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 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.
Very elegant!!
We really enjoyed celebrating my 55th birthday here. We had a Red snapper dish and a fish with spinach and mushroom... bass, I believe. Try the espresso martini!!!
the chilaquiles are soooooo good! i wasn't sure what should I order and the waitress was very kind and suggested the chilaquiles and omg i was surprised how good they were! as a mexican i am picky with this dish, it is hard to find real chilaquiles, so pls try them!
So delicious after a stressful day flying. Such a comfortable and beautiful restaurant as well.
Tricky one, this. Their take on eggs Benedict uses crab cakes instead of English muffins, which had the potential to be fantastic but were instead so salty my mouth was burning. Overcooked eggs and undercooked asparagus did the dish no favours, too.
But the intent of the dish is there and it was prepped and plated with flair. Maybe worth giving them another try.
Typically good service.
PS. There's a photo suggesting that their terrace has a stunning view. It's looking on to a busy road at street level.
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.
The food was fantastic and prices were what I expected....expensive. It was a birthday treat to myself so I didn't mind. I've gone by several times while visiting the museum and I've always wanted to try it. The staff were very welcoming and helpful. Loved the decor and the ambiance was nice. I got the grilled red fish over sautéed mushroom and spinach, a glass of Malbec, and a slice of key lime pie. Fresh and delicious! Be aware that on the receipt they advertise an automatic 20% gratuity if you do not have a room at the hotel. Also, from what I could see there is metered street parking only, or you must valet. I also wasn't a fan of the dimly lit restroom with a black toilet, but that's just me.😊
It was always nearly full, yet I was always able to get a table or get service. A super-fun atmosphere!
I had the ZaZa Benny for brunch on the patio, it's a crabcake w a poached egg, topped w Choron sauce (look it up!) & caviar. It was delicious!
The tacos demanded a nap. Just sayin'. But that was another day!
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.
My son-in-law treated us to this restaurant yesterday after my granddaughter HS graduation. Excellent service. Our waiter Taylor was great! Only con was it was also my granddaughter Birthday and no cake!
Great place for breakfast even if you aren’t staying at the hotel. Loved the omelette and breakfast tacos. Great service and atmosphere on the patio. Lots of local beer which was nice since we were visiting from out of town.
I can’t believe I’ve never reviewed Monarch. My very first visit to the city before I moved, I somehow ended up here. I kid you not, I tell people I moved here because of their lollipop lamb chops! And it just gets better from there. In the heart of the museum district, it’s the perfect mix of art and class. I tend to meet the most interesting people there and the patio is like having a picnic in the park. It’s also a nice location for a midday or midnight drink. Stop by the beautiful pond in the lobby of the hotel. By far my favorite hangout in the city. You won’t be disappointed.
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.
Food was good, though the prices were a bit higher than I would expect based on the dishes. Small menu one would expect masterful and unique execution of a dish. Also being in Texas at least some ability to plate a spicy dish. Sadly the food overall while cooked well was on the bland side and lacked any trace of spice even when ordering a spicy item. Very much the oposite of the service which was colorful and energetic.
Excellent experience all of the staff caters to the guests it was an awesome visit
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