Mama Lou's Italian Kitchen Vertis North — Restaurant in Quezon City

We were a table of 8 there for dinner . We shared a few entrees and each ordered a selection of pasta and pizzas. to share so that we could really sample Mama Lou's offerings. As i am allergic to shellfish i cannot comment on the 3 mains containing seafood.

The bruschetta was strange. It was covered in pesto which i didn't mind but my fellow diners found it odd. It also had chunks of cheese (i found that very odd) and it had both onion and garlic...and lots of it. The meatballs were ok as was the cheese sticks which were deep fried and looked like croquettes. The truffle pasta was well balanced (neither stingy or overpowering). The cream was oddly sweet. Nonetheless i enjoyed the dish and felt this was the best of the pastas i could sample. The spaghetti Bolognese was salty and probably overcooked. I didn't enjoy it but the Filipinos at the table did. The salmon pasta was a let down. The salmon was fishy and overpowering. The pizza with prosciutto /ham had the strangest flavour. and i didn't like it. I couldn't work out if it was the Pomodoro sauce. The margarita on the other hand was way better. The fresh basil leaves on top was a truly beautiful sight to behold. Both pizzas had a thin base. Not puffy thin Napolitano style but delectable nonetheless. They ran out of tiramisu which was disappointing so we all had cannoli.

The place was full the evening we dined there. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. There's good ambiance.

Please note: If you are Italian, have eaten lots of authentic Italian food or are at least aware of cuisine flavours then i would suggest either not dining here or not holding high expectations for its authenticity or you will be disappointed. That said, the same goes for most (but not all) of the Italian eateries in the Philippines. They do their best with the ingredients they have (cannot always offer egg pasta fatto a mano, roma tomatoes or san daniele prosciutto) but moreso must also cater to the Filipino tastes, perceptions and expectations of Italian cuisine. So in essence, don't be too hard! and just enjoy your meal if it tastes good!

I just went in with the thought that if it tasted good and ceased my hunger i would be content irrespective of what the dish was promoted/romanticised as being. I wasn't offended by the offerings and was mostly ambivalent about the experience.

TIP: the waiter never asked us what we wanted to drink and therefore never took a drinks order (!!), so if you're thirsty, don't be...

Gela and I recently visited Mama Lou's Italian Kitchen, a welcoming restaurant with a cozy atmosphere, dedicated to serving authentic Italian cuisine with a customer-centric approach.

They also provided complimentary serving of bread accompanied by an olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip while waiting for our dishes.

We got the following:

1. Clam Chowder (₱250) A comforting bowl filled with creamy richness, potatoes, onions, carrots, and celery. The chowder's warmth resonated well with the restaurant's ambient lighting and soothing music, making it a perfect choice for colder months.

2. Truffle Mac & Cheese (₱445) The delightful crust offers a satisfying contrast to the truffle-infused cheese blend. While enjoyable, the truffle sauce's subtle punch may become a bit overwhelming after a few bites.

3. Chicken Parmigiana (₱495) Gela savored the Chicken Parmigiana for its juicy chicken, crispy exterior, and well-balanced flavors from rich tomato sauce, silky mozzarella, prosciutto, and a drizzle of pesto. The option to pair it with white or garlic rice, along with a well-received salad dressing, added to the overall experience.

4. Pizza Margherita - Solo (₱325) Appreciating the charred crust that complemented the Fior di latte mozzarella and evenly distributed tomato sauce, enhanced by fresh basil Given the colder restaurant environment, we recommend enjoying the pizza while it's still hot.

In summary, Mama Lou's Italian Kitchen offered us a positive dining experience, though some dishes leaned towards richness while lacking a bit in flavor. During our visit, the branch was bustling, and we had to wait for a table, possibly indicating a staffing issue that slightly impacted the overall dining experience. If you plan to visit, be prepared for potential waiting times, but the warm ambiance and well-prepared dishes make it worthwhile. Additionally, Mama Lou's stands out by actively seeking feedback during payment, demonstrating a commitment to improvement. This interactive approach allows diners to share insights, suggesting enhancements or expressing...

Went here to celebrate the birthday of my aunt last Sunday, September 22. Despite the empty seats, we were told that we were 9th in line (no visible groups in waiting) but we still waited. Shortly after, we were asked to enter. The assigned table to us was shaking really badly because of its uneven bottom so we politely asked a waitress (I forgot to get her name) to help us fix or at least find a solution for the shaky table. She just went past us with a pokerface so I thought she didn’t hear us so I repeated our request and she replied with a cold tone matched with a side eye na “wait lang”. We were all surprised with how she acted so when she approached us again I asked if this is how she really treats the customers but she still is not responding, magkatabi lang kami. I asked again if she’s already tired because evidently she doesn’t seem to care. Then she responded, still in a cold manner, that she isn’t feeling well.

So I alerted another staff who looks like a manager (not wearing the same white uniform but instead a blue long sleeved polo) of what happened, i forgot to ask for his name again. But this time, the attitude of this man is different. He addressed the situation very promptly and warmly. He also apologized to us and gave us complimentary drinks. Still no word from the waitress involved but we still see her serving other tables.

Without this incident, it would have been a better experience. Food was great specially the truffle pasta. But not sure if we were to dine again in this branch next time. We experienced better service in Circuit...