Best Contemporary American Restaurants in El Mirage

Cafe Monarch in Scottsdale provides an unforgettable dining experience, even though we had a small hiccup at the start. We arrived for our reservation and had to wait about 20 minutes to be seated, which was a bit frustrating given that I was dressed in “dinner” heels. IYKYK. However, once we were seated, everything more than made up for the delay. We opted for the prix fixe menu, which was an absolute delight. The blood orange salmon aguachile, braised lamb, venison, shrimp, and ahi tuna were all bursting with flavor. I had the filet mignon, while my boyfriend enjoyed the Japanese Wagyu, which was truly exceptional—unbelievably tender and flavorful, cooked to absolute perfection. The sauces and sides were perfectly balanced, and my picky eater boyfriend couldn’t get enough of everything! We also added oysters and caviar to start, which were so fresh and crisp, and charred octopus, which was cooked to perfection with a lovely char but still wonderfully tender. For dessert, the chocolate strawberry cake was a showstopper—beautifully presented and delicious, with the Valentine's theme executed flawlessly. The cocktails were beautifully crafted, each with a perfect balance of flavors and a nice kick. If you enjoy wine, the pairings were spot on, and I was also impressed by their unique selection of zero-proof drinks, which my boyfriend really enjoyed. The service was impeccable throughout the meal. Even with the minor seating delay at the beginning, the staff’s attention to detail and hospitality made the experience one to remember. Highly recommend Cafe Monarch for a special evening out—it’s truly a Scottsdale gem!

Went for the fixed price Valentine’s Day special. The environment is so classy and elegant and romantic. The food was excellent, outstanding, fresh, …. There’s not enough adjectives to describe how wonderful the meal was. The service was outstanding and also very discreet. Water glasses filled promptly and our server came by to check on us throughout the night. When dinner was over I remembered the exact words he said. “Is there anything else I can do for you to have a perfect evening?” Yes the food is pricey but I will return soon because the overall experience is stellar.

Dinner date with my husband for Valentine’s Day. We have never been here before and we were pleasantly surprised. I had the Tuscan Chicken and my husband had a steak. My chicken was breaded and browned in butter to perfection. Served with delicious and kind of spicy macaroni and veggies. The best dish I’ve had in a while. My husband loved his steak and he is pretty picky. He said I found a good spot and we hope to be back. Service was good too. Drinks were good but of course could have been a bit stronger. Lol Looks like a great menu for lunch too!

Beautiful restaurant and wonderful view. The front of house was amazing. My wife was feeling cold and really wanted to have the dinner indoors even though our reservation was for outdoors. They moved and set up a small table inside for us. That is so sweet and honestly made our Valentine’s Day. We were ecstatic and had an amazing dinner. The food was good and the service was attentive too. We were really happy and will be back again soon. We’re already planning our next celebration there!

General consensus from the party were outstanding. Appetizers were next level which included the bone marrow, bluefin tartare and the king crab stuff oysters. It really set the tone for the rest of the mains. Service was great from the staff and kept the tables clear and drinks full. The only exception to the meal was some of the mains. Over cooked and undercooked steaks that appeared to have been sitting for some time. Coming from a place where we have world class steak, the inconstancy we experienced was disappointing given the prices charged and what precluded this portion of the meal which many raves about. Overall pleasure and happy to recommend.