What is Food Literacy? It’s rooted in the same ideals as the “Farm-to-Fork” movement, but food literacy essentially refers to having an understanding of the impact our food choices make on our health, environment and community. This month, you can finally join the movement and get a real taste of what Food Literacy is all about!
For this month and this month only, 55 area restaurants have signed up to participate in this EatSmart: Dine & Donate Campaign to benefit the California Food Literacy Center. The center works to provide youth education programs to teach healthy eating habits and sustainability basics from an early age.
For every ticket purchased, these restaurants will donate a dollar to the cause. We checked out the list and were pleasantly surprised to see not only the variety, but the quality! Check out the list of participating restaurants here. So, if you needed another reason to eat out this week… you’re welcome!
Bacon & Butter
On a recent weekday a good friend and I met for lunch at this much buzzed about midtown establishment to see if it truly lives up to its name. We were not disappointed. Known for long lines at Sunday brunch, the lunch hour was nicely low-key with plentiful seating. We were in and out with time to spare, a necessary thing for a limited workday lunch break.
Chef and owner Billy Zoellin has definitely created a dynamic, palate tingling menu. I would expect nothing less from a chef that has learned from the who’s who of Sacramento restaurateurs – from Biba Caggiano to Randall Selland and Patrick Mulvaney. If that wasn’t enough, you can also catch him making duck confit club sandwiches and smocked slaw-and-sausage pizza for the Golden Bear on an episode of the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.” Did I mention he’s only 29?
Now, let’s dive into the food. Options abound on this seasonal, locally-sourced and sustainably-focused menu, making our decisions difficult. Do we go for the delectable sounding chicken and Andouille hash or b.l.t. omelet filled with heirloom tomatoes, bacon steak, watercress and brie? Or, do we stick to the so-called “lunchish” options of grilled cheese sandwich with five kinds of cheese or the panzanella salad? After much deliberation I picked the b&b burger and my friend chose the biscuit sandwich.
biscuit sandwich
b&b burger
Let me pause here and wipe the drool off my face. Ok, I’m back. I don’t throw accolades easily, but that burger was one of the best I’ve ever had. Zoellin masterfully builds flavor by combining freshly ground beef with just the right amount of bacon inside and on top. It’s juicy, perfectly seared, lightly seasoned and wonderfully balanced with the smoked aioli. Add in some crisp shallot rings and havarti cheese and let the “trip to Flavortown” begin as Guy Fieri would say. The side of smashed potatoes (masterfully poached, smashed then fried) is rustic yet light and unexpected. I’ve never had potatoes served like this and I can’t wait to try it at home.
My friend was equally enamored with her biscuit sandwich. The housemade biscuit barely holds in the Beeler’s bacon (the Beeler family has been making premium bacon for six generations), cheddar cheese blanket and caramelized onions. Top it off with an egg and chive mascarpone and you have a hearty breakfast that’s perfect for lunch. Yum.
Long story short, do not pass Go!, do not collect $200, but head directly to Bacon & Butter for an affordable farm-to-table menu. You won’t regret it!
Bacon & Butter
1119 21st St., Sacramento
(916) 346-4445
Farm-to-Fork at River City Brewing Company
By Jake Ferguson and Sarah Hamblen
We recently told you about River City Brewing Company’s Craft Beer Food Pairing Series, and luckily we were invited to attend, enjoy and share with you the fresh and flavorful menu and crisp beers.
Clockwise from top left: K. Street Kolsch and fresh-out-of-the-oven focaccia bread; Heirloom Tomato Sorbet with a bacon-cheese shortbread cookie; Albacore Tuna Salad paired with the Belgian White; Sweet and Sour Cherry Pork Tenderloin paired with the Cap City IPA; Salted Caramel Gelato paired with the Black River Stout.
The first course of our pairing was certainly unique! We were presented a cool and refreshing Heirloom Tomato Sorbet with a bacon-cheese shortbread cookie. I probably could have eaten shortbread cookies for all three courses. Yum! The beer pairing for this course was the K. Street Kolsch and, as Brewmaster Brennan Holmes explained, this German-style lager is known for its familiar ale yeast flavors and light color.
