The weather’s warm, and you don’t feel like cooking. Dinner out sounds good but, well, a little boring. Try this favorite SacFoodie summer pairing: Dinner and a bookstore. Bury your nose in a NYT bestseller or a literary favorite, and then stroll the local streets, basking in the Sacramento sunshine, and enjoy a fantastic outdoor dinner. Sound like a perfect outing?
Within a few blocks of each other in Midtown Sacramento, there are three wonderful bookstores, each with its own personality: Time Tested Books at 1114-21st St. is floor-to-ceiling books, complete with ladders to reach the highest offerings; The Book Collector, 1008-24th St. offers sidewalk bargain books and other gems indoors; and La Raza Galleria Posada, 1022-1024 22nd St. (note: they’re moving in August) offers not just books, but also Latino art, clothing and accessories. The really lovely part? All three are within easy walking distance of each other – and over twenty restaurants.
Ah, yes, the foodie part. We had our work cut out for us with so many choices! Should we eat at Azul, Lounge on 20, or walk across the street to Original Pete’s Pizza? There’s the Vintage Café, Hashi and Cervantes just a few steps from Time Tested Books. For something really special, we could try The Waterboy or The Broiler, or for more casual fare, there’s Capitol Dawg, Hot Rods Burgers and Jack’s Urban Eats. And that’s only a sampling of what’s available.
I had my research assistants with me (i.e., my kids), and after a lengthy discussion, we decided to eat at Tapa the World, located at 2115 J St. Like shopping for books, eating tapas offers a multitude of experiences, depending on what you choose. So, for this culinary adventure, we sat on the sidewalk patio and sampled:
• Tortilla Espanola (hands down, my favorite tapa – in fact, this was my daily go-to food while studying in Spain)
• Grilled Vegetables topped with balsamic reduction and Romesco sauce, as well as queso Manchego (THE most delightfully salty sheep’s milk cheese from the La Mancha region of Spain)
• Paella Mixta, a small portion of traditional (and delicious) paella with generous amounts of seafood, chicken and chorizo, as well as a side of salad
• Tapa Burger (again, that queso Manchego!) with crisp, golden patatas bravas (perfectly fried potatoes)
The great thing about dinner and a bookstore? It will be your own unique pairing. In fact, this week, a group of us will head out to Roseville for a special “dinner and a bookstore” outing. New York Times best-selling author and Sacramento resident James Rollins will be signing books on Thursday, June 25 from 7-9 PM at the Barnes & Noble located at 1256 Galleria Blvd. Leave a comment here by noon on Wednesday, June 24, and you could win a copy of his new book, The Doomsday Key, personally signed by him!
Now, I just need to decide where we’ll be having dinner. All suggestions welcome!
Archives for June 2009
Do you know a "Real Hero"?
I’m a sucker for a good burger and a good deal, so when I heard about the Applebee’s Realburgers for Real Heroes program, (full disclosure: a client of the FH Kansas City office), I wanted to help spread the word. I think we probably all know someone who has made a difference in our lives one way or another. Maybe it’s the neighbor who mows your lawn, the last-minute babysitter who always comes through in a pinch, the friend who drives you to a doctor’s appointment, or maybe something completely different! Applebee’s wants to give those “Real Heroes” the big hearty thank you they deserve, and is asking all of us to nominate those selfless friends for a chance to win some awesome prizes – both for your hero and for yourself!
Here’s how it works: Visit the Applebee’s Web site to nominate your “Real Hero” by July 5. Applebee’s will then select 10 hero finalists and share their stories on the Web site. Visit the site to vote for your favorite hero between July 15 and July 23 to help determine the Applebee’s National Real Hero. Plus, just by nominating someone, you’ll be entered into a weekly drawing for a $50 Applebee’s gift card. Not only that, but the Grand Prize Winner will get $5,000 and a year of free Realburgers!
