Parties

Super Bowl, Super Food

February 5, 2008 by SacFoodies

Ah, the Super Bowl. There are the much-discussed commercials, the irreverent half-time shows and – of course – the game itself. More and more, though, the Super Bowl has become about the food. Let’s be honest: Do we ask ourselves what we’ll do at the Super Bowl party? Nah. The question is always, “What will we eat?”
Some of you might be surprised by this admission, but I throw a Super Bowl party nearly every year. Yes, I know, it’s weirdly true. I have no favorite team; in fact, I don’t really follow football. Truth be told, I’m somewhat perplexed by the reverence most everyone I know shows for the Super Bowl. But, the fact of the matter is I’m married to a guy who’s a huge sports fan and whose birthday almost always lands on Super Bowl Sunday.
This year, my husband celebrated a milestone birthday, so I decided we needed to nice up the noshing a notch (try saying that three times fast!). Enter Chef Jerrad McConnell of Ashley Catering by Mandango’s, who produced the most mouth-watering BBQ menu that presented a little bit of something for everyone:

Tossed Baby Greens with Almonds, Cranberries,

Gorgonzola Cheese, and Champagne Dressing
Honey and Cilantro Slaw
__________
BBQ Pulled Pork
and
Garlic and Rosemary Grilled Sierra Steak
________
Grilled Corn on the Cob with Bacon Butter
Baked Three Beans with Ancho Honey BBQ
Roasted Baby Herbed Yukon Potatoes
Grilled Seasonal Vegetables
_______
Fresh corn muffins

He grilled the perfectly seasoned steaks so that they literally melted in the mouths of the birthday guests, who filed outdoors for seconds. The pulled pork was intensely flavorful and tender, and the corn on the cob – usually a summer treat – was an unexpected winter surprise. Tiny hands from the littlest birthday guests snatched corn muffins from a football-shaped dish, and the ladies in attendance scooped seemingly endless helpings of crisp salad, sweet coleslaw and seasoned grilled veggies.

I’m happy to report that the birthday boy could not have been more delighted – a spectacular game and delicious food – another perfect Super Bowl birthday.

New Year's Eve Parties

December 30, 2007 by SacFoodies

Looking for ideas on how to bring in 2008? Below are a few parties hosted by some of my favorite local restaurants that will be creating special menus for the holiday. From dry-aged rib eye steak with potato-garlic gratin and chanterelle mushrooms to all-you-can-eat sushi, you are sure to find a destination to satisfy both your appetite for great food and a good time.
Skyline at Esquire Grill
On the 14th floor of the Esquire Building, Skyline will be Sacramento’s highest New Year’s Eve party. Brought to you by TrevorPresents and Paragary Restaurant Group, the evening will begin with a four-course menu created by award-winning chef Kurt Spataro. After dinner, make your way up to the 14th floor, which has been transformed into an exclusive nightclub for just one night. You can dance the night away surrounded by the beautiful night lights of Sacramento and, of course, enjoy a champagne toast at midnight.
Time: Dinner: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Dancing: 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Location: Dinner – Esquire Grill, 1213 K Street
Dancing – 14th floor of the Esquire Building, 1213 K Street
Price: $125 per person will get you dinner and entry into the party on the 14th floor. If you want to go for just the dinner or just the party, tickets are $75 per person.
For more information, call 448-8900 or click here
Eye Candy at Taro’s By Mikuni
Taro’s By Mikuni is offering all-you-can-eat sushi from 10 p.m. to midnight with a complimentary shot glass for a sake toast at midnight. There will also be a raffle for:
• Free Sushi for one year (Value $780)
• Flat Screen TV (Value $500)
• Snowboard (Value $500)
Time: 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Location: Taro’s By Mikuni, 1735 Arden Way
Price: $60 per person
For more information call, (916) 576-2641 x30 or click here
Restaurant 55°
In celebration of the past and the future, Restaurant 55° is inviting you to join them for an evening of great food, wine and friends. In addition to its regular menu, Chef Luc will prepare a special tasting menu for the evening, which can be paired with wines hand-selected by wine director Kassidy Harris.
Time: Seatings between 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: Restaurant 55°, 555 Capitol Mall
Price: $85 per person; $120 per person (with wine pairing) or $100 per person for a table of four (includes tasting menu and one bottle of champagne for the table)
For more information, call 916.553.4100 or click here
Stardust at Spataro
Stardust is an elegant New Year’s Eve celebration at Spataro Ristorante where you can enjoy an exquisite four-course menu created by chef Kurt Spataro, named best chef by Sacramento Magazine. You can also listen to the smooth sounds of Lee Diamond, singing all your favorite Sinatra and Dean Martin hits. Enjoy an after-dinner cigar and cognac in the Cigar Lounge. Then, dance the night away to music spun by DJ Stephen Katz and enjoy a champagne toast at midnight!
Time: Dinner 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. and dancing begins at 10 p.m.
Location: 1415 L Street
Price: $75 per person
For more info, call (916) 440-8888 or click here

