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Happy Anniversary to Us!

June 25 is the official Sacfoodies.com one year anniversary! We used the excuse to get together and share some of our favorite potluck dishes last week (many of which you’ll see in the weeks coming). I played host to my colleagues and served a Champagne Cocktail I found on epicurious.com to toast the special occasion. The liquor-soaked sugar cubes added just the right amount of sweetness to the bubbly. And it was pretty to boot. Cheers to many more anniversaries to come!!

Ingredients:
2 small sugar cubes
1 ounce Bénédictine
1 ounce crème de cacao
4 ounces champagne

Preparation:
Soak the sugar cubes separately, one in Benedictine, one in crème de cacao, and place them in the bottom of a champagne flute. Fill with chilled champagne, preferably brut.

Makes 1 cocktail.

By Kris Caputo Hurley

4 comments June 25, 2008

Doughnut Craving

So … I had a craving for doughnuts this afternoon, but didn’t really know how to satisfy it. It made me wish I was in Seattle, where it seemed there were doughnut and coffee shops on every corner. When visiting Seattle about a month ago, I discovered Top Pot Doughnuts, a delightful doughnut and coffee shop that I also heard supplies its doughnuts to Seattle-area Starbucks.

I had the Cinnamon/Sugar doughnut and a soy latte and my boyfriend had the Chocolate Peanut with a coffee, but of course I tried his doughnut, too – both were delish! I could really go for a Chocolate Peanut doughnut right about now.

Anyone have any doughnut suggestions in the Sacramento area? Oh yeah – be sure to check back tomorrow, Sacfoodies has some big news to share!

By Jenna Kirkwood

Add comment June 24, 2008

What’s Not to Love about “Butter”?

Not that kind of butter – although, it’s pretty wonderful, too. Last month, I had the pleasure of dining at the famed NYC restaurant Butter. For our client, the California Raisin Marketing Board, Chef Alexandra Guarnaschelli created a special menu that was infused with both natural and golden California raisins.

The entire menu was as innovative as it was delicious. My favorites? The Spring Pea & House Cured Pancetta Salad was a delightful balance of salty and sweet. The crunchy vegetables were oh-so-fresh, and the pancetta created a nice background flavor for the sweet raisins. My favorite main dish was definitely the Raisin-crusted Lamb rack. I don’t get to enjoy lamb very often, and this was melt-in-your-mouth amazing. The raisin crust (a combination of pureed raisins plus something else) added a sweet, crispy texture – a perfect foil to the tender, savory lamb. I have to admit, I cleaned my plate.

As you may know from previous posts, I have just a little sweet tooth. So, I saved room for the Crème Fraiche & Golden Raisin Bavarian. Who knew such a diminutive thing could render me speechless? (I am not exaggerating!) The tangy crème fraiche, crisp grapes and sweet pistachio-raisin crust – well, let me put it this way – there was no stopping at three bites like some disciplined Frenchwoman!

I wish I could show you photos of these wonderful dishes, but my camera was stolen en route to Sacramento.

If you’re in NYC and have a chance to dine at Butter, it’s not to be missed.

By Maria Chacon Kniestedt

Add comment June 19, 2008

Byward Market

When I booked our trip to Ottawa, Canada for my cousin’s wedding, I had no idea I was in for a culinary adventure! After a lovely stroll through the breathtaking Parliament and over the Rideau Canal, we stumbled on the Byward Market.

Like any true foodie, I had researched restaurants before my travels and many of them were in the ByWard Market. I was intrigued, but I had no idea how amazing the Market would be. It is anchored by one main indoor market featuring a variety of worldly vendors much like the San Francisco Ferry Building Marketplace, NYC’s Chelsea Market and Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market. However, the ByWard Market is surrounded by permanent tented street vendors that extended the culinary journey for blocks. Plus, there are hundreds of restaurants (70-plus) and fashion, food and home retailers that circumference the Market.

We stopped at Stella to enjoy the 75-degree weather on the outdoor patio. While sipping the signature “Stella-tini,” Smirnoff Strawberry, Lemoncello & Cranberries, we enjoyed the sites and sounds of all the other packed outdoor cafes on the street.

Before leaving, we made sure to pick up a wonderful custard and berry dessert at Le Moulin de Provence to bring to my Aunt’s home for dinner that evening. Nothing beats homemade Italian cooking, but I would have loved to eat my way through the ByWard Market. I snapped some photos instead.

By Kris Caputo-Hurley

1 comment June 18, 2008

You deserve a Chocolate Fish. Say whhaaaat?

Working in an office, a mid-afternoon caffeine fix is often necessary. We “discovered” a new coffee shop that not only has delicious drinks, but also offers a unique New Zealand flare - right here in downtown Sac. Located on the corner of 3rd and Q Street, from the outside you might second guess if Chocolate Fish Coffee is even open, but it in fact opened its doors in April of this year; despite it’s under construction entrance, the shop is already gaining attention and a downtown following. We’ve taken the four-block trek from our office together on a number of occasions.

The owners, Andy and Edie Baker, are two of several friendly folks that will greet you from behind the counter. On our most recent coffee break, Edie explained that she lived in Auckland for eight years, and recently returned back to the states with a prize souvenir, her husband Andy (who is Kiwi). Together they have built Chocolate Fish Coffee to be a certified organic and free trade coffee shop.

So what’s with the name? A chocolate fish is a fish-shaped confection, it is indigenous to New Zealand and recognized as a “thank you” or “reward” for a good deed. Working diligently at a top PR firm is a daily good deed, right? We think so, and have rewarded ourselves with Chocolate Fish Coffee accordingly.

