Best Contemporary American Restaurants in North Mountain

All about our experience for our milestone wedding anniversary was a five star except for the reservation process. Our service staff Tyler was amazing and highly recommend him. I felt that there was enough empty tables at any given time while the reservations were totally booked weeks before. Even though I stopped by the restaurant the day before, they said they were full. I feel they are making it extremely difficult to get a reservation and that’s either to show off or some other reason I’m not sure. I rather suggest go to the terrace which doesn’t need any reservation and enjoy the views with drinks and food.

Order the chicken! We picked it off the bones. Great happy hour drink specials. The balsamic strawberries are BOMB. Got a little noisy as people filled in, but loved the vibe. Sat inside because it was a bit cold, but the patio is beautiful!

Simply has to be one of the best restaurants I have eaten at in my lifetime of 25 years. I had the lamb for the main course and the lobster to start and the crème brûlée for desert was to die for. Let me also add that my wife got the crabcakes to start, and they were the best crabcakes in the world. 

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!

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.