Category: Food

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”

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”

Last week I was generously invited to attend an unveiling of sorts at the Firehouse.  The 2009 Zagat publication of America’s top restaurants has been released, and guess who got invited to the party?  That’s right my much maligned local compatriots, Sacramento. The 2009 guide features almost 50 cities in America and Texas, and this year’s newest addition to the guide was our fair city. Showing off its diversity, Sacramento contributed restaurants of all stripes including Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Italian, French, and Pretentious.

The “release party” at the Firehouse last week was more of a press event than anything else. Sure, some of the town’s culinary hitters were there, including Randall Selland, Biba Caggiano, and Mai Pham. Representatives of Sactown magazine were also in attendance, discussing their role in getting the Zagat people to recognize Sacramento as existing.  Everyone was smiles and handshakes, but the event was fairly tame — either due to low attendance or the equally low economy. Continue reading “It’s Pronounced za-GAT”

This weekend marks one year since the Flaming Grill started doling out hash on El Camino.  To commemorate the apolitical occasion — if that’s alright with you, Dan — all pints are $1 and $2, and discounts are being offered on almost all tasty treats.  Try the buffalo burger, or my favorite, the ahi burger.  Don’t forget the onion strings.

Here’s to the fine folks at Flaming Grill for continuing to grow and improve their business during these tough times.  I commend them for offering the neighborhood, the region, and nearby Catholic schoolgirls sustenance for one whole year.

Drop by and say congratulations.

Flaming Grill- 2319 El Camino Ave, Sacramento

The sign of the times is a closed sign. As a follow up to my previous piece, here’s an update on who has closed their doors.

16th Street Plaza Cafe-A frequent haunt of the nearby state employee population, the 16th Street Plaza Cafe is no more.  They had made a name for themselves with their rustic gumbo on Fridays, but I guess that name didn’t come up enough in conversation to make the business viable.  ‘Teenth, we hardly knew ye.

Melting Pot Rocklin– As reported in the Bee today, Melting Pot is closing its doors after tonight’s dinner service. While the whole fondue concept is not my preferred way to eat, it’s always sad to see folks go under. Thankfully, there is usually enough holiday action at the Sacramento location to keep many of the Rocklin employees on the payroll for the time being. Continue reading “Tears and Anguish II: More Restaurant Closings (Electric Boogaloo)”

Perhaps the finest issue of perhaps the finest magazine ever just hit local newsstands this week.  Keep your eyes out for fantastic, rich, rewarding, erudite, antediluvian stories about all things edible in our fantastic environs.  More geographic than National Geographic, more fun to read than Reader’s Digest, more regular than AARP Monthly, more titillating than Juggs, Edible Sacramento includes pieces by some of my favorite writers like Hank Shaw, Ann Martin Rolke, and my mother’s favorite writer, me.

Check here for a list of locations where you can pick up Edible Sacramento for free, or check their website, www.ediblesacramento.com for information on subscribing. 

Remember the Edible Sacramento motto: If it feels like ham, don’t wipe your ass with it.