Mona Pasta Bar

I can't say enough good things about this place - it ticks all the right boxes for me. Love: 💖 - Authentic, high quality, truly flavourful and delicious food like what I get in Italy. Let the food speak to you. 😋😋 - Classy and simple decor but a welcoming atmosphere that balances liveliness without being overly loud. - Attentive and professional service, on point. Quick turnaround from the kitchen. - Easy reservations via Google Maps. What we thoroughly enjoyed: - Baby artichokes with Parmesan - Bucatini Caccio e Pepe - Casarecce - Olive oil cake with blueberry compote This wan't my first time here nor will it be the last. I don't rate everywhere a 5 because then nothing genuinely stands out, but I think this place deserves it. Way to go!

lovely intimate place in downtown LA. wasnt crowded at all when I came in at 5 pm (but i did have a reservation). service was kind and attentive. pasta portion (i think i ordered the vongole) was generous and tiramisu was soo delicious

A hidden gem in downtown LA! The space feels more like your grandma’s cozy kitchen than a traditional restaurant, but that’s part of its charm. The food is outstanding—comforting, flavorful, and clearly made with care. We’ll definitely be back next time we’re in the area. The last picture is an empty plate of fried calamari. It was just too good.

Stopped in for an early dinner before a concert at LA Live. We ordered three items. The fried calamari came in extremely tiny bite-sized pieces, and the clam vongole was unfortunately not good. Very disappointing. The meatballs, however, were delicious! Loved the chic interior though. Parking was tough just like the rest of DTLA.

Great food. Pasta is really well done and rich in flavor. Service was great and the ambience was intimate. The flavors were great for everything we had.

Small but quaint. I ordered the pasta with the vodka sauce. It was creamy with a shell pasta. Small serving so I was still hungry. A piece of bread might have helped. I had room for dessert so I ordered the olive oil cake with blueberry compote. Tasty and not too sweet. I came here through the time left app, and met 5 random strangers. It was a very cool group I enjoyed.

I tried a variety of dishes here, but the baby artichoke was definitely my favorite! It was so unique and delicious. The staff was also incredible friendly, attentive, and made the experience even better. Highly recommend this place!

We visited without a plan. And it turned out a lovely surprise to us. The place is super cute and the food is very delicious. Not many items on the menu but no need. Everything is on point. Very delicious and well cooked. Definitely will revisit again.

This was my second time visiting Mona Pasta Bar, and once again, it did not disappoint. The service was fantastic--attentive, warm, and genuinely thoughtful. The ambiance is quaint and chic, with a beautifully minimal setting that feels both cozy and intentional. What really stood out to me was how memorable the experience was. I still remembered the wine I had on my first visit, and although it was no longer on the menu, our wonderful server recommended a natural wine alternative that was absolutely perfect--fresh, effervescent, and exactly what I was hoping for. For food, I had the meatballs along with the tomato and burrata salad, both of which were delicious and well-balanced. My counterpart ordered the Brussels sprouts bolognese and thoroughly enjoyed it as well. All in all, it was a great second experience, and I'm already looking forward to returning again soon. Mona Pasta Bar continues to deliver on quality, service, and atmosphere.

Mona Pasta bar is a cute little store in the fashion district that has a lot going for it, but also many things stopping me from wanting to go back. Let's start with the good - great atmosphere and decor, intimate dining room, and nice view of the street for people watching from some seats. The restrooms are make you feel like a mental asylum patient (in a good way)! There are also some great options on the menu - the meatballs appetizer was very good. However, there are many parts of the experience that could be improved for this kind of restaurant. We came at 6 PM for a reservation and the restaurant was already full. Throughout our meal I found it difficult to call for service since there were so many people and so few staff - just one person handling the bar, payments, and a lot of the food as well. Our pasta dishes were below expectations. We had the casarecce and cacio e Pepe. The cacio e Pepe felt under seasoned - it was only creamy with not much savory taste at all, almost watery. The casarecce was better but still felt a little under salted. The actual pasta noodles were made quite well though - for fresh pasta, they were cooked not too soft and a great texture different from normal dried pastas. Logistically, it was quite difficult to find parking. Pretty much only street parking and paid lots nearby. For the price and location, I expected a little more. In a city with so many incredible Italian options, not sure this spot stands out. Maybe I'll be back in the future, but I won't be planning for it.

