This was my second time visiting Mona Pasta Bar, and once again, it did not disappoint. The service was fantastic--attentive, warm, and genuinely thoughtful. The ambiance is quaint and chic, with a beautifully minimal setting that feels both cozy and intentional. What really stood out to me was how memorable the experience was. I still remembered the wine I had on my first visit, and although it was no longer on the menu, our wonderful server recommended a natural wine alternative that was absolutely perfect--fresh, effervescent, and exactly what I was hoping for. For food, I had the meatballs along with the tomato and burrata salad, both of which were delicious and well-balanced. My counterpart ordered the Brussels sprouts bolognese and thoroughly enjoyed it as well. All in all, it was a great second experience, and I'm already looking forward to returning again soon. Mona Pasta Bar continues to deliver on quality, service, and atmosphere. read more

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I walked in to this restaurant at 9:00pm when they close at 10:00pm. I had just gone to a show and when it was over I was hungry and hoping for a quick delicous meal. I split the crudo and bolognese with my companion. The crudo was tangy and fresh and just the right portion. The bolognese seemed like a small portion even though the server indicated that it was shareable. I understand that is subjective so I'm not too worried about that. However, the bolognese took about 30 min to come out and when it did it was only lukewarm. As for the ambiance, it was very dark, the music was too loud, and I sat on an uncomfortable stool while my companion sat on a wooden bench with a back against the wall. read more

Mona Pasta bar is a cute little store in the fashion district that has a lot going for it, but also many things stopping me from wanting to go back. Let's start with the good - great atmosphere and decor, intimate dining room, and nice view of the street for people watching from some seats. The restrooms are make you feel like a mental asylum patient (in a good way)! There are also some great options on the menu - the meatballs appetizer was very good. However, there are many parts of the experience that could be improved for this kind of restaurant. We came at 6 PM for a reservation and the restaurant was already full. Throughout our meal I found it difficult to call for service since there were so many people and so few staff - just one person handling the bar, payments, and a lot of the food as well. Our pasta dishes were below expectations. We had the casarecce and cacio e Pepe. The cacio e Pepe felt under seasoned - it was only creamy with not much savory taste at all, almost watery. The casarecce was better but still felt a little under salted. The actual pasta noodles were made quite well though - for fresh pasta, they were cooked not too soft and a great texture different from normal dried pastas. Logistically, it was quite difficult to find parking. Pretty much only street parking and paid lots nearby. For the price and location, I expected a little more. In a city with so many incredible Italian options, not sure this spot stands out. Maybe I'll be back in the future, but I won't be planning for it. read more

Mona Pasta Bar - Casarecce Cacio e Pepe - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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We had an exceptional experience here. The service was impeccable and the ambiance was simply lovely. The pasta was absolutely delicious. We visited this restaurant as part of a stop on the Red Dining Book food guide, and it certainly lived up to the hype. read more

Mona Pasta Bar - Cacio e Pepe - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Have you ever wanted to have dinner on the set of a bathroom from the 1980s world of American Psycho? If so, this is the level of tile, reflective surfaces, red light, and (volume of) retro lounge music for you. All pasta dishes were cooked competently, but nothing I would crave going back for in the future. The calamari was surprisingly spicy - more than my preferred level, so I'd skip that next time. The Caesar salad was quite nice. TONS of cheese. Same with the brussel sprouts, which we enjoyed. This place is definitely about the vibe and the proximity to other activities downtown. It was a busy Thursday night when we were there. It was somewhat cramped and difficult to get around inside, and service was a little slow due to the busy-ness. Wait staff was friendly and made good suggestions! read more

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Me and my friends visited for a girls night and loved this place!! We had a reservation for a Friday night for 6 people. It wasn't busy at all and we stayed until close LOL. The staff was really nice. It's a cute restaurant, has pink decor everywhere. It's pretty small and parking is tough! I ordered the pomodoro pasta, it's not on the menu. Its a great dish, very balanced and not too heavy :) We also ordered a few bottles to share with the table. Everyone loved their dishes-- I wasn't able to try them all, but it was the perfect vibe for our group to catch up! read more

