Located in historic downtown Auburn, The Monkey Cat is a popular destination for both locals and visitors who are looking for a fine dining experience. Voted as "The Best Restaurant" in many reader's surveys (Auburn Journal), The Monkey Cat has a special ambience and extensive menu. In 2005, the owner, Jim Bril, came to Auburn from San Francisco where he was the managing partner of the famous Fior D' Italia in North Beach, known as "America's Oldest Italian Restaurant". He quickly made The Monkey Cat into Gold Country's premiere restaurant for fine dining, banquets, business gatherings and special occasions. The lunch and dinner menus offer something for every discerning palate. Discover great appetizers like Monkey Cat Crab Cakes, Yin Yang Spring Rolls, Pan-Seared Jumbo Scallops, Prosciuttto Wrapped Chicken Skewers and more! There are many different salads and fabulous entrees including steaks, chops, seafood, poultry and pasta dishes.
"Another great evening and meal at the Monkey Cat. The food and service were just outstanding and such a relaxing atmosphere. Nice place to relax and spend our anniversary."
Dined on 6/07/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Going to the Monkey Cat is very special. They have the largest local wines, the food is always done to perfection,and the service what can I say, friendly, professional, informative and makes you feel good"
Dined on 5/28/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, kid-friendly, romantic, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Me and the wife left the kids for a bday/ Mother's Day dinner. The ambience was good and the food was excellent . We were actually surprised that we were done with dessert after only 40 mins. Then it took 30 mins from the end of dessert to finalized the bill. Not often that the food is prepared faster than the bill."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Monkey Cat is one of the few restaurants open on Monday night. There is a cozy bar area, and interesting art around to create a nice ambience. The service and good were very good, and the wine list varied and reasonably priced."
Dined on 5/06/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"MY WIFE AND I ATTEND MONKEY CAT OFTEN BECAUSE WE ENJOY THE STAFF THEY ARE FRIENDLY, KNOWLEDGEABLE, AND DOWN RIGHT PROFESSIONAL. THE WINE AND FOOD IS AWESOME."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, romantic, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion, kid-friendly
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Overall, a great experience. Good atmosphere, and only about a 20 minute drive from Roseville/Rocklin. Service was very pleasant. Enjoyed, but would order more carefully next time. Some of the dishes had sweet sauces/seasonings (16 spice chicken and the salmon), which is not to my liking. The food was prepared well, but will simply ask more questions next time before placing the order, and it won't keep me from returning."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We have dined here many times and have never been disappointed. The wait staff is very friendly and professional. We have friends that come up from the Bay Area just to go to dinner with us at the Monkey Cat."
Dined on 5/02/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Had a great experience at dinner.We brought some family from citrus hieghts and they said they would reccomend it to others.It was a nice atmosphere for early evening and the service was excellent.The food was very tasty but maybe alittle pricey for a family with children. I would make it for a small party of friends or a date night."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, late-night find, great for lunch, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"My wife and I visited Monkey Cat for our anaversary the food and service was 5 star thank you Monkey Cat for making our evening special"
Dined on 04/20/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Great food, great service! Nice place to enjoy some local wine and delicious food! Best Cesar salad (with Anchovies) ever! Not too fancy but Still white table cloth! We will be back!!"
Dined on 04/20/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"qaint but well maintained. The old floor boards really add vintage charm. The service was excellent and personal. I will continue to patronize and recommend to friends and family."
Dined on 04/11/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The food was prepared to my taste and request. The wine list included a number of great local wines. The service was outstanding. I do think it was a little overpriced thus I would not eat there regularly."
Dined on 04/12/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"This was our second visit and it did not disappoint! I stuck with the seafood pasta dish....it is fabulous! I particularly like the pace of the restaurant. They do not rush you through your meal. The staff is friendly and knowledgable without being intrusive. We will be back!"
Dined on 04/13/2013
2006
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Ordered a basic dover sole, looking forward to the light-flaky white fish. What I was served was literally slimy, smothered in garlic, and having zero texture. It was the worst fish I have had in a long time. I sent it back and saved the evening with a good bottled beer and a salad."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2013
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"This was my first visit to Monkey-Cat. Had lunch, but did not feel the meal was cooked fresh, like it might have been cooked the night before. It was a little dry. The vegetable was good - crisp, like I like them.
The service was ok, but not great or exceptionally friendly.
Since I drove up from Sacramento to try this place, I was disappointed. However, if I am in the area again, I might give it another try, but would not make a special trip to Auburn to eat there again. Maybe it is much better at dinner time."
Dined on 03/25/2013
2013
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The four of thoroughly enjoyed our meal. It was delicious and the service was great. Also we liked that it was easy to have conversation because it is a quiet setting."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2005
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Reasons I would not recommend the monkey cat: 1)The menu is not large enough. We have eaten there twice and I now feel that if we ate there again I would not be able to order something that I would enjoy. 2)The service was not so good. When you go to a resturant and pay a $100 for two people I would expect great food and amazing service. But there you get ok food and poor service. Our waitress passed our table 7 times before she droped off our waters then vanished again. We almost walked out 3 times. It will be a long while before we attempt to go there again."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2010
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We went here for my Mom's 60th birthday. The food was delicious, everyone ate every bite on their plate. This is a great place for a date. The type of place you can sit for a while and enjoy your food and company."
Dined on 02/21/2013
2013
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The restaurant is attractive and nicely decorated. Comfortable seating. The wine is reasonably priced and they have full bar service. The appetizers such as shrimp and lobster wontons ( which could have been hotter) and the calamari were good.The pork loin entree was great. The lamb chops on the other hand were quite tough and not as good as a chop should be. Desert selection was also good. The lemon cake was especially good. Park around back in a parking lot or on the street."
Dined on 02/21/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We had the filet mignon and seafood pasta dish (w/ a lot of seafood). Both were excellent, including the snap peas. I thought the mashed potatoes were a little bland for my taste, but nothing salt and pepper didn't take care of. Their bread was served warm with a crip top that was different than most-it was very tasty. Desserts were also very good. We sat inside and noticed that guests were seated in a fashion that provided privacy; we were not distracted by other's conversations. We were there over an hour, but not due to slow service; the food was staged with appropriate intervals for enjoying it. Good experience. We will go back."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2011
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"This was our first visit and we fell in love with the place. We went for lunch on Valentine's Day and I ordered the special of the day, grilled Tilapia. The presentation was wonderful, the fish was cooked to perfection and was the best tasting Tilapi dish I have ever experienced. My wife ordered the beef teriyaki bowl and was equally impressed. The server was very attentive, even though it was fairly busy at the time. We will definitely be back."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"service was excellent food very good chose this place for valentines day and had roses delivered when we arrived we were greeted at the door and seated with the roses already arranged on the table with small heart shaped foil wrapped chocolates and glitter hearts on the table our server was very pleasant and attentive i plan on returniing to explore more of the menu items and visit the surrounding shops located in auburn"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.