Mama has left the building…
One of our Kirkland favorites recently underwent a serious facelift, for the worse… The restaurant formerly known as Mama Lucia’s, the warm home of friendly staff, perfect pizzas, inviting entrees, and the prime card discount has been replaced with a loud, cold, and overpriced restaurant that will compete in the same overcrowded niche as Purple and Cactus.
Mama Lucia’s was our go-to dinner joint in Kirkland and my wife and I were so disappointed with our experience on Friday night, that I had to post a negative restaurant review.
Where they could have done better: 1. Overcharged us for drinks at the bar because they didn’t have a negroni in their computer yet. 2. Our seat by the window was downright cold. When I half jokingly asked if they had a spaceheater our waitress both didnt laugh, and didnt show any concern… 3. No prime card! Despite still being featured on the prime card site, they decided not to take the discount card. 4. The $14 prosciutto, arugula, and parmesan pizza was really pretty good, but is priced $2 more than a better offering 50 yards up the way at Purple.
I’d really like to see this place do well, and hopefully sometime we’re able to give Lucia’s another shot.
Hi Sean. As a long-time supporter of Mama Lucia’s, I was also excited to see the expansion and remodel of the restaurant. The only complaint I had of the previous incarnation was that it was too cramped - a result of its poularity. My girlfriend and I went to Lucia’s with the hope that the interior design changes would only augment a great menu. Unfortunately, while Lucia’s offers a more trendy and contemporary feel (not unlike Purple), the approach to customer service is a dissapointment. They no longer participate in the Passport Unlimited dining program and no longer have the 2 for 1 Monday entree special. I agree with you about the temperature in the dining room - too drafty. We thought the music was too loud and better fit for a cocktail lounge. I sure would like to see a larger wine list, both by the botle and certainly by the glass. The prices are still acceptable, but the food has gone too far in the way of “nouveau cuisine”. We enjoyed the taste of the Tomato & Basil Bruschett, but the plate was delivered with pieces the size of a dollar coin. It reminded me of a movie moment where the server brings you the plate, sets it down and says “voila!”, only to make you laugh and the ludicriously small portions. My serving of Lemon Chicken Angel Hair was also laughably petite and contained dried, clumps of undercooked pasta. To their credit, I was comped my dish when I brough it to their attention. I understand the nature of Kirkland resutaurants are changing to more trendy and pricey establishments, but I now mourn the passing of Mama’s (even though I do not doubt that Lucia’s will be quite poular with the Friday and Saturday night crowds).