Have you ever wanted to have dinner on the set of a bathroom from the 1980s world of American Psycho? If so, this is the level of tile, reflective surfaces, red light, and (volume of) retro lounge music for you. All pasta dishes were cooked competently, but nothing I would crave going back for in the future. The calamari was surprisingly spicy - more than my preferred level, so I'd skip that next time. The Caesar salad was quite nice. TONS of cheese. Same with the brussel sprouts, which we enjoyed. This place is definitely about the vibe and the proximity to other activities downtown. It was a busy Thursday night when we were there. It was somewhat cramped and difficult to get around inside, and service was a little slow due to the busy-ness. Wait staff was friendly and made good suggestions!

A small restaurant that reminds me of cozy spots in New York. I came with a small group for dinner, which gave us the chance to try several starters--we especially enjoyed the BABY ARTICHOKES, CALAMARI FRITTI, and the MEATBALLS. For my main, I had the LUMACHE ALLA VODKA. I'll definitely be back to try more of their pastas. ENJOY! PS: It's mostly metered parking and got lucky going the next block over.

I really do not have much to add but can attest that the pappardelle bolognese is amazing!! Mona gets it every time!

We came in on a rainy Saturday night. It's a tiny place. Very intimate. You have bar seating and a couple of tables. The staff was very friendly and helpful. We didn't feel judged for ordering half the menu. The Crudo was delicious. Absolutely would get it again. The Brussels sprouts were also absolutely delicious. Would absolutely get those again. The Caesar Salad was good, the calamari was good, I loved the chili they put on it. The steak was delicious. It comes on a spread of pesto, and a whole side of onion rings. It was a delicious surprise. The vodka pasta was absolutely delicious as well. And the wine! The wine selection was great. The Gamay, the Syrah and the chilled red were all tasty. And I forgot about the tiramisu! It's a boozy tiramisu. I love that. Definitely coming back. And would definitely recommend.

Me and my friends visited for a girls night and loved this place!! We had a reservation for a Friday night for 6 people. It wasn't busy at all and we stayed until close LOL. The staff was really nice. It's a cute restaurant, has pink decor everywhere. It's pretty small and parking is tough! I ordered the pomodoro pasta, it's not on the menu. Its a great dish, very balanced and not too heavy :) We also ordered a few bottles to share with the table. Everyone loved their dishes-- I wasn't able to try them all, but it was the perfect vibe for our group to catch up!

This tiny restaurant is a rare gem in Downtown LA. When you walk by, it looks so dark that you might think it's closed, but it's open! Service is great - our waitress was quick and attentive and the food came out fairly quickly. The pastas were cooked amazing, and the wines were quite good! Parking as usual is a pain in dtla but there's a paid expensive structure right across the street and it's really well worth a visit

Food is amazing here. Their salad is great and pastas are delicious! Their beer tends to be out of stock often for some reason. However, they have a nice selection of wines.

Super delicious!!! 10/10 recommend this place and the service is amazing. Such sweet people with a New York vibe.

Took a date out to this place and it was great. Loved the wine and pasta and even better, so did she. I won't say that Mona Pasta Bar will get you to bring your date home after, but I will say it sure won't help! Lovely.

