Activities – Page 19

March Foodie Events

March 5, 2010 by SacFoodies

Looking for some fun things to put on your schedule this month? Here are a couple local foodie events worth checking out!
Festa Della Donna – Festa Della Donna, also known as International Women’s Day in Italy, is coming up on March 8! What better way to celebrate womanhood than with your girlfriends, sisters, and mothers at Hot Italian? From 6 p.m. -9 p.m., women (and women only!) will be treated to free pizza tastings, $5 prosecco cocktails and wine, films featuring female fashion designers, and more. To get more background information on Festa Della Donna or to RSVP to the event, visit the event page, or call (916) 444-3000.
Epicure & Discoveries in Wine – If you feel like treating yourself to a night of indulgence and food education, Pajo’s Boutique Catering is collaborating with Anani Lawson of ATL Wine Consulting and Sommelier at The French Laundry Restaurant to bring together a fabulous night of food and wine on March 27. The evening will start with a cocktail and canapé reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by a formal seating.
Rare ingredients will be featured and cooking tips and recipes will be shared throughout the evening including menu items such as Royale De Foie Gras, Purebred Japanese Kurobuta, Medjool Daates, and Brilat Savarin. For more information, click here.

Soup Series: 7th Annual Empty Bowls Event

February 25, 2010 by SacFoodies

Like the warm & fuzzy feeling you get by reading “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” some of Sacramento’s favorite eateries are offering up soups that will warm your heart and your bowl.
Last week, the Sac Foodies had the opportunity to preview some of the soups planned for the 7th Annual Empty Bowls event – an initiative that combats hunger in Sacramento County while offering attendees a selection of the area’s best soups. A ticket to the March 8 or 9 event includes the choice of a beautifully crafted ceramic bowl made by local high school students and artisans, plus a gourmet soup serving from one of nine area restaurants. Benefiting Sacramento’s River City Food Bank, this popular event has been a sell-out in previous years.
For more info and a full listing of restaurants, click HERE.

In the meantime, here’s a little taste of what you can expect:

Liz Conant – “I was lucky enough to pick-up a to-go order of two delicious seafood soups from Scott’s Seafood: Scott’s Boston Clam Chowder and Crab Bisque. The chowder was perfectly creamy with just the right mix of clams and potatoes. And, I thought it was interesting that they use Sierra Nevada Pale Ale in the soup – can’t go wrong with that! The Crab Bisque was unique as it has quite a kick from the cayenne pepper. The crab tasted fresh and between both soups and the fresh bread they supplied for dipping, this was more than a filling meal for two, and perfect for a cold February evening.”

Christine Schunk – “Chef Shannan Berg at Café Bernardo does soup right. We tried the Potato Roasted Red Pepper Soup which was full of flavor and hearty enough to make a meal out of. Chef Berg let us know that the soup is even popular in the summer months – which says a lot for the high temps we reach here in Sacramento! Delish!”

Karlie Bettencourt – “I picked up the tortilla soup from the Vizcaya Pavilion and Mansion, a beautiful white mansion with a large water fountain in front and beautiful garden courtyard in back. As I made my way to the kitchen to get the soup I took in the scenery, and for a second I forgot I was in Midtown. It was tortilla soup – one of my favorites! The soup had large pieces of chicken and vegetables in it and was topped with delicious tortilla strips. There was a very homemade taste and quality to it.”

Cheers to Sacramento Beer Week 2010!

