Mona Lisa Restaurant – San Francisco

Having been to San Francisco five times now, one of my favorite pleasures is visiting the fine Italian eateries located in the North Beach neighborhood. Having already experienced restaurants such as The Stinking Rose, Trattoria Pinocchio and others, the wife and I decided to try one we have yet to experience in our past visits. We selected Mona Lisa and an excellent choice it was.

It is one of those small quaint restaurants where the kitchen is adjacent to the dining room. I always enjoy peering into the kitchen as cooks create their delicacies. The aromas of garlic, basil, red sauce, and grilled meats add to the experience.

We visited during the lunch hour, beginning our dining experience with a bottle of 2004 Chianti Valle Antica and Tomatoes Caprese. Fresh and tasty house bread was also supplied. All were pleasing to the palette.

For our entrees, my wife ordered the Fettuccine Leonardo with cream sauce, fresh tomatoes and chicken and myself, wanting to satisfy a craving for great Italian sausage and red sauce, ordered the Spaghetti Salsiccia. The pastas, sauces and meats were all extremely satisfying. Portions were very generous, so much so that we decided to skip the opportunity to sample their deserts.

The atmosphere itself was very pleasant with fine art from the Mona Lisa era displayed everywhere. Not only are there statues in abundance as well as fine art on the walls, a look up at the ceilings will reveal very detailed artwork, much like you might see in the Sistine Chapel in Rome.

We will definitely visit again on our next trip.

Located in the heart of North Beach, San Francisco, Mona Lisa serves authentic Italian cuisine. They have an extensive selection of homemade pastas, seafoods, meats and pizza. Each dish is prepared with fresh ingredients, homemade sauces and a touch of Southern Italy.

So the next time you are in North Beach, San Francisco, check out Mona Lisa.