Cocktails with a View: Monarch Rooftop Lounge

Located near Herald Square, the Monarch Rooftop is a penthouse lounge that boasts stunning views of the Empire State Building.

Expansive interior and exterior space.

A great lounge to meet people and mingle, in addition to enjoying cocktails and small tapas with an incredible view.

Cocktails
Cider Car (left-left): High west campfire whiskey, Cointreau, apple cider, fresh lemon and a touch of cinnamon. This drink right here is totally a man’s drink, hence it was way too strong for me. I literally just touched this drink with my lips and tasted it. Having said that, I did enjoy the strong scent of cinnamon. An excellent option for you whiskey lovers.
French 76 (left-right): Ruby red grapefruit moonshine, St. Germain, fresh grapefruit & lemon juice, dried raspberries, topped with Prosecco. A clean, crispy, and slightly tart drink with a twist on the French 75. A favorite!
Retro Metro (middle-left): Vodka, hibiscus syrup, white cranberry & fresh lemon juice, garnished with an edible hibiscus flower. This gorgeous cocktail was on the sweeter side with a bold hibiscus flavor. A fruity drink, a rendition of the Cosmopolitan. Well-made.
Margaritaville (middle-right): Patron Silver Tequila, prickly pear, pineapple and fresh lime juices. My favorite cocktail of the night, smooth with a hint of sweetness and tequila. A favorite!
Presto Espresso (right-left): Grey Goose Le Citron Vodka, rum, freshly brewed espresso, chocolate syrup with a graham cracker rim. A dessert-like drink which was quite heavy, a good option option for all you coffee and chocolate lovers.
Painkiller (right-right): Appleton rum, amaretto, cream of coconut, fresh pineapple & orange juice, lemon with a sprinkle of nutmeg. A bestseller at Monarch and a tropical, fruity, sweet drink that tasted like a Pina Colada. Similar to the Presto Espresso, this drink was also on the heavier side. Personally, I wasn’t a fan.

Appetizers & Small Plates
Tuna Tartar: Tuna mixed with orange juice, ginger, green onions, avocado, soy sauce & sesame oil. Wow! This tuna is a must do! Citrusy, light and an excellent health option prepared with avocado and watercress. Citrusy and light. Excellent appetizer. Well made. A favorite!

Roasted Artichoke Hummus (left): Hummus prepared with roasted artichoke hearts, spiced walnuts, lemon and oil. The hummus was creamy, light and lemony, and came with a side of warm pita chips. A good appetizer, but nothing out of the ordinary.
Avocado Toast (middle): Toast topped with mashed avocado, toasted walnuts, crumbled gorgonzola, fresh mint & tangerine. Let me begin by prefacing that I’m not a fan of Gorgonzola, however the flavor was subtle which was great for me. While the Avocado Toast was Creamy, there was something lacking, a bit bland.
Shishito Blistered Peppers (right): Smoky, charred peppers tossed with EVOO, sea salt and fresh lime. The peppers were not spicy at all, but rather on the smoky side. This delicious appetizer may be very slightly spicy for the average American though. The peppers came with a side of sweet sesame dipping sauce. Incredibly delicious, sweet & savory. A favorite!

Smoked Bacon Wrapped Medjool Dates (left): Smoked bacon, stilton cheese crumbles, balsamic reduction sauce & micro salad. I hardly ever eat bacon, but this was delicious. An appetizer that is most definitely fried, in addition to smoky and Sweet. The balsamic reduction sauce tasted more like BBQ sauce. A favorite!
Shrimp Potstickers (middle): Although the Shrimp was crispy and tasty, there wasn’t enough shrimp in the filling which was a letdown. The potstickers were served with a side of citrus-soy glaze & black sesame seeds.
Pomme Frites (right): Fried topped with parsley, garlic aioli, salt and served with a side of Ketchup. Skinny and super crispy fries that arrive hot. I loved the fries weren’t greasy. A favorite!

Desserts
Frangelico Creme Brulee (left): The creme brulee was light, not too sweet. It was good, but not exceptional.
Chewy House Macaronons & Creme Anglise (right): Essentially, an Amaretto cookie served with a side of creme anglise (custard). This was the better appetizer between the two.

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Monarch Rooftop Lounge
COST: $$$
CUISINE: Tapas/Lounge
FAVORITES: Margaritaville | French 76 | Tuna Tartar | Shishito Blistered Peppers | Smoked Bacon Wrapped Medjool Dates | Pomme Frites
OVERALL: 3.75 / 5
The Monarch Rooftop Lounge offers stunning views of the Empire State Building, in addition to being a great place to meet people and mingle. The cocktails here are slightly higher than the norm at $16 per cocktail, but then, you are paying for the view. Also keep in mind that Monarch does have a food menu, mainly tapas and small plates, not meals. I did enjoy the food here, but some items are overpriced given the small portions. Although I didn’t try any of the flatbreads or paninis, I believe you would get better value for your money with one of those items. I look forward to visiting Monarch again for a night out with my girlfriends.
Food: Good | Drinks: Very Good | Décor: Trendy/Casual/Empire State View | Service: Pleasant | Value: Average