My evening had started very well, and if the food was as good as the welcome, then I was in for a treat. I was shown to my table by the friendly Restaurant Manager who kindly took me through the menu options.
For those diners who know what they want, there is an impressive à la carte menu on offer with a great selection of experimental signature dishes that will surprise and delight in equal measure. However, if you really want to experience MNKY HSE at its very best, then I would recommend the sharing platter menu of which there are three to choose from. Be warned that the sharing platters are substantial, so ensure you enter MNKY HSE on an empty stomach to really enjoy this food extravaganza.
My drink of choice for the evening was a raspberry and passionfruit mocktail which was simply delicious and thoroughly recommended. However, for those who prefer their cocktails a little stronger, I would suggest you try the show-stopping MNKY Business rum cocktail, not just for its blissful taste, but the pure smoky theatre it exudes when it is poured is a must see.
My table setting was formal but with a hint of playfulness too as miniature monkey figurines are strategically placed on the linen table napkins and the terracotta plates. This was in keeping with the MNKY HSE theme throughout the venue and a lovely touch too.
In no time at all, my table began to swell with an array of tasty dishes to sample and first up were the moreish nachos with a spicy guacamole dip which were so easy on the palate. A plate of highly seasoned and enjoyable smoked heirloom tomatoes, radishes and morito oil made a dramatic entrance to the table under a glass dome filled with smoke. Next up was the sublime and fragrant Yellowtail Aguachiles with orange, ginger, passionfruit with a dash of Thai red chilli which really gave this dish an extra kick.
The tantalising Rock Shrimp Tempura smothered in arbol chili mayonnaise is a pleasing dish which I really enjoyed too. The savoury WAYGU tostada was a real fun dish that dazzled in taste and consisted of thinly sliced meat with a tangy mayonnaise sauce and a spritz of lime which gave it that sweet and sour citrus zing.
However, the stand out dish for me on the night was the MNKY BLK COD which is marinated in miso and Thai chillies. It was absolutely superb and cooked to perfection. Fish lovers will be sure to adore this dish as the fish is soft and tender to slice, full of flavour and alluringly presented. For meat lovers, like me, you’ll love the slow cooked short rib smothered in chilmole sauce on a bed of avocado hummus. It’s a real crowd pleaser, easy on the eye and tastes heavenly.