Cafe Monarch

Let me tell you about this little gem that had somehow eluded my radar until recently. In typical fashion, I had been dragging my feet on where to propose to my girlfriend, holding out for the perfect spot. Being the internet sleuth that I am, I stumbled upon an article that touted Cafe Monarch as one of the most romantic restaurants, not just in the Valley, but in the entire country.Now, I'm not one to take things at face value, especially when it comes to something as monumental as my proposal. So, I decided to give Cafe Monarch a call during the early afternoon, before they opened. To my surprise, someone actually answered the phone and invited me down to scope out the place.Let me tell you, the moment I stepped inside, I was blown away. The entire restaurant is immaculate, and it transports you to the heart of southern France, making you forget that you're smack dab in the middle of Old Town Scottsdale. The staff, every single one of them, was incredibly friendly and accommodating. They went above and beyond to help me orchestrate the perfect proposal.Everything about Cafe Monarch is top-notch, from the mouthwatering cuisine to the enchanting atmosphere, and from the attentive waitstaff to the charming hostesses. I want to give a special shoutout to Shelby, who played a pivotal role in making my proposal an unforgettable experience.If you're looking for a place to sweep your significant other off their feet or simply want to indulge in an evening of culinary bliss, Cafe Monarch is the place to be. Trust me, you won't regret it. I only wish I had discovered this hidden treasure sooner, but better late than never, right?We will be back for every foreseeable anniversary.

THIS PLACE... 5 STAR 100%. Cafe Monarch is heaven. From the second we walked in, we were absolutely taken care of by the staff!! The service is over the top, absolutely perfect! The food is INCREDIBLE. It is gorgeous inside, the bar area is beautiful. If you sit at the bar it's the only place that you can order a la carte. Otherwise it's a fixed menu. We were told that the chef is in his late 20s ((insanely talented)) and everynight there is a fixed menu. Everything we ordered was delicious and truly perfect. I could not tell you what my favorite dish was, except all of them.Yes, it is pricey, but you are getting the very best of the best. If you are on a budget maybe this isn't the spot for you, this is definitely a place where you treat yourself ((or in my case my bestie brought me here for my birthday)). If you are looking for a 5 star meal AND experience I promise you, this place knows what they are doing which is taking care of their guests! I will not be back soon BUT I cannot wait for that day to come!

I'm behind in writing my reviews, but Café Monarch has been on my restaurant bucket list for a couple of years now and I was finally able to cross it off in April!My husband and I were able to combine a long weekend in Phoenix with a work trip for me, and as soon as I knew the dates of the trip, I made reservations at Monarch. Here are some logistical details: You do have to place a $50 "deposit" when making the reservation - it will be applied toward your meal when you actually come to eat. Also, there is complimentary valet service right across the street from the restaurant. There were a few very nice cars parked directly in front of the restaurant, but I'm sure you have to be a regular or your car has to qualify you to get those spaces. Our company vehicle wasn't going to make that cut! :-) Lastly, if you looked at the online menu, you may realize that unless you are rolling in the dough, this is a place that you only visit for very special occasions.THE EXPERIENCE:Where do I begin? We arrived a few minutes prior to our reservation time and were invited to have drinks at an outdoor table out front by the fountain. The hubs ordered the Old Fashioned and I ordered the "Te-quil-a" Mockingbird. He said the OF was the best he has ever had (and he has ordered from many great restaurants & bourbon/cocktail bars) and my drink was so whimsical, fun, and delicious! We had not finished our drinks before we were escorted to our table. We had asked for a table on the "patio" and were not disappointed. You don't even realize you are outside. It's so beautiful that it literally took my breath away as we entered the dining area. We also saw the indoor dining room and it is beautiful as well. You literally can't go wrong.Our server(s) (we had several people tend to us throughout the evening) were wonderful - so knowledgeable and patient and subtle. We were expertly guided through the menu and recommendations were made when we asked. We opted for the standard 4-course meal, but we did also select the Oysters & Caviar add on, and did NOT regret it!! This is what I ordered for my four courses:Tuna CrudoArgentinian ShrimpSalmonSurf & Turf: Filet & HalibutMy husband got the same first two courses, but his third and fourth were Veal & Sweetbread and the Wagyu FiletThe Oysters & Caviar, Tuna, and Shrimp were my absolute faves. I can't even tell you. The plating and flavors and balance and everything was just spot on. The salmon was good as was the sea bass and filet - I have no complaints. I just think by that time between the wine and the food I was getting full!Did I mention we also got the wine pairing? We did. That was a lot of fun but I probably wouldn't do it next time. It was a pretty hefty price tag and I'm pretty certain that the Riesling that they brought out is one that I have bought at the local grocery store before for around $12 a bottle. I would have been just as happy getting a bottle of one wine that I really like.With that being said: Awesome atmosphere, outstanding food, extraordinary service. If you get the opportunity, go!! I hope to go again someday.

