When reserving a table at Mona Lisa Ristortante, don’t even bother with after-dinner plans. You’ll just want to stretch out, rub your belly, and do the favorite after-work activity of many Alabang-dwellers: stay in for the night.
Mona Lisa opened in mid-2010 and for the longest time, people referred to it as “that Italian restaurant” above the burger-burrito-pizza chains. In time it came to its own as families in the nearby subdivisions came in droves, grateful for a place whose food, service, and ambiance could rival its CBD counterparts.
For me, I was won over by one word: Cannoli.
My first time there I was intrigued by the presence of the item. The first time I’d heard about and seen a cannoli was in one of the Godfather movies. While the poor sod who was gifted with a box of the dessert was um, taken care of, I do remember the decadent-looking pastry and imagining what it tasted like. Now it was finally in front of me, and it looked as rich and mouthwatering as it did in the movie.
Cannoli
Mona Lisa’s owner threatened to stop talking to me if I dared to use utensils to eat it. “You have to use your hands! That’s the proper way!” he ordered. Ever the obedient diner, I took the whole Cannoli (P310) and bit it the same way I would eat a hotdog sandwich. Pure bliss. On my second bite, I topped it with a scoop of vanilla gelato. Oh. My. God.
I have never eaten a cannoli prior to the one I had in Mona Lisa. I don’t have a reference, but I am telling you that their cannoli is pretty awesome. Their version consists of a thick, crunchy pastry shell stuffed with a mixture of ricotta cheese, semi-sweet chocolate, pistachios, and candied fruit. It’s drizzled with chocolate sauce, and served with a scoop of gelato on the side. In the words of Rachel Zoe, it’s “ah-mazing!”
The other dessert on the menu is the Panna Cotta (P275). Another dessert that is good for sharing as it’s served in a deep dish and topped with slices of strawberries, kiwis, grapes, and mangoes (plus a cherry on top!). This sweet, fruity dessert is one of the lighter ways you can end a meal.
Panna Cotta
The pasta dishes are also big favorites. They arrive in large, heated plates and the servings are enough for two people. There are tons of pasta dishes to choose from, but restaurant regulars would undoubtedly recommend the ones under the Fresh Pasta (Prices range from P430 to P475) section. Choose from the pillow-soft gnocchi and ravioli, which are freshly made and cooked in the kitchen. There are several variations, including creamy cheese sauces, mushroom, shrimp and asparagus.
Gnocchi Mare E Monti (P475)
The regular pasta dishes are not to be missed out too. Favorites include the Spaghetti alle Vongole (P450), a light pasta tossed with white wine sauce and seafood; the Petto di Pollo alla Martini (P700) which consists of a breaded chicken chicken breast served atop a bed of linguini with white wine and garlic sauce. The comforting Spaghetti con Polpettine (P425) is a grown-up and Italian version of our spaghetti and meatballs.
Petto di Pollo alla Martini
To start, choose from any of the classic appetizers or the soups, which are all good for sharing or filling enough as a light meal.
Salmon Carpaccio
For something to share, the Salmon Carpaccio (P375) is a winning combination of smoked salon topped with olive oil, capers, and caviar served with chopped tomatoes and olives. I like to pile them on top of bread, like a do-it-yourself bruschetta. Also listed under the Antipasti section is the Cheese Platter (P375), which includes most of the popular cheeses, although not necessarily Italian, like Brie and Emmental, served with honey, crackers, a selection of fruits and nuts.
Cheese Platter
For the carb-lovers, there is the Arancino Siciliano (P375), which are fried rice balls stuffed with mozzarella cheese and topped with rich tomato sauce. This is the kind of dish one tucks into after a particularly harassing day. But one doesn’t need to wait for looming deadline or a date at the HR department to enjoy this dish. Honestly, if it weren’t two giant balls of deep-fried rice and cheese, I would have it everyday.
Arancino Siciliano
I felt fat just writing that line, so here is a light dish to make up for it: the Pappa al Pomodoro (P220) is a light yet filling concoction of tangy-sweet tomatoes, ground croutons, basil and garlic. For the salads, one may choose from simple to the decadent. There is the Traditional Caesar Salad (P330) or the Gamberretti e Pomelo (P385), which is topped with shrimp, pomelo chunks, and a light, citrus vinaigrette.
Gamberretti e Pomelo
Most of the dishes in Mona Lisa are good for sharing. If you’re not sure if a dish is good to split, you may ask any of the gracious wait-staff as they will let you know which ones will leave you pleasantly full and which may lead to bangungot.
Mona Lisa Lasagna (P525)
Fettuccine Gamberi (P530)
Bistecca Al Pepe Nero (P1,130)
Mona Lisa also has a small bar at the back of the restaurant stocked with popular spirits. It also has a good if modest selection of wine to choose from. While the restaurant offers coffee and tea for after-dinner drinks, the brave might want to try their limoncello, which makes for an excellent digestif! The restaurant is open everyday for lunch and dinner. I’ve stayed there until late and the staff graciously let my table linger on over glasses of wine. They know all too well that after an epic meal at Mona Lisa, that’s pretty much all one will want to do!
