Mama Lou's Italian Kitchen - Sto. Tomas, Batangas — Restaurant in Santo Tomas

This is actually my first time to enjoy the Mama Lou's dining experience. The first several times didn't pan out for one reason or another. I love Italian food, something with the dishes hits home with me, and I got my first local and seemingly authentic dining experience with a different brand (Yes, the one that starts with an I). Since that time, I was hooked. Never considered going to any other restaurant... Until now. Got wind of Mama Lou's through the goading of my very, very close friend Mr. Eric Flores. At first I was skeptical so whenever we'd try to eat at one Mama Lou's branch or another and things didn't pan out? It didn't faze me (I was an "I" fanboy, remember?). So, during a family outing restaurant search, I happened to catch a glimpse of Mama Lou's - SM Sto Tomas.. I remembered my friend and decided to call him up to get an idea of what to expect. And with that one call, everything was set in motion. The manager (Edward if I remember correctly) was very courteous and reserved a table for our entourage almost immediately. The very amiable and charismatic assigned server, Jhaypee, very promptly assisted us with our orders. He's one of those servers who'd make you feel at home and feel like a king all in one fell swoop. Kudos to you brother! After waiting for some time, our food arrived. The food! Oh my effing God, the food! Everything was wonderful! The pasta perfectly al-dente. The pomodoro sauce, superb! The kids tried the fried chicken and my usually timid daughter voraciously finished her chicken meal like one possessed. The Pizza's! Goat's Cheese glazed with their 'essential' David's Hot Honey, the word essential does not give the dish-combination justice. The Hot Honey is a definite MUST ALWAYS HAVE on the Pizzas. We also tried the Truffle Fries and Truffle Pasta, lets just say that my tastebuds were finally awakened with those fateful first bites. The restaurant was still in the finishing stages, as the mall just first opened to the public three days prior... But hey, with food this good? You won't even notice the still 'for developing' ambiance. Overall, the Mama Lou's dining experience changed my mindset about being loyal to my former Italian restaurant brand. The bar has been set, and it has been set high. And I'm very thankful that I finally got the chance to try and switch to, Mama Lou's - my now GO TO...

Our supposedly happy family dinner turned into a disappointing horrible experience from Mama Lou’s Sto. Tomas. My brother was excited to treat us so he ordered a lot and was told that the waiting time is 20-30mins.

The complimentary bread was served together with the mango mama. Then after 20mins our pizza arrived, in 15mins mozarella, in 10mins our fries. So how many minutes? 45mins they only served the appetizers. Our main course which are truffle pasta, roasted chicken and lasagna was not served unless we follow up with the manager.

What’s really surprising was, we are seating in front of the serving section where the staff and managers were located and they can see that we are so upset on the delay but no one approached us how are we. No one asked us is there anything else we are waiting for? We ended up taking our food at home because we lost our appetite. It’s a pity coz the taste was good but the service was extremely poor. At least assign a staff per table who can ensure that all orders were brought together and not 1 by 1.

I was ready to give a review coz I heard the food tastes nice but I just ended up having a really bad night because of this mama...

It was Mother's Day (12 May 2024) and it was obvious they hadn't prepared for it, if at all. Major negative points to follow, and frustratingly, they weren't able to make any amends for them.

We were among the first customers for the day, if not the actual first. We ordered Pollo Al Burro and were told the mashed potato that came with it wasn't available, so they replaced it with rice. In the end, the price they charged for it was the same.

We ask for the Gelato desserts, and were told they weren't available!!??

The Mango Mama Tea (1L) was only served when we asked for it. Should have been served with their complimentary bread. When they served it, it tasted of cockroach! They replaced it with the regular Mama Tea admitting that the blender they used was contaminated. Didn't even waive the charge for the drink as apology and goodwill.

When we paid by credit card, their portable POS wasn't charged and had to plug it in first. We had to come over to where it was charging to make payment.

Obviously, poor management and planning for a special day. It was our first time eating there, and doubt we'll be coming back. What a worst...