAmbu for a looooong time but we've just never gotten around to it, so we decided to go for New Year's Eve. We had such an AMAZING dinner. The service was wonderful, the food was great, the atmosphere was just perfect for NYE. We are both huge foodies and are pretty hard to please, but this place really hits the spot. We agreed it was the best meal we've had since we returned from Paris about this time last year. A terrific place to sit and linger over dinner. The shrimp appetizer is to-die-for!!! Everything was good, but that really stood out.