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Cafe Monarch is an upscale restaurant offering a set-course menu, and it’s clear that many guests come here for special occasions—I was no exception. We visited for my birthday, and they printed my name on the menu, which was such a thoughtful and personal touch.
The menu is definitely on the expensive side, but the food was absolutely lovely, and the portions were generous—unlike some fine dining experiences where you leave still feeling hungry.
For the first course, we both chose the tuna. If I’m being picky, the tuna itself wasn’t seasoned much, so without the accompanying condiments, it was a bit plain. That said, it might have been intentional to keep it light and not overwhelm the palate right from the start.
For the second course, I opted for the pork belly while my partner chose the shrimp. The pork belly was deliciously tender, though the portion was quite small and left me wanting more. Meanwhile, the shrimp was impressively large and tasted fresh, though slightly too salty for my taste.
For the third course, we both went with the veal, which was cooked perfectly with a beautiful pink center. Surprisingly, the standout for me was the carrot served alongside it—it was incredibly flavorful, possibly the best carrot I’ve tasted in a long time.
For the final course, I had the fritti di mare, a seafood pasta dish that I absolutely loved and still think about today. It was packed with seafood and had a creamy, slightly tangy tomato-based sauce. My partner ordered the lamb, which was also lovely, although like the shrimp, it leaned a bit too salty.
The restaurant also offered a complimentary bubbly drink to start and a dessert with a small fireworks display to celebrate my birthday, which made the evening even more special.
All in all, the service was excellent and the experience was memorable, though the bill—including a $90 tip—was definitely a reminder that special occasions come with a price!