The Monarch Rooftop Offers A Delicious Escape From New York City's Herald Square

There are several places that real New Yorkers — the people who were born here and stayed here — will avoid at all costs, and they usually end in the word "square."

Herald Square is a great example.

However, when I got an invitation to squeeze the juice out of the last days of summer by indulging in a tropical menu on a rooftop I put my prejudice aside.

After showing ID and boarding the elevator, we were seated at a corner table with a view of both inside and outside. No matter where you sit, watching the sky slowly darken and the lights dim is a great experience.

The food did not disappoint. Chef de cuisine Lucho Rosario's Dominican roots shined through every dish on the tapas style menu.

The shrimp ceviche with pineapple and mango is succulent and served in easy-to-eat mini-ladles with a tangy sauce that isn't too strong and overpowering. The watermelon bites topped with feta cheese, mint, and a balsamic reduction were simple and excellent, and the chicken and the beef skewers are some of the tastiest, juiciest pieces of meat I've had on a stick.

Be sure to order a side of yucca frites, crisped to perfection and served with incredibly flavorful side sauces.

The Monarch Rooftop is a great date place or after-work hangout, especially if you like your dishes served with Latin flair.