Monarch & Lion, A British Restaurant — Restaurant in Chicago

I felt like English royalty enjoying only the finest at Monarch and Lion, the newest culinary gem in Streeterville. This reimagined British pub right on the corner of Columbus and Illinois quickly earns 5 stars for its impeccable offerings and captivating ambiance. It’s a must-visit destination for food (and drink!) enthusiasts.

Ornate Ambiance and Cozy Corners: As you walk in, you’re immediately immersed in the opulent ambiance of Monarch and Lion, where British charm takes center stage. Ornate features like chandeliers hanging from high ceilings, floral wallpapers and wainscotting create an atmosphere of grandeur and sophistication. Plus, my favorite, an enchanting corner with a ceiling-high bookshelf and a crackling fireplace. Don’t miss the back of the menu with a fun “Speak like a true Brit” word translation that will have you talking like a real bloke in no time.

Top-Shelf Bar and Innovative Cocktails: The bar caters to the most discerning palates with an impressive selection of top-shelf options including Blanton’s and EH Taylor bourbons. The cocktail menu, clearly crafted with ingenuity and expertise, aims to astonish and delight. I sipped on the Kensington Gardens, a light and refreshing gin-based cocktail garnished with black pepper and real flowers. Then I tried the English Tea Time, a rum cocktail infused with spice and tea flavors, served in a delightful tea set, enhancing the overall experience and adding a touch of whimsy. Both were photo worthy and fun to sip.

Apps and Sides that Hold Their Own: For an appetizer, we tried the Artichoke Bhaji with onions and turmeric emulsion which was incredibly flavorful. For a second app, we ventured into the "Bits and Bobs" section of the menu and set our sights on the 1,000 Layer Potato which proved to be a stellar choice. Crispy on the outside and paired perfectly with truffle mayo, parmesan and chives.

Brit-Indian Delights: Choosing from the selection of entrees at Monarch and Lion proved to be a delightful challenge, as each dish that emerged from the kitchen looked and smelled absolutely amazing. With the restaurant's connection to ROOH and Bar Goa, renowned Indian restaurants (also part of the new Soiree Restaurant Group), I decided to explore the Brit-Indian section of the menu. The Paneer Tikka Masala came as large pieces worthy of a fork and knife (the best way to eat cheese!) and delighted my senses with its flavorful masala sauce. The Lamb Shank Rogan Josh steals the show, with the meat falling off the bone and perfectly spicy. All the Brit-Indian dishes come with their own side of naan ensuring no drop of sauce is left behind.

Irresistible Desserts: We were full, but the allure of Monarch and Lion's dessert menu proved impossible to resist. We ordered two treats for sharing. The Lavender Trifle was light and sweet, a delightful fusion of lavender and raspberry that creates a uniquely delicious flavor combination. For a more indulgent experience, the Date Sticky Toffee steals the spotlight. The sponge, generously filled with dates and topped with velvety toffee sauce and decadent clotted cream left a...

With minimal expectations, I found myself to be pleasantly surprised by the dining experience. Overall, it was great and I'd recommend to go and will be going back myself. First and foremost, don't expect a very large menu, since this is Indian/British pub food. You'll find staples from both sides, as well as fusion items. To start off, the Chili Cheese Naan didn't leave a big enough impression for me to want to order it again next time. It's one of those things that you're curious about to try and afterwards, it's whatever. Not to say it was bad or anything, it just didn't give me a "wow" factor. The Venison Scotch Egg was very good. The egg was perfectly cooked. The exterior was a bit overcooked and a bit dry. I think the fat/lean ratio was a bit off and could've went a bit fattier, but that's my personal opinion. The Lamb Keema Pie seemed a bit under seasoned, but again, personal opinion. Otherwise, it was nice to try it. It's a hefty portion, so be careful and don't expect a personal size. Additionally, it's crust less, so I'm not sure if anyone could technically call this a "pie". The Lamb Shank Rogan Josh was perfect. My only issue with it was the amount of naan served alongside it, it wasn't enough. Rogan Josh is one of those dishes where it's very saucy and you want something to soak it all up. The lamb was perfectly cooked, tender and falling off the bone. The Fish & Chips was great too; however, the execution of the batter that the fish was fried in wasn't great. It didn't hold together very well and fell a part. It might need to be double-battered and/or double-fried, so it holds its' shape better. This is one of those dishes that you have to order in order to measure the base line of the restaurant, in this case, British food. Moving onto dessert, the Lavender Trifle was not what I was expecting and unfortunately, was a bit of a let down. It's hard to explain but this is, once again, one of those dishes you have to try for yourself to understand. The Date Sticky Toffee was absolutely delicious and I highly recommend getting it. It comes with a side of ice cream and just simply amazing. Overall, although fairly new, this is a place I can see myself going to every now and then, to get a quick fix when I'm...

After today’s experience, I won’t be returning to Monarch & Lion. It’s disappointing because our previous visit was impressive with great service, ambiance, and food. Unfortunately, all that goodwill was lost today.

It started with subpar service and quickly went downhill. I visited for Sunday brunch and ordered the full English breakfast with coffee. The server brought my coffee without cream or sugar, which I had to request. By the time I received the cream and sugar, the coffee was cold. No offer of a warm-up or a spoon, so I had to stir with my fork. Not a great start.

When my breakfast arrived, it was more like a “partial” English breakfast. The beans were missing, which I flagged down the waiter to address. They brought the beans several minutes later with a half-hearted apology. By now my coffee was empty, and when another server attempted a refill, the pot was empty too. I waited about 10 minutes for a fresh pot. (And mind you, it’s Sunday brunch—surely a time to keep the coffee flowing!) Oh, and still no spoon was offered. I continued having to use my now-dirty fork. Gross.

As I ate my cold eggs, it dawned on me the mushrooms were missing too. I asked the server, who said he’d check with the kitchen (again, with barely an apology). A few minutes later, another staff member (perhaps a manager?) informed me they were out of mushrooms and asked if I wanted something else. By then, I was almost finished with my meal, so I declined. But really? Why wasn’t this mentioned when I ordered so I could’ve substituted?

When the check arrived—without anyone clearing our plates or offering another coffee refill—I hoped they might have discounted the meal to make up for the missing food and poor service. But nope. Not even the coffee was comped. In fact, there was a “restaurant surcharge” (perhaps raising funds for spoons?) and a suggested tip starting at 21%.

There are too many amazing restaurants in Chicago to give Monarch &...