Location: 71 W 35th St, New York, NY 10018
Cuisine: Cocktails and small plates
Best Dish: The flatbread was absolutely delicious. The dollop of marscapone was a sweet surprise and paired well with the light balsamic drizzle and prosciutto.
Overall: Monarch is an impressive space and an ideal venue for a first date. The cozy seating, soft lighting and relaxed atmosphere will melt away the first date jitters easily. The space is also great for entertaining out of town guests, the view coupled with the decor will leave your visitors speechless.
Just beyond Herald Square is a grand rooftop oasis. The Monarch Rooftop Lounge is a sophisticated watering hole designed to evoke feelings of regal elegance, while providing a surprisingly comfortable atmosphere. The beautifully decorated space designed by Natalia Todorova of Gwathmey, Seigal, Kaufman Architects, features a plush outdoor patio with cozy seating and a magnificent view of the Empire state building. The exterior patio and interior are separated by a set of floor to ceiling glass sliding doors. The stunning interior features a mixture of antique brick, soft wood accents and warm golden toned furnishings. We dropped in on a Thursday night and found the space buzzing with happy patrons mingling and imbibing.
Our evening began on the outer patio just before dusk. The view during a clear day is extraordinary, and as the sun slowly sets, it is even more breathtaking. The softening skyline creates a picturesque backdrop for amazing selfies and instagram photos. We started the night with a round of cocktails. We sampled the “Sibling Rivalry” a sweet mixture of Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, Sage and Carpano Antica vermouth.
While enjoying the sweet decadance of sibling rivalry we nibbled on one of the Monarch’s savory flatbreads. Pork makes just about anything better, the salty meaty prosciutto as a brilliant compliment to the soft Marscapone topping.
For our next round of cocktails we enjoyed the Cozy N’ Caramel, a whiskey based beverage with the added bonus of seasonal flavors; caramel, cinnamon and vanilla bean.
After the sun set, we retired to the interior lounge and got comfortable in one of the cozy couches. The corner table glowed in soft amber light as we sampled a few more of the small plates. The empanadas were an instant hit. The crisp crust and succulent beef filling were a delicious combination.
We were surprised to see dumplings on the menu and had to sample them. The shrimp dumplings were beautifully presented in white spoons with the housemade dipping sauce. The filling also featured green peas which added a fun texture and some freshness.
Skewers are always a fun choice for a night out, they are easy to share and honestly is there anything more exciting than meat on a stick? The beef skewers were moist and tender served with an herbaceous chimichurri.
The tiger shrimp skewers were equally appetizing and served with diced pineapples, red onion and a tasty pineapple glaze.
Lastly, we enjoyed a serving of their mini crab cakes. These splendid little cakes were firm but tender, served with a delightful ginger aioli dipping sauce.
This season, Monarch is introducing a new list of signature cocktails and appetizers. The Matador is made with Avion Silver Tequila, Port Charlotte Scottish barley rinse, agave, egg white, Star Anise and a hint of cucumber and fresh lime. It lives up to its title. This Spanish inspired drink kicks a punch with a finish of citrus. For those who like a spicy cocktail we recommend the Tomato-Basil Martini made with vodka, Thai basil and a dash of Tabasco and salty rim. We also suggest the Winter Cocoa made with vanilla vodka, hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream & sprinkled with cinnamon.
The view alone makes Monarch an impressive space, add to that a menu of delightful finger food, plus amazing cocktails and you have a recipe for a great evening. The space is able to accommodate 300 guests comfortably and often features fun interactive events and specials. The venue is an impressive date night option, the cozy yet chic surroundings are comfortable enough for casual night out but sophisticated enough for a first date or special night out. You may also want to consider the space for your out of town visitors. The view alone will have your guests gasping and taking photos. After a night at Monarch they may never want to leave.