BEST MEAL OF MY LIFE!!! If I could give this place 10 STARS I would!!!! The service, ambiance, and food were EXCELLENT. The kindness and atmosphere was perfection. I felt like I was in a movie! Kyle was incredible not to mention the entire staff who made this experience perfect! The Argentinian shrimp, scallops, wagyu were some of our favorites! I HIGHLY recommend the chefs 8 course tasting menu!! We came here to celebrate my 30th and it was an experience I'll never forget.You better believe I will come back to celebrate more special occasions!! This place deserves all the credit it gets. Absolutely FABULOUS!!! A stunning fine dining experience every dish was simply perfect. Compliments to the chef!!

If you haven't been to cafe monarch yet...OH MY GOSH, GO RIGHT NOW. I'm not even kidding!!! First, I have to say this place was absolutely beautifullllllllllll!!!!! The decor and atmosphere when you walk in is breathtaking. Every detail is well thought out. Second, the food is phenomenal!!!!!! Every single dish was so good, I regret not doing the 8 course! I love how the menu changes offering new dishes that I have never tried before. Also, wine pairings were great with the help of the server's and sommelier's wine knowledge. Service timing was spot on not making us feel rushed at all which is a very important to my husband and me. Every staff member felt professional and extremely knowledgeable!

The service was spectacular, we were seated immediately and constantly attended to. The ambiance was fine, it was pretty quiet but I also couldn't hear any of the other diners.The food was expertly prepared and the flavors were new and exciting for me. I've never had a fine dining experience, and it exceeded my expectations. I found that some of the smaller items in the plate stood out the most - the green sauce in the gazpacho was so bright, the mushrooms that came with the lamb were delicious.The only rub for me is that I don't think I'm enough of a foodie to fully appreciate this sort of experience. I could tell it was tiers above the usual fare but at the end of the day, this is a novelty for me, and I don't think I'll be paying the price again for a good while.

If you are looking for a restaurant for a special occasion, this is a wonderful selection.It has a romantic vibe and gorgeously decorated. There's various rooms that you could be seated in and all are lovely. I have not sat in their patio, but I can imagine it's very nice as well. The front of the restaurant is beautiful. The service is exceptional. The staff is extremely attentive. They truly think about all the details. They even give bag hooks for the ladies. Your water will constantly be filled and if you use the restroom the napkin will be folded upon your return. The food is outstanding. You can choose between a 4 or 8 course menu. The 4 course menu allows you to select the entree, which determines the price of the tasting menu. I am a huge seafood fan and their frute di mare is delicious. I have had 2 versions of this meal and it's magnificent. There's lots of pieces of lobster, scallops, shrimp, etc. My husband ordered the lamb and it was cooked to perfection. All the prior courses are delicious as well. I have gone to this restaurant 3 times and the menu varies, but every bite is well crafted and always delicious. The chefs think about the presentation and flavor. Everything marries together well. There's crunch and unexpected ingredients that are wonderful additions. They have a nice selection of cocktails and wines. When my husband and I celebrated our engagement here, they provided us a celebratory glass of champagne too!

As a vegetarian, I walked into Cafe Monarch ready to defend my leafy lifestyle in a sea of meat lovers. But let me tell you, their four-course veggie menu had me questioning if I'd been doing vegetarianism wrong all along. The ambiance is so classy, I almost wore a tux. And the service? Top-notch - they treated me like a king (and my veggies like royalty). If you want to feel fancy and well-fed, this is the spot.

One of the best fine dining experiences in all of Arizona! Service is top notch and the courses were amazing. My party and I went on a Monday out of all days and noticed few guests, but that was as expected. We chose the Chef's Tasting Menu which included: Tuna Crudo, Argentinian Shift, Peaches & Cream, Maine Diver Scallop, Pork Belly, Japanese A5 Wagu Filet Mignon, New Zeland Rack of Land, and Chocolate Marroc for dessert. This is a 10/10 must-experience while in Scottsdale, Arizona!

Cafe monarch was such an amazing experience. Being someone who has traveled the world specifically to dine at different restaurants and Michelin star chefs , this place gave a full vibe! The service was impeccable, and the servers knew everything on the menu. They had great wine pairing recommendations. We did the larger tasting menu which I would highly recommend. You can to taste some of the best dishes the chef has to offer. The patio was perfect in November, not too hot and had perfect shade. The quality of food and presentation deserves 5 star. Around Scottsdale you unfortunately find a lot of overpriced restaurants with OK service, really cool atmosphere, but subpar food. This is not the case here. You get the full package which you def pay for. I will definitely be going back as the chef told us that the menus constantly change.