When in San Francisco's North Beach, do as the Italians do

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Mona Lisa Restaurant

Item: Mona Lisa Restaurant
Author: Tom Molanphy

Cuisine: Italian

10Best Says

If you're not in the mood for some quiet, off-the-beaten-path cafe that only a few have heard of, then make it a Mona Lisa night. From its auspicious spot in the heart of North Beach, everything about this place clamors for your tourist dollar. The pastas and salads are as loud and generous as the inside furnishings, which includes busts of Caesar and Italian flags draped in almost every corner. The staff are all trained to expect not just your dollars but your questions, so don't be shy about asking not just about your meal but about tips on the best places to visit in North Beach.

Address:

353 Columbus Ave
San Francisco, CA 94133

Phone:

415-989-4917

Website:

monalisasf.com

EXPERT TIPS BY: Tom Molanphy
San Francisco Local Expert

North Beach's Best Restaurants: "Try the Rissota Cacciatore, a house specialty."

Best for North Beach's Best Restaurants Because: Mona Lisa is one of the most popular tourist restaurants in the city.

Main Menu
- Salads & Soups
  Insalata di Mare
  
  squid, mussels, clams, prawns, calamari tentacles with garlic lemon, olive oil over mix green salad ($17.95)
  
  House Salad with Creamy Italian Dressing
  
  ($10.95)
  
  House Caesar Salad
  $10.95
  
  With Chicken: $13.95
  
  With Prawns: $16.95
  Insalata Pumaro
  
  arugula, tomatoes, lemon, olive oil and shaved parmiciano ($12.95)
  
  Insalata di Spinaci
  
  spinach salad with nuts, gorgonzola and lemon dressing ($11.95)
  
  Zuppa di Fagioli
  
  black beans soup with pasta ($10.95)
  
  Mnestrone mixed
  
  vegetable soup ($11.50)
- Antipasti
  Family Style
  
  a combination of antipasti ($12.00)
  
  Bruschetta
  
  ($10.95)
  
  Carpaccio di Manzo
  
  with parmesan cheese, rucola oil and lemon sauce ($15.95)
  
  Saute di Cozze e Vongole
  
  clams and mussels in garlic and tomato sauce ($17.95)
  
  Crostini Misti Bread
  
  with mozzarella, prosciutto, tomato, smoked salmon over toasted bread ($14.95)
  
  Calamari Fritti
  
  fried calamari with marinara sauce ($16.95)
  
  Fritto Misto
  
  fried calamari and prawns ($17.95)
  
  Tomatoes Caprese
  
  slices tomatoes and mozzarella ($15.95)
  
  Mozzarella alla Ciccio Panza
  
  whole mozzarella cheese and S.Daniele prosciutto ($17.95)
  
  Italian Sampler
  
  bruschetta, tomatoes, caprese and Sicilian candy ($18.95)
  
  Antipasto Misto
  
  mix of prosciutto crudo, salame, cheeses, olives and soppressat ($19.95)
  
  Antipasto Misto Vegetariano
  
  ($17.95)
  
  Carpaccio di Salmone
  
  smoked salmon with lemon and capers ($16.95)
  
  Prosciutto e Melone
  
  cured ham with melon ($15.95)
  
  Garlic Bread
  $4.95
  
  With Cheese: $8.95
  Sicilian Candy
  
  roasted garlic ($7.95)
  
  Side Order of Sausage or Meatballs
  
  ($9.50)
- Pasta
  
  Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
  
  garlic and olive oil ($12.95)
  
  Spaghetti al Pesto
  
  homemade basil sauce ($14.95)
  
  Spaghetti al Pomodoro
  
  fresh tomatoes sauce ($13.95)
  
  Fettuccine Alfredo
  
  cream sauce ($13.95)
  
  Fettuccine Primavera
  
  cream sauce and a mix of vegetable ($15.95)
  
  Fettuccine Pomodoro
  
  fresh tomatoes sauce ($13.95)
  
  Penne ai Quattro Formaggi
  
  four cheese cream sauce ($17.95)
  
  Penne alla Silana
  
  tomato sauce, eggplant, mushroom and garlic ($16.95)
  
  Penne alle Melanzane
  
  tomato sauce, eggplant and garlic ($17.95)
  
