Need a gift? Send Something Baked!
Among many other characteristics that connect the generations of women in my family (beauty, brains and humor, of course!), there’s one in particular that stands out above all others: cookie baker extraordinaire. There seems to be one lucky lady per generation that’s blessed with the baker gene. I, unfortunately, was not that lady.
My cousin, Ashley, is the one who has perfected the art of cookie baking for us Gen Xers. Growing up, she was the one standing on a stool in our grandmother’s kitchen helping her mix the dough, while the rest of us were more focused on sneaking bites of the dough and getting the first taste of those warm, gooey cookies. Flash forward a few short decades, and Ashley’s hobby of kitchen experimenting would transform into a delicious business: Something Baked.
While spending summers in Alaska, Ashley had the opportunity to put her talents to use working as the cook and baker at a local coffee house. It was there where she developed a cookie unlike any other. Six years later, her business grew to be Something Baked: Cookies. Baked. Delivered. Everywhere.
The SacFoodies recently received a special delivery of freshly baked cookies from Something Baked. The packaging alone turned heads in the office when it arrived. I had little difficulty rounding up tasters as soon as I mentioned that the contents of the signature polka dotted container included a mix of home baked cookies in a variety of four flavors:
• White Chocolate Chip with Craisins (the favorite)
• White Chocolate Chip with Apricots
• Chocolate Chip (the classic)
• Chocolate Chip with White Chocolate Chips
The consensus? Delicious, home baked taste in adorable packaging that is sure to brighten anyone’s day. Made to order for delivery nationwide, Something Baked cookies are perfect for birthdays, holidays, promotions or just an everyday, tasty surprise delivery. To make for an even sweeter gift, 10 percent of Something Baked sales are donated to the Susan G. Komen For the Cure foundation. To order your own fresh batch of cookies, email [email protected].
Indo Cafe, Sacramento
This past week, SacFoodies has been featuring restaurants and cafes in Old Sacramento. Enjoy today’s review below and be sure to also check out the reviews from earlier this week to learn about great places to eat in Old Sac!
Old Sacramento is one area of this city that I have yet to explore. In fact, prior to last weekend, the only restaurant I had truly dined at in Old Sacramento was, drum roll please … Subway! So, needless to say, I jumped at the chance to check out the food scene over there. After doing my research, I decided to use this opportunity to not only explore a new part of town, but to explore a new cuisine: Indonesian food.
In an attempt not to make my cluelessness too obvious, I did my research before venturing over to Indo Cafe, on a busy Saturday afternoon in Old Sacramento. Of course as soon as I walked in, all of my studying flew out the window and I made a beeline to the counter where an incredibly kind woman waited, eager to help me make a dining decision. I told her that I had never had Indonesian food, wanted to try something authentic and wasn’t scared to try something new. She let out a big grin and said “Ah! You need to see the secret menu!” Way to make a girl feel special.
I finally settled on the Lemon Grass Chicken. I know, not the most adventurous choice, but it was a gateway to my Indonesian food exploration. Served in a wooden boat, the stir fry chicken with lemon grass herbs and mixed vegetables was fresh, packed with flavor and simply delicious. I washed it all down with a glass of the typical Indonesian drink, Ice Cendol: coconut milk, jelly-like pieces made from rice flour, shaved ice and palm sugar. If for no other reason, I’d go back just to get another one of these!
From the most traditional dishes like satay, soto and nasi goreng to your more common beef and broccoli dish, Indo Café offers fresh and deliciously satisfying food for a wide range of palates. Stay tuned for details on my next visit–I promise to step a bit further outside the box!
Indo Cafe
1100 Front St.
Sacramento, CA 95857
(916) 446-4008
Golden Bear, Midtown
If you haven’t noticed from past posts, we’re big fans of The Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives . I must admit that I live vicariously through Guy Fieri and his ventures to the nation’s lesser-known restaurant gems. So, when I heard that Guy would be making a visit to Midtown’s very own Golden Bear I knew I had to scope out the menu. After all, it was news to me that the fare at this popular Midtown spot spanned beyond your typical bar food!
A few friends and I took advantage of one particularly nice Summer evening and wandered down to Golden Bear to see if the menu would live up to the hype. We were not disappointed.
Don’t let the size of the menu fool you. Small, yet packed with mouthwatering, unique choices, it will leave you stumped on what to order. After much debate, I decided on “THE” Taco, two corn tacos filled with slow simmered chicken, house chili rub, shredded lettuce, cotija and pasilla creama. Success.
My dining partners took the recommendation of our server and ordered the Sausage and Smoked Slaw Pizza and the Juicy Lucy Burger. Two more successes for the books.
The Smoked Slaw pizza was an unexpected combination of pizza dough topped with home-made sausage, smoked slaw and red onion marmalade. I had to finagle my way to try a bite of this, but once I got a taste, fully understood why anyone would be reluctant to share!
The Juicy Lucy Burger deserves an award, a show or some sort of recognition all on its own. House-ground Niman Angus stuffed with fontina, bacon confit, Jameson-glazed onions, avocado and lettuce served with house-made kettle chips. Need I say more?
Golden Bear also serves a weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. with menu options that sound just as promising as the weekday menu. Needless to say, I’ll be back to Golden Bear over and over until I make my way through the rest of the menu. Then, I’ll be back to start all over again!
Golden Bear
2326 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 441-2242
Wordless Wednesday: Capitol Garage Weekend Brunch
Either of these delicious options from Capitol Garage’s weekend brunch menu paired with their $6.95 bottomless Champagne Mimosas will make for one hearty Sunday meal!
Brunch Burrito: Scrambled eggs with chorizo, black beans, cilantro and pico de gallo wrapped up in a large flour tortilla, topped with fresh avocado, manchego cheese and jalapeno hollandaise
Traditional Eggs Benedict: Seared zoe’s meats honey ham on a grilled English muffin with fresh sliced tomato, gruyere cheese and sour cream chive hollandaise
Capitol Garage
1500 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 444-3633
Wordless Wednesday Sac Foodies Potluck Edition: Mexican Wedding Cookies
Mexican Wedding Cookies straight from Pro’s Ranch Market’s bakery in downtown Phoenix, Arizona.
Pro’s Ranch Market
1602 Roosevelt Street
Phoenix, AZ 85006
(661) 725-8920