anyone stating this is good Italian, then they don't know good Italian. Im a Italian and there is no good Italian in town. Or BBQ for that matter. I seriously question the taste buds of the people with these rave reviews. I mean the food is decent for what's in town but SOOOOOO over priced. And no, I find their polices pathetic to. I don't find myself missing anything since our last visit over 2 years ago. Can't/won't go back. read more

Awful service, awful food. Our waiter arrived 15 minutes after sitting down. There wasn't anyone else in the restaurant. Looked high, and without any apology, "memorized" our order. The food was room temp and weirdly wet. No flavor and we noticed as we complained openly, the owner began hovering around our table. Just weird and awful. No thanks! read more

The bourbon scallops are the absolute best!! We had a great server and enjoyed the evening.

I want to break down this review in sections for clarity and for those who froth at the mouth to read/write scathing reviews because they feel they have the power behind their keyboard (aka: keyboard warriors) and take joy is destroying a business because their ice was too cold or their hot sauce too hot. Quality of food: Always top notch. Every time we've eaten here the food has tasted amazing. I've never had bad tasting food here. Cleanliness: Restaurant, bar, front of house and bathrooms have always been clean and highly presentable. Cost of entrees: For this style of restaurant and quality of food provided, the pricing of each dish is appropriate. Service: This is partly why I gave 3-stars. The restaurant was mostly empty. I believe there were perhaps 3 other couples present when we arrived. It took quite awhile before the waitress arrived at our table. Let me add a caveat that I worked as a waiter many years ago (dishwasher, waiter, cook, supervisor, etc) and always empathize with all who work in the service industry. Waitress was friendly but in no rush to provide us with service. She spent a lot of time meandering about, making small talk with existing customers and returning to the back before asking about our drink order. Since all parties are brought a bottle of water and glasses, there was no check back regarding our beverage situation. When appetizers were dropped off, they were dropped quickly and the waitress once again disappeared in the back. This waitress wasn't the only waitress so as people came in, they were seated in other sections so quantity of diners didn't increase for our waitress. She didn't seem motivated to create a relationship with her customers or work too hard to ensure our experience was a good one. I don't want to believe that she was lazy or bad at her job, just that I don't think she had the incentive to motivate her to provide pristine service. What do I mean? Written clearly on the website, was the notice that an 18% add-on charge for every check was going to be implemented to compensate staff for the impact of covid-19 and its impact to the service industry. Now, that be I said, I want to add that we specifically dined at this establishment to support small business. I understood the menu was reduced and partially appreciated the 18% add on charge to help their staff survive with less customers...however, it felt as if the staff knew, regardless of the level of service or quality of food, or interaction received, the staff would still capitalize on the 18% add on for each tab. I identified that feeling within the first 20 minutes of being there. I made the specific comment to my spouse that staff was gong to receive a good tip regardless of how things play out. I seemed to be correct. The menu was reduced, which I definitely understood because of availability of ingredients, but wished some of the items I really loved would be there. It wasn't but that's okay, because it motivated us to try a couple new appetizers which were phenomenal! Beyond my better judgement and not feeling guilty that the overall service was going to drive me to not tip, and to just walk away knowing the 18% automatically added to the bill was more than gracious for a gratuity after our experience, I toiled inside. The 18% add on (once again, it wasn't a surprise because it was clearly noted in their site description when I checked their status prior to going in for dinner) would have been appropriate but not good enough for us. We are not rich, but we make it a point to give better tips than the average. If the food was bad, we don't punish the waitress. If service was bad, we don't punish the bartender. If drinks were horrible, we don't punish kitchen staff. We left, on a bill that was over $100, giving a %15 tip on top of the already 18% add on to the bill. To summarize: I don't think we will be visiting Mona Lisa until everything levels out with our society and the restaurant industry. Not because of the food, as it's always been fantastic, but because if I bring my spouse to have dinner for a special occasion again and experience the same interaction and increase in add-ons then we wouldn't come back Let me mention again that we really like the food and aesthetics of the restaurant. Reduced menu is understandable but service should always be great. Great service will gift the servers with a large tip, regardless of quality of food. I hope it was just a bad night for this waitress and not the norm or because they know they will be receiving a tip regardless their level of service. read more

Aaaaaaamaaaaazing!!! Love the atmosphere. Love the food and drinks!!! Awesome staff!! Literally have only great experiences here!!