Mona Pasta Bar - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

A small restaurant that reminds me of cozy spots in New York. I came with a small group for dinner, which gave us the chance to try several starters--we especially enjoyed the BABY ARTICHOKES, CALAMARI FRITTI, and the MEATBALLS. For my main, I had the LUMACHE ALLA VODKA. I'll definitely be back to try more of their pastas. ENJOY! PS: It's mostly metered parking and got lucky going the next block over. read more

I really do not have much to add but can attest that the pappardelle bolognese is amazing!! Mona gets it every time! read more

Mona Pasta Bar - Calamari fritti, meatballs, pappardelle bolognese - so good!!! - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

We came in on a rainy Saturday night. It's a tiny place. Very intimate. You have bar seating and a couple of tables. The staff was very friendly and helpful. We didn't feel judged for ordering half the menu. The Crudo was delicious. Absolutely would get it again. The Brussels sprouts were also absolutely delicious. Would absolutely get those again. The Caesar Salad was good, the calamari was good, I loved the chili they put on it. The steak was delicious. It comes on a spread of pesto, and a whole side of onion rings. It was a delicious surprise. The vodka pasta was absolutely delicious as well. And the wine! The wine selection was great. The Gamay, the Syrah and the chilled red were all tasty. And I forgot about the tiramisu! It's a boozy tiramisu. I love that. Definitely coming back. And would definitely recommend. read more

This tiny restaurant is a rare gem in Downtown LA. When you walk by, it looks so dark that you might think it's closed, but it's open! Service is great - our waitress was quick and attentive and the food came out fairly quickly. The pastas were cooked amazing, and the wines were quite good! Parking as usual is a pain in dtla but there's a paid expensive structure right across the street and it's really well worth a visit read more

Wow, wow, wow! Delicious food. The calamari was so light and crispy, the cheese plate was excellent, pasta and salad perfectly prepared and portioned. Perfect location next to the Orpheum Theater, great for a date night or dinner with friends. read more

Great food, cozy restaurant, amazing service. We had one dinner in LA and was so happy to have had it here. Highly recommended.

Mona pasta bar is cute and the food is delicious. I tried the Branzino and it was perfection. I also had some pasta that was also delicious. The service is impeccable too. This is a really small spot. I'm not sure how much people it can fit not more than 50 I think but it is a great place for pasta and the wine was very good too. The prices were reasonable. Will definitely return. read more

Super delicious!!! 10/10 recommend this place and the service is amazing. Such sweet people with a New York vibe. read more

Mona Pasta Bar - Baby artichokes - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Service was great and the ambiance was amazing. I feel like it's based on personal preference, so I personally really liked the dim lighting and enjoyed my time with my friends. For appetizers we had the cesar salad which was amazing, and the meatballs which tasted great, but the portion was very small for a table of 4. The pastas were honestly okay, we all got the vongole and the vodka pastas, both were enjoyable but also not the best pastas we've ever had. We also had a tiramisu at the end which was delicious! read more

Mona Pasta Bar - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I went into this restaurant on a weeknight and was seated immediately. It's a bit dark in there and wasn't loud so you could definitely have more of a romantic date vibe with conversation. The service itself was fine. Our waiter was attentive and the food came out pretty fast. It's not my favorite but pasta place in DTLA nor I would say the top three but I could see coming to this restaurant frequently if you're a local. read more

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Probably one of my favorite meals in recent memory. We were just walking by and the cozy atmosphere and dim lighting pulled us in. The calamari was great. The caesar salad was great as well, although I do wish it was chopped just so the flavors were distributed better. We each ordered a pasta and it was difficult to choose, I wanted to try each one! However I feel I chose right for my first time. The pasta texture was so perfect and the flavor to die for. The meat was incredibly tender. We raved about it the whole walk home! I had a glass of white and my bf two glasses of a red, both recommendations of the server who was pleasant and the perfect amount of presence during our meal. We never felt forgotten or bombarded. The tiramisu was so creamy and delicious. Overall I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu! read more

