Tag: Recommendations

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”

Watcha’ Doing This Weekend?

In our ever-diligent pursuit to keep you well informed about the stuff that we, The Sac Rag board of directors, are planning to do with our down time, and consequently what you, The Sac Rag Readers, should think about doing with your down time since we, The Sac Rag board of directors, are screwed in to the local scene like a CFL bulb (since we respect a flex alert too), we bring you another edition of “Watcha’ Doing This Weekend?” In this edition we talk about college football, comedy, outdoor sports, the parting of a local celebrity, and cheese. Continue reading “Watcha’ Doing This Weekend?”

Carmichael Cycle

The Mrs. and I haven’t been riding our bikes much this summer. Ok, to be honest we haven’t ridden our bikes at all this summer. Mainly because they’ve been stuck in the back of the garage since the move and all the tires were flat. So, any thought of a bike ride first started with the concept of attacking a Jenga-like mound of garage detritus, then pumping up the tires (only to find that the tires had leaks, in all probability), and then giving up out of sheer desperation. This was, until last week. With a free weekend day, we attacked the garage, pulled out the dormant velos and piled them onto the car so they could be examined by professionals.

For no other reason than proximity, we schlepped the units over to Carmichael Cycle on the corner of Arden and Fair Oaks Blvd. Contrary to previous raggers’ general cyclery experiences, our transaction at this bike shop was great. The staff was extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and didn’t look down on us at all for not wearing tight shorts with gel inserts. By the time our repair jobs were finished on our three separate bikes the bill came to a only a modest amount. On the way out, the staff helped us load the bikes back onto the car and told us in parting, that we had the “coolest bikes ever.” Sure, he says that to all the people not wearing gel shorts, but it gave us the warm fuzzies anyway.

Carmichael Cycle, 5141 Arden Way, Carmichael- Highly Recommended

Leatherby’s Celebrates 25 Years

Leatherby’s Family Creamery is celebrating 25 years of iced goodness by offering it’s original menu items at their original menu prices today from 11AM to 11PM.

From the Sac Bee article:

 The price cuts apply to all items that were on the original menu, such as the company’s monster-size banana split, which uses a half-gallon of ice cream. It’s on the menu today for $10.49. On Aug. 14, it’ll cost only $3.80.

The hot fudge sundaes that today are $7.29 will be rung up at $2.50. The shops’ crab sandwiches will go for $3.99, compared to the current $11.99.

Yet another reason Sacramento should be on a Best Places To… list.

Watcha Doin’ This Weekend?

FRIDAY– Improv at the Sacramento Comedy Spot, 8pm.  Come check out Sacramento’s best Broadway theater, 1716 Broadway, that is.  It’s only $6 for a hilarious night of improv comedy.  You might also catch a glimpse of fromer local hero Ty Johnson, that’s right, THE Ty Johnson.

SATURDAY– 12 Hours at Cool Night Run, timed to coincide with the Perseids meteor shower .  The race is a nine mile loop, and the more serious of the runners will see who can complete the most laps between 7pm Saturday until 7am Sunday.  Runnergirl will be hitting the trails for this neat event, while I will sit at basecamp, strummin’ on the old banjo. 

Others will be going to the “Coexist Comedy” show featuring none other than Keith Lowell Jensen.  Check website for details.

SUNDAY– If the ultra-sexy Patty Souza is correct, temps should be in the mid 80’s on Sunday, a great day for gardening, outdoor recreation or just sitting in those new lawn chairs you bought at the August closeout patio furniture sale.  In the evening, check out the Sacramento International Film and Music Festival’s “10X10” show, ten short films by ten local directors.  7:00pm.  $10

Watcha Doin’ This Weekend?

Sorry for the lapse in entertainment recommendations last weekend.  We hope to make it up to you with a prime time, Sacramento-sized deep fried bucket of weekend entertainment:

FRIDAY– Perhaps the greatest musician to come out of Berkeley High School, and a former Sacramento resident, Charlie Hunter and his ultra funky 8-string guitar (that’s 3 strings of bass and 5 strings of guitar for those keeping score at home) will be performing with his trio tonight at Marilyn’s on K St.  I’ve personally seen Charlie dozens of times, from his formative gigs in Bay Area clubs to his more polished later group outings.  He is one of the most popular figures on the jazz scene and only comes to Sacramento once every two or three years.  Check him out.  Buy tix here.

SATURDAY– (from Runnergirl) If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to run up what people ski down, here’s your chance this Saturday.  It’s the Squaw Mountain Run and it’s a 3.6 mile jaunt up from the valley floor to the Escarpment. At the top, participants will enjoy music, food, beer, and raffles.  The less energetic can take the cable car to the top of the mountain and take part in a three mile “flower walk.” This is also the first few miles of the Western States course, and the views of Lake Tahoe are amazing. Continue reading “Watcha Doin’ This Weekend?”

Watcha Doin’ This Weekend?

Ceramic Rogaine by Ianna FrisbyAh, Second Saturday.  A good time had by all, that is if all knows where to go, which can be a little bit tough sometimes.  So, why don’t you let me tell you where to go.  I’m going to check out a good friend’s exhibition in a gallery that is having a grand opening.  Saturday from 6-9pm, Ianna Nova Frisby is showing her drawings and ceramics at the new Tangent Gallery at Franklin & 24th Ave.  My good buddies the Tip Top Trio will be performing to really spice things up.  Add to that the usuall shenanigans at the Sacramento Comedy Spot and you’ve got a pretty darn good weekend.

Improv at the Sacramento Comedy Spot:  Friday, 8pm  1716 Broadway.  $6

Second Saturday Opening:  Tangent Gallery 6-9pm 2900 Franklin Blvd, 95818, Free

Bounty Hunters

This weekend, Mrs. Eats and I hit up our local Farmer’s Market and came away with a veritable s-load of fantastically fresh goodies.  We bought berries for a week, fixings for a giant party salad and our absolute favorite, the hot BBQ almonds and orange-honey almonds from the vendor we affectionately call “Nut Guy.”  Summer is here and her bounty is ripe.  Don’t miss out on the fresh melons, tomatoes, cherries, peaches, plums, pluots, flora, fauna, fruita, fangora, etc.  Click here for a list of markets in your area (we’re pretty partial to the Saturday CC Mall Market and the Tuesday Fremont Park Market, but feel free to explore and find out for yourself who has the freshest white freestone hybrid seedless waterpeachplums).

Like the weather…

Forecasting the weather in Sacramento during the summer months can seem a touch repetitive. Warm this morning, hot in the afternoon, the evening will remain warm. Tomorrow? See today. However, if you are an Internet junkie like me you have no doubt been frustrated with the poor level of detail provided online. That’s not to say that there aren’t enough resources online or 5 day forecasts with sun icons lined up back to back. But, when I am searching the Internet for weather forecasting I’m basically looking for a “cut to the chase” sentence or two. Well, my friends, I have found such a sentence or two at kcra.com. As always, I must disclaim that I’m never first on the scene with anything technology related so please forgive me if this is old news.

Continue reading “Like the weather…”

Watcha Doin’ This Weekend?

I don’t know about you, but I’ll be hanging out in a grocery store parking lot.  As reported by Cakegirl:

Eve’s Market is finally having their GRAND OPENING CELEBRATRION!

Eve’s Market is having a grand opening party tomorrow, Saturday, from 11am-4pm. There will be food, games, face painting, music, raffles, and a $500 giveaway drawing.

They are located at 5025 Marconi Avenue (at Walnut), Carmichael. Their phone is 916.974.7300.