Author: sac-eats

Ac-cen-tu-ate the Positive 2008: Restaurant Openings!

We’ve spent so much time reading this year about restaurants closing, shutting down, and otherwise disappearing from the face of the Earth, that we’ve forgotten some of the more positive stories of the year.  So, in a spirit of happy-fun-time, let’s reminisce about all the brave souls who actually opened a business this year and are still in business at year’s end.  Here’s to the entrepreneurs!

Capitol Dawg– 20th and Capitol-happy hour pricing and one of the only places in town that you can get a deep-fried dog.

Cosmo Cafe– 10th and K- a sleek eatery attached to the charming Cosmopolitan Cabaret.  It’s still getting its sealegs, but the Paragary name is popular enough to mean that you need a reservation on most nights.

Tre– Howe and Hurley- The Haines brothers continue the expansion of their restaurant empire, this time with a mega-lounge.  Strangely enough, the food at Tre is probably the best food coming out of any of the Haines’ kitchens.  Will people go to a night club to eat though?  With food this good, they just might.

Table 260– 9th and J- upscale soulfood downtown.

Grange at the Citizen Hotel- 9th & J- as far as hotel restaurants go, this one is similar in that it’s also in a hotel. Continue reading “Ac-cen-tu-ate the Positive 2008: Restaurant Openings!”

Hiding in Plain Sight

Seen today: one of the craftiest law enforcement vehicles ever on I-80 at Truxel, a dark blue late model Nissan Maxima, with grill and rear window flashers, pulling over another vehicle.

Now, when I think non-descript police vehicle, I think Crown Vic. But a Nissan Maxima? That’s brilliant. I’m not sure whether the car was police or CHP, but it was totally bizarre to see a common suburban four-door import change before one’s eyes into an enforcer. It was like watching real live Transformers.

All I know is that when the cops start using Camrys, the criminals will have nowhere to hide.
Afterthought: Is the plural of Camry, “Camries”?

Auburn Restaurant Roundup: Beer, Burgers, and Bit of Fine Dining

Being the childhood home of Runnergirl as well as an historical and interesting place, Auburn has long held a special place in my heart.  However, it’s really only in the last few years that I’ve taken the time to really investigate the good vittles up there.  Sure there’s gold in them thar hills, but there’s also some pretty damn good sustenance to be had for the intelligent traveler.  Here’s a trio of options ranging from snowbum casual to trustfund-bum elegant. 

Ikeda’s– The iconic fruit stand cum pie stand cum burger stand is still standing strong.  This is great grub whether you’re on your way up the hill or down it.  Great burgers, great sandwiches, great pies, great fruit, even great salsas.  Don’t believe me?  Try the apple salsa.  Sure it’s more sacrilegious than insisting that God be your co-pilot (rather than letting him drive of course–what, you think you’re a better driver than God?) but the chopped apple, jalapeno, and onion mixture is fantastic, especially with homemade flour tortilla chips (by homemade I mean you have to make them, they’re not sold at Ikeda’s).  Continue reading “Auburn Restaurant Roundup: Beer, Burgers, and Bit of Fine Dining”

Theus Out!

According to sources close to The Sac Rag, Reggie Theus has been fired as coach of the Sacramento Kings.

I hate to see this as I was a big fan of Reggie’s being the coach of the team. I thought he’d add some style to the otherwise dull franchise. What he’s added, however, is a lot of numbers in the loss column.

Are the Kings uncoachable? Are they just terrible? Does anyone care anymore?

Best Comedy Weekend of the Year

I know, I know, you’ve all got 153 Christmas parties to attend this weekend, but really, it’s the same old party every year. Get out and see some comedy instead of discussing your crappy 401k returns with your neighbor. There are several awesome shows this weekend featuing local talent and special guests from as far away as Daly City. Ooooo, Daly City. I know, it’s totally exotic.

Comedysportz Sacramento– with special guests Oui be Negroes. Friday and Saturday at 8pm.
Comedysportz plays fast paced improv appropriate for all ages. Special guests, San Francisco improv troupe Oui be Negroes will be on hand to take it to the local team. Come see a balzing fast ComedySportz match at 8pm, then stay for the midnight show at 10pm!
Tix are $12. 2230 Arden Way-Suite A.