They have a MANDATORY 18% gratuity fee on ALL dining and a MANDATORY 12% gratuity fee on all take out orders. They say to provide a living wage. However, if this was the case then just PAY YOUR EMPLOYEES a living wage. Raise prices accordingly. read more

Snobby weight staff with over priced food and wine pours. And now apparently they charge an 18% gratuity regardless of how serving staff preforms. Seriously? And they don't even tell you ahead of time. Its not posted inside, on menu, or online anywhere. Our server was up selling us on the more expensive wine pours, appetizers, and entrees on top of it (to increase her tip amount no doubt). read more

Going here for the second time. The first time was a couple months ago. The waitstaff were wondering and they were all dressed up! The food was amazing!! read more

Mona Lisa's - Olives, breads, and beats. - Italian Near Me - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

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Favorite restaurant in Eau Claire, hands down. Best food, wide range of options on the menu that is always being updated, great atmosphere for family dinner or a date night. Wine selection is top notch! read more

The place has charm and the service is good. The food itself is very eclectic. I was expecting more simple Italian food with great ingredients but the plates that were served had a lot going on...and not necessarily in a good way. Out of the gnocchi, ravioli with mushrooms and eggplant manicotti, the eggplant was my favorite. I loved the cambozola cheese appetizer and the crispy brussels sprouts too. read more

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Excellent Negroni, and delicious house made pasta entree. Would consider going to Eau Claire just to come back.

Despite our delicious meals and the fun atmosphere of the restaurant, service was sub par. Requests for more water, boxes, and our checks took upwards of 15 minutes each, and appetizer plates were not cleared between courses. As a member of the service industry, and a server that has been working through the COVID-19 pandemic at a high class business that has remained busy, I understand that times are STRESSFUL. We all have bad nights, busy nights, and trouble during these times, but I think that the level of service and communication presented to myself and my party needs some work. We were greeted without a smile front the host stand and felt ignored by the restaurant staff frequently. I appreciate that the servers are being paid a living wage here (because I've been there), but I still expect a certain level of service and attention. read more

We came very close to closing time but they were happy to accommodate us. Our server was a sweetheart and checked on us often. We ordered the salmon and vegetarian paella. Both entrees were delicious and tasted very fresh. We will return. read more

On July 2, party of 5 arrived at 6:58 for a 7:00 reservation. Upon entering the restaurant I proceeded to sanitize my hands & the owner (Lisa) snapped at me because I was within 6ft of another customer that was also at the entrance. Lisa herself was almost next to the other person & not maintaining social distance. I don't know why I made a reservation because we waited an unusually long time to be seated & other people entered & were seated before us. When we were finally seated it was next to the bathrooms. We have been going to this restaurant since the mid 90's & I can assure you this will be our last time dining here as I didn't feel valued as a customer. Our waitress however was excellent & we did tip her on top of the now mandatory 18% service charge added to your bill. We spent over $200 at this restaurant & didn't feel welcome. I would have walked out immediately upon entering had it not been for the fact it's been a tradition that we dine here around the 4th as my children visit from out of town. When our appetizers arrived we had no cutlery to eat with so by the time we got napkins & cutlery appetizers were cold. Food was good, not exceptional & drinks expensive. I'll be taking my business elsewhere where it's appreciated! read more

Great restaurant! Very creative and varied dishes. Super ambience. It is the one restaurant we visit every time we visit Eau Claire.

I have eaten here five times over the past several years. Summary ? - Great atmosphere, good service, food of variable quality, in particular considering the cost. Mona Lisa's is probably the nicest place to go out for dinner in Eau Claire - certainly in the top three. Nice ambiance, attractive decor, well trained wait staff. Certainly a good wine selection, best that I have found in the area. If you want a nice setting for an important dinner out, it is about the best you are going to get here. However..... Yes, it's the food. The food can be very hit or miss. Which is exacerbated by the cost issue. If I am going to drop $300 on dinner and drinks for a group, I would like it to be consistently above average. Nothing should be below average. Yet it always seems like at least one entree deserves a failing grade. I have had meals that are the equal of good places in Minneapolis or Chicago, and I have had meals that are out performed by a decent chain restaurant. I mean not up to the standards of Olive Garden. That is very disappointing. So, you may ask, why do I keep going back? Well, it really is one of the few higher end places in Eau Claire. If you want the service, the ambiance, the quality wait staff, that type of experience for either a business associates dinner or important family event, you can get all those things here pretty consistently. Unfortunately, someone will be disappointed with their food. So for me Mona Lisa's is a four, but down to a three because for the cost, they really should have a more consistent kitchen. read more

Solid menu. Gnocchi, olives, goat cheese app, bread plate, pizza are favorites. Menu doesn't change much, which is my only criticism. Wine list solid for the average drinker as well. read more

Quick and friendly service! The atmosphere and staff are too-notch. The pork sugo is my absolute favorite.

