Best Historic Restaurants in Tempe

Cafe Monarch was a outstanding experience. Starting with free valet parking, the restaurant has a peaceful fountain by a French door entrance. The hostess greeted us kindly and showed us to our seats at the bar. We prefer bar seating as we can sit side-by-side and have a more personal experience with the staff. The bar has an amazing assortment of liquor including full ranges of gin, vodka, whiskies and scotches and accompaniments. Our two bar tenders were very friendly without being intrusive. They let us get settled in with complementary bubbles and explained the dinner menu. The menu is a Prix Fix offering with a choice of either four or eight courses. The quantity of food on the two menus is nearly the same, so we chose the eight course dinner with more small bite choices on offer. As we needed to make modifications due to gluten and caviar allergies, the kitchen did an excellent job of adjusting the courses. We had chefs treat oyster, the autumn soup; sesame tuna; shrimp with grilled pineapple, avocado and radish; diver scallop with squash and pine nuts; a pleasant palate cleanser with lemon sorbet, berries and hibiscus; pork belly with apple, current, peppers and goat cheese; lamb chops with carrot, spinach and brioche; and A5 Wagyu filet mignon and short rib, bell pepper, and broccolini. Desert was a Chocolate cream with cookie. We had the Petite Fours with coffee and tea. At $290 it was a worthwhile and outstanding feast. We are planning to return to Cafe Monarch when next in Phoenix.

Had a really nice time went for happy hour didn’t necessarily order off that menu but had a wonderful time with my girlfriends food was great service was great atmosphere is awesome 

The bar Blitzen theme for the holidays is the cutest sand so much fun. Service was great and food was good. Kinda silly to charge $6 to be there when drink prices are already pricey along with expensive food. It was a fun one time outing for the hokidays

A "one of it's kind" dining experience with a energetic vibe, excellent food and drinks, and a relaxed atmosphere when enjoying time with family and friends.

This was our second visit and had the same amazing experience. Everything was stellar. This is going to be our #1 restaurant for our dinner dates. We can’t believe that for all the years we have lived in the SE valley we have never been here. We are spreading the word to all our friends. Thank you.