Mid-Thanksgiving-week Morsels

November 21, 2007 by SacFoodies

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.

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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

Craving Caramel Walnut Crunch Cake

November 2, 2007 by SacFoodies

Like most offices, we at FH Sacramento love an excuse to throw a party. Promotion? Let’s celebrate! Baby? Party time. Anniversary? Break out the piñata.

Therefore, every month we celebrate the birthdays of our colleagues with an afternoon pick-me-up that comes in the delicious form of cake from Freeport Bakery. It’s an office tradition to have the honored birthday men and women select the cake that we will all indulge in. Past picks include the “Fresh Fruit Tarts” and “Shadow Fresa” (one of my personal favorites), but this week we were lucky enough to try a brand new rendition, the “Caramel Walnut Crunch Cake.”

Just try saying the words “Caramel Walnut Crunch Cake” without allowing your mouth to water – it’s impossible! The layers of golden buttermilk cake are filled with creamy caramel and toasted walnuts – the perfect combination and crunch. And as if that weren’t enough to get your taste buds all riled up, a thin layer of chocolate and a layer of custard are added top it all off.

As fellow SacFoodie Kim Bedwell once said during an afternoon brainstorm, “Everyone wants a cookie around 3:00 in the afternoon!” Well I guess the same could be said about caramel walnut crunch cake (except it’s only 11:00 AM and I’m already craving the leftovers). I guess you could say we like to have our cake and eat it too!

Celebrating Our New Digs!

September 21, 2007 by SacFoodies

Every new office needs a party (even if you only moved across the street), and last night we did just that with good food and great guests to celebrate the office move of FH Sacramento.

The party kicked off with an informative (and often hilarious) food and wine pairing from David Mirassou, sixth generation winemaker and FH client, and David Katz from the Culinary Institute of America, Greystone. The Davids never fail to both amuse and educate and last night they treated our tastebuds to a couple of Mirassou varietals paired with savory bites from Culinary Specialists here in Sacramento. If you’ve had the pleasure of dining at Mulvaney’s B&L, you may also know they do catering through Culinary Specialists, and similar to my many visits to Mulvaney’s, Culinary Specialists did not disappoint. From appetizing canapés to perfectly sweet tarts, all our guests left sublimely satiated.

Speaking of guests, thanks to all who were able to join us. From old friends including the good people at Java City, Mirassou Winery, California Tree Fruit Agreement, California Grown, 500 N Street and AT&T to new friends such as our fellow bloggers at Sacatomato, SacRag and VanillaGarlic (thanks for the posting today Garrett — photos are gorgeous!), it was a delicious time had by all!

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Book Signing Tonight

Our favorite East Sac neighborhood hangout, The Shack, is hosting a book signing with Tom Myers from 6 – 8 p.m. Myers’ photography book, “Sacramento Impressions,” will be availble to purchase for $10, and there will be a special wine tasting with appetizers for $5.00.

The Shack
5201 Folsom Blvd.
457-5997