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    The Monkey Cat

    3.7 (481 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    The Monkey Cat Photos

    THE MONKEY CAT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - The Monkey Cat

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    Salmon with gnocchi . . .  wow!
    Elizabeth H.

    We walked from the Holiday Inn Auburn to The Monkey Cat, 805 Lincoln Way. I suggest making reservations because it gets busy. Right away you can tell this is a popular place with the local creative. Its got a great funky chic vibe. The staff is attentive and friendly. I have to sing the praise of my salmon dish. The salmon was some of the best that I have had. It was cooked perfectly, moist and flavorful. Yet there was a delicious crust that added flavor without overpowering the salmon. The gnocchi was delightful pairing. My lemon dessert was the perfect end to the meal. What a great place. Not overly pricey considering how delicious it was.

    Salmon Gnocchi lower left, Seafood Risotto center top
    Richard C.

    Great food -- Highly recommend the Salmon with Gnocchi and the Seafood Risotto. This restaurant made a wonderful stop in Auburn on our way up to Lake Tahoe.

    M. C. Mac N' Cheese
    Dan C.

    My wife and I visited this restaurant after seeing it on Yelp. We ordered the following dishes: - Mac & Cheese Note: It lacked flavor and, considering the price, did not offer good value. - Braised Short Ribs Note: It was excellent; the meat was exceptionally tender. - Seafood Risotto Note: It was satisfactory but could have been better in terms of taste and overall quality. Based on our experience, the flavors of the dishes could benefit from improvement. The staff was very friendly, but the service time was noticeably slow.

    Fish Special: pan roasted halibut with a citrus soy glaze and wasabi drizzle
    Brenna N.

    *FOOD POISONING ALERT* This breaks my heart to write this review, but my husband and I recently dined at Monkey Cat to celebrate my birthday and on the way home he ended up getting violently ill in the parking lot of the Roseville Galleria. It was a couple of hours after eating at the Monkey Cat and was sick off and on through the night, but was fine once he got everything out. He did the right thing by trying to notify the restaurant. He called and spoke to someone who took his info and said they would have someone call him back. That never happened so he called again and left a voicemail. Almost a week later he got a call back from a Manager named Peter, who took all the details and said he would look into it and get back to him. He said he was slammed, that is why it took 2 calls and a week to pass before responding. We never got a call back. He narrowed it down to either the filet or the asparagus, but is thinking it was the asparagus because he said it was barely al dente. Almost raw tasting. This has been our go to spot for every anniversary (my MIL would purchase a gift card because she knew how much we loved this restaurant), my family would go every year to celebrate my birthday, and most date nights we would choose to drive from Folsom to Auburn so we could go to Monkey Cat and get massages afterwards at the place next door. We totally get that these things can happen, but it is how it was handled that was so disappointing.

    Beef stroganoff
    Katie C.

    Went for Mother's Day dinner after walking/driving by all the time, it looks like such a cute place. Made reservations on open table as it states reservation needed we were running late and staff was nice enough to call to see if we were still on the way. We ordered a variety off the menu. Husband went with the burger, daughter did mashed potatoes and I went with the beef stroganoff. I enjoyed their take of the meal. I was a little sad to not have been offered the bread and oil at the beginning of our meal but think it was just a busy night.

    The Whispering
    Steffani K.

    Yes! Yes! Yes! Early Valentines Dinner at Monkey Cat in Auburn. Great food, beautiful atmosphere and everything we love about a small boutique restaurant. Reminded us of what we had in the Bay Area, walking down Laurel St in San Carlos. Skip the big name Steak House and support small businesses. Check it out. We split the Beet Napoleon Salad. The flavor profile was beautifully blended and incredibly fresh on the pallet. I had the Maple Glaze Salmon (flakey, sweet and perfectly cooked) and the hubby had the 8 oz Filet. Perfect rare cook, lightly whipped potatoes and not drowned in sauce. Enjoyed a Creeping Fig Bourbon Cocktail and The Whispering bourbon Cocktail and ended with a Creme Brûlée. Delicious! Bougie without being too bougie. We will definitely go back - I need to try to tomato blue cheese soup!

    Mac n Cheese
    Cam A.

    Really 3.5 stars, and the Yelp community has it right. This place showed promise but at each point we were underwhelmed. I ordered the blackened shrimp tacos and some mac n cheese. First the tacos weren't bad but with the number of ingredients I expected a mouth full of flavor. It lacked enough acid and consistency in flavor. The Mac n cheese was disappointing. It was creamy and again lacked flavor. The portion was large but it was average at best. The shining star is the French fries. Really good! Service was what you expect. The restaurant is nice - and had a nice vibe!

    Salmon
    Claire S.

