There are a lot of wonderful surprises awaiting those guests who will be attending Monarch’s grand-reopening this Saturday, July 31. Sauce will leave the big reveal to owners Aaron Teitelbaum and Jeff Orbin, exec chef Josh Galliano and his culinary team, but we will give you a heads-up on other happenings at the Maplewood restaurant:
Space: “Every floor, ceiling and wall has been touched or changed in some form or fashion,” said Teitelbaum. Most diners don’t see the frenzy in the kitchen, so just appreciate that they doubled the size of the line and added a custom chef’s pass-thru so they can serve you better.
Art: Before you walk into the elegant main dining room, look at the artwork positioned at the entrance. It aligns beautifully with the restaurant’s theme. And even the kitchen’s gone glam as food photographs by local artist Greg Stroube hang high along walls at the back of the house.
Drinks: Still a craft-cocktail program? Yep, and the menu features all southern-inspired drinks. But plenty of approachable items now also fill the bar including draft beer (a total of five on tap, including Schlafly and A-B products living in harmony), canned beer (Ska Brewing True Blonde Ale, Big Sky’s Moose Drool Brown Ale), an expanded bottled beer list, 24 wines by the glass and…did we mention that Galliano is making root beer that’ll be on tap?
People: They’ve tripled in staff. Sauce visited on a training day, as Galliano was giving final instructions on how to make the flavors of his native NOLA come alive at the revamped bistro. The bar has doubled the amount of employees; cocktail lovers will also be pleased to know that Atomic Cowboy’s knowledgeable mixer Matt Obermark will be behind Monarch’s bar a few nights a week.
Food: C’mon. It’s Nola-inspired. Galliano’s at the helm. You know it’s going to be good. Crawfish étouffée, shrimp and grits, po’ boys. ‘Nuf said.
Want to be among the first to see the transformed Monarch? Nab a ticket to the sneak-peek fundraiser to benefit the National Children’s Cancer Society here.
Have scoop on restaurants opening, closing or changing their menu in the St. Louis area? Email us at Scoop@saucemagazine.com.
This article appears in Jul 1-31, 2010.