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Mambu Restaurant
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
1806 Hayes StNashville, TN 37203
(615) 329-1293
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 4 pm - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 4 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
34 reviews for Mambu Restaurant
Review Highlights
"...restaurant is slightly off the beaten path and is located..."
(in 3 reviews)
"More coconut than curry; a lovely dish."
(in 3 reviews)
"We had salmon pizza which was awesome."
(in 2 reviews)
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34 reviews in English
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Review from Amanda W.
1/29/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I'll give a nod to Mambu's marketing efforts since it their catchy radio commercial that drew me in. Secondly? The charming house in the middle of Hayes street!
My favorite part about this Nashville Original is the ambiance and atmosphere. I love the kitschy collectibles and creative decor (read: colorful defrosted Otter Pops taped together around candles). From the shotgun shell twinkle lights to the vintage toy dolls, Mambu is an 'I Spy'-lovers paradise.
My second favorite part is the artfully crafted beverages. Not to knock their food (it's good), but I love to hit this place post-dinner and grab a seat in the bar section for a top-notch nightcap. Their bartenders are exceptional and are great conversationalists to boot.
Mambu's menu changes from time to time, but if you ask nicely they might be able to whip up their delicious take on root beer float with an adult twist. If not, well, anything on their cocktail menu will do. Drink slow and savor... bevvies run anywhere from $6.50-$10.00 a pop. -
Review from Rachel S.
1/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
Mambu really is thought of as one of Nashville's premiere local dining spots. Mambu's staff seems to take pride in their place, and I'm glad that they do. I've eaten there twice now, and in general - it's just okay.
Nothing is prepared poorly at Mambu. The crusted fish I had was very crispy, and under it on the plate were roasted potatoes, roasted cauliflower, and an herby green sauce that gave the dish its main source of flavor. Well executed - just kind of bland, and something I could have achieved at home.
I had the soup of the day, which I think was a brunswick stew. It was more like a chicken white bean chili. Once again, cooked and combined well, but way lacking in originality and flavor.
The winner, and I mean WINNER, of the meal was the Beets and Orange salad. This is what Sunset Grill's "Beets 'n Heat" salad wishes it was. I attacked the salad, and my waitress was impressed.
I can't say that I'm planning to go back. -
Review from Tiffany S.
Mt Juliet, TN
10/25/2011
Fantastic seasonal menu!
My husband and I tried this place out on Yelp's recommendation and boy, am I glad we did. To start with, the menu is exactly as I said before: fantastic. The appetizers consisted off calamari (always a great start to any meal), salmon pizza (I know, right?! But it was very good), braised duck leg, etc. The dinner menu looked divine as well and also included recommended wine pairings - which is a plus with me because I never know what to drink with my roasted duck. Woe is me.
Because we didn't feel like ordering two huge entrees, we opted for a more Tapas-style dinner by asking for three appetizers. All very filling. Maybe next time we'll try an entree. Oh yes, there will be a next time.
The restaurant itself is an old house consisting of medium-sized rooms with lofty ceilings so when adding 12 people on just one table, it gets LOUD. We could barely hear ourselves, but who needs to speak when a simple head nod or roll of the eyes speaks volumes (especially when your mouth is full of food)?Listed in: My favorite dinner places
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Review from Laura L.
Nashville, TN
1/29/2012
My birthday dinner at Mambu was a DISASTER! April was rude beyond belief, the food was unremarkable, and the valet ran one friend's car into another friend's car and then lied about it. The Publix sandwich counter would have been more enjoyable - the people are friendly, it would have been a good sandwich, and my friends' cars wouldn't be in the shop.
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Review from Katherine P.
Nashville, TN
1/21/2012
Mambu is such a great, unexpected spot to dine in Nashville. The atmosphere is fun, funky, eclectic and cozy. I've taken friends there for dinner twice so far and both experiences were outstanding. The staff is very professional but also puts guests at ease...I found it easy to relax there. The menu often features small plates, which easily allows one to sample the menu, along with a diverse menu. If you're a foodie, this is a tucked-away spot in downtown not to be missed!
