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| - I try to approach food reviews with a bowl full of practicality. After all, it's just food right? Someone makes it for you. You eat it. It goes to your stomach and you get full. The collection of tastes, regardless of magnificence, are quickly filed into your culinary memory shortly after you pay and go on your merry way, reserving a moment to determine the probability of your return.
Café Monarch is a place where you can go to eat. A restaurant by definition. But to simply lump it into that broad classification is criminal. Mind you, I despise flowery, over-hyped statements seemingly assigned to all things food (and wine) but this place is so much more than a restaurant. It left me desperately trying to grasp and hold the sensations of food, wine, atmosphere, music, service, comfort and how they all seemed to work in harmony to make our visit remarkable. I'm a practical man and mostly grown up. I try not to get caught up in hype or revel in the splendor of things like froe gras and Manila clam chowder or something called a Winter Salad which were all among best things I've ever put in my mouth. But I couldn't help it. I found myself eating each course more intently, careful not to overlook a taste, and to appreciate the complexity of flavors and the work that must go into each production. I didn't want it to end.
You will read enough reviews about their food, and I understand it changes weekly, but ours was spectacular. I am certain I would have enjoyed it while sitting on a rusted tailgate in the middle of nowhere, but I am also certain the deliberate attempt to create such ambiance made my food and wine taste even better. Our servers were accommodating, wildly-attentive and wine-knowledgeable never once demanding my wine taste of Sandalwood - which I have yet to taste in any wine. Ever. The restroom was spotless, reminded me of a Parisian sitting room and smelled like flowers or the exact opposite of how restrooms usually smell, which was nice - even for a man. The space, though relatively small, is cleverly conceived and just plain cool and undeniably romantic, especially the patio, with its tasteful lighting, vine and plant-laden fences and enough space heaters to make everyone comfortable on what was a typical winter's eve.
The lofty recommendation to visit Café Monarch for the first time generated such heavy expectations which usually leads to disappointment on some level. But there was not a shred of disappointment in any aspect of our experience. In fact, everyone in our party shared the same sentiment that we had all experienced something very intentional and marvelous. Something we are still reliving a few weeks after our visit. Something we all long to experience again. I can say without hesitation the worst part of the entire night was that eventually it had to come to an end. Thank you Cafe Monarch for making such an impression.
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