Each year the Downtown Sacramento Partnership produces “Dine Downtown Restaurant Week.” For 10 days only, local chefs at 30 restaurants create special three-course dinner menus for only $30 per person. The Partnership contacted the SacFoodies and asked if we would like to review a preview at a participating restaurant. Of course we all jumped at the idea of this generous opportunity but lucky for me I was chosen. I did not have a restaurant preference so the Partnership selected the Firehouse Restaurant in Old Sacramento and made reservations for me and my husband.
Although I’ve lived in Sacramento for 11 years, I’ve never been to the Firehouse Restaurant. Not for any particular reason other than I just had not made my way over to that part of town. So, needless to say, I had no expectations or opinion, other than my husband’s faint memory of a company party some five years ago.
Upon arrival I was moved to the sublime by the historical beauty and exquisite décor. With the high ceilings, beautiful chandeliers and walls lined with rich mahogany, I could just picture Artie Samish in the corner smoking a cigar with Governor Merriam discussing slush funds. We were promptly seated in a back corner booth with a view of the entire restaurant, in my opinion; it was the best seat in the house.
The Dine Downtown menu provided us with a choice between soup or salad, four entrées and two desserts. I chose the mixed green salad, chicken forestiére and chocolate cheescake while my husband enjoyed the lobster bisque, pork tenderloin and lemon bar.
What they don’t mention on the menu are the special accoutrements provided in between courses. The amuse bouche, French for a tiny bite-sized morsel traditionally served before the first course of a meal, consisted of delicately prepared carrots and beets, topped with caviar, curly parsley and crystallized lemon peel, accompanied by crème fraiche. The intermezzo, Italian for a composition which fits between other musical or dramatic entities, but in this case a meal; was a lemon cucumber sorbet. The flavor brought me right back to a soothing, calm place such as a day spa when cucumber water is provided after a luxurious massage. A perfect treat to enjoy before my main course.*I could go on and on about every taste, sensation, enjoyment and pleasure but I want to save that experience for you. Just know the attention to detail in each course was faultless. The service was beyond expectations. The passion that went into creating and preparing the menu was entirely evident in the execution of every course. Not one stone went unturned. Words cannot describe their success so please, use your imagination and enjoy the photos above and wish the Internet could fulfill your senses of taste and smell.
A very special thank you to the Executive Chef, Deneb Williams; Pastry Chef, Jill Berger; our server John and Megan at the Downtown Sacramento Partnership.
Dine Downtown Restaurant Week begins January 7 and runs through January 16. Please visit www.downtownsac.org for a list of participating restaurants and menus. You can also check out our review of The Firehouse Restaurant’s lunch menu here.
SacFoodies was provided two complimentary meals and was not compensated for this review.
*Please note the Amuse Bouche and Intermezzo are subject to change.
The Golden Bear to be featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives"
Tonight at 6:00 p.m. the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives will be featuring Sacramento’s popular restaurant The Golden Bear on episode 1101 “Pub Grub and More.”
The show’s host, Guy Fieri, selected three Golden Bear menu items to feature for the show: sausage and smoked slaw pizzetta, a French Vietnamese sandwich called a pork bahn mi, and “THE Taco.” Coincidently, when the SacFoodies reviewed the Golden Bear recently, we also chose the sausage and smoked slaw pizzetta and “THE Taco.” If you would like to see what we thought before Fieri throws in his two cents, check out our review.
After you watch the show, head to The Golden Bear at 7:00 p.m. to celebrate!
The Golden Bear
2326 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 441-2242
Crocker Cafe, Sacramento
The Crocker Café was recently named one of The Sacramento Bee’s 10 Brightest Lunch Stars for 2010. And it’s no wonder. The eatery, run by restaurateurs Bobbin and Patrick Mulvaney (of the farm-to-table fresh, Zagat-rated Mulvaney’s B&L), boasts an expansive dining space across the light-flooded Friedman Court in the Crocker Art Museum’s recent $100 million expansion.
When it comes to art, everyone’s a critic. And when it comes to food, we’re certainly no different. And so, surrounded by soaring, floor-to-ceiling windows and towering Oceanic art that resembled intricately carved totem poles, our intrepid team of SacFoodie power-lunchers tucked in for a taste of the café’s array of elevated offerings.
Brooke on the kabocha squash ravioli with figs
I love this time of year for a multitude of reasons. The air is crisp, there’s snow in the mountains and Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale is on tap again. It is also happens to be the peak season for squash. So naturally, my inner Italian was delighted to find that the Crocker Café offered Pasta Dave’s kabocha squash ravioli with figs, sage and brown butter as part of its lunch menu (kabocha is a Japanese variety of winter squash that tends to be sweeter than butternut squash). Though the entrée was served slightly colder than I would have liked (it was a busy day at the café), I thought the tastes, colors and textures were fabulous. The figs were perfectly sweet, the sage crunchy yet not overwhelming, and the pasta was al dente. The kabocha squash provided a burst of subtle flavor inside each raviolo. While pasta can be a heavy dish for lunch, I found this to be a delectable winter treat.
