Tag: Lists

The Favorites List: Proceed at Your Own Risk

In writing about restaurants, one tends to put himself in the work. It’s inevitable, really. Food, restaurants, people, likes, dislikes, cannot be written about with the cold, impartial pen that so many professional journalists carry. There are certain things I like, certain things I love, others I can’t stand, and some I simply tolerate. This makes me human, makes you human, makes all of us human (except for that Chris Matthews guy, who I swear is a muppet). So, this means, every now and then, you may disagree with a review. I’m totally cool with that.

I’ve come to conclusion that there is no way that my expectations, prejudices, leanings, and passions can be superimposed on some faceless recommendee. My opinion is not universal, but I think it’s a good divining rod for a large portion of the eating public. Nevertheless, there will be those that have an entirely different idea as to what the average dining experience should be and to them, I wish nothing but good tidings. In order to be a mature and thoughtful writer, one needs to not only acknowledge that others are entitled to their opinions (a premise on which we can all probably agree), but to understand how those others can actually form opinions different from one’s own. So, to help you figure out where I (and subsequently you) stand, I offer you this list of my favorite places in the Sacramento area. If you’ve gone to these spots and totally disagree with me, then odds are you’re not going to do well by following any advice I dish out. But, far be it from me to stop you from trying: Continue reading “The Favorites List: Proceed at Your Own Risk”

West Sacramento: Mexican Mashup

There are many things that West Sacramento is known for: river views, the port…westness. Now you can add one more thing to that list. West Sac is a haven for great, unpretentious Mexican fare. On almost every street corner there is a family run taco shop or burrito barn just waiting to treat you to cross-border delicacies with minimal flair.  Here’s a quick rundown of some joints you can try: Continue reading “West Sacramento: Mexican Mashup”

Besides, what’s wrong with Sacramento?

Sacramento based editorial writer for the LA Times, Bill Stall, writes an interesting article about Sacramento’s failure to make any “best places to” list. He does make you wonder, after listing all of the usual attributes, why we continue to get a bad rap.

I happen to live in Sacramento, which rarely makes any list of best places. My wife and I have talked of moving some place with lower housing costs as we both approach retirement, but have yet to find the perfect place.

I do find it curious that when the Internet boom was in full swing several years ago (approaching a decade, huh? wow.) the River City looked mighty appealing with its affordable housing, tree lined streets, and proximity to all things cool. And now folks talk of moving to areas with lower housing costs and populations. See a pattern forming here? Sacramento has been wined and dined until it put out and now is being kicked to the curb. Was Sacramento too easy? Should she have played hard to get? Most of our loyal readers can answer these questions as they’ve been through the bad, the good, and the bad again.

What does Sacramento have to do to get back on the “best places to” lists?

New Local Distinction

You heard it here first!

It’s been a while since we’ve had a “Right Awn!” so might I nominate the Discovery Museum in Old Sacramento? Today it will join a distinguished list of museums that are official affiliates of the Smithsonian.

The goal of the affiliate program is to create vital relationships with communities by working with local museums and educational institutions. This new status will give the Discovery Museum access to borrowing artifacts from the Smithsonian to have on display here, plus access to other resources from the venerable institution. Continue reading “New Local Distinction”

Sac not one of bloggiest cities?

In fact, we didn’t even make the website… via Boing Boing, here is outside.in, another placeblog site. Their list of “bloggiest neighborhoods” includes one norcal hood, Potrero Hill in SF, and highlights the Potrero Hill SF blog.

I’m a total homer, but I think Sacramento is very very bloggy. Don’t you think? I don’t know how a small district of a city is more bloggy than Sac. We’re definitely the snarkiest norcal town…

Overestimating the underestimate

MSNBC has just published a review of the “Top 10 underrated US cities” for travel destinations. Guess why I bring this up?

Sacramento came in as the number 10 top underrated city – which would mean that it’s the least underrated of the top 10 underrated cities. So, in effect Sacramento is the most overrated of the most underrated cities. So, like, is Sacramento really all that underrated then?

The review is provided by ShermansTravel.com (who dey newayz?). Here’s why they think Sacramento is underrated:

Continue reading “Overestimating the underestimate”

Let the Year End Lists Begin, Extra Spicy

Here we are, almost at the end of another year, when Christmas songs and sleigh bells fill the air, kindness to strangers and love for our families fills our hearts and year-end best-of lists fill every medium you see. Well, we at the Rag would like to get a jumpstart on the trend and start putting out a few lists of our own. Today’s list: Best Spicy Meals in Sacramento. Get the water ready and your gringo mouth warmed up, here’s some of the best ways to obliterate your taste buds any time of year:

5. Chicken Larb (Thai Cottage, Howe Ave)- Oh larb, how you taunt us, sounding so funny but tasting so good. This traditional Thai salad of ground chicken, ground chilies, soy sauce, mint, cilantro, lettuce and lime juice is one of the best scorching salty dishes around. Almost every Thai restaurant has larb on the menu, but few are better than the Thai Cottage.
Continue reading “Let the Year End Lists Begin, Extra Spicy”

Roundup of local film connections

Via the Causeway Film & Television Forum, I’m sure many of you will enjoy this list of local films and film people. Who knew Carlos Alazraqui, Garcia on TV’s “Reno 911!” was a Sacramentan? I do, now. And I can’t believe I forgot that LeVar Burton, my daughter’s favorite person right now, is one too.

(At this time I would like to grant full leeway for thread creep about “Reading Rainbow” nostalgia.)

How do you beat the heat?

Let’s not beat around the bush here, Sacramento: it’s hot. But life goes on. If you aren’t a shut-in, chances are you can’t spend 24/7 laying on your kitchen floor or in an ice bath. So let’s hear it; how are you beating the heat, Sacramento? Here are some of our favorites, but we’d love to hear more. Read on.
Continue reading “How do you beat the heat?”