Have you ever thought to yourself, “Gee, I really like Lodi wine, but I don’t really like going to Lodi”? Well, then I’ve got the event for you. On October 11, Lodi wines will be featured at the Treasure Island Wine Fest. (that’s right, Treasure Island, that little spit of land holding the Bay Bridge together) From 1-5pm, you’re invited to enjoy the gorgeous views of the bay and beautiful wines from your neighbors down the road. It also happens to be the last day of Fleet Week, and you’ll probably be able to catch of glimpse of the Blue Angels in the sky as well as a host of seamen in their crisp whites.
Over 200 wines will be featured at the event. Tickets are $55 online and $65 at the door (parking is free). Check out http://www.tiwinefest.com for tickets and more details.
Author: sac-eats
Smart Eats- Grub and Trivia Nights
Ok, maybe you’re not quite as obsessed with trivia as I am. Not too many folks consider Ken Jennings, all-time JEOPARDY! champion, a personal hero. But to me, anyone who can house that much info in a human brain is impressive beyond category.
So if you’re looking to test your wits against other folks and looking for a good meal while you do it, it’s hard to beat the area’s trivia nights and pub quizzes. Here’s a list of some of the most popular knowledge nights with a few suggestions on meal pairing to go with your brain teasers.
Streets of London– Probably the longest running pub quiz in town, the Sunday night quiz at Streets of London is also one of the most challenging. Quizmaster Ken Koch, the grand daddy of local quiz purveyors, can be jovial, bombastic, or even downright surly, but he’s always fair. It’s a written quiz, so don’t even try to shout out the answer or you will receive a tongue lashing to remember.
To keep your stomach from grumbling and keep the brain fed, try Street’s fish and chips. It’s one of the best in town. Or for the more adventurous, go for the Scotch egg, a hard boiled egg rolled in ground sausage and deep fried. I’m told it’s an acquired taste.
Where: Streets of London, 1804 J St., Sacramento
When: Fridays, 9PM (also held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at their Folsom and West Sacramento locations respectively, both at 8:30) Continue reading “Smart Eats- Grub and Trivia Nights”
Your State Fair Dining Guide-Part 1
One of the best things about the state fair is the deep fried edible glory that accompanies it. It’s like junk food Christmas. However, there are so many options throughout Cal Expo that you’re just as likely to waste those precious calories that you’ve been hoarding all summer on just average junk instead of on incredible junk. Hopefully this little list will help you from stepping into a grease and candy filled pothole with your dining choices.
Best Meal: BBQ Beef sandwich at “Buns on the Run” – Still the best food seller at the fair, this little trailer on the east side of the park, just across from the petting zoo with the word “Sausage” emblazoned on it’s sign doles out the best meal on the grounds. The bbq beef is sweet and succulent, the roll is incredible, a deep fried masterpiece of dough science, and the homemade potato chips on the side are just awesome. Also, this place does a damn fine boneless rib sandwich.
Best Deep Fried Delicacy: Deep Fried Oreos at Chicken Charlie’s– Charlie’s has been setting the standard in deep fried audaciousness for years now. I was a huge fan of the fried Elvis — a battered and fried peanut butter and banana sandwich — but it was taken off the men after the piping hot pb sent 158 people to the local burn unit. Now, I go for the Oreos with chocolate sauce. The small cookies have a great filling to breading ratio and they manage to stay fairly crispy inside the batter shell. However, if you’re really daring and haven’t eaten this year , try the deep fried White Castle Hamburger.
Best Sweet Treat: Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls– Two stands, one located in the county exhibit building, the other on the east side of the consumer pavilion (aka crap hut) , dole out some of the best cinnamon rolls in the world. The syrupy white frosting and tender cinnamon ladened dough is on par with the finest Austrian pastry. It’s only improved by asking for extra “gunk,” which is the cinnamon, sugar and butter on the bottom of the pan scraped up and sprinkled on top of your roll. Continue reading “Your State Fair Dining Guide-Part 1”
Squeeze Inn Back Inn Business
According to News 10 (and probably several other sources I was too lazy to find) the ADA lawsuit against burger favorite Squeeze Inn has been dropped.
Here’s the strange thing about this whole ADA system: no changes were made to the building, and someone else can come along and sue instead. Of course, if someone else does sue, they’ll be subject to the withering criticism of animal fat lovers everywhere. I’d go over there today to celebrate, but I’m saving my arterial blockage for the STATE FAIR WHICH STARTS TOMORROW!!!!
I LOVE YOU POPPY!!!!!!!!
Honey, Stop the Car! The Ugliest House in Sacramento is for Sale
We’ve talked about this particular house before, right on the corner of La Sierra and Arden, tricked out with lights that look like severed heads from the Statue of Liberty, and adorned with enough bling to make a 17th century French noble blush. Well, it’s on the market.
