Monarch & Lion has an elegant yet welcoming atmosphere, making it a great spot for a nice meal. We started with the calamari, which was crispy, tender, and a great appetizer to share. My cousin and I split the fish and chips, and it did not disappoint. The fish was perfectly cooked with a light, crispy batter, and the fries paired well with it. We finished with the sticky toffee date pudding for dessert, which was rich, warm, and absolutely delicious. I also ordered a cocktail--unfortunately I can't remember which one it was--but it was refreshing and complemented the meal nicely. The service was attentive, friendly, and made the dining experience even more enjoyable. Overall, this is a wonderful place if you're looking for classic British fare in a beautiful setting. read more

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My friend and I tried this place on a weekday, and luckily we were able to get a reservation for almost 10 people. It's a great spot if you're going out with a big group. I really liked their menu, especially the fusion dishes. We ordered quite a few items.Paneer tikka masala, 100-layer potato, mango salad, paneer tacos, black lentil dal, and a couple of naans. Overall, I enjoyed almost everything except the paneer tacos. The highlights for me were the chilli cheese naan and the 100-layer potato, both were really delicious. We also ordered a few drinks, which were nice. Omg, the desserts were soo good. I forgot the name but it was a chocolate date slice. It was mouthwatering and extremely good. Must try... Overall, it's a good place to try unique fusion food, and they do a great job accommodating larger groups. read more

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When you need that perfect spot for a quick bite or a cozy after-work hang, Monarch & Lion is the move every single time. From the moment you walk in, the vibe just hits--dim lighting, warm tones, and that effortlessly chill atmosphere that makes you want to stay way longer than you planned. It's the kind of place where you can unwind, catch up with friends, and just be after a long day. The food? So good. The wings are coated in that perfectly sticky, flavorful sauce with just the right amount of heat, paired with crisp celery and carrots for the ultimate balance. The calamari is golden, crispy, and super tender--served with sauces that make every bite even better. And the fries? Classic, hot, and perfectly salted with those must-have dipping sauces on the side (because one is never enough). And what really ties it all together is the service--friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, making the whole experience feel easy and enjoyable from start to finish. Whether you're popping in for something quick or settling in for a long, laid-back night, this is one of those spots that just gets it right every time. read more

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Went in for a snack and was seated in very cushy high back chairs. The place had a sophisticated vibe and nice music. Waiters were really nice. Had these 1000 layer potatoes and pretzels sticks with cheese. So hungry ate up the pretzels too quickly for pictures. Cheese came in a mini skillet that kept it warm. Potato's were stacked cubes with a really good sauce. Both went in our bellies fast since we were so hungry. Food was very delicious. read more

Monarch & Lion - 1000 Layer Potatoes - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We were a big party at Monarch and Lion and the server was able to accommodate us well. They have great fusion dishes and we were excited to try them all. We got the 1000 layer potatoes, chili cheese naan, paneer and mango salad, steak frites, truffle mushroom pie, paneer tikka masala, charcoal grilled garlic naan, paneer tacos, black lentil daal and the date sticky toffee cake. Yes, we went all out! I honestly loved some of the dishes and the others were a miss for me. The 1000 layer potatoes, chili cheese naan, paneer and mango salad and date sticky toffee cake were insanely delicious. The paneer tacos, truffle mushroom pie and the black lentil daal were a miss for me. The cocktails were great and we tried a bunch of them! The ambience is very chic and moody, which I loved. Will definitely be back for my favorites! read more

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Great looking decor and ambiance and location. Seating hose less than engaged, set up a party of one on a boot bench with other people with another tables or wide open. Wasn't really in the game we're paying attention to the business just doing a job. Two service approaches me at the beverage nicely done. Tentative had one server for eight tables first was reduced just to remove business. Overall he was very nice. The food definitely had room for improvement nice Caesar salad beautiful garnish nice fresh then you had the store bought croutons that took away from the presentation. My ribeye steak was nice and slice for me temperatures correct definitely like seasoning and was 50% edible not the best cut of meat. The 1000 player potatoes were very nice good sauce crispy well done. The guess that joined me had the chicken pot pie very hot nice crust good flavor well done. I'd recommend staying with the favorites the fish and chips and the pot pie on the next visit read more