February 19, 2010 by SacFoodies

Whether you are a beer and wine connoisseur, love to support local products and businesses, or are just looking for something fun and different to do, next week is the week for you!
Monday marks the beginning of Sacramento Beer Week 2010! The week of events will celebrate Sacramento’s rich beer culture and will kick off with the Inaugural Gala, “A Salute to Sacramento Beer History,” at the historic Colonial Theater at 6 p.m. on Monday.
The week will bring beer dinners and food pairings, pint nights and brewery showcases, and beer specials and happy hours at places such as Brew It Up!, Rubicon Brewing Co., Pyramid Alehouse, 3 Fires Lounge, and L Wine Lounge, just to name a few.
In addition to the daily activities throughout the week, the Sacramento Hopheads will present a week-long scavenger hunt! While visiting Sacramento Beer Week events, contestants can collect items and photos proving their attendance for a chance to win some great prizes. Team sizes are limited to no more than four contestants and the official list of scavenger hunt items will be posted to the Web site on Sunday, February 21. Points will be tallied and winners chosen on Sunday, February 28 during the check-in party at The Shack from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m..
For more information about Sacramento Beer Week 2010 events, visit www.sacramentobeerweek.com.

Fat Tuesday!

February 16, 2010 by SacFoodies

It’s Mardi Gras and you know what that means…a lot of eating and celebrating. But why stop on Tuesday? Here is list of local celebrations that will fatten up your entire week.
McCormick and Schmick’s Seafood – Sacramento & Roseville (client): Celebrate Mardi Gras February 15-17 with McCormick and Schmick’s authentic New Orleans specials. Menu items include Crab Hush Puppies, Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya, Mini Oyster Po’ Boys, and Sausage and Shrimp Etouffee. Two very unique cocktails will also be available: Black Magic and Voodoo Buzz. (916) 442-8200

Mikuni– Join Mikuni’s Mardi Gras Masquerade at 8:00 p.m. to close on Tuesday, February 16. Mikuni will offer a special small bites menu which includes items such as a spicy tuna hand roll, edamame, and Freaky Fries. There will also be $5 Mardi Gras drink specials, free tableside entertainment, and of course, beads! (916) 447-2112

M!X Downtown– M!X Downtown is hosting a Mardi Gras Bash Wednesday, February 17. Described as “Bourbon Street meets L Street ,” enjoy $6 Hurricane’s, costume dancers, complimentary masks, balloons, and beads, all from the rooftop of M!X. Drink specials are available 9:00-11:00 p.m. (916) 442-8899
Barcode– Celebrate Mardi Gras with Barcode Nightclub and Lounge on Wednesday, February 17 and get free admission all night long. Postponing celebrating till the weekend? Barcode will also have a Fat Tuesday celebration Saturday, February 20. Enjoy $4 Southern Comfort drinks, $5 Hurricane’s, and free beads. For more information click here, or call (916) 929-0232.
The Park– Celebrate Mardi Gras at The Park on Friday, February 19. You can enjoy $6 Hurricane’s while listening to DJ Eddie Edul. We’ve been assured there will be plenty of beads to go around. For VIP bottle service reservations call (916) 442-7222.
Old Sacramento– Old Sacramento is celebrating Fat Tuesday by hosting a Mardi Gras Pub ‘n’ Grub Crawl on Saturday, February 20. Ten different Old Sacramento restaurants and bars will be participating in the celebration by each hosting their own entertainment and providing individual food and drink specials. There will also be lively street entertainment (a marching band!), beads, costumes and more. The celebration starts at 4:00 p.m. and everyone is invited to join in on the fun. To see a list of all participating restaurants and bars, click here, or call (916) 442-8575 for more information.

Valentine’s Day Specials at Local Restaurants

February 8, 2010 by SacFoodies

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! If you haven’t already made plans, have no fear, we’ve put together a list of local restaurants and their Valentine’s Day specials.
4^th Street Grille – Choose from two special Valentine’s Day dinner options: the Four Course Prix Fixe dinner for $85 per couple that includes one appetizer, two salads or soup, two entrees of your choice and one dessert to share or order a la carte from the 4^th Street Grille’s Valentine’s Day Dinner menu. For more information visit 4^th Street Grille or call (916) 448-2847.
Cosmo Café – Cosmo Cafés Valentine’s menu is available after 5p.m. from February 12-14 and includes a three course meal with menu items like asparagus, swordfish, and chocolate cake for $40 per person. Call (916) 446-9800 or visit Cosmo Café’s Web site for more information.

