Mambo Italiano Cafe
1303 12th St, Bellingham, WA, 98225
Mambo Italiano Cafe Menu
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Address :
1303 12th St
Bellingham, WA, 98225 - Phone (360) 734-7677
- Website https://www.mamboitalianocafe.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Terry D.
Cute. Italian. Tasty. Very nice food in a small, intimate setting. I had spaghetti and sauce. She had meat lasagne. We both had a glass of chianti. Everything was very nice. No complaints at all. The service was very good. Next time we want Italian in Bellingham this is where we'll go!
(4)Jenny K.
Placed an order for chicken Parmesan and substituted veggies for penne pesto (one of the options I was told over the phone). Turns out I got both the veggies and pasta but the latter came with a $5 additional cost which I didn't expect. The chicken parm was cheesy, breaded & fried and topped with marinara sauce - perfect. The pesto was a bit saltier than I like it and didn't pair well with the chicken. Overall a decent dinner and large enough for two people to split.
(3)Samuel M.
One of my favorite Italian restaurants of all time! I've had a variety of their dishes including the spaghetti carbonara, spaghetti and meatballs, bolognese, and I've also had their meatball pizza. Their meatballs are to die for. So moist and delicious! The carbonara is extremely good as well and it's so creamy and has fantastic flavors. Their staff is always very attentive and always so nice to get us seated right away even when it gets busy. The restaurant is pretty small inside so if you're coming around dinner time you should make a reservation as it usually gets pretty busy.
(5)Katy F.
Still a great meal with prompt and pleasant service. This past visit I went on the lighter side with a house salad (large) with added roasted chicken. I was pleasantly pleased with the amount of chicken added, totally worth the extra $3. Perfectly dressed and very filling.
(4)Jerry M.
Lunch was pleasant at Mambo Italiano Cafe when we were visiting Bellingham. Their menu had a good variety of choices ranging from oyster stew and spaghetti with meatball which my friend ordered, to the panini club sandwich which I had. My friend's oyster stew was rich and creamy with large whole local Chuckanut Bay oysters. She said the marinara sauce in her spaghetti was fresh and tasty, but thought the meatball was bland and could have used some more seasoning. My panini was made with very good ingredients: roast chicken breast, prosciutto, and provolone. I liked it. Mambo's dining room was roomy with high ceilings and seemed warm and inviting, and they also had outside seating on the sidewalk. The service was friendly and efficient. Overall, a very nice place to enjoy a meal.
(4)Robert R.
Can't go wrong here. I've been here a few times over three years and had a lot of the food. I had the meatball pizza last night and a glass of wine. It was very, very good. Sat outside, wonderful waitress, fast service but not over intrusive. Very pleasant and I will always be back here. Thanks
(4)Bill O.
Wow! The bruschetta for a late snack was beat we have ever had!! Waitress was friendly and prompt... We want to try this place for dinner. Usually I would not write. Review on a app and wine but it's a must! Only ding was burn holes on table clots on porch! Great food!
(5)Tera T.
We came to this restaurant an hour right before closing on a Saturday night, assuming there were going to be loads of people because of the day of the week, there was absolutely no customers in sight. Luckily for us, they were super friendly and did not seem to mind that we were the only customers they had. We ordered a Margherita pizza, which was absolutely divine. The crust was the most perfect part of the pizza - the best crust i ever had! I was quite surprised by this since we arrived an hour before closing, assuming they would give us something half-assed, but it turned out great! Customer service was really nice and helpful. Definitely will go again!
(4)Jeff d.
Great food! Best Italian food I have had since I ate in Italy.
(5)Sharon S.
My husband and I had been here previously over a year ago and had been somewhat unimpressed by the food. I received a gift card though so we decided to give it another go and am so happy! Everything was delicious! The fresh bread had a lovely texture, the Caesar salad had a nice tang and subtle spice, the chicken Parmesan was perfectly cooked (the side of grilled veggies had tons of flavor) and the lasagna was ooey gooey deliciousness that my husband enjoyed eating with the bread. Will definitely return for the food, friendly service and great location.
(4)Mark H.
Wow. Now that is great Italian food. Excellent service, great atmosphere. I wish I lived here, I'd definitely be a regular.
(5)Thomas P.
Great Italian restaurant - used to live in Italy, this is truly good traditional Italian food.
(5)Ben W.
The blackened halibut on a bed of Caesar salad was one of the evening specials. It arrived perfectly cooked, spiced with the perfect balance of heat and flavor, and was one of the best fish dishes I've eaten.
(5)Magen M.
Mambo Italiano is one of my favorite places for lunch. Whenever someone comes to visit me from out of town, I always take them here! All of my guests have raved about it and said that it's some of the best Italian they've ever had. It's especially nice when you sit out on the patio in the summer. I'm obsessed with the Spaghetti Pomodoro (Olive Oil, Garlic, Basil, Mozzarella, Tomato). The dish is pretty simple and classic Italian but it is packed full of flavor and the perfect balance of ingredients. I just got back from a vacation in Italy, and I have to say, Mambo is very similar in flavor and preparation to what I experienced there. My only complaint would be the price difference between lunch and dinner. I always go here for lunch because I get the same dish for much cheaper. I understand that restaurants charge more for dinner because it's a larger portion, but I have not found that to be the case here. Save your money and get the same delicious Italian food for lunch!
(4)Sarah F.
YUUUUUUMMM!!! Pros? -The food is AMAZING. Truly not something I could make at home, which makes the pricing WAY worth it. -Each dish has a significant portion of meat and unique sauce, unlike a lot of places which have so much pasta as filler -Super friendly and proficient service -Enjoyable atmosphere -Romantic enough for date night -Open kitchen Cons? -Errrrrr.... makes my home cooked italian look and taste bad :-)
(5)Kimberly R.
I eat here often and get it to go... It's really good food...The pan fried oysters with fettuccine Alfredo were so good I ate them leftover cold right out of the fridge and they tasted great! Also highly recommend the seafood puttanesca and the spaghetti carbonara. I will be back for more soon!
(5)Jenny S.
First time coming here. Was told many great things about this place. Decided to get a couple calzones to go. The waitresses were great, but the main reason they lost a couple stars is because when we got home, the boxes were dripping with grease, pretty excessively, was not very appealing lol
(3)Mojdeh S.
How I heard of this place: Just over ten years ago, a new Italian place opened up in the historic Fairhaven district, and the reviews were all appealing. A friend and I made our way to partake of the portobello mushroom fettuccine, of which I continued to speak for nearly a decade. Type of cuisine: "In March of 2001, Mambo Italiano Café opened its doors to Bellingham. Since the beginning, quality food and service has been the business. Creating a quality dining experience for our guests is something we continually strive for. We believe in house-made, handcrafted meals from scratch, with only the best quality ingredients possible. We take pride in our work and to us, Mambo is much more than a restaurant. From our family to yours, welcome to Mambo." "With recipes passed down from generations, our food features classic and wholesome Italian food while also offering the essence of the northwest with fresh seafood starters and entrees. We have a passion for quality here at Mambo, so much so that we prepare all our sauces from scratch, bake all our bread and pizza dough fresh every morning, and prepare each and every dish to order." Ambiance: "We have a small space to work with, featuring only a front room, bar, backroom, and courtyard." What I ordered: In addition to the bread served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, both present at each table throughout the establishment, my husband was eager to dig into the Bruschetta ($7.75): grilled bread topped with garlic oil, prosciutto, fresh diced tomato, basil, mozzarella, parmesan, and a drizzle of house dressing. For our main entrees, my mom treated herself to her and my dad's favorite, the Lasagna Carne ($13.95) served hot in a baking dish oozing with Bolognese, mozzarella, ricotta and parmesan cheeses. My sister enjoyed my ever favorite Fettucine Portabella ($13.95): portabella mushrooms, olive oil, garlic, anchovies, white wine, butter and parmesan. A dear friend of ours and I each selected the server favorite, Gamberoni Mediterranean ($18.95 each): jumbo prawns, olive oil, tomato, basil, pine nuts, gorgonzola cream, white wine, and butter served over fettucine. My husband, the ever daring and knows-what-he-wants consumer selected the Smoked Salmon Penne ($14.95): smoked salmon, artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes, garlic, cream, butter. What I loved: The lasagna. Of all of the dishes on our table, while the prawns were cooked perfectly, the portabella fettucine creamy and abundant, and the broccoli a pleasant addition to my husband's smoked salmon, my mom's selection stole the show! Why I loved it: The space is intimate, yet vast, the servers friendly and fellow-diners excited to engage in conversation. The food is abundant and flavorful and the atmosphere pleasant and whimsical. There is really nothing to deter me from enjoying the bounty at Mambo Italiano Cafe. Cost: Low to average ($8.95 - $22.95 per dinner entree)
(4)J M.
Got a gift certificate for this place, we had never been there before but let me tell you we will definitely be back! I had the French dip and my husband had the salmon panini. Absolutely delicious! Waitress not overly attentive and did not offer advise when we told her it was out first time there. But the food made up for that. My suggestion, go in at lunch time. It was not as busy as I heard the evenings get.
(5)Joan J.
I'm here at least twice a month. Highly recommend the martinis, brushcheta and the I've never had a fish special which wasn't superlative. The deserts are also yummy! Ambiance is upbeatand fun,although too loud for romantic conversation. Fine, friendly service.
(5)Jaime L.
My husband and I lived in Bellingham for about 3 years. Mambo Italiano was our go-to spot for delicious Italian food the entire time! We must have eaten there about 8 times. Every time I had the tortellini with prosciutto and it was heavenly. My hubby always had the chicken Parmesan, and he always had enough to save half for lunch the next day. Unfortunately the Cesar salad left a lot to be desired. We felt like the dressing was just too tangy. The atmosphere in the restaurant itself is great. Definitely Italian. No good place to wait around if you have to wait to be seated (although there is a small bar, it's just hit and miss whether or not it'll be packed or if there'll be room for you), but you can make reservations and if you time it right you can usually be seated quickly. Totally worth eating here! Especially on a warm summer evening with a seat outside the front! I'm sad that my husband and I had to move south. If I ever go back to Bellingham, I'll be making time for Mambo.
(5)Alexis S.
A++ restaurant. Super fast, excellent service and delicious food. Great prices for the fantastic quality.
(5)Chris D.
I have no doubt that, compared to other options in Bellingham, Mambo is above average. Iunno, maybe I'm not giving B-ham enough credit... but that's the only real explanation I came up with for this place to be rated a solid four stars. I mean, there wasn't anything particularly wrong with our meal; there wasn't anything particularly memorable either. If you ask my wife, she'll say "it was just there." My Seafood Puttanesca had decent flavor, however much of the seafood was on the overcooked side. I ended up not eating it all, which is kinda a big deal for a pasta slut like me. The Mrs. has the ravioli and found it to be far too much of an Alfredo to be described as a rose. If I recall, she wasn't lapping hers up either. The antipasti was probably the best thing of the night. Yup... sliced meat and cheese. The service was friendly, attentive and easily accommodated us on the patio despite not having recommendations. Their patio was also nice for a mid-summer's evening meal, although I swear I got a sunburn while waiting for my food. I don't blame them for that though. How many people can say they get a sunburn in PacNW anyway? All and all, Mambo is an okay option if you find yourself in the area. Disclaimer: I'm an Italian food snob.
(3)Laura C.
Had heard great things about this place. Enough so that I got my parents a gift certificate for Mambo for this Christmas. My husband ate here last night. Said he was going to bring home his (lasagna) leftovers, but didn't because it was so disappointing. He woke up in the middle of the night with stomach pains and diarrhea. :(
(2)Alexis H.
Great atmosphere, small town local feel. Great food and service! Real Italian dishes!
(5)Aaron M.
Went here on a date recently. The staff is friendly, there is a nice atmosphere, and the decor is unique! After ordering we received our food in a timely manner; especially since it was a Saturday evening! Very tasty authentic Italian food! I will definitely be returning soon and have already told many of my friends about this awesome place!
(5)Tom O.
An unexpected pleasure. Great atmosphere and excellent service. I had the chicken parm and others had fettuccini alfredo, salmon fettuccini and the meatballs. All outstanding.
(4)Allison A.
