This review is based solely on my Restaurant Week experience, dined in on 02/03/2026.
I made a reservation at Monarch & Lion for Restaurant Week. It was our first time visiting. We arrived at 6:15 PM for our party of two and were promptly seated. Our hostess (I didn't catch her name) placed us at a cozy two-top near the fire pit, which we absolutely loved. It kept us warm and comfortable despite the 22°F Chicago weather outside. She was pleasant and welcoming, and provided both the regular and Restaurant Week menus.
We decided to fully take advantage of the Restaurant Week menu ($45 per person before tax). We did not order any alcoholic beverages, so I won't be reviewing the bar.
My selections:
* Mango and Paneer Salad
This salad pleasantly surprised me. It was light and refreshing, yet the paneer added a satisfying amount of protein. There was a subtle tanginess that I couldn't quite place, whether from the dressing or another component, it worked beautifully. I really enjoyed it.
* Lamb Keema Shepherd's Pie
I absolutely loved this dish. I appreciate bold, well-seasoned food, and I could distinctly taste the cumin and spices throughout. The mashed potato topping balanced everything nicely and almost acted as a gentle palate cleanser between bites.
* Crème Brûlée
The texture was soft, silky, and creamy, just how I like it. However, the caramelized sugar topping leaned slightly too far into bitterness, tasting a bit more burnt than caramelized. It wasn't bad, but I was hoping for a slightly sweeter, more balanced crust.
My boyfriend's selections:
* 1000 Layer Potatoes
I imagined something resembling the final dish from Ratatouille, but instead it was served as three stacked potato portions with a white sauce. I assumed the sauce was coconut chutney, similar to what's served with dosa. The exterior was nicely crisp while the inside was soft and tender. I personally would have preferred it a bit crispier overall but not overly so.
* Fish and Chips
A classic English dish, served with tartar sauce, malt vinegar, and ketchup for the fries. The portion size genuinely surprised us, it was generous enough to share between two people. The flavors were solid and satisfying.
* Sticky Toffee Cake
Another English classic (and famously loved by Chef Gordon Ramsay). It was served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Comforting and indulgent.
Our server for the evening was Jordan. From what I observed, he appeared to be the only server on the floor (though I could be mistaken). He did have assistance from food runners and bussers, but at one point he seemed quite busy. Service started off strong, though as the restaurant filled up, it slowed slightly. That said, it was understandable given how busy he appeared. We still appreciated his efforts and enjoyed our experience.
From the décor and ambiance to the quality of the food, everything exceeded our expectations. Our total came to approximately $100.58, which felt very reasonable for the quality and experience provided. I would definitely return to try the regular menu and would recommend others give Monarch & Lion a try as well. read more