Mona's Bistro and Lounge

02/08/09

It's changed

by rothermelgirl at Citysearch

I live in the neighborhood and have been going to Mona's for years, and unfortunately it's changed recently. The food is just as good, or better, than it ever was, and the place generally looks and feels the same, but something has changed. It's probably the non-stop DJ music that makes it most unpleasant these days, as a spot to meet with friends and talk (note the "quiet" on the list of amenities; not the case anymore unless you happen to catch the place while it's dead). Also, strangely, while the food has remained on par, the food service has gone a bit lax, which takes away from the whole experience. We used to go there twice a week; not so much anymore.

11/26/08

disappointing service

by tmcamg at Citysearch

My boyfriend loves this restaurant and has been raving about it since the day we met so we decided to go for dinner on Saturday night. It was a pleasant night and not too busy. the restaurant was nice and small, nice ambience.

The service however, was a bit disappointing. We were told the specials for the night and after we ordered one of each (pork and guinea hen), we were told they were completely out of the pork and that we should order something else. (Why tell me the special if there is none? It gets us excited for nothing!) We were a bit disappointed but nevertheless, ordered something else. The food took a while to get to us, so we had a fantastic butter rum drink. When we ordered a second one (while still waiting for our food), it never came until we reminded the staff 20 minutes later. It finally came in the middle of our meal.

The food was good, I'll tell you that. After we were through, we asked for a box (leftover hen and risotto) and the server was kind enough to offer to box it for us. When we got home, we realized that all she boxed up was the risotto - she threw away an entire untouched half of the guinea hen dish! That was money simply wasted!

The food was great, the drinks were incredible and the server was very nice but all in all, I was just a bit disappointed in the overall service. I probably won't be going back.

• Pros: Food tasted awesome
• Cons: Service was poor, food took too long

04/01/08

A little pricey if you ask me

by espelund at Citysearch

I decided to take my girlfriend here for an anniversary dinner based on the reviews and its recommendation as a great date spot. They were pretty much dead on a Monday night. Our server seated us in the picture window by the door, presumably to show passersby outside that people actually dine there. I have no problem being used as a marketing ploy, but the big picture window and adjacent door made the space a little drafty. I should have asked to be moved to one of the dark corner tables. The space has a nice warm glow to it, but the bar in the middle of the room takes away from the mood. I would say it is a good friendly first date spot, but have a hard time calling any restaurant "romantic" when a television is in plane view from my table. Our server was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. He even brought out three different wines for my girlfriend to sample when she asked him for a recommended sweet red. For appetizers she ordered the cheese flight, which was very tasty and included homemade crackers with a touch of honey, a fig compote, roasted nuts and three cheeses (one of which somehow tasted exactly the way a farm smells, if you're into that sort of thing), I had the arugula salad, which was good, albeit it extremely oily, even for me. For our entrees I ordered the lamb shank. I'm not a huge lamb fan really, but I found it to be tasty. My lady had a seasonal dish: cheese and pea stuffed ravioli with asparagus. I found it to be very tasty, but it could have used a few more ravioli for the price. Both entrees were also a bit oily, which seems to be a theme at Mona's. Total cost of the meal (which also included one glass of wine and one very reasonably priced beer) was $103 with 20% gratuity. I would recommend going in for drinks and apps or maybe wine and desert (we didn't get any, but it sounded very good), I thought the entrees were a little prices for what you got. Also, a very small selection on all menu items.

03/05/08

Failed on all levels

by yumyum77 at Citysearch

We go out twice a week to Seattle restaurants with a mission to try every bistro in town. Our evening at Mona's was 2 hours 45 minutes of life gone and never to return. Waited 5 full minutes for anyone to speak to us at the door. This next part I swear is true - after being seated it was around 20 minutes before anyone spoke to us. That doesn't sound like a lot, but it is absurdly long -a Seattle record. The server acted like she had done us a favor so we could "get familiar with the menu." We made the wrong decision of just ordering appetizers and drinks when she finally came. After the apps and drinks came (another 20 minutes) we ordered our mains. Please note this is a "cozy, neighborhood bistro," which sounds to me like you should be able to enjoy a full course meal and drinks in no more than 90 relaxed minutes. Please note we left this place almost 3 hours after arriving. After we were finished with our salad (very good with arugula and a slice of cheese) and oysters (average) we waited 40 minutes for the mains. When my "lobster" ravioli arrived - $28 - I was over halfway through when I wondered aloud if I had been given the proper dish - no lobster to be found anywhere. 5 raviolis = $28 and one decent lobster bite in the last one. An entire evening gone - there was going to be a movie later...

• Pros: If everything else on the planet is closed
• Cons: service, lobster ravioli, service

03/05/08

Great Date Spot

by onemoretime33 at Citysearch

I took my girlfriend out to Mona's last Friday night for our weekly date night. When we arrived (around 6:30pm) the lounge and dining room were already busy, but we were greeted immediately, and we fortunately were able to get a table. Their wine list looked pretty extensive, but we decided on cocktails that night. The martini was one of the best I've had in a while. The food was excellent, too. You HAVE to try the arugula salad. They drizzle truffled honey over it, and the slice of goat cheese over the top was to die for! All in all I'd say we had a great experience at Mona's. Since we went in on a Friday, it was a little loud, although still relaxed. If you're looking for something quiet, maybe earlier in the week would be better.

• Pros: Ambience, Service, Food