mmm-yoso!!! is this: a blog about food, written by Kirk, ed(from Yuma) Cathy and a few others. Today, Cathy is back, continuing on about her "seven days of feasting"-or how she and The Mister celebrated their birthdays this year…
If you have ever driven or picked up anyone at the San Diego/Charles Lindberg airport, taking the Hawthorne Street exit off the 5, you most likely have gotten stopped at this light at India Street and perhaps, wondered…Perhaps it has been a clearer view for you also. This is Mona Lisa, on the Northern edge of Little Italy near downtown San Diego…
Something we discovered…It seems that if you want to go out to eat on a Friday, you need something called "reservations" at most restaurants. It also seems that some strange social occurrence called "date night" is happening. Silly us. The Mister just wanted some pizza. He gets to choose for the first three days of our week of birthday celebration… so anyhow, we were able to get a table here. Forgive the photography, I did not use flash.
We started out with a half carafe of house burgundy ($7.50). I was driving and did not want a lot to drink much(and Mona Lisa doesn’t serve Chianti in half carafes, as Filippi’s does).
The caprizzi appetizer. Sliced tomato, sliced fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, olive oil, salt and pepper. ($7.50). Pretty standard and a reassurance we do it right, since it tasted the same as when we do this at home…
Four cheese pizza. Mozzarella, Provolone, Fontina and ricotta (!) … Only one size here, the proper way to have pizza. ($15)
A cross section. There is also chopped fresh basil on top. The tomato sauce is fresh tomato tasting, not spicy. Lots of olive oil.
We shared a fresh made cannoli for dessert ($3.50)made with ricotta and a touch of lemon peel as well as Amaretto. 
..along with two shots of espresso in a cup. ($2.50)
A very nice birthday dinner for The Mister.
I liked it too!
Afterward, we walked through the grocery store, where there were great prices on many grocery items, fresh breads, wines, cheeses and vegetables as well as sandwiches. I could easily shop here daily if I lived closer…
Mona Lisa Italian Foods 2061 India Street San Diego 92101 (619)231-5367
that pizza looks delicious as does the cannoli. i have been craving pizza for some time now, and have not had a cannoli for a while either. i accidentally wrote my last comment under ‘mothermayi.’ this is the title of my blog, which was inspired by you, kirk, and the rest of the food blogging community that i enjoy reading so much. i look forward to your next post!
Such a great stop if you find yourself running early to the airport!
I try to make it to the store about once a month to stock up on canned maters and whatnot. I love the deli and I adore the little baby sandwiches up on the deli counter. I usually grab a few for the family and then we head out to Shelter Island to walk the doggies and let our son romp around.
Hmmmm….this gives me an idear for Saturday. 😉
I knew it was your blog, Sawyer-we have magic ways of looking at things via typepad. I like your posts and recipes. I did not know we were an inspiration for you, though. I’m honored! I like good pizza with a nice crust, sometimes I want a chewy, yeasty, olive oil infused crust and sometimes I want the fresh made ut thin crust from Bronx. It depends…
This will be a stop on the way to the airport from now on, Trent.
Yes, JF, I think I will be downtown this Saturday also…
The wife and I have been eating here ever since we started dating way back when, and my parents have been eating here for as long as they can remember… most definitely an overlooked restaurant. It’s a break from the overpriced starch peddlers from, I’d say, 75% of the restaurants on India street. Mona Lisa sticks to a simple menu and does it well, traditional Italian food with very robust flavor.
I feel especially lucky when they have their artichoke, garlic, tomato, basil and onion pizza available… There’s nothing better than walking in the door and seeing that on the special menu! (Of course you can always request it to be made as well)
The wife and I buy their marinara/meat sauce all the time and use it in a variety of dishes. It’s always a hit with the friends.
When I really get the urge I pick up some of their ravioli from the freezer. It’s really expensive but the ravioli are huge and you can only eat a couple before feeling engorged. They also have some great harder-to-find items in their market. Oh and the deli… worth every penny, no matter what you are buying.
and we only happened to walk in here, Bryan-longtime Filippi’s loyalists. I’ll be back this weekend though. Definitely. I love baked ravioli.
I have been going to this place as long as I can remember. There is a Mona Lisa in Allied Gardens as well. Same family.
Actually, the first Mona Lisa was in Santee, Michael…but it had no grocery, which is why we would go to Filippi’s when we had time. We just never followed them once we were in Little Italy…until now. It is really good. Since I love calzones- because of ricotta, this pizza was perfect!
mmm, the mozzarella on the caprese looks like a very generous sized slab, as does the filling in the cannoli, looks like a fine feast!
Excellent portions and oh so cheesey, FH! Excellent meal.