Newport: Cheeky Monkey (May 2001)

My spouse and I ate dinner at Cheeky Monkey Café in late May 2001. The original Cheeky Monkey Cafe was located in Newport, Rhode Island and founded in 1996 by Henry Kates. The fun behind the restaurant's whimsical name is credited to a British pastry chef, Lulu, who worked for Kates and loved to refer to his co-workers as cheeky monkeys. Ten years later, when Kates ended his run as the owner and the Executive Chef, Jeff Cruff and his wife, Stephanie, decided to reopen the Cheeky Monkey in beautiful Narragansett. The elegant black and white decor will leave you smiling as you enjoy an intimate dining experience, perhaps being lucky enough to sit in a table near the portrait of the Cheeky Monkey herself! Best known for their tastings, this restaurant also offers a family style dinner where the food is placed in the center of the table and everyone helps himself.