Situated in a corner unit with big windows and a large outdoor patio with seating for around 50 during the warmer months, Drunken Monkey is really like four interesting establishments mashed up into one unique fusion. There’s the previously mentioned outdoor patio, which according to Owner Andy Barr gets great afternoon sunshine all summer long; there is the sushi bar inside with seating for 10 on high stools; the dining room with smaller tables and two large booths perfect for bigger parties; and the “sake lounge” which greets visitors as they walk in, featuring a small bar area and lounge seating.

All of the interior is flavored with contemporary design and interesting accents, from the wooden bars made from reclaimed locust wood and cottonwood, to the various bottles of infused Shochu sitting above the bar in the sake lounge. Dark purples and oranges dominate the color palate throughout the restaurant, with dark leather upholstery for seating and reclaimed lighting highlighting the entire space.

Drunken Monkey’s extensive menu starts out with two and a half pages of fairly traditional California sushi favorites featuring fresh fish and seafood items wrapped up with the kind of fresh fruit and produce that is readily available on the west coast. The best-selling Dreaming Monkey roll is a prime example: real crab and avocado with hamachi, ahi tuna and salmon. A nice selection of nigiri, temaki (hand rolls) and sashimi rounds out the sushi offerings.

Where the concept becomes unique is on page three, where the two and a half pages of Asian tapas start. Items such as the Shaking Beef (wok sautéed with lime salt dip) and Curry Mochiko Chicken (crispy fried curry flavored chicken in rice flour) are perfect for sharing or combining with other tapas or sushi items to make a full meal. Vegetarians will find a lot to explore in the vegetarian tapas section, while noodle lovers will be excited to find five fun dishes to try.

Sure, Drunken Monkey has a nice selection of beer and wine — everything from brews from next-door-neighbor FiftyFifty Brewing Company to interesting Japanese imports on the beer side, and a nice selection of California and international wines chosen to compliment the food — but it’s the sake selection that makes this restaurant different.

There will always be approximately 20 different varieties of sake to choose from, all of them described in loving detail, and most available either in individual portions or bottles to share. Sake aficionados will likely recognize some of the bottles, such as the popular high-end Yaegaki Mu, but will always find something new to try. And sake newbies should be prepared for an education (but shouldn’t be afraid to ask for a recommendation on what would go best with the dishes they’ve ordered).

Drunken Monkey makes their own interesting infused Shochu (a Japanese alcoholic beverage distilled usually from sweet potato or barley) combinations which are fun to drink and come in a variety of flavors from strawberry and blueberry to plum basil, goji berry and even serrano key lime ginger cilantro. Try them on the rocks, or in one of the Drunken Monkey signature cocktails such as the Spicy Shochu Dirty Martini.

Owners Andy and Alicia Barr and Sam Okamoto plan to change the menu monthly, keeping on top of the best seasonal seafood and produce available, and will have daily fish specials at the sushi bar.

Starters from $3 to $5, sushi items from $4 to $11, sashimi from $9 to $27, tapas from $4 to $11, noodle dishes from $8 to $12, and tempura items from $7 to $10.

Hours of Operation: Sunday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Closed Tuesdays. Sushi is available all day and the lunch and dinner menus are identical.

Location: 11253 Brockway Road, #105 (inside The Rock), Truckee

Contact: (530) 582-9755