On a recommendation from a couple of fellow Gastro Travellers we went with great anticipation to Mamasita which was described as a modern Mexican restaurant. www.mamasita.com.au
Being one of our favourite dining genres we cued for nearly an hour on a stairway leading to the first floor restaurant. Rosie would never normally cue that long without alcoholic support, but, more people kept appearing and the line went down the stairs, out the door and round the corner….it must be worth it. Finally we reached the summit of the stairs and got our first glimpse of the dining room. It was crowded and rowdy, everything a good Mex restaurant should be except it was a little over bright and minimally modern.
Rosie felt disgruntingly cheated after attaining the stair mountain only to discover we were then moved to standing at the bar waiting until a table was available. The Operator quickly took control and ordered a round of classic Margarita’s followed by a couple of Blanco Tequila shots and the misery of the wait was soon forgotten by Rosie.
The menu was exciting, classic Mexican dishes with a modern minimal gourmet twist. Visually it met all expectations when the plates arrived but mediocrity set in once on the palate, the food was cold under seasoned and actually bland. It wasn’t a bad meal, just oversold and under delivered. The wait staff were busy and distracted…it was really hard getting more drinks! The saving grace of the evening was a 5 piece totally unexpected, fully costumed Mariachi band that blasted a full brass 10 min set and left your ears ringing and your feet stomping.
All in all Rosie and the Operator are struggling to find a reason to return for a second chance given the vast amount of choice in Melbourne.