My husband and I were attending a party nearby and last minute decided to go out for an early dinner. Their online reservation system had good amount of availability and was easy to use. Street parking was also easy but could be because it was a rainy night. When we walked in there was only one person up front so it took several minutes to be seated while the server/host took someone's order. It was awkward just standing right over people waiting since it's such a small space. When we finally were acknowledged, we sat at a table but it ended up being too low for my husband's longer legs plus the stool is the tiniest circle ever. I loved the table but not tall guy approved. We moved to the bar which was much better for him. Cute aesthetic; dim lights with pink walls and candles. Attentive service without feeling overwhelmed with check-ins. Overall, it was a great night out with delicious food. When we ordered, we were surprised the baby artichokes were unavailable. Usually if a dish is out right at the start of service we get told when given the menus. Instead of the artichokes we ordered the brussels spouts and they did not disappoint. Perfect amount of char and sauce to get a crunchy tasty bite without being soggy or too dry. We also ordered the fried potatoes as an appetizer. I think they were the highlight of the meal. Each bite was bursting with so much flavor and texture that my entrée left me disappointed. Great layers of crunch on the thick sliced potatoes while they also had soft fluffy insides. The entrées came out a bit too soon, not even halfway into appetizers but thankfully there was plenty of space at the bar. My husband had the bolognese and he really enjoyed it. His pappardelle was cooked perfectly. However, I had the cacio e pepe and my buccatini was too chewy, almost bordering on tough. Cacio e pepe with fresh pasta is my go to dish and try it everywhere I go so I'm being overly critical. It was creamy enough and not bad tasting at all but there was no trace of the salty cheeses or the bite from the pepper that I look for when eating cacio e pepe. I'd skip it next time. We finished with the tiramisu and all was right in the world for a few minutes. It was velvety and rich with a boozy punch that made you want another bite. I'd come back for just appetizers and dessert.

I went into this restaurant on a weeknight and was seated immediately. It's a bit dark in there and wasn't loud so you could definitely have more of a romantic date vibe with conversation. The service itself was fine. Our waiter was attentive and the food came out pretty fast. It's not my favorite but pasta place in DTLA nor I would say the top three but I could see coming to this restaurant frequently if you're a local.

Small little Italian gem in DTLA. We went last night without a reservation. The place was completely booked up for the evening. However, Amy searched the computer and found two seats for us. Amy's back-up staff arrived late due to a traffic accident, but Amy remained calm, with a smile, while delivering excellent service to us and all the other customers that quickly filled the restaurant. The food was delicious. We had the meatballs, Cesar salad, and brussel sprouts. Everything was delicious and service was spectacular. Thank you, Amy, for a great experience.

Probably one of my favorite meals in recent memory. We were just walking by and the cozy atmosphere and dim lighting pulled us in. The calamari was great. The caesar salad was great as well, although I do wish it was chopped just so the flavors were distributed better. We each ordered a pasta and it was difficult to choose, I wanted to try each one! However I feel I chose right for my first time. The pasta texture was so perfect and the flavor to die for. The meat was incredibly tender. We raved about it the whole walk home! I had a glass of white and my bf two glasses of a red, both recommendations of the server who was pleasant and the perfect amount of presence during our meal. We never felt forgotten or bombarded. The tiramisu was so creamy and delicious. Overall I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu!

OMG!! we came here before the Angus and Julia Stone concert (around the corner from the Orpheum Theatre) the last Saturday in June and what a cozy little joint this place is! We sat at the bar Service was spot on, my wine was delicious (a Chenin Blanc) and the Bolognese Pappardelle was mouthwateringly good! The wine list consist of natural wines. Such a chill vibe in here but we were early in our reservations so keeping that in mind I'd say it might get busier the later the hour. Also be aware they do NOT take cash for payment of your meal. They do, of course for tips just not for the meal. Not a lot of room in here so don't come with the thought of a romantic dinner for two where you can whisper sweet-nothings to one another without someone else overhearing hahaha. Parking lot was well lit behind the building, it is shared with the Theater. Respectfully Reviewed.

We went on a Sunday night and it was surprisingly empty. The service was great, but the staff is small as the space is small as well. However, the server was attentive and the food came out timely. We ordered the burrata, cacio e pipe, filet mignon, calamari, and meatballs. All were pretty good but some better than others of course. The burrata with tomatoes were so delicious and I am not a tomatoe fan, but the dish was so cohesive with the dollops of pesto and sprinkling of sea salt. The cacio e pepe was delicious as well and very cheesy, so be prepared. The bucatini was the perfect texture and just the right amount of chew to hold the sauce. Everything else ordered was good, but those were my top picks.

