Mondo! on the River
In a Bite
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LNWiXyCU3j1bifkR9
Restaurant Website: https://www.mondowinebar.com/
Ambiance: Retro interior design, outdoor deck on river
Music: None, inside or out.
Service: Friendly & Knowledgeable
Price: $$-$$$
Food Style: Upscale American
What to Order: Mussels (they sell out and are not always on menu so ask)
Go Again?: Yes, taking friends. Great spot for dates too!
The Whole Plate
Despite loving food, we are not big wine people. If we drink wine at home, it’s because Lindsay found a clearance bottle of white for under $3 at Meijer. That’s probably why we haven’t visited Mondo! on the River until this summer. They used to be Mondo! Wine Bar, downtown Appleton on the street in the 222 Building. We heard they moved and had greatly expanded their food offerings and ambiance game so we decided to check it out. We will be able to hold our own at this swanky spot? Let’s find out.
Ambiance
Restaurant spots on the river in Appleton are few but not far between. Mondo! took over where River Tyme used to be in the Paper Discovery building. It’s the old-school brick building right next to Fratellos. From Mondo!’s deck you see Pullmans down the river under the Oneida bridge. So truly not far between.
It’s quite the upgrade from their downtown location. Better parking, more dining space, and a full kitchen? They’ve got to be stoked at this opportunity.
Walking into Mondo! feels like discovering a secret oasis. Compared to Fratellos, the signage is small and easy to pass-by but once you find, you’ll be rewarded. The restaurant takes full advantage of its waterfront location with a newly renovated dining deck overlooking the dam. The constant rush of water creates a natural, soothing soundtrack and makes having a private conversation on the open deck possible. Even on a hot summer evening, the building provides great shade so you don’t have to worry about sitting in the blazing sun.
If you do want to sit inside, they have retro interior design that adds to natural brick. There are two dining areas and one of them can be reserved for private parties. Both areas have a bar, so no worries about getting your favorite wine if the party space is booked.
Overall, the space itself has a vintage charm that perfectly complements the natural setting.
Service
The service was exceptional; friendly and knowledgeable. Our server, Sage, offered enthusiastic recommendations that enhanced our dining experience. Linds knew she wanted Rosé and tried the two on menu. I asked for whatever was popular and Sage picked two great white wines from the constantly rotating list.
Another small thing; they noticed we were annihilating our napkins (because Mussels [spoiler!]) and they brought us new, paper towel like napkins that they were testing out.
With “swanky” branding everywhere, Mondo! does a good job of not being pretentious.
I get QR codes are great cause they’re easy to switch a changing menu, they might fly away, and you save on printing costs buuut… I personally love a physical menu.
Food
The culinary offerings at Mondo! showcases a thoughtful approach to American cuisine influenced by world travels, crafted to accompany wine and vice versa. Our meal began with the recommended mussels and double order of house-made focaccia – a combo not officially on the menu but we highly recommend the double order of bread. The owner, David, said they’re picky about their mussels and don’t want to disappoint folks if they can’t serve them. He said they usually have them Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and might be sold out by Saturday.
The large mussels were perfectly cooked and bathed in a delicate Thai coconut broth that balanced richness with complexity. The focaccia deserves special mention: pre-sliced and buttery, it was the ideal vehicle for soaking up every last drop of that magnificent broth. Best mussels in town?
Our next dish is thanks to you all. Linds asked on our Instagram what we should order and a majority of you said the “Vegetable Situation.” We admit we were surprised that so many people recommended veggies. A colorful array of pan fried broccoli and cauliflower smothered in not-too-spicy Calabrian chilies. The dish offered just enough spice to be interesting without overwhelming the natural flavors of the produce.
The mushroom pasta demonstrated the kitchen’s ability to create depth of flavor through simple, quality ingredients. The rich, earthy notes of the mushrooms permeated each bite, though we did find ourselves wishing for a touch more acidity to cut through the richness – perhaps a squeeze of lemon would have elevated this dish from excellent to extraordinary but we are just being picky. We’d absolutely eat that again.
For dessert, we sampled both the lemon mousse and chocolate tarte. The dark chocolate ganache and the tart raspberry coulis were a great contrast. I personally would have liked a touch more sweetness. The mousse was a little bit more like a yogurt than the texture we expected, but the flavor was very appropriate for the summer night. Both a refreshing conclusion to our meal.
The wine list deserves recognition as well. We enjoyed several selections, including the Van Camp Rosé, Noble Du For, Francious Brute, and Andre Rosé – each thoughtfully chosen to complement the menu and provide options for various palates and price points. Something unique is owner David created the periodic table of wine to help folks selected a wine.
Please note that they DO offer non-alcoholic options for those looking for an alternative beverage that isn’t the usual water and soda.
https://www.mondowinebar.com/mondo-periodic-table-of-wine
Taking It to Go
Mondo! on the River delivers a dining experience that stands out in the Fox Cities food scene. The combination of exceptional service, a unique waterfront setting, and a veggie focused menu creates a special experience. We were expecting the bill to be higher actually. So while some may consider it to be a premium dining option, the quality justifies the price point. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for an excellent meal in a distinctive setting, Mondo! on the River should be at the top of your list.
