Sacramento is oftentimes overlooked for its vast array of culinary and beverage options. But thanks to a recent article in Imbibe Magazine, the Capitol City is getting the attention it deserves for the bounty of craft libations available – it was named one of the top 75 destinations for cocktails among the places, people and flavors to watch in the new year.
The designation comes after the region played host to events such as Midtown Cocktail Week, which will celebrate its sixth event this year, and for the various cocktail hot spots popping up in town, such as Pour House, Hook and Ladder and Red Rabbit.
So the next time you sit down for your favorite drink, be sure to raise your glass and cheers to Sacramento!
What are some of your favorite places around town to grab a good drink?
Archives for January 2013
Esquire Grill’s Dine Downtown Menu
You’d have to be living under a rock not to notice the iconic teal signage plastered around Sacramento, heralding the arrival of Dine Downtown Week.
We’re even chattering about it—and for good reason.
This Sactown staple has become an annual tradition here in the River City, when popular downtown eateries open their doors with a tantalizing array of three-course dinner menus for $30 a plate.
One such restaurant—the iconic Esquire Grill—even offered this Sac Foodie a taste of their alluring menu, which will be available throughout the duration of Dine Downtown Week, January 9-18.
Diners have a choice between three appetizers, three mains and three desserts. Here’s the full menu. And here’s my enticing sneak-peek:
Appetizer: Deviled eggs with Dungeness crab, jalapeño, chives, fennel and sliced radishes
I’m usually that awkward guy at the party, standing in the corner with about five deviled eggs stacked on a cocktail napkin. But I would never think to order them at a nice restaurant. Luckily, Esquire lured me out of my comfort zone with this palate-primer. Each egg came complete with a tender, juicy piece of crab meat coated in the rich, deviled mixture. The bite was well-cut with the spicy crunch of a jalapeño slice, too. And the bed of fennel, chives and radish slices rounded everything out with a fresh feel.
Main: Grilled Beeler Ranch pork chop with savory bread pudding, wilted greens, and persimmon-pecan relish with pomegranate syrup
I’ve never met a pork chop I didn’t like (see my Mulvaney’s post). And this expertly grilled cut was no exception. Like Mulvaney’s, Esquire procures its pork from Beeler Ranch in Madison County, Iowa—a farm that prides itself on a legacy of animal husbandry stretching back multiple generations. That also means no growth hormones or antibiotics in their meat. And while I probably lack the delicate palate to distinguish between treated or untreated meat, I do like knowing that what I’m ingesting is natural. The chop’s savory, perfectly marbled bite was accented with a colorful cascade of persimmon, pecan and pomegranate seed relish that my date and I lauded enthusiastically. The wilted greens (arugula and mustard, to be exact) added another heavenly layer. And that bread pudding? I texted a friend on the spot and described it as no less than a revelation. I cleared this plate, even going so far as to gnaw the last, succulent bits of pork off the bone. Fair warning: You’ll likely do the same.
Not typically a fan of butterscotch. Or crème brûlée. The richness is usually a bit much for my taste. But again, Esquire swept me away with its delicately nuanced approach! After giving the brûlée crust a satisfying crack with the back of my spoon, I dipped into a silken crater that was certainly rich—but by no means overwhelming. In fact, it wasn’t long before my dining partner and I were frosting those delicious brown butter cookies with a layer of butterscotch crème and trying to hold a conversation through ecstatic smiles.
If you haven’t made the trek to Esquire lately, now’s your chance.
This well-executed menu offers a handful of enticing plates that underline the solid craft still simmering behind the open kitchen of this downtown staple, thanks to Chef Dan Moore (and Executive Chef Kurt Spataro).
And hello: $30 a plate won’t break your post-holiday budget.
I’ve always loved Esquire’s sexy, dark-wood, and decidedly political atmosphere. A stone’s throw from the Capitol, it exudes that old-school, bespoke vibe of Manhattans and oysters, soaring olive branch topiaries and alluring ladies in Hermès scarves. The space is far enough away from the booming nightlife of upper K Street, but near enough the Community Center Theater to catch a show, too.
In a word: Classic.
Esquire Grill
1213 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 448-8900
Note: I was a guest of Esquire Grill, and although the dinner was complimentary, the opinions expressed are my own.