The positive reviews for this place are surprising. It's like a personalized Olive Garden -- giant portions, no depth of flavor, wine that was recommended by our server and turned our teeth BLUE. Yikes. Would almost rather pick up some energy bars from the gas station for dinner. Almost. That's why it gets the extra star -- options are limited in this area.
(3)JD B.
I'll start by saying that SO and I are east coast transplants; she from NYC, me with a lot of Italian relatives. We know Italian. I have difficulty understanding how anyone could give this place less than 4 stars unless they were a disgruntled employee or were raised on Chef Boy-r-dee Spaghettios. To the person who griped about ordering a calzone "to go" and found it dripping with grease when they got it home I would suggest that if you get a calzone loaded with pepperoni it's going to leak pepperoni grease. Eat it there or hold the pepperoni. The service has been consistently exceptional from the second we come in the door. I tend to order things that I can't do as well at home so I've had dishes like the Veal Marsala which was flawlessly executed. The last trip I had the Gamberoni Mediterranean. Shrimp dishes are the acid test for any restaurant; the dish has to hit the plate and reach the table before the shrimp overcooks requiring mindful coordination of the kitchen and waitstaff. I was not disappointed. SO gets the Fettuccine Vognole consistently. I'm not a clam fan but I can tell they use top shelf shellfish and treat it with respect. Dipping bread into the sauce at the bottom of the dish is a little slice of heaven. We shared a Tirimisu for dessert, again, nicely done. If this place wasn't 60 miles from us we'd be there more often but it's always worth the drive.
(5)Wendy Y.
Food: Excellent Ambiance: Homey and cozy Verdict: Will definitely be back Thanks to Lesley D.'s review, my partner and I did get the recommended Caesar Salad and Fettuccine con Pollo with Gorgonzola Cream. I went as far as House of Prime Ribs in San Francisco and they are supposed to have pretty darn good Caesar salad since they spin the dressing right in front of your eyes. But no, HOPR doesn't even come close to what Mambo's has to offer. The dressing feels home made and we felt the kitchen staff put care, attention, and soul into their food. And just like Lesley D. I am not a Caesar salad girl but I love every bite of that salad. Fettuccine is creamy and not heavy. The amount of melted Gorgonzola made this white sauce a fabulous pasta dish. Chicken bits were plentiful. Walnut bits were fresh. We didn't feel like to were dying from food coma. The service was a bit slow. Our friendly waitress was quite apologetic about it so she said the coffee was on the house. I can't wait to come back. Food is very legit. I'd drive down here for the food again (from Vancouver).
(4)Elyse P.
A little on the spendy side but they have some really good food. I love their pasta and their Chicken Parmesan, however I didn't care for their crab cakes. It is definitely a better choice than Olive Garden if you are looking for some Italian food in the Bellingham area. However, you want to go at the right time, it can be very busy and very crowded.
(4)Lesley D.
I'm pretty sure GOD makes the Caesar salad at Mambo Italiano. Even if you aren't a Caesar person, for $3.50, get the small Caesar and try it...its so legit its not even funny! The Fettuccine con Pollo with Gorgonzola Cream is sinfully delicious! This little gem of a restaurant is worth the drive from Seattle any day! Pros Caesar Salad!!! Everything tastes like it is made with the best of the best Great beer selection (Boundary Bay on tap) Cons I don't live in Bellingham
(5)Amanda W.
I have never been disappointed eating here. The atmosphere/seating is cute in front and intimate in the back. This place is perfect for a business lunch or even a first date.
(5)Reed C.
Some of the best value for money in town. They've got great, rustic food. In particular, they're specials are always very good. I particularly like their normal seafood specials, the chicken dishes baked in their wood stone oven, and their pizza.
(5)Rainy F.
Fun local Italian restaurant that also serves a great French onion soup. Always smells great when we stroll by!
(5)Carolyn L.
Oh Mambo- What can I say about Mambo? Mambo opened up when I was in high school, so Ive been eating her for awhile now. There are menu items on Mambo that I really enjoy, but over all I think Mambo is a three. The positives Mambo is in beautiful historic Fairhaven, which means in the summer there is going to be gorgeous weather so sit outside, however parking may be a problem. The great thing about Fairhaven though is you can park pretty much anywhere and walk around. So do not be discouraged if you have to park a little far- take in the area, stop in the shops and then go have lunch. I stick mostly to Mambos Paninis now- they are the best part of the menu. Of the paninis the oyster poor boy (with local oysters that they fry in house) and the pan seared salmon are my two favorites.
(3)James A.
Best Chicken Caesar salad in Northwest Washington! And I have tried plenty. Sam Tino, proprietor, knows how to make a Chicken Caesar. Soft, tender, pulled chicken breast. Fresh romaine. Croutons that don't try to star. And a Caesar dressing that's out of this world with plenty of garlic and the most important ingredient: Anchovies! I knew Sam's Chicken Caesars before I knew Sam. Now, if only Sam could play better golf!
(5)Etta W.
Amazing for an authentic, cozy Italian dinner! We were very happy with everything but the wait! Took an extra long time for the food to arrive, because of the need for cheese-free entrees, that were messed up the first time. But the ambiance was great, and we had a few glasses of wine while we were waiting, so it could have been worse!
(4)Melissa P.
Unimpressive. Went with a friend and was really looking forward to good Italian food...well, I certainly didn't find it here. I'm always amazed at these local mediocre restaurants that get such good reviews. Have you people ever dined outside of Bellingham? Because I assure you, THIS is NOT amazing Italian food.
(2)Alison G.
If there's any go-to Italian restaurant in Bellingham, it's Mambo Italiano. The food here is divine and most definitely hits the spot! My favorite dish is the Primavera but I also love the pizzas & other pasta dishes. Their fried oysters look pretty good as well. My only complaint is that there are so many flies buzzing about in the summer. Both big and small. They're EVERYWHERE as the door is kept open at times. Not the most pleasant guests to dine with. The pricing isn't too bad, considering the quality of the food (which is amazing).
(4)Kevin M.
If your in Fairhaven you should give Mambo a shot. One of the places on our list to visit when we are out that way. Lunch or dinner, we love the place. This is little bistro is similar to many restaurants that you would find in a large city. It's casual, rather intimate but can be a little noisy at times. They have their own sour dough bread that is a favorite with me. I love bread, Mambo serves up a basket with your meal. They don't serve it warm and for some reason that does not bother me, it normally would. Try the olive oil and balsamic vinegar on your side plate mixed about 50/50 and dip the bread. They serve wine and beer, not the best selection, but satisfactory for something to drink with a good meal. For lunch a quick favorite is the Kitchen Sink Pizza. Just what it sounds like with various meats, cheese..etc. The crust is always great. Another lunch favorite is the portobello sandwich. The chicken Parmesan is one of the best around according to some friends who recently dined with us. Come to think of it, I have yet to get a less than satisfying meal here and from the many folks that we know who have been going here for some time now, never a complaint.
(4)Kiana F.
For a while, Mambo was the only Italian restaurant I went to in Bellingham. I went out of the way, for a college student living on North Campus, to go to Mambo. Their food is super good. The service is fantastic, the location perfect (I love Fairhaven's atmosphere in general). I haven't been a long while, but any time I'm in Bellingham, I always make a point to visit!
(5)Dani F.
Love this place! Really great, home-cooked Italian food. There are lots of options for vegetarians. The service is excellent and the ambiance is cozy. Their spaghetti carbonara is delicious as is the pesto cream sauce. The portions are huge! The pasta could easily be shared between two people especially if you split an appetizer. I always take away over half of my pasta portion because it is so big. Highly recommend this spot.
(5)John W.
Ordinarily, we make our own Italian food. But after a rough couple of weeks, we needed to get out of the house and my girlfriend suggested Mambo Italiano. We had not been there before (we'd only noticed it when we went to The Black Cat), and it was packed on a Friday evening. We were asked if we had reservations, which we did not even think about, and were told they were full for the night. But they could seat us in the courtyard. That worked fine for us, since the inside courtyard of the building is very nice. I opted for the Pollo Piccata (our server used the Spanish pronunciation 'poy-o' instead of the Italian), and my girlfriend ordered the pan-fried oysters. (She seldom passes up a chance for good oysters!) We started with the antipasti del giorno. Now, I agree with skier Alberto Tomba who once said, 'The only time an Italian drinks white wine is when he's out of red.' Maybe it's against the commonly-accepted rules, but I prefer red and drink what I like. But my girlfriend wanted white. We ordered a bottle of Voga Italia pinot grigio. The antipasti of the day featured generous portions of sliced salami (Gallo brand, which we both grew up with), two good-sized slices of prosciutto , fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced provolone, a dollop of soft goat cheese with chives, a few slices of bruschetta, and a bit of tapenade. Oh. My. That was -- and I say this without exaggeration -- the best tapenade I've tasted. Tapenade has always been one of those things that I could take or leave. But then, it's been store-bought, served in restaurants that seemed to have it on the menu because it's trendy, or home-made by people who make it because it's trendy. Mambo Italiano's tapenade tastes like someone cares. I didn't know it could be that good. The rest of the appetisers were tasty as well. As I said, we grew up with Gallo-brand salami. It's mass-market and not imported or made at Salumi Artisan Cured Meats in Seattle, but to us it tastes like salami is supposed to taste. The prosciutto was nice and salty, and the slices were generous. The rest of the plate was not only delicious, but I know that if we want it at home we can duplicate it with a quick trip to Trader Joe's excellent cheese display. Both meals were served with sautéed zucchini and carrots with some onion and garlic, and penne pasta with marinara sauce. The veg were excellent. Maybe a little overcooked, but very tasty nonetheless. I can tell you I polished them off with abandon! The penne pasta was cooked perfectly. The marinara sauce was a little plain, but had a nice amount of garlic in it. I wouldn't want it for a main dish, but as a side dish it was good. My plate arrived with two boneless chicken breasts with artichoke hearts and a nice white wine sauce with capers. Oh, I love capers! The chicken was very tender, and not at all dry or stringy as I've been served at other restaurants. It was definitely a hit with both our palates. The girlfriend received about generous number of local oysters that were breaded with cornmeal to give them some crunch. You could really taste the ocean in them. Another hit! We were both stuffed after eating half of our dishes, but we found room to share tiramisu served in a glass. I'm a coffee hound, and I really like a strong coffee taste in my tiramisu. Mambo Italiano's offering was more suited to people who don't order 10-shot espressos from coffee houses, but it was quite yummy and a lot less work than making it myself! Our server was Maggie, who was chipper and knowledgable. Everything looked so good on the menu that I couldn't decide what to order. Maggie is the one who suggested the pollo piccata, and I'm glad I took her recommendation. (Same goes for the wine.) She was attentive, but not intrusive. We were dressed nicely (for us), and she asked if we were there for a special occasion. We admitted that we'd lost our beloved cat the previous week, and she showed an appropriate amount of sympathy and recovered immediately from our unexpected answer. Later, we chatted a bit about salami and olive oil and she was nicely enthusiastic. When we told her how much we liked the tapenade, she said many people give similar comments on it. The bill for the dinner, plus a Grey Goose martini, taxes, and tip, came to a bit over $111, which is about what we tend to pay whenever we go out for a nice dinner. The courtyard seating was fairly intimate, and quieter than being inside. The food was great, and Maggie was wonderful. We'll be going back.
(5)Paul A.
Wonderful Italian cafe in Fairhaven, WA. Food was fresh and authentic as you can get for this area. Some local variations for lunch were pleasant surprise. Oyster poor boy was delious, and portion was large. Service was prompt, courteous, and warm. Love that they have lemon cellos liquor on dessert menu, great lunch, fair prices, will have to come back and try dinner.
(4)Janet R.
this is a disgusting restaurant, catering for the typical fairhaven tourist and indiscerning consumer. We were treated very badly tonight, despite spending $100 tonight. The serving staff have no manners, laughed at us for complaining.... is this customer service? We will never be back. This is not Italian food. Its garbage. Don't go there
(1)Sarah F.
I love this place; the food is great (I'm a sucker for the ravioli), the service is great and the atmosphere is just as lovely. I like the idea of an open kitchen, you really can't smell anything else in Fairhaven BUT Mambo Italiano. On nights when all I want to do is lay around and watch a movie? I call-in a dessert order to go. Usually the tirumisu because it's probably the best I have ever had. The cheesecake is also to die for. Great place! Very consistent!