In what is probably a wildly optimistic listing, the realtor has stated:
Honey, stop the car! Don’t miss this rare opportunity to purchase the crown jewel of Arden Park! Absolutely no expense was spared in this spectacular 5 bedroom 4 bath 4400+ sq ft home which also includes a 2 bedroom 1 bath 850+ sq ft guest home, totaling almost 5,300 sq ft. Check the comps, this is a tremendous value and similar homes in this zip code are priced far higher and do not offer this level of quality. Bring your pickiest buyers quickly, this home will not last!
At over $1 million, I think that this house might last. Have you seen any similarly tricked out mcmansions in your neighborhood?
In Defense of Hot Italian
Over the last few months that it’s been open, I’ve discovered that I’m not crazy about Hot Italian. Really, it’s not my bag. I find nothing about it appealing, other than the gelato and Peroni on tap. A very knowledgeable friend of mine begs to differ however.
Normally, I wouldn’t trouble you with a little friendly bickering, but I feel like he provides some insight into the whole pizza debate that is pretty valuable and worth sharing. So here, in the great tradition of the Socratic dialogue, is the Sacramento pizza argument. I will be labeled as ME while my friend will be labeled as Pierre:
PIERRE: Hot Italian has the best pizza in town, without a doubt. It’s the only true Neopolitan pizza.
ME: Are you on something? Every time I’ve been there, the pie has been bland, floppy, and not too inspiring.
PIERRE: Good Neapolitan pizza comes down to three simple factors- dough (flour type and water), tomato sauce, and toppings.
ME: I notice that flavor doesn’t enter into the argument here. Continue reading “In Defense of Hot Italian”
Screaming Deal at Paragary Restaurants
For the month of August, Cosmo Cafe, Esquire Grill, and Spataro are offering a 3-course meal for $20. The meals look good, the deal is recession proof, and the value seems…well…valuable.
Here are the details:
Call the restaurant of your choice (Cosmo 446-9800, Esquire 448-8900, Spataro 440-8888), reserve a table, and give them the reservation code “I-Eat.”
Check here for the menus being offered. I’ve got my eye on the corn, cod, and cobbler at Esquire Grill, but don’t take my word for it. Wait, take my word for it, go for the triple C.
2009 Nor Cal Blues Fest Canceled
In an email today from organizer Matson Breakey, (yes that is his real name) it appears that the 2009 Nor Cal Blues Festival has been canceled. The event was to be held on Sep 12 at Southside Park. Refunds, of course, will be given to those that have already bought tickets.
The real question is how sustainable are America’s original musical styles. Jazz and blues are slowly draining out of middle market towns like Sacramento. While the clubs and shows and performers in towns like Chicago and New York and San Francisco are still thriving, smaller market towns are losing any vestige of their former prominence.
The Jubilee is on life support, NCBF has been canceled, and fewer and fewer national acts come anywhere near our reasonably sized city. For example, when’s the last time Keith Jarrett swung through town? You see my point exactly, I’m sure.
I’m not sure what the answer is, but I know some progress has been made in keeping a few venues in town going 3-5 nights a week on nothing but jazz and blues: clubs like Torch Club, and JB’s lounge. But more work needs to be done, especially in thinning the ranks of blues bands around here. If I see another “authentic” blues group fronted by a couple of bearded 50ish white guys wearing shirts with flames on them, I might never listen to the blues again. Clean up your house, blues musicians, and kick these guys to the curb. They’re giving you a bad name.
It’s Voting Time
It’s that time of year again, Sacramentans. Time to vote for the Sacramento News & Review’s “Best of Sacramento.”
Now, in previous years, we at the ‘Rag have been more that solicitous in our asking for your vote for us for “Best Local Blog.” And we will be no less solicitous this year. But, to start off the voting season, I thought I’d throw a few food and entertainment related ideas your way to prime the pump if you will. Feel free to follow your conscience when voting, as always, but if you’re stumped, these choices probably deserve it as much as anyone:
Best Comedy Club– Sacramento Comedy Spot
Best Bakery– Backer Back in Town & Country is turning out some of the best European breads in town, ditto for Grateful Bread on Fair Oaks Blvd
Best Barbecue– Anything but Texas West. I vote for Big Joe’s BBQ in Citrus Heights Continue reading “It’s Voting Time”
Local coffee? Sure, I’ll have some with my local breadfruit.
Overheard today: “Sorry, we don’t have an espresso machine, but all of our coffees are local.”
Really? I wasn’t aware that any coffee plantations had opened up near the causeway. What I think the young madame meant was that the coffee was roasted locally, probably from Temple or Old Soul, the former being nice, the latter being just one step up from industrial solvent. Of course, she might have meant that it was brewed locally, like right behind her on the counter, in the “local” coffee machine. Either way, I don’t think either really jives with the whole “eat local” campaign.
I opted for fizzy water.
The Sac Rag 