City: Colorado Springs, CO

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (719) 685-0277

Address: 733 Manitou Ave.

Description: Year after year, since it opened in 1995, the Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant gets voted as “most romantic” local restaurant (11 times so far). The restaurant, located in a historic building in downtown Manitou, is divided into small cozy rooms and decorated in a very romantic fashion. It’s one of those ­special-occasion places where local couples go for birthdays and anniversaries. Not surprisingly, the Fondue for Two is one of its most popular offerings. This is a four-course fondue meal designed for two people (but can be modified for any size party). It includes a salad; choice of cheese fondue accompanied with fresh breads, fruits, and vegetables for dipping; a meat course (grilled tableside); and a dessert course. The most popular item on the menu, however, is The Traditional, with a choice of flatiron filet, chicken breast, Gulf tiger shrimp, Atlantic salmon, teriyaki filet, a Cajun bratwurst, and some more vegetables to be grilled at the table. There’s a seafood and wild game four-course offering, as well. The all-time favorite dessert course is the chocolate fondue with fresh-baked cakes and cookies and fresh fruit to dip. They serve wine and beer only and are open for dinner every night but Monday, when they are closed. Parking can be tight on the street, but there’s a public lot a block away.