SacFoodies Visit the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone
It was a sunny but brisk day back in December when the SacFoodies took a field trip to the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Greystone in St. Helena. Our excuse for the excursion was professional development (the campus offers many opportunities for our clients) and some holiday fun.
We began with a tour by the delightful Marnie Cunningham. Marnie’s historical knowledge and personal anecdotes made the tour both enlightening and entertaining. Not only did we get a sneak peek of the amazing test kitchens and classrooms, but we learned about the Christian Brothers’ rich roots and how the Loma Prieta earthquake was instrumental to the transformation from winery to cooking school. Thirty-minute tours are offered daily at 11:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. for just $10 per person. The tour and the meet-and-greet by Marnie were well worth the cost of admission!
In between our tour and lunch we had time to peruse the glorious Spice Islands Marketplace. Many of us stocked up on clever kitchen gadgets (from colorful Le Creusets in all shapes and sizes to training chopsticks for kids!) and autographed cookbooks, while others enjoyed a few tastes from the chocolate bar. I think several of us could have spent hours in this kitchen wonderland but it was time to eat.
Our day culminated with a fantastic lunch at the on-campus Wine Spectator Restaurant. The custom menu included several seasonal favorites including local fall greens, a butternut squash soup (which you’ll see was very popular with our group!), a garden vegetable risotto, a spiced rub chicken breast and a 5 Dot Ranch grass fed burger. Susan DuQuette, the lovely and amazing group sales manager who helped orchestrate the memorable event, selected the Aromatic Artistry Wine Flight, a wonderful selection of whites from Monterey and Napa Valley, to accompany our meal. Of course, we ended on a sweet note with a selection of chocolate lava cake, white chocolate chai mousse or apple cobbler.
Here are a few additional highlights from the team:
“Our tour guide was so knowledgeable and made the tour a lot of fun! When it came to the food, the butternut squash soup was delicious—I have craved it several times since our visit. Lastly, the white chocolate chai mousse was the perfect ending to a fabulous day!” – Jake Ferguson
“I think the tour was fabulous and such a great way for anyone visiting Napa to get a fun history lesson, but that butternut squash soup we had in the restaurant was definitely my highlight! So rich and creamy, and the pomegranate seeds were the perfect holiday addition.” – Jenna Buhagiar
“The burger was very good, but the risotto stole the show for me. The history of the building was also very impressive – you don’t see a gravity fed winery every day. Definitely worth a stop for anyone in the St. Helena area.” – Christine Schunk
“I love it that while this was a chance for us to share a meal, several of us really SHARED our meals. Pairing off and splitting entrees meant more chances to try more food and, for me anyway, halving my plate doubled my pleasure.” – John Armato
“There is so much to love about a trip to the CIA. While shopping in their store, I made a custom box of chocolates and they let me sample each and every variety. Yum!” – Kim Bedwell
“The Garden Vegetable Risotto was by far my favorite menu item. Risotto is typically my go-to whenever offered, but the flavor of this dish went way beyond my expectations. It was a perfect balance of fresh seasonal vegetables, zesty and creamy, lemon-buttery rice, topped with a bit of minty ricotta. I’m drooling just thinking about it again!” – Vanessa Smith
All in all, an amazing time with amazing friends and colleagues. Cheers!
Bacon Fest is Coming to Sacramento Jan. 20 – 27
There are few culinary phenomenons quite like bacon. It has long surpassed being the sidekick to eggs and now has become a (much-deserved) star on its own, which is why we’re so excited about Bacon Fest coming to Sacramento January 20 -27. Sponsored by the California Pork Producers Association, the eight-day Baconpalooza brings together some of the best, most creative chefs in the region with competitions and special bacon-themed menus at many of our favorite Sacramento restaurants. Below is a list of planned events including the Second Annual Bacon Fest Sacramento Chef’s Competition that’s sure to sell out, so click here to buy your tickets.
Oink, oink!
SUNDAY, JANUARY 20
Opening Night Party
Hook & Ladder Manufacturing Co.
1630 S Street
5 p.m. No cover
Special guest chefs join Chef Brian Mizner in creating a special Bacon Fest menu.
