It’s practically impossible to live in Sacramento and not notice one local hot spot, Zinfandel Grille on Fair Oaks Blvd. Acclaimed for its Mediterranean-inspired menu and extensive wine selection, Zinfandel Grille has been a Sactown favorite for more than 25 years.
When my boyfriend invited me to dinner here, I was absolutely ecstatic! The location is easy to spot but plan ahead for sparse parking. Once inside, soft dim lights veil the elegantly set dining area. The ambience is comfortable, casual and upscale making it the perfect place for a business lunch or an end-of-the-day beverage and wholesome dinner with that special someone.
Our night started with a mouthwatering Ahi Tuna appetizer, a seared sesame-crusted ahi with spicy miso coleslaw, ponzu sauce and sesame chili oil, delectably paired with a Stella Artois for him while I enjoyed a B.V. 2010 Napa Cabernet.
I had a big appetite so I ordered Zinfandel’s all-time favorite Mustard Chicken. A lightly breaded, pan-seared chicken breast topped with lemon aioli, served with mashed potatoes and fresh baby spinach dressed with sherry vinaigrette, applewood-smoked bacon, cherry tomatoes and julienned carrots, zucchini and squash. My boyfriend ordered the classic Filet Mignon, a savory grilled steak topped with crispy onion rings paired with garlic mashed potatoes and prosciutto-wrapped asparagus.
Both of our beautifully presented entrées were incredibly tasty. The generous portion size and burst of flavor coming from every dish left us happy and filled with delight. We ended our night by clearing our plates and feeling more than satisfied with our wonderful meal.
Zinfandel Grille also offers an extraordinary happy hour menu with an exciting selection of drink and appetizer specials.
Happy Hour:
Monday: 3:30- 6:30pm
Tuesday: 3:30-6:30 pm
Wednesday: 3:30-10:00 pm
Thursday: 3:30- 6:30pm
Friday: 3:30- 6:30pm
Saturday: 4:00-6:30pm
Sunday: 4:00-6:30pm
Zinfandel Grille
2384 Fair Oaks Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 485-7100
Dinner at Chicago's Tizi Melloul
Last month while traveling for work, I got the opportunity to spend an evening with my friend Amelia who lives in Chicago. Since we were in her neighborhood I asked her to pick a restaurant for dinner, which is how we landed at Tizi Melloul, and I’m glad we did. Tizi is a Mediterranean restaurant with a contemporary lounge feel. The restaurant was pretty empty for a Thursday night, which always makes me a little nervous, but I was quickly reassured that we had picked a winner when our drinks arrived: the Fizi Tini (sparkling wine and pomegranate juice with a twist) and the Cucumber Martini (vodka, cucumber, mint, simple syrup and fresh lime juice with a cucumber slice) were both refreshing and a fun way to start the night.
There are some things that I usually can’t turn down on a menu, and mussels is one of them. When our server told us their fire-roasted Prince Edward island mussels were one of their signature dishes it sealed the deal. They were not served in a typical broth, but roasted and covered in a mixture of spices and served with a small dish of melted butter and spices for dipping. If you go to Tizi Melloul and order one thing, make it the mussels. You won’t be disappointed.
Most of our night consisted of catching up and the usual gossip, and our meal was also great. We ordered a mix of salads and the grilled salmon entrée. We capped the dinner off with espresso martinis. Yum. If you are in Chicago and looking for something a little different I would recommend Tizi Melloul… if you have a large group you should check out the Crescent Room as it looks like even more fun, with lots of lanterns and floor/table seating!
Tizi Melloul
531 North Wells
Chicago, Il, 60610
312-670-4338