(5)Scott P.
Great service! Very good food, sizable portions and nice location. Good solid place to bring the family I have a 18 month old that loves this place. I have eaten here about 8 times now very consistant with food quality and service! I love the inner courtyyard very cool place to eat.
(4)N M.
Fantastic food, EXCELLENT service (friendly, prompt and knowledgable) and great ambience. The prices are fair as well. Our server was so sweet and friendly and attentive. My boyfriend and I will come back again!
(5)Chris R.
The Calzone Rustico was perfect! My lunch partner loved the Steak Salad; I tried it and the meat was tender & tasty. The calzone was a perfect combo of mushrooms, sausage, ricotta, mozzarella, and red sauce. The walls are filled with colorful, zesty paintings for a bright, cheery look. Servers are cute too! I rarely give 4 stars and Mambo deserves it!
(4)Reliable R.
I just want to thank the bartender who worked Friday evening for taking great care of us three ladies who arrived to eat and drink after having to walk out of the black cat for the absolute worst service you turned our night around which we definetly needed thanks again we will be back :-)
(5)Mike L.
Had the sausage in marinara sauce with some fresh bread as an appetizer, very nice sausage, then the main course of spaghetti carbonara, lots of bacon but the cream and cheese were on soooo thick and the pasta overcooked that it all turned into a solid bowl shaped chunk of white goo very hard to get the pasta to separate, needed a knife and fork to cut it into bite sized chunks, gave up and finished the sausage, paid and left all but three bites in the bowl. Waitress took it away no questions asked. For lunch I would try D'Annas or Guiseppes
(2)Katrina W.
We've been going to Mambo Italiano each time we cross the border from Vancouver for about the past 10 yrs and I cannot say a bad thing about it. It's not a fancy-pants place but it's everything you could ask for in reliably delicious italian food and fast, friendly service in a casual and very welcoming atmosphere. We're somewhat embarrassed to admit that, even if we toy with the idea of actually trying somewhere new, we still end up at Mambo because it's just so perfect every time and very reasonably priced. Yup, we're big fans!
(5)Michelle P.
It was good light and had plenty of bread for my husband who loves bread. 31/2 stars was my plan until i remembered the prices are low and the bathroom clean and also very heated..I like a warm bathroom! Try the green salad and vegie pasta.
(4)Makalah C.
A friend and I went here this past Sunday, and I must say I am really picky when it comes to Italian food, but this place won me over. The server was friendly, respectful, and came by often to check and make sure everything was going well. The outside area was clean with a great view of Downtown Fair-haven. I can't wait to revisited this restaurant again.
(5)Michelle H.
My husband took me here for my birthday a few weeks ago. We've been wanting to try it for a while, and it surpassed my expectations. The service was great... not pushy, not over the top. Just right. The wine was perfect, and the caesar salad dressing was soooo good. I had a calzone, and it was very filling, baked to perfection and had enough left over for lunch the next day. My husband had a pasta dish and the sauce was so delicious. You can tell it was fresh made to order. I can't wait to go back to try more of their pasta dishes. The coffee after dinner was super yummy too. I love this place. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Brian G.
Great service and absolutely fantastic food. One of the best customer service experiences we've had in Whatcom county. Great job all around.
(5)Brian W.
This is the second time I've been here. The first time was awhile ago so I thought I'd try Mambo again. I left disappointed. We started off with a Caeser salad and tapenade. Both were good. Their tapenade was freshly made and pretty darn tasty. I ordered the calzone rustica for my entrée. The dough was delicious, but I did not like the sausage or the amount of mushrooms that were stuffed into the calzone. I normally have nothing against either of these two ingredients, but it was a little much for me.
(2)Claudio B.
This is a great place to go, with seating inside and outside also in summer. The service is consistently good, and the food is really good, some delicious plates; they serve pizza, and sometimes I go there for just that. It's a small place, and that's part of the beauty. The location is great, you can take a walk around the area when you are done eating, it's always a good thing.
(4)Al S.
Nice atmosphere but.... Bruschetta with Italian dressing on it was weak and pasta overwhelmed by sauce was average at best.
(3)Gabriel E.
Great little place. It is a great setting, town and all. The interior is like walking into a little Italian dinner place. BUT the pizza is not good. I guess I was suspecting something a little more authentic. Regadless, the pizza I was brought was simply bad. Exactly like the Olive Garden pizza if you've ever had that. Buttery, fluffy, over the top crust, with rather insignificant, tasteless toppings. Its a shame too, for all around me I saw people receiving awesome dishes. I ate my pizza with regret, wishing I had ordered ANYTHING else. It all looked so good. So don't miss out on this place, just don't get the pizza.
(3)Ashgan D.
Mambo Italiano Cafe is easily the best Italian restaurant in Bellingham. Good food, great service, reasonable prices, and a great atmosphere are what make Mambo a great place to have dinner especially if you are on a date. I have gone on several dates at Mambo with great success. So gentlemen, if you want seal the deal, take your woman to Mambo Italiano. Also if you are in the mood for a salad, the Mambo Garbanzo is easily one of the best salads I have ever eaten.
(5)Amy E.
Yummy Italian food & lovely atmosphere Pros: - nice menu selection & good drinks - reasonable prices - great value - super service, friendly & knowledgable - chef Guy makes fabulous items! Cons: - entrance - no place to wait & have to stand in open door way - bathrooms pretty gross
(4)Ken H.
Halibut is BACK at Mambo. For the best and freshest Halibut in town - just go in and order the special. If its anything Halibut - you will love it. When the wife and I have a busy day - and the decision to go get a quick bite out comes up - there is no discussion on where - our car naturally heads to Mambo.
(5)Erin H.
I went here for lunch and I thought that the pizza was just OK. There was a fair amount of meat on it but really no cheese and the crust was SUPER thick. It was unlike most other fired pizzas I'd had. Perhaps it was just lackluster because I wasn't used to it but I probably wont eat here again. Our waitress was super awesome though, she kept my water full and was very nice conversation.
(3)Megan S.
Marinara was just so-so on the pasta dish, but the pollo piccata was great and the roasted veggies must not have been healthy because they tasted too good!
(4)Rachel F.
My boyfriend and I have been here twice now for dinner. The wait was 30 to 40 minutes both times, this place is always busy. Service is average, last night when there my boyfriend had finished eating and I hadn't but the waitress came and cleared our table and brought the check. Kind of rude I thought. Food is average, pasta is too oily for my taste. Butter is listed as an ingredient in almost all dishes which I found funny because then it must be a substantial ingredient. I'd recommend the bruschetta, and gambiano dish, the one with shrimp and fettuccine. I will try other restaurants in Bellingham before returning to Mambo's.
(3)Ted S.
On a recent trip to B'ham for some 'back to school' shopping, my daughter Ashely said "we have to go to Mambo Italiano!"... she was pretty emphatic, so I was looking forward to lunch. With a name like that, I wasn't sure what to expect, but she has a way of finding cool out of the way places. I had never been to Fairhaven, so that was a treat in itself, with the old buildings... and the cafe was inviting from the moment I stepped out of the car. Pleasant from the outside, and more so inside. Soaring ceiling with open kitchen gave an airy effect, yet the dining area was intimate and comfortable. I was all geared up for the Meatball Pannini I had heard about, until I saw an Oyster PoBoy on the impressive menu. That sealed the deal, because I cannot pass up a good oyster sandwich. It was fabulous... the oysters were fried to perfection with just the right amount of breading. The roll was perfect and the right texture for this Po Boy Italian Style. Ashley had the MBP, so I got my meatball fix, smothered in tomato and mozzarella cheese. UlaG the 10 yr. old Back to Schooler had Oyster Stew that was to die for, and a beautiful Italian Soda. Such a rich creamy soup with plump oysters! Our waiter was outstanding. Attentive and solicitous without being cloying. I was impressed with the food the service the decor and everything Mambo Italiano. If I had to think of a reason to leave Friday Harbor and move to Bellingham, it would be to have access to this restaurant. To quote Arnold... "I will be back..."
(5)Gia G.
I'm picky about Italian food. This place passes muster. We've only been one time and it was a hit. We'll be back.
(4)J B.
Greek salad was delicious! Place was packed. Enjoyed calzone and house red wine. Called up Yelp and it guided us here...we were not disappointed.
(5)Nick T.
This is a really nice place. Very cozy, great food, happy smiling employees. I have one negative complaint. I am a meatball snob. I normally don't eat anyone's meatballs other than my families or my own. These were even better than mine. Good size portions. I'm a healthy eater and I couldn't finish my lunch and believe me when I say I tried. This place is worth putting on your favorite list.
(5)Morgan D.
The food was fine, nothing special. We had a lunch reservation for a large group in the back area, but when we arrived, we were told that they had closed that area for renovation without giving us any notice. When questioned, a woman (her position was not clear to me) told us "That's just how it is." Well, how it was was loud and uncomfortable, and some of the staff was flat out rude to us on several occasions. I will not be returning unless the decision is out of my hands.
(2)Jeff H.
Still the best, and it isn't close. Came for dinner and it was EXACTLY the Mambo I've remembered so fondly over the years. Service was spot on, prices were way beyond reasonable, and the seafood special (pan roasted wild king salmon with triple berry compote served with cream cheese mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus) was out of this world. Thanks Mambo for always delivering a great experience for me over the years. You've earned those five stars yet again, and I can't wait to come back for more.
(5)Melissa B.
BEST MARTINI OF MY LIFE! You have GOT to try the Vanilla Lemondrop...I know it sounds odd, but it is truly a life-altering experience. You will forever be comparing every martini following this one for a good chunk of time, guaranteed. The lasagne is amazing as well...very flavorful and just the right proportion. I also noted that the waitstaff was friendly and attentive. I would take a star away for the atmosphere's lack of charm, but that martini was just too damn good.
(4)Haley A.
My fiance and I needed a break from killing each other over wedding planning and decided to use a gift card he received for dinner. The setting and ambiance was warm and welcoming, and the staff were friendly and didn't give off the feeling of "oh great, another two top...where to stick you...". Our waitress was both personable and knowledgeable, and didn't mock my attempt at Italian pronounciation (despite marrying an Italian). The appitizer of antipasto giorno was huge and made my face do awesome things. I would have liked more sauce for the smoked salmon penne, but I'm a saucy gal so I like it a bit overkill at times. Good food, good service, good atmosphere, hot date (always helps), a good time.
(4)erin p.
I dont get the hype about this place. I have eaten at Mambo several times and have not found a single item I would order again. I love the building its just too bad they cant make a decent meal.
(2)Ashley D.
I lived in whatcom County for 16 years and had no idea this place was here. I wish I had because there are so many things I want to try and that's kind of difficult when I live 2hours away. I had the spaghetti with serino sausage. And it was pretty good, but it needed a little more sauce. And my besties alfredo had to much sauce. Other than that I really enjoyed my food. Also the staff was very nice and came back just enough to make sure we were doing ok.
(4)Steven C.
Very attentive and friendly wait-staff. Orders are quick to the table. I only give it three stars due to the limited pasta menu. I would expect more pasta choices from an Italian restaurant. I'd give a higher rating if they expanded their menu.
(3)Nicki S.
I decided to take my boyfriend out to dinner, and boy was I wrong. While the location is great, and I really love its ambiance; I didn't enjoy their pasta. It tasted like something I could make at home, and for the price that didn't seem acceptable. Their pizza and bread sticks are okay, but not fabulous.
(2)Mandy M.
Mambo Italiano is wonderful. I had spaghetti and meatballs with salad and homemade bread. It was great. The service is fast and friendly and the prices are reasonable. The building is very small and quaint. Just love it, will go back again and again!
(5)Rob G.