This spot is a vibe! Really simple, yet aesthetically pleasing interior... I think the candle lighting, pink walls, and mirrors make the place feel perfect for a date night. The food feels the same way. I shared the crudo, Spaghetti Alla Vongole, and branzino with my date. The crudo was pretty unique with a beet vinaigrette that I enjoyed -- def recommend getting the bread add on. My favorite was the Vongole tho, the clams were delicious with the garlic pieces. Service was fine. We went like 30 mins before the kitchen closed so not a big rush!

A new pasta bar opened in the neighborhood and we had to check it out. We came in on a Friday night as soon as they opened during their happy hour. The restaurant was really cute with a laidback ambiance. We ordered: - Calamari Fritti - Meatballs - Cheese Board - Pappardelle Bolognese - Olive Oil Cake The calamari was good but can't really mess up on that lol. We enjoyed the meatballs. They were juicy and had a bouncy texture. The cheese board was really good - next time I'd want to add the charcuterie. The olive oil cake was light and the perfect way to end the meal. When we get pasta, we usually order the Pappardelle Bolognese and although this one was cooked well, it wasn't our favorite. Would go back for happy hour!

Mona is a little pasta bar I came across that I tried last week. First impression was the music, very fun and energetic for a late night dinner! Second, small but cozy spot with terrible parking lol (we ended up spending $15 each) Now for the food, we ordered some apps. the raw fish, the artichokes and the Brussels sprouts. The artichokes were a bit dry but honestly still tasted good to me, my friends didn't love them. The Brussels sprouts and crudo were incredible! I'd come back for them. The vodka pasta was okay to me but the clam pasta was a lot better! Service throughout the night was good. It's worth coming by and trying for a date night!

Had a lovely self date here. Pasta was awesome though the vongole felt a bit oily for me but alright. When the service was slow, the owner gave me a side dish of olives out of courtesy. Would recommend

Mona pasta bar is cute and the food is delicious. I tried the Branzino and it was perfection. I also had some pasta that was also delicious. The service is impeccable too. This is a really small spot. I'm not sure how much people it can fit not more than 50 I think but it is a great place for pasta and the wine was very good too. The prices were reasonable. Will definitely return.

A small cozy cafe type spot in DTLA that has a minimalist vibe and menu (which I really appreciate). What they lack in menu size, they make up for it in the delicious offerings in shareable bites and pastas. A group of friends and me were in the area checking out a new brewery and wanted to grab dinner. This came up when looking, so we just walked in on a Friday night with no reservations. We were seated right away and our server was very friendly and helpful. As a group, we ordered some meatballs and baby artichokes to start. Both were very delicious and perfect for sharing. For the pastas, we ordered the bucatini cacio e pepe, lumache - alla vodka, and pappardelle bolognese, all to share. I thought all the pasta was cooked perfectly with great texture and flavors from the sauces. Just an all around really enjoyable meal with amazing food. Definitely a great spot if you want a quality meal with great starters, pasta, and the larger dishes (we didn't get any on our visit), without breaking the bank. Parking could be tough since it's in a slightly busier area of DTLA. Also, their bathroom is cool. I thought I was in a scene of a David Lynch project. Hopefully my doppelganger wasn't going to come out of the mirror and replace me for about 20 years, haha.

I've been wanting to come here since the restaurant opened. I can't believe it took this long to try it. This is a very intimate restaurant which reminds me of a small bistro. People were having drinks and enjoying happy hour at the counter, going outside for cigarettes...I really missed this vibe! It can get a bit loud, so go early if you prefer quiet dining. And a reservation is a must. For non-DTLA residents, It's almost impossible to find a parking spot in this neighborhood so Uber here or park at a nearby parking lot. The service was good! Wines were good (very reasonable price)! Appetizers were good. The pasta was good. I will probably order Burrata & Tomato instead of Caesar salad next time. Overall everything was "good"! I hope my "good" can convince you to try this place :-)