    Met up with friends for dinner at Monkey Cat last night. Haven't been there in a long time and we're so glad we went back. First of all our server, Cheyanne, was absolutely wonderful - friendly and efficient. The food was fantastic! Beet salad, off the charts delicious. A couple of us had the short ribs others had the salmon, one had the chicken Cordon Bleu and one had the seafood risotto. Every single dish was absolutely delicious. Well prepared and beautifully presented. Let's don't forget the cocktails. Vodka martini , old-fashioned . We also shared a bottle of wine. They had a very nice selection of wine as well. We all agreed that we will be back again very soon.

    Jill S.

    Perfect restaurant for nice meal,ambience and service! Dishes ordered: Brie appetizer with jam & honey,rosemary chicken special,braised short ribs,cheesecake & tiramisu for dessert. We enjoyed our meal so much and appreciated the outstanding service from our sweet waitress! (Forgot her name!) We will be back!

    Mac and cheese

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    1 year ago

    I had good food. I got a birthday card from monkey cat for my birthday. I got good service. The ambiance was nice.

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    The servers were nice, it is clean and a really great environment, and the burger was delicious.

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    2 years ago

    Honestly best place to eat in auburn. if you want great food go here. service is amazing drinks are great. no complaints at all.

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    2 years ago

    The food was delicious and service was amazing definitely would recommend and they even put cheese on the fries

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    Page 2 of 13

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    Pelican's Roost Fish & Chips - Fried shrimp & fish platter

    Pelican's Roost Fish & Chips

    4.0(184 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    New owners at Pelican's Roost. Aside from the regular fish and chips etc, they also have Korean…read morefood. My dad and I tried their Bibimbap (it's often spelled this way, but should be spelled as it's pronounced, "Bibimbop" with an O, that rhymes with pop). Well, let me tell you - I wasn't prepared for what was coming ! All of a sudden, two huge stone bowls filled with rice and toppings appeared. And the most impressive part was the loud, sizzling noise coming from it ! Warning: The stone bowls have been heated to a very high degree of heat. Do Not - I repeat - Do Not Touch the Stone Bowl ! Bibimbop (yes, I'm gonna spell it this way here) translates to mixed rice in english. And that's what you do, with all the ingredients, along with the Gochujang (sweet, savory, and slightly spicy pepper paste) that comes in a small glass bowl. The "jang" in Gochujang is also pronounced more like "jong". Anyhow, the Bibimbop served in the hot stone bowl, is called Dolsot Bibimbop. By using the stone bowl, it creates a crispy, crunchy layer of rice at the bottom. And koreans have a name for that too, haha... It's called Nurungji. I'm not sure, if you're suppose to mix Nurungji with the soft rice. Or, just eat it as is, at the end. For some reason, I didn't have nurungji in mine, my dad did. Was it because, I mixed mine up quickly, as soon as it arrived, haha... Y'all gotta come by and try it for yourself. It might be a bit more expensive, than the regular Bibimbop. But, in my opinion, well worth it ! They also have other korean dishes, along with favorite street foods like Kimbop (korean version of sushi rolls), and Tteokbokki (a very thick rice pasta, with a sweet and slightly spicy sauce). As for the interior, the restaurant goes back, at least to the 1950's. It has a quaint, diner like feel, with long bar stool seating in the back, and high wooden seating booth areas, along the sides. And if you prefer seating with more natural light, there's an area up front too, that's partitioned off. Beyond the bar stools, in the back, there's also an old, wooden phone booth. From what decade ? Perhaps from 1940's. Outside, beneath the Pelican's Roost Fish & Chips sign, you'll see written - Koffee Kup Restaurant. I've heard, that was the origin of this restaurant. Anyhow, according to my dad, they have good coffee here. So, come by and try out this place - either for fish & chips, korean food, coffee, etc... They're open from 11 - 8 daily, except Sundays. They're located on Lincoln Way. In my opinion, Pelican's Roost is actually located on High St. Lincoln Way is split in half by High St. So, it's a little tricky getting there. For parking, you can park on the main streets. But, there's designated parking spaces, in the back as well. ps Bob Hope and his family ate here in the 50's :)

    My son and I gave this place a shot and it's was a beyond pleasant experience! My left overs says…read moreit all because I almost never eat my leftovers There was definitely the important ingredient in every part of our experience. Love

    Photos
    Pelican's Roost Fish & Chips - Photo of Bob Hope & Family in 1953 while in Pelicans Roost!

    Photo of Bob Hope & Family in 1953 while in Pelicans Roost!

    Pelican's Roost Fish & Chips
    Pelican's Roost Fish & Chips - Patio table in front of the restaurant.

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    Patio table in front of the restaurant.

    Pho King Good - The perfect bite does exist!