Mambo Italiano is a wonderful little restaurant in the heart of Fairhaven that I really like. The food is great and the staff is very professional. They obviously like working here too. When I ordered the Seafood Puttanesca our waitress said it was the dish she regularly ordered prior to starting work here. The dish was very good, imagine a bowl of bouillabaisse with a bed of fettuccini. My wife had the Smoked Gouda and Sun Dried Tomato Ravioli which was also very good. For dessert we had the Key Lime pie which was nice and light although I wish it had a bit stronger lime flavor. My only real complaint is that the bread is brought out cold. Good bread, but would have been better served warm. Prices are a little steep but Fairhaven hasn't been a low-rent district for many years now. I have one Yelp reader's alert too. I originally found Mambo by searching for "caesar" on Yelp and many reviewers here praise their caesar salad. But I found their caesar just ordinary. Good yes, but not great and nothing to write about. It didn't even come with parmesan. I get it that most restaurants these days don't even offer you the option of anchovies :-( but no parmesan? Bummer.
(3)Marina C.
The best food in a sit-down restaurant in Bellingham? Yes. The bread is served with oil and vinegar and is tasty--it looks small and cozy but has plenty of seating. Dishes are... On the pricy side, but this is more or less a date restaurant, so you really shouldn't care about that. Service is prompt, odd requests from autistic food separatists are honoured ( I know because my best friend in Bellingham is one), and the texture of the pasta noodles, which is a big deal with me, always comes out reasonably firm without falling into crunchy. Eat here! It's Bellingham, what other options for Italian do you have? Olive Garden, as far as I could ever tell.
(4)Melissa R.
I went here with my mom. She was visiting and I thought that we could go and have a nice, fancy Italian meal somewhere that I wouldn't really want to pay for myself. It was okay. But for the price I expected something better than what I think I could cook myself. The lighting was too dim (I know, some people like mood lighting) and I wish the other Italian restaurants in the area didn't all seem to go out of business, because they were better. Oh well.
(2)Sarah C.
Just thinking about Mambo makes me happy. The interior is larger than it looks from the outside, but is not actually large. The coziness makes for an atmosphere that, even in the middle of the day, feels romantic and warm. I would hesitate to bring anyone but a date to eat here. I love the bread, the Caesar salad, and the fettuccine con pollo. The menu is definitely typical of any good Italian restaurant, but the food is better than most. Rest assured that they make their bread and their fresh ingredients are from local establishments. I enjoy the waitress and have never had an issue with the service. Keep up the good work, Mambo. And keep playing your ridiculous commercial.
(5)Mary B.
I've been here twice. Once with my Mom as a casual dinner and once on a date. This is a restaurant that definitely served to the "date like atmosphere" more, as opposed to the casual atmosphere. That being said, both experiences were wonderful. The food was delicious but the service was just okay. The wait was awful and that was my big complaint. It was a bit pricier than I was planning but that's why I mention that it's probably more so for the special night out as opposed to casual night out (please don't get me wrong, you CAN eat here casually... I just felt that the atmosphere was more formal, personally speaking!) Fairhaven is a fun part of Bellingham though so I recommend spending part of your evening shopping around and finishing it off at Mambo Italiano! Makes for a great evening!
(3)Steven P.
If it wasn't for the fact that D'annas is a short drive away, Mambo Italian might have received 5 stars from me, but everything must be kept in perspective. The food here is excellent, the prices are a bit high though. It can get quite cramped inside if it is busy, and I've also noticed how it can be a bit too warm inside during the summer, and a bit too cold during the winter. The pasta is terrific, the pizza is fantastic. Personally, the whole bread/olive oil/balsamic thing is overdone with.
(4)A B.
I have mixed feelings on this one, on one hand I have never had a bad meal here, and reading other reviews its apparent that many have (I have eaten at Mambo's a few dozen times by now). On the other side, I have without doubt had the crappy service experience way more than once, and again this has not been consistent either, about half the time its fair to good service and the other half its pretty abysmal. The food is not traditional Italian, I would call it more Italian inspired, if you want traditional go to D'Annas (always excellent).. if you want something more contemporary Mambo is a good choice. The Fettucine con Pollo is my favorite dish, if you are in the mood for something a bit different try the BBQ Chicken Pizza quite tasty. I also usually take home a loaf of their bread. Overall the service experience has not been enough to drive me away as it has from other b'ham restaurants, the food has been very good and has kept me coming back and willing to risk the occasional bad service.
(3)D P.
For many, many years this WAS our favorite restaurant in the area. But, for some reason, a certain amount of "success" has resulted in bullying staff who refuse to listen to customer feedback. When we tried to explain why our meal was not sufficient, the waitress interrupted us several times. We continued to say "you're not listening to us" . . . but she dismissed our feedback and walked away while we were talking to her.. I wonder if the OWNER of this restaurant has a finger on the pulse of staff who work in the middle of the week in this used-to-be-splendid gem in Fairhaven. Utterly disgusted!!!
(1)Food D.
I blame the 2 star rating on the yelpers, I went because of the raving reviews only to be dissapointed in the marginal flavors, a pizza that probably needed an additional time in the oven and cold sliced bread. Actually the bread was really good except for the fact it was colder than room temp. The service was just as some of the other yelpers mentioned, "just enough to get by". However the hostess was very nice and pleasant.
(2)Deirdre M.
On a double date we decided to go to Mambo. It was a gorgeous day and asked the hostess if we could sit outside. She probably weighed about 100 pounds, and after about 30 seconds of watching her struggle to put the iron tables together we begged to sit inside... it was like watching a snake eat a pig, she would have gotten it eventually but it was kind of sad. Anyway, we were promptly seated in a booth and ordered a bottle of wine. The waitress was very nice, and the food was really good. It's a little overpriced, but considering it IS in Fairhaven and the obvious quality of the ingredients it won't stop me from coming back it will just have to be a special occasion place.
(4)melina k.
I adore Mambo - each time I'm in Bellingham we eat at Mambo. It's delish food and service is good too. :) When the hubby and I go out for dinner (and don't mind crossing the border and taking a bit of a drive) we head to Mambo.
(4)Brittney v.
I live within walking distance to this place, and can always count on it for decent italian food. The service is always great. The baguettes are awesome!!! The quality of food is great, and always consistent. I am a big fan of the Garbanzo bean salad. However, their menu items are kind of plain jane. They keep it safe with all of their dishes, and their menu consists of ordinary items you would expect to find at any other americanized italian restaurants. I would give this place 4 stars if they had a seasonal menu, or more specials.
(3)Ezra M.
I've been to Mambo Italiano at least half a dozen times. Every single time I've had nothing less than stellar service from their wonderful staff. The food is excellent, always better than your average Italian restaurant. The prices are more than fair and the ambiance is most pleasant.
(5)Rob L.
Located in one of the oldest, most unique buildings in downtown Fairhaven, Mambo offers incredible Italian cuisine. It's a pretty laid-back place, like most of the places on this list. Try the tortellini carbonara. Cream sauce, peas, ham and cheese tortellini....and LOTS of garlic. Be careful with the Caesar salad- it's great, but the default setting comes with anchovies. I find them disturbing and a little horrifying. What am I, a cat?
(4)Glen B.
I agree with the other reviewers that this is very generic Italian food and the wait staff is hit and miss in terms of friendliness. I've tried a number of different dishes here and I have not had anything I would order again. Mambos is not bad but it's the kind of Yuppie Italian one would expect to find in Bellevue: heavy on presentation and light on substance. For the same price, you can have far superior Italian at D'Annas. I think Mambos gets a lot of raves because it is the only Italian food in Fairhaven.
(2)Chloe B.
Very good Italian food for the price. Service is actually decent too (for Bellingham). The pasta is cooked to perfection, and their sauces are clearly made to order. The calzones and homemade pizza's are close to excellent. They've had the same cheesy artwork on the walls for 5+ years, no one buys it time to move on.
(4)Jenny Q.
I really don't understand why people like this place. Their food tastes generic at best. The drinks are not very good and they are overpriced. I had the greek salad once it came with PLAIN black olives, not kalamata! Gross. The pizza is awful, and I like pizza, all kinds, just not theirs. Also the pasta is OK. I had the salmon pasta once but I got a stomach ache very soon after so I don't know. The space is also crowded. I think the only reason it stays in business is cause they are in Fairhaven in an easy to spot location. But don' t waste your money.
(2)Chris G.
I would really give it 3.5 stars if I could. There's nothing to complain about the food, but there's nothing to rave about either. The pastas are good, but the pizza is lacking when I know La Fiamma's so close. My rating has nothing to do with the building itself though, which I love and consider the best restaraunt location in all of Whatcom County.
(3)Vlad K.
This is one of my favorite places to take my wife on a date. The food is good, service friendly and efficent. The prices are a little higher than average for dinner but the lunch is great. I personally love the Pollo Parmesan and even though I consider different options each time I always end up getting it.
(4)Efrem Z.
It's OK. The food is OK. Service is OK. There were a lot of flies the day we were there but I can't really fault the place for this. I am in no hurry to return but I am no way dissuading you from going. You will find your experience at Mambo Italiano to be at the very least 'OK'. OK? Send my regards to the flies.
(3)Chris G.
Went there a few months ago with wife, MIL and two kids. Saw many other families there and the ambiance was great. However, the food was average at best. There are at least two other Italian places (i.e., places w/ emphasis on pasta and other non-pizza dishes) in Bellingham that puts this place to shame.
(2)Paul W.
Mambo's is a great place to get great Italian food. I have not had one pasta or pizza dish that was not amazing. Mambo is definitely my first choice of Italian restaurants in Bellingham and the prices are reasonable as well.
(5)Nathan H.
Went here for the first time for dinner tonight, and showed up with 8 people without a reservation. They gladly and easily accommodated my party in their courtyard, which had a lovely fountain. The food, mine being the Mambo's Rustic Pizza, was excellent, with attentive, yet not overzealous service. I was meeting some friends I had not seen in a great while, and we ended up talking late into the night. I know it makes me a horrible guest at a restaurant, but the staff were very gracious and considerate. A big thumbs up to Mambo Italiano, and their wonderful staff! Home run on all bases: food, service, atmosphere.
(5)Brittany R.
love this place. the food is excellent, the prices are reasonable and the staff is always nice and helpful. i've never ever had a bad experience and always make sure to take out of town guests here for dinner. love it!
(5)Dan K.
I've eaten at Mambo Italiano a handful of times and was always pretty impressed with both the quality of service and the food. The pastas offer good variety and the calzones are very good. The price is a little higher than I would prefer, but the location is prime and the atmosphere is 5/5 and quite soothing (maybe romantic is a better word). I think I chose a 4 out of 5 because it seems cramped and the food is not 5/5 quality. This place is good if you've got some family or friends visiting who don't mind picking up the check. Otherwise I'd vote for Giuseppe's every time.
(4)First N.
Go here NOW. Exactly what I want in a restaurant...excellent service, excellent food locally sourced, and excellent atmosphere. In a part of town that tends toward the trendy and twee, Mambo is where you want to go for a reliably high-quality meal. Go NOW.
(5)Kelsie W.
Great food, I'm a sucker for good Italian. The place is decorated very well, but is a little small. Get ready to get cozy on busy nights. The staff has always been friendly and helpful to me. Cool little "upstairs" bar too.
(4)Jennifer L.
I think the wait staff is getting better. I've been to Mambo's about 20 times in 2006/2007, and had excellent service every time. This place gets the honor of "best caesar salad in town," ultra-fresh romaine, excellent dressing but not too much glopped on, and crispy croutons. As for the entrees, the regular menu is fine (the crab cakes get an "A+"). But the reason to go to Mambo's is for the nightly seafood special. Wow - do NOT pass up any seafood specials. They are really well done, I've never been disappointed. (Sometimes they run out, go early!) Also, when fresh strawberries are in season, do not miss their strawberry shortcake made with sweet biscuits, YUM.
(5)J N.
Great Italian food, great atmosphere, great art to look at (& buy if you want), and great staff. Loved the food....pizza's are fabulous. Salads are great & it is my husbands favorite lasagna of all time. The owners are so friendly. Will eat here again and again!
(5)Mallory P.
This place is great, but it can be a hit and miss. The wait staff is really touch and go with how friendly they can be. The food here is pretty good, but almost standard italian fare. They have good pizza, but I would go to La Fiamma for that. Do try their pasta dishes - they are excellent. It's a wonderful atmosphere in the lovely Fairhaven district. There's a mix of tables and booths and they have a full bar. Great wine list, too.
(3)Samuel M.
