Author: sac-eats

Moxie holds a very special place in the pantheon of Sacramento restaurants. It’s probably the best eatery in town while keeping a very low profile and offering ridiculously reasonable prices. It’s tucked away in a sleepy midtown neighborhood with neither neon signage nor 2 for 1 coupons in the Sac Bee Ticket section. It is flying, in the words of Amelia Earhart, “below the radar.”

Here are just a few things I’ve heard about Moxie from various people. Some of these tales smack of urban myth, but the majority, I’ve found to be true:
-Bar none, the best steak in town.
-Oh, try the meatloaf, you’ll love the meatloaf.
-You can order anything. If they don’t have it, they’ll go and buy it at a local grocery store. They don’t care, they’ll cook anything.
-The menu is just a formality; they have about 4 things on the menu and 30 specials every night.
-I’m so happy that the rest of the city hasn’t found out about this place.
Continue reading “Moxie”

In a new series of hard-hitting and under-your-skin investigative reports, this author will put his very life on the line to discover the best Fish ‘n Chips joint in Sacramento. Be not worried, fine readers, for I will pit my cast iron stomach against any poorly prepared creature from the sea and come out victorious.

My first foray into Sacramento’s Fish ‘n Chip jungle was made yesterday at our indefatigable Downtown Plaza. On the second floor of the Plaza, west end, next to Johnnie Rocket’s is the Blue Sea Fish ‘n Chips establishment. The Korean couple that ran the place was very friendly and served my order up right away. What they served up could definitely be defined as “Fish ‘n Chips,” but the quotations in this case imply a certain irony in that definition rather that the author directly quoting the company’s sign and therefore indicating that quotation in this article. The fish and fries were tasteless and flavorless and odorless. It was like eating unscented deodorant. To top it off, their tartar sauce tasted of miracle whip and pickled steel-toed boots. All in all, it was a lack luster show by the Blue Sea folks. If I had paid more than $5 for my meal, I would have asked for it back. But, seeing as I was the only person in the shop on a busy shopping day, I bit the bullet and absorbed the loss.

My search continues. Wish me luck, and pray that I don’t have a breading induced heart attack before the mission is accomplished. Cheers.

Blue Sea Fish ‘n Chips
Downtown Plaza , Sacramento
Food* Ambience* Service**

In the Arden/Arcade ‘hood, residents, tired of having to shuttle downtown to eat at a high-priced chain steakhouse located in a mall, are abuzz with the arrival of their very own high-end chain steakhouse located in a mall. Ruth’s Chris (or is it Ruth Chris’? (or Ruth’s Chris’ (or maybe Ruth’s Kris (which is the way you would describe some lesbian who is a friend of yours but you happen to know a lot of lesbians named Kris so you have to describe her by who she’s dating which would, of course, be Ruth, like, “Not Kris Kelly! Kris Stephenson, you know, Ruth’s Kris!)))) is open and ready for business in the old home of Mace’s in the Pavilions shopping centre. As people flock to this nationally proven commodity, might I point out a little gem tucked away in the bejeweled embrace of the Pavilions, a gem that has grown a little duller since Vlade left the capital city, L’Image.
Continue reading “L’Image”

Honestly, I can’t even begin to describe the food at the new Riva in Gold River. So many other aspects of the meal outshone the food that I have no idea what to say. First, there was the fact that it’s Gold River neighbor, Il Forno Classico, a fine restaurant and our eatery of choice for the evening, was not in the Entertainment Book. I mean, how dare they! Who do they think they are! Just for that, we decided to eat at Riva. Next was temperature of the window booth in which we were seated. I’m not sure what the exact temperature was, but it’s safe to say that it was on the low end of the Kelvin scale. Add to that our rather interesting fellow diners at an adjacent booth, and any chance of actually enjoying the meal was gone.
Continue reading “Riva Bar & Grill: Pride of Gold River”

Today, I had my first egg salad sandwich ever. No kidding. I can’t say I’ve ever had an aversion to eggs or the idea of an egg salad sandwich, but I just never got around to consuming one. Until now.

Thanks to the fine folks at DAD’S on S St, my sandwich scavenger hunt is complete. I found the egg salad to be eggy and mayonnaisey, two of my favorite thingys. I couldn’t have been happier. Add to that some special DAD’S ingredients like meunster cheese, roasted red peppers and spicy brown mustard and I was a happy man. If you’re in the neighborhood, drop by DAD’S for some friendly midtown hipsterdom and fantastic sandwiches.

DAD’S
S St between 14th and 13th
Food**** Service*** Ambience**

Noting the rather cloying abundance of chain pizza places throughout the region, it’s important to revisit the local establishments, whether for good or for naught, making their own special brand of pizzas; all slightly different, but all containing the original pioneer spirit that made Sacramento “The Capital of the West,” or whatever other catchy phrase the Metro Chamber is trying to think up for us. Let’s focus on a few local joints that might offer respite from the likes of Round Table and Papa John’s.
Continue reading “Support Your Local Pizza”