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Review from Sara C.
Hermitage, TN
1/29/2012
I went to Mambu with a Groupon for a 3 course dinner. It was A LOT of food. All delicious and a lot of options. I had the hummus trio, mussels in coconut curry sauce, and the seared scallops. All AMAZING!!!! We went on a weeknight and around 5:30-ish. It was not busy. Our waiter was attentive but not annoying. It was a little cold in there but we were right by the window. Very cool atmosphere too - would like the patio when the weather gets warmer. I liked it but without the Groupon it would have been quite expensive.
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Review from Mina K.
Nashville, TN
1/25/2012
I would say Possibly the worst dining experience ever but it qualifies as THE worst dining experience ever. Not only was the waitress the most rude, abusive, snide and disgusting person I've ever had the displeasure of coming in contact with TWO of my groups cars were wreaked by their valet service. I would go on and tell the details of the truly horrific dining experience but not only does the place not deserve my time it also does not deserve the space it takes up on this page. I will say this: bad service, bad food, checks were wrong and she refused to fix, not one drop of sympathy or help for those who cars got wreaked by THEIR VALET. I will never return and it won't shock me if this place closes soon.
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Review from janet s.
11/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Fourth stop on Happy Hour Crawl, Pablo insisted on breaking the rules and doubling back as we had not been here for ages. I love the bar area even more now, its got a bohemian feel and twinkly red string lights, small and intimate. More formal dining on the opposite side of the house, though nothing is really formal here. We split a lemon balm martini and a lobster roll and it was very acceptable, Good VFM $9 martini and $10 lobster roll. Anita if you read this, please move Mambu to East Nashville or start up a small bar with similar decor, ideal for book and supper clubbing.
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Review from Adrianna S.
Northbrook, IL
7/7/2011
I wanted a restaurant that was a bit off the beaten path, good wine, a bit interesting in food choices and quiet. I got all that at Mambu. Adorable, a lovely patio to sit on (after the rain, cooler weather than it has been the past few days), and wonderful service, I could not have asked for much more.
I started with the mussels in a coconut curry sauce. More coconut than curry; a lovely dish. I also had the salmon pizza, and it was fantastic, but a lot for one person, especially after an appetizer. They had good wine to pair with each dish, and the server was very familiar with both the menu and the beverages. I was there for 2 hours, just hanging out after a long day, and Daniel was attentive and yet didn't hover. He was always there when I needed him, but he left me alone to relax, as well.
I couldn't ask for much more...it was a great end to a day I needed to get away from...a definite recommendation!
Some other dishes I wanted to try but didn't because I wasn't looking for a full dish: Salmon, Risotto and Scallops. They had a Mango Creme Brulee that looked a-mazing as well!!! -
Review from Kevin D.
Nashville, TN
9/7/2011
Tried Mambu during restaurant week and my brother-in-law was in town. It appeared to be an eclectic, not your normal type of fare. We were not disappointed. For starters my wife had the mussels in coconut curry hing sauce. My Brother-in law had tempura fried lobster rolls and I had the local cheese plate. The lobster rolls looked amazing and my wife used some of their fresh baked bread to soak up all of the sauce the mussels were in. The cheese plate was ok, nothing spectacular, but a good soft cheese and a nice cheddar that were both localish (from Kentucky).
For entrees, my wife and her bro had the bacon wrapped trout. Both enjoyed it even though they'd rarely had trout. sides were great as well. I had the pan fried chicken with mashed red potatoes and cream spinach. Delicious! chicken was cooked spot on and the sides were great. Especially the super creamy potatoes.
The ambiance is nice and super eclectic. the staff, especially our server April, seems really knowledgeable and attentive without being over bearing. I would definitely go back to enjoy the full menu offerings as well as possibly try some of their signature cocktails. -
Review from Lada W.