One of my favorite Italian restaurants of all time! I've had a variety of their dishes including the spaghetti carbonara, spaghetti and meatballs, bolognese, and I've also had their meatball pizza. Their meatballs are to die for. So moist and delicious! The carbonara is extremely good as well and it's so creamy and has fantastic flavors. Their staff is always very attentive and always so nice to get us seated right away even when it gets busy. The restaurant is pretty small inside so if you're coming around dinner time you should make a reservation as it usually gets pretty busy.
(5)Katy F.
Still a great meal with prompt and pleasant service. This past visit I went on the lighter side with a house salad (large) with added roasted chicken. I was pleasantly pleased with the amount of chicken added, totally worth the extra $3. Perfectly dressed and very filling.
(4)Jerry M.
Lunch was pleasant at Mambo Italiano Cafe when we were visiting Bellingham. Their menu had a good variety of choices ranging from oyster stew and spaghetti with meatball which my friend ordered, to the panini club sandwich which I had. My friend's oyster stew was rich and creamy with large whole local Chuckanut Bay oysters. She said the marinara sauce in her spaghetti was fresh and tasty, but thought the meatball was bland and could have used some more seasoning. My panini was made with very good ingredients: roast chicken breast, prosciutto, and provolone. I liked it. Mambo's dining room was roomy with high ceilings and seemed warm and inviting, and they also had outside seating on the sidewalk. The service was friendly and efficient. Overall, a very nice place to enjoy a meal.
(4)Robert R.
Can't go wrong here. I've been here a few times over three years and had a lot of the food. I had the meatball pizza last night and a glass of wine. It was very, very good. Sat outside, wonderful waitress, fast service but not over intrusive. Very pleasant and I will always be back here. Thanks
(4)Bill O.
Wow! The bruschetta for a late snack was beat we have ever had!! Waitress was friendly and prompt... We want to try this place for dinner. Usually I would not write. Review on a app and wine but it's a must! Only ding was burn holes on table clots on porch! Great food!
(5)Tera T.
We came to this restaurant an hour right before closing on a Saturday night, assuming there were going to be loads of people because of the day of the week, there was absolutely no customers in sight. Luckily for us, they were super friendly and did not seem to mind that we were the only customers they had. We ordered a Margherita pizza, which was absolutely divine. The crust was the most perfect part of the pizza - the best crust i ever had! I was quite surprised by this since we arrived an hour before closing, assuming they would give us something half-assed, but it turned out great! Customer service was really nice and helpful. Definitely will go again!
(4)Mark H.
Wow. Now that is great Italian food. Excellent service, great atmosphere. I wish I lived here, I'd definitely be a regular.
(5)Sharon S.
My husband and I had been here previously over a year ago and had been somewhat unimpressed by the food. I received a gift card though so we decided to give it another go and am so happy! Everything was delicious! The fresh bread had a lovely texture, the Caesar salad had a nice tang and subtle spice, the chicken Parmesan was perfectly cooked (the side of grilled veggies had tons of flavor) and the lasagna was ooey gooey deliciousness that my husband enjoyed eating with the bread. Will definitely return for the food, friendly service and great location.
(4)Thomas P.
Great Italian restaurant - used to live in Italy, this is truly good traditional Italian food.
(5)Lena R.
Everytime I visit Fairhaven I stop here for a nice Italian dinner. I usually order a pizza and split it with my mom and then we order a salad for ourselves. The food is tasty, the decor is awesome - covered in paintings by a local resident - I can't get enough of this place! There's a reason I've come here multiple times. If you're in the area and craving a superb Italian meal, this is thr place to go.
(5)Ben W.
The blackened halibut on a bed of Caesar salad was one of the evening specials. It arrived perfectly cooked, spiced with the perfect balance of heat and flavor, and was one of the best fish dishes I've eaten.
(5)Magen M.
Mambo Italiano is one of my favorite places for lunch. Whenever someone comes to visit me from out of town, I always take them here! All of my guests have raved about it and said that it's some of the best Italian they've ever had. It's especially nice when you sit out on the patio in the summer. I'm obsessed with the Spaghetti Pomodoro (Olive Oil, Garlic, Basil, Mozzarella, Tomato). The dish is pretty simple and classic Italian but it is packed full of flavor and the perfect balance of ingredients. I just got back from a vacation in Italy, and I have to say, Mambo is very similar in flavor and preparation to what I experienced there. My only complaint would be the price difference between lunch and dinner. I always go here for lunch because I get the same dish for much cheaper. I understand that restaurants charge more for dinner because it's a larger portion, but I have not found that to be the case here. Save your money and get the same delicious Italian food for lunch!
(4)J M.
Got a gift certificate for this place, we had never been there before but let me tell you we will definitely be back! I had the French dip and my husband had the salmon panini. Absolutely delicious! Waitress not overly attentive and did not offer advise when we told her it was out first time there. But the food made up for that. My suggestion, go in at lunch time. It was not as busy as I heard the evenings get.
(5)Joan J.
I'm here at least twice a month. Highly recommend the martinis, brushcheta and the I've never had a fish special which wasn't superlative. The deserts are also yummy! Ambiance is upbeatand fun,although too loud for romantic conversation. Fine, friendly service.
(5)Mojdeh S.
How I heard of this place: Just over ten years ago, a new Italian place opened up in the historic Fairhaven district, and the reviews were all appealing. A friend and I made our way to partake of the portobello mushroom fettuccine, of which I continued to speak for nearly a decade. Type of cuisine: "In March of 2001, Mambo Italiano Café opened its doors to Bellingham. Since the beginning, quality food and service has been the business. Creating a quality dining experience for our guests is something we continually strive for. We believe in house-made, handcrafted meals from scratch, with only the best quality ingredients possible. We take pride in our work and to us, Mambo is much more than a restaurant. From our family to yours, welcome to Mambo." "With recipes passed down from generations, our food features classic and wholesome Italian food while also offering the essence of the northwest with fresh seafood starters and entrees. We have a passion for quality here at Mambo, so much so that we prepare all our sauces from scratch, bake all our bread and pizza dough fresh every morning, and prepare each and every dish to order." Ambiance: "We have a small space to work with, featuring only a front room, bar, backroom, and courtyard." What I ordered: In addition to the bread served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, both present at each table throughout the establishment, my husband was eager to dig into the Bruschetta ($7.75): grilled bread topped with garlic oil, prosciutto, fresh diced tomato, basil, mozzarella, parmesan, and a drizzle of house dressing. For our main entrees, my mom treated herself to her and my dad's favorite, the Lasagna Carne ($13.95) served hot in a baking dish oozing with Bolognese, mozzarella, ricotta and parmesan cheeses. My sister enjoyed my ever favorite Fettucine Portabella ($13.95): portabella mushrooms, olive oil, garlic, anchovies, white wine, butter and parmesan. A dear friend of ours and I each selected the server favorite, Gamberoni Mediterranean ($18.95 each): jumbo prawns, olive oil, tomato, basil, pine nuts, gorgonzola cream, white wine, and butter served over fettucine. My husband, the ever daring and knows-what-he-wants consumer selected the Smoked Salmon Penne ($14.95): smoked salmon, artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes, garlic, cream, butter. What I loved: The lasagna. Of all of the dishes on our table, while the prawns were cooked perfectly, the portabella fettucine creamy and abundant, and the broccoli a pleasant addition to my husband's smoked salmon, my mom's selection stole the show! Why I loved it: The space is intimate, yet vast, the servers friendly and fellow-diners excited to engage in conversation. The food is abundant and flavorful and the atmosphere pleasant and whimsical. There is really nothing to deter me from enjoying the bounty at Mambo Italiano Cafe. Cost: Low to average ($8.95 - $22.95 per dinner entree)
(4)Sarah F.
YUUUUUUMMM!!! Pros? -The food is AMAZING. Truly not something I could make at home, which makes the pricing WAY worth it. -Each dish has a significant portion of meat and unique sauce, unlike a lot of places which have so much pasta as filler -Super friendly and proficient service -Enjoyable atmosphere -Romantic enough for date night -Open kitchen Cons? -Errrrrr.... makes my home cooked italian look and taste bad :-)
(5)Kimberly R.
I eat here often and get it to go... It's really good food...The pan fried oysters with fettuccine Alfredo were so good I ate them leftover cold right out of the fridge and they tasted great! Also highly recommend the seafood puttanesca and the spaghetti carbonara. I will be back for more soon!
(5)Jaime L.
My husband and I lived in Bellingham for about 3 years. Mambo Italiano was our go-to spot for delicious Italian food the entire time! We must have eaten there about 8 times. Every time I had the tortellini with prosciutto and it was heavenly. My hubby always had the chicken Parmesan, and he always had enough to save half for lunch the next day. Unfortunately the Cesar salad left a lot to be desired. We felt like the dressing was just too tangy. The atmosphere in the restaurant itself is great. Definitely Italian. No good place to wait around if you have to wait to be seated (although there is a small bar, it's just hit and miss whether or not it'll be packed or if there'll be room for you), but you can make reservations and if you time it right you can usually be seated quickly. Totally worth eating here! Especially on a warm summer evening with a seat outside the front! I'm sad that my husband and I had to move south. If I ever go back to Bellingham, I'll be making time for Mambo.
(5)Alexis S.
A++ restaurant. Super fast, excellent service and delicious food. Great prices for the fantastic quality.
(5)Chris D.
I have no doubt that, compared to other options in Bellingham, Mambo is above average. Iunno, maybe I'm not giving B-ham enough credit... but that's the only real explanation I came up with for this place to be rated a solid four stars. I mean, there wasn't anything particularly wrong with our meal; there wasn't anything particularly memorable either. If you ask my wife, she'll say "it was just there." My Seafood Puttanesca had decent flavor, however much of the seafood was on the overcooked side. I ended up not eating it all, which is kinda a big deal for a pasta slut like me. The Mrs. has the ravioli and found it to be far too much of an Alfredo to be described as a rose. If I recall, she wasn't lapping hers up either. The antipasti was probably the best thing of the night. Yup... sliced meat and cheese. The service was friendly, attentive and easily accommodated us on the patio despite not having recommendations. Their patio was also nice for a mid-summer's evening meal, although I swear I got a sunburn while waiting for my food. I don't blame them for that though. How many people can say they get a sunburn in PacNW anyway? All and all, Mambo is an okay option if you find yourself in the area. Disclaimer: I'm an Italian food snob.
(3)Laura C.
Had heard great things about this place. Enough so that I got my parents a gift certificate for Mambo for this Christmas. My husband ate here last night. Said he was going to bring home his (lasagna) leftovers, but didn't because it was so disappointing. He woke up in the middle of the night with stomach pains and diarrhea. :(
(2)Alexis H.
Great atmosphere, small town local feel. Great food and service! Real Italian dishes!
(5)Aaron M.
Went here on a date recently. The staff is friendly, there is a nice atmosphere, and the decor is unique! After ordering we received our food in a timely manner; especially since it was a Saturday evening! Very tasty authentic Italian food! I will definitely be returning soon and have already told many of my friends about this awesome place!
(5)Jenny S.
First time coming here. Was told many great things about this place. Decided to get a couple calzones to go. The waitresses were great, but the main reason they lost a couple stars is because when we got home, the boxes were dripping with grease, pretty excessively, was not very appealing lol
(3)Tom O.
An unexpected pleasure. Great atmosphere and excellent service. I had the chicken parm and others had fettuccini alfredo, salmon fettuccini and the meatballs. All outstanding.
(4)Allison A.
The positive reviews for this place are surprising. It's like a personalized Olive Garden -- giant portions, no depth of flavor, wine that was recommended by our server and turned our teeth BLUE. Yikes. Would almost rather pick up some energy bars from the gas station for dinner. Almost. That's why it gets the extra star -- options are limited in this area.
(3)Amanda W.
I have never been disappointed eating here. The atmosphere/seating is cute in front and intimate in the back. This place is perfect for a business lunch or even a first date.
(5)Reed C.
Some of the best value for money in town. They've got great, rustic food. In particular, they're specials are always very good. I particularly like their normal seafood specials, the chicken dishes baked in their wood stone oven, and their pizza.
(5)Rainy F.
Fun local Italian restaurant that also serves a great French onion soup. Always smells great when we stroll by!
