Mamma's Italian — Restaurant in Greater Brisbane

If I could give zero stars I would. Mama is rude, condescending, has no customer skills, the meals are terrible. Mamma should sell this business as she has no idea about successfully managing a restaurant. Our entrees were only just ok, not tasty at all. We reported this to the waiter when asked. One main was the seafood risotto. It was terrible. The risotto was swimming in thin, boring tomato broth. The seafood was tasteless and chewy, as if it had been boiled, then added to the risotto soup. We called the waiter. He kindly offered to either take it off the bill or get another dish cooked. As we had an appointment elsewhere we elected to have the dish taken off the bill. Five minutes later, when I was done with my not so tasty main, that was also swimming in broth, the waiter advised that Mamma wanted to cook a dry risotto to replace my wife's dish. We refused as we had another appointment, I had finished my meal and we had agreed for my wife's dish to be taken off the bill. Mama arrived at the table and proceeded to abuse us in front of everyone. She also berated the waiter. She advised that the offer of taking the dish off the bill was not available, as she was boss. She treatened that If we did not pay, she would call the police and say we were not paying our bill. We reiterated again and again that we were paying our bill minus the dish, as agreed by the waiter. She berated the waiter strongly in front of everyone. We waited for the police for 10 mins. We think they were never called. It was just a threat. We got up and stood at the counter to pay our bill. The waiter did not charge us for the dish that was returned. We feel sorry for the waiter. We will never go back there again or recommend this place to anyone. Stay away from Mamma. She advised she had been in the business for 42 years. Judging by all the other negative reviews on line, it is definitely time to...

Disappointing Experience From A Once Favourite I’ve been to Momma’s Italian many times before and have always raved about it to friends and family. The food was consistently delicious, and the service warm and welcoming – it was one of my go-to spots when hosting visitors. Unfortunately, this recent visit was a huge letdown. Typically, when first sat in the restaurant you are offered still or sparkling water. This time we had to request it from not one, but two different waiters who filled our glasses and took the bottle? Service, which is usually friendly and chatty, was cold and rushed. We ordered two mains and two sides, and all of it came out within five minutes — which didn’t exactly scream “freshly made.” The garlic bread was cold and soggy, the potatoes bland and lacking seasoning or herbs, and the mains were just average. Our drinks didn’t arrive until after all the food had been served, and basic things like parmesan — which you'd usually get automatically with Spaghetti Bolognese — weren’t offered. I had to ask two separate waiters for it. When I asked for some extra (happy to pay for it!), I was told it was “one per table.” Even after offering to pay again, I was told no — with no apology, just a rude, dismissive attitude. When the meal ended, we were barely done before a waiter swooped in to ask if we were finished and wanted takeaway containers — ironically, the only time someone approached us without being waved down. At that point, we usually would’ve stayed for dessert, but we were so disappointed that we left and got dessert elsewhere on the way home. All up, we spent over $120 on a two-person dinner where we were left asking for basic service, served rushed and underwhelming food, and were met with rude staff. I used to recommend Momma’s Italian to everyone — now, I’m not so sure...

Have been to this restaurant on a few occasions, each time with varied quality of food and service. We booked on a whim for a Sunday evening dinner, arrived early. We were seated at the front table as if we had the best seats in the house, looking out over the water. All we had was traffic, cars parking and leaving in front of us and every patron walking past or hovering around our table as they waited to be seated of pay the bill. In the current Covid situation, I wasn't comfortable and I doubt it met requirements. I made comment to my partner that, considering they had been shut down once before because a patron with Covid had visited I would have thought they would have done everything to save it happening again. Patrons not wearing masks not checking in all flying under the radar. But then, the service is lax as well particularly when it wasn't busy.

Then there's the food!! Again we have varied quality over our visits. This was a bad one. Prawn cocktails, watery, clear prawns(defrosted, tinned?) on top of a chunk of lettuce smothered in watery sauce. Tasteless rubbish, made me gag. Pizza bread, dry and tough and like other reviews, store bought pizza base, rubbish! Ask for olive oil to pour over the soften it. Main was Limone Chicken Scallopini. Tasteless pieces of chicken breast swimming in a bowl of lemon soup for want of better description. Nothing else in the bowl, a warm side salad in a tiny bowl that made it impossible to eat out of , again great chunks of lettuce and not much else. My partner had Veal Scallopini in a tomato sauce, rubbish. Lucky he ordered a side of potatoes which filled us up. Definitely overpriced for quality of food. Great decor, comfortable seats. Lift your game Mamma's...