The Thompson Hotel is rife with upscale bars and restaurants. If you’re in the Dallas hotel, or you’re just in the area, and are in the mood for an indulgent Italian meal, check out Monarch, a modern restaurant led by Two-Michelin Star Chef Danny Grant.
A Dazzling Atmosphere
Dining at Monarch is a grand affair. With mood lighting and white linen tablecloths, dressy attire is required. While donning your best duds, you can choose to patronize the cocktail lounge or the formal dining area. The cocktail lounge features a smaller menu that’s perfect for a small group, while the formal dining area offers its full gastronomic selection.
An Extravagant Menu
Monarch centers around its wood-fired grill. Its primo pasta plates and mouthwatering entrees are expertly crafted and carefully cooked in-house and, on the grill, proving to each guest why Chef Grant is worthy of his Two-Michelin Star appellation.
Some of its shining dishes include Whole Maine Lobster Spaghetti, Black Truffle Risotto, Salt-Crusted Whole Fish, and Bistecca alla Fiorentina. Add Fire Roasted Summer Squash or Wood Oven-Roasted Baby Artichokes as a side for a meal fit for a king.
Don’t focus solely on your entree, though. Monarch’s To Share and Chilled & Raw menu portions are just as enticing. Experience the wood-fired grill thoroughly by starting with the Wood Oven-Roasted Tiger Prawns or the Wood-Fired Meatballs or test the waters with the Crudo or the Texas Wagyu Carpaccio.
If you’re looking to splurge, order the Ossetra Caviar Service, replete with potato chips, potato blini, chives, egg, and creme fraiche. A field day for the taste buds.
Though it’s an Italian menu, you are eating in Texas, and no Texas menu is complete without a hearty steak. Monarch has five exceptional cuts to choose from, as well as Live Alaskan King Crab for the ultimate surf and turf.
Unmatched Cocktails and Desserts
You can’t dine at Monarch without tasting one of their signature cocktails. The restaurant has a full bar, so other drinks are available upon request, but their menued drinks are worth ordering. Made with top-shelf liquor and flavorful spices, these cocktails are garnished to perfection.
Take the Pinky Ring, which is made with Townes vodka, spiced strawberry, coconut water, citrus, and cinnamon. Or opt for the Cognac King. This cocktail comes together with foie gras-washed VSOP cognac, Pamplemousse, and Dolin Genepy de Alpes, among other ingredients. You may not be able to pronounce every ingredient, but you’ll be too busy tasting the divine drink to care.
Don’t request your bill until you’ve at least perused the desserts. The Dallas restaurant’s selection is small, but it’s impactful. Perhaps the most traditional portion of the menu, have Monarch’s take on Panna Cotta or Souffle, or commit to gluttony in the best way with a slice of their sublime Chocolate Cake. For a savory after-dinner bite, order their Artisanal Cheese Board, or drink your dessert with an Espresso Martini.
Finish your meal not with a swallow, but with a survey of the stunning Dallas skyline. Monarch sits on the 50th floor of the Thompson Hotel, making your dinner view as elevated as your entire experience.
Photo Credit: Maquita Sue