Honolulu, HI
I bought a deal on groupon about a month ago to have a three-course meal for 25$. I went there with my boyfriend. Overall, the food was great!. I love fusion food especially Asian inspired food. (cos I'm Thai).
We had salmon pizza which was awesome... I love it so much. Also had lobster roll, dumplings and mussels. All of them were wonderful. I was almost full by the time we finished our appetizers.
For main dish, we ordered scallop with linguine. I think the pasta itself was too sweet. I didn't finish it because I was already full. My boyfriend had the duck dish. It was delicious. I tried a little bit and really like it. -
Review from Kim U.
Nashville, TN
6/20/2011
I ate dinner at Mambu last week with a group of friends. One of our group is moving away and we wanted a place where we have a leisurely meal and good conversation. Based on past visits to Mambu, we thought it would be a good match. I was glad to see it was relatively busy for a weekday night. It definitely was a good fit for not feeling rushed and being a nice environment for conversing. However, I was disappointed in both the service and the food.
Service seemed really slow and pretty spotty. We were there for two and a half hours, not just because we were having a good time talking, but because it actually took that long to get our food and drinks. Considering how long we were there, I was surprised our waiter never asked if we wanted a second beverage. My water glass was empty for a lot of the time, as well. After the waiter totally sold our group on the special dessert of the day, it turned out they were actually out of it.
The food was good, but not great. I had a pork schnitzel dish and, while it tasted okay, I was surprised by how much meat there was vs the quantity of vegetables, which was sparse. Most of all, I thought it was really overpriced for the quality. For one drink, mid-range entree, and dessert, (plus tip) my bill was almost $50. I don't feel the food & service really merited that cost. Also, I don't remember Mambu being that expensive when I've eaten there in the past.
Pros:
*Good environment for a leisurely meal
*Pleasant decor
*Reasonably good tasting food
Cons:
*Price
*Spotty service
*Slow
Kid-friendliness:
There were some well-behaved older kids at another table. Personally, I wouldn't bring my toddler here - there's too much stuff to get into and the service was too slow. It's definitely more of a date night kind of restaurant.
Vegetarian-friendliness:
I eat vegetarian most of the time now, except sometimes when eating out. I made a choice to get a non-vegetarian dish here in part because there didn't seem to be a lot of vegetarian-friendly options. I didn't ask about altering dishes because it wasn't a major issue to me. Based on conversation, I think they'd be willing to make alterations as needed. On our visit, there were no vegetarian entrees on the menu. -
Review from Jennifer N.
Madison, TN
3/28/2011
A little diamond in the rough- Mambu Restaurant is a place to try.
Great patio- which allows pups on Monday night happy hour! How great is that?
Service was friendly, and catered to our Friday night hanging about without even lifting an eyebrow.
And of course- the food and cocktails are also good. Nothing sensational, but decent fare, and especially good for an after work group get-together. -
Review from Kim Y.
4/25/2011
My husband and I ate here awhile back as a double date with another couple. We were trying to 'branch out' and my pal had heard one of the plethora of ads.
Its a little bi-polar. That explains it perfectly. Its going for trendy/fancy/local and I like 'eclectic' decor, but this place was like an insane bag ladies homestead (if she had a home, ouch).
The service was friendly and knew their menu, but as the ONLY people in the front room it was super slow.
The drinks were pretty reasonably priced, but nothing earth shattering. We skipped straight to dinner as nothing on the appetizer menu peaked my vegetarian hubbies interest, all the interesting things had meat.
For dinner I tried the risotto type dish with seafood. It was decent, fish wasn't too 'fishy' - aka old and it was skillfully prepared.
The sad part. The 'special vegetarian dish' they talk about on the menu was some sauteed squash/sweet potatoes veggie medley in a teeny square that took up 1/5 the smallish plate. I can handle teeny portions, but I was cracking up seeing my 200 lb hubby with that sad little dish. To add insult to injury it was pretty bland. It tasted like...squash and potato. Gee, glad I cant cook that at home.