    Pho King Good

    4.3(777 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    So there I was... sitting on an oil rig in Alaska, talking to a sheriff's deputy with over 20 years…read moreon the job. He says, "My buddies keep telling me about this place called Pho King Good." Funny part? Even he had never been there. Well, that little story stuck with me. Fast forward a few weeks. My road trip partner, Koda, and I are heading home from Disneyland, cutting through Sacramento toward Grass Valley. We roll into Auburn and BOOM there it is. Pho King Good. Now let's just take a second to appreciate that name. If you're gonna swing for the fences with a name like Pho King Good, you've set the bar about as high as Mount Everest. You don't get to be "pretty decent." You'd better make me question every bowl of pho I've ever eaten. The sign? Absolutely iconic. It practically jumps out and hollers at you from the side of the road. Easy in, easy out. Road-tripper approved. Walking inside, though, I was expecting a little more "Pho King Palace" and a little less "we've been meaning to remodel since the Clinton administration." The marble counter looked nice enough, but the place just felt like it needed a little love. If I owned a restaurant with a name that good, I'd lean into it. Give me lanterns. Give me atmosphere. Make me feel like the King just walked in. Charge me another couple bucks if you have to I wouldn't mind if the experience matched the name. Then came the menu. It felt a little like Dysfunction Junction. They had everything listed, but it wasn't organized in a way that made ordering easy. Give me sections. House Pho. Beef Pho. Chicken Pho. Special Pho. Help a hungry traveler out. The food? Solid... right down the middle of the road. After hours in the car, a hot bowl of pho hits the spot no matter what. Koda really enjoyed his chicken dish, and our vegetable egg rolls with the peanut sauce were decent, although the wrapper was just a touch on the rubbery side. The owner was friendly, welcoming, and genuinely hospitable, which always counts for something. My only real disappointment was this: with a name like Pho King Good, I expected to leave saying, "That's the best pho I've ever had." Instead, I left saying, "That was... good." And then came the plot twist. Time to pay. Cash only. So now I'm walking out to the ATM like I'm making a withdrawal for a back-alley poker game or a dispensary run. I'm standing there thinking, "Well... this tip just took a hit because I wasn't planning on paying an ATM fee for my noodles." I still don't quite understand it. You're giving change, printing receipts, running a business... we're already 95% of the way to taking cards! Overall, this wasn't about whether the food was amazing or terrible. It was about the experience. Sometimes that's the story worth telling. Would I stop again on another road trip? Probably. Because sometimes a bowl of pho, your best buddy Koda riding shotgun, and a restaurant with the greatest pun in California are all you really need. And if they ever decide to polish the place up and make it live up to that legendary name... It might just become Pho King Great.

    VEGAN SIGHTING!!! I…read moredon't even know where to start my fellow vegans. This quirky, Vietnamese restaurant in the city of Auburn, CA, has by far the best vegan Banh Mi sandwich. The tofu was prepared so it did not take up the whole sandwich. The pickled radish and carrots had the perfect and balanced of sour and sweet. Of course, can't leave out the herbs of cilantro and fresh jalapinjoes. The french bread was crispy outside but still soft and hearty as you take a bite. My earth was it a 2 thumbs up!!! Then their vegan pho with veggies and tofu did not disappoint. Their veggie broth was perfectly blended and made wonderfully that I was not even thinking this was vegan. The staff was kind and informative. They were attentive and friendly. Then comes the merch. If you like a play on the word Pho, then come and check out their shirts for sale. All I have to say is "Life is Pho king good." With this said, another gem in Auburn, CA.

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    Pho King Good
    Pho King Good - Asian cajun shrimp taco

    Asian cajun shrimp taco

    Pho King Good - Food

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    Food

    Auburn Alehouse - Charcuterie board

    Auburn Alehouse

    3.9(1.7k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    We hosted our son and future daughter-in-law's rehearsal dinner at Auburn Alehouse, and it was…read moreabsolutely phenomenal. We feel so blessed that this special evening took place there. Lisa Ford, the co-owner, went above and beyond in every possible way. She designed a menu within our budget, created a customized bar menu, and she and her amazing team decorated, cooked, served, and made the patio feel warm, beautiful, and welcoming. They truly handled everything with such care and excellence. We were able to play our own customized Spotify playlist on the back patio for a fun Yacht Rock Friday night feeling, and their IT/AV support, Randy, helped us play a personalized video of the couple on the patio TV throughout the evening. It made the night feel even more personal and special. The food was truly the chef's kiss, the beer by Brian Ford, co-owner and brewmaster, was incredible, and the service was outstanding. Trista and the wait staff were fun, attentive, and made our guests feel so well taken care of. One of the best parts of the evening was seeing our son and daughter-in-love so happy and surrounded by incredible family and friends who enjoyed honoring and celebrating them. Our guests could not stop talking about how wonderful the food, service, atmosphere, and overall experience were. Auburn Alehouse is family-owned, community-forward, and an incredible craft brewpub. It is a wonderful place for private events, date nights, gatherings, celebrations, or simply a great meal with great beer. If you are in Auburn, driving from Reno to the Bay Area, or heading up the mountain, stop here. They are also a fantastic choice for private events and can work with your budget. They even host private events at their Annex across the street. We are so grateful we chose Auburn Alehouse for such an important family celebration. Highly recommend! We will be back - over & over & over! Huge Mahalo Lisa & Brian!!