  Penne Arrabbiata
  
  with spicy tomato sauce ($15.95)
  
  Penne Salsa Rosa
  
  tomato cream sauce ($16.95)
  
  Pappardelle Porcini e Tartufo
  
  in olive oil and garlic and wild mushrooms ($21.95)
  
  Ravioli ai Quattro Formaggi
  
  homemade ravioli in four cheese sauce ($18.95)
  
  Ravioli Crema di Noci
  
  ravioli in walnuts cream-sauce ($17.95)
  
  Ravioli al Pomodoro
  
  tomato sauce and basil ($15.95)
  
  Ravioli agli Asparagi
  
  (asparagus) homemade ravioli in asparagus sauce ($19.95)
  
  Ravioli ai Carciofi
  
  (artichoke) tomato-cream sauce ($18.95)
  
  Ravioli alla Zucca
  
  (pumpkin) sage and butter sauce ($17.95)
  
  Ravioli Spinaci e Ricotta
  
  tomato sauce ($17.95)
  
  Ravioli di Formaggio al Forno
  
  baked cheese ravioli in tomato sauce with mozzarella ($17.95)
  
  Ravioli di Porcini
  
  (mushrooms) alfredo sauce and mushrooms ($19.95)
  
  Cheese Ravioli Tartufo
  
  ravioli in cream sauce with fresh tartufo ($23.95)
  
  Lasagna al Pesto
  
  cheese lasagna and pesto sauce ($19.95)
  
  Lasagna Vegetale
  
  vegetariana with ricotta cheese and vegetable ($16.95)
  
  Lasagna ai Quattro Formaggi
  
  four cheese cream sauce ($18.95)
  
  Linguini alla Caprese
  
  tomato fresh mozzarella basil and olive oil ($16.95)
  
  Manicotti
  
  homemade vegetable cannelloni ($17.95)
  
  Tortellini al Pomodoro
  
  tomato sauce and basil ($15.95)
  
  Tortellini ai Quattro Formaggi
  
  four cheese cream sauce ($17.95)
  
  Tortellini al Pesto
  
  homemade basil-sauce ($15.95)
  
  Tortellini al Gongorzola
  
  gorgonzola cream-sauce ($16.95)
  
  Gnocchi al Pomodoro
  
  tomato sauce and basil ($15.95)
  
  Gnocchi al Pesto
  
  homemade basil sauce ($15.95)
  
  Gnocchi Ruggero
  
  gorgonzola sauce with spinach and walnuts ($19.95)
  
  Gnocchi ai Quattro Formaggi
  
  four cheese-cream sauce ($17.95)
  
  Gnocchi al Gongorzola
  
  gorgonzola cheese sauce ($16.95)
  
  Gnocchi Fondenti
  
  baked four cheese-cream sauce, nutmeg ($17.95)
  
  Gnocchi Sorrentina
  
  tomato sauce with fresh mozzarella ($18.95)
  
  Rigatoni Filomena
  
  olive oil, truffle and artichokes and garlic ($20.95)
  
  Rigatoni Mimino
  
  tomato sauce and fresh ricotta cheese ($17.95)
- House Specialty Seafood Pasta
  
  Linguini al Scallops
  
  in white wine sauce, garlic parsley ($28.95)
  
  Linguini al Nero di Seppie
  
  black squid linguini with calamari in white wine sauce ($21.95)
  
  Linguini allo Squalo
  
  sword fish, salmon, shrimp,, mussels, clams, calamari tentacles in tomato sauce ($27.95)
  
  Crab Linguine
  
  sauteed in a light brandy sauce olive oil parsley and garlic ($26.95)
  
  Penne San Francisco
  
  salsa rosa (tomato cream sauce), asparagus and crab ($28.95)
  
  Spaghetti al Salmone
  
  fresh salmon in cream sauce ($17.95)
  
  Spaghetti al Tonno
  
  tuna and capers in tomato sauce, olives and garlic ($18.95)
  
  Spaghetti Calamari
  
  with marinated sauce ($18.95)
  
  Spaghetti allo Scoglio
  
  white wine sauce with shrimps, clams, mussels and calamari ($19.95)
  
  Spaghetti alle Vongole
  
  white wine sauce, clams and garlic ($18.95)
  
  Fettuccine Gamberi
  
  alfredo sauce with shrimps ($20.95)
  