I almost gave this place 3 stars for my dinner, but wouldn't go again due to the other strikes, so 2 stars it is. -
Review from UncharteredNashville A.
Nashville, TN
5/31/2011
Mambu is set off of West End Avenue in a small house that can be spotted easily because of the valet stand out front and huge front patio section. As we walked up the ramp into the restaurant, we were both pleasantly surprised at how quaint and quirky it was decorated and our excitement for this new experience began to grow. The décor is one of my favorites in Nashville, right up their with Firefly in Green Hills, and definitely sets the tone for the meal to come.
The Happy Hour specials change but our waiter told us it was $6 Wines and $6 well drinks. I have also seen them run $5 frink specials for Mojitos, Margaritas, and more so maybe call ahead to find out what they are offering that night. I sat this one out on the alcohol front and Cole had a glass of the house Cabernet. Our waiter had our mouths watering while thoroughly explaining the many featured specials and the menu was full of appetizing choices. The menu also features small plates which invokes a Tapas style feel and is perfect for sharing and trying more than one option.
We started off with the Corn Fritters ($7) that were the perfect combination of spicy and sweet, with an unexpected surprise of black beans and green chiles inside. The fritters came on top of a sweet chili sauce that was great for dipping but not enough if you are sharing and both love the sauce as much as we did.
We were in the mood for a steak but with our $50 budget in mind, opted to share the Flat Iron Steak ($21) in a red wine demi glace with sautéed Zucchini on top of hickory-bacon Gruyere macaroni and cheese. The waiter kindly separated the steak into two meals without us having to ask and even with splitting, I wasn't able to eat all of it. The steak was cooked to perfection and the zucchini was grilled with just the right texture to compliment the steak. The star of the show however was no doubt the bacon macaroni and cheese The macaroni and cheese is as good as any I've had but the bacon hints, while not overpowering, are definitely present and catapult this dish to legendary status. It is worth a trip to Mambu just to try a bowl of this heavenly sent concoction.
Read More - http://uncharterednash.../ -
Review from Jennifer B.
Nashville, TN
4/27/2011
In looking for a restaurant for Dine Out Nashville, Mambu caught my eye. Off the beaten path, tucked away on Hayes Streets its probably one of the few restaurants I hadn't tried on the west side.
I am so glad I did. Despite being packed, we got some great seats on the patio, delicious and creative drinks (Elder Chai - spicy and refreshing!) and I had a hard time picking what to get on the menu. The Pork Schnitzel was delicious - crispy with sour cabbage and sweet cranberries - I'm looking forward to the leftovers in my fridge.
Loved the retro, funky vibe - seemed well put together without being too "random crap from yard-sales" ish that can sometimes happen with this decor-style.
A bit pricey for an anytime-dinner but I will definitely be going back soon. -
Review from Steve P.
Gallatin, TN
7/3/2011
Took out of town guest and were delighted with the unique selection of both the food and beverage--the pear ginger martinis were a hit, we all four ordered a different main course so we could share...outstanding! Decor generates a laugh including the mens room! The only improvement in our evening would have been to dined inside...outside the fans were overbearing plus the tables/chairs could use some comfort and visual improvemnts. We will be back and plan better so we can dine inside!
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Review from Chris F.
Wayne, NJ
8/12/2011
My wife and I went to Mambu on 8/8/11 we had the Hoison ribs and Lobster roll for apps. Then we shared an order of the mussels in coconut curry sauce and for our main course I had the Seared duck breast and she had the Pork snitzel. I have to tell you every thing was AMAZING !!!!!!!! Thank you so much for a great night. The next time I am in Nashville you are first on my list...
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Review from John G.
Virginia Beach, VA
7/26/2008
How do I spell overrated? M-A-M-B-U. I have been here two times for lunch, and honestly the second time was just a pity visit to see if the first time was just a complete fluke. Someone once told me to beware of over advertised places like this. If they were as good as they claim on the radio constantly, I think word of mouth would be enabling them to print money.
