Last Sunday, I was reminded of how wonderful and beautiful Old Sacramento truly is. Although I’ve frequented Old Sac for many family dinners at Joe’s Crab Shack and lunches at Steamers Café, I had never truly explored its vibrant, bustling streets. Being fortunate enough to work within a 1-mile radius of Old Sac’s gorgeous 28 acres on the Sacramento waterfront, it’s a shame that I often take for granted the eye-opening, historic yet always-changing town only a stone’s throw away from our office.
The sun-kissed sky and warm weather called for ice cold drinks and a patio lunch at Rio City Café. My date’s drink of choice was Stella Artois and I was thirsty for bottomless mimosas. While the calamari was delicious, our main entrées were quite spectacular. He opted for the Rio City Burger paired with rosemary fries and my choice was the Salmon BLT with a side of sweet potato fries.
After lunch, we perused the streets basking in the sunlight and window-shopped while appreciating all the arts, antiques and collectibles sold at the classic Old Sac shops. Dessert was sweet perfection as we shared a double scoop of Rocky Road and Pecan Praline atop a chocolate-covered sugar cone.
If you’re like me and often overlook the beauty of Old Sac, below are some reminders of how fortunate we really are to have a place with such a rich history, authentic Sacramento flair and never-ending fun in our own backyard. No matter if it’s your first time, next time, or you’re at Old Sac all the time – next time you visit, take a moment to appreciate the wonder of Old Sacramento.
Tip: My date and I purposefully parked on the parking garage rooftop to revel in the scenic view of the iconic Tower Bridge and we savored every second of it.
Search Results for: the shack
Joes: Philly-Style Water Ice, Garden Grove, CA
I recently found a love for shaved ice at Kauai’s Wishing Well (a tropical icy-creamy treat I still day dream about). So I was curious when I found Joe’s Ice in Garden Grove. Tucked in the middle of Disneyland and Anaheim Convention Center hotels is a little ice shack with a red awning and a pick-up window. Upon first glance I would have probably walked right by, but then I saw the line. If people are standing in line to get a shaved ice you know it must be something special. My curiosity grew when I read that Joe’s serves “authentic Philly style water ice.” Water ice??? Whaa?
Water ice is similar to Italian shaved ice, and is made with fresh fruit. Joe’s makes their water ice fresh daily, and flavors are fun, including blood orange, tangerine, passion fruit, granny smith apple, and the list goes on. When we walked up to the counter the friendly lady behind the window asked if we’d ever been to Joe’s before. After saying no she provided several samples of the water ice… she literally lined up 10 mini cups! It was so fun to try the different flavors and I found the water ice to be very different than a plain ice cone topped with syrup. This ice is flavorful all the way through and even includes chunks of fresh fruit.
We ordered the Joe Latti, which came recommended and includes choice of Philadelphia style water ice (I chose the Bada Bing Cherry), layered with real soft ice cream, which they ship in from Pennsylvania.
The ice was flavorful and the soft serve was dense and creamy. Just like my experience at the Wishing Well, it was all about the melt factor. Next time I’m near the happiest place on earth or the convention center (the latter being the more likely) I’m making a mandatory pit stop at Joe’s.
Joes
12302 Harbor Blvd
Garden Grove, CA 92840
(714) 750-1076
Tapa the World
If you’re anything like me, then most of your fondest memories relate back to food in one way or another. It’s that amazing cake from so-and-so’s wedding or the to-die-for taco shack on xyz road trip. I (subconsciously) tend to catalogue traveling experiences by food, too. The trip to Edinborough has somehow become synonymous with Haggas and the week in Greece might as well be called “Gyro Trip.” And the same goes for Spain – a tour of the country which seemed to be comprised of small plates. I’m not sure that we had more than one or two actual entrees on the entire time – but tapas certainly awaited us at every turn. Since then, I’ve been searching for a local tapas place that can at least remind me of that trip. And finally, last weekend, I found it.
Tapa the World, located on 2115 J St, has an authentic Spanish menu complete with Tapas del Dia and their staple Paella dishes. Last weekend, I feasted on both the Queso Español del Día (an assortment of imported Spanish cheese) and Kobe Beef (naturally raised from Snake River Farms, grilled medium rare & served with bleu cheese butter and crispy onion streamers).
I also tasted a delicious Calamari dish, but of course I can’t remember the name or find it in the online menu so it’s up to you to find that one!
