Opinion | April 19th, 2025

The Monroe, an Atmosphere You Will Never Forget

By: Charrise Lane

Looking for a relaxing and classy atmosphere? A place where you could wine down and enjoy amazing food? Well, look no further. The Monroe is the place for you.

Located at 1327 S. Monroe St., Suite 5, the atmosphere at The Monroe is one that I never thought I would find in Tallahassee. I have been to many fancy restaurants, and I would say that The Monroe is by far my most favorite in the city.

Most times when I walk in, I am immediately greeted with a kind smile. Not to mention that the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. The color scheme and design give a homey but classic vibe. It makes me feel as if I’m getting a warm hug.

Now, when I usually eat, I sit at the bar. It’s my absolute favorite place to be in the restaurant. The bartenders and servers take great care of me. They always check on me whenever I need something. They also never leave me hanging when it’s time to order.

Since The Monroe has been open, I have eaten there several times. But there has recently been a menu change because of the season. I had the great opportunity to try the new menu on my birthday.

The first thing I ordered was the Champaign. To celebrate my birthday, I wanted to feel fancy. I wanted to bring in my new age with style. The Champaign made me feel exactly how I wanted to. It was perfect. It tasted light and sweet. It felt as if I was having a party in my mouth.

The second item off the menu I ordered was the Bang Bang Salmon Bites. Talk about delicious! It was everything I wanted it to be. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and cooked to perfection.

I also tried their oysters. I have tried many oysters over the past several months from different locations in Tallahassee. I would say that The Monroe has the freshest oysters I have tasted in the city. I can often tell when an oyster is old. It has a distinct taste. I did not get that taste from these oysters. I also loved the variety of sauces that came with them. The presentation was beautiful as well.

Finally, for the main event, I had the Artichoke Rotolo. For the dish to be considered vegetarian, it was incredibly filling. I had no desire to add any type of meat to the dish whatsoever. The pasta was perfect. The sauce had plenty of flavor. My favorite part of the dish had to be the herb ricotta. That in itself drew the whole dish together quite nicely.

Overall, I am highly impressed with The Monroe and will continue to visit to try even more items on the menu.