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Great pasta. Menu is a bit hard to understand though. Wine selection was missing some non-dry reds in my opinion but maybe I just wasn't fancy enough to understand. read more

OMG!! we came here before the Angus and Julia Stone concert (around the corner from the Orpheum Theatre) the last Saturday in June and what a cozy little joint this place is! We sat at the bar Service was spot on, my wine was delicious (a Chenin Blanc) and the Bolognese Pappardelle was mouthwateringly good! The wine list consist of natural wines. Such a chill vibe in here but we were early in our reservations so keeping that in mind I'd say it might get busier the later the hour. Also be aware they do NOT take cash for payment of your meal. They do, of course for tips just not for the meal. Not a lot of room in here so don't come with the thought of a romantic dinner for two where you can whisper sweet-nothings to one another without someone else overhearing hahaha. Parking lot was well lit behind the building, it is shared with the Theater. Respectfully Reviewed. read more

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We went on a Sunday night and it was surprisingly empty. The service was great, but the staff is small as the space is small as well. However, the server was attentive and the food came out timely. We ordered the burrata, cacio e pipe, filet mignon, calamari, and meatballs. All were pretty good but some better than others of course. The burrata with tomatoes were so delicious and I am not a tomatoe fan, but the dish was so cohesive with the dollops of pesto and sprinkling of sea salt. The cacio e pepe was delicious as well and very cheesy, so be prepared. The bucatini was the perfect texture and just the right amount of chew to hold the sauce. Everything else ordered was good, but those were my top picks. read more

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We had dinner with a group of four and everyone loved the appetizers and their pasta selections. Some of the very best pasta and sauces I've had. We went early and it wasn't crowded until we left so be sure and make a reservation. read more

This spot is a vibe! Really simple, yet aesthetically pleasing interior... I think the candle lighting, pink walls, and mirrors make the place feel perfect for a date night. The food feels the same way. I shared the crudo, Spaghetti Alla Vongole, and branzino with my date. The crudo was pretty unique with a beet vinaigrette that I enjoyed -- def recommend getting the bread add on. My favorite was the Vongole tho, the clams were delicious with the garlic pieces. Service was fine. We went like 30 mins before the kitchen closed so not a big rush! read more

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Mona is a little pasta bar I came across that I tried last week. First impression was the music, very fun and energetic for a late night dinner! Second, small but cozy spot with terrible parking lol (we ended up spending $15 each) Now for the food, we ordered some apps. the raw fish, the artichokes and the Brussels sprouts. The artichokes were a bit dry but honestly still tasted good to me, my friends didn't love them. The Brussels sprouts and crudo were incredible! I'd come back for them. The vodka pasta was okay to me but the clam pasta was a lot better! Service throughout the night was good. It's worth coming by and trying for a date night! read more

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A new pasta bar opened in the neighborhood and we had to check it out. We came in on a Friday night as soon as they opened during their happy hour. The restaurant was really cute with a laidback ambiance. We ordered: - Calamari Fritti - Meatballs - Cheese Board - Pappardelle Bolognese - Olive Oil Cake The calamari was good but can't really mess up on that lol. We enjoyed the meatballs. They were juicy and had a bouncy texture. The cheese board was really good - next time I'd want to add the charcuterie. The olive oil cake was light and the perfect way to end the meal. When we get pasta, we usually order the Pappardelle Bolognese and although this one was cooked well, it wasn't our favorite. Would go back for happy hour! read more

