Monarch's Southern Bistro

Since Monarch opened in 2003, through the tenures of its original executive chef, Brian Hale, and his successor, Josh Galliano, the Maplewood restaurant has greeted diners with two or even three different faces. There is the main dining room, of course, where the menu aspires to be -- and often is -- among the area�s best. In 2009, in fact, I named Monarch the second-most important restaurant to open in St. Louis last decade. Continue reading Ian Froeb's review of Monarch Southern Bistro. Photos by Jennifer Silverberg.

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The Southern Bistro at Monarch. Closed this past summer for renovation, Monarch got a face lift and menu change with design by co-owner Jeff Orbin and menu by Executive Chef Josh Galliano.

The Southern Bistro at Monarch.

The front entrance to Monarch, with the Southern Bistro in the front end of the restaurant and the main dining room towards the rear.

The wine room, a private dining room adjacent to the main dining room, seats 20 guests.

The Skybox is a small exclusive dining room that seats 10 and is located above, and with views of, the kitchen.

The bar in the Southern Bistro. Every Wednesday and Friday, the Southern Bistro has live music from 8-11pm.

The bar area of the southern bistro often has sports on the flat screen televisions behind the bar. Monday night football, amongst other sporting events, can be viewed there.