Another fall has arrived and another crop of appley goodness has been laid out for the intrepid daytripper to consume.  Apple Hill is in full harvest mode, and the weather couldn’t be nicer.  The crowds are bound to be overflowing this weekend and the apple themed desserts, pies, breads, jams, trinkets, colostomies, and hardware will overflow from the folksy establishments in the folksy land of folksy Apple Hill.

It occurs to me, as it does every year at this time, that some of you may never have been to Apple Hill.  Hmmm.  I see.  Ok… Well then… What the f*$% are you waiting for!?!  Someone to spoon feed you ‘Hill info like a mother shoveling thin apple puree in the drooling mouth of an overfed infant?  If that’s what it will take, then I’m game.

Here we go:  Who’s a big boy?  Who? Who?  Who wants some applesauce in his little pouty apple barn?  Hmmmm?  Nevermind, I can’t keep that up. Continue reading “Apple Hill Unpeeled 2008″ »

Calling Masullo a pizzeria is like calling the Taj Mahal a grave marker.  Ok, maybe that’s too grandiose. How bout this, calling Masullo a pizzeria is like calling Ron Jeremy an actor.  Sure, it’s technically true, but it really doesn’t tell you all you need to know about the “Hedgehog,” or Masullo for that matter.

Yes, in most tellings, Masullo will be referred to as a pizzeria, but it’s much more.  The majority of the menu is made up of small, crispy, elegant pies, true; but the rest of the menu should not be ignored.  Beautiful salads, house-made pastries, top-notch ingredients, attentive service, modern design, dogs and cats sleeping together–it all works, it’s all tops, it’s all recommended.  Continue reading “Masullo: Another Reason to Eat Out More Often” »

Here’s to the boys in white and black and maroon, who brought in their second Pacific Coast League title in a row. Congratulations go out as well to Carlos Gonzalez and Chris Denorfia who were named co-MVPs of the series.

What makes this feat even more impressive is that this team bears almost no relation to last year’s PCL title team. Because of the A’s penchant for bringing up players to fill the spots of traded-away stars, the ‘Cats roster is almost totally overhauled from last year. Which, of course, means that everyone who runs the team, from the scouts to the coaches to the manager, really deserve the accolades for not only putting together a great group of guys, but also getting the most out of them.

Thank you, Rivercats, for giving us something to cheer about.

Other than being the title of one of the best and most overlooked Sonny Rollins albums (I know you don’t care about jazz, just humor me), the title above refers to the fact that we’re going to race through your myriad dining options on Sacramento’s Broadway with a no-holds-barred, no-stone-left-unturned, no-child-left-behind attitude.  Are you ready?

Let’s go.  These will be in no particular order (other than geographically west to east):

Jamie’s Bar & Grill- Decent prices for hearty food. My experiences have been underwhelming, but others swear by it. Expect burgers, sandwiches, barbecue, comfort food, cigarette scarred tables, and waitresses that call you sweetheart. Don’t expect a sign above the door.
Two stars- 427 Broadway

Market Club- If you’re looking for a breakfast dive, you’ve found it. Standard breakfast fare with a few Asian touches (fried rice and fried eggs anyone?). You won’t find a better divey yet friendly place located in a produce warehouse yard anywhere.
Three stars-2630 5th St (off of Broadway in the fenced in produce yard) Continue reading “East Broadway Rundown” »

In a piece by the Bee’s Ken Chavez, new rules were rolled out today to help police the otherwise monumentally ridiculous world of online comments.  In an Onion-esque move, the Bee has gone to a system called “Pluck” to help monitor, organize, and expand on the Bee’s current comment system.

To this reader, the new system looks like it’s aimed at doing three things: 1) Keep inappropriate comments off the site, 2) keep inappropriate commenters off the site, and 3) create a community on the website that will draw more clicks throughout sacbee.com. 

The most insane, and perhaps the most meta, thing about this issue are the comments on the story at sacbee.com talking about comments on stories on sacbee.com.   Feel free to comment.

If you like ragtime guitar and turn-of-the-last-century tunes (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?) check out the Gallus Brothers tonight at Sophia’s Thai Kitchen in Davis.

Cover charge is only $3, and for your three bones you’ll get a toe-tapping night of music and revelry (and maybe a free kazoo).

Gallus Brothers, 10:00pm
Sophia’s Thai Kitchen

I was doubtful. It’s true. I typically don’t doubt Paul, but this time I thought he had to be a little off. Paul runs the Sacramento Epicureans dining group and tends to have very reliable opinions, and he swore that this little stripmall Indian joint in Natomas was great.

Strip mall? Natomas? Are you kidding me?

Turns out that Paul was right. Mati’s Indian Express is wonderful–fast, inexpensive, and delicious. This is not to say that it’s the best Indian dining in Sacramento, or that it doesn’t have its drawbacks (lack of a restroom comes to mind). But when viewed as a whole package, Mati’s is about three million times better than it should be. Continue reading “Mati’s Indian Express” »

It appears to the casual observer that the carnies at this year’s State Fair are a little cleaner than in past years. To the sharp-eyed snark hound, however, it is an obvious sea change in the modern carnival solutions industry.

That’s right. The midway has gone corporate.

All games, rides, and straight-toothed carnies are now provided for the California State Fair by the Ray Cammack Shows corporation or RCS. Take a look around the midway and you’ll see the RCS logo emblazoned on every skee-ball, pop-a-shot, and shoot-the-water-in-the-clown’s-mouth game. Continue reading “Corporate Carnies” »

Here’s a little quiz for our loyal readers.

What is the name of KCRA’s newest anchor? (Pictured at right)
A) Sleptan Drood
B) Gurgan Flep
C) Gulstan Dart
D) Lionel Twain

Click here to find out if you’re correct.

I knew we had reached sushi saturation point in this town when we officially had more sushi restaurants than lobbyists. Sushi joints have become so ubiquitous that you’re liable to run into one even if you’re standing still. With so many choices, it not only becomes difficult to ferret out the good establishments from the bad, it also becomes difficult to actually differentiate good from bad. When you think about it, there are really three types of sushi restaurants: 1. Traditional (we really don’t have any of these in Sacramento), 2. Party sushi (e.g. Mikuni, Tokyo Fro’s, etc.), 3. Neighborhood sushi joints (the no frills sushi joint in your neighborhood and everyone else’s).

Where then do I categorize Akebono? It’s definitely not traditional what with its arm-long list of rolls and creative sauces. It’s definitely not party what with its relaxed vibe and decidedly unglamorous location. And it’s definitely not just another neighborhood sushi joint due to its exceptional non-sushi menu and its rather extraordinary sushi offerings.

To hell with labels. Akebono is simply incredible. Continue reading “Akebono- Beyond Category” »