The second course consisted of albacore tuna atop crispy summer zucchini, mixed greens, corn, beets and yellow pear tomatoes, paired with the Belgian White. I couldn’t get enough of all the incredibly fresh and juicy ingredients, and the crisp Belgian White, tasting of orange peel and a hint of banana, paired perfectly.
Our final course (or so we thought) was a Sweet and Sour Cherry Pork Tenderloin with yellow and green summer beans placed on top of a stuffed red bell pepper filled with rice and sautéed onions. The presentation of the dish was great and the beer pairing was even better! The Cap City IPA has a malty backbone with citrus characters and incorporates cascade hops.
The grand finale came as a surprise in the form of Salted Caramel Gelato paired with the Black River Stout—also known as an adult version of a Root Beer float.
Two additional farm-to-fork dinners will be taking place in the coming months, so be sure to check back for your next opportunity to enjoy good eats and tasty beer! A portion of the proceeds will go to helping local Golden Retriever Rescue charity, Homeward Bound. Check them out on Facebook and enter their River Rendezvous Sweepstakes!
River City Brewing Company
545 Downtown Plaza #1115
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-448-1104
Wine Cheese & Bread Faire 2013 Giveaway: The Ultimate Gourmet Wine & Food Shopping Experience
What goes better together than wine, cheese and bread? We can’t think of anything! That’s why we are excited to announce that the Wine, Cheese and Bread Faire 2013 at the Old Sugar Mill is back.
Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4 from 11 to 5 pm, you can enjoy local cheese, bread and wine from 10 different wineries and shop for specialty chocolates, olive oils, nuts, coffees, teas, spices and other local products.
Visitors can also enjoy a picnic lunch with wine on the gorgeous outdoor patio while taking in live music and the delta breeze after wine tasting and shopping. You can also attend live, interactive cheese education discussions and participate in cheese making classes with advanced registration.
This year, the Faire is even more exciting with the Grilled Cheese Competition! Watch chefs from local restaurants compete as they craft their version of the best grilled cheese in the region and then purchase your favorite for lunch.
Tickets this year are $20 in advance, $25 at door and include a commemorative wine glass, thermo tote bag for cheese and complimentary tastings at ten different wineries during the day. Luckily for SacFoodies fans, we are giving away two tickets to this special event! To enter for your chance to win, comment below and tell us which type of wine you’d pair with a grilled cheese: white or red?
Old Sugar Mill
35265 Willow Avenue
Clarksburg, CA 95612
916-744-1615
Chef's Coffee Challenge
We have exciting news for all of you coffee connoisseurs – Sacramento’s Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters is hosting the first ever, Chef’s Coffee Challenge at their newest East Sacramento location on Saturday, July 27th at 6:30 p.m. where one of Sacramento’s hottest chefs, Aimal Formoli of Formoli’s Bistro will prepare a four-course dinner and incorporate coffee as an essential ingredient within each course. The enticing menu will be not be revealed until the night of the dinner.
The idea of hosting a Chef’s Coffee Challenge blossomed when Chef Aimal and Chocolate Fish Coffee owners, Edie and Andy Baker, were conducting a coffee tasting and got inspired from the intrinsic flavors of sweetness and fruit acidity found in the coffee. The three coffee-lovers began to discuss how different coffee brewing methods created a variety of flavors that could complement the taste of various foods.
Combining Chef Aimal’s culinary talent with Chocolate Fish Coffee’s high-quality beans seemed to be a match made in food heaven. Coffee lover or not, this is a one-of-a-kind dinner party you won’t want to miss.
Tickets are $50 each and seating is limited to 30 guests so make your reservations now at (916) 710–1023 or by visiting the newest Chocolate Fish Coffee location at 4749 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA.
When: Saturday, July 27th at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Chocolate Fish, 4749 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA
Admission: $50 – Limited Seating Available
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