sunday champagne brunch at cafe monarch.

last sunday, i rallied some girlfriends for a champagne brunch at cafe monarch, a little gem has been on my phoenix bucket list for at least a year. it's a funny thing this little place. it gets amazing reviews but people either are totally obsessed with it, or have never even heard of it at all. kinda odd for this town and it makes you kinda want to keep it a secret, but i'll fill you in.

{here's the deal with cafe monarch}

                                   : very limited seasonal opening (spring & march) + limited hours
                                   : brunch is thursday - sunday / 11am - 2pm / first come, first served
                                   : only two choices on the menu: you pick Sweet or Savory ($20) (totally delicious)
                                   : BYOB + $10 corking fee (note: the restaurant is cash only)
                                   : the chef, chris, is a one-man show so anticipate a leisurely dining experience
                                   : it's a pretty little french-style setting with private patio
                                   : dinner is $45 person - reservations needed 1+ months in advance

it really was the perfect setting for a springtime sunday brunch. (most of us) arrived promptly at 11 am and were the very last guests to (politely get asked) leave right before 3 o'clock. good good times in the arizona 70-degree sunshine.

rachel sitting outside the chef's kitchen. the "sweet" & "savory" menu options on the chalkboard to the right. 

our tableside champagne bucket. 

shannon / rachel / alicia / angela / moi 

hand gestures & hot pink nails. angela was telling a story. 

Moroccan flair.

new friends.

old friends.

i can only imagine what this burst of laughter was about. 

decided we needed a photo with the chef/owner, christopher. 

what a girls-only brunch table consists of: bubbles, sunglasses, gloss & iPhones.

shannon's first SQP... she but the CHAMP in champagne. 

why is that a collage you're looking at? shannon needs a refill. 

earth to lala. 

rachel feeling juuust fine in the sunshine. 

....and we'd be the last ones on the patio. an hour past closing time (bless our dear waiter).

and little did we know, but our day was just getting started. 

oy vey. 

thanks girls for such a fun day. xx