Located in the former Nostru wine bar on East Terrace, Monica will offer an exciting fusion of cocktails inspired by East Asia, paired with a mouth-watering menu of East Asian-infused dishes.
Monica is the second venture from Ben Liew and Karl Tang, the dynamic duo behind Makan, a Southeast Asian food and wine bar that opened earlier this year. Their new venue is inspired by the bustling nightlife of Hong Kong in the late 80s and 90s, and they can’t wait to share their love for East Asian flavours with Adelaide.
Karl Tang, co-owner and cocktail innovator, is particularly excited to bring a fresh take on classic cocktails, using distinctive East Asian ingredients like duck fat, spices, and botanicals.
“Monica will be the perfect spot to enjoy a relaxed drink after work, a casual dinner, or a vibrant late-night hangout on weekends,” Karl says. “While we’ll have the usual cocktail favourites, I’m thrilled to introduce new flavour profiles, with a unique Asian twist.”
Some of the show-stopping cocktails you can look forward to include mango sticky rice clarified milk punch, a ginger Coca Cola-flavoured Old Fashioned, a grilled pineapple tequila cocktail with Korean gochujang, and a pandan cream foam highball. The bar will also offer a rotating selection of 15 wines.
To complement the inventive cocktails, co-owner Ben Liew has crafted a simple yet punchy menu, showcasing the best of Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Mongolian, and Taiwanese cuisines. Featuring small plates with a few larger mains, the menu will include cold dishes as well as wood-fired options, perfect for a quick bite or late-night snack.
“I had a great time curating this menu,” says Ben. “While there are many Southeast Asian venues around, there aren’t many that focus on the rich flavours of Eastern Asia, which is what makes Monica stand out.”
Small plates on offer include Wagyu beef tartare with nashi pear, kimchi mayo, and pringles, Hong Kong-style typhoon shelter king oyster mushroom with fermented bean paste, black vinegar, and sesame, and Korean rice cake skewers with a sweet and spicy glaze, gochugaru (Korean chilli flakes), and American cheese.
Mains include chargrilled king oyster mushroom with fermented bean paste and black vinegar, 14-day dry-aged roasted duck breast with umeshu plum dressing and pickled radish, served with sides of smashed cucumber, bamboo salad, and Taiwanese golden kimchi.
The name ‘Monica’ is inspired by a famous Hong Kong 80s song, setting the mood for the 40-seat venue. The interior will feature bold hues of red, orange, and green, with a bar adorned in red neon lights, dim lighting, and a vinyl record sound system playing on weekends for that perfect vibe.
“We can’t wait to invite people into Monica to experience the energy of East Asian culture, with great food, drinks, and an even better atmosphere,” says Karl.
Monica will open its doors next month (February) at 14 East Terrace, Adelaide. Stay tuned to MONICA (@monicaadll for announcements.