    I really enjoy coming here. Staff is friendly portions are sizable, restrooms are clean. I would…read morerecommend the cilantro bowl, the clam chowder, their burgers pretty decent. And they have a cauliflower dish that's pretty crazy. Their brews are pretty outstanding as well. If you're looking for Bud Light or Miller light or Coors light or any of those things you're not gonna find that here. It's a brewery.

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    Auburn Alehouse - Bar area

    Bar area

    Auburn Alehouse - Steak Frites $26

    Steak Frites $26

    Auburn Alehouse - Bar seating area

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    Bar seating area

    La Fornaretta

    La Fornaretta

    4.3(684 reviews)
    4.0 mi
    $$
    Established in 1997
    Family-owned & operated

    My husband and I found La Fornaretta through a TikTok video and decided to try it out. The drive to…read morethe restaurant was beautiful and the atmosphere made me feel like I was transported in time. The overall experience was super cozy and made me feel like I was eating at a close relative's home. We came on a Sunday evening and there was no wait time.We ordered a dozen oysters, handmade raviolis con sugo and the handmade tortellini with pesto. Everything came out quickly but fresh. You could tell that everything was house made by how fresh it tasted and how flavorful everything was. We also enjoyed the bread with balsamic vinegar and oil that was brought out. Our waitress was super friendly and checked in on our frequently, which we enjoy whenever we go out to eat. We didn't have enough room for dessert but we look forward to coming back to try the pizza. We brought our Uppababy stroller with us and it was a little bulky for the space but still fit

    This is truly a hidden gem in Loomis. This family-owned Italian restaurant feels like a local…read morestaple, serving hearty and comforting Italian dishes in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Everything we ordered was delicious. The oysters were fresh and served ice cold, the wine selection complemented the meal well, and the seafood pasta was packed with flavor and generously loaded with seafood. The vodka fettuccine was good, though the sauce leaned a bit heavy on the alcohol flavor for our taste. Even so, it was a generous portion and clearly made with quality ingredients. What really elevated the experience was the service. Zoe, our server, was incredibly friendly, attentive, and on top of everything throughout the meal. Overall, the food, service, and atmosphere made for a great dining experience. We would gladly return and highly recommend this spot to anyone looking for authentic Italian comfort food in the Loomis area.

    Photos
    La Fornaretta - Pan-Seared Scallop Entrée

    Pan-Seared Scallop Entrée

    La Fornaretta - Carbonara La Fornaretta

    Carbonara La Fornaretta

    La Fornaretta - Handmade Pasta with Pesto Sauce

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    Handmade Pasta with Pesto Sauce

    Ikeda's California Country Market - Mushroom tasty burger

    Ikeda's California Country Market

    4.0(1.8k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    Good pit stop with a decent market to browse next door…read more Mushroom burger - 10/10 Patties were tasty, bun was solid, mushroom and onions were superb. Onion rings - 10/10 Very very very good. Sweet potato fries - 8/10 Good. Wish they were crispier.

    Came in an hour before closing and the place is still buzzing with a ton of people either waiting…read morefor their food or going straight to the market for the pies. I was one of the pie people. Having had Ikeda's Marionberry Pie before, I knew the quality and expected such. The quality was there and I liked how the pies were readily available for you to grab and go. What made a terrible impression and made this visit one I wish I did not take, making me give 3 stars out of 5, was the young woman who checked me out. I ordered 4 pies and two were gifts so I asked for two extra bags. She answered in an annoyed way that they're $.25 each. No problem I said and paid for them. This extra one minute really seemed to have bothered her and it's terrible that she made me feel unvalued in such a short amount of time. She seemed to be eager to help the party behind me, which is great but she had no finesse in her customer service. I believe she could've made my experience completely different and still acknowledge the people after me. She made it seem as if I'm less important of a customer than they were. She also didn't bag my 4th pie which was awkward because she gave me the bags there. I'll be back but I won't be in a hurry like I was before. These small personal nuances are what makes small businesses great. When you're client facing it's so important to know this. It doesn't take much to be kind or provide great service.

    Photos
    Ikeda's California Country Market - Small pies

    Small pies

    Ikeda's California Country Market - Famous Chicken Pot Pie

    Famous Chicken Pot Pie

    Ikeda's California Country Market - Crispy Chicken Club

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    Crispy Chicken Club

    The Monkey Cat - newamerican - Updated August 2026

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