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!
Archives for June 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.
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.
German Beer Tasting at The Shack
The Shack will be hosting another night of beer tasting tonight! This time they’re taking a trip to Germany with a great selection of beers including Weiss bier, Dunkel Weisse, Doppelbock, Pilsner and Marzen. Tickets cost $25 and include glassware and appetizers. So come on down to The Shack in East Sacramento from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. for a taste of Germany!
5201 Folsom Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95819
If you can’t make it out for German beer tasting, then be sure to stop by The Shack this Thursday where they’ll be cooking up a storm inspired by the Greek Islands!
Chocolate Fish Coffee, Sacramento
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.