  Fettuccine alle Cozze
  
  tomato sauce with mussels ($18.95)
  
  Fettuccine alla Pescatore
  
  tomato sauce, prawns, calamari, mussels, clams calamari tentacles and garlic ($19.95)
  
  Fettuccine alla Piero
  
  light cream sauce, with shrimps and asparagus ($20.95)
  
  Ravioli Granchio
  
  (crab) tomato cream sauce ($19.95)
  
  Ravioli Aragosta
  
  (lobster) tomato cream sauce ($19.95)
  
  Ravioli Tonno
  
  tomato tuna sauce, garlic, capers and olives ($18.95)
  
  Ravioli Salmone
  
  (salmon) tomato cream sauce ($18.95)
  
  Pappardelle al Salmone
  
  (salmon) cream sauce ($18.95)
  
  Gnocchi Mare e Monti
  
  fresh tomato sauce with pawns, zucchini and basil ($21.95)
- House Specialty Meat Pasta
  
  Linguini alla Tierro
  
  meat, mushrooms in pink sauce ($17.95)
  
  Spaghetti all'Amatriciana
  
  tomato sauce, pancetta, onions and parmesan cheese ($17.90)
  
  Spaghetti Bolognese
  
  tomato meat-sauce ($16.95)
  
  Spaghetti Carbonara
  
  pancetta, eggs and cheese ($16.95)
  
  Spaghetti Polpette
  
  tomato sauce with meatballs ($17.95)
  
  Spaghetti Salsiccia
  
  tomato sauce with sausage ($17.95)
  
  Fettuccine Mona Lisa
  
  cream sauce, ham, olives and mushrooms ($16.95)
  
  Fettuccine Leonardo
  
  cream sauce, fresh tomatoes and chicken ($17.95)
  
  Penne alla Bolognese
  
  tomato-meat sauce ($16.95)
  
  Penne al Fuoco
  
  ('u scierro) fresh tomato sauce and chicken ($17.95)
  
  Penne al Forno alla Calabrese
  
  baked penne with meat sauce, ham and mozzarella ($16.95)
  
  Tortellini Ticolore alla Panna
  
  cream sauce homemade pasta in meat sauce, ham and peas ($16.95)
  
  Ravioli Bolognese
  
  homemade pasta in meat sauce ($16.95)
  
  Lasagna di Casa
  
  homemade pasta in tomato meat sauce ($17.95)
  
  Cannelloni
  
  homemade pasta in meat sauce ($17.95)
  
  Macara
  
  homemade cheese ravioli and meat cannelloni and veggie cannelloni in tomato sauce ($19.95)
  
  Rigatoni alla Salvatore
  
  zucchini and sausage in tomato sauce ($17.95)
  
  Rigatoni alla Borrelli
  
  baked with sausage and eggplant in tomato meat sauce ($18.95)
  
  Rigatoni Osilio
  
  chicken, basil in pesto sauce ($19.95)
- Pizza
  
  Diavola
  
  mozzarella, pomodoro, salami pepperoni spicy ($15.95)
  
  Don Mario
  
  with prosciutto crudo, rucola and marinara shaved parmigiano ($17.95)
  
  Calzone al Forno
  
  stuffed prosciutto, mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce ($15.95)
  
  Margherita
  
  cheese, tomato sauce ($13.95)
  
  Napoletana
  
  cheese, tomato sauce, garlic tomatoes, oregano ($14.95)
  
  Calabrese
  
  garlic, tomatoes, oregano, sausage, cheese ($15.95)
  
  Vegetariana
  
  olives, mushrooms, onions, oregano, cheese ($14.95)
  
  Maurizio
  
  mozzarella, pesto, oregano cheese ($14.95)
  
  Mona Lisa
  
  pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, peppers, cheese ($18.95)
  
  De Luxe
  
  extra cheese, salami pepperoni, peppers olives sausage onion mushrooms garlic ($17.95)
  
  La Capitale
  
  cheese, fresh tomato, pancetta ($15.95)
  
  Cosenza
  
  cheese, tomatoes, prosciutto crudo ($16.95)
  
  Buonvicino
  
  cheese, tomatoes, prosciutto cotto (ham) ($15.95)
  
  Monte Bianco
  
  mozzarella, parmigiano, gorgonzola, ricotta ($15.95)
  