No tapas meal would be complete without a glass of Cava, and the one at Tapa the World even brought me back to another fond memory at La Champagneria – a fabulous hole-in-the-wall bar in Barcelona. If you’ve ever visited Tapa the World (or La Champagneria, for that matter) we’d love to hear your thoughts – please leave us a comment below!
A Tale of Two Pizzas . . . And Then Some
Under the Brooklyn Bridge
Lucky enough to be in New York City for business, I spent the weekend with my older brother who made the move to the Big Apple a few years ago. What do we do every time I visit? EAT! For me, a trip to NYC is not complete without downing that cheesy, saucy, tomatoey (it could be a word!) pie known as pizza. Although I’m a West Coast girl, I can fully appreciate the uncomplicated masterpiece that is New York pizza: incredibly thin, crispy crust, thin slices of melted mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, a sprinkle of fresh basil.
Knowing that I cannot hold back when it comes to this style of pizza (“Thinner crust means fewer calories,” I tell myself), my brother and I decided to work for our lunch. Our destination was Grimaldi’s, one of the city’s finest pizzerias housed in an unassuming building tucked underneath the Brooklyn Bridge. So what better way to burn off our anticipated calories, than to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge before lunch?
Two extra-larges later, and only a few slices wrapped up as left-overs, we trekked back across the bridge, albeit much slower than on the way there, but it was a beautiful clear day and we were in no hurry. No trip to New York is complete without pizza and if you find yourself on the Brooklyn side of the bridge, Grimaldi’s is definitely a must try!
By Jenna Kirkwood
Keeping it Classy in Tallahassee
I’d consider myself to be fairly open minded, so when it comes to pizza, I don’t ever discriminate. Thin crust or deep dish, plain cheese or all the toppings – you name it and I’ll give it a try. After a recent trip to Tallahassee, FL – I’ve added a new favorite to the ever-expanding list of pizza places I couldn’t live without: Momo’s! With the slogan “Slices as big as your head” and an eclectic vibe perfect for any rumbling tummy, this place is right up my alley.
If there’s one thing cheesier than my blog postings – it has got to be the pizza at Momo’s. They don’t skimp on any of the toppings!
While I may regret admitting this, I feel that it’s only fair to say that I frequented Momo’s twice in a four-day time span during my trip to Tallahassee – if that doesn’t scream delicious then I don’t know what does. I tried the sun-dried tomato and artichoke, mushroom, buffalo chicken with blue cheese and plain cheese – each as delicious as the next. So if you ever find yourself rooting for the FSU Seminoles or just enjoying the Florida sunshine, be sure to check out Momo’s – it’s worth the trip!
By Brittany Mohr
If you don’t find Tallahasse or Brooklyn in your upcoming travel plans, here are a few other recommendations from the FH Foodie Team:
Kris Caputo Hurley: “The margarita pizza at Trattoria dell’Arte in NYC is my favorite in North America!!”
Joey Chapman: “Luigi’s Pizza! It’s on Stockton Blvd. and they just opened another one downtown; there is nothing better.”
John Caffrey: “You can’t beat Round Table – I like the combination.”
Kim Bedwell: “Luigi’s Pizza Parlor at 3800 Stockton Blvd.”
Steven Frith: “Chicago Fire’s Deep Dish Pepperoni”
Christine Moravec: “Mary’s Pizza Shack (originally from Sonoma, but franchises are popping up across Northern California) – Margarita Pizza, extra thin crust with a side of ranch dressing. Second runner up is Pizza Orgasmica & Brewing Company in San Francisco.”
Maria Chacon: “I love Pizzeria Classico in Folsom – they have the most delicious BBQ chicken pizza. A close second is Original Pete’s Pizza on J Street. They also have amazing, tender artichoke hearts deep fried to a light crispness in a tasty beer batter and served with a mild garlic butter. Oh, and the pizza’s great, too. My favorite there is the veghead pizza.”
Vanessa Smith: “Non-local: George’s Pizzeria in NYC…really any pizzeria in NYC…all cheese all the time! Local: Giovanni’s Pizza does a pretty good job on NYC style pizza.”
Julie Ficker: “I always love good old Round Table pizza – maybe it’s the result of our pizza reward conditioning!”
Melinda McRae: “Giovanni’s on Folsom Blvd. New York style with a thin, crispy crust with a good chewy bite to it. Our favorite is the Da Bronx Bomber with fresh ricotta, garlic and tomato sauce with generous-sized meatballs. They also make their own sausage and offer roasted red bell peppers, yummy! The slices are super huge, so ask for a double-cut if you don’t plan on eating it New York style (folded in half). Our other favorite is Garolbi’s Hot City Pizza at 5642 J Street – they do a whole wheat crust, so we think we’re eating healthy.”
