Monarca Bar & Grill opens in Holbrook

Transformation and resilience are the themes of the story behind Holbrook’s new Monarca Bar & Grill.

Monarca is Spanish for the monarch butterfly, which inspired owners Jorge and Martha Lopez with the up to 3,000-mile migration the orange-and-black butterflies make to coastal California or central Mexico each year.

"It represents freedom, it represents migrating for your own good, for transformation, resilience," said Jorge Lopez, who came to the U.S. from Nicaragua 30 years ago. "We had to leave our families behind and go to another country and try to rebuild ourselves into something [outside] our comfort zone. That’s really what it represents."

The restaurant opened in January in the former Momo’s Sports Bar, which closed after 16 years. Lopez was the longtime chef at Garden Grill in Smithtown, trained under Johnathan Perkins, now chef-owner of Baiting Hollow’s Cooperage Inn. Jorge and Martha’s children also help out at the restaurant.

"I wanted to keep the essence of the sports bar," Lopez said, and "I looked at prices, which is very important. I didn’t want to become something too expensive."

Comfort food favorites include wings ($18), a Bavarian pretzel ($13.50), and queso fundido ($25), a mix of melted Oaxaca and mozzarella cheese with crumbled chorizo, jalapeno corn and chips. Mains encompass tacos, sandwiches, wraps and salads. The short rib flatbread ($21) with mozzarella cheese and creamy horseradish aioli is a must try. There is lobster mac and cheese ($33), plus fish and chips ($23.50).

Cocktails include the Basil Smash ($14) made with gin and lemon juice, and the vodka-triple sec Honey Drop ($14).

The 1,800-square-foot space has seating for 40 and TVs dotted across its white-and-royal blue walls. Coming soon: Sunday brunch, a happy hour menu, lobster rolls and outdoor seating.

Monarca, 350 Union Ave. Holbrook, 631 648 9669, monarcany.com. Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.