We were driving from Milwaukee to Minneapolis and we found this place quite by accident (on yelp!). We hadn't really had breakfast, or lunch, so we were starving. As New Yorkers, we were a little apprehensive about having italian this far away from new york or chicago, but we were willing to give it a chance. We sat down to to eat just as a storm rolled in. It was a little interesting when someone came out from the kitchen and let us know a tornado warning had been issued. Excuse me?! Tornado warning?! Toto, we are not in kansas anymore! Or rather, new york! But everything ended up being fine. No flying cows! They were very accommodating, I got a pizza, which came with a fried egg and prosciutto on top, and asked them with no prosciutto (They love their prosciutto here by the way). My pizza was sooo good! My boyfriend got pasta bolognese, he said it was delicious, and he's picky about his italian. Service was pretty good (I'm still getting used to the midwestern service, very different from new york), but our server was very friendly and very nice. Our server didn't really have to twist my boyfriend's arm to get him to try the tiramisu as well. Also very good. Maybe it's because we're from new york and used to new york prices, but I thought the price matched what we got. The food was really good, and super fresh, and in our opinion, reasonably priced. We've already recommended friends who will be in the area soon, to hit up Mona Lisa's, and if we are even in the area again, we will be returning.But I do wish they gave bread, maybe with some olive oil and balsamic. read more

Mona Lisa's - Italian Near Me - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

What a creative restaurant, both in decor and food. Yelp says it is Italian/Mediterranean, but I found that a lot of the dishes had Asian influence, because of the head chef's recent trip to Thailand. Upon walking in, we saw paintings of Mona Lisa parodies all over the walls and ceilings, and chandeliers of old wine bottles. Cute!! We ordered the calamari appetizer. This is not your typical calamari dish; the squid is sautéed in a light butter sauce, and then baked in a small dish with a breaded crust. It was tasty, but the portions were too small for the price. The entrees were very, very good. It seems that they change the menu often, so I couldn't look up exactly what I ate. But we had a crusted pink snapper, which was remarkably fresh and flaky. It lay on a bed of cucumber ribbons, bok choy, and tomatoes in a cilantro sauce. It was so refreshing, and the vegetables were all tender. The two shrimp were also perfectly grilled and so tender. Definitely a high quality dish, and at a very reasonable price. We also ordered a fusilli chicken pasta, with mushroom cream sauce. The fusilli was cooked perfectly al dente, and the chicken was flavorful. The real star, however, was the mushroom sauce. They used crushed shiitake, which gave the sauce an unbelievable smoky flavor. This was a real gem, great quality and great price. Eau Claire is lucky to have it! read more

Mona Lisa's - Mona Lisa parodies on the ceiling! - Italian Near Me - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

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I ordered the pork belly carbonara and even though it looked a little different than I thought it would it tasted amazing! Can't wait to go back to try other things from the menu! read more

Without a doubt one of the best meals of my life! I had the Tortellini Rockefeller, with scallops, mushrooms and bacon and it was delicious!! The service is always great, and our server was delightful. Worth every penny, I cannot wait to go back again! read more

I love this place. Delicious food, wonderful ambiance, and a great crowd for a college town. Plus there's a wonderful romantic buzz to the wood floors, the art, the candles, etc. Finally -- when you see a mojito on a menu as cheap as $5 (non-happy hour) I'm never quite sure if the liquor quality is meant for drinking or for starting a fire. But mojitos at Mona's are freakin fantastic - and come in multiple "flavors." I wish I could fill one of those gerbil water bottles (but make it life size) with their mojitos -- then stick it in my work office for those particularly long days. read more

Mona Lisa's - Beer selection at Mona's - Italian Near Me - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

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Atmosphere is very well lit with big windows and a nice fireplace. The ambiance is slightly loud. The food was a great portion size although the cost was a bit on the high side. My girlfriend got the mussels and said they were average tasting. read more

