Eating in Steamboat: Mambo Italiano
Jan 16, 2007 · 07:45 AM · permalink
On Friday, our crew of seven decided to brave the wintery night and eat one meal out. Against my better judgment, we ended up at a place called Mambo Italiano. I had been there with a friend last summer for a meal of overpriced wine, greasy fried calamari, and pasty gnocci and didn’t particularly look forward to going back. But I will say this: on a Friday night, before a long weekend, during prime eating time, they were happy to see the seven of us and showed us to a table promptly.
The service was respectable and very freindly, if unpolished (we were served broo-SHET-uh, NAH-kee, and AR-ma-ret-oh cheesecake, among other things). The kitchen made only one gaff which resulted in a ten minute wait for one out of seven entrees (for which we were compensated with free desserts). The atmosphere was upbeat and friendly and the wait and bus staff were very attentive without being overbearing.
I ate a tasty fettucine carbonara that had a nice smoky undertone from the pancetta. My girlfriend’s gnocci was only fine, employing the same pasty, pre-made dumplings I had had during my prior visit, covered in a bland bolognese sauce. The salad I sampled had nice crisp fields greens in an overly acidic vinagrette. The Amaretto cheese cake was gelatinous and relatively tasteless.
The concensus was that the restaurant was uncomfortably cold and that the food was, at best, average. But none of it prevented us having a good time together, and in a popular ski town that is saying something. The bill came out to only $25 a head, and two vegans found accomodation on the menu, which is also saying something. Also, none of us tried their pizza and it’s possible that is their true expertise—I’ve found more than one restaurant that serves lousy pasta but excellent pizza.
I would never recommend Mambo Italiano for an intimate or romantic meal. But with a large group of friends or family, there is something to be said for a menu that accomodates lots of palates and service that is welcoming and unobtrusive.
FYI!!! This restaurant is under new management effective August 15th, 2007! If you happen into the area again, please give the joint another try. You will be glad that you did…
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