Even though fall has officially begun, you wouldn’t know it judging by the weather here in Sacramento! The Sac Foodies plan to continue to take advantage of our climate’s still-sunny disposition – and you should, too – by soaking up the courtyard dining atmosphere in and around town. Rick Kushman, The Sacramento Bee’s “Good Life” columnist and wine/foodie extraordinaire, deputized us to go forth and eat (no objections here!) at a few restaurants with little-known courtyards. Every day this week we’ll introduce you to one of the handful of restaurants Rick suggested we try. We can guarantee you’ll learn about patios around town that you never knew existed!
Leave us a comment below or on our Facebook page if you’d like to share a restaurant courtyard you like!
A Memorable Meal at Mulvaney’s
A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to be treated to a very belated birthday dinner at a local restaurant that I’d been dying to try: Mulvaney’s B&L. Having heard that the restaurant has a great patio dining area, we requested an outdoor table when we made our reservation. Since it was also Second Saturday, we were able to enjoy the buzz of people walking by and the smell of Mulvaney’s homemade sausages on the grill out in front of the restaurant. Right away, our server came out with an amuse bouche for us to try: fresh fig, goat cheese and balsamic glaze on top of a homemade (I think!) cracker. Yum!
Clearly it put us in the mood to eat because we went ahead and ordered two appetizers: a caprese salad with housemade mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, balsamic glaze and local olive oil AND housemade tortellini with artichoke, corn and parmesan. The mozzarella came out warm and pulled apart easily – hands down one of the best caprese salads I’ve had! The tortellini was delicious as well – there’s just nothing like homemade pasta. I was tempted to order another of both but decided to focus on the entrees instead.
For my entree, I had the grilled halibut which was served with a frisee salad and polenta cake. My dining companion went with the pork chop which was served atop a corn spetzel with heircot vert on the side. I have to say, the polenta and the spetzel were amazing. Not that the halibut and pork weren’t great too, but I could have gone home happy with just a plate of polenta and spetzel!
For round three, it was on to dessert. As soon as we read the funny dessert menu, we knew we had to order the dish called “The Dude Abides” (an ode to the movie The Big Lebowski). The Dude Abides consists of panna cotta in the shape of a bowling pin and a chocolate covered macaroon bowling ball. Even I, someone who does not love coconut by any means, loved this dessert.
Great service and fresh, homemade menu items make Mulvaney’s a place that I’d love to return to again….and again.…it really is too bad that birthdays only come once a year!
Mulvaney’s B&L
1215 19th St
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 441-6022
Patio Dining Series: Brunch at Paesano’s Pronto
Going out to brunch on a weekend morning is one of those things that seems to come and go in phases for me. I either find myself going every weekend, or not going for months. Right now I’m thinking it’s time to pick the trend back up not only because the weather is just right for a leisurely Saturday or Sunday brunch, but also because I’ve been hearing about all kinds of new places to go for weekend breakfast. When I heard that Paesano’s Pronto (the more casual sister restaurant to the main Paesano’s on 18th & Capitol Ave) was now serving brunch, I thought to myself, “Wait, isn’t that a take-out pizza place?” I proceeded to investigate by checking it out for brunch last weekend and couldn’t have been more wrong! Upon arrival, we found lots of diners filling in the patio seating, enjoying Sunday morning mimosas with their egg dishes.
Following along with the “Pronto” theme, there is no table service. You simply order at the counter, take a number, and find your own seats. Works for me, plus there’s no time spent waiting for the check at the end of the meal. I was conflicted (as usual) between ordering the Huevos Rancheros, the Italian Benedict or the Breakfast Panini, but in the end the Panini won out.
Served on grilled bread with scrambled eggs, applewood smoked bacon, roasted turkey, swiss cheese and roasted red pepper, this was my kind of breakfast sandwich! A hearty serving of house potatoes accompanied the dish.
My dining companion went with the Chorizo Hash, a spicy dish which included potatoes, chilies, peppers, onions all grilled with chorizo and topped with two eggs and hollandaise!
I thought our meal was delicious and I would definitely go back, both for the yummy food and great patio seating. It’s official – I’m back on the brunch bandwagon!
Paesano’s Pronto
16th & O Streets Sacramento, CA
916-444-5850
Patio Dining Series: R Street Eats and Drinks (oh- and a Giveaway!)