Went here for a happy hour with some colleagues and was so pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed our experience. The server was very knowledgeable on all the wines and recommended some delicious ones based on our palate preferences. I had the Elvio Tintero Bianco, and it was the perfect crisp, refreshing white blend for the warm spring evening. If you're an orange wine lover, they have a wide variety to choose from. We tried all 4 of their happy hour foods: fried artichokes, cheese board, meatballs, and calamari. We also tried two pastas: spaghetti alle vongole and lumache alla vodka. Everything we ordered was delicious. I highly recommend this spot for an upscale happy hour or date night. It's a small space, so I recommend getting there early or making a reservation. The size and ambiance of the restaurant made for a cozy, intimate dining experience that we highly enjoyed.

Spent our nye dinner at Mona, they had a prix fixe dinner menu for $70/person which I thought was quite reasonable. The restaurant is slightly small and the seating in the front of the restaurant is cramped (counter seating) but i guess some people will consider it cozy. We were given a glass of Prosecco on the house. Prix fixe menu included appetizer, salad, main, and dessert. Between the two of us we tried burrata and tomato, Cesar salad, brussel sprouts, bucatini, bolognese, olive oil cake and tiramisu. We also tried their meatballs which were pretty good. Pasta had good chew. Portions were decent and I felt full when we left (could just be all the cheese and butter). The prix fixe menu was a great deal and the food was great. I think for a normal dinner, Mona would be great too. We'll be back.

Came here for Dine LA with 3 friends. Lumache alla vodka - best pasta, I would order this again. Paparadelle - I would have liked more red sauce but the tast was still good. Artichoke - Fried perfectly. Cacio e Pepe - Okay, not bad but not great. Olive Oil Cake & Tiramisu - Delicious and a must get! All the pastas tasted delicious, the salads were also good, especially the little gem salad which was my favorite! The desserts were also perfectly sweet. I would come back again. total bill was $360 for 4 people.

First thing you need to know is that there is no parking lot or valet for the restaurant. So, plan your time accordingly- there are pay lots available on both Main/Olympic and 9th/Broadway. Mona sits on 9th between Broadway and Main- it's a small shop, so don't overshoot it! The maze of one-way streets downtown will cause you to miss your reservation (like I almost did!). We arrived a bit late due to getting lost/parking and nearly lost our reservation. Tables are few, and the restaurant is small- a reservation is CRITICAL! The staff was understanding and accommodating once we arrived (I called in advance to let them know we were lost). My two friends and I were seated at the bar. This arrangement, in combination with the Afro-beats playing through the speakers made any substantial conversation near impossible, but the vibes in the space made up for it. Our server allowed us to taste several wines before choosing our full glasses, which I appreciated- I didn't find one I loved until the 4th taster. For appetizers, we ordered the crudo and calamari. The calamari overall had good flavor, but was a bit salty for my liking. The crudo, on the other hand, was gorgeous. Deliciously fresh fish, in a ln equally yummy and tangy citrus vinaigrette was amazing- it's served with a crusty side of bread to sop up the juice. Our entrees selected were the Spaghetti, Pappardelle, and Casarecce. My friends and thoroughly enjoyed the spaghetti and pappardelle, but I was regrettably less pleased by the Casarecce. I generally LOVE lamb, but the lamb sausage used in this dish was a bit overpowering for me. It's a different, acquired flavor, but just wasn't for me. Our server, noticing I'd not really touched my meal much, offered a replacement dish for me. I reluctantly accepted (I don't typically send food back and really felt bad)- I chose the pappardelle bolognese and BOYYYY am I glad I did! It was glorious. Would definitely return when back in DTLA and recommend to others as well. 1/2

