Enotria brings fine, fine dining to Sacramento Here’s what I like about Enotria: it’s personal, it’s surprising, and it’s playful. Enotria could be described as sexy: it serves food that is intelligent, stylish, enticing and oh yes, just a little naughty—and I like Enotria the way I like my partner: out of the ordinary and yet presentable to parents. MK and I have one of those boring lesbian relationships. We never fight anymore. After ten years together, we’ve settled into a kind of contented disgruntlement with each other’s faults. Except every now and then. Like the night before we went to Enotria. MK and I made reservations at Enotria for her birthday, after a month of celebrating

Remember when TV dinners were the norm and Swanson’s became a household name? Time travel back to the mid-century with Verge Center for the Arts' TV Dinner event this Thursday, November 8, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m., where these pre-packaged meals are revitalized and transformed. The event—a brainchild of Mike Thiemann, executive chef at Ella Dining Room and Bar; Liv Moe, Executive Director of Verge; Becky Grunewald, Food Editor for Sacramento News & Review; and Ryan Donahue, editor of Edible Sacramento—will feature a three-course, sit-down meal plus dessert and art galore. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in period attire. Arrive at the start for a no-host cocktail hour before the meal, whic

There will be snails served next Sunday, November 4th, but they won't be escargot. Instead, Slow Food Sacramento will be serving up their 2012 Snail of Approval Awards to eight new recipients. The Slow Food movement was founded in Italy in 1986. The idea is simple - to slow down and enjoy and savor food, to have appreciation for how it is grown or raised, and to eat mindful of the planet and the population. In our fast-paced, modern world, people are relying too much on fast and processed food. Larger farms and manufacturers are choosing short cuts that sacrifice quality for profits. Slow Food educates on food issues, promotes conservation, and helps to protect traditional methods of food

An old boxing gym once frequented by the likes of George Foreman is the unlikely home to what some say is a hidden culinary surprise in Tahoe Park. Mighty Kong Cafe, located at 3701 Stockton Blvd., was formerly the Capital Boxing Gym before the cafe opened in 2008. Originally a muffin and coffee business, the renovation converted it to a full-service restaurant with an elegant feel, according to owner King Smith’s son, Lance Smith. “My little sister had just graduated from the Cordon Bleu (cooking school), and she said we had way too nice of a kitchen to just do muffins and coffee,” Lance Smith said. What ensued was a full remodel. Booth seating was brought in, an empty space was tra

On Thursday June 7th 2012 the Sactown Dining Collective held their kick-off event at Plates Cafe & Catering. Plates works with the St. Johns Shelter for Women and Children, an organization helping formerly homeless women get back on track. The program at Plates encourages a strong work ethic and shows women how to succeed using the skills they have learned working at the cafe. In collaboration with a group of local sponsors the SDC chefs gave us a peek at the tremendous culinary talents Sacramento has to offer. The evening began with passed appetizers and samplings of beer and wine. Ruhstaller was on hand with their Red Ale and Black IPA, two very aromatic and food friendly beers and Lagu

The opening of Cafe Bernardo and KBar on K Street in the past two weeks by local restaurateur Randy Paragary are the latest steps in what many see as the street's return to its former status as a vibrant shopping and entertainment district. “What we’re seeing is a return of the nightlife centers to K Street, and that’s historically something it traditionally was,” said local historian William Burg. “A lot of it was forcibly done away with during the redevelopment era, but from the Gold Rush to the 1960s, K Street was where it was at.” Burg said the street was, until the latter part of the 20th century, a hub of activity – from retail to restaurants and nightlife spots. In later years, bu

Starting Feb. 20 and running through Sunday, community members can turn their dinners out on the town into a battle against hunger in the Sacramento region. The Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services and the Sacramento Press joined forces to host the inaugural Eat to Feed the Hungry, which features 15 Sacramento restaurants, cafes and bars. Using social media, community members can “check in” at one of the sponsoring businesses using Facebook of Foursquare, and then order food and drinks. For every participant who checks in, the business will donate $1 to the SFBFS. If people check in with a photo, the businesses will double their donation, with a cap of $500 per business. Sacramento

