Monarca Cocina Mexicana, Sister Restaurant to Ophelia, Showcases Modern Authentic Mexican Fare
Monarca Cocina Mexicana is now open in the heart of the historic Gastown district at 181 Carrall Street. Accomplished Mexican Chef Francisco Higareda revisits his roots and renews his relationship with the traditional and beloved dishes of his homeland in this new location. For other restaurant news check out our dining section. Restaurant News
Open Tuesday to Saturday from 4 pm until midnight for dinner service, Monarca Cocina Mexicana showcases a menu of playful, modern-yet-authentic Mexican fare, in an expansive, inviting dining room. Monarca also offers guests a full bar with a list of handcrafted classic and contemporary cocktails comprising premium tequilas and mezcals alongside an array of imported and local craft beers and international and BC wines.
Situated in the space formerly occupied by Coquille Seafood Restaurant at the corner of Carrall and Water Streets, Monarca is the latest project for the team behind the popular Flying Pig restaurants in Vancouver and Victoria and is a sister to the acclaimed Ophelia Cocina Mexicana, which Higareda opened in Olympic Village in 2020.
The Monarca Cocina Mexicana menu features an array of sides, house-made salsas, Botanas (appetizers), Los Fuertes (entrées), Las Carnes (meat dishes) and Tacos such as:
· Quesi-Carne Y Frijoles Charros (grilled skirt steak, cheddar cheese, flour tortilla, frijoles charros), $17;
· Aguachile Verde Con Fresas (cured prawns and scallops, avocado, strawberry jalapeño lime broth), $18.5;
· Cabbage a Las Brasas (grilled roasted cabbage, au jus chiltepin aioli, Parmesano Reggiano, pistachio), $16;
· Tiradito de Hamachi (sliced hamachi, avocado, serrano, ciboullette, lime dark jus, salsa quemada, chile cascabel oil), $19;
· Pulpo a La Brasas (charred salsa roja marinated octopus, new potato medallions, Brussels sprouts, arugula, bleu cheese crumbs, chili garlic aioli), $34;
· Pollo al Adobo y Habanero (guajillo-marinated free-range chicken, roasted potatoes, broccolini, habanero sauce), $28.5;
· Filete en Mole de Frambuesa (7 oz AAA beef tenderloin, roasted poblano corn esquites, raspberry mole), $49;
· Los de Cochinita Tacos (achiote-braised pork, marinated habanero and red onions, fresh lime, corn tortilla), $18.5;
· Los de Camarón Tacos (a la Mexicana prawns, grilled tacos, Oaxaca cheese, burnt tomatillo salsa), $19.5.
Higareda comes by his passion for the culinary arts and encyclopedic knowledge of time-honoured Latin-American cooking techniques and recipes honestly — his mother, who hails from Bilbao, Spain, and his father, born in Michoacán, Mexico, were both talented cooks in their own rights and nurtured that same passion in their son from an early age.
Born and raised in Veracruz, Mexico, Higareda began pursuing his professional career at Ambrosia Centro Culinario in Mexico City and went on to earn a diploma in High Cuisine & Gastronomic Management at Mariano Moreno Institute in Buenos Aires. He further honed his craft working alongside Michelin-starred chefs in Spain and France before returning to his homeland to open his own restaurant in Chihuahua. In 2016 he moved to Vancouver and led kitchens at The Flying Pig and the former WildTale before opening Ophelia in 2020, and now, Monarca Cocina Mexicana.
Much like Ophelia — named for Higareda’s mother — the name ‘Monarca’ represents another nod to the chef’s heritage, but this time honours his father, who lived near the famous Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. Monarch butterflies also occupy a significant role in Mexican culture and lore and are viewed as the spirits of ancestors returning to visit their families.
To stay up to date on all the latest developments for Monarca, go to monarcavancouver.ca or follow @monarcavancouver on Instagram.
Monarca Cocina Mexicana
Opening in the heart of Vancouver’s historic Gastown district in spring 2022, Monarca Cocina Mexicana is the latest project for the local team behind The Flying Pig restaurants in Vancouver and Victoria and is a sister in spirit, cuisine, and intention to the group’s acclaimed Ophelia Cocina Mexicana in Olympic Village. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 4 pm until midnight for dinner service, Monarca showcases a menu of playful, modern-yet-authentic Mexican and Latin-American fare, an expansive, inviting dining room, and a lively atmosphere to tempt locals, visitors, and true aficionados of Mexican cuisine alike. Monarca also offers guests a full bar with a list of handcrafted classic and contemporary cocktails comprising premium tequilas and mezcals alongside imported and local craft beers and wines from BC and beyond. monarcavancouver.ca.
Monarca Cocina Mexicana
181 Carrall St., Vancouver BC V6B 0R5