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My husband and I were attending a party nearby and last minute decided to go out for an early dinner. Their online reservation system had good amount of availability and was easy to use. Street parking was also easy but could be because it was a rainy night. When we walked in there was only one person up front so it took several minutes to be seated while the server/host took someone's order. It was awkward just standing right over people waiting since it's such a small space. When we finally were acknowledged, we sat at a table but it ended up being too low for my husband's longer legs plus the stool is the tiniest circle ever. I loved the table but not tall guy approved. We moved to the bar which was much better for him. Cute aesthetic; dim lights with pink walls and candles. Attentive service without feeling overwhelmed with check-ins. Overall, it was a great night out with delicious food. When we ordered, we were surprised the baby artichokes were unavailable. Usually if a dish is out right at the start of service we get told when given the menus. Instead of the artichokes we ordered the brussels spouts and they did not disappoint. Perfect amount of char and sauce to get a crunchy tasty bite without being soggy or too dry. We also ordered the fried potatoes as an appetizer. I think they were the highlight of the meal. Each bite was bursting with so much flavor and texture that my entrée left me disappointed. Great layers of crunch on the thick sliced potatoes while they also had soft fluffy insides. The entrées came out a bit too soon, not even halfway into appetizers but thankfully there was plenty of space at the bar. My husband had the bolognese and he really enjoyed it. His pappardelle was cooked perfectly. However, I had the cacio e pepe and my buccatini was too chewy, almost bordering on tough. Cacio e pepe with fresh pasta is my go to dish and try it everywhere I go so I'm being overly critical. It was creamy enough and not bad tasting at all but there was no trace of the salty cheeses or the bite from the pepper that I look for when eating cacio e pepe. I'd skip it next time. We finished with the tiramisu and all was right in the world for a few minutes. It was velvety and rich with a boozy punch that made you want another bite. I'd come back for just appetizers and dessert. read more

Took a date out to this place and it was great. Loved the wine and pasta and even better, so did she. I won't say that Mona Pasta Bar will get you to bring your date home after, but I will say it sure won't help! Lovely. read more

A small cozy cafe type spot in DTLA that has a minimalist vibe and menu (which I really appreciate). What they lack in menu size, they make up for it in the delicious offerings in shareable bites and pastas. A group of friends and me were in the area checking out a new brewery and wanted to grab dinner. This came up when looking, so we just walked in on a Friday night with no reservations. We were seated right away and our server was very friendly and helpful. As a group, we ordered some meatballs and baby artichokes to start. Both were very delicious and perfect for sharing. For the pastas, we ordered the bucatini cacio e pepe, lumache - alla vodka, and pappardelle bolognese, all to share. I thought all the pasta was cooked perfectly with great texture and flavors from the sauces. Just an all around really enjoyable meal with amazing food. Definitely a great spot if you want a quality meal with great starters, pasta, and the larger dishes (we didn't get any on our visit), without breaking the bank. Parking could be tough since it's in a slightly busier area of DTLA. Also, their bathroom is cool. I thought I was in a scene of a David Lynch project. Hopefully my doppelganger wasn't going to come out of the mirror and replace me for about 20 years, haha. read more

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Had a lovely self date here. Pasta was awesome though the vongole felt a bit oily for me but alright. When the service was slow, the owner gave me a side dish of olives out of courtesy. Would recommend read more

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Spent our nye dinner at Mona, they had a prix fixe dinner menu for $70/person which I thought was quite reasonable. The restaurant is slightly small and the seating in the front of the restaurant is cramped (counter seating) but i guess some people will consider it cozy. We were given a glass of Prosecco on the house. Prix fixe menu included appetizer, salad, main, and dessert. Between the two of us we tried burrata and tomato, Cesar salad, brussel sprouts, bucatini, bolognese, olive oil cake and tiramisu. We also tried their meatballs which were pretty good. Pasta had good chew. Portions were decent and I felt full when we left (could just be all the cheese and butter). The prix fixe menu was a great deal and the food was great. I think for a normal dinner, Mona would be great too. We'll be back. read more

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Came here for Dine LA with 3 friends. Lumache alla vodka - best pasta, I would order this again. Paparadelle - I would have liked more red sauce but the tast was still good. Artichoke - Fried perfectly. Cacio e Pepe - Okay, not bad but not great. Olive Oil Cake & Tiramisu - Delicious and a must get! All the pastas tasted delicious, the salads were also good, especially the little gem salad which was my favorite! The desserts were also perfectly sweet. I would come back again. total bill was $360 for 4 people. read more

