Mona Lisa Ristorante

Reni Marsela

2.0

Hype isn't always everything. Until you experience something yourself - be it a movie, restaurant, music album, etc. - it's always best to suspend all belief/disbelief first. This was what I did when I ate again recently in Mona Lisa Ristorante. I'll tell you all about it here.CONCEPTMona Lisa Ristorante has been around since 2010. It is the end result of Michael and Belle Grandinetti, who both put up the restaurant to showcase their love for Italian food. Their first location was in Westgate, then Commercenter once the mall opened back in 2014. Their aim is to bring authentic Italian cuisine to Filipino customers.ENVIRONMENTFrom their first and current location, the interiors haven't changed much. The floor is still styled a white-and-black checkerboard; the pillars covered in artistic stylings of Italian art; and some of the white walls have paintings hung on them.The relatively low ceiling and use of warm pin lights give the impression of dining in a cozy Mediterranean house. They even have a miniature wine rack in the middle so you can pick which wine to drink.CLEANLINESS & SERVICEIn terms of tidiness, the place is very organized and tidy.In terms of service, the staff were very business-as-usual, but lacking in warmth. We were seated, waited on, and served our orders promptly, but there was no rapport between the servers and us as customers. Something needs to be done here.FOODIf you look at its Facebook and website pages, Mona Lisa Ristorante has garnered quite a following customers with an average score of 4.3/5⭐ for its good service and authentic food. In fact, when we had dinner there last year, the place was nearly packed!However, in the two times I've dined here, I didn't get that vibe. In fact, the food was memorable because of how bland and uninteresting it was.The first time we went here was some time in 2010, when it was newly opened. I was a graduating high school student back then. I still vividly picture my first ever order: Pasta Carbonara (spaghetti with cream sauce and bacon bits; Php 525) and a Quattro Formaggi (four cheese pizza; Php 490). Those were my favorites of Italian cuisine ever since I was a child. I wanted to see how their take on those dishes.To my shock, both tasted very dull compared to the other Italian restaurants I had eaten in prior to this. There was a sore lack of zest in both that I just finished them for the sake of courtesy. My parents re-affirmed this, stating how unremarkable the cooking was and overpriced for this kind of quality.We didn't return until last year (Q4 of 2017) when we hosted a dinner with friends there. It was common ground for everyone present. Remembering my previous experience, I hoped that quality improved. I again ordered their Quattro Formaggi - this time made up of brie, mozarella, parmesan, and kesong puti (native white cheese; still Php 490) - and their recommended Rigatoni Funghi al Salsicia (basically Italian sausage with mushrooms, parmesan sauce, and truffle oil; Php 525).I was so excited to eat their meals. "Maybe this time they've improved," I thought. "It's been seven years after all." Sadly, my excitement fizzled as soon as I tasted my orders (which took quite long this time around). The pizza was again dull to the taste. The pasta I ordered? I couldn't even taste the truffle oil. 7 years later, their food was as blah as the first time I ate there. Not even the complimentary bread and its sauces could make up for the unsavory main courses we had that night.OVERALLAs a writer I tell it as it is, even if it does go against popular or majority opinion. Many others may deem Mona Lisa Ristorante as the best thing since sliced bread. But for me, it's all just hype. I could be one of the few, even the only outlier here, but there are much better value-for-money Italian places in South Metro. If you don't believe me, try it for yourself. As far as I'm concerned, I won't be coming back here sooner or later.

Luvnee

3.0

Tried this restaurant with the family. I liked the Panizza we had ordered. I may have made the wrong choice regarding the Risotto but will try the pastas next time because they sound good on the menu.

Trick

4.0

Early dinner date at Mona Lisa Ristorante, 2 weekends ago. We rarely go in South area, and I am excited to try this place. Italian dishes is one of my favorites. Its a fine dining place, perfect for dates. We had: 🍴Salmon Carpacio - smoke salmon with olives 🍴Panizza (P750)- we get to try 2 flavors, we had Mona Lisa Speciale (cream tomato sauce, sauteed buttered shrimps and herbs, mozarella and provolone cheese) and Al Tono ( tuna, mozarella, caramelized onions, tomato sauce). Panizza is served woth a bowl of arugula and alfalfa. 🍨Cannoli (P300) an italian dessert, served with vanilla gelato. Unlike crepe, this one has crispy and hard shell with ricotta filling. Verdict: The Panizza is superb. I enjoyed it, esp Mona Lisa Speciale, its highly recommended. Salmon Carpacio, it a perfect appetizer, I enjoyed the olives that was served with smoked salmon. The cannoli is great, since Its not that sweet perfect with coffee😊