Drunken Monkey Sushi – Freshness and Flavor at its Best
Posted on October 5,2020 By John Compisi
As we have expanded our culinary explorations of the Tahoe Basin over the recent months, we have found several restaurants and bars that have reminded us that not all the great food in California is concentrated in Napa, Sonoma and the San Francisco Bay Area. As we have reported on previously, Christy Hill Lakeside Bistro, in Tahoe City, has been our go to restaurant for lakeside ambiance and a quality dining experience. Our most recent dining pleasures have been found in a more casual setting on Brockway Road just a couple miles southeast of downtown Truckee.
Drunken Monkey Sushi is a sushi restaurant that offers the freshest and highest quality fish, brought in daily, from the same suppliers serving some of San Francisco’s most revered sushi restaurants. The dishes reflect Chef Robert Watt’s imaginative and creative style in the great traditions of sushi but with a proper respect for its loyal clientele and the ‘Truckee Style’.
During our recent visits we have enjoyed numerous delights from their extensive menu of Small Plates, Salads, Noodles, Tempura and Rice Bowls. The various ‘rolls’ include Sushi Rolls, Hosomaki (thin rolls), Hand Rolls, Nigiri Sushi and Sashimi. I believe we have tried at least one from every category of selections and have never been disappointed with the freshness and flavors.
The drinks list is equally extensive with signature cocktails, seasonal favorites, a reasonable selection of wines (sparkling, white, rosé and red), Saké, Junmai Ginjo, Junmai Daiginjo, Nigori, sparkling Saké and both bottled and draft beer (including 50-50 Brewing located next door).
The food is beautifully presented and is packed with the flavors you should expect from a Sushi restaurant. The powerful but delightful wasabi and ginger are so fresh and add a measure of flavor that compliments these dishes and makes them pop in your mouth, at your own risk of course.
We have enjoyed all the different dishes we have tried including: Golden Crystal Salad (shrimp), Spider (tempura soft shell crab), Maguro (Ahi tuna), Tempura Shrimp Noodle, Shaking Beef and Yakiniku Beef Rice Bowl. All really delicious.
Being creatures of habit, we have identified a few “can’t-go-wrong” favorites!
We almost always being with the Famous Monkey Calamari. The squid is fresh, has wonderful texture and is fried with a light batter and served with a honey-lemongrass sauce, chipotle aioli and candied almonds on top. Died and gone to heaven delicious!
Our 2nd must-have is the California Roll. This tempura fried soft shelled crab, avocado, crab salad, red leaf lettuce and chipotle aioli topped with orange tobiko is hard to beat and is visually very appealing.
If we are extra hungry, we will select the Mochiko Chicken, crispy chicken with chili-lemongrass sauce and chipotle aioli. Just writing this is making my mouth water.
All of these dishes are just so fresh, often tangy and always pleasing to the eye and the palate!
The ‘Monkey’ has coped with the COVID perfectly by expanding their outdoor seating which we hope they maintain as long as weather permits. The tables with umbrellas and surrounded by a mini-forest are shielded from the afternoon breezes by the buildings on four sides. Very pleasant and certainly plentiful on weekdays. The wait on weekends during the busy season could be as much as an hour.
When interior seating is required (coming soon with the recent autumnal equinox and the fast approaching rain and snow of winter), you’ll find a comfortable but rustic arrangement of large and small tables.
For good reason, Drunken Monkey Sushi does not take reservations. Again, while the weather is moderate, you can find a few spaces to sit and relax with a drink (full bar, wine or beer) while waiting for your table.
We highly recommend Drunken Monkey Sushi for anyone who loves fresh, tasty food and especially sushi.
The Drunken Monkey Sushi is located at 11253 Brockway Rd Suite #105, Truckee, CA 96161. Call 530-582-9755 for information. Online ordering via chownow.com
Yum, sounds like a must stop on our next trip to Truckee!
Perfect. Let’s plan on it.
Really enjoy this place!
Glad you enjoyed.