Ate Tee Monkey, or, as its menu reads, ‘ATMonkey,’ sits near the Old Heaven Book Store on the outskirts of the emulated bohemian vibe that defines the OCT Creative Park area.
Twinkling lights hang from the walls around the ground level outside seating area where most patrons dine. Across from the outdoor tables, a long bar serves the usual Long Islands (RMB40), Singapore slings (RMB35) and a basic selection of whiskeys for around RMB35 per glass.
But up the industrial chic staircase is where the monkeying around really begins. The large indoor area features solid wood tables, well placed plastic plants and walls painted with apes.
The whimsy sometimes extends from the edifices and onto the plate with dishes like the RMB58 ATM beef burger, though the name is a bit of a misnomer. Yes, medium-rare beef is there, but so is a wafer of hash brown and slices of radish, with the deep fried mantou buns giving the thick stack a sweet taste. It isn’t unpleasant, but those hankering for a simple serving of meat will want to go with the German sausage platter (RMB68).
The restaurant is aiming for an international vibe, listing things on the menu like ‘American-style’ cheesecake (RMB38) and deep-fried Thai shrimp crackers (RMB18), which are cracker in shape but shrimp in content.
It won’t take you long to get your sugar fix at Ate Tee Monkey. When we visit the service is excellent: a glance or waive summons a waiter and dishes reach the table at surprising speed, delivering desserts that look like they could have been pulled from the ‘California Girls’ music video.
Served in a glass mug, the strawberry Nutella milkshake (RMB38) is topped with whipped cream decorated with whole strawberries. It looks fantastic, but a hard suck on the straw reveals the ‘shake’ seems to be mostly strawberry milk.
On the more creative side are the green tea cookie shots (RMB32), which come with a mug of syrupy sweet green tea you pour into three edible cookie cups.
The restaurant is not upscale fine dining, and it’s not trying to be. It is focused on those attracted by its brilliantly lit sign who don’t mind a bit of monkeying around with the food to give it out-of-control presentation. It might not sit well with ‘meat and potatoes’ types, but the menu’s presentation and creativity will impress nonetheless.
Price: RMB100
Who’s going: moneyed hipsters, date night couples
Good for: simian selfies, sugar highs, creative dining
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