  4 Stagioni
  
  cheese, ham, mushrooms, artichokes, olives ($15.95)
  
  Brigante
  
  cheese, ham pepperoni, salami, spicy ($15.95)
  
  Positano
  
  pesto, mozzarella, fungi, salami, basil ($17.95)
  
  Columbus
  
  mozzarella, porcini fungi, pomodoro, ham ($19.95)
- Pollo
  
  Chicken Pizzimenti
  
  asparagus, white wine butter sauce and fresh tomatoes ($19.95)
  
  Chicken Cacciatore
  
  tomato sauce with green peppers, mushroom, olives onion and garlic ($17.95)
  
  Chicken Parmigiana
  
  breaded and baked with tomato sauce and mozzarella ($18.95)
  
  Chicken Piccata
  
  white wine-lemon sauce with capers ($17.95)
  
  Chicken Marsala
  
  red wine-sauce with mushrooms ($17.95)
  
  Chicken Saltimbocca
  
  baked with wine sauce S.Daniele prosciutto sage and mozzarella ($16.95)
  
  Chicken S.Marino
  
  rolled chicken breast with mozzarella and ham in tomato-cream sauce ($19.95)
  
  Grilled Chicken
  
  chicken breast with fresh herbs ($18.95)
  
  Chicken Mona Lisa
  
  with prosciutto crudo in marsala sauce ($19.95)
  
  Chicken San Francisco
  
  white wine sauce, garlic, fresh tomatoes, black olives and artichokes ($18.95)
  
  Chicken Funghi Porcini
  
  with garlic olive oil sauceand porcini mushroom ($21.95)
  
  Chicken Ercolino
  
  double layered with ham and melted cheese ($23.95)
  
  Chicken Milanese
  
  breaded chicken ($17.95)
- Vitello and Carne
  
  Bistecca ai Porcini
  
  garlic olive oil sauce with porcini mushroom ($31.95)
  
  Bistecca Maria Sista
  
  steak in gorgonzola sauce ($29.95)
  
  Bistecca Matilde
  
  sautéed with light cream, cognac and pepper sauce ($28.95)
  
  Grilled Mista di Carne
  
  grilled pork, sausage, steak and chicken ($30.95)
  
  Involtini San Marino
  
  veal rolled with mozzarella and ham ($21.95)
  
  Osso Buco del Brigante
  
  in white wine and fettucine alfredo or polenta ($23.95)
  
  Tagliata di Manzo
  
  baked steak with rosemary ($29.95)
  
  Veal agli Asparagi
  
  white wine butter sauce with fresh tomatoes and asparagus ($22.95)
  
  Veal Pinnino
  
  double layered with melted cheese and prosciutto ($26.95)
  
  Veal Marsala
  
  (red wine) sauce with mushrooms ($19.95)
  
  Veal Mona Lisa
  
  veal sautéed with prosciutto in marsala sauce ($21.95)
  
  Veal Palermo
  
  tomato sauce, mozzarella and eggplant ($19.95)
  
  Veal Parmigiana
  
  breaded and baked with tomato sauce, and mozzarella ($21.95)
  
  Veal Piccata
  
  white wine-lemon sauce with capers ($19.95)
  
  Veal Pizzaiola
  
  veal sautéed with tomato sauce, black olives and fresh herbs ($19.95)
  
  Veal Saltimbocca
  
  baked with white wine sauce, topped with Parma prosciutto ($21.95)
  
  Veal Milanese
  
  breaded veal ($19.95)
  
  Salsiccia del Barbiere
  
  grilled pork sausage ($18.95)
- Pesce - Seafood
  
  La Voce del Mare
  
  linguini, scallops, shrimps, prawns, mussels, calamari, calamari tentacles, crab legs, clams in marinara sauce ($40.95)
  
  Crab Cioppino
  
  (alla Rumano) with marinara sauce ($36.95)
  
  Cioppino
  
  (seafood stew) shrimp, prawns, mussels, calamari, calamari tentacles, crab legs, clams in marinara sauce ($31.95)
  
  Mix Seafood Grill
  
  with salmon, sword fish and prawns ($29.95)
  
  Calamari Fritti
  
  calamari with marinara sauce ($17.95)
  