(5)Terry D.
Cute. Italian. Tasty. Very nice food in a small, intimate setting. I had spaghetti and sauce. She had meat lasagne. We both had a glass of chianti. Everything was very nice. No complaints at all. The service was very good. Next time we want Italian in Bellingham this is where we'll go!
(4)Jenny K.
Placed an order for chicken Parmesan and substituted veggies for penne pesto (one of the options I was told over the phone). Turns out I got both the veggies and pasta but the latter came with a $5 additional cost which I didn't expect. The chicken parm was cheesy, breaded & fried and topped with marinara sauce - perfect. The pesto was a bit saltier than I like it and didn't pair well with the chicken. Overall a decent dinner and large enough for two people to split.
(3)JD B.
I'll start by saying that SO and I are east coast transplants; she from NYC, me with a lot of Italian relatives. We know Italian. I have difficulty understanding how anyone could give this place less than 4 stars unless they were a disgruntled employee or were raised on Chef Boy-r-dee Spaghettios. To the person who griped about ordering a calzone "to go" and found it dripping with grease when they got it home I would suggest that if you get a calzone loaded with pepperoni it's going to leak pepperoni grease. Eat it there or hold the pepperoni. The service has been consistently exceptional from the second we come in the door. I tend to order things that I can't do as well at home so I've had dishes like the Veal Marsala which was flawlessly executed. The last trip I had the Gamberoni Mediterranean. Shrimp dishes are the acid test for any restaurant; the dish has to hit the plate and reach the table before the shrimp overcooks requiring mindful coordination of the kitchen and waitstaff. I was not disappointed. SO gets the Fettuccine Vognole consistently. I'm not a clam fan but I can tell they use top shelf shellfish and treat it with respect. Dipping bread into the sauce at the bottom of the dish is a little slice of heaven. We shared a Tirimisu for dessert, again, nicely done. If this place wasn't 60 miles from us we'd be there more often but it's always worth the drive.
(5)Wendy Y.
Food: Excellent Ambiance: Homey and cozy Verdict: Will definitely be back Thanks to Lesley D.'s review, my partner and I did get the recommended Caesar Salad and Fettuccine con Pollo with Gorgonzola Cream. I went as far as House of Prime Ribs in San Francisco and they are supposed to have pretty darn good Caesar salad since they spin the dressing right in front of your eyes. But no, HOPR doesn't even come close to what Mambo's has to offer. The dressing feels home made and we felt the kitchen staff put care, attention, and soul into their food. And just like Lesley D. I am not a Caesar salad girl but I love every bite of that salad. Fettuccine is creamy and not heavy. The amount of melted Gorgonzola made this white sauce a fabulous pasta dish. Chicken bits were plentiful. Walnut bits were fresh. We didn't feel like to were dying from food coma. The service was a bit slow. Our friendly waitress was quite apologetic about it so she said the coffee was on the house. I can't wait to come back. Food is very legit. I'd drive down here for the food again (from Vancouver).
(4)Elyse P.
A little on the spendy side but they have some really good food. I love their pasta and their Chicken Parmesan, however I didn't care for their crab cakes. It is definitely a better choice than Olive Garden if you are looking for some Italian food in the Bellingham area. However, you want to go at the right time, it can be very busy and very crowded.
(4)Lesley D.
I'm pretty sure GOD makes the Caesar salad at Mambo Italiano. Even if you aren't a Caesar person, for $3.50, get the small Caesar and try it...its so legit its not even funny! The Fettuccine con Pollo with Gorgonzola Cream is sinfully delicious! This little gem of a restaurant is worth the drive from Seattle any day! Pros Caesar Salad!!! Everything tastes like it is made with the best of the best Great beer selection (Boundary Bay on tap) Cons I don't live in Bellingham
(5)Carolyn L.
Oh Mambo- What can I say about Mambo? Mambo opened up when I was in high school, so Ive been eating her for awhile now. There are menu items on Mambo that I really enjoy, but over all I think Mambo is a three. The positives Mambo is in beautiful historic Fairhaven, which means in the summer there is going to be gorgeous weather so sit outside, however parking may be a problem. The great thing about Fairhaven though is you can park pretty much anywhere and walk around. So do not be discouraged if you have to park a little far- take in the area, stop in the shops and then go have lunch. I stick mostly to Mambos Paninis now- they are the best part of the menu. Of the paninis the oyster poor boy (with local oysters that they fry in house) and the pan seared salmon are my two favorites.
(3)James A.
Best Chicken Caesar salad in Northwest Washington! And I have tried plenty. Sam Tino, proprietor, knows how to make a Chicken Caesar. Soft, tender, pulled chicken breast. Fresh romaine. Croutons that don't try to star. And a Caesar dressing that's out of this world with plenty of garlic and the most important ingredient: Anchovies! I knew Sam's Chicken Caesars before I knew Sam. Now, if only Sam could play better golf!
(5)Etta W.
Amazing for an authentic, cozy Italian dinner! We were very happy with everything but the wait! Took an extra long time for the food to arrive, because of the need for cheese-free entrees, that were messed up the first time. But the ambiance was great, and we had a few glasses of wine while we were waiting, so it could have been worse!
(4)Melissa P.
Unimpressive. Went with a friend and was really looking forward to good Italian food...well, I certainly didn't find it here. I'm always amazed at these local mediocre restaurants that get such good reviews. Have you people ever dined outside of Bellingham? Because I assure you, THIS is NOT amazing Italian food.
(2)Alison G.
If there's any go-to Italian restaurant in Bellingham, it's Mambo Italiano. The food here is divine and most definitely hits the spot! My favorite dish is the Primavera but I also love the pizzas & other pasta dishes. Their fried oysters look pretty good as well. My only complaint is that there are so many flies buzzing about in the summer. Both big and small. They're EVERYWHERE as the door is kept open at times. Not the most pleasant guests to dine with. The pricing isn't too bad, considering the quality of the food (which is amazing).
(4)Kiana F.
For a while, Mambo was the only Italian restaurant I went to in Bellingham. I went out of the way, for a college student living on North Campus, to go to Mambo. Their food is super good. The service is fantastic, the location perfect (I love Fairhaven's atmosphere in general). I haven't been a long while, but any time I'm in Bellingham, I always make a point to visit!
(5)Kevin M.
If your in Fairhaven you should give Mambo a shot. One of the places on our list to visit when we are out that way. Lunch or dinner, we love the place. This is little bistro is similar to many restaurants that you would find in a large city. It's casual, rather intimate but can be a little noisy at times. They have their own sour dough bread that is a favorite with me. I love bread, Mambo serves up a basket with your meal. They don't serve it warm and for some reason that does not bother me, it normally would. Try the olive oil and balsamic vinegar on your side plate mixed about 50/50 and dip the bread. They serve wine and beer, not the best selection, but satisfactory for something to drink with a good meal. For lunch a quick favorite is the Kitchen Sink Pizza. Just what it sounds like with various meats, cheese..etc. The crust is always great. Another lunch favorite is the portobello sandwich. The chicken Parmesan is one of the best around according to some friends who recently dined with us. Come to think of it, I have yet to get a less than satisfying meal here and from the many folks that we know who have been going here for some time now, never a complaint.
(4)Dani F.
Love this place! Really great, home-cooked Italian food. There are lots of options for vegetarians. The service is excellent and the ambiance is cozy. Their spaghetti carbonara is delicious as is the pesto cream sauce. The portions are huge! The pasta could easily be shared between two people especially if you split an appetizer. I always take away over half of my pasta portion because it is so big. Highly recommend this spot.
(5)John W.
Ordinarily, we make our own Italian food. But after a rough couple of weeks, we needed to get out of the house and my girlfriend suggested Mambo Italiano. We had not been there before (we'd only noticed it when we went to The Black Cat), and it was packed on a Friday evening. We were asked if we had reservations, which we did not even think about, and were told they were full for the night. But they could seat us in the courtyard. That worked fine for us, since the inside courtyard of the building is very nice. I opted for the Pollo Piccata (our server used the Spanish pronunciation 'poy-o' instead of the Italian), and my girlfriend ordered the pan-fried oysters. (She seldom passes up a chance for good oysters!) We started with the antipasti del giorno. Now, I agree with skier Alberto Tomba who once said, 'The only time an Italian drinks white wine is when he's out of red.' Maybe it's against the commonly-accepted rules, but I prefer red and drink what I like. But my girlfriend wanted white. We ordered a bottle of Voga Italia pinot grigio. The antipasti of the day featured generous portions of sliced salami (Gallo brand, which we both grew up with), two good-sized slices of prosciutto , fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced provolone, a dollop of soft goat cheese with chives, a few slices of bruschetta, and a bit of tapenade. Oh. My. That was -- and I say this without exaggeration -- the best tapenade I've tasted. Tapenade has always been one of those things that I could take or leave. But then, it's been store-bought, served in restaurants that seemed to have it on the menu because it's trendy, or home-made by people who make it because it's trendy. Mambo Italiano's tapenade tastes like someone cares. I didn't know it could be that good. The rest of the appetisers were tasty as well. As I said, we grew up with Gallo-brand salami. It's mass-market and not imported or made at Salumi Artisan Cured Meats in Seattle, but to us it tastes like salami is supposed to taste. The prosciutto was nice and salty, and the slices were generous. The rest of the plate was not only delicious, but I know that if we want it at home we can duplicate it with a quick trip to Trader Joe's excellent cheese display. Both meals were served with sautéed zucchini and carrots with some onion and garlic, and penne pasta with marinara sauce. The veg were excellent. Maybe a little overcooked, but very tasty nonetheless. I can tell you I polished them off with abandon! The penne pasta was cooked perfectly. The marinara sauce was a little plain, but had a nice amount of garlic in it. I wouldn't want it for a main dish, but as a side dish it was good. My plate arrived with two boneless chicken breasts with artichoke hearts and a nice white wine sauce with capers. Oh, I love capers! The chicken was very tender, and not at all dry or stringy as I've been served at other restaurants. It was definitely a hit with both our palates. The girlfriend received about generous number of local oysters that were breaded with cornmeal to give them some crunch. You could really taste the ocean in them. Another hit! We were both stuffed after eating half of our dishes, but we found room to share tiramisu served in a glass. I'm a coffee hound, and I really like a strong coffee taste in my tiramisu. Mambo Italiano's offering was more suited to people who don't order 10-shot espressos from coffee houses, but it was quite yummy and a lot less work than making it myself! Our server was Maggie, who was chipper and knowledgable. Everything looked so good on the menu that I couldn't decide what to order. Maggie is the one who suggested the pollo piccata, and I'm glad I took her recommendation. (Same goes for the wine.) She was attentive, but not intrusive. We were dressed nicely (for us), and she asked if we were there for a special occasion. We admitted that we'd lost our beloved cat the previous week, and she showed an appropriate amount of sympathy and recovered immediately from our unexpected answer. Later, we chatted a bit about salami and olive oil and she was nicely enthusiastic. When we told her how much we liked the tapenade, she said many people give similar comments on it. The bill for the dinner, plus a Grey Goose martini, taxes, and tip, came to a bit over $111, which is about what we tend to pay whenever we go out for a nice dinner. The courtyard seating was fairly intimate, and quieter than being inside. The food was great, and Maggie was wonderful. We'll be going back.
(5)Paul A.
Wonderful Italian cafe in Fairhaven, WA. Food was fresh and authentic as you can get for this area. Some local variations for lunch were pleasant surprise. Oyster poor boy was delious, and portion was large. Service was prompt, courteous, and warm. Love that they have lemon cellos liquor on dessert menu, great lunch, fair prices, will have to come back and try dinner.
(4)Janet R.
this is a disgusting restaurant, catering for the typical fairhaven tourist and indiscerning consumer. We were treated very badly tonight, despite spending $100 tonight. The serving staff have no manners, laughed at us for complaining.... is this customer service? We will never be back. This is not Italian food. Its garbage. Don't go there
(1)Sarah F.
I love this place; the food is great (I'm a sucker for the ravioli), the service is great and the atmosphere is just as lovely. I like the idea of an open kitchen, you really can't smell anything else in Fairhaven BUT Mambo Italiano. On nights when all I want to do is lay around and watch a movie? I call-in a dessert order to go. Usually the tirumisu because it's probably the best I have ever had. The cheesecake is also to die for. Great place! Very consistent!
