Sacramento Suggestions

[Varmint]

I unexpectedly have to be in Sacramento on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week, and after looking through the California threads, learned that there hasn't been much in the way of recommendations for Sac-town restaurants. I will have an In 'n Out Burger, of course. Low end food is most appreciated, as well as solid taquerias.

Thanks in advance.

[CityCook]

I was born & raised in sac-town. I work at a very nice restaurant called The Slocum House, in Fair Oaks (suburb of Sacramento). Other than that, Andiamo, Moxie's, Ettore, Biba's, Mace's, and The Firehouse spring to mind as good ones. I'm such a cool guy, look at what I'll do for you:

http://www.slocum-house.com/

http://www.sacandiamo.com/

http://sacramento.dealsonhotels.com/detail...9503434&refid=1

http://www.biba-restaurant.com/

http://sacramento.citysearch.com/review/12...ditorial_review

http://www.firehouseoldsac.com/

[CityCook]

oh, you said low-end food?

oops.

how about Tres Hermanas, 24th St. at K St., or Bon Air Market for great sadnwiches? 28th at J St.; both are downtown.

[Varmint]

Thanks a ton! I'll be northeast of town for most of the time (Rocklin?), but will head into town if we can.

[ExtraMSG]

I did a bit of a taco crawl in Sacramento not too long ago. They've got some good options. You can find it on Chowhound, here:

http://www.chowhound.com/california/boards...sages/9814.html

Definitely go up Franklin and you'll find plenty of great little spots. I would highly suggest these:

Carniceria Lopez

La Esperanza

Mexicana or Esperanza panaderias.

Also, if you're up on 80 at all, try Zarape. I really like that place.

The below crawl thread has some excellent information as well. Mariscos Mazatlan seems like a good option if you like seafood with a Mexican accent:

http://www.chowhound.com/california/boards...ages/10151.html

[rshorens]

If I may add my own inquiry, I am seeking a restaurant near, or not far by car from, the Sacramento Convention Center that will accommodate a group of 30-40 people in March. We would like excellent food and atmosphere and are willing to pay a reasonable price for it. Would any of the above recommendations be appropriate? If not, any other suggestions? Thanks!

Roz

[Varmint]

I did try Zarape and had an In 'N Out Burger for the first time in my life. Both places were very favorable -- three tacos from Zarape: asada, adovada, and carnitas. The adovada was my favorite as the marinade gave it a ton of flavor. I think I had the carnitas on a day where the meat was a day too old. It just lacked the freshness that I'd prefer. The asada was nice and porky! The salsas were fine, but not nearly as piquant as I suspected.

The burger was quite good, but the meat of a single was overwhelmed with the lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions and bun. I should have ordered the double double. I will say that the grilled bun is a major plus.

Oh, I also went to the Olive Garden for the first time in my life. My parents only wanted to go to chain restaurants, and because I was there for a funeral (my Mom's younger brother), I wasn't going to fight that battle. I'm glad I waited so long to visit an Olive Garden, and I know it will be some time until I visit again (although the mussels I ate weren't that bad).

[Mudpuppie]

If I may add my own inquiry, I am seeking a restaurant near, or not far by car from, the Sacramento Convention Center that will accommodate a group of 30-40 people in March. We would like excellent food and atmosphere and are willing to pay a reasonable price for it. Would any of the above recommendations be appropriate? If not, any other suggestions? Thanks!

Roz

Celestin's would be a good choice. It's got good Caribbean food in a nice space. Can be noisy, though.

[tanabutler]

Darn, I wish I'd seen this, Varmint.

A chef at The Waterboy restaurant in Sacramento attended two or three farm dinners this season, and I would have sent you to her place.

As far as Mexican food goes, one of the best places I've ever been (in twenty plus years of living in California) is in Dixon, very near Sacramento.

(As posted at Readerville shortly after my visit there...)

