Cheese lovers rejoice: The Rind, a speciality cheese bar focusing on gourmet pairings of artisanal cheese plates with wine and beer, is projected to open in the old L Wine Lounge space November at 18th and L streets next to Buckhorn Grill. “Our mission will be to pair wines, beers, ports and bubblies with the featured cheeses so you get to learn how to enjoy them together,” owner Sara Arbabian said. “We’re looking to create a really comfortable and fun environment where you sit down at the bar and order a cheese plate and a glass of whatever you’re jonesing for.” Arbabian said her vision for The Rind’s architectural design will include capitalizing on the large accordion windows, integra

Local watering hole Pangaea Two Brews Cafe recently expanded its operations to include a bottle shop with about 200 beer selections. The bottle shop opened earlier this month, and owner Rob Archie said he has plans to add a delivery service in the Curtis Park neighborhood in September. “We had our grand opening Aug. 6, and it was full in here all day,” Archie said. “The response has been really positive.” Pangaea, located at 2743 Franklin Blvd., is marked by its selection of Belgian beers on tap, and Archie told The Sacramento Press in a previous article that he has long wanted to bring a bottle shop to offer those beers at to-go prices. Beers are stored in a refrigerator spanning much

If you didn't get your ticket early, you missed out. Raley Field was the setting for Infuze Marketing's Wine in the Park wine tasting, featuring a selection of wines from surrounding area wineries, appetizers and a seat to watch the ballgame. The sold-out event took place in the VIP tented section off the third base line before the Sacramento River Cats and the Tucson Padres started the first of a four-game series at home. Participating wineries included Sierra Knolls Vineyard & Winery, Abundance Vineyards, Lucchesi Vineyards & Winery, Watts Winery and Mount Aukum Winery. The event was sponsored by Top Speed Data Communications, Porter | Scott Attorneys and the UC Davis Health

While most of us are still recovering from the delights of the “holiday season,” retail stores across the country are decking the halls with red ribbons and pink hearts. That’s right, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, which means men and women of all ages will begin their annual hunt for the perfect gift! If flowers and candy aren’t enough for your special someone, the nonprofit organization InAlliance has a unique gift that will temp your taste buds, tickets to the Celebrity Chef Challenge. This culinary extravaganza features six professional chefs in a live culinary competition with surprise ingredients ala the “Iron Chef” Television show, and tickets will get you and a guest

Marni Rubin took her guests on a journey through the tastes, textures and pairings of specialty cheeses, chocolates, ports and dessert wines Saturday. C’est le Cheese owner Jody Lagorio and her husband, Dan Hague, hosted the event at the Lofts on L street. Rubin is a wine educator by trade, teaching class through Wine One One, but she said this class is her favorite to teach, especially around the holidays. She is self educated and she is also a certified wine specialist by the Society of Wine Educators. Before teaching she worked as sommelier. “I enjoy bringing people together to enjoy and share food and elevate their knowledge of all aspects of food,” Lagorio said. The guests are gree

The building at 3527 Broadway has been vacant for years, but is now home to a new business as of Aug. 1 – BFD. Brew, Ferment, Distill owner Tim Clark said he wants to make his store a one-stop shop for Sacramentans who like to do their own beer brewing, winemaking, cheesemaking and any number of other do-it-yourself foods and drinks. “This right here is entirely for the urban hippie,” Clark said. “It’s for the slow-food movement.” Clark spent 13 years as a mortgage banker before “being unemployed at the right time” and deciding to start BFD. “My wife is still warming up to the name,” he said with a laugh. Doors opened Aug. 1, and Clark said he immediately sent e-mails to local brewers

What better backdrop for enjoying a selection of exquisite French cheeses than Bastille Day?  This past Wednesday a group of about thirty received an education in the history of French cheesemaking from 'C'est le Cheese' and were able to sample some of that country's best cheese offerings. All classes are held at The L Street Lofts, and the evening began in a great space on the third floor, which featured large glass windows looking out over L Street.  The 'students' were able to get to know one another while enjoying a bubbly beverage that tied into the theme of the class. Being poured at this 'French Lesson' was a French sparkling white wine from Limoux, which is located in southern Fra

Loosen your belts. Sacramento's most famous burger place, The Squeeze Inn, held its grand reopening celebration Thursday morning. The celebration featured guest appearances by Mayor Kevin Johnson, City Councilman Kevin McCarty and County Supervisor Don Nottoli as well as music, speeches, a raffle and a burger-eating contest. Several hundred people shuffled into The Squeeze Inn throughout the lunch hour for special prices on the burger known for its famous "cheese skirt," which extends an inch beyond the bun. The burger is constructed by cooking a one-third-pound beef patty and putting "a giant handful of cheese" on top of, and around, the burger, said Squeeze Inn employee Keith Lenhart.

Ahhh, yes, it's that time of the month again folks. Second Saturday weekend that is! Although there are great things going on all month long throughout Sacramento, many locals will argue that the second weekend of the month in Sacramento is their favorite time to venture out on the town. In addition to the Art Walk on Saturday, this weekend has a plethora of cool things to check out. And for Sactown, mid-July is looking to bring us some relatively mild weather to boot! Take a look to see if any of these events can lure you to venture out...try something different this week! Thursday 7.9 Food & Wine: California Grape & Gourmet -- $50 ($70 day of) Where: Sacramento Convention Center When: