You should be able to smell the espresso by the first week in November when successful cafe entrepreneurs from
Design images created by Christina Coutsoubelis Marcille of Spatial Forum in Metuchen.
The Mona Lisa Cafe will serve a variety of breakfast entrees as well as baked goods, paninis, salads, and daily gourmet pasta specials (to name just a few) and will be open from early until late (while the closing hour will be determined by market demand, look for a 7 AM opening and rest assured you'll be able to meet for coffee and one delicacy or another until late into the evening). There will be a complete Espresso bar featuring a variety of coffees - both hot and cold.
I met with one of the owners, Michael Saied, and he showed me around the construction site. Former customers of the old print shop won't recognize the place. Beautiful columns and high-end flooring, sophisticated lighting and new French doors across the front will provide a lovely spot for customers. Weather permitting, there will be outdoor seating in both the front and side of the building where new landscaping and cable lighting will wrap the space in both comfort and a lovely new profile. (Phase II renovation plans include replacing the concrete sidewalk with a more upscale masonry style).
All baking will be done at the flagship store in Brooklyn by their master baker, who not only is from
You will be able to eat-in or take-out and catering services will be available. They also specialize in custom cakes for weddings or other occasions.
There is parking in the rear of the building which can be accessed via
Mona Lisa is hiring experienced workers for all positions. Call 718-837-9053 for more information.
Be sure to stop by and say hi to owners/managers Nancy Saied or Remonda Rezkala. We'll let you know about the grand opening once plans have been made.
I like Mona Lisa, the quality of the pies and cookies is outstanding. The service wasn't great when I went either, but the kid who was supposed to clean my table (but didn't) lives in Metuchen and I am glad they hired local help. Even though the service was bit slow, I am really happy to have a food establishment that serves really good quality food so close to home. The espresso machine looks like it cost a small fortune and that is what I am going to order next time I stop in.
I was very excited to try this place out, but the service we got here today was HORRIBLE.We never got to try dessert because our waiter took so long to come check on us, and we had to leave. My pancakes were served cold, and my companion's were burnt. We had to ask twice for water, and for silverware, and we were only the second table there! By the time we left, there were four tables of people. The people next to us had their drink order served wrong, and the server didn't know the difference between New England and Manhattan clam chowder. No one came to clear our plates until we started getting our coats on, and it took another five minutes for us to actually get our check. They locked the back door that leads from the parking lot, forcing people to walk around the building in the snow. They had at least ten people working, but no one seemed to be doing much. I was very disappointed. I hope they were just experiencing some grand-opening wrinkles, because the food was good, even though it was cold, and the pastries looked divine!