Monarch & Lion - There are many portion of the gristle from a 16 ounce ribeye so about 6 oz of the steak was edible. - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I cannot begin to describe how horrible this experience was. Went here on st pattys weekend for dinner for a friend. It was pretty busy an hectic but as the night went on, it got calmer and more quaint/elegant. The waiter we had, who apparently is also the supervisor was EXTREMELY rude, condescending, passive aggressive. He seemed young, name was victor (atleast that's what he told us). He didn't check on his and other staff had to pick up his slack and he reeked of weed. I plan on calling management about him because it really ruined our experience. Will not be back read more

Monarch & Lion - Gave us plastic while others got real glasses - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Stopped in for some drinks and apps on a Wednesday evening. Fairly eclectic menu to match the decor of the space. Service was friendly, if not, a bit sporadic, but the food and drinks were all on point. I had a Maple Old Fashioned and my wife had the Naughty Bird as we ventured through our shared plates. The wings were perfectly crispy and juicy, scotch egg well prepared, and the chili cheese naan was soft, chewy and delicious when dipped into the accompanying chutney sauce. There was a 4% restaurant surcharge automatically added to the bill, so we adjusted our tip accordingly. read more

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If I ever miss British food, I'll definitely make a stop at Monarch and Lion. The entrees here are super well made! I'll definitely have to come back to try the Sunday roast. My husband and I shared the 1000 layer potatoes, which were perfectly fried and went well with the cheesy truffle sauce. For entrees, my husband got the Prime rib sandwich which came with a large serving of fries and the au jus went perfectly with the crispy bread of the sandwich. I got the lamb shepherd's pie, which was spicy, flavorful and so savory. Definitely Indian fusion comfort food. We didn't try the desserts, but we'll definitely have to be back to try the sticky toffee cake. The restaurant was beautiful! Super high walls, lovely dish ware and tasteful decorations. This is definitely a great spot to get a drink with a friend and catch up. We came on a Wednesday and it wasn't too crowded. Our water was refilled pretty frequently, but I do wish the server had come around more frequently to check on us. We had to flag him down to get the check. Monarch and Lion is also on the InKind app so you can use it to pay for your check and get cash back. Definitely a jewel in Chicago! read more

Monarch & Lion - 1000 Layer Potatoes - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came in after just arriving in Chicago and was hungry. There was a large group of us and they were able to get us seated right away. There was a good selection of food to chose from and everyone was able to find something. I chose the mushroom Shephard's pie. It was delicious, full of mushrooms, light puffed pastry, and super hot. One of the kids had plain wings and the order was so large she could not finish them. The other kid had the calamari - which she thought was delicious. The decor was clean, warm and inviting. They have various size tables to accommodate different size parties. There are a few TVs as well to watch any events happening. read more

Monarch & Lion - mushroom Shephard's pie - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Big space inside with bar tables. Service was slow even with less crowd. Veg food review out of 5 Kingston mocktail - 2 - drinks spills out of glass and was at room temperature. Not the drink feeling Old fashion - 4 1000 layers of potato - 5 - tasty with right level of cheese sauce Mushroom pot pie - 1 - too much cheese, hard to find any mushroom. They did remove from our bill which was kind gesture Chilling cheese kulcha - 3.5 - not same flavor as Roop sister restaurant Black daal - 3.5 Charred garlic Naan- 4 read more

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Our party of 10 had a great time at Monarch & Lion. We stopped by for a late lunch to catch up with a friend who recently got engaged. The ambience is cozy with the fireplace and holiday decorations. I loved that the plates are unique bone china. They have great cocktail list. Here's what we tried : black & red Bloody Mary (with Guinness!!), pornstar martini (comes with a prosecco chaser), old fashioned, Kensington gardens, naughty bird and bottomless mimosas! I ordered the nachos and the chicken tikka masala. Both gluten free. Very good for pub food. Also, our server said that the meat is halal, good to know! For dessert, our friends tried the sticky cake and loved it. Our server was very attentive. Overall we had a great experience here! read more

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We were greeted warmly & immediately upon our arrival by Travis who steered us to a great table by the fireplace. The lunch special is reasonably priced at $18 and portions large enough to be shared, especially the club sandwich which was especially generous (and tasty!). The food quality and presentation is excellent. The fries are very flavorful. I would, however, forgo the brisket burger utterly as it is served w a lot of coleslaw-like dressing that, combined with the soft bun, caused it to look messy and make it hard to eat. Especially compared to the club sandwich with its crisp toast & minimal dressing. On the upside, Chef cooked it to a perfect medium rare. For overall ambiance, service, variety, and food taste, the Monarch is simply a not miss! Thank you everyone! Appreciatively, Patrick Shaughnessy Chicago, IL read more

