SacFoodies

Thanksgiving Dinner at The Firehouse

by SacFoodies

Thanksgiving – a holiday that brings people together around SacFoodies’ favorite thing: food! It’s even better when you can sit back and enjoy the holiday fare without having to stress about cooking. This turkey day, you can unwind at The Firehouse in Old Sacramento with their delicious four-course holiday menu, designed by Executive Chef Deneb Williams.  

The Firehouse Restaurant’s feast is prepared carefully, emphasizing hand-crafted and locally farmed ingredients. Specialty menu items include: Baked Brie en Croûte, Potato-Cauliflower Bisque, Herb-Roasted Turkey, Slow-Roasted Prime Rib, Chocolate-Pumpkin Opera Cake and Autumn Cheesecake. There are so many delicious options, deciding what to order will be a challenge!
Call soon to make a reservation for this Thursday. Tickets are $47.95 per person, with an additional $20 corkage fee per bottle of wine brought into the restaurant. Visit their Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts to find out about updates and future events.
 

Firehouse Thanksgiving Holiday Menu

 

First Course (select one)

Bacon-Lobster Bread Pudding

House-cured bacon and savory herbs, butter-poached Maine lobster, frisée salad and sauce béarnaise.

Baked Brie en Croûte

Triple-cream cheese baked in pastry, red wine-braised figs and onions with pickled fennel-arugula salad.

–

Second Course (select one)

Harvest Greens

Dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds, crumbled feta and pickled onions with white balsamic vinaigrette.

Potato-Cauliflower Bisque

Infused with mild curry spices, caramelized onions, leeks and cream sherry.

–

Third Course (select one)

Herb-Roasted Turkey

Boneless breast with cranberry relish, spiced apple-pecan stuffing, mashed potatoes and sage velouté.

Slow-Roasted Prime Rib

Herb and sea salt encrusted, mashed potatoes, sautéed vegetables, demi-glacé and horseradish cream.

Sea Bass Saltimbocca

Tomato ragoût with prosciutto, braised calamari and manila clams, fregola and squid ink vinaigrette.

Citrus-Spiced Pork Chop

Black currant, cipollini onion, pistachio, lacinato kale, fried fingerlings, orange gremolata and sauce au poivre.

–

Fourth Course (select one)

Chocolate-Pumpkin Opera Cake

Pumpkin mousse, cream cheese mousse, ganache and chocolate layer cake.

Autumn Cheesecake

Spiced cheesecake, candied ginger glaze, cranberry compote and graham crust.

 
The Firehouse
1112 2nd St
Sacramento, CA
(916) 442-4772
 

September is Food Literacy Month

by SacFoodies


What is Food Literacy? It’s rooted in the same ideals as the “Farm-to-Fork” movement, but food literacy essentially refers to having an understanding of the impact our food choices make on our health, environment and community. This month, you can finally join the movement and get a real taste of what Food Literacy is all about!
For this month and this month only, 55 area restaurants have signed up to participate in this EatSmart: Dine & Donate Campaign to benefit the California Food Literacy Center. The center works to provide youth education programs to teach healthy eating habits and sustainability basics from an early age.
For every ticket purchased, these restaurants will donate a dollar to the cause. We checked out the list and were pleasantly surprised to see not only the variety, but the quality! Check out the list of participating restaurants here. So, if you needed another reason to eat out this week… you’re welcome! 

Bacon & Butter

by SacFoodies

On a recent weekday a good friend and I met for lunch at this much buzzed about midtown establishment to see if it truly lives up to its name.  We were not disappointed.  Known for long lines at Sunday brunch, the lunch hour was nicely low-key with plentiful seating.  We were in and out with time to spare, a necessary thing for a limited workday lunch break. 

Chef and owner Billy Zoellin has definitely created a dynamic, palate tingling menu.  I would expect nothing less from a chef that has learned from the who’s who of Sacramento restaurateurs – from Biba Caggiano to Randall Selland and Patrick Mulvaney.  If that wasn’t enough, you can also catch him making duck confit club sandwiches and smocked slaw-and-sausage pizza for the Golden Bear on an episode of the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.”  Did I mention he’s only 29?
Now, let’s dive into the food. Options abound on this seasonal, locally-sourced and sustainably-focused menu, making our decisions difficult.  Do we go for the delectable sounding chicken and Andouille hash or b.l.t. omelet filled with heirloom tomatoes, bacon steak, watercress and brie?  Or, do we stick to the so-called “lunchish” options of grilled cheese sandwich with five kinds of cheese or the panzanella salad?   After much deliberation I picked the b&b burger and my friend chose the biscuit sandwich.

