How do you fancy going to the Olympic Stadium for a delicious slice of pizza? Most enthusiastic, I hope!
The big red British post box at the entrance of La Mona does a good job in confusing you as to the nationality of food served up here; but as you probably guessed based on the name it is indeed Italian fare to be found (after a very close look) on the lower level of the Olympic Stadium beside the road circling the building and opposite the car parks. If you are still not sure just follow the road after you enter the Olympic Centre, and once you hit the rong road around the building keep circling; you will find it eventually.
The decor is a crossing between Maan Coffe and HPC Cafe, a black-white-red colour scheme and modern furniture with a bit of vintage decor chucked in there for good measure; and an orange excavator in that random Chinese fashion we all love.
The most impressive item is surely the pizza oven, a colossal construct that runs all the way up to the high ceiling and resembles something you might find in a coal burning factory. Luckily, the pizza is neither burnt nor black but perfectly crispy and comes with a range of classic to exclusive toppings from good ol’ ham and mushroom to buffalo mozzarella or parma ham, all of which are positively drenched in a delicious sea of melted cheese. At between ¥70 – ¥108 for a sizable serving depending on how exquisite your personal taste is prices are competitive.
While all non-Pizza dishes such as pasta and snacks are a little bit on the small size for their price, surely in order to keep the pizza side of thins viable, taste wise there were not complaints. The Pisa Tower of Chicken Nuggets was more of a mountain than a tower, and not really nuggets either, but then it is really the pizza you should be coming to La Mona for.
If you have a bit of a sweet tooth, their range of dessert cakes looks mouthwateringly delicious, including a yoghurt-coconut cream cake that is just asking for a sampling on my next visit.
The dining experience at La Mona screams contemporary convenience and reminds in no small part of the German invention of “fresh Italian fast food” chain Vapiano. Even the decorative bottles of chili oil, that could be classified as art as much as food item, are reminiscent of the Vapiano style.
This is what we love about this restaurant opened by an overseas returnee. It’s hip, it’s fresh, it’s genuine. Another example how much the local take on international cuisine has progressed over time; watch out expat chefs, you have some serious competition!