I started with the hummus plate, and then had the black angus hamburger. Nothing was impressive or even sticks in my mind. I feel that I seriously could make these at home with no problem. -
Review from Elise H.
Whites Creek, TN
2/22/2011
Loved the atmosphere of this quirky restaurant. Drinks are amazing. Wine is a nice selection as well. Pan fried chicken is the way to go. I ordered pork schnitzel. It was good, but I had chicken envy. I love how they put pickled beets on all the salads (on the side anyhow). Service was great. I guess I just wish I'd ordered something less fried. My fault, I know. But I'll definitely give them another try. Specials and menus change from what I'm told. And it was certainly best pear martini I've had in Nashville.
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Review from Robert K.
West Palm Beach, FL
7/18/2008
*Nominee: Best Calamari in Nashville*
The food at Mambu is delicious! One of the better menu's I have seen in Nashville. We ordered the seared tuna and calamari. Being a Floridian, I can be snobbish when it comes to sea food, but I was delighted with the quality of the fish and the taste! The tuna has a tasty Asian flavor and comes with a sea weed salad that complimented the meal very well.
**The calamari was the best I have ever had. The breading is to die for! It comes with a tai basil aioli and a great Italian tomato sauce. A MUST ORDER if a fan of calamari/ squid.
The restaurant is really funky inside. The outside looks like a two story house, easy to miss at night! But you don't want to miss this restaurant! -
Review from Anna A.
Nashville, TN
12/25/2008
I went here once and I wanted to like it I really, really did but it was just OK for me. The radio ads are cool, the vibe is cool I guess but I got the seared ahi tuna with sesame seed and I thought it was just not really much of anything special. I mean I can buy Ahi grade tuna, bread it in sesame seeds, and sear it on the grill in my sleep.
Our server was good but not really dynamic and the side items were really again just plain old good but not special. When I get in the Mambu price range, I want something a little more dynamic. that I feel I can't reproduce on my own.
Drinks were fine. I will say this. I had wanted to try Mambu for a while before I got over that way and so it was kind of like seeing the movie everyone raved about... Sometimes your expectations can maybe be a little high. -
Review from Michael S.
San Jose, CA
9/26/2010
Good and interesting food. I liked the shrimp dumplings and lobster rolls with a glass of champagne. Friendly and efficient service.
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Review from David S.
Nashville, TN
6/19/2008
Another one of my favorite spots in Nashville (yeah, there are a lot of great restaurants in Nashville, but this is in the top ten).
I love sitting outside during the summer and having some cocktails. The food is always spectacular. Lots of asian influenced dishes on the menu. Out-of-town guests have been very impressed by this place and they should be!
There are vegetarian options which my veggie friends definitely appreciate, and they are just as good as anything else on the menu. The owner is usually around, and she is so friendly and helpful (and funny). In addition to the outdoor seating, the place is an old house so there's great, cozy space inside and a nice bar.
I would recommend this place to impress a date, to impress your friends, or to just go and enjoy a great meal. I've never been disappointed by Mambu.
Valet or street parking, I'd recommend calling ahead to get a reservation before you go. -
Review from Ed G.
Kingston Springs, TN
4/13/2011
This restaurant is slightly off the beaten path and is located in a former residence. I was impressed with the character of the restaurant which borders on funky but is very comfortable and inviting. I went with a large party and since everyone was very hungry we started with a variety of appetizers including calimari (excellent), a cheese tray (great crackers) and mussels (those that like 'em, loved 'em). For the entree, I chose the pan-fried chicken and aside from the glop of pear chutney on top, it was excellent. All that I left was a couple bones and a glop of chutney. We shared a chocolate creme brulee for dessert and it was very good as well. The wine list wasn't large but it was very good in my opinion. The service was very good and everyone was friendly and helpful. Overall, a very good dining experience I would recommend to anyone. We just couldn't figure out if the Christmas tree in the hall was early or late...
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Review from Marcus C.
Boston, MA
11/5/2007
A friend of mine would describe the kind of food that Mambu is going for as "fussy," but to me, the restaurant just doesn't quite strike the mark.
