Looking for a culinary escape from Vancouver? With dishes like prawn tacos with Oaxacan cheese or beef tenderloin with raspberry mole, the city's newest destination for authentic Mexican fare you may want to pack your appetite and head to Monarca, which is ready to open its doors.
Located at 181 Carall St. (in the vacated Coquille space) in Gastown, Monarca Cocina Mexicana is the second restaurant overseen by Veracruz, Mexico native Chef Francisco Higareda, who previously launched Ophelia restaurant in Olympic Village.
Monarca is a new addition to the Flying Pig group's portfolio, which includes multiple outposts of the Flying Pig and the aforementioned Ophelia, and will serve its first guests on Friday, April 8.
The restaurant will initially offer dinner service with a menu of fare that includes tacos, meat and veggie mains, sides, and house-made salsas, along with a lively cocktail program.
Monarca's name is a nod to Higareda's father, who lived near the famous Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacán, Mexico; the vibrant winged creatures also play a special role in Mexican culture, as they are thought to represent the spirits of ancestors fluttering in for a visit with loved ones.
Follow @monarcavancouver on Instagram for more info and updates.