(5)Scott P.
Great service! Very good food, sizable portions and nice location. Good solid place to bring the family I have a 18 month old that loves this place. I have eaten here about 8 times now very consistant with food quality and service! I love the inner courtyyard very cool place to eat.
(4)N M.
Fantastic food, EXCELLENT service (friendly, prompt and knowledgable) and great ambience. The prices are fair as well. Our server was so sweet and friendly and attentive. My boyfriend and I will come back again!
(5)Kelsie W.
Great food, I'm a sucker for good Italian. The place is decorated very well, but is a little small. Get ready to get cozy on busy nights. The staff has always been friendly and helpful to me. Cool little "upstairs" bar too.
(4)Jennifer L.
I think the wait staff is getting better. I've been to Mambo's about 20 times in 2006/2007, and had excellent service every time. This place gets the honor of "best caesar salad in town," ultra-fresh romaine, excellent dressing but not too much glopped on, and crispy croutons. As for the entrees, the regular menu is fine (the crab cakes get an "A+"). But the reason to go to Mambo's is for the nightly seafood special. Wow - do NOT pass up any seafood specials. They are really well done, I've never been disappointed. (Sometimes they run out, go early!) Also, when fresh strawberries are in season, do not miss their strawberry shortcake made with sweet biscuits, YUM.
(5)J N.
Great Italian food, great atmosphere, great art to look at (& buy if you want), and great staff. Loved the food....pizza's are fabulous. Salads are great & it is my husbands favorite lasagna of all time. The owners are so friendly. Will eat here again and again!
(5)Mallory P.
This place is great, but it can be a hit and miss. The wait staff is really touch and go with how friendly they can be. The food here is pretty good, but almost standard italian fare. They have good pizza, but I would go to La Fiamma for that. Do try their pasta dishes - they are excellent. It's a wonderful atmosphere in the lovely Fairhaven district. There's a mix of tables and booths and they have a full bar. Great wine list, too.
(3)Chris R.
The Calzone Rustico was perfect! My lunch partner loved the Steak Salad; I tried it and the meat was tender & tasty. The calzone was a perfect combo of mushrooms, sausage, ricotta, mozzarella, and red sauce. The walls are filled with colorful, zesty paintings for a bright, cheery look. Servers are cute too! I rarely give 4 stars and Mambo deserves it!
(4)Reliable R.
I just want to thank the bartender who worked Friday evening for taking great care of us three ladies who arrived to eat and drink after having to walk out of the black cat for the absolute worst service you turned our night around which we definetly needed thanks again we will be back :-)
(5)Mike L.
Had the sausage in marinara sauce with some fresh bread as an appetizer, very nice sausage, then the main course of spaghetti carbonara, lots of bacon but the cream and cheese were on soooo thick and the pasta overcooked that it all turned into a solid bowl shaped chunk of white goo very hard to get the pasta to separate, needed a knife and fork to cut it into bite sized chunks, gave up and finished the sausage, paid and left all but three bites in the bowl. Waitress took it away no questions asked. For lunch I would try D'Annas or Guiseppes
(2)Katrina W.
We've been going to Mambo Italiano each time we cross the border from Vancouver for about the past 10 yrs and I cannot say a bad thing about it. It's not a fancy-pants place but it's everything you could ask for in reliably delicious italian food and fast, friendly service in a casual and very welcoming atmosphere. We're somewhat embarrassed to admit that, even if we toy with the idea of actually trying somewhere new, we still end up at Mambo because it's just so perfect every time and very reasonably priced. Yup, we're big fans!
(5)Michelle P.
It was good light and had plenty of bread for my husband who loves bread. 31/2 stars was my plan until i remembered the prices are low and the bathroom clean and also very heated..I like a warm bathroom! Try the green salad and vegie pasta.
(4)Makalah C.
A friend and I went here this past Sunday, and I must say I am really picky when it comes to Italian food, but this place won me over. The server was friendly, respectful, and came by often to check and make sure everything was going well. The outside area was clean with a great view of Downtown Fair-haven. I can't wait to revisited this restaurant again.
(5)Michelle H.
My husband took me here for my birthday a few weeks ago. We've been wanting to try it for a while, and it surpassed my expectations. The service was great... not pushy, not over the top. Just right. The wine was perfect, and the caesar salad dressing was soooo good. I had a calzone, and it was very filling, baked to perfection and had enough left over for lunch the next day. My husband had a pasta dish and the sauce was so delicious. You can tell it was fresh made to order. I can't wait to go back to try more of their pasta dishes. The coffee after dinner was super yummy too. I love this place. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Brian G.
Great service and absolutely fantastic food. One of the best customer service experiences we've had in Whatcom county. Great job all around.
(5)Brian W.
This is the second time I've been here. The first time was awhile ago so I thought I'd try Mambo again. I left disappointed. We started off with a Caeser salad and tapenade. Both were good. Their tapenade was freshly made and pretty darn tasty. I ordered the calzone rustica for my entrée. The dough was delicious, but I did not like the sausage or the amount of mushrooms that were stuffed into the calzone. I normally have nothing against either of these two ingredients, but it was a little much for me.
(2)Claudio B.
This is a great place to go, with seating inside and outside also in summer. The service is consistently good, and the food is really good, some delicious plates; they serve pizza, and sometimes I go there for just that. It's a small place, and that's part of the beauty. The location is great, you can take a walk around the area when you are done eating, it's always a good thing.
(4)Al S.
Nice atmosphere but.... Bruschetta with Italian dressing on it was weak and pasta overwhelmed by sauce was average at best.
(3)Gabriel E.
Great little place. It is a great setting, town and all. The interior is like walking into a little Italian dinner place. BUT the pizza is not good. I guess I was suspecting something a little more authentic. Regadless, the pizza I was brought was simply bad. Exactly like the Olive Garden pizza if you've ever had that. Buttery, fluffy, over the top crust, with rather insignificant, tasteless toppings. Its a shame too, for all around me I saw people receiving awesome dishes. I ate my pizza with regret, wishing I had ordered ANYTHING else. It all looked so good. So don't miss out on this place, just don't get the pizza.
(3)Ashgan D.
Mambo Italiano Cafe is easily the best Italian restaurant in Bellingham. Good food, great service, reasonable prices, and a great atmosphere are what make Mambo a great place to have dinner especially if you are on a date. I have gone on several dates at Mambo with great success. So gentlemen, if you want seal the deal, take your woman to Mambo Italiano. Also if you are in the mood for a salad, the Mambo Garbanzo is easily one of the best salads I have ever eaten.
(5)Amy E.
Yummy Italian food & lovely atmosphere Pros: - nice menu selection & good drinks - reasonable prices - great value - super service, friendly & knowledgable - chef Guy makes fabulous items! Cons: - entrance - no place to wait & have to stand in open door way - bathrooms pretty gross
(4)Ken H.
Halibut is BACK at Mambo. For the best and freshest Halibut in town - just go in and order the special. If its anything Halibut - you will love it. When the wife and I have a busy day - and the decision to go get a quick bite out comes up - there is no discussion on where - our car naturally heads to Mambo.
(5)Erin H.
I went here for lunch and I thought that the pizza was just OK. There was a fair amount of meat on it but really no cheese and the crust was SUPER thick. It was unlike most other fired pizzas I'd had. Perhaps it was just lackluster because I wasn't used to it but I probably wont eat here again. Our waitress was super awesome though, she kept my water full and was very nice conversation.
(3)Ted S.
On a recent trip to B'ham for some 'back to school' shopping, my daughter Ashely said "we have to go to Mambo Italiano!"... she was pretty emphatic, so I was looking forward to lunch. With a name like that, I wasn't sure what to expect, but she has a way of finding cool out of the way places. I had never been to Fairhaven, so that was a treat in itself, with the old buildings... and the cafe was inviting from the moment I stepped out of the car. Pleasant from the outside, and more so inside. Soaring ceiling with open kitchen gave an airy effect, yet the dining area was intimate and comfortable. I was all geared up for the Meatball Pannini I had heard about, until I saw an Oyster PoBoy on the impressive menu. That sealed the deal, because I cannot pass up a good oyster sandwich. It was fabulous... the oysters were fried to perfection with just the right amount of breading. The roll was perfect and the right texture for this Po Boy Italian Style. Ashley had the MBP, so I got my meatball fix, smothered in tomato and mozzarella cheese. UlaG the 10 yr. old Back to Schooler had Oyster Stew that was to die for, and a beautiful Italian Soda. Such a rich creamy soup with plump oysters! Our waiter was outstanding. Attentive and solicitous without being cloying. I was impressed with the food the service the decor and everything Mambo Italiano. If I had to think of a reason to leave Friday Harbor and move to Bellingham, it would be to have access to this restaurant. To quote Arnold... "I will be back..."
(5)Gia G.
I'm picky about Italian food. This place passes muster. We've only been one time and it was a hit. We'll be back.
(4)J B.
Greek salad was delicious! Place was packed. Enjoyed calzone and house red wine. Called up Yelp and it guided us here...we were not disappointed.
(5)Nick T.
This is a really nice place. Very cozy, great food, happy smiling employees. I have one negative complaint. I am a meatball snob. I normally don't eat anyone's meatballs other than my families or my own. These were even better than mine. Good size portions. I'm a healthy eater and I couldn't finish my lunch and believe me when I say I tried. This place is worth putting on your favorite list.
(5)Morgan D.
The food was fine, nothing special. We had a lunch reservation for a large group in the back area, but when we arrived, we were told that they had closed that area for renovation without giving us any notice. When questioned, a woman (her position was not clear to me) told us "That's just how it is." Well, how it was was loud and uncomfortable, and some of the staff was flat out rude to us on several occasions. I will not be returning unless the decision is out of my hands.
(2)Jeff H.
Still the best, and it isn't close. Came for dinner and it was EXACTLY the Mambo I've remembered so fondly over the years. Service was spot on, prices were way beyond reasonable, and the seafood special (pan roasted wild king salmon with triple berry compote served with cream cheese mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus) was out of this world. Thanks Mambo for always delivering a great experience for me over the years. You've earned those five stars yet again, and I can't wait to come back for more.
(5)Megan S.
Marinara was just so-so on the pasta dish, but the pollo piccata was great and the roasted veggies must not have been healthy because they tasted too good!
(4)Rachel F.
My boyfriend and I have been here twice now for dinner. The wait was 30 to 40 minutes both times, this place is always busy. Service is average, last night when there my boyfriend had finished eating and I hadn't but the waitress came and cleared our table and brought the check. Kind of rude I thought. Food is average, pasta is too oily for my taste. Butter is listed as an ingredient in almost all dishes which I found funny because then it must be a substantial ingredient. I'd recommend the bruschetta, and gambiano dish, the one with shrimp and fettuccine. I will try other restaurants in Bellingham before returning to Mambo's.
(3)Melissa B.
BEST MARTINI OF MY LIFE! You have GOT to try the Vanilla Lemondrop...I know it sounds odd, but it is truly a life-altering experience. You will forever be comparing every martini following this one for a good chunk of time, guaranteed. The lasagne is amazing as well...very flavorful and just the right proportion. I also noted that the waitstaff was friendly and attentive. I would take a star away for the atmosphere's lack of charm, but that martini was just too damn good.
(4)Haley A.
My fiance and I needed a break from killing each other over wedding planning and decided to use a gift card he received for dinner. The setting and ambiance was warm and welcoming, and the staff were friendly and didn't give off the feeling of "oh great, another two top...where to stick you...". Our waitress was both personable and knowledgeable, and didn't mock my attempt at Italian pronounciation (despite marrying an Italian). The appitizer of antipasto giorno was huge and made my face do awesome things. I would have liked more sauce for the smoked salmon penne, but I'm a saucy gal so I like it a bit overkill at times. Good food, good service, good atmosphere, hot date (always helps), a good time.
(4)erin p.
I dont get the hype about this place. I have eaten at Mambo several times and have not found a single item I would order again. I love the building its just too bad they cant make a decent meal.
(2)Ashley D.