Applebee’s menu offers five Realburgers that I think could match just about anyone’s taste. I must say that, as an Arizona native, the Cowboy Burger is calling my name. Onion rings, BBQ sauce and bacon…there’s not much more I could ask for in one bite! Who knows, though, I might just need to try them all! (Above photos courtesy of Flickr users Acmelucky777 and Mooshee85).
Father’s Day Foodie Event Round-Up
Looking for ways to show Dad you love him this Sunday? We’ve got you covered on all of the great Father’s Day offerings around town!
The Firehouse Restaurant in Old Sacramento is offering a Father’s Day Brunch Menu for $39.95 per person which will include a starter buffet, one entrée and one dessert. A children’s brunch menu will also be available at $14.95 for children under age 12 while kids under age 3 eat for free. Brunch will be served from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and reservations are required. To reserve your table, call 916-442-4772.
Hot Italian (look for our review on Sac Foodies soon!) is celebrating Father’s Day with “Arguri A Tutti I Papa!” which we think translates to “Greetings To You and Dad!” Spend the afternoon enjoying pizza and watching soccer at the Italian hot-spot where they will be showing the Italy vs. Brazil FIFA Confederation Cup game at 11:30 a.m.
Bring your dad to Paul Martin’s American Bistro where they are offering a three-course prime rib meal for just $24.95! Other signature dishes such as fresh Alaskan halibut and grilled mahi-mahi will start at just $12. Call 916-443-3772 for reservations.
If you’re planning on seeing the Lion King at the Sacramento Community Center Theatre, stop in for a pre-show dinner across the street at Esquire Grill where they offer a three-course menu for $35 per person as well as complimentary valet parking for anyone who presents their ticket stub from the show. The menu includes a choice of soup or salad, grilled skirt steak or grilled salmon and chocolate layered cake or crème brûlée for dessert.
Last but not least, McCormick & Schmick’s, (one of our clients), will be celebrating Father’s Day by offering delicious entrees at great prices including Lobster Ravioli for $19.95, Wild Salmon for $24.95 and a Mixed Grill plate for just $29.95. Not only that, but every dad who dines at a McCormick & Schmick’s on Father’s Day will receive a crème brûlée on the house! There’s also still time to enter online for the chance to win a great gift for your dad – Custom fitted Titleist golf clubs and golf bag! One winner will also be selected from each restaurant to receive a round of golf at a participating ClubCorp Property. Fore!
Tightwad Tuesday: Some Deals are Just Too Good to Pass Up
Sometimes I’m selfish, I’ll admit it. Like when I find a great deal and feel as though it’s such a steal that the secret must be kept, never to be shared to anyone outside of my immediate circle. But these days, everyone could use a tip about a good deal. So I’m shedding my selfish ways and sharing:
KTXL FOX 40 has teamed up with local business to offer amazing deals on gift certificates valued at more than double the buying price!
For example, just visit http://www.ktxl.incentrev.com/ to purchase a $50.00 gift certificate to L Wine Lounge for only $25.00 or a $50.00 gift certificate to Aura for only $16.50. But you’ll have to hurry, because quantities are limited and I may just buy them all myself!
Have another money-saving tip in Sacramento? Come on, share your secret . . .
El Indio Lives Up to Its Fame
The sign outside read El Indio since 1940, but after one taste of the carnitas burrito, I would vote for a name change to El Carnitas Nirvana. This Mexican food hot spot in San Diego had a lunch-time line coming out the door, and after one bite, I knew why.
We had seen El Indio featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-in and Dives, and the images alone made my mouth water, so while on vaca in America’s finest city, it was a must-eat destination for me and the boys. Tamales, burritos and taquitos…oh my, everything was amazing. El Indio is just a stone’s throw from the San Diego airport, so next time you are visiting or passing through; I strongly suggest a stop, a planned lay-over or even a re-scheduled flight to make your way to burrito bliss.
El Indio
3695 India Street
San Diego, CA 92103
619-299-0333