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Small little Italian gem in DTLA. We went last night without a reservation. The place was completely booked up for the evening. However, Amy searched the computer and found two seats for us. Amy's back-up staff arrived late due to a traffic accident, but Amy remained calm, with a smile, while delivering excellent service to us and all the other customers that quickly filled the restaurant. The food was delicious. We had the meatballs, Cesar salad, and brussel sprouts. Everything was delicious and service was spectacular. Thank you, Amy, for a great experience. read more

First thing you need to know is that there is no parking lot or valet for the restaurant. So, plan your time accordingly- there are pay lots available on both Main/Olympic and 9th/Broadway. Mona sits on 9th between Broadway and Main- it's a small shop, so don't overshoot it! The maze of one-way streets downtown will cause you to miss your reservation (like I almost did!). We arrived a bit late due to getting lost/parking and nearly lost our reservation. Tables are few, and the restaurant is small- a reservation is CRITICAL! The staff was understanding and accommodating once we arrived (I called in advance to let them know we were lost). My two friends and I were seated at the bar. This arrangement, in combination with the Afro-beats playing through the speakers made any substantial conversation near impossible, but the vibes in the space made up for it. Our server allowed us to taste several wines before choosing our full glasses, which I appreciated- I didn't find one I loved until the 4th taster. For appetizers, we ordered the crudo and calamari. The calamari overall had good flavor, but was a bit salty for my liking. The crudo, on the other hand, was gorgeous. Deliciously fresh fish, in a ln equally yummy and tangy citrus vinaigrette was amazing- it's served with a crusty side of bread to sop up the juice. Our entrees selected were the Spaghetti, Pappardelle, and Casarecce. My friends and thoroughly enjoyed the spaghetti and pappardelle, but I was regrettably less pleased by the Casarecce. I generally LOVE lamb, but the lamb sausage used in this dish was a bit overpowering for me. It's a different, acquired flavor, but just wasn't for me. Our server, noticing I'd not really touched my meal much, offered a replacement dish for me. I reluctantly accepted (I don't typically send food back and really felt bad)- I chose the pappardelle bolognese and BOYYYY am I glad I did! It was glorious. Would definitely return when back in DTLA and recommend to others as well. 1/2 read more

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I've been wanting to come here since the restaurant opened. I can't believe it took this long to try it. This is a very intimate restaurant which reminds me of a small bistro. People were having drinks and enjoying happy hour at the counter, going outside for cigarettes...I really missed this vibe! It can get a bit loud, so go early if you prefer quiet dining. And a reservation is a must. For non-DTLA residents, It's almost impossible to find a parking spot in this neighborhood so Uber here or park at a nearby parking lot. The service was good! Wines were good (very reasonable price)! Appetizers were good. The pasta was good. I will probably order Burrata & Tomato instead of Caesar salad next time. Overall everything was "good"! I hope my "good" can convince you to try this place :-) read more

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HOW does this place not have more reviews? I've been once and already want to come back for more! My friend and I just saw a show at the Orpheum and stumbled upon this darling place that's literally a 2 minute walk from the Orpheum! It's a prime location with lots of parking lots & street parking to choose from. I ordered the Lumache Pasta (the vodka sauce one) and it was literally heaven on a plate! Be aware that this sauce is not vegetarian, they mix prosciutto into the sauce to give richness to the pasta sauce. I'm not a vegetarian or vegan but I was worried that maybe the prosciutto was going to make it salty but it didn't at all! In fact, it balanced the flavors in the sauce fantastically! My friend ordered the Pappardelle Bolognese which was tasty but be careful, it's hearty! I love a place that gives good portions of food and Mona's is one of those places! I loved the quaint ambience with the tea light candles and the modern Italian kitchen aesthetic. We opted to sit at the bar instead of a table. Not to mention the stellar service from Sarah! Her kind demeanor and helpful suggestions really made our night special! She's a delight! We didn't save room for dessert, but we ordered dessert anyway (we couldn't resist!). We got their olive oil cake which was so delicious! A must-try! All in all, this place just fueled my urge to travel to Italy! Definitely check them out! read more