It's called "Mr. Taco Restaurante Mexico." It's right across the street from the Carl's Jr., and has the feel of a 1950s roadside diner. Inside, it's cool and dark, and the walls are covered with old photographs of Mexican movie stars, weddings, and families. The menu is handwritten on the dry-erase board with charming spellings like "APPETIIZERS" and "BEFFSTEAK."

I got a Super Burrito with the grilled chicken: rice, beans, lettuce, guacamole, sour cream and some kind of juicy sauce (which was probably just from the bird). It was so flavorful and huge: it took two of us to eat the whole thing. I think it was $4.99.

[Varmint]

I was stuck in the Rocklin area, northeast of Sac-town, so my options were limited. The reception to the funeral was held at this B&B that had a citrus orchard. I think I ate about 8 tangerines off of one tree. I've never eaten freshly picked citrus fruit before, and damn, it was awesome.

[jfdulac]

Roz,

Regarding your question about a restaurant capable of accommodating a group of 30-40: It may be too late to book, since you'd need almost the entire room (I think it seats around 45), and it also may be too expensive...but there's a demonstration restaurant in Sacramento called The Kitchen that's worth investigating. Unique dining experience, to be sure, with great food and a most memorable atmosphere. Strong California-centric wine list, too, that's very fairly priced. It's about a 10-minute drive from the Convention Center. http://www.thekitchenrestaurant.com/

Another possibility is an off-the-beaten kind of place that's closer to the Convention Center, called Moxie. American comfort food, though there's a slight Asian influence. Long, narrow room that might max out with your group. The owner-hosts are a trip. The portions are huge. There is a rather boring looking menu, with meatloaf, chicken w/artichokes and that sort of thing. But it's all about the specials, of which there tend to be around eight. The fish is usually good (love the hazelnut-crusted seabass when they have that), and they do beef tenderloin, braised short ribs and lamb pretty well. 916-443-7585

If your group is into Asian food, there's a gem of a Thai place a few blocks from Moxie called Thai Basil. I think they'd be able to accomodate 30-40 there. It's not a remarkable-looking room by any stretch, and the food isn't as suplerlative as what you'd find at, say, Lots of Siam in Las Vegas. But I've done several riesling lunches there with friends who've come in from Napa, the Bay Area and, once, even NZ - and the food has gotten very high marks from all. One of my favorite places to eat in Sacramento. Just had lunch there yesterday, as a matter of fact. Don't miss the Yum Nuah (spicy beef salad), the curry beef noodle salad (more a noodle dish than a salad), the Pad Kee Mow (sort of a spicy Thai chow fun) and the Pad Prik King (meat and vegetables sauteed in red curry ginger sauce). The sweet black rice and coconut ice cream rocks, too. (916) 442-7690

The Waterboy, already mentioned in this thread, is great. Might be a bit too quiet for your purposes, however.

Finally, I'd also recommend Centro Cocina Mexicana, three blocks away from Thai Basil. Lively atmosphere and good regional Mexican food. They do fish specials particularly well there, and their slow-cooked pork is off the charts. Great chipotle salsa. Wide selection of tequilas. Interesting people-watching. They should easily be able to accomodate your group. Prices are reasonable. This might be your best bet, now that I think about it. http://www.paragarys.com/centrococina/centro_home.asp

Josh du Lac

[rshorens]

Thanks, Josh. You're right-the group dinner has already been booked(at the Firehouse-don't know anything about this place), but I will use your suggestions for the nights I go out with a few friends.

Roz

[marlena spieler]

Pho! Sacramento has very good pho places. right on broadway near the tower theatre is a lovely little place: pho bac. and tower theatre has great films too.

if you have a chance, though, head out to little saigon which is in a characterless stretch of stockton blvd, all vietnamese (and a little mex), endless rows of restaurants and a whole shopping center. there is a banh mi shop that i always mean to stop at.

i second the bon air market for sandwiches. i had a liverwurst on wholewheat there every day for about a year, once. and then i moved away.