Sacramento Comedy Spot– Friday and Saturday at 9pm, improv at the Comedy Spot. Friday’s show presents Anti-Cooperation League, the best long-form group in Sacramento. Saturday night is an improv battle pitching last month’s winners, Dabble, against SF team, Crisis Hopkins.
Tix are $8 Friday and $5 Saturday. BYOB. 1716 Broadway.

Coexist Comedy Tour– Friday at 8pm @ the Crest Theater. Frequent commenter (although MIA for quite a while) KLJ joins forces with four other comedians, each of which has a different slant on the hereafter and the after-party.
Tix are $25

The Worst Example of “Showing Your Sacramento” — Ever

From today’s Bee story detailing the October 4 murder of a college student in San Diego, in which the primary suspects — inlcuding the son of Fabian Nunez — are from the Sacramento area:

A woman who was hosting the men at her apartment told police the four were drinking and showing off their knives. They talked about wanting to show people “how we do it in Sac-Town,” according to the warrant.

I, for one, was unaware that knifing people while intoxicated was how we did it in Sac-town. I thought we had cornered the market instead on vehicular property crimes.

Actually, how do I say that this whole episode is sickening? Oh, like this: This whole episode is sickening.

Roseville Restaurant Report Part I: The Greenhouse

The Greenhouse serves no green beerThe Greenhouse is fine organic dining. The Greenhouse is casual comfort food. The Greenhouse is a brewpub. Somehow, all of these statements are true.

Let’s start with the brewpub aspect of The Greenhouse. Brewmaster Kevin Pratt has put together an absolutely stunning lineup of organic beers. Brewed mostly in the English tradition, each beer a textbook example of its type. The brown ale is a perfect brown ale, the blonde a crisp brew, and the stout a rich, creamy, decadent beer made beautifully in the British vein.

I don’t wish to in any way sound conditional in my praise for these beers. They are absolutely brilliant. In a recent visit, I was joined by a group of self-proclaimed beer snobs and all in attendance were either mightily impressed or simply blown away. Kevin is doing some fine work up in Roseville, and The Greenhouse should be a destination for the beer alone. Bring a growler. Continue reading “Roseville Restaurant Report Part I: The Greenhouse”

Three Rather Off-putting Meals

I’m on a roll lately.  Unfortunately, it’s a roll of shitty meals.  We’re not talking average, moderate, unremarkable meals, but ranging instead from rotten to atrocious.  And it’s not like I’ve been eating at shady unlicensed joints hoping to find a gem in amongst the filth.  We’re talking about long-standing, reputable places here that have failed, and failed huge.

Meal #1- 33rd Street Bistro– Last week I attended a private event at 33rd Street and couldn’t have been more ticked off at the food situation.  There were six tables at the event, and only food enough for three or four of them. And what food there was was sad, limp, underseasoned chicken parts, a green salad, and roasted vegetables. It was depressing and tasteless. I had to go to Del Taco after I left just to have something for my bile to work on other than my continued rage at the Haines brothers. Continue reading “Three Rather Off-putting Meals”

Thanks for Giving 2009

With all the national attention focused on the worldwide economic meltdown, it’s easy to forget the local effect. Now, more than ever, there are hungry families, struggling citizens, and unfortunate folks in our community that could use a hand.

Check out last year’s post for information on how you can help at local food banks, local athletic fund raisers, and volunteer organizations throughout the city. Be thankful for what you have, and help give others something to be thankful for.

Morton’s Ready to Open in New Digs

The folks at Morton’s were gracious and generous enough to invite me to a free preview lunch last week, and I was stupid and dull enough to find myself out of town on the day of the event.  Thankfully, a friend and local eating enthusiast Paul Somerhausen from Sacramento Epicureans took up the mantle and went in my place.  Here’s his report:

I was lucky enough to get to sample the new location of Morton’s Downtown. They are now located at the base of a new office building on the corners of 6th and Capitol, and it is a major improvement to the previous location. The old restaurant had the feel of an old Chicago mobsters hang out, and was about as easy to find. This new place is wide open, with big tall windows that leave plenty of light in. Also, the soft tones of wood, the huge temperature controlled wine room, and the big hanging lamps adorn this establishment and make it feel bright and welcoming.
Continue reading “Morton’s Ready to Open in New Digs”