Monarch

Lovely edifice and a fantastic experience. Great food with pleasant service. Simple foods with a very classy style. I expected far higher prices based on the area and the atmosphere but prices were extremely reasonable per the portions. For a lovely date or a quiet cozy meeting, this is a place to consider.

Monarch at Hotel ZaZa is a testament to what fine dining should embody. The ambiance transports you directly to the elegance of Miami Beach, with a terrace view that adds a cherry on top. The menu is a culinary journey of New American delights - from the succulent lamb lollipops and crispy calamari to the perfectly roasted Brussels sprouts and divine deviled eggs with caviar. Special shoutout to the beef short ribs and pork belly tacos, which paired beautifully with their exquisite drink selections. Our waiter, Will, showcased exceptional service and impeccable attention to detail, elevating our experience to unmatched heights. Highly recommend it for an unforgettable dining experience!

August 2023: My wife and I were staying at the Hotel Zaza Houston Museum District and while there enjoyed two meals at the Monarch Bistro which had a visually beautiful appeal. Our first meal was dinner where I ordered the Pan-Roasted Redfish with sautéed spinach and mushrooms with a glass of white wine. The atmosphere here is on the upper scale so recommend business casual attire. The staff was extremely nice and friendly. The redfish arrived and presented nicely. The fish tasted very delicious for it had tremendous flavor and cooked perfectly. The mushrooms and spinach complimented it very well. Next up was brunch and was less busy where I ordered a cup of coffee and the Bacon, Egg & Cheese Sandwich. The coffee tasted as if made using a French press. The staff was once again very friendly and my meal once again presented very nicely. I enjoyed this breakfast sandwich where all the ingredients from the eggs, cheese, bacon, and bun tasted really good with breakfast potatoes on the side. Overall I was very impressed with our meals.

I've loved every dish I've had during my stay in Houston. The Cesar salad with grilled chicken made my day when I arrived from a serious travel delay. The lamb lollipops were delicious, and different from what I have experienced at other restaurants! Even the chicken sandwich was a great choice for room service after a late night returning back from work. Rico is exceptional and welcoming, attentive and seeing him twice in a week was lovely. The restaurant is so fun, a mix of patterns and textures mix so well with a glass of red.

Atmosphere: Chill and Comfy. Either hang out at the bar and grab a drink or on the patio with someone. Covered patio that can be opened when the weather is nice out. Service: Very friendly & attentive staff Food: My go-to is the lamb lollipop, the meat balls, with wine. You can never go wrong with this. Other dishes here are good as well.

I visited Monarch with my colleagues for lunch. Promptly greeted by hosted and quickly seated. Outdoor and indoor seating available. Server were very courteous and attentive. Place was extremely cold. Food came out on a decent time. We were able to have a good time as a team. My colleague seems to enjoy their plates. For me in particular I ordered the short ribs. They were very tender light in seasoning. I would put a bit more salt. I believe it came with a cauliflower purée and carrots. Purée was not of my like and carrots were hard.