Delta King- Pilothouse Restaurant – Have a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner at Pilothouse Restaurant, Choose from two dining options for Valentine’s Day: a three course Twilight Dinner for $49 per person or a four course Pilothouse Valentine’s Dinner with a complimentary glass of champagne for $75 per person. Click here for reservations or call (916) 441-4440.
Ella Dining Room and Bar – Get ready to pop some bubbly at Ella Dining Room and Bar! Ella’s Valentine’s Day dinner special includes a bottle of champagne per couple, followed by three dinner courses, and a dessert for $125 per person. For reservations call (916) 443-3772 or visit Ella Dining Room.

The Firehouse Restaurant – The Firehouse Restaurant has a five course Valentine’s Day dinner menu with items like lobster bisque, filet mignon, pork tenderloin, and more for $115 per person –plus, there’s a separate vegetarian Valentine’s Day menu. Make reservations here or call (916) 442-4772.
Piatti – If you are a fan of Italian food, you’ll want to check out Piatti’s Valentine’s Day menu. For $60 per person you and your date can enjoy a four course meal, a glass of champagne, and Chocolate Budino or Prosecco Zabliogne for dessert. (916) 649-8885.
Plan B – If you want to really indulge this Valentine’s Day, Plan B has a Valentine’s menu that will allow you to do just that! For $55 each, you and your date can enjoy a four course meal with options like oysters, salmon, and cheesecake. (916) 483-3000
Spataro Restaurant and Bar – Enjoy Valentine’s Day in the sleek and contemporary environment of Spataro Restaurant and Bar. Spataro’s three course Valentine’s Day menu, $40 per person, consists of items like lobster risotto, duck, and chocolate-hazelnut cake. Click here for reservations.
Melting Pot – If you want to “stir things up” this Valentine’s Day, head over to the Melting Pot. The Melting Pot has two Valentine’s Day dinner menus: a four course meal for $75 per person and a five course Lover’s Lane Package for $250 per couple—includes a single rose, two splits of Chandon, extended private seating, and a souvenir photo. Both dinner options come with your choice of any of their Decadent Chocolate Fondue for dessert. (916) 443-2347

(Pictures courtesy of Flickr user _rockinfree)
Brew It Up – Hurry over to Brew It Up this Valentine’s Day because if you are one of the first 150 ladies through the door, you’ll get a rose!Their full dining menu will be served in addition to Valentine’s Day Dinner Specials and a 4 Course Special for $59 per couple that includes a shared appetizer, soup or salad, entrees, and desserts. Make reservations online or call (916) 441-3000.
Hornblower Cruise – Spend Valentine’s Day on the Sacramento River aboard one of Hornblower’s unique Valentine’s Day cruises. Hornblower will have a two hour Sacramento Cupid’s Valentine’s Brunch Cruise that includes sparkling wine and a full brunch buffet. Another cruise option: the three hour Sacramento Sweethearts Valentine’s Dinner Cruise that includes a four course meal. Cruise prices and availability vary. Call 1-888-HORNBLOWER, or visit their Web site.
Grange –Grange is offering three different Valentine’s Day dining options: three courses for $55, four courses for $65, and five courses for $75. You will also have the option to add cocktail and wine pairings to your meal.
McCormick and Schmick’s Seafood-Sacramento (client) – “Indulge Your Taste for Romance” and let McCormick and Schmick’s take care of the details. McCormick & Schmick’s will offer any guest that makes a Valentine’s Day reservation an “above and beyond” service in which the restaurant will order roses from a local florist to be delivered to the guests table upon arrival for dinner. Prices and exact flower arrangements vary by location, and guests will have the option to include the roses on their dinner bill or be billed separately. Additionally, each guest can request to have a special personalized message included on their dinner menu or a personalized note card on the table. Dinner options include Oyster Rockefeller, a filet combo, a lobster combo and desserts! Call (916) 442-8200 for reservations or book online here.