  Calamari alla Siciliana
  
  sautéed calamari with onions, green pepper, tomato, and olives ($17.95)
  
  Scampi del Golfo
  
  prawns in marsala sauce with mushrooms ($19.95)
  
  Gamberoni Piccata
  
  white wine, prawns, lemon sauce with capers ($19.95)
  
  Gamberoni con Cozze alla San Marino
  
  prawns with mussels in pink sauce ($22.00)
  
  Gamberoni al Guazzetto
  
  prawns, garlic, parsley in a white wine sauce ($21.95)
  
  Salmone Salmoniglio
  
  salmon in olive oil, garlic and fresh herbs ($18.95)
  
  Salmone al Vino Bianco
  
  salmon in white wine sauce and fresh tomatoes ($19.95)
  
  Salmone con Gamberetti alla Crema
  
  salmon in a tomato-cream sauce with shrimps ($21.95)
  
  Salmone agli Asparagi
  
  salmon in a white wine sauce with asparagu ($21.95)
  
  Salmone al Cartoccio
  
  mussels, clams, shrimps, in pink sauce ($26.95)
  
  Salmone Pisciaiulo
  
  with white wine sauce, garlic fresh tomatoes olives artichokes ($21.95)
  
  Pesce spada Diamante
  
  swordfish in garlic olive oil, in white wine sauce ($22.95)
  
  Pesce spada alla Zapuniello
  
  tomatoes sauce olives, capers in white wine sauce ($23.95)
- Risotto
  
  Risotto Squid Ink and Scallops
  
  rice, squid ink and scallops ($24.95)
  
  Risotto Franciaiola
  
  rice ink with calamari ($18.95)
  
  Risotto al Salmone
  
  fresh salmon in cream sauce ($15.95)
  
  Risotto allo Scoglio
  
  white wine sauce with clams, calamari, calamari tentacles, prawns and mussels ($18.95)
  
  Risotto Tonno
  
  tomato sauce with tuna, olives, capers and garlic ($15.95)
  
  Risotto Vongole
  
  white wine, clams, onions and garlic ($15.95)
  
  Risotto Pescatore
  
  tomato sauce, prawns, calamari, calamari tentacles, mussels, clams and garlic ($18.95)
  
  Risotto Forestiero
  
  swordfish, salmon, shrimps, mussels, clams in marinara sauce ($20.95)
  
  Risotto Linuccio
  
  meat, mushrooms, in pink sauce ($16.95)
  
  Risotto Riviezzu
  
  tomato, fresh mozzarella, olive oil and basil ($15.95)
  
  Risotto Saturo u russu
  
  saffron risotto and prawns ($18.95)
  
  Risotto Scittina
  
  brandy sauce, asparagus and shrimps ($20.95)
  
  Risotto Alfredo and Prawns
  
  sauce cream sauce and prawns ($18.95)
  
  Risotto alle Melanzane
  
  tomato sauce eggplant and garlic ($15.95)
  
  Risotto alla Silana
  
  fresh tomato, eggplant mushrooms and garlic ($15.95)
  
  Risotto Primavera
  
  cream sauce and mixed vegetables ($15.95)
  
  Risotto Arrabbiata
  
  tomato sauce, garlic and hot chili peppers ($14.95)
  
  Risotto Puttanesca
  
  tomato sauce with garlic, onions, anchovies, capers and olives ($15.95)
  
  Risotto Carciofi
  
  garlic cheese and artichokes ($15.95)
  
  Risotto Porcini
  
  olive oil, garlic, wild porcini mushrooms ($20.95)
  
  Risotto Pandolfi
  
  White wine sauce, garlic, fresh tomatoes black olives and artichokes ($18.95)
  
  Risotto San Francisco
  
  salsa rosa (tomato cream sauce), asparagus, and crab ($25.95)
  
  Risotto Cacciatore
  
  tomato sauce with green peppers, mushroom, olives, onions, garlic and chicken ($16.95)
- Melanzane
  
  Parmigiana di Melanzane
  
  baked eggplant with tomato sauce and mozzarella ($16.95)
  
  Involtini di Melanzane con Ricotta
  
  rolled eggplant baked with ricotta cheese ($17.95)
  
  Involtini di Melanzane alla Massaia
  
  rolled eggplant baked with mozzarella and ham ($18.95)

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