South Chandler residents who’ve eagerly been waiting for the opening of Ginger Monkey don’t have to wait much longer. The restaurant and bar will open at 3 p.m. Friday.
It takes over the former Whiskey Rose building on the southwest corner of Arizona Avenue and Ocotillo.
At 6,600 square feet, the large building has several areas – a dining area, a bar area, a game room, a patio with a communal table and two fire features, and a dog-friendly patio called Elway’s Lounge.
In total, Ginger Monkey can accommodate nearly 400 people. There are more than two dozen TVs to follow sports events.
Executive chef Megan Knowles and sous chef Mark Coakley, both recently from The Manhattan Vine, have put together a menu of contemporary American comfort foods with creative twists (see menu).
Signature entrees include Sticky Chinese Pork Belly ($13), Short Rib Manicotti ($14), and Buttermilk Fried Chicken TV Dinner ($11), which is served on a metal tray with compartments for each item.
Diners also can design their own burger or pizza from a checklist of toppings and other options. And there’s a brunch menu for weekends (see brunch menu).
There’s even a special menu for dogs, who have their own drinking fountain on the patio (see K-9 menu).
The full bar offers 30 craft beers on tap and 30 more by the bottle, a substantial wine program with glasses ranging from $7-$14, and a list of specialty cocktails.
Ginger Monkey will open at 3 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. The kitchen plans to stay open until 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Closing time will be 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, with other days TBD.
