Monk's Cafe – American
This dimly lit sanctuary hums with the warmth of a storied neighborhood haunt, where the air is thick with the savory perfume of golden pommes frites and simmering seasonal soups. The kitchen masterfully bridges the gap between casual comfort and culinary artistry, pairing silky chicken liver mousse and smoky trout dip with inventive plates like lion’s mane mushroom cakes. It is a place designed for lingering, where guests gather over fiery "Spanish Flies" and tender lamb meatballs in an atmosphere that feels both timeless and vibrantly alive.
264 South 16th Street, 19102 https://monkscafe.com/Rating: 3/5 (1 reviews)
Cuisine: American
Price range: $$
Dietary options: dairy-free, high-protein, keto, low-carb, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, atkins, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, carnivore, renal, tlc, volumetrics, zone, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb
Currently closed
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 11:30 AM - 2:00 AM
What diners are saying
Diners appreciate the fair pricing and consistent quality, highlighting the establishment as a reliable choice for a quick and satisfying bite. Guests praise the adequate portion sizes and value for money, noting that it serves
Menu
Starters
- Cheese Plate - $18: Seneca Blue (Sheep), Springdell (Cow/Goat), Noblette (Cow), house-made jams, Green Meadow Farm raw honey, seasonal fruit, house-made pickles, pickled mustard seed Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Fingers - $12: Lager-battered chicken, mild barbecue sauce Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Liver Mousse - $12: Pickled mustard seeds, house-made jam, pickled apple, chives, toasted sourdough Available at: dinner, lunch
- Lamb Meatballs - $11: 3 lamb meatballs, cauliflower puree, kimchi-tahini, cucumber and onion relish Dietary tags: Mediterranean Available at: dinner, lunch
- Lion's Mane Mushroom Cake - $15: Lion's mane mushrooms, arugula, samurai sauce (mayo, sambal, creme fraiche) Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pommes Frites - $6: Fresh-cut double-fried potatoes, bourbon mayonnaise Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, DASH Sodium-Reduced Available at: dinner, lunch
- Smoked Trout Dip - $11: Smoked trout spread, caper and onion relish, sliced baguette Dietary tags: Pescatarian, High-Fiber, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Soup of the Day - $8: Cream of Broccoli, Shaved Parmigiano Reggiano Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Carnivore, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Spanish Flies - $15: Chicken wings, chipotle pepper sauce, frites Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Whole30, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
Salads
- Baby Green Salad - $7: Organic greens, Monk's Flemish Sour Ale vinaigrette Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol Available at: dinner, lunch
- Beet & Citrus Salad - $16: Local spinach, golden beets, Melogold grapefruit, Satsumi mandarins, Penncrisp celery, Point Reyes blue cheese, citrus vinaigrette, toasted breadcrumbs Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Caesar - $9: Romaine lettuce, tangy caesar dressing, croutons Available at: dinner, lunch
- Monk's Duck Salad - $21: Organic greens, grilled duck breast, goat cheese, spicy walnuts, Monk's Flemish Sour Ale soaked craisins Available at: dinner, lunch
Mussels
- Mussels Ghent - $22: Ommegang Hennepin, fumet, parsley, caramelized leeks, bacon, bleu cheese, garlic, served with frites Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mussels Monks - $22: Allagash White, fumet, garlic, parsley, served with frites Dietary tags: Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Alkaline, AIP, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mussels Red Light - $22: Belgian golden ale, fumet, toasted chili de arbol broth, parsley, garlic, served with frites Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mussels Thai Curry - $22: Monk's Flemish Sour, fumet, Thai red curry, basil, garlic, coconut milk, served with frites Dietary tags: Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo Available at: dinner, lunch
Burgers
- Burger - $18: Baker Street Bread brioche, house-made mayo, served with frites or side salad Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Breast Burger - $16: Baker Street Bread brioche, house-made mayo, served with frites or side salad Dietary tags: High-Protein, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Vegan Burger - $16: Vegan burger patty, house-made mayo, served with frites or side salad Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
Sandwiches
- Duck Salad Sandwich - $18: Grilled duck breast, goat cheese, spicy walnuts, craisins, baby greens, house mayo, Amoroso roll, side salad Available at: dinner, lunch
- Kielbasa Sausage Sandwich - $15: Polish pork sausage, cider mustard, sauerkraut, long roll, side salad Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pulled Pork Sandwich - $16: Spicy pork in Belgian brown ale, slaw, BBQ sauce, house mayo, Amoroso roll, side salad Available at: dinner, lunch
- Seitan Cheese Steak - $16: Michael's seitan, onions, mushrooms, gruyere, house mayo, Amoroso roll, side salad Dietary tags: High-Protein Available at: dinner, lunch
Main Plates
- Butternut Squash Bolognese - $20: Rotini pasta, butternut squash, ground beef & pork, mirepoix, pickled peppers, Parmigiano Reggiano, fried sage Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Roasted Half Chicken - $25: Half roast chicken, charred broccollini, duck fat roasted potatoes, chicken jus Dietary tags: High-Protein, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, High-Fiber, GERD-Friendly, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Roasted Local Veggies - $22: Seasonal veggies, vegan Soubise sauce, local mushrooms, pickled Romanesco, fresh herbs Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, Carnivore, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Steak Frites Salad - $23: 5oz flat iron steak, garlic, herbs de Provence, seasonal greens, pommes frites Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo, AIP, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
Dessert
- Bourbon Pecan Tart - $12: Bourbon spiked filling, pate brisee shell, pecans
Wine
- Château Moulin de Peyronin 2020 Vin de Bordeaux (Glass) - $15: Red Wine Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Atkins, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free
- Gascon Malbec (Glass) - $15: Red Wine Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Atkins, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free
- House Red Blend - $10: Red Wine Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Lectin-Free
- House Chardonnay - $10: White Wine Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Lectin-Free
- Varichon & Clerc Privilège Blanc de Blancs (Glass) - $12: Sparkling Wine Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Lectin-Free
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