08/20/04

Love Mambu

by trustus

We recently made our first trip to Mambu and everything was marvelous. They had so many wonderful offerings it was difficult to choose. My favorite things were the tomato salad (made with tomatoes from the owners garden) and the blackberry shortcake with lemon curd. The owner and staff were extremly friendly and fun. Great atmosphere and nothing to disappoint at Mambu.

07/26/09

Excellent Everything

by alicesmooth

We simply loved the atmosphere, service , food, drink and the warm feel of the old house.We will go back and back to enjoy the flavors and service of sweet and intelligent people who waited on us. Enjoyed it very much.

• Pros: Best salmon ever, great service, wonderful dessert!
• Cons: none

04/27/09

best salad ever

by NickyJo

Loved the food! I'm not a big salad person, but the waiter recommended the salads to a friend and I, and both of us loved em! (Friend not a salad person either). She doesn't like hummus either, but she liked Mambu's. Great outdoor seating, great location, great food, great service!

• Pros: best salad I've ever had
• Cons: ?

04/22/09

Sorry to say

by thepinkplum

My boyfriend and I went to eat at Mambu recently, and sadly it was a terrible experience. We went on a Tuesday night, so its was not busy at all. Our waiter would leave for large chunks of time and not even bother to check on us. It took us almost 30 minutes to track him down and give him our food order. By the time he brought our food, which was over an hour into our time there, we were totally out of water - which he never refilled the entire time we were eating (even after multiple requests). My boyfriends paella was ridiculously soupy, and the rice even tasted like spoiled seafood. My chicken dish was supposed to be that sweet/hearty type dish with chicken, figs and dates. Somehow the cook thought it would be a good idea to toss in some random big green olives - which did not fit in the dish in any way.

We had never eaten at Mambu before, and were really excited about trying a new place. Unfortunately we were grossly disappointed and felt like it was a total waste of $60. We won't be back.

PS - I hate writing terrible reviews, and actually this is my first. I just value honest opinions and look to reviews often for advice. I am just hoping no one else has as bad of an experience as we did.

Happy eating!

• Pros: Cute decor
• Cons: Slow service, strange food

04/17/09

A Delicious Meal Served by People Who Care

by elstonc

What an enjoyable evening we had at Mambu. Anita, the hostess, was a joy to meet. The service was spot on, and the food and drinks were perfect. We'll be back with a trinket to hang on the wall.

• Pros: Delicious food, cool people and atmosphere, valet parking
• Cons: None

04/16/09

fall in love

by shashaboom

being an east sider, it is near blasphemy for me to declare that i looooove this restaurant! mambu is a clear favorite whenever my boyfriend and i want a fun night out or plan a special evening! we are never disappointed and consider all who make mambu such a welcoming and comfortable space true friends. our adoration of anita and jabari is known to all! i greatly appreciate the special preparation of the dishes, as well as, the funky decor! for us, mambu is truly a home away from home! DELISH!

• Pros: great food, great company
• Cons: nada!

02/23/09

Great Food ...not so great service.

by TheFoodCritic001

So I went to mambu saturday night for dinner and I must say that although a little pricey, the food was absolutely amazing. The chef did an amazing job with plate presentation. The drinks were delightfully strong and always on time. The only thing I didn't like was the unlikeable, bitter and mean hostess. She was very rude and although they were busy she was still unable to multitask in what appeared to be a snooty attitude. Might I suggest to the owner that it might be time to trade her in for a fun-loving, fast paced, wide eyed and big smiled hostess who actually enjoys people and the restaurant business.

• Pros: Food and Drinks
• Cons: Hostess

02/08/09

Excellent food, good atmosphere, and SO pretentious.

by RighterOfWrongs

Mambu is a very cool place?but one of those places you wouldn?t go in unless a friend told you it was okay. The food is ?fusion? style and I?ve never been too sure what it?s supposed to fuse, but it was very good. The portions were a little small, but Mambu?s not one of those ?strap on the food bag? sort of places. Anyplace where the servers takes 10 minutes to tell you what kind of waters they have should tip you off that you?re going to be hungry in a couple of hours, but you?re supposed to go there for the quality, not the quantity. If a smorgasbord is your idea of a good time, stay out of Mambu, but if really excellent food means anything to you, I?d try it. One thing, though. They shouldn?t call a place that charges this much a cafe.

• Pros: The chef's an artist
• Cons: A bit on the pretentious side.

10/18/08

Best fine dining in Nashville

by nataculous

Went to Mambu tonight and had the Mahi Mahi special. I'm from the East coast and am very picky about my seafood. I have to say that this might have been the best meal that I have ever eaten. The chef, Corey, paires the freshest ingredients in the nicest way possible. Mambu is the answer to Nashville's traveling clientle. Take my advice, go to Mambu for a nice meal.

• Pros: Great food and atmosphere
• Cons: None that I can think of

10/17/08

Service can be iffy

by bigcitymama

Two friends and I went to eat at Mambu two nights ago. The place was dead when we walked in. It took a minute for anyone to notice we were there, and then we were told by a waiter that "she" would be right with us. We waited. And waited. Meanwhile, noticing again that most of the tables were empty, I began to wonder what the hold-up could be. I got the attention of another waiter, asked, "Could you..." He said, "Just a minute," went to speak with "her," came back and said, "She'll be with you in just a few minutes. She's in a meeting." We were incredulous. We looked at each other, and quickly decided to take our business elsewhere. By the time we got to the car, the waiter came out of the restaurant and called for us that we could be seated. Of course, we just got in the car and went to Amerigo, where we were attended to properly.

In the past, I have been to Mambu with two other friends and we waited a ridiculous amount of time for menus and a waiter's (ANY waiter's) attention. We finally had to flag down a waiter and ask if we had one.

In this economy, and in a town heavy-laden with restaurants trying to survive, service makes the difference. I hope Mambu can get it together because I'd hate to see it close. They have great food and great atmosphere, but disregard for the customer renders it all meaningless.

• Pros: great atmosphere, unique food, valet parking,
• Cons: service is unreliable

08/23/08

Some of the best food in Nashville

by marcum

You need to give this place a try. While only open for dinner (major construction noise from across the streetduring the day) I can honestly say that this is not your typical dining experience in Nashville. The choices for appetizers and entres are extensive enough to provide choice but not so ambitious to over challenge the kitchen. They have without a doubt the best seafood in this area. Their seafood is Hawaiian, hand caught not netted and prepared to an epicurian's delite. Be sure and try the salmon appetizer. For desert try the coconut cream pie...it's to die for. A refurbished bar, with a new bar tender, John, and an expanded wine list completes the evening. I try other restaurants in this area but always leave disappointed; not so with Mambu.

• Pros: FOOD!!! Ambience, service and bar
• Cons: parking and not open for lunch or Sunday brunch