Mambo II — Restaurant in South Tyneside

Messaged this morning to book for my patner myself and our 3 year old, told bookings only accept by phone - left a voicemail requesting 6.30 & call back - there was no call back. 3 hours before intended booking I rang to confirm, turns out there were no spaces until 7pm would be awkward with a 3 yr old but thought we'd be ok. When we arrived yes it was first day of eat out to help out so expected it to be busy and perhaps extra staff in place to deal with it, but neither of us have ever known service so slow. 10 minutes to get a menu. After ordering drinks took 10 mins to arrive. At which point we ordered our starters and mains. Starters arrived after 30 mins, main in another 40 (only after we said we would like to pay for starters and drinks and go). At which point our child was tired and agitated to say the least as we never expected it to take so long - parents will understand our food was rushed to get out of there so as not to make a scene. I will say it tasted good but that's the only up side. The waiter came with the bill and boxed food, with a portion of ice cream on the house for our toddler for the delay... Nice thought...

Turned up earlier than expected was greatest by friendly staff.

Table was small for just 2 people but hey ho, once seated a waiter came over and took mine and my wives orders.

Bottle of wine and a nelson Mandela (Stella)

Starters came. Calamari & potato skins Both 10/10 can't go wrong

After we indulged in our Italian starters the plates were quickly swept away by a waitress, within a couple of minutes our mains had arrived. Somewhat to quick from just digesting the starters but each to there own.

Mains now. Half and half (got to keep the wife happy) Steak pizza Parmesan chicken pasta

Pizza was perfect though my moaning murtle of a wife said it tasted burnt.

Pasta was easily one of the nicest I've ate locally in my 55 years of presence.

We waited a mere 3 minutes which felt like eternity and had to barter a waitress to supply our demand for parmesan and black pepper, which our wishes were granted.

Bill came swiftly after washed down with a shot of baileys courtesy of the staff at Mambo II

Highly recommend for local foodie and travellers.

Please find...

Great local place for fresh tasty food, we’ve been here a lot and always feel welcome and staff are great with kids. The restaurant is nicely decorated and always clean. Unfortunately this time wasn’t great and not up to the usual high standards. My wife had to send her over cooked steak back but this was quickly replaced and staff apologised, also the staff were quick but to the point everything was rushed and a little aggressive which a few of us noticed, we went before Christmas and had the same thing, we’d been told we had the table for 90 minutes and had eaten our mains and deserts and was just finishing our drinks at the hour mark but was reminded three times we only had the table for 90, felt rushed again and not a pleasant experience. Also I took my daughter to the men’s toilets and it was absolutely freezing in there. So the last two experiences haven’t been great but we will give it another chance...