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Lighting was perfect for a gloomy evening, especially sitting by the fireplace. Unfortunately, the waiter took about 15-20 minutes to get our orders for drinks and food. After the minor hiccup, everything went smoothly. Thousand layer potatoes and mushroom truffle pot pie were delicious! read more

Monarch & Lion - Truffle Mushroom Pie, Chicken Tikka Masala, Charcoal Grilled Garlic Naan - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Sleek British establishment with some serious drinks. We were in the Streeterville area and wanted to grab some yummy food. This place had reasonably priced mimosas and brunch options so we came here. Ultimately we didn't even get brunch goods as there were some tempting items on the menu. I grabbed the chicken pot pie which was flavorful, fluffy and had a creamy consistency. I would give the taste of the Chicken Pot Pot a solid 5 stars. Now I will say, for the price point, it wasn't much food. I ate all my pot pie and was full but no leftovers. While it looks big, it is not a heavy dish and more fillo crust than pie crust. My husband grabbed the traditional fish and chips and he was overjoyed with his selection. The fish quality was better than your typical white fish. It is battered in house which is preferred over a deep fried frozen option. This establishment has a full bar. They had some specialty cocktails that are associated with traditional British drinks such as Pimm's cup, Blackberry Reviver, Royal Negroni, and Red + Black Spicy Bloody Mary. I got the unlimited mimosa and my husband got Maple Old Fashioned which was made with Coconut-Washed Bourbon, Coffee, Maple, Bitters, Ice. Cocktails were delicious and the quality of bubbles for the Mimosa was excellent. Hands down I would come back to this restaurant. I would love to try Prime Rib Sandwich and the Shepherds Pie. Also the desserts looked good as they have bread pudding and proper tea service. I would check this place out and it really a great find near downtown. read more

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Stopped in this place on a nice Sunday afternoon for brunch/lunch. The ambience of this restaurant is amazing. Our server was very well versed and the drinks and the food. I ordered the fish and chips, which was cooked with perfection. Also had an old-fashioned, which made a great mix. If you're in the area, give this place a shot. read more

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Stopped in late on a Monday and ended up having a full experience. The dark, moody vibes set the perfect tone for a relaxed evening, and every seat in the house was genuinely comfortable, making it easy to settle in and enjoy our cocktails. Our server was fantastic, full of personality, attentive without hovering, and thoughtful in the little details. He even had our prime rib sandwich cut into thirds since we were sharing, which we really appreciated. Every cocktail was crafted to perfection. The prime rib sandwich was flavorful, cooked just right, and had a satisfying crunch. The naan was packed with bold, delicious flavor, and the desserts were the perfect sweet finish to the night. This spot nailed the balance of ambiance, service, and taste. read more

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Perfect time to visit during lent season ha..ha the fish n chips is phenomenal here. The vibe is chill and glad to find a good British pub around downtown Chicago. They are in inkind so that's a big plus. Will be back for sure for their cocktails . read more

Monarch & Lion - Fish and Chips 10/10 - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My wife and I have become regulars here. Monarch & Lion has quickly become one of our favorite spots in Chicago. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between cozy British pub and upscale cocktail bar, making it great whether you're stopping in for drinks or staying for dinner. The staff has always been welcoming, attentive, and genuinely friendly, which makes the experience feel personal every time. The cocktails are excellent, the food is consistently great, and the overall vibe feels both lively and comfortable without being overwhelming. What really makes the place great are the staff which have become like family. Thank you Mike, Jordan, Joey, Lupe, Adam, Chente, and everyone else for making us feel at home every time we come! read more

Monarch & Lion - Negroni - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Walked in without reservations and didn't have a problem getting seated on a Monday night. The food was really delicious! It had a similar vibe as Armitage Alehouse and even had the same date cake on the dessert menu. We didn't try that though so, I can't give a 1:1 comparison on that. The 1000 layer potatoes were absolutely devine. I'd go back just for those. We did order a chili cheese naan which they didn't have so they happily substituted it for an additional garlic naan free of charge. read more

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I ordered the lamb keema pie and the chicken pot pie from here. I have no doubt the food tastes better piping hot at the restaurant with better presentation. The lamb keema pie was a bit too salty and spicy for my taste, so between the two I prefer the creamy chicken pot pie. Both dishes are rich and hearty, perfect for these colder winter days. read more