HOW does this place not have more reviews? I've been once and already want to come back for more! My friend and I just saw a show at the Orpheum and stumbled upon this darling place that's literally a 2 minute walk from the Orpheum! It's a prime location with lots of parking lots & street parking to choose from. I ordered the Lumache Pasta (the vodka sauce one) and it was literally heaven on a plate! Be aware that this sauce is not vegetarian, they mix prosciutto into the sauce to give richness to the pasta sauce. I'm not a vegetarian or vegan but I was worried that maybe the prosciutto was going to make it salty but it didn't at all! In fact, it balanced the flavors in the sauce fantastically! My friend ordered the Pappardelle Bolognese which was tasty but be careful, it's hearty! I love a place that gives good portions of food and Mona's is one of those places! I loved the quaint ambience with the tea light candles and the modern Italian kitchen aesthetic. We opted to sit at the bar instead of a table. Not to mention the stellar service from Sarah! Her kind demeanor and helpful suggestions really made our night special! She's a delight! We didn't save room for dessert, but we ordered dessert anyway (we couldn't resist!). We got their olive oil cake which was so delicious! A must-try! All in all, this place just fueled my urge to travel to Italy! Definitely check them out!

My colorist told me about Mona Pasta Bar, so I knew I had to check it out. I made a reservation via OpenTable just because I knew it was a smaller restaurant. Ambiance is cozy, casual, but also romantic with candles at each table. I believe HH is all night as well (ordered beer and prosecco for discounted price). + Charcuterie & cheese board 5/5: Visually pleasing! I really enjoyed the toast and thought everything on the board tasted great together. My fav were the brie, honeycomb, and sliced apple. + Cacio e Pepe 5/5: Wow, al dente bucatini with the creamiest black pepper sauce. I inhaled this pasta dish lol. + Lumache 5/5: Tomato sauce was fresh and had a tiny kick. So flavorful! + Tiramisu 5/5: One of the better tiramisu I've had. It's not ridiculously sweet nor bitter. Good balance. It's been a while since I liked everything I ordered at a single restaurant. Mona Pasta Bar was a wonderful experience for me and I can't wait to come back to try more dishes in the future!

A very welcome addition to the neighborhood. Cute, cozy. Menu is simple but solid. Have been meaning to stop by and check it out and finally had a chance to Friday night after an errand at the nearby Apple Store. I was the first person in the joint just after 5pm when they opened and was immediately, warmly welcomed by the opening bartender. Didn't catch her name but she was great/friendly. I'd say an hour or so in was when the place started really filling up. It's a small space, but works. Start to finish, my dinner was delicious and exactly what I was seeking for a solo night out when I was craving Italian. Happy Hour is from 5-7pm and quite generous in terms of portions (which are the same as their regular menu but several dollars off) and pours ($10). I loved both the white and orange choices. The orange was particularly special as sometimes the 'funk' is quite pronounced but not the case with what choice they had here. Meatballs were delicious, as were the lumanche pasta and tiramisu (loved the slight crunchy texture of this, different than what I've been used to). All in all a great experience- only call-out was I definitely felt rushed at the end when, just a couple of bites of dessert in, the check was dropped in front of me and the man next to me was asked to move to the his left. Clearly they were planning to seat a duo at the end of the bar where we were at. I wasn't the lingering type but did put down my spoon halfway through my dessert, partially because I lost the rest of my appetite but also knowing it was time to call it a night anyway.

We came by on a Saturday night with an 8:45pm reservation. Our server, Sarah, was amazing! I wish I would have listened to her rec and tried the Lumache alla vodka, but the Casarecce was still delicious! The bolognese was to dieeee for! Definitely the highlight. The lowlight was the broccolini. It was so bitter and honestly nasty, we had to send it back. However they were so nice about it and swapped it for the potatoes, which were yummy! Such a little gem in DTLA, we will be back.

Had dinner here on a Wednesday night so finding street parking in downtown was not as hard as it would be on the weekend. Loved the lighting inside. Nice and dim, not too many tables but because of the small size of the restaurant it's understandable. The stools at the tables are super uncomfortable and if their goal is to get you in and out, then they've achieved it! There were four people in our party and we ordered two apps and two pasta dishes. All were very tasty and delicious. My only complaint was the bottle of wine we added to our order. Our first choice was not available so we went with a sparkling red. It was way to vinegary for me so just beware. Overall nice experience!

Absolutely delicious pasta -- some of the best we've had in LA lately, and we're serious pasta snobs. Quick wait, great vibes, and the service was outstanding. A must-visit in DTLA. Highly recommend!