Jon on the beef sandwich, spinach salad and Cheerwine
It usually comes down to me and a cheeseburger. Usually. Unless of course I’m in the midst of a post-holiday battle of the bulge. And so on this rain-soaked Tuesday, a healthier option caught my eye (sorry, Niman Ranch). Still sticking to my bovine craving, I opted for the café’s pre-made, chili-rubbed Wagyu beef sandwich on wheat with New York white cheddar, Del Rio arugula and horseradish cream mayo. I paired this with a spinach salad dotted with spiced pecans (hello!), Shaft’s blue cheese crumbles, dried cranberries and roasted shallot vinaigrette. The sando was wholesome and indeed creamy; the wheat bread had that great, nutty, whole-grain flavor I love. I usually eat like there’s no tomorrow, so I’m glad I also opted for the spinach salad whose spiced pecans were little treasures hidden throughout the leafy bed of greens. I would eat those babies by the handful if I could.
And let’s not forget about the Cheerwine. The gleeful lady at the cash register was so excited for me to try the sugar-cane sweetened soda in a retro-cool glass bottle. I had never heard of it. But that’s because the cherry-flavored beverage (bottled since 1917) is indigenous to the South—Virginia and the Carolinas to be exact, with small distribution throughout the U.S. (also: Norway?). Check out this intense little fan site that tracks where enthusiasts can find Cheerwine across the country. Thanks to this SacFoodie—and Cheerwine convert—Crocker Café is on the map now, too!
Liz on the curried crimson lentil soup with bread
It was a chilly and rainy day when we visited the Crocker Café, so the soup special, curried crimson lentil soup with pumpkin seeds and mint pesto, immediately called my name. This soup did not disappoint—what I really liked about it was it had just enough spice and texture that I didn’t get bored eating it (which sometimes happens with soup!). We also ordered a side of fresh bread from Grateful Bread which was perfect for dipping and rounded out my meal.
Cristina on the white bean and ham soup with bread
As you may know, Mulvaney’s is one of my favorite restaurants in Sacramento, so when I heard they opened a café in the new Crocker Art Museum, I couldn’t wait to try their carte du jour. It was a cold and rainy day so I decided to snuggle up with a good ole fashioned cup of soup and bread. They offer a quarter-loaf of bread from Grateful Bread with balsamic vinegar and California extra virgin olive oil, so I split it with Liz and ordered a cup of their white bean and ham soup. The soup was great—nice big chunks of ham and a hint of cracked black pepper. I will definitely go back!
Vanessa on the chicken breast salad
With New Year’s resolutions kicking in and forcing me to make healthier eating choices, I figured I would forgo the burger and fries for the Petaluma chicken breast salad. Sometimes choosing lighter fare can be a disappointment, but taste-wise this salad was right on par with any carb-cramming menu item. The lettuce was crisp and buttery, lightly tossed in a tangy, Shaft’s blue cheese dressing, adorned with apple slices, a few sugar-covered cranberries, and paired with a breast of chicken. This was the perfect guilt-free choice that tasted great and left me feeling satisfied.
Crocker Café dining tips
It was exhilarating to step in from the rain and find the dining court—and museum—bustling with patrons. We’re told it was the café’s busiest day yet, most likely because many people had taken time off over the holidays to visit the Crocker. The location is indeed picture-perfect, especially for downtowners looking for a nice change of venue from their usual lunch haunts. If you’re grabbing a pre-made item to go (like the Wagyu beef sandwich), you should be in and out with ease. But for busy days when you want to eat in, it’s best to come with a buddy who can serve as lookout for table openings while you order at the counter. Reward your partner (or yourself) with a tasty treat from the café’s small, Thiebaud-like dessert counter and soak in the people-watching in the Friedman Court’s vast, light-flooded expanse.
Crocker Café
216 O Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 808-1865
Panera Bread Bakery-Cafe
Today, new menu items debut at Panera Bread Bakery-Café, along with some returning holiday favorites. On Monday, the SacFoodies had an opportunity to feast on these new menu items, which included the Natural Steak Chili with Sweet Cornbread Crumble, Cornbread Muffins, Mint Crinkle Cookies, Peppermint Mocha, Peppermint Hot Chocolate, Frozen Peppermint drink, Holiday Bread and Cranberry Walnut Panettone. (Um, yes, we do love our jobs!)
Here’s what we thought:
Liz Conant:
The Panera Bread delivery to the office was a perfect way to kick off the week. We all sampled a bit of everything including Steak Chili with Cornbread, Macaroni and Cheese (can you say heaven??), and an assortment of cookies, sandwiches, baked goods and even hot and cold seasonal beverages. But what really kept me sneaking back to the kitchen for more was the Holiday Bread, a sweet egg dough mixed with honey, golden raisins, cranberries and chocolate chips and then filled with chopped apples and cinnamon sugar and drizzled with icing on top. It’s a well-known fact that food usually doesn’t last long around this office, so it’s no wonder the whole loaf was gone in a matter of hours!
