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😊

Srtc

5.0

I first heard of Mona Lisa through their lunch promo advertisement online. Pasta and pizza were filling and tasted authentic, especially good for the price. I hope they continue the promo.

Nobody Messes With My Food

5.0

Food served were quite pricey but definitely worth it! My mom and I had the vongole pasta and fettuccine pescatore: both were filled with really fresh seafood! It was our first time and I am excited to try their other dishes...

Caroline Lesmana

1.0

Don't order from here unless you want to wait and wait then have cold cold food. I don't expect to pay thousands and thousands for food, then when it arrives I still have to heat it up in the microwave or oven.Portions are much smaller than restaurant and not as nice.I ordered from there because I love their in house restaurant experience

Paolo Miguel Carlos

4.0

There is something about this branch that would make you feel at home.  There's a certain warmth.  From the minute we walked in we felt so welcome.  We were served well and the food really reminded us of Italy with every bite.We are always served well even if we only pop in once in a blue moon so every visit is memorable. By the way they boast of being the most affordable compared to other casual fine dining Italian Restaurants. They are probably correct, but I will check it out first.Michael Grandinetti, the man who owns this authentic Italian restaurant, makes sure that everyone feels welcome(well, I haven't seen Belle yet, but regular diners love her too).Well, we do go around different places so we couldn't be there all the time, but we would surely be back.

Jobelle Yu

4.0

Accommodating staff from reservations to dining until payment - they are attentive to customers needsFood is amazing - big serving and really tastes great

Albertus Deo

4.0

One of the first authentic Italian restaurants in the south of metro Manila. It sits on the second level of commerce center as one of the first tenants. Customers come back for their panizza, melon wrapped prosciutto, and risotto.

Maydh

4.0

If you're looking for some straight edge Italian🇮🇹 restaurant in Alabang then Mona Lisa Ristorante is the place.Italy not only well represented by its food but as well as the interiors. Love those ceiling murals, expressive of the Roman Catholic Church architecture.And a wide selection of Italian wines on display.We had been satiated with the following Italian /Sicilian Fare;BBQ pizza pollo, Mona Lisa Speciale panizze,Miguelli Calabrese panizze, pastas like spaghetti alle vongole,Fettuccine Pescatore and Pollo Pizemente, Salads of Sicilian Caesar and Antipasto varieties and finishing off with canneloni and Italian Cheesecake as desserts.My favorites are both the panizze ,the Mona Lisa Speciale ,buttered shrimp and herbs in mozzarella and provolone cheeses in cream and tomato sauce,while the Miguelli Calabrese was made of Italian sausage with some porcini mushrooms in cream sauce. What I love about panizze is that they are thin sliced rectangular pizzas cut in strips,being rolled with arugula and alfalfa sprouts eaten like a mini burrito. And I have a love affair with the arugula and alfalfa.On the pasta side I love the Fettuccine Pescatore because I love the tomato based pastas more than the white ones,nice subtle tomato sauce blended well with Parmigiano Reggiano nice al dente pasta with mussels given a hint of citrus taste with a splash of squeezed lemon.Their salads are good too,love the antipasto definitely a palate awakener ,a collage of flavors and textures like romaine lettuce, red kidney beans,cubed provolone cheese ,Italian chorizo and that very delectable fruity vinaigrette.Another thing that I observed is that the staff are very well versed about details of the dishes which is a plus factor.Nice place,love those standard music especially the Sinatra songs.If you're into Italian food and it happens you're in the South of NCR go to Commerce Center and dine here and you'll be in a Don Vito Corleone mood.🇮🇹