The Porch has been my favorite restaurant in Sacramento for the past couple of years, but somehow I had never made it in for brunch. I now know how much I was missing out.
Last weekend some friends and I stopped by for some midmorning munch and drinks at The Porch, and the end result was me taking a big post-brunch nap due to the delicious food-coma that ensued.
The Porch’s classic Southern chicken and waffle plate.
This is probably some of the best Eggs Benedict I have ever eaten with crispy yet fluffy potatoes on the side. Note The Porch’s Snickerdoodle cocktail in the background – it’s as if they took a white Russian, added a cookie and made it somehow lighter and more refreshing.
Our epic spread at the table. And that’s not a mimosa we’re drinking, it’s a Champagne Julep. Made with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, simple syrup, mint and champagne, this morning cocktail will make even non-bourbon drinkers ask for seconds. I did.
The Porch Restaurant and Bar
1815 K St.
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 444-2423
www.theporchrestaurantandbar.com
Archives for March 2015
Sacramento Food Film Festival Launch
Last Thursday I had the delicious opportunity to attend the launch of the Sacramento Food Film Festival at Goldfield Trading Post, presented by the Food Literacy Center. It was a fun evening of unique bites provided by Jay Veregge of Ten 22, Aimal Formoli of Formoli’s Bistro, Michael Thiemann of Mother, Brian Mizner of Hook and Ladder and Hank Shaw, a James Beard Award-winning author. With such great names collaborating, the food definitely shared center stage with the film. By far, my favorite dish was the spicy cauliflower from Mother, a spicy Asian-inspired creation so full of savory flavors and satisfying texture that I didn’t even miss the meat.
On the film side, the selection of shorts shown throughout the evening was an eclectic and entertaining mix, but the kicker bit of entertainment for me was having each course served by a mini chef in uniform. It was great to see that the Food Literacy Center gave the children they provide services to a role in the event as fledgling foodies themselves, doling out each delicious bite as they balanced a full platter above their stiff white hats.
Be sure to check out the rest of the Sacramento Food Film Festival’s events, running through March 29. Get the full schedule here or check out our March 19 SacFoodies post with the events roundup.
My favorite bite of the night. Spicy cauliflower from Mother.
A mouth-watering, sweet berry and wafer concoction I could have eaten a platter of.
Attendees enjoy film shorts presented at Goldfield Trading Post.
My Blue Apron Experience
I recently took up a discount offer from Blue Apron and finally had my first food subscription experience. Undeniably, I was just plain thrilled about the idea of having three days’ worth of (good) dinner ingredients and recipes delivered right to my door step! You can choose from the “2-person plan” or the “Family Plan” and can request that your box be delivered on any day, Tuesday-Friday. The recipes are different each week and you can always opt to skip out on certain weeks when you don’t want a box. I was able to cook two of the three recipes I received with my “2-person plan” and then I gave the third to a friend, as I had dinner plans and didn’t want to risk the final recipe ingredients for the Tilapia Meuniere going bad.
My recipes:
Crispy Chicken Thighs with Braised Lettuce, Kimchi & Maitake Mushrooms
Lamb & Beef Shawarma with Creamy Radish Salad
Tilapia Meuniere with Moroccan-Spiced Lentils & Rainbow Chard
The recipe concepts were a little intimidating, I’ll admit, but the recipe sheets in your box clearly outline every detail, not to mention the ingredients are already pre-measured and individually labeled. I was also pleasantly surprised to find all ingredients, from meat to herbs, were totally fresh!
A subscription like this is convenient not only for people with no cooking skills at all, but also for people with an experienced palette who just want easy-to-cook, quality meals. I loved that this particular selection of recipes were concepts that I would have never thought to whip up myself, yet now I know how to do it on my own. The Crispy Chicken Thighs and Lamb & Beef Shawarma were amazing and there was plenty for two people. I unfortunately didn’t get a chance to try the tilapia, but I have no doubt it was just as delicious.
