Thursday, April 12, 2018

Monnalisa, NOT A Masterpiece / Monnalisa, NO Una Obra Maestra

La versión español está después de la versión inglés.

This post was originally a positive review of the new restaurant downstairs. I have changed my mind about the place given the fact that the owners are constantly smoking in the enclosed terrace (against the law in Spain unless a certain amount of panels are open) and even inside the restaurant (always against the law). I won't go back.
Esta entrada fue originalmente una crítica positiva del nuevo restaurante de la planta baja. He cambiado de opinión sobre el lugar debido a que los propietarios fuman constantemente en la terraza cerrada (contra la ley en España a menos que haya cierta cantidad de paneles abiertos) e incluso dentro del restaurante (siempre en contra de la ley). No volveré.

IN OUR MORE than five years (gasp) in Fuengirola, four different restaurants have been in the corner space downstairs. The first was an elegant and expensive Italian restaurant that was always empty and closed shortly after we moved in. The second was another Italian restaurant (and pizza place) that seemed to be owned by a family of gang members. It was creepy just walking by and didn't stay very long. The third iteration was a restaurant whose English owners couldn't decide what it was, except a storage facility for a bunch of crap furniture, and a smoking hangout for some of their trashy staff (and owner who occasionally visited). There were, accidentally, a few wonderful people employed there; the only positive thing I have to say about it.

So, we didn't hold out much hope for a new Italian restaurant and pizza place that opened just before Easter. But the renovations have been extensive. The staff we've seen (and have now met) are professional, presentable, and charming. The name is Monnalisa (the original Italian). We had our first meal there Tuesday night simply because it was pouring down rain, the wind was blowing, and we didn't want to brave the elements.

NOTE:
If you don't care about smoking or unprofessional owners, the food was excellent.

EN NUESTRO MÁS de cinco años (jadeo) en Fuengirola, cuatro restaurantes diferentes han estado en la esquina de la planta baja. El primero era un restaurante italiano elegante y caro que siempre estaba vacío y cerrado poco después de que nos mudamos. El segundo era otro restaurante italiano (y lugar de pizza) que parecía ser propiedad de una familia de miembros de una pandilla. Daba miedo solo caminando por el lugar, y no se quedó mucho tiempo. La tercera iteración fue un restaurante cuyos propietarios ingleses no podían decidir de qué se trataba, excepto una para un montón de muebles amontonados, y un lugar para fumar para algunos de sus empleados (y la propietaria). Hubo, accidentalmente, algunas personas maravillosas empleadas allí; lo único positivo que tengo que decir al respecto.

No ofreciéramos muchas esperanzas para un nuevo restaurante italiano y una pizzería que se inauguró justo antes de Semana Santa. Pero las renovaciones han sido extensas. El personal que hemos visto (y ahora nos hemos reunido) es profesional, presentable y encantador. El nombre es Monnalisa. Tuvimos nuestra primera comida allí el martes por la noche, simplemente porque estaba lloviendo a cántaros, soplaba el viento y no queríamos desafiar los elementos. 

NOTA:
Si no le importa fumar o propietarios poco profesionales, la comida fue excelente.

TOASTED BREAD WITH FRESH TOMATO AND BASIL.
PAN TOSTADA CON TOMATE FRESCO ALIÑADO Y ALBAHACA.
PASTA AND CHEESE RAVIOLI IN A CREAMY MASCARPONE AND PINE NUTS  SAUCE.
RAVIOLI DE PERA Y QUESO CON SALSA DE MASCARPONE Y PIÑONES.
MEAT RAVIOLI WITH CREAM, HAM, AND MUSHROOMS.
RAVIOLIS DE CARNE CON NATA, CAMPIÑONES, Y JAMON.
CHEESECAKE.
TARTA DE QUESO.
CHOCOLATE SOUFLE.
SUFLÉ DE CHOCOLATE.

12 comments:

  1. How I miss our little neighbourhood restaurants in Rome - mom and pop places where the food was home cooking the way this wonderful meal looks to be.

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  2. I want everything but the bruschetta (first pix). I don't like raw maters!

    I hope this restaurant will be successful.

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  3. Everything looks so yummy! One question, what the heck is topping the cheesecake? They look like red frogs' eyes floating in blood. Just curious, since I don't really care for cheesecake anyway.

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  4. CHECK for all these items!!
    You guys will have to keep Monnalisa in business.

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  5. Monnalisa, Monnalisa, I adore you. For some reason that song has been in my head recently. Just waiting for your bog post! It all looks wonderful.

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  6. Hooray! Good food right downstairs! Everything looks delicious in the photos.

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  7. Now that's the kind of food I am hoping for on our trip to Italy.....it may be dangerous having it right downstairs though

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  8. Many dreams have been brought to your doorstep.

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  9. As always your food looks so marvelous and beats the swill I have by a country mile.

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