Vanessa Smith:
I’ve always been a fan of Panera Bread since my days of living in Atlanta, so I was thrilled when they started popping up in Sacramento about six years ago. Over the years, I’ve tried many different things on Panera’s menu and of course found a few go-to favorites, but I had yet to feast on their Macaroni and Cheese until the other day and, boy, was I bummed when I realized I was missing out on that ooey-gooey shell pasta goodness all this time! It easily makes its way to the top of my mac ‘n cheese list (which is really saying something since I consider myself a true connoisseur)!
Cecily Fuller:
I can’t pinpoint exactly when it happened, but at some point over the last few years Panera became my go-to source for chicken noodle soup during the winter. It never fails to warm me up on those all-too-common rainy Sacramento winter days, and I love the fact that I can trust the ingredients to be fresh and all-natural. So, my ears (and appetite) definitely perked up when I heard mention of another promisingly tasty and comforting winter menu option from Panera: All-Natural Steak Chili with Cornbread. The combo of slow-cooked brisket slices, ground beef and veggies topped with cornbread crumbles is the epitome of comfort food for me and will undoubtedly make its way into my winter soup rotation this year!
Edie Campbell-Urban:
One of my favorite things about November is when all the seasonal holiday drinks become available. I just can’t seem to get enough of that warm peppermint flavor. When Panera Bread invited us to taste some of their holiday specialties, I jumped at the chance to taste their peppermint mocha and I was not disappointed! Not only did it wake me up with its caffeine kick, but it also tasted exactly like a chocolate peppermint candy bar. It is safe to say I have discovered my morning mocha of choice :).
John Armato:
The Mint Crinkle Cookie is a cookie that takes me back to my childhood. Not delicate and nuanced. Not subtle and sophisticated. Not refined or reserved. Just big bites of mouth-filling chocolate mushy goodness. When you’re a kid, cookies should be soft. They should be rich. They should make a mess of your mouth and leave a trail on your fingers. They should be big and fun and make you grin. That’s what this cookie is and does. It isn’t so much a cookie as it is the very definition of “cookie.”
To say we enjoyed Panera’s new menu and holiday foods would be a vast understatement. We loved them! In fact, I’m having trouble deciding which item was my favorite, since I couldn’t get enough of the chili, the cornbread muffins, the holiday bread or the chocolaty mint crinkle cookies.
If you’re now wishing you could have Panera delivered to your office for a meeting or special occasion, wait no longer. Simply call Shauna in Catering (916.770.9333), and she’ll have everything delivered to your door. They’ve catered everything from a 5 person to a 1,500 person event – now that’s a lot of crinkle cookies!
We love Panera’s food, and we also love their commitment to providing food to the needy in our community. They are an important partner to Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, raising $20,000 each year, as well as donating both their time and bakery items.
If you’d like to try this new yummy Panera goodness, you’re in luck as there are now 7 locations in the Sacramento area. An 8th location will open on Thursday, December 2 in Citrus Heights at the corner of Sunrise Blvd. and Greenback Lane, which will be their first drive-thru location on the west coast. Let’s just say I know where I’ll be on December 2nd – I hear some mint crinkle cookies calling my name.
Sacramento:
3571 North Freeway Boulevard
Sacramento, CA 95834
2731 Del Paso Road
Sacramento, CA 95835
3328 El Camino Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95821
901 Howe Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95825
Elk Grove:
8519 Bond Road
Elk Grove, CA 95624
Roseville:
1850 Douglas Boulevard
Roseville, CA 95661
916 Pleasant Grove Boulevard
Roseville, CA 95678
Citrus Heights: (opening Dec. 2)
7901 Greenback Lane
Citrus Heights, CA 95610
Golden Bear, Midtown
If you haven’t noticed from past posts, we’re big fans of The Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives . I must admit that I live vicariously through Guy Fieri and his ventures to the nation’s lesser-known restaurant gems. So, when I heard that Guy would be making a visit to Midtown’s very own Golden Bear I knew I had to scope out the menu. After all, it was news to me that the fare at this popular Midtown spot spanned beyond your typical bar food!
A few friends and I took advantage of one particularly nice Summer evening and wandered down to Golden Bear to see if the menu would live up to the hype. We were not disappointed.
Don’t let the size of the menu fool you. Small, yet packed with mouthwatering, unique choices, it will leave you stumped on what to order. After much debate, I decided on “THE” Taco, two corn tacos filled with slow simmered chicken, house chili rub, shredded lettuce, cotija and pasilla creama. Success.
My dining partners took the recommendation of our server and ordered the Sausage and Smoked Slaw Pizza and the Juicy Lucy Burger. Two more successes for the books.
The Smoked Slaw pizza was an unexpected combination of pizza dough topped with home-made sausage, smoked slaw and red onion marmalade. I had to finagle my way to try a bite of this, but once I got a taste, fully understood why anyone would be reluctant to share!
The Juicy Lucy Burger deserves an award, a show or some sort of recognition all on its own. House-ground Niman Angus stuffed with fontina, bacon confit, Jameson-glazed onions, avocado and lettuce served with house-made kettle chips. Need I say more?
Golden Bear also serves a weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. with menu options that sound just as promising as the weekday menu. Needless to say, I’ll be back to Golden Bear over and over until I make my way through the rest of the menu. Then, I’ll be back to start all over again!
Golden Bear
2326 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 441-2242