Should you’re on the lookout for one of many best eating experiences in Scottsdale, Arizona, look no additional than Cafe Monarch, positioned 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’ll be able to think about. It is, little question, among the finest 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 standard submit, as I normally submit recipes, however on this article, I’ll present an in depth overview of my eating expertise at Cafe Monarch in Scottsdale, AZ in June of this 12 months (2023). Prepare for many footage of fantastic meals (my iPhone pictures didn’t do them justice, however you’ll be able to nonetheless see how yummy all the pieces appears) and the overall ambiance of this superb fine-dining restaurant.

• The situation could not have been higher both – Cafe Monarch is positioned within the coronary heart of historic Previous City Scottsdale.
• Cafe Monarch has been rated as the #2 High-quality Eating Restaurant within the U.S. in 2022, in line with the 2022 Tripadvisor Vacationers’ Selection Award Better of the Greatest.
• It is also been awarded Wine Spectator’s Better of Award of Excellence 2022. Fairly spectacular! And deservedly so! It is undoubtedly the very best restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona, in my e-book!

The expertise on the bar

As you enter Cafe Monarch, you might be instantly greeted by a pleasant host/hostess, and you’ll’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 gown code

The restaurant does have a gown code because it’s a chic fine-dining restaurant. I would not put on T-shirts, denims, tights, or activewear. Cafe Monarch offers you a fantastic probability to dress up in these good garments that you’ve got sitting someplace at the back of your closet. I cherished having an excuse to put on a gown 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 cherished the formal inside and beautiful decor of Cafe Monarch –  it’s extremely 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 pictures! The meals is scrumptious and fantastically introduced, the employees is attentive, and the service is impeccable. That is actually the very best of the very best eating places not solely in Arizona however within the US, too.

The employees is delicate you probably have any dietary restrictions. I’m gluten-free, and we talked about that after we made the reservation. I didn’t must remind the restaurant employees about my gluten-free choice even as soon as throughout the complete 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 cherished 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 a must 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 pictures. Our social gathering took many. 🙂

I took this image of our eating desk from above – you’ll be able to see the 5 of us within the photograph and a fantastically set eating desk with 2 trays of Caviar Service and menus:

Excellent spot for a romantic night

I cherished 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 certain this place is 100% booked for Valentine’s Day.

Menu overview

The restaurant provides a four-course dinner menu. The primary 3 programs have 2 decisions every. The fourth course is the primary 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 may select from a number of sorts of Osetra caviar. The caviar comes served with a set of lovely and scrumptious aspect dishes, together with chives, hard-boiled eggs, shallots, creme frache, lemon, and blinis. The presentation is beautiful as you’ll be able to see on the pictures under.

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 fantastically introduced and scrumptious!

Argentinian Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado and Plantain Chip.

Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho.

Second Course

The second course additionally supplied 2 choices, and we ordered each. Each have been superb. I needed a double serving – they have been so good!

Pork Stomach with Arugula, Grilled Peaches, Cashews, Goat Cheese, and Honeycomb.

Huge Eye Tuna with Crispy Rice and Sesame Seeds.

Third Course

The third course additionally had 2 choices to select from. We acquired 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 Road Corn Succotash.

Fourth Course

The fourth course is the primary course at Cafe Monarch, and you’ve got a number of decisions there! We ordered 4 various kinds of fundamental dishes, however there are a lot of extra to select from. You may 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 alternative was tremendous spectacular. Beneficiant quantity of lamb and scrumptious aspect dishes paired with a shocking presentation. This was my second favourite dish on the fourth-course menu.

Fruitti Di Mare – Primary Lobster Tail, Diver Scallop, Prawns, Tagliatelle, and Chorizo Lemon Cream Sauce. This was a seafood dish on the menu – everybody cherished it!

Steak with seasonal root greens, fingerling potato, manchego butter, and bordelaise sauce. We ordered certainly one of Monarch Signature Steak Cuts – I actually do not bear in mind which specific minimize, however it was extremely tasty! This was my third favourite fundamental 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 all the pieces was so good! However this specific dish was so distinctive and so flavorful, with meat falling off the bone. Once more, you’ll be able to’t go unsuitable with some other programs or some other fundamental 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 minimize.

Dessert

We acquired 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 fantastically adorned. All the things is rigorously thought by means of. Lovely linens and desk garments, candles, high-quality dinnerware, and silverware. Low lighting.  The employees could be very partaking, useful, and professionally dressed. It is actually the very best high-quality eating restaurant I have been to in Scottsdale, Arizona. Will probably be an ideal alternative 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 high-quality eating expertise on this article. Should you discovered my overview of Cafe Monarch useful or attention-grabbing, or wish to share your ideas and impressions of this restaurant, I might love to listen to that within the feedback part under.