I lived in whatcom County for 16 years and had no idea this place was here. I wish I had because there are so many things I want to try and that's kind of difficult when I live 2hours away. I had the spaghetti with serino sausage. And it was pretty good, but it needed a little more sauce. And my besties alfredo had to much sauce. Other than that I really enjoyed my food. Also the staff was very nice and came back just enough to make sure we were doing ok.
(4)Steven C.
Very attentive and friendly wait-staff. Orders are quick to the table. I only give it three stars due to the limited pasta menu. I would expect more pasta choices from an Italian restaurant. I'd give a higher rating if they expanded their menu.
(3)Nicki S.
I decided to take my boyfriend out to dinner, and boy was I wrong. While the location is great, and I really love its ambiance; I didn't enjoy their pasta. It tasted like something I could make at home, and for the price that didn't seem acceptable. Their pizza and bread sticks are okay, but not fabulous.
(2)Rob G.
Mambo Italiano is a wonderful little restaurant in the heart of Fairhaven that I really like. The food is great and the staff is very professional. They obviously like working here too. When I ordered the Seafood Puttanesca our waitress said it was the dish she regularly ordered prior to starting work here. The dish was very good, imagine a bowl of bouillabaisse with a bed of fettuccini. My wife had the Smoked Gouda and Sun Dried Tomato Ravioli which was also very good. For dessert we had the Key Lime pie which was nice and light although I wish it had a bit stronger lime flavor. My only real complaint is that the bread is brought out cold. Good bread, but would have been better served warm. Prices are a little steep but Fairhaven hasn't been a low-rent district for many years now. I have one Yelp reader's alert too. I originally found Mambo by searching for "caesar" on Yelp and many reviewers here praise their caesar salad. But I found their caesar just ordinary. Good yes, but not great and nothing to write about. It didn't even come with parmesan. I get it that most restaurants these days don't even offer you the option of anchovies :-( but no parmesan? Bummer.
(3)Jeff d.
Great food! Best Italian food I have had since I ate in Italy.
(5)Mandy M.
Mambo Italiano is wonderful. I had spaghetti and meatballs with salad and homemade bread. It was great. The service is fast and friendly and the prices are reasonable. The building is very small and quaint. Just love it, will go back again and again!
(5)Deirdre M.
On a double date we decided to go to Mambo. It was a gorgeous day and asked the hostess if we could sit outside. She probably weighed about 100 pounds, and after about 30 seconds of watching her struggle to put the iron tables together we begged to sit inside... it was like watching a snake eat a pig, she would have gotten it eventually but it was kind of sad. Anyway, we were promptly seated in a booth and ordered a bottle of wine. The waitress was very nice, and the food was really good. It's a little overpriced, but considering it IS in Fairhaven and the obvious quality of the ingredients it won't stop me from coming back it will just have to be a special occasion place.
(4)melina k.
I adore Mambo - each time I'm in Bellingham we eat at Mambo. It's delish food and service is good too. :) When the hubby and I go out for dinner (and don't mind crossing the border and taking a bit of a drive) we head to Mambo.
(4)Marina C.
The best food in a sit-down restaurant in Bellingham? Yes. The bread is served with oil and vinegar and is tasty--it looks small and cozy but has plenty of seating. Dishes are... On the pricy side, but this is more or less a date restaurant, so you really shouldn't care about that. Service is prompt, odd requests from autistic food separatists are honoured ( I know because my best friend in Bellingham is one), and the texture of the pasta noodles, which is a big deal with me, always comes out reasonably firm without falling into crunchy. Eat here! It's Bellingham, what other options for Italian do you have? Olive Garden, as far as I could ever tell.
(4)Melissa R.
I went here with my mom. She was visiting and I thought that we could go and have a nice, fancy Italian meal somewhere that I wouldn't really want to pay for myself. It was okay. But for the price I expected something better than what I think I could cook myself. The lighting was too dim (I know, some people like mood lighting) and I wish the other Italian restaurants in the area didn't all seem to go out of business, because they were better. Oh well.
(2)Sarah C.
Just thinking about Mambo makes me happy. The interior is larger than it looks from the outside, but is not actually large. The coziness makes for an atmosphere that, even in the middle of the day, feels romantic and warm. I would hesitate to bring anyone but a date to eat here. I love the bread, the Caesar salad, and the fettuccine con pollo. The menu is definitely typical of any good Italian restaurant, but the food is better than most. Rest assured that they make their bread and their fresh ingredients are from local establishments. I enjoy the waitress and have never had an issue with the service. Keep up the good work, Mambo. And keep playing your ridiculous commercial.
(5)Mary B.
I've been here twice. Once with my Mom as a casual dinner and once on a date. This is a restaurant that definitely served to the "date like atmosphere" more, as opposed to the casual atmosphere. That being said, both experiences were wonderful. The food was delicious but the service was just okay. The wait was awful and that was my big complaint. It was a bit pricier than I was planning but that's why I mention that it's probably more so for the special night out as opposed to casual night out (please don't get me wrong, you CAN eat here casually... I just felt that the atmosphere was more formal, personally speaking!) Fairhaven is a fun part of Bellingham though so I recommend spending part of your evening shopping around and finishing it off at Mambo Italiano! Makes for a great evening!
(3)Steven P.
If it wasn't for the fact that D'annas is a short drive away, Mambo Italian might have received 5 stars from me, but everything must be kept in perspective. The food here is excellent, the prices are a bit high though. It can get quite cramped inside if it is busy, and I've also noticed how it can be a bit too warm inside during the summer, and a bit too cold during the winter. The pasta is terrific, the pizza is fantastic. Personally, the whole bread/olive oil/balsamic thing is overdone with.
(4)A B.
I have mixed feelings on this one, on one hand I have never had a bad meal here, and reading other reviews its apparent that many have (I have eaten at Mambo's a few dozen times by now). On the other side, I have without doubt had the crappy service experience way more than once, and again this has not been consistent either, about half the time its fair to good service and the other half its pretty abysmal. The food is not traditional Italian, I would call it more Italian inspired, if you want traditional go to D'Annas (always excellent).. if you want something more contemporary Mambo is a good choice. The Fettucine con Pollo is my favorite dish, if you are in the mood for something a bit different try the BBQ Chicken Pizza quite tasty. I also usually take home a loaf of their bread. Overall the service experience has not been enough to drive me away as it has from other b'ham restaurants, the food has been very good and has kept me coming back and willing to risk the occasional bad service.
(3)D P.
For many, many years this WAS our favorite restaurant in the area. But, for some reason, a certain amount of "success" has resulted in bullying staff who refuse to listen to customer feedback. When we tried to explain why our meal was not sufficient, the waitress interrupted us several times. We continued to say "you're not listening to us" . . . but she dismissed our feedback and walked away while we were talking to her.. I wonder if the OWNER of this restaurant has a finger on the pulse of staff who work in the middle of the week in this used-to-be-splendid gem in Fairhaven. Utterly disgusted!!!
(1)Food D.
I blame the 2 star rating on the yelpers, I went because of the raving reviews only to be dissapointed in the marginal flavors, a pizza that probably needed an additional time in the oven and cold sliced bread. Actually the bread was really good except for the fact it was colder than room temp. The service was just as some of the other yelpers mentioned, "just enough to get by". However the hostess was very nice and pleasant.
(2)Brittney v.
I live within walking distance to this place, and can always count on it for decent italian food. The service is always great. The baguettes are awesome!!! The quality of food is great, and always consistent. I am a big fan of the Garbanzo bean salad. However, their menu items are kind of plain jane. They keep it safe with all of their dishes, and their menu consists of ordinary items you would expect to find at any other americanized italian restaurants. I would give this place 4 stars if they had a seasonal menu, or more specials.
(3)Ezra M.
I've been to Mambo Italiano at least half a dozen times. Every single time I've had nothing less than stellar service from their wonderful staff. The food is excellent, always better than your average Italian restaurant. The prices are more than fair and the ambiance is most pleasant.
(5)Rob L.
Located in one of the oldest, most unique buildings in downtown Fairhaven, Mambo offers incredible Italian cuisine. It's a pretty laid-back place, like most of the places on this list. Try the tortellini carbonara. Cream sauce, peas, ham and cheese tortellini....and LOTS of garlic. Be careful with the Caesar salad- it's great, but the default setting comes with anchovies. I find them disturbing and a little horrifying. What am I, a cat?
(4)Glen B.
I agree with the other reviewers that this is very generic Italian food and the wait staff is hit and miss in terms of friendliness. I've tried a number of different dishes here and I have not had anything I would order again. Mambos is not bad but it's the kind of Yuppie Italian one would expect to find in Bellevue: heavy on presentation and light on substance. For the same price, you can have far superior Italian at D'Annas. I think Mambos gets a lot of raves because it is the only Italian food in Fairhaven.
(2)Chloe B.
Very good Italian food for the price. Service is actually decent too (for Bellingham). The pasta is cooked to perfection, and their sauces are clearly made to order. The calzones and homemade pizza's are close to excellent. They've had the same cheesy artwork on the walls for 5+ years, no one buys it time to move on.
(4)Jenny Q.
I really don't understand why people like this place. Their food tastes generic at best. The drinks are not very good and they are overpriced. I had the greek salad once it came with PLAIN black olives, not kalamata! Gross. The pizza is awful, and I like pizza, all kinds, just not theirs. Also the pasta is OK. I had the salmon pasta once but I got a stomach ache very soon after so I don't know. The space is also crowded. I think the only reason it stays in business is cause they are in Fairhaven in an easy to spot location. But don' t waste your money.
(2)Chris G.
I would really give it 3.5 stars if I could. There's nothing to complain about the food, but there's nothing to rave about either. The pastas are good, but the pizza is lacking when I know La Fiamma's so close. My rating has nothing to do with the building itself though, which I love and consider the best restaraunt location in all of Whatcom County.
(3)Vlad K.
This is one of my favorite places to take my wife on a date. The food is good, service friendly and efficent. The prices are a little higher than average for dinner but the lunch is great. I personally love the Pollo Parmesan and even though I consider different options each time I always end up getting it.
(4)Efrem Z.
It's OK. The food is OK. Service is OK. There were a lot of flies the day we were there but I can't really fault the place for this. I am in no hurry to return but I am no way dissuading you from going. You will find your experience at Mambo Italiano to be at the very least 'OK'. OK? Send my regards to the flies.
(3)Chris G.
Went there a few months ago with wife, MIL and two kids. Saw many other families there and the ambiance was great. However, the food was average at best. There are at least two other Italian places (i.e., places w/ emphasis on pasta and other non-pizza dishes) in Bellingham that puts this place to shame.
(2)Paul W.
Mambo's is a great place to get great Italian food. I have not had one pasta or pizza dish that was not amazing. Mambo is definitely my first choice of Italian restaurants in Bellingham and the prices are reasonable as well.
(5)Nathan H.
Went here for the first time for dinner tonight, and showed up with 8 people without a reservation. They gladly and easily accommodated my party in their courtyard, which had a lovely fountain. The food, mine being the Mambo's Rustic Pizza, was excellent, with attentive, yet not overzealous service. I was meeting some friends I had not seen in a great while, and we ended up talking late into the night. I know it makes me a horrible guest at a restaurant, but the staff were very gracious and considerate. A big thumbs up to Mambo Italiano, and their wonderful staff! Home run on all bases: food, service, atmosphere.
(5)Brittany R.
love this place. the food is excellent, the prices are reasonable and the staff is always nice and helpful. i've never ever had a bad experience and always make sure to take out of town guests here for dinner. love it!
(5)Dan K.
I've eaten at Mambo Italiano a handful of times and was always pretty impressed with both the quality of service and the food. The pastas offer good variety and the calzones are very good. The price is a little higher than I would prefer, but the location is prime and the atmosphere is 5/5 and quite soothing (maybe romantic is a better word). I think I chose a 4 out of 5 because it seems cramped and the food is not 5/5 quality. This place is good if you've got some family or friends visiting who don't mind picking up the check. Otherwise I'd vote for Giuseppe's every time.
(4)First N.
Go here NOW. Exactly what I want in a restaurant...excellent service, excellent food locally sourced, and excellent atmosphere. In a part of town that tends toward the trendy and twee, Mambo is where you want to go for a reliably high-quality meal. Go NOW.
(5)