We arrived for our dinner reservation with our entourage of 8 people, and were seated immediately at a square table which was very conducive to conversation and dining. Our hostess climbed a chair to take a great "aerial" picture of our group. Our server was very attentive and our appetizers, dinners, and desserts were very good! It saddens me to see poor reviews on this site as our experience was very, very good. Thank you Mona Lisa staff for making our celebration special!
Tom S
Mona Lisa's used to be the pinnacle of fine dining in Eau Claire. In my opinion that is not the case any more. While our waiter was exceptional, the food was bland and mediocre at best. I could definitely re-create our meals at home and they would have been better. We had the crispy Brussel spouts which was a generous portion. My husband had the carbonara and I had the Merlot beef. Very little pork belly in his, and my beef was chewy and poor quality. We were very disappointed that they do not offer bread or a sprinkle of parmesan cheese for our entrées. They do not even have S/P on the tables and you must ask for it. They atmosphere which used to feel trendy and upscale is now feeling dated and worn out. For the prices, which are expensive,(expect 25.00+ for pasta) you can get a much better meal elsewhere in the Eau Claire area.
AbbyBDabby
Generally, I really like Mona’s. Our table had very good meals. I have been there many times and usually get the pasta Rockefeller with scallops. I did the same this time but the scallops were very small, not the large scallops that I love. This was very disappointing. Also had to pay for Parmesan cheese, not to mention the pay for bread that has been in place for some time. The restaurant is very busy so perhaps these are fine for most customers. I found it to be off-putting, especially with the overall bill and good tip we left.
Wisconsinistoocold
Server was excellent. Food was good. Serving lukewarm tap water out of a sparkling water bottle with tinfoil used as the cap? Unacceptable. Tacky, not trendy.
624candacek
Almost 2 hours to get a small pizza and garlic bread delivered! Seriously? I called after an hour and 20 minutes and they said the delivery person just left. I was originally told 50 minutes. I live 10 minutes away. 20 minutes later it finally came. When I asked what took so long, he said they were busy. I rarely get pizza and almost never get delivery This is certainly the last time from this place.
gregoryb66
My wife and another couple had dinner on Thursday and it was sensational. We were seated immediately and our server was excellent. The Braised Ribs I had were probably the most tender and tasty version of ribs I've had in my life. The sides were perfect. All 4 of us agreed it was a sensational dinner and we've eaten at Mona's many times over the years. I'm glad this Eau Claire staple still delivers such a wonderful experience! Thank you.
nograss
We had a reservation for a Friday night. The host sat us down and we gave the waitress our order. We as well as almost everyone in the dining room waited an hour and a half for our food. We were told that the kitchen was prioritizing take out orders over dining room orders. There was absolutely no indication that anyone besides our waitress cared about this extremely long wait. This was very disappointing as the food was very good.
Gary D
My husband and I had a lovely, comforting meal. I had the Bolognese with wide noodles and a perfectly poached egg on top; hubby had the merlot beef. Both were scrumptious. Our server was pleasant and solicitous. We had dessert as well - I had a flourless chocolate torte with ice cream and caramel sauce, and my better half had tiramisu. A good time had by all.
Honestreviewec
the food is good but the wait staff and manager really seem to struggle with bringing out apps first. In fact we got some meals correct and other wrong. They brought out apps with the bill long after everyone was finished. There are better restaurants with a lot better service. The manager mad fun of the wait staff and it was a poor experience.
17mauricek
Fillet steak ordered rare was sublime. Served with puree and a few green beans - the presentation was as good as it gets. Now the downside. No pepper grinder - in an expensive high class restaurant I will dine there again but won't forget to bring a pepper grinder. I was given a small pepper shaker. Not acceptable for fillet steak
If your looking for an economical dining experience, there may be better places. If really good food, friendly staff, and a nice setting are on your list, check out Eau Claire, Wisconsin’s Mona Lisa’s. Our server was very patient and willing to do whatever he could to make our visit as pleasant as possible. All parts of the food and drinks were exceptional; very flavorful and delightful. I have no hesitancy in recommending this restaurant to others.
941daver
Reading the recent crabby reviews, we were wearing masks when we arrived and were ready & happy to show our vaccination cards, but it looks like that time has passed and it was no longer required. We come to Eau Claire once a year for the sculpture tour, but Mona Lisa's is a close second reason for our annual visit. The food is phenomenal every time. We only have time for one dinner a per visit, but we look forward to it all year long.
IHGSH
Consistently amazing! We’ve been dining at Mona’s since the mid ‘90s and have enjoyed outstanding service, food, and drinks every single time. Lisa is always friendly and goes above and beyond, and the ambiance is second to none. You literally cannot go wrong with anything on the menu! There’s really nothing like it in Eau Claire. Lisa handled the pandemic so well, we were able to feel comfortable dining in, and the carry-out option was much appreciated. Anti-maskers/vaxxers leaving negative reviews are just ridiculous, you’re not missed…Mona’s is even more enjoyable without you and your negativity. I highly, highly recommend this restaurant!
cyclonefan53
Owner is extremely rude. I was refused service because I refused to show my vaccine card. It’s her restaurant and her right to discriminate against people who do not feel a restaurant should be checking a persons private medical records. But it is still discrimination! There are a lot of great restaurants in town! Don’t waste your time at Mona Lisa’s.
Freese3
I was so excited to meet some friends for dinner here, I heard great reviews about the food. It was very unfortunate that the owner decided to require a vaccination card to dine at her establishment. I guess she can choose to discriminate against people that choose to be non-vaccinated, just like I can choose to never go back there again. No desire to ever go to a place so anti-American! The place was literally empty. So I’m sure I’m not the only one. I guess if I read the reviews ahead of time I would have know the owner was a nut job!