This restaurant is just around the corner from me and it is quite intimate and quaint. Would be great for a date night. Super cute on the decor. I ordered on uber eats so i cannot comment on service but id assume it is excellent. We ordered: Calamari 9/10 delicious Cesar salad 8/10 Pappardelle bolognese 10/10 the bolognese is chefs kiss truly Cacio e pepe 7/10 very good but not sure id order this dish again Overall delicious food, very good quality. The pasta was super fresh, 10/10 recommend

We started off date night here and took advantage of their DineLA menu, as well as their sweet happy hour deal, because wine not?! All dad jokes aside, this newcomer to Downtown LA (hard launched this past Summer 2023) is making quite the impression in the food scene here- you will continually be more pleasantly surprised from the first to fourth course of your meal. Promise!! We had: Baby artichokes (Parmesan, mint, lemon), calamari fritti (cherry peppers,marinara), Caesar salad (lettuce, chicories), pappardelle bolognese (veal, prosciutto), lumache alla vodka, & tiramisu (cafe, mascarpone, dark rum)

Cute little restaurant with only a handful of tables and a bar. We ate family style and tried the broccoli rabe, burrata salad, calamari, and 3 pastas (cacio de Pepe, bolognese, and the lumache). Pastas were the star of the show- both the lumache and bolognese were very good. Staff was super friendly. We loved Sarah!!! She was so sweet and very knowledgeable on their wine list.

Ambiance was the cutest ever ~ very quaint and the staff was so so nice !! They made you feel like you're dinning at home - they were so accommodating! Also check out the bathroom - loved it ! We tried almost every appetizer and I can say every single one was amazing. Now the pasta - I feel like I went to pasta heaven :,) everything was cooked perfectly !! Can't wait to come back

This is a fine Italian restaurant, painted all pink in the fashion district. The food was outstanding as I got to try the Branzino. They have a large selection of wine, which I hope to get to next time. Service can get long as it gets busier but the food really makes up for it. Affordable pricing compared to other fine Italian dining.

Food, service, and ambiance was lovely! We'll definitely be back Their Casareece - Lamb Sausage x Rapini was amazing

Mona is small and definitely unassuming from the outside -- I've walked by quite a few times but didn't recognize the name when I was invited to a friend's birthday dinner here this past weekend. He hadn't been before either but he's a Capricorn and did his research so I figured it would be good! I was definitely impressed with their wine list -- we had three different wines that were all very good and our waitress was really knowledgeable about each one of them. We tried a couple plates of three different type of pastas, the bolognese, the cacio e pepe, and the casarecce. They were all very good - I was happy the lamb sausage wasn't overwhelmingly gamey. The calamari was delicious as well. I usually really like broccoli rabe but these were just okay, and the cheese board was admittedly a bit sad. More board than cheese that's for sure. It's cute and intimate inside but also rather stuffy. Many people in a small space, and I know you all can afford chairs with backs on them! Still a very good experience here

Visit 6/7/25 Calamari Fritti - OK Lumache alla vodka- Excellent Whole Branzino- Good Tiramisu- Excellent Service- Very Good Ambiance- Excellent Restroom lighting- Excellent Manager's blond hairstyle- Striking (complement) Would come again!

