In case you’re wondering how the SacFoodies plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day, we’ve rounded up some of our plans to share with you. We’d love to know your plans too, so leave us a comment below!
Vanessa Smith: “My husband and I have a five-year running Valentine’s tradition of picking up dinner at Mikuni and enjoying a picnic on the floor by the fireplace. We started this tradition one year when we couldn’t get a reservation anywhere, now it’s our preferred way to spend the evening. (Not to mention, finding a sitter for our little guy on Valentine’s Day is virtually impossible!)”
Liz Conant: “With Valentine’s Day falling on a Monday this year, I’m thinking of cooking something simple at home (most likely a pasta dish) and relaxing with a glass of wine. However, on Saturday I celebrated by making my now annual visit to the Old Sugar Mill’s port and chocolate tasting event. The weather was gorgeous and we had a great time sampling wine and food while listening to the live band.
Maria Chacon: “We’ll be celebrating Valentine’s Day at the Crab Feed hosted by our children’s school this year. This event is always so much fun – and so much food! Unlimited crab is, of course, front and center, but also on the menu is pasta, salad and an array of mouth-watering desserts. In honor of Valentine’s Day, the bar will feature a drink they’re calling “Love Potion No. 9” – a mix of pink lemonade, light beer and vodka. I’ve been privy to a pre-tasting, and this drink definitely inspires devotion!”
Love Potion No. 9:
Mix together:
• 1 can pink lemonade
• 3 light beers
• 1 can vodka (use the lemonade can as a measure)
Rim martini glasses with red- or pink-colored sugar. Garnish with cranberries, pomegranates or strawberries
Melissa Nielsen: “After spending last year’s Valentine’s Day at a busy restaurant, we’ve decided to stay in this year and do something fun, but low-key since it is on a Monday. Besides catching up on our favorite TV shows, we are planning to make our favorite homemade pizza and try a Molten Chocolate-Nutella Pudding Cakes recipe that we’ve been dying to make for awhile.”
Shelly Kessen: “I will be in Tahoe on Valentine’s Day…and hoping to try some new restaurants in and around Truckee! “
Kris Caputo: “I’ll be celebrating my daughter’s 2nd birthday this Valentine’s Day. We actually had a big bash over the weekend, which included lots of Valentine’s Day treats – both savory and sweet. The biggest hit was the build-your-own goodie bag candy display. I’ll be sure to do a post next year for all your inspiration!”
Valentine’s Day Events in Sacramento
Have you already made plans for Valentine’s Day? If not, don’t worry—the SacFoodies have put together a great list of Valentine’s Day specials happening in the Sacramento area.
Mikuni
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Mikuni’s and enjoy the $40 dinner for two and add a specially priced bottle of wine for just $10, $15 or $20 a bottle. The 4-course dinner for two allows you and your date to share an appetizer, two sushi rolls, an entrée and a dessert. The Valentine’s Day special is valid February 1-14, 2011 at all Greater Sacramento Mikuni and Taro’s by Mikuni locations. Visit Mikuni’s website to make reservations at the Mikuni location near you.
Spataro Restaurant and Bar
Enjoy Valentine’s Day in the sleek and contemporary environment of Spataro Restaurant and Bar. Spataro’s 3-course Valentine’s Day menu is$40 per person and consists of items like Tortellini en Brodo, Niman Ranch Beef Slow-Cooked in Red Wine and Bittersweet Chocolate, and Bombaloni (yeast risen donuts, warm chocolate and caramel sauces). Visit Spataro’s website to make reservations.
Cosmo Café
Whether you like beef, poultry or seafood, Cosmo Café has you and your date covered this Valentine’s Day. Miso-Glazed Mahi Mahi and Moroccan-Spiced Short Ribs are just a couple of the delicious dishes offered on the 3-course Valentine’s Day menu, available after 5pm, February 10-14 for just $30 per person. Visit Cosmo Café’s website or call (916) 446-9800 for reservations.
Esquire Grill
For $40 dollars per person, Esquire Grill offers a 3-course Valentine’s Day dinner that features a great selection of dishes, such as Seared Sea Scallops, Slow-Cooked Beef Short Rib, and Warm Apple Almond Bread Pudding. The Valentine’s Day menu is available after 5pm, February 10-14. Visit Esquire Grill’s website for reservations.
Melting Pot
Visit the Melting Pot for its annual “Stir Things Up” Valentine’s Day 4-course dinner. The Melting Pot has two Valentine’s Day dinner menus: a 4-course meal for $75 per person and a 5-course Lover’s Lane Package for $250 per couple. The Lover’s Lane Package includes a single rose, Champagne toast, extended private seating, and a souvenir photo. Both dinner options come with your choice of any Decadent Chocolate Fondue for dessert. Call (916) 443-2347 to make your reservations.