We arrived for our dinner reservation with our entourage of 8 people, and were seated immediately at a square table which was very conducive to conversation and dining. Our hostess climbed a chair to take a great "aerial" picture of our group. Our server was very attentive and our appetizers, dinners, and desserts were very good! It saddens me to see poor reviews on this site as our experience was very, very good. Thank you Mona Lisa staff for making our celebration special!
Mona Lisa's used to be the pinnacle of fine dining in Eau Claire. In my opinion that is not the case any more. While our waiter was exceptional, the food was bland and mediocre at best. I could definitely re-create our meals at home and they would have been better. We had the crispy Brussel spouts which was a generous portion. My husband had the carbonara and I had the Merlot beef. Very little pork belly in his, and my beef was chewy and poor quality. We were very disappointed that they do not offer bread or a sprinkle of parmesan cheese for our entrées. They do not even have S/P on the tables and you must ask for it. They atmosphere which used to feel trendy and upscale is now feeling dated and worn out. For the prices, which are expensive,(expect 25.00+ for pasta) you can get a much better meal elsewhere in the Eau Claire area.
Generally, I really like Mona’s. Our table had very good meals. I have been there many times and usually get the pasta Rockefeller with scallops. I did the same this time but the scallops were very small, not the large scallops that I love. This was very disappointing. Also had to pay for Parmesan cheese, not to mention the pay for bread that has been in place for some time. The restaurant is very busy so perhaps these are fine for most customers. I found it to be off-putting, especially with the overall bill and good tip we left.
Server was excellent. Food was good. Serving lukewarm tap water out of a sparkling water bottle with tinfoil used as the cap? Unacceptable. Tacky, not trendy.
Almost 2 hours to get a small pizza and garlic bread delivered! Seriously? I called after an hour and 20 minutes and they said the delivery person just left. I was originally told 50 minutes. I live 10 minutes away. 20 minutes later it finally came. When I asked what took so long, he said they were busy. I rarely get pizza and almost never get delivery This is certainly the last time from this place.
My wife and another couple had dinner on Thursday and it was sensational. We were seated immediately and our server was excellent. The Braised Ribs I had were probably the most tender and tasty version of ribs I've had in my life. The sides were perfect. All 4 of us agreed it was a sensational dinner and we've eaten at Mona's many times over the years. I'm glad this Eau Claire staple still delivers such a wonderful experience! Thank you.
We had a reservation for a Friday night. The host sat us down and we gave the waitress our order. We as well as almost everyone in the dining room waited an hour and a half for our food. We were told that the kitchen was prioritizing take out orders over dining room orders. There was absolutely no indication that anyone besides our waitress cared about this extremely long wait. This was very disappointing as the food was very good.
My husband and I had a lovely, comforting meal. I had the Bolognese with wide noodles and a perfectly poached egg on top; hubby had the merlot beef. Both were scrumptious. Our server was pleasant and solicitous. We had dessert as well - I had a flourless chocolate torte with ice cream and caramel sauce, and my better half had tiramisu. A good time had by all.
the food is good but the wait staff and manager really seem to struggle with bringing out apps first. In fact we got some meals correct and other wrong. They brought out apps with the bill long after everyone was finished. There are better restaurants with a lot better service. The manager mad fun of the wait staff and it was a poor experience.
Fillet steak ordered rare was sublime. Served with puree and a few green beans - the presentation was as good as it gets. Now the downside. No pepper grinder - in an expensive high class restaurant I will dine there again but won't forget to bring a pepper grinder. I was given a small pepper shaker. Not acceptable for fillet steak
Restaurantji Recommends
If your looking for an economical dining experience, there may be better places. If really good food, friendly staff, and a nice setting are on your list, check out Eau Claire, Wisconsin’s Mona Lisa’s. Our server was very patient and willing to do whatever he could to make our visit as pleasant as possible. All parts of the food and drinks were exceptional; very flavorful and delightful. I have no hesitancy in recommending this restaurant to others.
Reading the recent crabby reviews, we were wearing masks when we arrived and were ready & happy to show our vaccination cards, but it looks like that time has passed and it was no longer required. We come to Eau Claire once a year for the sculpture tour, but Mona Lisa's is a close second reason for our annual visit. The food is phenomenal every time. We only have time for one dinner a per visit, but we look forward to it all year long.
Consistently amazing! We’ve been dining at Mona’s since the mid ‘90s and have enjoyed outstanding service, food, and drinks every single time. Lisa is always friendly and goes above and beyond, and the ambiance is second to none. You literally cannot go wrong with anything on the menu! There’s really nothing like it in Eau Claire. Lisa handled the pandemic so well, we were able to feel comfortable dining in, and the carry-out option was much appreciated. Anti-maskers/vaxxers leaving negative reviews are just ridiculous, you’re not missed…Mona’s is even more enjoyable without you and your negativity. I highly, highly recommend this restaurant!
Owner is extremely rude. I was refused service because I refused to show my vaccine card. It’s her restaurant and her right to discriminate against people who do not feel a restaurant should be checking a persons private medical records. But it is still discrimination! There are a lot of great restaurants in town! Don’t waste your time at Mona Lisa’s.
I was so excited to meet some friends for dinner here, I heard great reviews about the food. It was very unfortunate that the owner decided to require a vaccination card to dine at her establishment. I guess she can choose to discriminate against people that choose to be non-vaccinated, just like I can choose to never go back there again. No desire to ever go to a place so anti-American! The place was literally empty. So I’m sure I’m not the only one. I guess if I read the reviews ahead of time I would have know the owner was a nut job!