Hydrolyzes both the R- and the S-enantiomers of mandelamide, and phenylacetamide. Has lower activity on 3-phenylpropionaide and lactamide. Does not hydrolyze benzamide. Hydrolyzes esters and amides with little steric bulk. Preferentially hydrolyzes aromatic substrates. (R)-mandelamide + H2O = (R)-mandelate + NH4(+) Inhibited by 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin and PMSF. Optimum pH is 7.8. Monomer. By growth on R,S-mandelamide, and to a lesser extent mandelate. Belongs to the amidase family.