Author: sac-eats

Congratulations Rivercats!

Here’s to the boys in white and black and maroon, who brought in their second Pacific Coast League title in a row. Congratulations go out as well to Carlos Gonzalez and Chris Denorfia who were named co-MVPs of the series.

What makes this feat even more impressive is that this team bears almost no relation to last year’s PCL title team. Because of the A’s penchant for bringing up players to fill the spots of traded-away stars, the ‘Cats roster is almost totally overhauled from last year. Which, of course, means that everyone who runs the team, from the scouts to the coaches to the manager, really deserve the accolades for not only putting together a great group of guys, but also getting the most out of them.

Thank you, Rivercats, for giving us something to cheer about.

East Broadway Rundown

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”

Bee’s New Comment System Highly Commented Upon

In a piece by the Bee’s Ken Chavez, new rules were rolled out today to help police the otherwise monumentally ridiculous world of online comments.  In an Onion-esque move, the Bee has gone to a system called “Pluck” to help monitor, organize, and expand on the Bee’s current comment system.

To this reader, the new system looks like it’s aimed at doing three things: 1) Keep inappropriate comments off the site, 2) keep inappropriate commenters off the site, and 3) create a community on the website that will draw more clicks throughout sacbee.com. 

The most insane, and perhaps the most meta, thing about this issue are the comments on the story at sacbee.com talking about comments on stories on sacbee.com.   Feel free to comment.

Gallus Brothers-Tonight in Davis

If you like ragtime guitar and turn-of-the-last-century tunes (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?) check out the Gallus Brothers tonight at Sophia’s Thai Kitchen in Davis.

Cover charge is only $3, and for your three bones you’ll get a toe-tapping night of music and revelry (and maybe a free kazoo).

Gallus Brothers, 10:00pm
Sophia’s Thai Kitchen

Mati’s Indian Express

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”

Corporate Carnies

It appears to the casual observer that the carnies at this year’s State Fair are a little cleaner than in past years. To the sharp-eyed snark hound, however, it is an obvious sea change in the modern carnival solutions industry.

That’s right. The midway has gone corporate.

All games, rides, and straight-toothed carnies are now provided for the California State Fair by the Ray Cammack Shows corporation or RCS. Take a look around the midway and you’ll see the RCS logo emblazoned on every skee-ball, pop-a-shot, and shoot-the-water-in-the-clown’s-mouth game. Continue reading “Corporate Carnies”

Akebono- Beyond Category

I knew we had reached sushi saturation point in this town when we officially had more sushi restaurants than lobbyists. Sushi joints have become so ubiquitous that you’re liable to run into one even if you’re standing still. With so many choices, it not only becomes difficult to ferret out the good establishments from the bad, it also becomes difficult to actually differentiate good from bad. When you think about it, there are really three types of sushi restaurants: 1. Traditional (we really don’t have any of these in Sacramento), 2. Party sushi (e.g. Mikuni, Tokyo Fro’s, etc.), 3. Neighborhood sushi joints (the no frills sushi joint in your neighborhood and everyone else’s).

Where then do I categorize Akebono? It’s definitely not traditional what with its arm-long list of rolls and creative sauces. It’s definitely not party what with its relaxed vibe and decidedly unglamorous location. And it’s definitely not just another neighborhood sushi joint due to its exceptional non-sushi menu and its rather extraordinary sushi offerings.

To hell with labels. Akebono is simply incredible. Continue reading “Akebono- Beyond Category”

Fair Food Preview

Click here for more picsRunnergirl, Stickie, and I got a chance to peek around at all the food vendors last night at Cal Expo.  We came away with a few deep-fried nuggets of information that we just have to share.

1.  GELATO-That’s right.  The EYE-talian delicacy makes its way to the food midway.  Trust me you can’t miss it.  Even if the place didn’t offer the “World’s Largest Waffle Cones,” you’d never walk by without noting the flesh colored columns.

2.  NEW DEEP-FRIED TREATS- Chicken Charlie, that fried food innovator has outdone himself this time.  Going back to his roots, especially the concept of deep frying things that started out as totally fattening meals to begin with, Chuck has a new lineup of fried fare for the fair.  New this year are deep-fried White Castle burgers, deep-fried pop tarts, and deep-fried Spam with pineapple sauce.  

3.  BBQ BEEF SANDWICH- It’s still in the same place, on the eastern end of the fairgrounds, across from the petting zoo, on the way to the horse races.  It’s unassuming, with the word “SAUSAGE” most prominently lit on the sign, but trust me, you need to go and get a BBQ beef sandwich on a lard roll with homemade chips this year.  I’m not suggesting, I’m commanding.

Update on Corti’s, David Berkley’s, and 16th Street

-According to reliable sources, Corti’s is looking to relocate to Elvas Ave after their lease is up.  Apparently there is a warehouse space on Elvas that has piqued Corti’s interest.  However,Corti’s is also looking to see if they can extend their current lease through Christmas.

-Did you know that venerable specialty grocer David Berkley has changed hands?  I didn’t, and I’m a little obsessive about this stuff.  How could I have missed it?  Anyway, a few of the senior staff are slowly being given their walking papers as the new owner trims expenses.   It remains to be seen whether or not the new incarnation of the ‘Berk maintains its place in the marketplace, namely being a wine seller and grocer that customers frequent when price isn’t an issue but unrivaled quality is.

-16th Street continues its slow trek into respectability.  Besides the standouts like Sampino’s Towne Foods, Rail Bridge Cellars, and the Blue Diamond Gift Shop, small businesses like fish and chip shop H. Salt Esq. are back up and running after an ugly fire last year.  Several renovations on existing properties and a few proposed developments might very well turn the unhip northern portion of 16th Street into a fine urban neighborhood.