Le Menu
Mark and Monica's sports a banquet room
Plenty of room for every purpose
Date Published: January 2007
[Susan Jameson/Granite Bay View]
Four giant screen televisions adorn the wall of the main dining area at Mark and Monica's Sports Grill and Pizza.
Live music, dancing, karaoke, a kids night on Wednesdays, specialty pizzas and well-prepared, tasty meals are some of the reasons people become customers at Mark and Monica's Sports Grill and Pizza of Granite Bay, 8705 Auburn-Folsom Road.
It may be known for its pizza, made from fresh ingredients, including the sauces, but its menu features filet mignon, grilled chipotle fillet of salmon, pasta dishes, shrimp, chicken and baby back ribs.
It's actually a family restaurant and offers wide screen TVs telecasting sports, as well as a cartoon or program for the children. But, it also has unique banquet facilities.
As I walked into the restaurant I noted a celebration in one of its rooms. I learned that the establishment has accommodations for 30-70 in the front banquet room and for 50-150 in its back room, with private entrance.
A pool table graces the smaller room. The more formal larger room boasts a large mahogany and oak bar (said to be from the Old Spaghetti Factory in San Francisco) and sculptured fireplace that gives the room a regal feeling. My thought was it would be perfect for a couple's Valentine's Day banquet, spring wedding reception or any type of reunion.
True to form, Mark and Monica's offers many choices on its banquet menu - from sesame chicken to yellow fin tuna in pineapple teriyaki glaze or a New York steak with mushroom glaze. There's a private dance floor and stage for tripping the light fantastic.
"I really didn't know this place was here," she said.
We ordered the Polynesian lettuce wraps for starters. Again, my sister had never experienced the dish.
"This is good," she said. "The plum sauce is a bit on the strong side, but I love it."
To test the menu's diversity, I asked for the baby spinach salad with smoked bacon, diced mushrooms, caramelized walnuts, bleu cheese crumbles and champagne vinaigrette dressing made in house. I got the smaller portion, which could have been a meal in itself.
The filet mignon, medium rare, was calling my name. So I answered. It was so tender, and cooked just right, with rice pilaf (my choice) and sautéed vegetables.
My sister ordered chicken Alfredo.
"I hesitate to order this sometimes because it can be too rich or too oily," she said. "This was just right and didn't leave a heavy feeling in my stomach."
We were too satisfied to ask for dessert, but someone has to try it. We nibbled on the decadent brownie-cake with ice cream. It also contained nuts, which I believe makes a brownie.
After a cup of coffee we made our exit, with a promised to return soon.
Mark and Monica's hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. Breakfast is featured on Saturday and Sunday.
Call 771-7110 for information about parties or a calendar of events.
It may be known for its pizza, made from fresh ingredients, including the sauces, but its menu features filet mignon, grilled chipotle fillet of salmon, pasta dishes, shrimp, chicken and baby back ribs.
It's actually a family restaurant and offers wide screen TVs telecasting sports, as well as a cartoon or program for the children. But, it also has unique banquet facilities.
As I walked into the restaurant I noted a celebration in one of its rooms. I learned that the establishment has accommodations for 30-70 in the front banquet room and for 50-150 in its back room, with private entrance.
A pool table graces the smaller room. The more formal larger room boasts a large mahogany and oak bar (said to be from the Old Spaghetti Factory in San Francisco) and sculptured fireplace that gives the room a regal feeling. My thought was it would be perfect for a couple's Valentine's Day banquet, spring wedding reception or any type of reunion.
True to form, Mark and Monica's offers many choices on its banquet menu - from sesame chicken to yellow fin tuna in pineapple teriyaki glaze or a New York steak with mushroom glaze. There's a private dance floor and stage for tripping the light fantastic.
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As we moved into Mark and Monica's Sports Grill and Pizza, my sister informed me it was her first visit to the eatery. She was not only surprised at the varying age groups dining there, she was quite impressed by its comfortable booths and tables."I really didn't know this place was here," she said.
We ordered the Polynesian lettuce wraps for starters. Again, my sister had never experienced the dish.
"This is good," she said. "The plum sauce is a bit on the strong side, but I love it."
To test the menu's diversity, I asked for the baby spinach salad with smoked bacon, diced mushrooms, caramelized walnuts, bleu cheese crumbles and champagne vinaigrette dressing made in house. I got the smaller portion, which could have been a meal in itself.
The filet mignon, medium rare, was calling my name. So I answered. It was so tender, and cooked just right, with rice pilaf (my choice) and sautéed vegetables.
My sister ordered chicken Alfredo.
"I hesitate to order this sometimes because it can be too rich or too oily," she said. "This was just right and didn't leave a heavy feeling in my stomach."
We were too satisfied to ask for dessert, but someone has to try it. We nibbled on the decadent brownie-cake with ice cream. It also contained nuts, which I believe makes a brownie.
After a cup of coffee we made our exit, with a promised to return soon.
Mark and Monica's hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. Breakfast is featured on Saturday and Sunday.
Call 771-7110 for information about parties or a calendar of events.
Brenda Meadows can be reached at brendam@goldcountrymedia.com.