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What can I say? The COVID precautions were strictly adhered to. The service was excellent, thank you, Kate. The wine list was inclusive. The food was OUTSTANDING!!! We eat whole food, plant-based, which sometimes is lacking flavor in many restaurants, but not at MonaLisa's. I had the vegetarian paella, and the flavors were superb! Will definitely return. read more

Probably the best restaurant out of the 300 I have been to. The decor was perfect, the service, Rachel, was awesome and the food was also excellent. The server brought our food quickly, perfectly cooked and boy it was delicious. Go even though it is off the beaten path, you will not regret it. read more

Mona Lisa's - Italian Near Me - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Went here for an anniversary dinner, were sat immediately and our waitress was awesome. She helped with recommendations and was overall pleasant. Wait time for food was appropriate and food was very delicious. The decor and ambiance is good for a romantic dinner. Definitely expensive with the service fee but nice outing for a special occasion. read more

For the price, I've had much better. Way, way, way overpriced. I'd rather go to Johnny's Italian Steakhouse if I'm going to spend this type of money. Waitress was super nice but the food just isn't worth the $. read more

Wonderful meal. Will be back. Service was great. Parking is a bit of a trick but we managed.

Rating is ONLY about the Caesar Salad -which is not a CS. It is made with Kale. I Did not come with croutons or an egg. Parm chz drowned in in flat dressing. Salad is an anti-Caesar salad. Remove from menu or rename Suggestion--"Et tu-ey Caesar." read more

This place is a real gem. I had the pork belly carbonara.....WOW. it was a spectacular meal. My server Emma was happy, pleasant and attentive. If I am ever back in Eau Claire, I will return. Thank you for a great meal! read more

There is no question about it: This is a nice place ! Not your traditional "Italian" style restaurant ! It is a modern open space old remodeled building ! The food was wonderful and an experience ! If you on a budget, do not go in! Everything is ordered a la card, even the very wonderful bread ! The waitress was very sufficient and at-tentative ! We all had a great time and happy that we went there! read more

Really good food but was overcharged for the service charge by $8.00, I totally support a living wage and enjoyed the food and ambiance but when I pointed out I was overcharged the waitress told me I was wrong. Bill was $78 and was charged $22.77 kind of frustrating. But I will say the food was delicious read more

I was traveling through Eau Claire by myself. I was looking for a quiet place for dinner and wanted to sit outside due to Covid concerns. The patio at Mona Lisa's was perfect. The roasted veggie pizza was delicious. I hope to return again some day. read more

This is my favorite restaurants in Eau Claire. We had 11 family and friends celebrating my Birthday and everyone raved about their dinner. The service was great as always. Easily the best in Eau Claire! read more

I would say that this place is okay at best. Not quite worth what you're paying for. People seem to think that it is somewhat "upscale" but I would have to disagree. The restaurant is not bad at all, but it does not live up to some of the hype that I've heard and I wasn't impressed persay. read more

We would frequently dine and order the CJ beet salad. One time it was served without dressing and cheese. We decided to call later that night and the owner was defensive but eventually said she would mail gift certificate. She never did. We called and left message for the owner and never heard back. Even when we brought it to the servers attention we were met with defensiveness and push back. read more

This is what passes for upscale in EC. We've been here a couple of times. It's OK. Last time we were here they had a sign out front saying the patio was open. Well....it was open but not staffed...or even cleaned. We were ushered back there and promptly forgotten. Too bad the service isn't better. But then again...this is what passes for upscale in the sticks. The foods ok. It has a changing menu. I can't say much has ever stood out...except for some pate we had a couple years ago on New Year's Eve. read more

Charming small town restaurant. Food is fresh and delicious. Recommend for sure If you want experience the Europe atmosphere, you have definitely visit this place! read more

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We've been here many times over the years, love the atmosphere and food, even though it's always been on the pricier side. But now, the prices are insane for what you get, especially the drinks. $11 for a half filled glass of wine? My cosmopolitan glass was only filled 2/3 of what a normal martini glass would be. The food is still excellent, but be mindful of the 18% "cost of living" gratuity that is automatically added to your bill. We were not aware of this, and left a very generous tip. And on top of that, proof of vaccination is required. I'm a healthcare worker and appreciate any effort to help keep Covid from spreading, but I think this requirement to eat at a restaurant is over reaching. The food took forever to come out, we were all famished waiting. It would have been nice to have a little bread basket while waiting, but apparently that's been excluded as well. I don't know if I'll bother ever going again. The food is good, but not good enough for the prices. ‍ read more