Jones County Speakeasy Offers Up Sinatra and a Smooth Old Fashioned

Valentine's Day is like the landmine of holidays. You either do too much and seem a bit crazy or do too little and end up the sole inhabitant of the couch for a week (we've all seen the sitcoms). This year, I made sure to do my due diligence. I acquired a gift and planned a nice evening for me and my forever date.

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Now, I grew up in Monticello, but it's not the same town it was in 2004 when I graduated. Fresh adventures in the local culinary scene have brought new life to my hometown. I had heard good things about a certain newer establishment that offered a classic speakeasy vibe with killer drinks and good eats to boot; so naturally, I booked a Valentine's Day dinner at The Market at the Tap in my old stomping grounds.

Now you may have heard of The Market at the Tap before. They took home top five honors across the state of Iowa for their breaded tenderloin in 2024, and have been serving Monticello since February of 2023.

The atmosphere is wholly not what I expected in Monticello: chandeliers galore, stained glass, smooth Sinatra, and gold enlays across the establishment. I could really imagine this place roaring in the 20's;  the smell of sickly sweet bourbon and a friendly, inviting staff welcomed us; the only thing missing for the period was the fog of cigar smoke.

And the food... YUM!

We kicked things off with bacon bruschetta that struck that magical balance of sweet and savory. Bacon jam, a little habanero heat, and melty Gouda layered over crisp bread? That’s the kind of appetizer that makes you pause mid-bite just to nod in approval. It set the tone immediately: this wasn’t going to be just an average small-town dinner.

My wife opted for the salmon, paired with a glass of Grant Wood Hills Winery red blend. The salmon was flaky, flavorful, and plated beautifully with jasmine rice and broccolini. Meanwhile, I went full Prohibition-era gentleman; nothing says full-blooded American like a prime rib special!

And of course, my favorite, a classic Old Fashioned, made with their house-crafted demerara syrup and Old Forester bourbon, arrived at the table smooth, balanced, and dangerously tasty. If Sinatra and Sammy had been sitting at the bar, I imagine they'd have approved.

For the main event, I chose the prime rib special. Tender, juicy, seasoned just right, and then drowned in a homemade horseradish sauce. It was the kind of dish that requires no unnecessary commentary, just a quiet appreciation, a satisfied sigh, and a loosening of the belt. Every bite felt like a reward for surviving another Valentine's Day, sans couch.

Dessert would have capped the night perfectly, long-stem chocolate-covered strawberries, but we were both too stuffed to eat any more. It was a wonderful and enjoyable experience. Of course, everything was exceptional at the restaurant, but it's the company that made the evening special.

Between the ambiance, food, craft cocktails, and the warm hospitality, it felt like we’d stepped into another era, right in the middle of Monticello. And yes, I will be back. That award-winning tenderloin is calling my name. I have an inkling another Old Fashioned may just mysteriously appear in my hand as well. I guess some things are just worth repeating.

Read More: This Small-Town Iowa Restaurant is Not ‘Blind’ When It Comes to Flavor