What to Eat in Baltimore 🍽️ Hidden Gem Western Restaurant: Monarque

Surprisingly, this restaurant hasn’t been widely recommended on Xiaohongshu yet 🥺… It’s right next to Tagliata, but it feels so much more thoughtfully crafted! The complimentary bread alone amazed me! Rarely do you find one so crispy on the outside yet soft inside 🥖. The cheese spread was tangy and savory—perfect for appetizing. Super surprised they have foie gras! Rich and perfectly cooked, but what made it special was the pumpkin-cheese sauce with hazelnuts (so sweet I thought there was caramel in it 😋). The grilled octopus tentacle wasn’t bitter at all—chewy at the tips and tender inside 🐙. The beef tartare was full of ceremony! Made with six different ingredients, layered with amazing flavors 🧅🧀🌿. The last two appetizers were a bit salty, so we asked the kitchen to make the main dishes lighter. The Short Rib was braised for ages—incredibly tender and paired perfectly with red wine sauce 🍷. The roasted bone marrow was flavorful and rich. Eating it with the short rib wrapped in that oily goodness was perfection 😍. The roasted chicken was decent—crispy skin and firm meat, though a bit salty 🍗. The fries were super delicious—deep-fried to perfection 🍟! Cozy atmosphere with live jazz performances, great service, and very Instagram-friendly! 📸 Price: $100+ per person #HiddenGemRestaurant #Baltimore #BaltimoreFood #JHU #JohnsHopkinsUniversity #DMVFoodExploration