Last week I was generously invited to attend an unveiling of sorts at the Firehouse.  The 2009 Zagat publication of America’s top restaurants has been released, and guess who got invited to the party?  That’s right my much maligned local compatriots, Sacramento. The 2009 guide features almost 50 cities in America and Texas, and this year’s newest addition to the guide was our fair city. Showing off its diversity, Sacramento contributed restaurants of all stripes including Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Italian, French, and Pretentious.

The “release party” at the Firehouse last week was more of a press event than anything else. Sure, some of the town’s culinary hitters were there, including Randall Selland, Biba Caggiano, and Mai Pham. Representatives of Sactown magazine were also in attendance, discussing their role in getting the Zagat people to recognize Sacramento as existing.  Everyone was smiles and handshakes, but the event was fairly tame — either due to low attendance or the equally low economy. Continue reading “It’s Pronounced za-GAT” »

This weekend marks one year since the Flaming Grill started doling out hash on El Camino.  To commemorate the apolitical occasion — if that’s alright with you, Dan — all pints are $1 and $2, and discounts are being offered on almost all tasty treats.  Try the buffalo burger, or my favorite, the ahi burger.  Don’t forget the onion strings.

Here’s to the fine folks at Flaming Grill for continuing to grow and improve their business during these tough times.  I commend them for offering the neighborhood, the region, and nearby Catholic schoolgirls sustenance for one whole year.

Drop by and say congratulations.

Flaming Grill- 2319 El Camino Ave, Sacramento

The sign of the times is a closed sign. As a follow up to my previous piece, here’s an update on who has closed their doors.

16th Street Plaza Cafe-A frequent haunt of the nearby state employee population, the 16th Street Plaza Cafe is no more.  They had made a name for themselves with their rustic gumbo on Fridays, but I guess that name didn’t come up enough in conversation to make the business viable.  ‘Teenth, we hardly knew ye.

Melting Pot Rocklin- As reported in the Bee today, Melting Pot is closing its doors after tonight’s dinner service. While the whole fondue concept is not my preferred way to eat, it’s always sad to see folks go under. Thankfully, there is usually enough holiday action at the Sacramento location to keep many of the Rocklin employees on the payroll for the time being. Continue reading “Tears and Anguish II: More Restaurant Closings (Electric Boogaloo)” »

This weekend, the two cornerstone businesses of Midtown will be having birthday parties.

Happy 35th to the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op and Happy 21st to Rubicon Brewing Company!

(I’ll give you time to do a little happy dance of celebration…. do do dooooo)

The Co-op Celebration is from 10-7 on Saturday and includes a street fair filled with local farmers, cooking demonstrations, music, education and a lot of great food at the Harvest Tasting Fair. Mind X and Jon Merriman will perform. Since Co-op means it is “cooperatively owned” by its patrons, they will have a membership drive with prizes through November. Join the Co-op!

Rubicon Brewing Company will wrap up their Hoptober celebrations on October 31 and November 1st by offering 21 of the hoppiest IPAs they could find in California (and one that snuck in across the border from Nevada). Pacific Brew News has the taplist here.

I was in the Natomas/Truxel area the other day and noticed that the new Sonic/T.G.I. Friday’s construction had all but stopped. Fast forward a few days and the Computer Pages once again come to my rescue.

Via KCRA.com

At the intersection of Truxel Road and Gateway Park Boulevard, construction has been halted for a Sonic drive-thru and a T.G.I. Friday’s, which were scheduled to open two years ago.

Sonic blames the slowing economy for not completing the project. It plans to finish its Lincoln location first.

Two years ago! Man, brutal. I think we can do without another chain restaurant (Hear that, Guy?), but I’ve always wondered what the Sonic was all about. Well, apart from those irritating commercials.

Feeling a little left out with all the autumnal, harvesty wistfulness going on around town?  You’re not alone.  If you’d like a dose of fall cheer and singular grub, check out the Harvest Dinner at Waterboy, co-sponsored by my friends at Edible Sacramento.

Details: Thursday October 30, 2008
Reservations are available from 6pm-8pm
Cost= 65.00, call 916-498-9891 for reservations
Four Course Dinner featuring Kunde Estate Winery

You can expect fine food, lively conversation, and expert wine chat on sustainable winemaking.  If you love good vittles, like good wine, and haven’t lost your entire life savings this last month, come on by for a memorable evening.

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” »

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” »

Liv Moe posted some photos from yesterday’s Corti Brothers rally on the Midtown Monthly blog.

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” »