Overrated Reputation\r
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We recently ate at Monarch based on recommendations from others. Overall, the experience was \r
mixed. Although the food was good, the chef's behavior put a damper on our meal and the prices were excessive for the amount of food served.\r
We were impressed when the receptionist asked if we had any dietary restrictions. (We do.) She said the chef would be happy to explain alternatives. We were eager to see what Monarch would offer.\r
The service by the wait staff was professional, but the chef's attitude was arrogant and condescending\r
in his review of what we could not have off the menu. He came out and proceeded to read through the menu and say over and over, ""You can't have that and you can't have that, and of course you can't have that."" His tone of voice was belittling, as though it was our fault we have food allergies or intolerances. His lecture was not helpful. (We already know how to read a menu and find foods we can eat.) The chef's idea of offering alternatives was to say ""I can leave x, y and z ingredients out."" Hmmm. Seems like that would drastically alter a dish with four or five ingredients. \r
Also, the chef had trouble looking at us while speaking. He was too busy swivelling his head around checking out other patrons and restaurant employees. This did not inspire our confidence.\r
We order salads and seafood. The salad was good. The seafood was tasty but was in extremely small portions. One entree was between $25 and $30 and the portion was slightly bigger than a soup spoon.\r
I ordered 2 ounces of wine with dinner because I thought $8 for a glass of ordinary white wine was expensive. I know restaurants make their money off the drinks, but after having lived in Europe for seven years, I find wine prices in U.S. restaurants outrageous. \r
We would be unlikely to return and be subjected to this chef again. Perhaps with time he will learn \r
to treat his customers with respect and dignity.\r
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