McCormick & Schmick’s (client)
“You Supply the Romance and We do the Rest.” In other words, McCormick & Schmick’s will do the leg work to help make planning a memorable Valentine’s Day easier than ever. McCormick & Schmick’s will not only be offering a romantic Valentine’s Day menu all weekend long (February 11-14, 2011), but any guest that makes a Valentine’s Day reservation will also be offered the “above and beyond” service. With this service, roses will be delivered to the table upon the guests’ arrival for dinner, and the flower cost can either be included on the dinner bill at the end of the evening or billed separately. Diners can also choose to add a unique touch by having a special personalized message included on their dinner menu or a personalized note card on the table at arrival. Dinner options include Lobster Ravioli, Seared Ahi Tuna, Hawaiian Seafood Trio (image below) and desserts. Valentine’s Day reservations can easily be made through McCormick & Schmick’s website or by calling (916) 442-8200 (Sacramento) or (916) 960-4875 (Roseville).
Ella Dining Room & Bar
Get ready to pop some bubbly at Ella Dining Room and Bar! Ella’s Valentine’s Day dinner special includes one bottle of champagne per couple, followed by a 4-course meal for $125 per person. For reservations call (916) 443-3772 or visit the website. Check out the SacFoodies review for more details about the delicious food and great ambiance at Ella’s.
Old Sugar Mill
If you happen to love chocolate and port, like the SacFoodies, be sure to visit the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg this weekend for its annual Port & Chocolate Lovers Weekend. From 11am to 5pm this Saturday and Sunday, seven wineries will showcase ports and chocolates for just $25 per person per day. Be sure to register online and secure your tickets in advance. Admission includes a commemorative wine glass, wine tastings at all seven wineries, barrel tasting, cellar tours, as well as chocolate and port tastings, entertainment, and more! For more info, visit the Old Sugar Mill website or call (916) 744-1615.
The Firehouse Restaurant
SacFoodies love The Firehouse Restaurant’s cuisine, so we definitely recommend visiting The Firehouse Restaurant for its 5-course Valentine’s Day dinner menu. For $115 per person, the Valentine’s Day dinner menu offers items such as Seared Ahi Tuna, Raspberry Quail, Roasted Beet Salad, Filet Mignon and more. There’s even a separate vegan and vegetarian Valentine’s Day menu. Visit The Firehouse online to make your reservations, or call (916) 442-4772.
Old Sacramento Hornblower
Celebrate Valentine’s Day aboard the Hornblower’s Sacramento Sweethearts Valentine’s Day Dinner Cruises. The dinner cruise includes a 3-hour cruise, 4-course dinner, open cocktail bar, and live entertainment. Tickets are $99 per person and the Valentine’s Day cruise is offered on both February 12th and 14th at 7pm. To make reservations, call (415) 788-7020.
And if you’d like to bypass the restaurant scene altogether to enjoy a private and romantic evening in, be sure to check out…
Citizen Hotel
The luxurious Citizen Hotel is spicing things up by offering a “sizzling package” this Valentine’s day. Upon arrival, guests will receive a bottle of Citizen Hotel’s very own Joie de Vivre Blended Herradura Tequila Reposado, along with a selection of local citrus and salts. Enjoy a basket of perfectly paired house-made tortilla chips and spicy salsa. And if that isn’t enough, they are even providing a scented candle, heated massage oil, and love dice.
The “sizzling package” also includes: one night of deluxe accommodation in one of the Citizen Hotel’s luxurious rooms and one night valet parking with in and out privileges. This special Valentine’s Day deal is available this Friday-Sunday for a one-night stay only. Rates start at $219 and reservations can be made online or by calling (916) 447-2700.
SacFoodies Preview: Sacramento Beer Week
Sacramento Beer Week
February 24 – March 6, 2011
Beer lovers, mark your calendar, raise your glasses and line up your designated drivers. The 2nd Annual Sacramento Beer Week promises both educational events and a whole lot of fun for both Sacramento-area enthusiasts and beer newbies.
With more than 200 events in Sacramento and the surrounding areas slated from February 24 – March 6, 2011, this year’s festival hopes to further tap into the rising popularity of craft beer. The goal, according to Dan Scott, executive director, of Sacramento Beer Week is to both educate and enlighten. “We want to expand the mind and palate for beer, food and our beer culture [in Sacramento],” said Scott.
