I’m cleaning out my wallet. It’s stuffed like a $10 panini with receipts from dinners and lunches collected from places all around the region, places about which I’ve had the best intention of writing incisive, clever reviews, reviews filled with heart and soul, wit and wisdom, reviews that would make men weep and ladies swoon, perfect little dollops of prose that would leave the faintest hint of ginger in the reader’s mouth .
I’m never going to write those reviews. So here’s the quick version on ten different joints with a totally arbitrary star rating for each.
The Counter– Sure it’s in Roseville. But it’s an incredible burger and freshly made ice cream shakes. Where’s the argument? 3.5 stars.
Cheffery’s– Sweet potato fries are heavenly. Wine pours are exceptionally heavy. What more do you need? 3 stars
Taste of Brazil– You get a ton of food for the $30 price per head. Only about half of it is good. Fantastic spot if you’re going low-carb. 2.5 stars.
Blue Nami– Surprisingly boring for all the hype I’ve heard. Not bad, but not great. 2.5 stars
Flaming Grill– Each meal keeps getting better there. The basics I’d shied away from, wings and calamari, were exceptional. 4 stars
Shady Lady– Love the vibe, love the decor. The food is really good, but way too modern and totally incongruous with the Prohibition-era conceit. 3 stars
The Dead Fish– (author’s note: Yes, I know that this place isn’t in Sacramento, but so many of us drive to the Bay Area often enough to make it seem relevant.) Perched on the hills at the Carquinez strait, this fish house is trying a bit too hard. My crab melt should have been called “crab shell melt” as there was equal parts crab shell and crab in the sandwich. 1.5 stars
Tokyo Fro’s– I’m a little leery of the new location on 15th St. but the Howe & FO place keeps bringing me in with good dishes and awesome specials (especially on Sundays). 3.5 stars.
Lounge on 20– The “20” in the name stands for the number of minutes we waited without being served. We left without ever trying a thing. Star rating N/A.
Hashi Sushi– What was Stonegrill is now a mediocre sushi restaurant. Unimpressive food, average service, but well priced. 2 stars.
The Sac Rag 
I can only think you were at Lounge on 20 on a Second Saturday night? I must admit that I’ve only eaten there once, on a Thursday night after an opening reception at Solomon Dubnick a door or two down the street. The place was all but deserted. It was just after they had opened and the food and service were both top notch. Must be a timing thing. They had an option for 3 different sized portions, which we like since the wife just likes to nibble and I like to graze.
We also went for the mixologist shoot out a few weeks back. Now that was a zoo. Give it another shot. They have a 3 course prix fix menu for $25 Monday -Wednesday night. Then $35 Tur-Sat. Let us know, we’ll join you on a Tuesday night.
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Try the sweet potato fries dipped in some garlic aioli (ask for a side of it) — that and a glass of the house red are all you need. With the heart-healthy properties of red wine, it negates the fat and cholesterol in the fry/aioli combo. And, sweet potatoes are among the healthiest foods on Earth — rich in beta carotene; antioxidants; vitamins A, C, and B6; manganese; potassium; iron, and fiber!
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You nailed it Dennis. 2nd Saturday it was. I’ll try it again for sure.
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Tokyo Fro’s gets maligned more then it deserves (at least the original version). That grilled tuna appetizer with Maui onions is still among the more delicious things I’ve put in my mouth in Sactown. Yeah, the rolls are a little bugfuck insane but that’s the nature of California sushi, isn’t it? And I dig the one with the asparagus.
That Stonegrill place filled me with dread when it first opened. I give Hashi about two weeks.
Didn’t even know we had a damn Brazilian place in town. I agree entirely with your opinion on them joints. Bleh.
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Add The Dead Fish to the list of Unfortunately Named Restaurants.
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