Monarch & Lion - Lamb keema pie - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Very beautiful place, and although it's in the center of Downtown, I find that not too many people know about it. The food wasn't the best I've ever had but I'd like to try some of the other things on their menu! read more

Monarch & Lion - Truffle Mushroom Pie - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Date sticky toffee- need I say more. Absolutely delicious and I highly recommend. To.be honest the whole place had a cool English vibe. We got the fish and chips and chicken pot pie and everything was yummy and had flavor. We got tea for 2 and it was so fun and delicious. The loose tea mix is made fresh in house. This restaurant was attached to our hotel at the Embassy suites and you can use the hotel credit her. The staff was attentive and helpful and we had no problems with the service. read more

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The food was amazing! I am so glad that found this place on Resy app. This restaurant was busy, so we had to wait a bit, but it was worth it! read more

Monarch & Lion - Non alcoholic drink - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Love this place and the food is great, but the bartender with the black hat who looks like the Costco guy "Big Justice" completely ruins the experience every time. He genuinely does not understand how to bartend or interact with customers. Constantly making inappropriate comments to people at the bar, including the guys he works with, and somehow manages to make everyone uncomfortable. And it's not just me -- plenty of people around Streeterville say the same thing. Every time he's working, the vibe instantly goes downhill. I've brought friends here before and they all asked what this guy's deal was. Really disappointing because I actually love this spot, but I refuse to come back while he's behind the bar. read more

Monarch & Lion - French Dip Sandwich is amazing - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

British pub style cozy restaurant. We got a table by the fireplace in front of the Christmas tree, perfect festive vibe. The food was delicious, I would recommend the chicken pot pie but you can skip the 1000 layer potato dish. read more

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A great British pub. The cocktails were phenomenal. The ambiance was quite good and the overall experience was amazing. We grabbed some cocktails and dessert. The Date Sticky Toffee Cake was a 10/10, highly recommended! The service was good too. Hoping to come here soon to try the food. read more

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Came here for happy hour. The aesthetic inside is cute, I wouldn't say pub feel with the fine china but more like a lounge. It was pretty empty when we got there. For drinks we got the pornstar martini, maple old fashioned, and the naughty bird. I was very disappointed with the pornstar martini as I haven't had one since coming back from the UK. The passion fruit flower was missing and there was a cherry instead of a passion fruit floating in the drink. The maple old fashioned didn't have the maple flavor but was a solid old fashioned. The naughty bird was great, would recommend! We also enjoyed the 'choose your adventure margarita' it was a fun idea and our waiter helped us pick flavors. For food I ordered the 1000 layer potatoes. Could definitely use more truffle as the sauce tasted pretty blah. Would def come back for happy hour drinks again. They also have lunch specials I'd try. read more

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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

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Charming interior with a menu to match. I had the fish and chips that were stellar. The table was reserved last second with a large group and we had the most attentive staff. High recommend. read more

Monarch & Lion - View from the entrance - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went for a late Sunday lunch and easily got a table with no reservation. Service was prompt, nothing special. We didn't have high expectations for the food but we were very happy with everything we got. Highly recommend the naan. It's slightly spicy with a nice dipping sauce that's slightly tangy and sweet. And definitely get the sticky toffee cake. It's essentially if a bread pudding and a fluffy cake had a baby, it would be this dessert. Ambiance is great for a date night or a casual lunch. I can see this place being more romantic in the evening. We will definitely be back for a date night! read more

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Mike was excellent behind the bar. Came in around 4:30p on a Sunday afternoon to watch the Bears game, which quickly escalated into an ugly situation where another customer, clearly inebriated, started yelling at Mike when he changed the TV at our request. Mike showed incredible restraint by not escalating the situation, checked out the customer while ignoring his rude commentary, and ensured our experience remained smooth. Drinks were excellent, and seeing how Mike handled everything was great. Highly recommend! read more

Monarch & Lion - Fireside Old Fashioned - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I came for the pornstar martini and the pornstar martini only! The bartender was very kind and took care of me. I'm currently looking for the best pornstar martini in the states and this one was a great start! 9/10 for sure! read more

Monarch & Lion - Pornstar martini - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Monarch and Lion perfectly blends Indian and British flavours. We started the night with 1000 layer potatoes which had a generous helping of creamy truffle sauce. It was a fun dish with a bit of crunch and paired really well with the sauce. For main course we had the keema shepherds pie and fish and chips. The keema was as good as it can get. The fish and chips were really good as well. But we saved the best for the last, the warm date and toffee cake with some vanilla ice-cream. This was to die for! Our server was very kind and took care of us. The restaurant has a very nice decor as well and is perfect for dates (not the cake)! read more

