Mambo Italiano Cafe — Restaurant in Bellingham

Staff is unbelievably RUDE and unprofessional. I was a guest of a customer who has been going to that place for 15+plus years. She chose that place to bring a special family guest and her whole family, so party of 7. First, they screwed up the reservation, sat party in loudest area, rather than area that was confirmed via reservation. (Later when asked about this, the manager said "well I didn't take your reservation so I don't know". No, no. Correct response: "Oh no, that's disappointing and I can see why you wanted a quieter table. Would you like to wait or can I offer your party some appetizers or glasses of wine, on the house? We appreciate your coming to Mambos, how can we make this better?"). The bill was around $250.00- plus on dinner. Service was excruciatingly unprofessional, it was like a cheap diner, loud aggressive wait staff, interrupting the whole table constantly: "who's got the ceaser? Who's got the garden salad?" Ummm, how about you pay attention and remember?! The party is there to visit, not constantly be interupted. Then, after an hour and 20 minutes (are you ready?) the manager comes over and asked our party to leave, because they had other reservations. The cost per person was $50.00-plus, probably? Really? These folks can't hang out and chat with their family? If the manager had determined that for whatever reason, the table that was occupied absolutely had the be.made available, the smarter choice would have been for the manager to quietly apologize to the person who paid the (exorbitant) check, and (quietly and with respect and tact) to ask if the party would be willing to move to another area, with a few desserts on the house to sweeten the proposition. And, the manager was SO RUDE! And SO LOUD, which made the whole situation so embarrassing! I asked for the owners contact info, and the person I asked snapped "why?" then said "no, the owners don't want to be contacted by customers.". Really? Read the "family story" of the restaurant. All about family food, tradition, blah blah. They basically threw this lovely family out. It was tactless, classless. It was really sad. And really, the food's not that great. I think the family liked to go there because it's familiar, but that business does not care about respecting folks who were their regular customer base. I recommend "Carnel" on State Street, "Soy House" on Holly, "Red Light", across from Henderson Books. These places are about the same price point at Mambos (or less) and the staff are kind, helpful, they remember you and appreciate your business. Support local businesses that want to cater to locals AND tourists. Businesses who hire and train their staff to have some manners...

Mixed feelings ... our party of three dined here Thursday Feb 16. The atmosphere was mixed ... tight footpeint with very high ceiling, cold breeze from entry door dumping directly on seating area, lots of brightly colored "art" for sale hanging on the walls. Booths were very uncomfortable and tight - booth seats were not pleasing to sit on with deep seat thst dug into back of legs, padding was thin and bumpy, distance to table was too tight so you had to sit with back tightvagainst the seat back ... overall all the dimesions just felt off, and the table was fixed so couldn't be adjusted ... I am 5'7" and 225# and was squeezed into the spacing. This was an expensive restaurant yet no tablecloth, paper napkins and cheap cutlery but $20 to $35 entrees. Service was less than it should have been. Had to ask for bread. And this is what should have downgraded the overall rating to 2 stars ... they serve $25+ a plate entrees and $35 (obtuse price) pizza and they have an expensive always on pizza oven that could have be used to bake scratch made crusty Italian loaves, bread sticks, or even pizza crust bread sticks yet the bread they served was NOT baked on site, was NOT served hot from oven or wven warm .. it was served stone cold, and was awful... tasted like safeway bakery fake Italian bread. The mark of a good Italian restaurant (maybe any restaurant) is the quality of their bread and also their scratch made pastas ... FAIL on both accounts. The pasta dishes were solidly good but not exceptional. Entree size was large and the linguini vongole had a bright lemony sauce and at least a dozen clams in the shell and but for $28 it was inadequate. The cacciatore had a nice amount of dark meat chicken, capers and palm hearts but was overpowered by a what is best described as a cheap pungent flavor that I would liken to dried "McCormack Italian Seasoning" . The cabonara was good - niw there are two schools of thought - one with egg and cream and the other egg only - this was cream style. It was a bit oily ... either from added olive oil or the fat from the panchetta. It was good ... decadent as it should be but was a bit spartan compared to the other dishes. Luckily since we all enjoy each others company we had a very nice time, these issues notwithstanding. Obviously leaps better than Olive Garden and maybe not as good as Macaroni Grill ... but this should be better as it's not a canned chain, and truly these disappointments are really not acceptable when spending $25 to $35 a plate. 3.5 stars is deserved, but 4.0 given as benefit of doubt. While I wouldnt say Mambo should be skipped, personally I saw and tasted enough that we would NOT be inclined to...

I recently dined at Mambo Italiano in Fairhaven, and it was delicious!!

The star of our culinary adventure was the Smoked Salmon Penne Pasta, a dish that surpassed all expectations. The al dente penne combined with the rich, smoky flavor of the salmon created a harmonious symphony of tastes that danced on the palate. The creamy Alfredo sauce added a velvety texture, elevating the dish to a level of indulgence that I haven't experienced before. It was a perfect fusion of freshness and comfort, leaving a lasting impression.

Equally captivating was the Carne Marsala, a true masterpiece. The tender cuts of meat bathed in a Marsala wine reduction showcased the chef's mastery of flavors. Each bite was a journey through layers of succulence, and the accompanying sides complemented the dish impeccably. The combination of earthy mushrooms and sweet Marsala created a symphony of flavors that lingered on the taste buds, leaving a craving for more.

To accompany our meal, we opted for the house Chianti wine, a decision that added another layer of enjoyment to the evening. The robust yet smooth notes of the Chianti perfectly complemented both the smoked salmon pasta and the carne Marsala, enhancing the overall dining experience.

The service at Mambo Italiano was exceptional, with attentive staff ensuring our every need was met. The staff was knowledgeable about the menu, offering insightful recommendations and making our dining experience all the more enjoyable. The timing of each course was impeccable, reflecting a well-coordinated and efficient kitchen.

In conclusion, Mambo Italiano in Fairhaven stands out as a gem in the culinary scene. The Smoked Salmon Penne Pasta, Carne Marsala, and the house Chianti wine combined to create a memorable dining experience. The attention to detail in both the cuisine and service solidifies Mambo Italiano as a must-visit for anyone seeking a true Italian culinary journey in Washington. I wholeheartedly give it a five-star rating and look forward to my next visit.

**Unfortunately I forgot to take photos of our untouched delectable dishes, but here is one of the partially enjoyed...