biscuit sandwich

b&b burger

Let me pause here and wipe the drool off my face.  Ok, I’m back.  I don’t throw accolades easily, but that burger was one of the best I’ve ever had.  Zoellin masterfully builds flavor by combining freshly ground beef with just the right amount of bacon inside and on top.  It’s juicy, perfectly seared, lightly seasoned and wonderfully balanced with the smoked aioli.  Add in some crisp shallot rings and havarti cheese and let the “trip to Flavortown” begin as Guy Fieri would say.  The side of smashed potatoes (masterfully poached, smashed then fried) is rustic yet light and unexpected.  I’ve never had potatoes served like this and I can’t wait to try it at home. 
My friend was equally enamored with her biscuit sandwich.  The housemade biscuit barely holds in the Beeler’s bacon (the Beeler family has been making premium bacon for six generations), cheddar cheese blanket and caramelized onions.  Top it off with an egg and chive mascarpone and you have a hearty breakfast that’s perfect for lunch.  Yum.
Long story short, do not pass Go!, do not collect $200, but head directly to Bacon & Butter for an affordable farm-to-table menu.  You won’t regret it!
Bacon & Butter
1119 21st St., Sacramento
(916) 346-4445
 

Beer Pairings and Puppy Rescue

by SacFoodies

Finish this equation:
Farm fresh food + local beer + puppies = __________.

 

Words like “awesome” and “heaven” would work.
So would “River City Brewing Company’s 20th Anniversary.”
Yes, the iconic Sactown brewery is celebrating its second decade with a series of one-of-a-kind, farm-to-fork pairings that will benefit Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue & Sanctuary, Inc.
A couple of SacFoodies will be in attendance at the kick-off event next Thursday, July 18 at 7 p.m. where Executive Chef Chantalle Malneck will be serving up an enticing offering, including:

  • Heirloom tomato sorbet with bacon-cheese shortbread cookie
  • Pan-seared Fort Bragg albacore tuna on a bed of crispy summer zucchini with seasonal mixed greens, corn, sweet peas, yellow pear tomatoes, creamy lemon-basil vinaigrette and garnished with apricot-chili pesto
  • Sweet and sour cherry pork tenderloin with yellow and green summer beans and stuffed bell pepper with rice and onions

Tickets are $40 each (25% of proceeds going to the Goldens!), so make your reservations now at 916-447-2739 or by emailing [email protected]. Dinner is from 7-9 p.m.
And yes, while I realize no actual puppies will be in attendance (that we know of!), rest assured you’re helping some adorable Golden Retriever enjoy a new lease on life
Cheers!
River City Brewing Company
545 Downtown Plaza #1115
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-448-1104

Thursday Happy Hour, SacFoodies Style

by SacFoodies


One Thursday every month, the SacFoodies love to indulge in a good happy hour. Sometimes we crave beer and wings, and other times we’re hungry for calamari and a cocktail. Whatever our mood, we know where to go to find great bites and quality drinks that hit the spot! Here’s a list of some of our favorite happy hour spots to fit any mood.
Incredible Selections: Whether you’re craving fire cracker shrimp, a cheeseburger or spinach dip – McCormick & Schmicks has the menu to match!  Prices range from $2.99 to $5.99 for food and $3.75 to $7.00 for drinks. To see the full happy hour list, visit their menu here.
McCormick & Schmicks
Happy Hour: Monday – Friday, 3:00pm – 7:00pm
1111 J St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 442-8200
Eat. Drink. Drink More.:  If you’ve had a long day and need a tall drink to calm the nerves, treat yourself to Morton’s “Power Hour” menu. The bar offers a long list of beer, wine, cocktails and “Mortinis” priced from $5.50 to $8.00 each.  Pair your drink with an appetizing treat from the bar menu, which offers a selection of Parmesan Truffle Fries,  Mini Crab Cake BLT’s, Petite Filet Mignon Sandwiches and more. Yum!
Morton’s
Happy Hour: Monday – Friday, 4:30pm – 6:30pm and 9:00pm – 10:00pm
621 Capitol Mall
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 442-5091
Amazing Appetizers: House Kitchen and Bar promises an excellent happy hour with amazing appetizers. Conveniently located right across the street from our office, it’s one of the SacFoodies’  go-to spots for a guaranteed good time. Appetizers include pulled pork sliders, chicken lettuce wraps, mac ‘n’ cheese and even sweet corn tamale cakes – all for $5 each. Specialty cocktails and house wines are also $5, with some draft beers priced at $2.
House Kitchen and Bar
Happy Hour: Wednesday – Friday, 4pm-8pm
555 Capitol Mall  
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 498-9924
Beer, Wings and Fun:  Some days nothing sounds better than an ice-cold glass of beer with a big basket of garlic fries and wings to match. When those days call, Chicago Fire answers. Best known for their Chicago-inspired thin crust, deep dish and stuffed pizzas, Chicago Fire also boasts a delicious happy hour menu that can satisfy your craving for wings, fries and pizza for days!
Chicago Fire
Happy Hour: Monday – Friday, 3:00pm – 6:00pm
2416 J St 
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 443-0440
The Ultimate Sangria: Paesanos is loved for many reasons: the great food, friendly staff, prime location and more notably, the refreshing sangria. Enjoy sangria and many other delicious drinks on their happy hour menu for $4.00 and pair with an appetizer for an additional $5. Cheers!
Paesanos
Happy Hour: Monday – Friday, 3:00pm – 6:00pm
1806 Capitol Ave
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 447-8646
Tell us, what’s your favorite happy hour spot?