"Truly First Class!"        "Definately on the Top 5 Restaurants that I have ever been to."

These phrases were just a couple things I heard from people leaving the Mona Lisa as I waited for Derek to grab the car and pick me up the other night. Derek and I were celebrating our 12th Wedding Anniversary the way that we always do  - a romantic dinner for two at the Mona Lisa.

Nestled in the heart of downtown Manitou Springs, is one of the most romantic places in all of Southern Colorado ~ The Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant in Manitou Springs, CO. Derek and I have been going here for more than half of our anniversaries in last 12 years that we have been married.

Our evening started as it always does: A drive into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and into Manitou Springs- just West of Colorado Springs and right before Ute Pass (Highway 24), which brings you into the Rocky Mountains. We love this drive, and we love Manitou. We lived there for the first few years of our marraige. We drove about halfway into town, found a place to park and walked up to Mona Lisa.

We were a couple minutes late, but since we called ahead, our server was aware and ready for us. See, they assign people to a server ahead of time for those who set reservations and their restaurant seems to be set up for both romantic evenings and family dinners - with romantic nights being the majority.

We were shown to our table- in a room that we had never been in before. This restaurant is located in a historic building that includes several different rooms and even a balcony (for the warmer nights) where we have enjoyed our dinner while overlooking Downtown Manitou Springs.

We were given a menu and an extensive wine list, by our waiter. (They have their own wine cellar and wine tasting bar in their lower level.) She then asked if this was our first time at the Mona Lisa and what the special occasion was. Dinner at he Mona Lisa is almost always a special occasion. We explained our tradition and after congratulating us, told us about the salad special and left us to make our dinner decisions.

We decided to get the "Dinner for Two" which consisted of one of their fresh salads, one of the selection of cheese fondue appetizers, a main course and one of their fabulous chocolate fondue desserts. After we put our meal together, we opened the wine list and started evaluating the different wines. Our server appeared and helped us choose a bottle of wine that would go well with every entrée. She then took our order.

A dinner at the Mona Lisa starts at about $38. per person and the Mona Lisa experience is well worth every penny. However, it can be even less if you catch their online coupons or specialty advertising.

She first brought out our wine, opened it and let us try it before "committing" to the whole bottle. We loved it and she poured us each a glass.

We started with a salad. Derek ordered the traditional garden salad and I ordered the "special" salad with feta cheese and dried cranberries on a bed of crisp mixed greens topped with a Vinaigrette dressing. Delicious. We ate our salad and enjoyed the mood lighting which consisted mainly of candlelight and the quiet surroundings of other couples relishing in the relaxed, romantic atmosphere.

When we were done eating our salad, our appetizer arrived in the form of a fondue pot filled with "Old World" warm and melted Swiss cheeses. Accompanying the cheese fondue was a selection of French, Rye and other breads, as well as an assortment of fruits and vegetables- all ready for enjoying with the cheese. Our favorite bread was the one with olives (although the crusty French bread was a close 2^nd) and the apples were our favorite fruit. The best part is that whatever we like the most we are welcome to have seconds of. But, we know better ... we don't want to fill up on breads and risk being too full for dessert.

After we were done with our cheese fondue, our server brought over a grilling plate and started heating it up. She then brought our "Traditional" main course, which consisted of a sampling of steaks, chicken, shrimp, bratwursts and salmon for the meats, some kind of great imported cheese to melt and a selection of potatoes, Portabella mushrooms, bell peppers and red onions.

She explained each piece of food and how long it would take to cook them. From there, she explained each of the gourmet dipping sauces that she brought to our table and then left us on our own with our dinner.

We threw most everything on the grill to start cooking and talked a bit while we waited the couple minutes for the first couple things to finish cooking. At first, it looks like you will be able to plow through all they provide in the first few minutes, but don't be deceived! Although we were able to thoroughly enjoy each item in full, there was no way we were able to eat it all! (And remember ... we wanted to save room for dessert...)

From there, we took a few moments to enjoy a bit more of our wine, and then the dessert arrived. The Flaming Turtle is one of their specialty desserts, and definitely our favorite. It arrived rather modestly, but then lit it afire, where it held its flame just long enough to roast a marshmallow. Mmmm. We immediately asked for more sliced bananas, as they are our favorite. And, as with the appetizer, we are welcome to seconds. Besides the bananas, we also enjoyed the cheesecake, angel food cake, brownies, strawberries among an assortment of other sweet and baked delicacies.

By the time we finished our dessert, our wine was near gone, too. Like tradition, we were given a metallic pen and asked to memorialize our wonderful evening by writing something on our (now empty) wine bottle that they would then display on one of their many window sills and ledges. From there, she took a picture of the both of us and let us enjoy the rest of our evening uninterrupted.

12 Years Later ... And STILL Newlyweds!    Derek and Mariana - 2007