MONDAY, JANUARY 21
Formoli’s Bistro
3839 J Street
Chef Aimal Formoli prepares a special Bacon Fest prix fixe meal. Call for price and reservation, (916) 448-5699.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22
Secret event! Follow @sacbaconfest on Twitter for details.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23
LowBrau
K and 20th Streets
6 p.m. to close
LowBrau does the bacon and sausages, the Sacramento Bartenders Guild does the special Bacon Fest cocktails and bourbon.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24
Enotria Restaurant and Wine Bar
1431 Del Paso Boulevard
Chef Pajo Bruich prepares a special Bacon Fest prix fixe meal. Call for price and reservations, (916) 922-6792.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25
Second Annual Kevin Bacon Tribute Night w/ Guest Chef Michael Thiemann
Old Ironsides
1901 10th Street
8 p.m., $5
Local bands play songs from Kevin Bacon films (to the “first degree”).Chef Mike from Ella Dining Room & Bar takes over the Old I kitchen with special Bacon Fest eats.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26
Magpie Cafe
1409 R Street
8 a.m.
2nd annual Bacon Fest Breakfast at Magpie.
Shady Lady Saloon
1409 R Street
8 a.m.
Bacon Fest Breakfast and Bloody Marys.
Selland’s Market
5340 H Street
1 p.m.
Randall Selland prepares his special Bacon Fest paella.
Pangaea Two Brews Cafe’s Beer vs. Bacon
2743 Franklin Boulevard
5 p.m.
Special Bacon Fest menu, plus bacon and beer and the return of the famous “Bacon Suicide IPA.”
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27
Second Annual Bacon Fest Sacramento Chef’s Competition
Mulvaney’s B&L’s / Pig on the Corner
19th and L Streets
2 p.m., $35 (tickets on sale here)
Nearly a dozen local chefs create dishes and compete for Critics and Audience awards. Admission includes samples from each chef, appetizers and two drink tickets. Proceeds will be donated to The Center for Land Based Learning and the American River College culinary program.
The Golden Bear
2326 K Street
9 a.m.
2nd annual Bacon Fest Breakfast.
Bacon & Butter
1119 21st Street
9 a.m.
Bacon Fest Breakfast.
HAPPY HOURS
Small plates and drink specials Monday through Friday, January 21-25 at:
Bows & Arrows, 1815 19th Street
Ella Dining Room & Bar, 1131 K Street
Grange Restaurant, 926 J Street
Lucca Restaurant and Bar, 1615 J Street
Pangaea Two Brews Cafe (with guest chef Jason Azevedo of Testa Duro Salumi), 2743 Franklin Boulevard
Restaurant Thir13en, 1300 H Street
Ten22, 1022 Second Street
BACON FEST COLORING CONTEST + BACON DONUTS
January 21-27
Doughbot
2226 10th Street
Have your kids enter the Bacon Fest coloring contest to win free donuts!
ADDITIONAL RESTAURANTS WITH BACON FEST SPECIALS INCLUDE:
Boulevard Bistro, 8941 Elk Grove Boulevard (Elk Grove)
The Eatery, 2155 Town Center Plaza (West Sacramento)
Gold Rush Grill, 1500 11th Street
Hot Italian, 1627 16th Street
Masullo, 2711 Riverside Boulevard
State Bear Sausage and Dogs, 8th and O Streets
The Waterboy, 2000 Capitol Avenue
For more information visit, http://baconfestsac.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/SacramentoBaconFest?__req=60
Dine Downtown Restaurant Week
The Sacramento food scene is kicking off the year with a bang as Dine Downtown Restaurant Week begins next week, running January 9-18.
This is an excellent opportunity to sample some of the best cuisine that Downtown Sacramento has to offer! Presented by Sacramento Magazine, patrons will have the chance to enjoy three-course dinner menus created by area chefs for only $30 per person. Yes, you read that right!
Some of the restaurants participating include: Biba, Esquire Grill, Frank Fat’s, The Porch, Tuli Bistro, Mulvaney’s B&L , Blackbird Kitchen+Bar and Mayahuel.
Looking for a vegetarian or gluten-free option? You’re in luck because many are offering special menus too.
To see the full list of participating restaurants and find out more, click here.