Buckle up, I was restaurant manager for high profile establishments.
Arrived early post movie, no reservation but they found us a table.
About six people in the place.
Had to ask for the specials board then ordered drinks and a main.
My Campari and soda would have arrived 10 minutes sooner if the woman preparing it would stop chatting with her friend. Drinks were put on a tray on the bar. Waitress looked at it and walked off before having to be asked to pass the drinks.
No slice of orange.
Server was unhappy to be there, didn't smile once. Perfunctory best describes the service.
Then the meal arrived. My scaloppini al fungi was interesting. The potatoes were cooked at least a day ago and were barely warm, FFS you cannot reheat roast potatoes. The carrots and beans were frozen not fresh, On top of this inedible mess were three pieces of veal cooked just long enough to be tough. The sauce was prepared well ahead and had the consistency of glue.
I have travelled widely in Italy and this place wouldn't last 5 minutes unless it was the only one next to the Leaning Tower, in which case it may last 10.
While we were eating a waiter arrived for work changed behind the bar and set out without washing his hands.
One of the servers carried some clean plates past me with her hand on the top to steady them.
No one asked about the meal or the service which saved me about ten minutes, so for that I am grateful.
It is possible that there is a worse Italian meal to be had in Canberra, but undoubtedly it would be one of the other items on the menu here.
There is nothing positive I can say about Mama's, nothing. read more