By Christine Moravec and Jenna Kirkwood

Add comment June 13, 2008

SushiMasters 2008

What do you get when you take six California sushi chefs and have them battle it out in a 45-minute winner-takes-all sushi brawl?

SushiMasters!

The California Rice Commission held its fourth annual SushiMaster competition last night in Sacramento and it was a battle between chefs from Fresno, Hollywood, San Diego, San Francisco and Sacramento’s own Billy Ngo, chef/owner of Kru. A few months back, a few SacFoodies raved about Kru’s sushi (apparently the Ziggy roll reigns supreme according to SacFoodie palates), so we were definitely rooting on our hometown chef. However, his victory will come another day because this year’s SushiMaster is Chef Tomaharu Nakamura of Sanraku Four Seasons in San Francisco. I lived in San Francisco for five years, and for two of those years, walked by Sanraku Four Seasons every day, and never once went in. Foolish, foolish me.

So Sacramentans, what’s your favorite sushi joint in the Capitol city? I’d have to say mine is Nishiki. The Capitol and McHenry rolls are scrumptious!

By Kim Bedwell

3 comments June 11, 2008

160 Beers on Tap on the Wall, 160 Beers on Tap …

“How many beers on tap,” you ask? 160!

While visiting friends in Seattle, we visited a magical place: an ale house with, you guessed it, 160 beers on tap, aptly named TapHouse Grill. Included on the menu are beers from the four corners of the globe, everything from blondes to bocks and porters to stouts. As I was completely intimidated by the beer menu, I decided to ask our server for his recommendation.

The beer that was presented shortly thereafter was called Franziskaner Weissner (yes, I did have to ask for the spelling). I was told it was a traditional German hefeweizen with hints of banana and spice. It was refreshing, smooth, and I did indeed taste hints of banana and spice. I was very pleased by the selection.

Next time you find yourself in Seattle, I would highly suggest a visit to TapHouse Grill. Oh, and the food was delicious as well. I also heard a rumor that they have three-dollar sushi rolls during Happy Hour.

Take one down, pass it around …

By Jenna Kirkwood

3 comments June 9, 2008

‘Wine & Dine’ in Sacramento, Why Not?

We’ve just received word that the 2nd Annual Sacramento Wine & Dine is just around the corner. What does this mean? It’s your opportunity to dine in the ‘who’s who’ of Sacramento restaurants, each with a special discounted prix fixe Wine & Dine menu (with wine pairings to boot!). The event runs this Saturday, June 7 through Saturday, June 14.

Click here to see all participating restaurants and view their Wine & Dine menus.

By Jenna Kirkwood

Add comment June 6, 2008

G. V. Hurley’s is a Must-Try

I’ve been hearing all about G. V. Hurley’s ever since their grand opening at the end of March, but hadn’t yet been to experience it first hand until a few good friends and a highly-anticipated San Jose Sharks game drew me in. TwinSoup called the new midtown restaurant “a masculine bar & restaurant that feels warm and inviting,” so I knew I was in for a treat before even setting foot inside.

Let’s just say I could have devoured the entire bread plate alone, ordered nothing at all, and still raved about the place on SacFoodies the next day. From the first bite, I was sold. The bread plate included heavenly rolls and a modern variation on corn bread that was to die for.

For our main course, I chose the Grilled Hamburger Steak with smoked Gouda, chipotle, caramelized onions and house salad. Are you hungry yet? The dish arrived, with meat cooked medium-rare just as I’d requested, and it did not disappoint. Each bite of steak melted in my mouth and the salad was fresh and light – a perfect accompaniment. Others at my table were equally pleased with their selections – we sampled everything from the Wild Salmon & Beet Salad to the GVH Slider Trio.

Unfortunately, I was too full for dessert, but next time I’ll have to try the Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding. I have a feeling it might be decadent.

For a complete listing of the G. V. Hurley’s sample menu items, click here. Or better yet, visit them yourself! G.V. Hurley’s is located at 2718 J Street here in Sacramento.

By Brittany Mohr

4 comments May 15, 2008

Lucques

Lucques not only made L.A. Magazine’s Top 75 Best Restaurants in 2008: it made number one. Yes, according to the publication, this Melrose Ave hot spot is THE best culinary destination in all of Los Angeles. This report came out just after we secured Lucques as our second location for a Sunsweet-inspired dinner (see my post on TRU for the first).

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not really L.A.-esque. I mean, I don’t have a teacup Chihauhau dressed in designer doggy-wear; I don’t know the latest B-list celebrity up-and-comers; and you probably won’t find me in line for the latest club openings, or any club opening for that matter. Nope, just not my cup of tea.

That said, Lucques is just the right amount of trendy and substance, centrally located on Melrose Ave. The space is comfortable and relaxed and the food is amazing. I think that anyone would find this restaurant welcoming and delicious.

Co-owners Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne have operated Lucques for more than 10 years. In 2006 Suzanne (whose resume includes a stint at Chez Panisse) received the James Beard Foundation’s Award of Excellence for Best Chef in California. Last month a group of us got to taste for ourselves. Here’s a sampling of some of the menu items that hit my palate that night:

Our first course started us off with a Blood Orange Salad with Arugula, Dates, Almonds and Parmesan. Unfortunately, my picture for this course didn’t turn out, but let’s just say that any salad with blood oranges is okay by me. Our second source was grilled Hawaiian tuna with farro, black rice and pickled raisins.