Monkey Thief

A true cocktail bar in Hell's Kitchen - I'd never thought I'd see the day. While there are many nearby bars and restaurants in the area with a cocktail program, there aren't any where the mixology is the focus. There are ones where the drinks are simply just too sweet, others where the focus is on wine with a nice cocktail program, and others where the restaurant's food is the primary focus and the cocktails are secondary. But here, the mixology of the cocktails are in the forefront. As you peruse the menu, many of the ingredients you'll see in the cocktails may seem... different... from a typical cocktail. At Monkey Thief, the variety of ingredients complement one another and are paired beautifully in a way I never thought possible: fish sauce? yep. sesame? yep, that too. chaat masala? mmhmm. Just like any cocktail program, some drinks will be sweeter while others will be boozier. The 7 Long Years is a take on a spicy pineapple margarita with a touch of sesame, a gateway drink to the many other eclectic flavors on the menu. The Bullet Train is a really well made espresso martini. I really like the Major Tom. And the Tea Service, while on the sweeter side, is also delicious. The service is attentive but not overly so. And even the food is complementary, with similar pan-Asian flavors and you can't really go wrong with anything. Our last visit, we got an order of fries and they were addicting, to say the least. On other visits, we tried the calamari, potstickers, and fried chicken, which were all delectable. Now my fourth time to Money Thief, they continue to be consistent with every visit, and while we didn't need a reservation this time, I wouldn't be surprised if they become a necessity soon as it became busier and busier as the night progressed.

Loved all the drinks we tried here! They were all light (not tooo strong) and on the more refreshing side, and each had its own unique kick. We got the lychee no lychee, 7 long years, duck hunter, and price is raita. In terms of which one was the most unique, I think price is raita had the most interesting mix of flavors (that really worked!) so I would try that. Duck hunter was fun since it came with a fortune cookie.Service was also super fast and they also gave us some corn nuts to snack on! Would def make a reservation since it was really full by the time we left.

Y'all.... I've been on the hunt for a cocktail bar I'd like to frequent. One that has consistently amazing cocktail, creative recipes, and fun staff. I think I've found the one! Everything I've had here is consistently amazing. I have yet to try the food, but the drinks are a solid 11/10, without having a pretentious vibe or uptight bartenders. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between lively and intimate, making it great for date nights or catching up with friends. The staff clearly knows their craft, and they're always happy to recommend something based on your taste. Bonus points for the unique menu!Monkey Thief might just be my new go-to spot in Manhattan. If you're a cocktail lover, this place is a must-visit.

I fear I've found my new favorite restaurant in HK... From what the staff told me, they've been doing brunch for about a month now. I was a little worried when I saw the limited brunch menu but oh my goodness... every single thing my friend and I ordered was delicious... the bagel was unlike any other. The French toast was outstanding! I don't even like French toast like that. The fries too... the seasoning goes so well with the sweet chili sauce. Def coming back asap Lovely staff and the interior is clean, homey, and chic

What an amazing experience! The food, the drinks, the service, and the ambiance -- all felt magical and innovative. The menu is curated and unique. You have, for instance, martinis infused with garlic and scallions I hard a hard time deciding what to order because I wanted to try everything. I ended up getting the 'Old School' (a riff on an OF cocktail), bourbon with rum, pandan, root beer and amaro. I was hesitant but it was amazing. Subtle and balanced. I also ordered the Kiwi & Peel (more of a tiki drink), it was also good. The food was amazing. Some highlights included the skewers (chicken and lamb), croquettes, chicken bao, the dumplings, and pork belly fried rice. It was all amazing, perfect flavor balance and nuances. We were also treated to dessert: ice cream sandwiches (saffron ice cream with biscuits dipped in dark chocolate). This was the only pain point. The chocolate overwhelmed the saffron and I really wanted more flavor in the ice cream itself. Overall a phenomenal meal. I will be returning.

Sama Street came to Midtown!Croquette - LOVE & must. Not a boring croquette that flavors are mixed in the fillings.Grilled Coconut Salad - lettuce cup style so it's not expected. I really wanted a salad.Holy Trini Tini - too martini not much garlic & green onion flavor7 Long Year - tasty but lightFun place must try!

Such a pleasant surprise of a spot! Came here before my friends were headed off to a Broadway show as it was nearby. Ambiance is cozy and perfect for a meet up with friends or a date night. Each cocktail we got was expertly crafted, delicious and unique. We ordered several small plates to share and every single thing was bursting with flavor. Waitstaff was so attentive, kind and knowledgeable on the dishes. I loved the spice level on and seasoning on everything. This is definitely a spot we'll be returning to!

Quirky and flavorful cocktails, delicious food, and amazing service- Monkey Thief might be one of my new favorite bars. Between 2 people we ordered: -Tea Service: the warm lavender foam contrasted with the cold matcha cocktail is interesting. It's served in the cutest cup w a matcha Kit Kat-Lychee, no Lychee: tastes like a lychee martini but doesn't actually have lychee in it- it's a sweet potato liquor that does the trick. One of my favorites. The basil seeds are a nice textural touch-Major Tom: the flavors of Tom Yum soup in a clever cocktail. Probably my other favorite. -Old School: the old fashioned of the menu, the pandan comes through. (Reminds of a drink on the Mace menu) -Calamari: perfectly crispy and spiced, wish the portion was bigger! -Dumplings: beef and lamb is a good mix, tasty!We also got some complimentary corn nuts (delicious and the perfect bar snack), and our kind server let us taste 2 of the cocktails on tap- the Bullet Train (a citrusy espresso martini), and the Price is Raita (so interesting! A bit smoky but somehow creamy?)The bar is dark and lively, great for a date night. We didn't have reservations but were able to snag a table on a Friday night. I feel like in a couple of months once this bar circulates this won't be the case. OH and the menu is so fun- bright cartoony diagrams and funny descriptions. Apparently this spot is the sister bar of Sama Street in Greenpoint, which I'll have to try out next!

Came here for their inaugural brunch. Staff are very friendly and checked on us often. Fun, oriental-Indian fusion inspired decor and menu. We ate beforehand so mostly came for drinks but tried their Indian inspired fries which were delicious. The brunch cocktail menu was a bit limited but we all enjoyed the drinks we tried. We hung around until the dinner cocktail menu came out and that was much more expansive and exciting in my opinion. My favorite was the mango lassi inspired gin drink - artfully crafted, sweet balanced perfectly with sour, creamy mouthfeel. Would definitely come back to try their food and more of their drinks.

Incredibly unique and brilliantly well done. The extravagant cocktails speak for themselves and the food capped off the sensational experience. Id recommend to both locals and travelers.