I loved the layout and thought the staff was particularly helpful, but I came away unimpressed by the food. My arugula salad with mangoes was fine, but my chicken entree was basically a plate of chicken tenders. -
Review from Sandra M.
Cambridge, MA
4/16/2009
This past weekend on a business trip to Nashville, our group headed over to Mambu which was recommended to us. I didn't expect it to be a HOUSE but hey, its all good! Since the company was paying, I took that as an opportunity to fully indulge and ordered a silver bullet margarita which was impressive and for my dinner I got a sesame tuna dish which was perfect. The restaurant itself was a bit crowded/noisy and perhaps we would have done a bit better as a business group coming here on a different night, but overall I enjoyed the food, atmosphere and service at this restaurant.
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Review from R A.
Nashville, TN
12/5/2010
I love Mambu! The specials are always fantastic. I think I could live off the shrimp dumplings. I have been going to Mambu since it opened and I have always enjoyed my time and food there!
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Review from Christopher S.
Nashville, TN
7/14/2007
Mambu is a funky cool restaurant with eye-catching decor and an amazing menu full of fusions of numerous global influences. This was a superb dining experience. The service was excellent and the food was incredible. We started with a specialty appetizer of a lightly fried crab and cream filled dish. So good!! Since that was so amazing we had another appetizer, which were dumplings filled with assorted veggies. It was good but not mind blowing. For our main course we both had fish. My date had a wonderful three tailed fish accompanied with potatoes and a cream sauce that was delicious. I had the wahoo over veggies and noodles which was also very good. Overall this is probably the best restaurant I have been to in Nashville. I highly recommend.
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Review from Peter K.
8/6/2009
Agreed with everything Kristie mentioned. I took my wife to Mambu for her birthday. It is amazing to me that for a small local business, there was so little emphasis on customer service. Our main courses were mixed. I ordered the duck, bad idea. It came out cold and a lot fattier then I'm accustomed to. My plate went virtually uneaten. The server didn't have the presence of mind to ask me what was wrong with the food. My wife ordered the filet, it was cooked to perfection and she loved it. I had a bite and didn't think it was that great. So much for a unique dining experience, it's like that Mastercard commercial where they leave the restaurant and go to a convenience store for food.
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Review from Mariela C.
San Francisco, CA
11/15/2008
I'm a big fan of Mambu, I know it's a hit or miss amongst my friends, but personally I have always had a good experience (though I avoid Mambu like the plague when its crowded). I love the cool in house restaurant vibe where an at the door greeting feels genuine and homey. As far as the food goes, their small menu offers good Pad Thai and some of the best Tuna in town. Perhaps my favorite part of Mambu is their cool light bar where you can get a tasty martini or a great glass of wine (they have a pretty good wine list). Small town with a chic trendy feel, I think that Mambu has one of the best vibes in town
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Review from Emily L.
Mountain View, CA
1/1/2007
Very ecelectic place - the restaurant is in a old house and the decor quirky, funkiy and fun. The food is more sophisticated than the restaurant - if that makes sense. It's like the two don't really quite match up. But none the less the food is great - huge portions - good cocktails and a nice wine list. I went with my sister and mother and had the lobster rolls, arugula salad, med plate, pad thai, and the seared tuna - we shared all and still had a lot left over. Service was a little slow - but really nice and friendly. I'd def. go back!
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Review from Kristie P.
Nashville, TN
8/6/2009
The drinks are weak, the food is pricey, the service is horrible but.....the interior of the restaurant is nicely decorated. That about sums up my experience.
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Review from Kalee C.
Nashville, TN
8/23/2009
Mambu is a wonderful date place. The food is delicious--Try the shrimp dumplings as an appetizer-amazing!! The decor is very eclectic and the staff is really friendly. Laura is the best bartender in town. The pear cosmo is divine (and not on the menu)! She also makes a lovely espresso martini! This is definitely a special place to go!
