For those who’re on the lookout for one of many most interesting eating experiences in Scottsdale, Arizona, look no additional than Cafe Monarch, situated in historic Oldtown Scottsdale (at 6939 E 1st Ave., Scottsdale, AZ 85251). My husband and I’ve been invited to this restaurant by one other couple, and all of us had essentially the most romantic eating expertise you may think about. It is, little doubt, probably the greatest eating places within the Phoenix-Scottsdale space of Arizona. I used to be so impressed (as a meals blogger), I took a ton of images to share their superb culinary creations and describe the elegant ambiance of this fine-dining institution.
Restaurant Evaluation of Cafe Monarch in Scottsdale, AZ
This isn’t my traditional publish, as I normally publish recipes, however on this article, I’ll present an in depth evaluation of my eating expertise at Cafe Monarch in Scottsdale, AZ in June of this 12 months (2023). Prepare for many footage of wonderful meals (my iPhone pictures didn’t do them justice, however you may nonetheless see how yummy every part appears to be like) and the overall ambiance of this superb fine-dining restaurant.
- The situation could not have been higher both – Cafe Monarch is situated within the coronary heart of historic Previous City Scottsdale.
- Cafe Monarch has been rated as the #2 Tremendous Eating Restaurant within the U.S. in 2022, in line with the 2022 Tripadvisor Vacationers’ Alternative Award Better of the Finest.
- It is also been awarded Wine Spectator’s Better of Award of Excellence 2022. Fairly spectacular! And deservedly so! It is undoubtedly one of the best restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona, in my guide!
The expertise on the bar
As you enter Cafe Monarch, you might be instantly greeted by a pleasant host/hostess, and you may’t assist however discover their spectacular and classy-looking bar space. It is a full bar that serves creatively crafted cocktails and all kinds of different drinks. The eye to element is impeccable. Check out the form of this martini glass:
The costume code
The restaurant does have a costume code because it’s a sublime fine-dining restaurant. I would not put on T-shirts, denims, tights, or activewear. Cafe Monarch offers you an ideal probability to dress up in these good garments that you’ve sitting someplace behind your closet. I liked having an excuse to put on a costume and to make my husband put on extra formal clothes. By the way in which, that is me, having fun with the quietness of the bar space (we arrived very early):
My first impressions about Cafe Monarch
I liked the formal inside and beautiful decor of Cafe Monarch – it is very conducive for a pleasant romantic dinner. And there’s a beautiful exterior space with a small backyard and the fountain – an ideal backdrop for stunning images! The meals is scrumptious and superbly introduced, the workers is attentive, and the service is impeccable. That is really one of the best of one of the best eating places not solely in Arizona however within the US, too.
The workers is delicate if in case you have any dietary restrictions. I’m gluten-free, and we talked about that once we made the reservation. I didn’t need to remind the restaurant workers about my gluten-free desire even as soon as throughout the whole eating expertise. Each time, when a brand new dish was served, the waiter would level out to me the adjustments they made to make sure it was gluten-free – I liked that spotlight to element!
It is such a pleasant change from many different eating places that merely do not care about meals sensitivities, do not present gluten-free choices, or the place it’s important to double-check each dish to verify it meets your dietary restrictions. Not at Cafe Monarch – they’re so considerate and caring about your meals preferences. And, they take note of you!
That is me, by the way in which, exterior in a small backyard in entrance of the Cafe Monarch constructing. This space offers an attractive backdrop for images. Our social gathering took many. 🙂
I took this image of our eating desk from above – you may see the 5 of us within the picture and a superbly set eating desk with 2 trays of Caviar Service and menus:
Good spot for a romantic night
I liked the formal decor of the restaurant, full with stunning chandeliers, high-quality desk linens and tablecloths, stunning furnishings, and low lighting. What an ideal setting for a romantic night. This place is nice for {couples}, to have a good time anniversaries, and different particular life occasions. I’m positive this place is 100% booked for Valentine’s Day.
Menu overview
The restaurant presents a four-course dinner menu. The primary 3 programs have 2 decisions every. The fourth course is the principle course, and there are many decisions there! From Monarch Signature Steak Cuts, New Zealand Rack of Lamb, and Bone-In Iberico Pork Chop to some seafood dishes.