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Super cute, British-themed restaurant & bar in Streeterville next to AMC. This ornate decor screams Harry Potter to me, it felt very Soho House meets fulI-scale restaurant concept. I felt happy to find 4-5 truffle options on the menu: -1000 layer potatoes (pictured) -truffle mac & cheese -mushroom truffle pot pie The potatoes were soft and fluffy, and it was fun to peel them apart and eat the layers separately dipping into more sauce. It tasted like a similar sauce to mac & cheese, quite satisfying. Loved the crispy chicken, it felt like elevated chicken nuggets and paired with the dipping sauce, a light spice given the jalapeño. Both of these starters tasted great with a white wine. read more

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Food : lamb Shepard pie was good based on my husband's opinion I requested the tandoori wings, no flavor. Asked for a different sauce and they give me olive oil with a LOT of salt and pepper. Finally the gave me buffalo sauce (not that great). Service: so, so. The bar tender that was taking care of us was very defensive. Mind you we were just visiting so we felt he was talking to us if we didn't know what to expect from the place. They shouldn't assume we are locals and we knew how to deal with the restaurant Ambiance. Nice place at least visit once and make up your own opinion. At the end there are a lot of factors that changes everyone's opinion and experience; try it yourself because this place has a lot of potential if they change their ways as to how to treat costumers. read more

Monarch & Lion - Lamb Shepard pie - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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TLDR: Great place for cocktails and a bite when you have time bc the service isn't great. They try to be Armitage Alehouse but it's far from it. Just a little note, when I first came here last year, I sat for 15 min before the server came by to take my drink order, and that was bc I waved him down. I know I was a waiting for my friend to arrive but, cmon, I'm here on a Monday evening... let's get the drinks rolling, right? The second time I visited was a couple months ago; this time on a Thursday. Service was still pretty slow but at least it was friendlier this time. Lets talk about food... there are some great items on the menu. The Daal was pretty great, as was the Chicken Tikka. The Mushroom Pot Pie was a huge hit in my group--I thought it was ok. The Rogan Josh, though lacked any sauce. The lamb was tender and tasty but there wasn't any sauce to eat with my naan--which the server recommended I get to eat with the curry. It's like getting clam chowder and only getting a bowl of clams (and you had to pay for oyster crackers). The Artichoke bhaji was kinda mushy... Their cocktails are pretty damn good! Honestly, the Kensington Garden cocktail was the highlight of my meal. The cocktails alone would get 5 stars. read more

Monarch & Lion - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Love this place every time I go -- it never disappoints. We had such a great meal here celebrating a birthday. Food highlights: * Paneer Tikka Masala - creamy, rich, and full of flavor. Perfect with the naan. * Cheese Chilli Naan - soft, cheesy, and with just the right kick -- absolutely addictive. * 1000 Layered Potatoes - crisp, buttery, and perfectly seasoned. Such a fun and unique side. * For dessert, since it was a birthday, we got the Sticky Toffee Date Cake with Ice Cream -- warm, decadent, and easily one of the best desserts in the city. To drink, we tried one of their seasonal cocktails -- lemon, coconut, and pineapple, like a fresh twist on a piña colada. Light, refreshing, and tropical without being too sweet. The vibe is cozy and stylish, the service is always spot on, and the food keeps me coming back. Definitely one of my favorites read more

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Slow service and weird elevated pub vibes and intense decor Fish and chips: pleasantly surprised by these and very very impressed. So good and perfectly cooked. Bread pudding: meh, not sweet enough read more

Monarch & Lion - Fish And Chips - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We hit this place on an 'off' day. We came for lunch and were looking forward to warming up with some pub food and beer. They had lost all their draft beers due to frozen lines. They did have a couple of UK beers in cans and bottles. Service was on the slow side- it looked like there was only a team of 3 people seating and serving. The food did redeem our visit- the weekend roast was delicious served with a mini Yorkshire pudding, potato and delicious spicy roasted carrots. Everything could have been warmer but it was good quality. Kids chicken tenders meal was on point- with a sliced breaded chicken breast and well salted fries. One nice touch was the British porcelain plates and the beautiful tea service that is brought to the table with a teapot, cups with saucers. Definitely something to try next time. read more