Decided to check out Mona Pasta Bar for Valentine's Day since it was walking distance from where I live. I had a reservation at 8:15 pm, but got there 5 minutes early. The moment you walk in, the setup is very odd. It was hard to determine who the host was (if there is a host) and had to flag a waiter down. We waited about 10 minutes, which is fine, but the initial experience to start was off. I think this is not a logical setup as I think the restaurant should look to setup a small host table outside to check in guests. It's weird as people started coming in that they were waiting inside. With the limited space, I felt bad for people sitting next to the door because people would just hover either confused who to check in with or were just waiting for their table. A host table outside and having guests wait outside would really help. Moving to the service... we got seated and waited about 10 minutes. We had to flag a waiter down to give us menus. The reservation we had didn't mention a pre-fix menu, but the menu only had a pre-fix. I didn't mind given Valentine's Day, but also felt like this should have been mentioned to me during the initial check prior to the reservation (which never happened). We ordered the Calamari and Brussel Sprouts. Both were just okay. Nothing very special about either dishes. Critique would be the batter for the calamari could have been better as it was falling apart. For the salad, ordered the Caesar Salad. Again, it was just okay, but the croutons on top actually were seasoned nicely and provided a good texture. For the main, got the Cacio e Pepe and Whole Branzino. Pasta was again, just okay... same story... and the Branzino was actually cooked nicely. The slaw that came with the dish was a bit too salty and acidic for my taste. Lastly, for dessert, got the Olive Oil Cake and Tiramisu. Cake tasted good, but again, just okay. The Tiramisu was a complete miss. It tasted like melted chocolate and it came in the same cup used for water. Not very appetizing if you ask me. I get the restaurant is fairly new and has some areas for growth, but I think the issues can easily be fixed if you 1) put a host table outside and keep guests outside 2) have 1 server assisting customers at the bar and 2 servers assisting customers on the floor. For the size of the restaurant, having 4 waiters/hosts and the service to be this slow and not organized is a bit confusing. The food is not memorable and I'd only come back if it's half empty or I am nearby and starving. I do think this restaurant can be better, but I think that's up to management to make the necessary changes.

The pasta was perfect. However, I thought they relied more on spice as opposed to full, rich flavors. That said, I will go again. Really, it was an intimate and enjoyable experience.

My friend and I were in LA for a flog gnaw and we were craving pasta, so we did some googles and this place came up. 10/10 Mona did not disappoint!! We didn't have a reservation but we were able to sit at the bar. I had the bolognese and my friend had the Bucatini and we clean those plates baby, left no crumbs!!!!! It was also happy hour and we got brussels sprouts and calamari *chefs kiss. For dessert we had the Olive oil cake, it was a lil burned, but somehow still good as hell. will 100% be return on our next trip. It's such a vibe, get cute and check them out. Our server was Aimee and she was sweet and chill.

Came here for a Friday night dinner food was great and the server was amazing as well ! Got pasta and Ceasar salad great food

A small but mighty pasta restaurant. Let's start with the bad, since there isn't much to dislike: Parking. Welcome to downtown LA where public parking is a rarity. If you have a reservation be sure to allocate some additional time to finding street parking if you prefer to go that route. Realistically your best bet is to just find a nearby parking structure and eat the $15-$20 cost. The good: Pretty much everything else. It's a small, intimate space. Mona's is relatively quiet which makes it a great space for conversations. I'd recommend this spot for first dates or somewhere to get together with friends or colleagues. Everything we ordered was superb, and the night was topped off with some excellent items for dessert. Around 800 square feet, the atmosphere of Mona's feels much bigger than the actually space provides. The size helps keep service quick and efficient. Mona's is a great spot to start your night. It provides a robust drink selection and tasty dinner options. I will definitely be back.

To start off its a very cute spot but it's very crowded. Tables need to be pushed to the side in order for customers to be seated. The kitchen is very close to the tables which make the location very warm and stuffy on the inside. My pasta was good? However, my boyfriends plate was delicious but cold. Overall, I had high expectations and was disappointed.

I so wanted to love this place so why don't I start listing the good things.. Ambiance: simple but cute kind of a minimalist vibe. Service: good, not much to say about it. Food: here's where things went south, we (group of 4) ordered 2 appetizers 2 pastas 2 mains and 2 desserts and nothings was special or outstanding, nothing gave me that yuumm moment, the food was really plain and pretty small portions for the price point. So overall, average ambiance and service with underwhelming food, and after ordering so much food we left the restaurant kind of still hungry. We had: Calamari 7/10 Meatballs 7/10 Branzino 6/10 Lamb chop 4/10 Pappardelle bolognese 5/10 Spaghetti alle vongole 5-10 Tiramisu 5/10 Olive oil cake 7/10 Hoping it's was just an off day for the chef.