Recently there have been many restaurants closing in Sacramento for different reasons, most due to the down economy. Somewhat new to the scene is Blue Prynt Restaurant and Bar located at 815 11th street in the downtown area of Sacramento. Blue Prynt occupies the space formerly known as Sofia, one of the culinary casualties of our area. While this restaurant has its own entrance it is unfortunately connected to a Best Western Motel. Upon entering I was excited to see the grand transformation that had taken place. I noticed new paint, furniture and light fixtures. The carpets seemed the same but I could be mistaken. I don’t judge restaurants by how beautiful or tacky they look (not 100% any

In search of a place to watch some of the last championship NFL games, the wife and I set out to Bisla’s Sports Lounge. It was incredible that I wanted to leave the house at all knowing The Steeler’s weren’t in the championships but I suppose life goes on. We have frequented Bisla’s on days when the bar has been less busy which seems to be the case when there is not a professional sporting event taking place. Bisla’s was empty when we arrived for the first game but as we suspected, the crowd poured in as the day went on.  Sports bars are generally known for having rowdy crowds, mediocre food and nonexistent service. I am happy to say this does not describe Bisla’s. This is a conclusion re

The new vegetarian food blog, “Eat Well, Live Free,” launched earlier this month in Sacramento. Since it went online, the site has garnered more than 400 unique visitors, said co-creator Marcos Hernández. Jillena and Marcos Hernández, the married duo that created the blog, said the idea behind the blog is to provide local vegetarians with information about recipes and restaurants that cater to vegetarian and vegan lifestyles. “We’re just trying to spread awareness and make it easier for vegetarians,” Marcos Hernández said. Jillena Hernández is a vegetarian, while Marcos Hernández is a meat-eater. While the two differ in that respect, they work well together in combining their skills for

Garlic Shack, a Midtown restaurant that opened in in early July on the corner of 19th and J streets, appeared closed Wednesday afternoon and evening, with chairs stacked on tables and the vinyl “We’re Open” sign removed. Owner Ken Powers did not return phone calls left by The Sacramento Press Wednesday, and workers at nearby businesses were not able to confirm whether the restaurant was closed for good or just on hiatus. Gluten-free brown rice was the basis for the restaurant’s signature rice bowls, and most menu items featured garlic, with garlic fries being a favorite, as previously reported by The Sacramento Press. Before Garlic Shack, the space housed Plum Blossom, an Asian-food re

Let’s face it; those of us that use social networking sites are pretty much addicted. Whether you are connected through Facebook or Twitter—or both—you have a pretty good idea of what’s going on around town. Businesses that have been paying attention for the past two plus years are aware of this phenomenon and have leveraged social media to broaden their reach to potential customers. Restaurateurs are no different. On Tuesday, the Social Media Club, Sacramento (@SMCSac) hosted the “Dining Social: Restaurants & Social Media” at The Urban Hive in midtown to discuss how local restaurants are using social media and the impact it has had on their business. Ashlee Gadd (@AshleeGadd), PR Manager

Hungry for tango? Whether you are a tango dancer who loves to eat, connoisseur of South American cuisine or perhaps just a couple feeling romantic, this new Ten 22 and Tango by the River collaboration had something for you. A visit to Argentina without the airfare Chef Jay Verregge prepared a three-course meal while dance studio owner Donna Williams, lined up the entertainment as Argentine tango singer Ernesto Rassi set the mood for couples on a night out this week. Chef Jay Verregge’s authentic Argentine meal began with Chorizo empanadas, followed by plates of green salad drizzled in red wine vinaigrette. The main entrée was the highlight, Barbacoa with Salsa Criolla - - slices of stea

