Month: November 2008

New ownership for Mamma Susanna’s

Mama Susanna'sReader Eric emails some potential bad news:

Our much beloved Mamma Susanna’s Italian Ristorante in River Park is changing owners in mid Dec. New chef, new staff members, but apparently, the current owners are cross-training the new owners and “it won’t change too much.” I’ve got to be positive about this, but it’s my favorite restaurant, it’s in my neighborhood, and I’m resisting change!

Eric also reports the servers seemed “unenthusiastic” about the change. I think you should stay positive, Eric, it doesn’t seem like they would go through with cross-training if they weren’t serious about keeping things copacetic, but that could also be a clever ploy: “Sure sure, cross training, let’s do this.” And then they open an oyster bar. Is this helping, Eric? 🙂

Me, I haven’t been to that location since it it was Paradise Pizza. But it looks cute!

New film blog/community debuts

eraserhead
Andy Richter Jack Nance in “Eraserhead”

Film critic extraordinaire and die-hard zydeco apologist DB, launches a new site Monday (November 10), The E Street Film Society. DB writes:

Any of you who have followed my other blogs (The Barnesyard and Movie City USA) know what you are in for, but this blog will lean much heavier towards movie reviews, discussion, and interactivity. My goals are threefold:

Continue reading “New film blog/community debuts”

It’s Pronounced za-GAT

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”

Happy Anniversary Flaming Grill

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

Sacramento Trivia Alert!

When we’re not asking the tough questions and searching for the right answers, we enjoy us some Sacramento trivia. With all the tension surrounding the state of the world right now, we were thrilled to hear from “Anna in Sacramento” today.

Anna writes (in my best Casey Kasem voice)…

Dear Sac Rag,

“Okay, we’re having a fit of nostalgia here in the office/random memory (very random!). Can anyone name/remember the bands that played at KWOD’s 1998 Summer Concert at Arco Arena (also known as the show that Green Day canceled because their drummer got bonked on the head by one of the guys from Third Eye Blind)?”

There’s not a ton of information on the InterWeb, so what say all you thirtysomethingers out there?

John Updike(!?) lecture next Tuesday UPDATE – RIP

UpdikeAcclaimed American author John Updike, author of the Rabbit series, the short story “A & P,” The Witches of Eastwick, and frequent contributor to the New Yorker, will appear Tuesday at the Crest Theater as part of the California Lectures series. Garrison Keillor, that old salt, was a recent lecturer too. And in February, Lemony Snicket! Though not in character.

Seems like a pretty unique opportunity to see and hear a legend like Updike. I doubt he uses the C-word as much in his lectures as he used to in his books. If you have never read Witches of Eastwick I really recommend it; it was the first Updike book I ever read (I have not seen the movie, I take my filmed witch entertainment in the form of Supernatural). There appears to be a sequel book out.

John Frickin’ Updike
Crest Theater
November 11, 2008 7:30 PM
$27, yowza

Update 1/27/09: Mr. Updike passed away this morning at age 76.

It’s beginning to look a lot like…

ice skating
Penguins love ice-skating

…[Your holiday of choice here]! The Downtown Plaza Ice Rink opens tomorrow at noon with FREE skating all day. After tomorrow, regular admission is $6 plus $2 for skate rental. Plus $8 later on at Rite Aid for ankle braces and ice packs. The rink accepts cash only.

Mrs Cool reminds me that this weekend also brings 2nd Saturday and the Antique Faire. It was great planning to have the faire on Second Sunday, if you aske me.

Mad About Plaid: Seeing this show once is not enough

Cosmopolitan Cabaret Forever Plaid

Even if you didn’t grow up in a KCTC “Music Of Your Life” listening household with parents who grew up in the WWII era, it would be impossible to not enjoy The Cosmopolitan Cabaret’s presentation of Forever Plaid.

Sac-eats and I just returned from the 8pm show, where we were treated to 90 brilliantly executed minutes of ’50s and ’60s tunes in four part harmony — which proved to be the ideal antidote to the figurative election hangover. Still smiling ear-to-ear, I’m already plotting which table I need to reserve for my next visit to this show.

Continue reading “Mad About Plaid: Seeing this show once is not enough”