As locals say goodbye to the Circle Cinema and continue to take selfies in front of Station Zero for the Chipotle debacle, it is clear that changes are afoot in Cleveland Circle. Fortunately, one of the most recent has been the addition of Jade Monkey (www.jademonkeyboston.com) to the menu.

With a kitchen headed by ex-Aquitaine/Trade/Clover chef Ray Del Greco and a bar backed by GM Katie Kurty GM, Assistant GM Padraic “Paddy” White, and former Stephi’s/Branchline/Yard House mix-master Kevin McCloskey (not to mention design by the team behind B-Side and Beat Brasserie), the familial team at Jade Monkey brings a curated combo of strong talent and creative passion that is evident from floor to ceiling and from plate to glass. With its vintage jukebox, repurposed chicken coop light fixtures and newspapered walls, this sibling restaurant to Boston’s West End Johnnies is a feast for eyes and ears. The real stars of the show, however, are the food and drink. With handsful of red, white and sparkling wines (including Matt’s Meals’ fave Charles Smith), rotating drafts (including the mysteriously satisfying ”brown bag special”), tap takeovers, and an ever-tantalizing list of coming attractions, as well as a raft of sakes, cold tea service, and “group therapy” drinks intended for parties (emphasis on word “party”) of four or more, McCloskey’s bar has something to accompany an enhance whatever DelGreco can dish out. Speaking of which, the main menu ranges from a dim sum menu that includes Kyoto ceviche, Japanese sweet potato dumplings, ginger scallion noodles and a sparkling Thai beef salad to the refreshingly different sesame chicken and waffles and a tuna poke bowl that will keep you swimming back for more. For those who wish to try their hands at matching the Monkey’s creativity, the restaurant hosts a build-your-own ramen bar on Tuesday nights that includes multiple broths, meats, and veggies in an endless combination that makes it easy to see why the Monkey has already become a regular for locals and visitors alike. There is also a weekend brunch menu that features the Jade brunch bowl with edamame hummus and roasted Japanese eggplant, a smoke salmon benedict with house Hollandaise, and a sharable bowl of braised rib-infused Monkey biz poutine that brings flavors of East and the South to this northern staple. For those who like their meals in a cup, the liquid brunch menu offers wasabi bloody Mary, Ponzu sangria (with optional oyster shooters), and Khan’s kup which combines orange vodka, OJ, Prosecco and Grand Gala in a drink that will fuel you up next time you plan to take over a small nation.

While the powers of the kitchen and bar may seem equally matched, the Monkey likes to throw it own regularly to make sure both sides are operating at peak capacity. Hence, their popular Iron Monkey competition on Thursdays, during which DelGreco and McCloskey are given the same ingredients and challenged to craft the more creative concoction. Guests can participate by enjoying both for just $15 and then voting on who “won” (other than them).

From the visuals to the victuals, Jade Monkey is a study in funky fun and a testament to how a little creativity can revive a staid neighborhood and dining scene. Be sure to swing by sometime!