By now I assume everyone has at least heard about the redevelopment of the R Street corridor, if not yet visited themselves. With new restaurants and hot hangouts like Burger’s & Brew, R15, The Shady Lady and Magpie Caterers Market & Café, the short strip of R Street between 14th and 15th Streets is certainly becoming a draw for midtown regulars and the after-work crowd, alike.
Ideal for Sac’s warm summer nights, this strip is a patio-diner’s haven. Each locale features a decent amount of outdoor sidewalk seating and of course, serves up refreshing beverages to help beat the heat.
I recently visited Magpie Caterers Market & Café to do a menu tasting – my fiancé and I have been looking into them to cater our wedding in November. Our tasting actually consisted of many items that are on the Café’s regular menu and we were extremely impressed. The Farmstead Cheese and Fruit Plate was heavenly – fantastic as a wedding hors d’oeuvre or plate to share over a glass of wine with friends at the café after a long day of work. From the Petaluma Chicken with Sweet Wine and Grapes to the Central Valley Black Rice, Magpie focuses on fresh local ingredients combining to create simply delectable seasonal flavors. Co-owners Ed and Janel took the time to carefully explain the sourcing of ingredients for each dish and one can’t help but appreciate their passion for sustainability.
Following the tasting we grabbed a bottle of Amador County wine from Magpie (yes, all of their wines, beers and even a mighty fine blood orange hard cider are locally sourced, as well) and parked ourselves on the café’s sidewalk patio to enjoy the great weather, discuss a few wedding plans (can’t get away from it!) and enjoy the bustling R Street ambiance.
Since we’re kicking off our Patio Dining series, comment below or on our Facebook page and tell us what your favorite patio dining spot in Sac is to win a Zagat guide! Get your comments in by Tuesday at Noon and we’ll announce the winner that afternoon.
Hawks, Granite Bay
I don’t know about you, but when I was a girl, Sunday dinner was a pretty big deal. Unlike the school week, when dinner had to be more casual due to after-school activities and homework, we looked forward to the big Sunday meal my Mom planned. Whether we grilled steaks or enjoyed a slow-cooked pork stew, the meal began and ended with something especially delicious. This was not a fly-by-night affair, but a family event – a time to slow down and enjoy before the craziness of the week began yet again.
I found myself remembering these moments last Sunday, when I had my first opportunity to eat at Hawks in Granite Bay. I enjoyed their mouth-watering version of Sunday Supper on their serene patio. I love that they’ve resurrected a tradition for those who either choose not to cook or are too busy to do so on Sundays.
The Sunday Supper menu changes each week, based on what’s in season and readily available, so check out their web site for current menus. On the menu this past Sunday, I enjoyed:
• Delta asparagus gratinee (perfectly cooked with a nutty buttery flavor)
• Carnaroli risotto with spring vegetables and parmesan (with unbelievably sweet and gorgeous heirloom carrots)
• Grilled Berkshire pork ribeye with chickpeas and roasted peppers (the smoky flavor of the meat melded beautifully with the sweet roasted peppers, a nice foil to the slightly bitter greens)
• Strawberry soup with crème fraiche gelato and mint syrup (need I say more?!)
This inclusive menu was $35 (each Sunday, the price range is between $35-40), and for Sunday Suppers, the wine list is 25% off. Kids who’d like to experience the Sunday Supper menu can dine for $20, or if you have a picky eater (like I do), you can order standard kid fare (chicken fingers, burgers) for between $6-9.
If you haven’t been to Hawks, you must go. Located in the Quarry Ponds Center, Hawks is fine dining in a beautiful setting. But don’t let the fine dining moniker fool you – kids are most welcome, as are the flip-flop crowd returning from a jaunt at the lake.
Hawks offers both indoor and outdoor dining. The interior is a gorgeous mix of marble, slate blue velvet and black. The patio is a great place to lounge with a cocktail or two next to the fire pit and fountain, or relax and eat with the rolling hills and pond in the background.
Hawks also offers a special incentive at quarryponds.com: you can purchase a gift card for Hawks at 25% off. For example, if you purchase a $50 gift certificate, it costs only $38.
Like its chef/owners, Michael and Molly Fagnoni (and adorable Lucy), Hawks is a memorable and enjoyable mix of culinary artistry and comfort. This week’s menu looks unbelievably delish (I may have to go this Sunday, too!). Or, if you’d like to treat your mom, grandmother or other special woman in your life to a wonderful meal, make reservations for Mother’s Day.
Hawks
5530 Douglas Blvd., Suite 110
Granite Bay, CA 95746
916-791-6200
Drop us a line and tell us about your Sunday dinner traditions.