Fans may have saved Mona Lisa French Quarter restaurant

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The owners of Mona Lisa restaurant on Royal Street in the French Quarter tell WGNO that an enormous outpouring of support has led the new landlord to reconsider the decision to end the restaurant’s lease.

On Aug. 7, the owners, Tom Moore and Farrow Stephenson, were told that their building had been sold and they had 60 days to clear out of the Royal Street spot they’ve leased for 20 years.

Loved by customers for its elegant Italian dishes (Tom does the cooking) and its irreverent vibe (Farrow can be sassy), Mona Lisa is not a restaurant for tourists—although tourists who discover it are lucky.  It’s a restaurant for locals, who began lighting up social media in despair.

Two long-time customers had even planned a block party and rally for the restaurant that they advertised as “Night of 1000 Mona Lisas,” to be held on Saturday, Aug. 16. Dressing up as Leonardo’s muse was encouraged. Now, block party is still on, but as a night of celebration rather than protest.

But Stephenson now says that he’s talked to the building’s new owner, who he says is remorseful to the point of tears for causing such alarm among the restaurant’s regulars.

Stephenson is convinced the crisis is over. He also says business has never been better.

This month- traditionally one of the worst for NOLA restaurants- Mona Lisa’s fans have been lining the block– so many that Stephenson says it’s “like Mardi Gras.”

Perhaps not in the Louvre, but in the restaurant, certainly: Now we know why Mona Lisa smiles.

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