Several days ago I gave in to my curiosity about the restaurant I always drive by, Espanol Italian Dinners. I have always wondered why a restaurant with a name like Espanol would serve Italian food but, tis not mine to judge. When you walk into Espanol which has been at its current location for over 40 years you can quite literally feel the transformation from modern day to yesteryear. The furniture, artwork and cash register which oddly resembles a slot machine appear as they would in an old gangster film. As we looked around the crowd was mature and tame. It seemed clear that this concept was brought to life in an era when dining out meant something very different. While we at no point

Tonight, the Downtown Sacramento Partnership (DSP) is adding a new twist to the Friday Night Concerts in the Park. Concertgoers can now compete for prizes in a series of challenges and receive special Concert Deals at local businesses on their mobile phones via the SCVNGR app. Participants start by downloading the free SCVNGR app for iPhone or Android. To play, look for the “Friday Night Concerts” trek and complete a series of quick concert-themed challenges to earn points. Challenges consist of snapping pictures, answering trivia questions, and social check-ins by bumping phones with friends. Challenges will rotate each week throughout the concert series giving players more chances to wi

Imagine the perfect french fry. For me, it’s medium-crispy on the outside, hot and creamy inside, generously salted and with a distinctive freshly-fried aroma. Sacramento is blessed with many such perfect fries and my Potato Posse and I set out on a mission to find them. We limited our search to casual eateries that are local to Sacramento. We focused exclusively on basic fries – no blue cheese topping, pungent garlic or dipping sauces to mask their essence. Just the potato and maybe a little seasoning. Size and shape didn’t matter in our survey– the fries could be regular, thick-cut, shoestring, curly (senseless mutations of perfectly good fries) or crinkled. After much arduous research

You may have seen the phrase “gluten-free” on products in your local supermarket, but do you know what it means? If not, prepare for a quick refresher course on nutrition and biology. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and malts. It’s that special something that gives the ingredients in foods like bread, crackers and cake their ability to stick together. It is commonly referred to as a “binder,” and it can be found in a wide variety of food items. For most people, consuming gluten is no problem. However, for the estimated 10 percent of people in the United States who have a sensitivity to gluten, avoidance becomes a full-time task. This is especially true for people with cel

A longtime Sacramento area restaurant chain is taking its first shot at a downtown location in a spot – and it’s taking a shot at a location that has seen several businesses fail recently. Strings Restaurant Group is focusing on quick, affordable meals at its new restaurant – Strings Express – at 431 I St. near the Amtrak station, which will open the first week of February, according to Al DeCaprio, president of the organization. The space has not seen its doors open for business since May, 2010. It was most recently home to the 5th and H Cafe, which was open for less than a year. After 5th and H Cafe closed, there were plans to open a Depot Bikes & Cafe, but that business never opened.

The Dine Downtown Restaurant Week event opens on Friday for its sixth year and the participating restaurants strive to provide their best each year. The newly opened Kupros Bistro has joined the line-up and offers a fresh option to the event. My wife, Laura, and I are not trained food critics, but we enjoy dining out frequently in the downtown/midtown area. We had not been to Kupros yet, so we jumped at the chance to preview their Dine Downtown menu. Housed in a recently remodeled 100-year-old craftsman structure that is both stunning and comfy, Kupros Bistro is a dining and architectural experience. It is located at 1217 21st Street, between Capitol Avenue and L Street at the previous lo

If you are looking for a healthy alternative, try The Green Boheme, a raw cafe located on Del Paso Boulevard. Just look for the lime green umbrella located on the streetside patio. Chef and owner Brooke Preston took over Richard Hensley’s restaurant after he moved on to new things, and changed it to The Green Boheme five months ago. The raw cafe offers organic, artisan vegan cuisine that has zero gluten, dairy, refined sugar, and pesticides. It is the only completely raw restaurant in the area. The menu changes often, sometimes daily and sometimes weekly. Some components take up to three days to make, and since each dish takes several days to prepare, once it runs out it comes off the me