Caviar Service
The highest choice on Cafe Monarch’s menu is Caviar Service. You possibly can select from a number of sorts of Osetra caviar. The caviar comes served with a set of gorgeous and scrumptious facet dishes, together with chives, hard-boiled eggs, shallots, creme frache, lemon, and blinis. The presentation is beautiful as you may see on the images beneath.
First Course
There are 2 decisions for the primary course. As a result of there have been 5 of us, we ordered each decisions. Each have been superbly introduced and scrumptious!
Argentinian Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado and Plantain Chip.
Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho.
Second Course
The second course additionally provided 2 choices, and we ordered each. Each have been superb. I wished a double serving – they have been so good!
Pork Stomach with Arugula, Grilled Peaches, Cashews, Goat Cheese, and Honeycomb.
Large Eye Tuna with Crispy Rice and Sesame Seeds.
Third Course
The third course additionally had 2 choices to select from. We received each (since there have been 5 of us on the dinner desk). My favourite was venison.
Venison with Sauce Lyonnaise, Demi, and Mustard Greens.
Maine Diver Scallop with Creamy Salsa Verde and Avenue Corn Succotash.
Fourth Course
The fourth course is the principle course at Cafe Monarch, and you’ve got numerous decisions there! We ordered 4 various kinds of essential dishes, however there are numerous extra to select from. You possibly can select from a big number of objects: 5 choices of signature steak cuts (as of June 2023), rack of lamb, pork chop, seafood, and surf-and-turf.
New Zealand Rack of Lamb with Herb Crust, Arugula, Almond, and Apricot Demi-Glace. This dinner selection was tremendous spectacular. Beneficiant quantity of lamb and scrumptious facet dishes paired with a shocking presentation. This was my second favourite dish on the fourth-course menu.
Fruitti Di Mare – Predominant Lobster Tail, Diver Scallop, Prawns, Tagliatelle, and Chorizo Lemon Cream Sauce. This was a seafood dish on the menu – everybody liked it!
Steak with seasonal root greens, fingerling potato, manchego butter, and bordelaise sauce. We ordered considered one of Monarch Signature Steak Cuts – I truthfully do not keep in mind which specific lower, however it was extremely tasty! This was my third favourite essential course.
Bone-in Iberico Pork Chop with Black Bean Succotash and Salsa Verde. This was my #1 favourite dish on the entire menu! And it pains me to say that as a result of every part was so good! However this specific dish was so distinctive and so flavorful, with meat falling off the bone. Once more, you may’t go fallacious with every other programs or every other essential dishes on the menu. This pork chop was simply off the charts – I’ve by no means had pork that tender and scrumptious! My second favourite was lamb. My third favourite was the Monarch signature steak lower.
Dessert
We received 2 sorts of desserts, each of which have been so tasty!
White Chocolate Ardour Fruit Mousse.
Ciccolata – Chocolate Dessert with Buttermilk Foam, Fudgy Brownie, Honey Comb, and Caramel.
The ambiance
The ambiance of the restaurant speaks for itself. The restaurant’s inside is superbly embellished. Every little thing is fastidiously thought via. Lovely linens and desk garments, candles, high-quality dinnerware, and silverware. Low lighting. The workers may be very participating, useful, and professionally dressed. It is really one of the best effective eating restaurant I have been to in Scottsdale, Arizona. It will likely be an ideal selection for a romantic night, anniversary celebration, or particular birthday dinner.
Questions or feedback?
Have you ever been to Cafe Monarch in Oldtown Scottsdale, AZ? If that’s the case, what have been your impressions? Did you discover it as pretty and accommodating as I did?
My husband and I (along with my husband’s sister and one other couple) had an exquisite romantic dinner at Cafe Monarch in June of this 12 months (2023). I described our superb effective eating expertise on this article. For those who discovered my evaluation of Cafe Monarch useful or attention-grabbing, or need to share your ideas and impressions of this restaurant, I might love to listen to that within the feedback part beneath.