We found the Mona Lisa to be rotten. The service was surly and slower than any restaurant I have ever been to. Add to that their reputation on the island for simply "forgetting" to serve people of color and I suggest avoiding them. Everywhere else we went on the island ranged from good to excellent.

-Greg

Again, I must come to the defense of the Mona Lisa and their staff. We were on the island for a month and ate quite a few meals at that restaurant. As stated before, island time is much slower than that in the U.S., but who is in a rush. We found the staff very pleasant. Hans, one of the owners, could not be more gracious; he went out of his way to accommodate us and the food was superb. It's our favorite restaurant. As far as their "reputation" on the island, that's the first time I've heard a comment about them forgetting to serve people of color. Can't believe that one! Carol Collins

We thought we remembered a local gentelman of color being the bartender occasionaly, so I wonder on that statement, I have been there when it was crowded and it might have taken longer, but never felt unwelcomed as an American. Always make it a point to stop and look for the hat.Sorry for your bad experience.

I feel that making a racist comment about having a bad meal is highly inappropriate and uninformed. One of the owners is indeed married to an Aneillean and they have a daughter. We have enjoyed them for 7 years. And yes, we are tourists.

Just got back to NH last night and saw the title of this thread and thought it was a joke. Last friday my wife and I came across Mona Lisa just by walking through town and I had remembered hearing good things on the board so we stopped in. As a chef I can tell you that the meal was outstanding. Fish was freshest I have seen and cooked to perfection. The sauces were very well balanced and presentation by far the most sophisticated we saw on the island. That being said a group of six of us wanted to spend our last night together so we comprimised on were to eat, we had dinner at It's Raining Fish and then went over to Mona Lisa for dessert. Although they were very busy they pulled a table and six chairs together for us and we had coffee, tea and several desserts within minutes. All served by a very nice black gentleman(very sorry I didn't get his name) and his daughter. The desserts were so good(Fresh strawberries served with homemade Rosemary Ice Cream and Fresh Fruit Sorbet Medley) that we ordered another round. If you don't like the food I can understand....not everyone likes all styles of food, but I think your accusations of racial discrimination are way off base!!!! Can't wait to go back!!!!!!!!

I love the chef's presentation of the food!too.yum!

Sorry Greg, but I think you had a bad day yourself. We know a lot of people white and colored and they all love the Mona Lisa and the way that they threat people, so I think you're overreacting a little
Susan

We had absolutely horrible service there too. We waited 1.5 hours before being served our food at 11pm. I practically had to beg the waitress for water refills.

But the worst (almost laughable) example was that the manager? head waiter? knocked over a full glass of wine of one of my party and didn't even offer to replace it! I couldn't believe it. About a 1/4 bottle of wine down the tubes. Just said "sorry" and put a napkin over the spilled part and left.

We'll be back to Bonaire many more times but will never be back to the Mona Lisa...

Sorry, Greg, but you're off base on this one. The Mona Lisa became our favorite watering hole the same month (April '01) you wrote, and Hans had a very diverse staff and clientele. Service was first rate and the food was among the best on the island. I'll be there in 3 days and have been fantasizing about that first cold draft Amstel.