Monarca Modern Mexican Cocina

"With a sleek, clubby vibe, this Monterey-style restaurant offers an upscale menu that showcases dishes prepared on a Josper grill imported from Barcelona. Standouts include shrimp and snapper ceviche dripping in ghost pepper citrus broth, chicken enchiladas, grilled rib-eye served with charred shishito peppers, and esquites — Monarca’s Mexican-style street corn salad that’s crowned with crispy leeks and queso fresco. Tequila here is a given. Choose from a long list to concoct the perfect margarita. Then, continue the fun after dinner by slipping into the restaurant’s speakeasy, Gus, which is tucked behind a nondescript door at the back of the restaurant." - Laura L. Green, Brittany Britto Garley

"Chef Sebastian Royo brings the bright, bold flavors from his days living in Monterrey to this new modern Mexican cocina. The menu is set up for family-style sharing, and many of the meats are charcoal grilled on a rare imported Josper grill — one of the very few in the States. An elegant, baja-style red snapper served with chamoy sauce, pickled veggies with chapulin aioli and a slow-cooked pork shank are amongst some of the highlights on the menu. The Josper-grilled meats are also noteworthy, and the drink menu features an extensive mezcal and tequila selection. While you may think of the traditional shrimp cocktail when seeing campechana on the menu, get ready for the restaurant’s sweeter interpretation of the Mexican dish, which includes ice cream, dulce de leche, pistachio, and a stunning pastry flake." - Megha McSwain, Sean Hekmat

"Monarca made its mark on Houston’s robust Mexican restaurant scene by elevating a key character: Monterrey. The Mexican hometown of three of the restaurant’s four owners is central to Monaraca’s framework and its interpretation of liquid revelry. A door next to the restaurant’s bar emblazoned with an illustrated eye leads guests to Gus, a posh speakeasy bar adorned in academia style. Indulge in tequila-laced creations on its spacious leather couch, or one of its many deep green chairs." - Brittany Britto Garley, Kayla Stewart