Once known as the “The City of Saloons” thanks to Mark Twain, the Sacramento-area beer scene had been hit hard in recent years with established breweries like the Sacramento Brewing Company closing shop. Fortunately, the area has recently experienced a craft beer renaissance with new breweries like Auburn Ale House, Odonata Beer Company and Lockdown Brewing Company joining established stalwarts like Rubicon Brewing Company. In addition, there are two craft breweries planning to open shop locally in 2011, including Loomis Basin Brewing Company and Knee Deep Brewing Company from Reno, Nevada.
These breweries plus others from across the nation will all be featured at Sacramento Beer Week events in what according to Scott is “the best selection of beer ever seen at a beer festival in Sacramento.”
The festival kicks off the evening of February 24 at the Crocker Art Museum with the Sacramento Brewers Showcase. For $20.00, you can mingle with local brewers and taste local beers created exclusively for Sacramento Beer Week, including a low-gravity session beer from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, a black rye IPA from Lagunitas Brewing Company, and a Wee Heavy-style Pro-Am beer from Lockdown Brewing Company and Gold Country Brewers Association.
If you can’t make the showcase, you won’t want to miss the Capital Beerfest on March 5 from noon to 5:00 p.m. Featuring a compelling lineup of some of California’s best breweries (plus a couple of well known breweries from other states like Dogfish Head) this is sure to be a great event. It costs $30.00 for general admission and if you want a more exclusive experience, an extra $30.00 gets you VIP access and tastings.
For more information on Sacramento Beer Week, please visit http://sacramentobeerweek.com/
A 'Golden' Night for the SacFoodies
Two members of the SacFoodies team (Julie and Vanessa) got golden tickets to the FOX Golden Globes party this past Sunday on behalf of Black Swan Wines (client), the official wine sponsor for the evening’s festivities. Talk about giddy with excitement – we still have perma-grins! Not only were we thrilled about the wine’s role in the evening, we couldn’t wait to check out the celebs, the fashion and, of course, the food!
At The Bar: The four bars in the organza-draped, roof-top tent were fully stocked with an ample supply of four Black Swan varietals – Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Merlot and Shiraz – to toast this year’s nominees and winners. Celebrating with Black Swan wine was the perfect pairing for the evening in every way … even the wine bottle labels matched the rooms’ lighting and décor!
The Guests: The evening’s top celebs flocked to the soiree, like Natalie Portman with her award for best actress for her role in Black Swan, and Jane Lynch with her best supporting actress award for Glee. Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Carrie Underwood, Katey Segal, and most of the Glee and Modern Family casts made appearances as well.
The Food: Waiters warmly greeted each guest with libations and comfort fare from the moment we stepped inside. From Triple Decker Chili Cheese Quesadillas to Shitake Mushroom Tempura and Roasted Duck Empanadas with Candied Kumquat and Grand Marnier, you couldn’t escape the delectable offerings on hand-passed trays. The hors d’oeuvres and dinner buffets were created by Alan Jackson, executive chef and owner of Lemonade with four LA-area locations. Jackson is also known for his foray serving guests at the Screen Actor’s Guild Awards, Directors Guild of America, and TV Land Award show, among other clients.
Top Three Menu Sensations:
Vanessa’s Picks: the Mini Lobster and Shrimp “Corn Dogs” with Meyer Lemon Tartar Sauce; the Watermelon Radish, Ahi Tuna and Sesame Salad; and the Boysenberry-filled Donut Holes.
Julie’s Picks: the selection of cheeses including the Sierra Nevada Organic White Cheddar and the Cyprus Grove midnight moon Goat cheese; the Mombai Veggie Burger with Red Tomato Chutney and Nigellal-spiked Buns; and Cotton Candy Wrapped Frozen Chocolate Mousse!
Best ‘Golden’ Moment:
Vanessa: Anne Hathaway walked right by me and I must say she is absolutely stunning in person. And, by the way, her dress looked must better in person than it appeared on TV.
Julie: A “Gleeful” photo opp with Cory Monteith (Finn) and Mark Salling (Puck) of one of my favorite TV shows – Glee!
And the winners are…
Congratulations to Stacy and Reese for each winning 2 tickets to the El Dorado Wineries’ “Bring Out the Barrel” weekend!
On January 29th and 30th, more than 25 El Dorado wineries will open their cellars giving wine lovers the unique opportunity to talk with local vintners and learn about the winemaking process from vine to barrel to bottle. The weekend will also feature sales on wine, light food pairings and demonstrations. To view details on participating wineries and purchase tickets, visit www.ElDoradoWines.org.
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- …
- 30
- Next Page »