I would definitely order again, but most likely only for a special occasion, such as right before a trip so that I wouldn’t have to stock up on groceries. If you’re interested, you can easily sign up online and/or take a look at their recipes online!
Sacramento Food Film Festival
Food + film, you say? We call that a perfect pairing. The Sacramento Food Film Festival kicks off tonight and we have the scoop.
From March 19 to 29, there will be pairings of food and food-related movies at unique locations throughout town. There are a number of events to meet every taste and budget, with prices ranging from free to $70.
Hungry for more? Below are the bites to expect at some of the key events in the coming weeks. Visit Food Literacy Center online for the complete list of event details, locations, costs and to purchase tickets!
Thursday, March 19
Sacramento Food Film Festival Premiere (Goldfield Trading Post)
• Chefs will be pairing bites with each film. While the chefs are secretive about their dishes, it’s a safe bet to guess that Michael Thiemann of Mother will be creating a cauliflower recipe for the winning American short film, “How Does It Grow: Cauliflower.” James Beard Award-winning Chef Hank Shaw will be creating a dish for the South African film short in the International category, “Stand Up.” Based on Shaw’s time spent in South Africa as a journalist, we can expect something traditional and delicious.
Friday, March 20
Soul of a Banquet (Frank Fat’s Catering Facility)
• Chef Mike Lim is trained in authentic Asian cooking, and it shows! Attendees are in for an entirely new spin on what is traditionally thought of as Chinese food. Expect lotus leaf-wrapped rice, chicken, seafood treasure hot pot, stir fried vegetables with grass-fed lamb, mushrooms.
Saturday, March 21
Urban Farm Short Films and Urban Ag VIPea Bus Tour (McClatchy Park)
• While the chefs haven’t made their menu public yet, we know that Payam Fardanesh will be on board the bus to share his newest Silk Road flavor: ginger!
Sunday, March 22
The Farmer & The Chef (Ruhstaller Brewery + Tap Room)
• Not only will they have bites—the chefs will also be performing live demos on stage! Demos include: a beet cracked with a hammer to form beet chips, pig’s head butchery demo, and that’s just the beginning.
Tuesday, March 24
Federalist (Federalist Public House)
• Chef Shannon McElroy will be throwing down pizza creations using plenty of farm fresh ingredients. Tables will be garnished with a new twist not typical at the restaurant: jars of pickled produce!
Wednesday, March 25
Terra Firma (Central Library Gallería)
• Hot Italian will create farm-fresh pizzas, while Ginger Elizabeth will provide Plum Jasmine Macarons with plums from Ferrari Farms.
Wednesday, March 25
Hundred Foot Journey (Lucca)
• Attendees will enjoy a full four-course Indian-inspired menu based on the film, with dishes including Shrimp Pakora, Lamb Tartare and Yogurt Crème Cuite.
Thursday, March 26
The Way Back to Yarasquin (Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters)
• The entire menu will be coffee-inspired! Celebrated pastry Chef Elaine Baker is creating a sticky toffee-coffee cake and a chocolate coffee cream tartlet. One Speed will be serving up coffee-pork sliders.
Friday, March 27
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory Family Movie Night & Dinner (Clunie Community Center)
• Selland’s Market-Café will be serving up their popular spaghetti dinner and adding a slice of blueberry pie for dessert, inspired by the character Violet Beauregarde’s three-course meal chewing gum.
Saturday, March 28
Sriracha (Preservation & Co.)
• Attendees will enjoy one of Sacramento’s best bloody Mary’s using mix from Preservation & Co. alongside bites by chef Matt Brown of Forrester Foods.
Sunday, March 29
Food Chains (Turn Verein)
• Chips and salsa donated by Chipotle will be served alongside beer and Food Literacy Center’s famous popcorn with seasonings made by the kids, including a spicy Southwest mix.
Wordless Wednesday: Grange
Dinner and dessert at Grange Restaurant & Bar.
Grange Restaurant & Bar
926 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814