Mona Pasta Bar - Lumache Pasta (vodka sauce) - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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My colorist told me about Mona Pasta Bar, so I knew I had to check it out. I made a reservation via OpenTable just because I knew it was a smaller restaurant. Ambiance is cozy, casual, but also romantic with candles at each table. I believe HH is all night as well (ordered beer and prosecco for discounted price). + Charcuterie & cheese board 5/5: Visually pleasing! I really enjoyed the toast and thought everything on the board tasted great together. My fav were the brie, honeycomb, and sliced apple. + Cacio e Pepe 5/5: Wow, al dente bucatini with the creamiest black pepper sauce. I inhaled this pasta dish lol. + Lumache 5/5: Tomato sauce was fresh and had a tiny kick. So flavorful! + Tiramisu 5/5: One of the better tiramisu I've had. It's not ridiculously sweet nor bitter. Good balance. It's been a while since I liked everything I ordered at a single restaurant. Mona Pasta Bar was a wonderful experience for me and I can't wait to come back to try more dishes in the future! read more

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A very welcome addition to the neighborhood. Cute, cozy. Menu is simple but solid. Have been meaning to stop by and check it out and finally had a chance to Friday night after an errand at the nearby Apple Store. I was the first person in the joint just after 5pm when they opened and was immediately, warmly welcomed by the opening bartender. Didn't catch her name but she was great/friendly. I'd say an hour or so in was when the place started really filling up. It's a small space, but works. Start to finish, my dinner was delicious and exactly what I was seeking for a solo night out when I was craving Italian. Happy Hour is from 5-7pm and quite generous in terms of portions (which are the same as their regular menu but several dollars off) and pours ($10). I loved both the white and orange choices. The orange was particularly special as sometimes the 'funk' is quite pronounced but not the case with what choice they had here. Meatballs were delicious, as were the lumanche pasta and tiramisu (loved the slight crunchy texture of this, different than what I've been used to). All in all a great experience- only call-out was I definitely felt rushed at the end when, just a couple of bites of dessert in, the check was dropped in front of me and the man next to me was asked to move to the his left. Clearly they were planning to seat a duo at the end of the bar where we were at. I wasn't the lingering type but did put down my spoon halfway through my dessert, partially because I lost the rest of my appetite but also knowing it was time to call it a night anyway. read more

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Went here for a happy hour with some colleagues and was so pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed our experience. The server was very knowledgeable on all the wines and recommended some delicious ones based on our palate preferences. I had the Elvio Tintero Bianco, and it was the perfect crisp, refreshing white blend for the warm spring evening. If you're an orange wine lover, they have a wide variety to choose from. We tried all 4 of their happy hour foods: fried artichokes, cheese board, meatballs, and calamari. We also tried two pastas: spaghetti alle vongole and lumache alla vodka. Everything we ordered was delicious. I highly recommend this spot for an upscale happy hour or date night. It's a small space, so I recommend getting there early or making a reservation. The size and ambiance of the restaurant made for a cozy, intimate dining experience that we highly enjoyed. read more

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Had dinner here on a Wednesday night so finding street parking in downtown was not as hard as it would be on the weekend. Loved the lighting inside. Nice and dim, not too many tables but because of the small size of the restaurant it's understandable. The stools at the tables are super uncomfortable and if their goal is to get you in and out, then they've achieved it! There were four people in our party and we ordered two apps and two pasta dishes. All were very tasty and delicious. My only complaint was the bottle of wine we added to our order. Our first choice was not available so we went with a sparkling red. It was way to vinegary for me so just beware. Overall nice experience! read more

Mona Pasta Bar - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Food is amazing here. Their salad is great and pastas are delicious! Their beer tends to be out of stock often for some reason. However, they have a nice selection of wines. read more

We came by on a Saturday night with an 8:45pm reservation. Our server, Sarah, was amazing! I wish I would have listened to her rec and tried the Lumache alla vodka, but the Casarecce was still delicious! The bolognese was to dieeee for! Definitely the highlight. The lowlight was the broccolini. It was so bitter and honestly nasty, we had to send it back. However they were so nice about it and swapped it for the potatoes, which were yummy! Such a little gem in DTLA, we will be back. read more

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