Mondello Italian Restaurant | Our Story
A Little Piece of Sicily in the Heart of Magnolia
At Mondello, we believe that food is more than something we serve. It is how we share our traditions, celebrate life, and bring people together.
Our story is rooted in Sicily, where food has always been an expression of love, family, and tradition.
Inspired by the cooking and traditions of our beloved Mamma Enza, we continue to celebrate the flavors and values passed down through generations. Her love of food, family, and hospitality lives on in everything we do.
Where It All Began
Founded in 2005 by Corino Bonjrada and Giuseppe Forte, Mondello brought the warmth and flavors of Sicily to Seattle's Magnolia neighborhood. Together, they created an authentic Italian trattoria where traditional cuisine and genuine hospitality would make every guest feel at home.
A Labor of Love
For Sofana Laible, Mondello was never just a place to work. After years of welcoming guests, sharing stories, building friendships, and caring for every detail, she had already come to feel that Mondello was her own.
When she eventually purchased the restaurant from her brother, Corino Bonjrada, it wasn't the beginning of her connection to Mondello. It was simply the next chapter of a love story that had started many years before.
A Family Legacy
Today, alongside her husband Bruce, Sofana continues to preserve the warmth, authenticity, and Sicilian traditions that have made Mondello a beloved part of the Magnolia community.
And with their daughter Aurelia, the family's story reaches into the next generation, reminding us that the most meaningful legacies are built not only through what we create, but through the love we put into them.
From Our Kitchen to Your Table — Made With Love
Our kitchen celebrates the flavors of Sicily with fresh handmade pasta and ravioli, our special family recipe for homemade gluten-free pasta, fresh seafood, and desserts made from scratch. We believe that great food begins with quality ingredients, traditional recipes, and the care that goes into preparing every dish.
More Than Food
It's about candlelit dinners, meaningful conversations, anniversaries, family celebrations, friendships that grow over time, and memories shared around the table.
We want our guests to feel the comfort of a neighborhood trattoria, the romance of an intimate dinner, and the warmth of being welcomed into someone's home.
In 2026, we were deeply honored to be named "Best Italian Restaurant in The Seattle Times Best in the PNW People's Choice Awards". This recognition means so much to us because it reflects the love and support of the community we have been privileged to serve for more than twenty years.
Because at Mondello, we don't just serve meals. We create memories.
As Mondello continues its journey, our promise remains the same: to preserve the soul of a traditional Sicilian trattoria, where authentic food, heartfelt hospitality, music, laughter, and the joy of being together are always at the heart of the experience.
With love,
Sofana, Bruce, Aurelia, and the Mondello Family