The Flying Monkey Offers Good Food with a View

By Aaron Scott
Live Wire Staff Writer

The Flying Monkey Bar and Grill has landed at Brainard Airport in Hartford.

Owner Junior Baez said that it is the first location, but more are planned in the near future. The eatery opened in December of last year.

The bar has a very relaxed vibe, with bronze décor and plane parts entwined in the architecture. With monkey-themed artwork and several bottle-holding monkey statues, this place is definitely made for a great time.

Hartford native Baez said that the name Flying Monkey came from its location – being next to an airport – and his fascination with the story The Wizard of Oz. With its location right beside the tarmac, you can see planes taking off and landing from the comfort of your seat. Jazz music is played from greats like Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett and Ella Fitzgerald and they also host live jazz performances every Monday night.

The food is immaculate with options one wouldn’t find on just any menu. Mushrooms, tuna and shrimp are among the succulent appetizers and sweet salads. One could make a meal out of just simply those items! The sandwiches and burgers offer the sense of comfortable eats alongside with their finer cuts like New York sirloin, pork chops or filet mignon.

My companion had the “No-Monkeying Around Casserole,” a macaroni and cheese dish with chicken, bacon and hot sauce. She said it was “good for mac and cheese lovers.” There are also a vast array of prepared chicken dishes and vegetarian options. But Baez, who studied business at Manchester Community College, said that if a customer has a culinary request, he can and will absolutely accommodate, as he believes in the customer always being correct.

Their desserts may just send you over the moon. Cheesecake is king here, but there is also the brownie, the apple cinnamon dumplings and the ever-humble ice cream sundae to tide you over as well. We’d recommend this place to absolutely anyone!

The Flying Monkey is located at 20 Lindbergh Drive, Hartford. It is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with Happy Hour from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. weekdays.

Weekend dining is Saturday 11 a.m. – to 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. Prices range from $7 for a salad to $21 for a steak entrée. For more information about the eatery call them at 860-726-4971 or visit www.theflyingmonkeygrill.com/flyingmonkeymenu.