4.5 stars
Mona Lisa…read morePizzeria Ristorante catered my friend's birthday party, and I was so impressed with their preparation and presentation of their food! In fact, I could not stop refilling my plate, and I was not alone in that struggle; everyone was raving about the dishes.
First, there were rolls that were essentially garlic knots without the oil or garlic. However, they were fine as they were, given that they had a golden brown, lightly crispy crust and a soft, doughy interior. There was also a massive round platter of their mixed salad, which included a base of spring greens topped with cucumbers, tomatoes, black and green olives, pickled carrots, and roasted peppers. I love all of those ingredients, and I prefer heavy toppings on my salads, so I was thrilled. However, on top of all of those vegetables was a mountain of raw red onion slices, which I had to delicately avoid. The last thing anyone would want at a party was strong onion breath, and I am not a fan of onions in even the most private of circumstances. Regardless, it was a creative salad that was much more interesting than others you would typically find at a casual pizzeria.
In terms of the main courses, there was a large tray of each of three diverse items. The Penne alla Vodka contained pasta that was cooked to the perfect balance of firmness and softness, while the sauce was deliciously creamy and tangy without being over-the-top rich. The Chicken alla Marsala did not come with many mushrooms, but the poultry had been pounded thin, lightly breaded, and served in a robust wine sauce. The chicken was tender, moist, and tasty. Lastly, the Eggplant Parmigiana was incredible! The eggplant was sliced very thin, which was great because it minimized the eggplant chew factor that can sometimes causes issues for the diner when the slices are too thick or have gooey skin. However, this also meant that the breading was prominent in each bite. That concept might annoy diehard eggplant fans, but because the marinara sauce was sweet and well-seasoned and the cheese was flavorful, I loved how it all came together.
When I was preparing to write this review, I looked at Mona Lisa's website and saw how vast their menu was, including a slew of interesting pizzas and pastas. So, I will definitely need to visit in-person to try some of their other delectable items.