Photo Credit Monarch Prime & Bar
If you’d like to feel like you’ve stepped into an upscale fairy-enchantment; then a trip to Monarch Prime and Bar at the acclaimed Hotel Deco in Omaha, Nebraska is one for your foodie list. The posh dinning room can be accessed by descending the hotel’s staircase past the front desk and into the aura of breath-taking luxury. An extravagant bar is quite visible, with a very copious stock of the best wines and spirits; boasting a highway of culinary abandonment. Service is of timeless elegance, and unparalleled—unique in it’s own kind.
Upon our visit, we had the privilege of trying Monarch Prime’s dinner menu. This modern-style steak house featured a co*cktail lounge with an extended wine-list and an in-house dry-aging program. Steaks were served of a Waygu grade—a Japanese beef cattle breed. Executive Chef Patrick Micheels, a Nebraskan native, led the culinary brigade. Chef Micheels’ core values for the menu surrounds sourcing fresh seasonal and local ingredients. A tasting menu (for the adventurous of course) priced at $75 per guest was offered, where full table participation is required.
The dinning room featured glamorous chandeliers with a serene and relaxed atmosphere. A large bay window allows just enough light, yet safe-guards majority of the space, exhorting epic dark-tones for a refined dinning experience. Similarly, art-filled walls depict nature’s fundamental course of life through immaculate paintings, sporting three-dimensional butterflies, floral, and cacti greenery with purple-grey, and dark blue hues.
Monarch Prime and Bar highlights a bare dinning table: a mid-western approach; tea-light candles, white napkins, and very polished cutlery. This approach allowed us to focus solely on the food, and take-in the tranquil atmosphere.
Monarch Prime’s Dinner Menu
We began by selecting a round of co*cktails priced at $12 each—’Old Fashioned’ a bourbon-base co*cktail with orange notes, ‘Paloma’ Tequila and grapefruit based co*cktail with a grandeur sparkling Rosé finish and my favorite, ‘Planters Punch’ paying homage to my heritage and classic rum-styled punch.
‘Potato and Trout’ ($14) was an absolute party in my mouth. This dish is brilliantly executed beyond belief. Paying homage to my childhood is extremely hard to come by and it did just that. Two words: Blown Away! The trout imitated a salty and cured rendition of salted Cod (also known as saltfish or Bacalao: dried salted Cod) dressed with a spicy chili oil. Thinly sliced pickled apples and the creamiest pommes puree were the epitome of marriage; obviously made by experienced hands. The best way to eat this starter is by smothering a great big ol’ dallop of every component on top a slice of grilled bread. Thank me later.
To continue, a broccoli and croque cheese soup de jour ($9) adorned with chili oil ensued and a well curated Sherry braised Beet Salad ($10), with fresh crisp spring peas and tangy raspberries for a burst of flavor. I highly recommend mixing all of the components of this salad together. It makes for an explosive finish of the second course. Please note that portions were very well controlled; a pleasant balance between petite and sizeable amount, leaving room for other courses that followed.
If you’re looking to have something light, the unique and fun menu layout still offers options for those with smaller appetites and diet restrictions or personal beliefs like salads. Dishes vary beautifully with options labeled “mixed greens”, “caesar” and “roasted cauliflower”.
Vegetarians are not left wanting to say the least – order the Beetroot Salad ($10) braised in sherry. Animal lovers will also enjoy this vegetarian-friendly salad.
Pescatarians can officially sing ‘Hallelujah’ because the days of the stuffed mushrooms and the tired hit-or-miss risottos are over. Monarch Prime has unleashed a beast – a delicately poached tender Halibut filet priced at $40. A complexed yet elegant leek dashi broth holds the reins of this dish, as your server pours it table side. Dashi if curious, is a Japanese soup broth used as a base for many soups often made from Kumbo (dried kelp), Katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes), and dried shiitake mushrooms.
Then there was Gnocchi, $24 —pillowy dough dumplings made perfect for a hearty meal. Its crafted signature grooves carefully coaxes a smoky house-made tomato sauce. The dumplings were nothing short of perfection. Italians would be proud!
Likewise, discover Monarch’s succulent pork shoulder, at an affordable price of only $19; this entree highlights Omaha’s freshest ingredients; like local honey and the creamiest of cheeses. The pork is perfectly cooked creating a melt-in-your-mouth fiesta.
Their crowning glories beyond a shadow of a doubt, are the 45-day Waygu Prime Ribeye ($60) and Waygu Meatloaf entrée ($22), with the silkiest pommes purée (best I’ve ever had)—both adorned with a rich velvety smooth demi glace.
The delivery of food from the beginning of service to the point at which it got to our table was remarkably consistent. Guests who sat before us definitely received their meals on schedule and all food going out mirrored consistency. Upon our table of three, the bill rounded off to about $180.00 in total with drinks, appetizers and our main item. If you want a spectacular ending, speak to your server about ordering off of their dessert menu.
Dessert
Finish off your meal with 3 dessert options: Beignets, Sm’ores dessert bar and a de-constructed key lime pie. Overall, flavors were spot on with each dish.
Likewise, the de-constructed key lime pie was artfully presented; representing the nature in which their courses are developed – with grace and beauty. The sorbet delivered the very pungent acidic tones promised by such a title. The meringues were brilliantly executed. The lemon-curd style mousse made this dessert cohesive and pairing delightfully with every element on the plate.
The care that goes into every aspect of development and execution of dishes, as well as the finesse and knowledge of the staff, made this experience truly special.
Raise a glass and say ‘cheers’ because the food served at Monarch Prime and Bar is worth celebrating.
Monarch Prime’s Operational Hours
Lunch: 11 AM to 2 PM Monday – Saturday
Dinner: 5 PM to 10 PM Monday – Saturday
Sunday Brunch: 10 AM to 2 PM
Bar Hours: 11 AM to Midnight
Lounge Menu: 11 AM to 10 PM Daily
Making a Reservation at Monarch Prime and Bar
Telephone: (402) 933-7437
Address: 316 S 15th St., Omaha, Nebraska 68102
Reservations can be made on Open Table.
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