Monkey Bar

07/01/09

wow. this is terrible.

by iliketo_eat

This place looks great especially since it's guests are skinny celebs and their hanger-ons. But as far as a restaurant goes.....It is not on the same level as some mediocre New York restaurants. Food is sub-par, cocktail list is boring and uninspired, and the wine list...well lets say they should just get rid of it. If your in the hood go to PJ Clarks, Bobby Vans, or Houston's.

• Pros: looks nice
• Cons: crowd, noise, food, cocktail and wine list.

Great Room, Mediocre Food

by Josh Ozersky

In its latest incarnation, Monkey Bar is the playground of Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter, and a kind of uptown cousin to his Waverly Inn. There's a new mural that looks like it's been there for fifty years, and the art deco vibe has been art-directed to a T. But unfortunately, the menu is still as dull and unimaginative as always, with the same Kung Pao chicken serving to soak up alcohol for the Wasp-y crowd.

04/22/08

Best upscale Asian cuisine since the original Nobu

by MrDukes

I went into Monkey Bar just to have a drink before heading to another restaurant for dinner, the bartender suggested a small appetizer with our drinks, being one to try anything I went for it, we got the foie gras buns, they were quite simply one of the most decadent rich appetizers I have ever had the pleasure of eating. My guest and I decided to stay and have dinner in the dining room, I had been there before, when they served steak, the remodel was impressive, one of the best looking dining rooms I've ever been in, very open it's great for a date, I've since returned with my girlfriend, she loved it to. On to the food, for starters we had a few pieces of dim sum the springrolls with the white truffle foam were excellent, we also had the glazed ribs, sweet, spicey, melted off the bone. For our entrees we chose the black cod, and the chicken with cashews, the cod was amazing with the bbq glaze you could really tell the fish was fresh, and that the chef really cares about his food, the chicken came two ways one grilled breast which was juicy and tender, not dry at all, and in a mooshu wrap filled with braised dark meat, there was a sweet and sour sauce on top of the chicken that added a great taste to the dish, and crushed cashews adds that decadence that occurs in all the food I had that night, we also had the rice trio, which makes it nice and easy for me because I love rice, garlic ginger rice, jasmin, and cocnut sticky rice, all great good size portions for two people to share. All in all we had a great experience from the food to the wine to the attentive service, all the people I came in contact with at Monkey Bar genuinely seemed to love what they do. Give a excellent experience.

• Pros: Great food, room was beautiful, service was on par with my favorite restaurants

03/21/08

Incredible Rebirth

by FoodKing1

I have been to the Monkey Bar many times over the years since even before it was a Steakhouse but it was never this good. The bar which had been run down looks great and the dining room is to die for. It looks like a slick downtown lounge. The host sat us in the corner banquet which was great so we could take in the room. We started we some specialty cocktails. I had the Tea Infused Bourbon Julep which was spicy and sweet. To start we had Bao Buns with Foie Gras and the Apple Salad. The Bao Buns were so decadent and delicious. The salad had a ginger dressing which was a nice complement to the apples. Next we got the Black Cod, Pork, and Wok Veggies. Hands down the cod was the best. It was like butter. The pork was also great with ginger and pineapple on top. Although I wanted to have dessert it was not going to happen this time around. I happy that they finally got it right. Looking forward to next time...

• Pros:  food, service and space
• Cons: music at times

03/21/08

A classic hotel restaurant evolves with a pan-Asian menu and a sleek renovation.

by Justin Hartung

In Short
While the front bar area of this restaurant in the Hotel Elysee retains the kitschy charm of its 1940s origins, the dining room has been updated to reflect the modern pan-Asian menu. Monkeys frolic across scarlet red walls, looking ready to snatch the fat wallets of the moneyed clientele, and chinoiserie scrims depict regal life. The menu offers up high-toned takes on familiar Asian fare: steamed buns filled with foie gras, chili-glazed baby back ribs and lobster kung pao.

(Photo by Frank Oudeman)

01/11/08

Absolutely Fabulous

by shanghailil

I heard there was a new chef at this bar favorite of mine and being a lover of upscale Asian food, I went to check it out. We got there early to have a drink at the fabulous bar and started with great appetizers. Then we sat down for dinner and had a great time. The food was great, some interesting twists on a few traditional dishes with some really wonderful flavor combinations. My one wish was for an equally delicious and interesting dessert, but maybe next time!

• Pros: Beautiful Space
• Cons: No knockout dessert

01/10/08

Classic Bar with Updated Food

by changmino200

Okay, it must have been 10 years since I had been to Monkey Bar back in the days when I worked in midtown. When a friend said meet me at the bar in my hotel, I was ready to say no until he said The Monkey Bar. Curious to see what it's now like, I had flashbacks of many happy happy hours and was totally surprised by the crowd and the food which were very fancy asian appetizers that were incentive to stay for one/two more drinks. Apparently, they got a new chef and I say bravo to great drinks with great food! This is definitely worth a trip back for a dignified drink with upscale food masquerading as bar food.

• Pros: Fancy and Fun
• Cons: Pricey, but worth it!