Alison Liebich: Our favorite pizza place is at home. Bob makes the best pizza! Our Superbowl Sunday creation was a thin crust topped with mushroom, olive and onion.
Mid-Thanksgiving-week Morsels
With Thanksgiving tomorrow (already?!), this week’s morsels include some Turkey Day tid-bits from a smattering of the SacFoodies and fellow FHers (those who are in the office today). . .
Aside from spending time with friends and family tomorrow, what are you looking forward to most?
Ali: A morning bike ride around the Lodi vineyards before Bob and I put the turkey in the oven and begin preparing the big meal!
Gayla: Shopping on Black Friday. It has become a tradition that my sister-in-law and I have done for 3 years now.We don’t get up too terribly early but do go to at least 3 different major shopping malls, then meet up with the more family in the evening for dinner and drinks. Most people think we are crazy for tackling the crowds but we have a great time.
Vanessa: My mother-in-law’s cranberry sauce made from scratch with a hint of orange zest! I put it on everything…well, except her deviled eggs — another holiday favorite that competes for a first place spot on the list every year. 😉
Jacqueline: Helping my parents put up their outdoor Christmas lights before eating dinner. It starts out as a project for my step-dad and I to work on together, but it always ends up being me laboring alone while he stands back to admire “our” work! I love it though because Christmas is my favorite time of year, so hanging the lights signifies the beginning of the holiday spirit. After hanging the lights we turn them on, open the front window blinds, and enjoy the twinkling icicles while we eat our yummy food!
Brittany: Eating Yorkshire Pudding. For me, it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without Yorkshire Pudding on the table. But, this year I’m especially looking forward to making my first Thanksgiving contribution – the Pumpkin Pie. Check back next week and I’ll let you know how it went!
Christine: Going for a pre-meal walk. My family always goes for a walk before the big meal, so I look forward to that because it makes me feel much less guilty when I indulge in all the great food later. Top on my list of indulgences is fried baby artichokes.
Kim: Sharing my nephew Jack’s first Thanksgiving with him. 🙂
Melinda: Making “modern” Mince Pie for the first time ever. It’s my husband Johnnie Beer‘s favorite and I really want it to be good. (Here’s the recipe.) I also picked up a Pumpkin Pie from the Real Pie Company so I know that will be delicious, but my Mince Pie needs to impress! I’m also excited because it’s the first time that Johnnie and I have hosted Thanksgiving… below is the menu I created for our meal.
Kris: Kris is in the Big Apple this week, providing support for client the United States Potato Board, whose spokes-spud Healthy Mr. Potato Head is a featured balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!
Me: Eating crescent dinner rolls. For some reason, I’ve become completely obsessed with crescent dinner rolls on Thanksgiving, probably because it’s the only day of the year that I have them. The simple, flakey, buttery dough out of a tubular cannister will always hold a special place in my heart, and a spot on my plate, on Turkey Day.
Check back next week, when we will update you on our Thanksgiving happenings.
****************************************************************************************
Article One-Year Anniversary Party – Eat, Drink and Dance in Style
This Saturday, Article salon, spa & boutique is celebrating its one-year anniversary and as usual, is doing it in good taste. Festivities will start at 7:30 pm and will include a fashion show at 9:30 pm with hors d’oeuvres and small plates from Supper Club and Fran’s Café.
And if you over-indulge in all the amazing food as I did last Boulevard Bash when I ate a plate of Kobe Sliders with Shaft Blue Cheese, Guajillo Maui Onion Jam, Blackened Tomato & Micro Arugala on Old Soul Mini Buns and Sushi (I know, what a combo!) you can burn off the remorse by dancing to music from DJ Riggatony. Below is a picture of my friends Talia, Julia and me, at the Boulevard Bash in September. . .
In proper PR style, see below for all the info!
WHAT:
Article One-Year Anniversary Party / Boulevard Bash
WHEN:
Saturday, November 24
Doors open at 7:30 pm
Fashion show starts at 9:30 pm
WHO:
Article salon, spa & boutique
Supper Club
Fran’s Cafe
WHERE:
1616 Del Paso Boulevard
Sacramento, CA 95815
COST: Cover is $5 and the event is open to those 21 years and older.
For more information, call (916) 921-7400
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- Next Page »