Food & Drink
Readers’ choice
Best restaurant
Mikuni Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
various locations, www.mikunisushi.com
2. Restaurant 55°
555 Capitol Mall, (916) 553-4100, www.restaurant55.com
Best new restaurant
<b>Restaurant 55°/Luc Dendievel </b><br>Even in a crowded field of great new chefs, Luc Dendievel—born in Belgium, trained by Parisian masters and well-loved in New York—stands out as a new city treasure. Putting his faith in the best fresh ingredients, Dendievel is praised for his unpretentious style. No wonder readers gave Restaurant 55° one of the most coveted awards: Best new restaurant.
Photo By Larry Dalton
555 Capitol Mall, (916) 553-4100, www.restaurant55.com
Spataro Restaurant and Bar
1415 L Street, (916) 440-8888, www.paragarys.com
2. Mason’s Restaurant
1116 15th Street, (916) 492-1960, www.theparkdowntown.com
Best fine dining
Biba
2801 Capitol Avenue, (916) 455-2422, www.biba-restaurant.com
2. The Firehouse Restaurant
1112 Second Street, (916) 442-4772, www.firehouseoldsac.com
Best wine list
Enotria Cafe & Wine Bar
1431 Del Paso Boulevard, (916) 922-6792, www.enotria.com
2. 58 Degrees & Holding Co.
1217 18th Street, (916) 442-5858, www.58degrees.com
Best spot for dining alone
Jack’s Urban Eats
various locations, www.jacksurbaneats.com
2. Café Bernardo
various locations, www.paragarys.com
Best happy hour
Brew It Up!
801 14th Street, (916) 441-3000, www.brewitup.com
2. Elephant Bar
6063 Sunrise Boulevard, (916) 961-3628; 1500 Arden Way, (916) 564-2526; www.elephantbar.com
Best Indian food
Mother India
1030 J Street, (916) 491-4072
2. Kathmandu Kitchen
various locations, www.kathmandukitchen.com
Best Mexican food: local
Ernesto’s Mexican Food
1901 16th Street, (916) 441-5850, www.ernestosmexicanfood.com
2. Tres Hermanas
2416 K Street, (916) 443-6919
Best Mexican food: chain
Jimboy’s Tacos
various locations, www.jimboys.com
2. Chevy’s Fresh Mex
various locations, www.chevys.com
Best Thai food
Thai Basil
2431 J Street, (916) 442-7690; 8785 Center Parkway, Suite B120, (916) 681-8424; www.thaibasilrestaurant.com
2. Amarin Thai Cuisine
900 12th Street, (916) 447-9063; 6608 Folsom-Auburn Road, Suite 9, in Folsom, (916) 988-8581; www.amarinsacramento.com
Melting for Moxie
Dearest Moxie,
I fantasize about you constantly. Every time I go to another restaurant, I am saddened by the fact that it can’t come close to your perfection. Your crab cakes drive me wild with desire! I dream about your fabulous wines trickling down my throat, your salmon melting on my tongue and your waiter whispering amazing entrees in my ear. I am counting the moments until we can be together again!
Passionately yours,
Shannon Young
Best Middle Eastern food
Café Morocco
1221 Alhambra Boulevard, (916) 731-4637
2. Maalouf’s Taste of Lebanon
1433 Fulton Avenue, (916) 972-8768
Best Chinese food
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
1530 J Street, (916) 288-0970; 1180 Galleria Boulevard in Roseville, (916) 788-2800; www.pfchangs.com
2. Plum Blossom
1830 J Street, (916) 443-8882, www.plumblossom.biz
Best vegetarian food
Andy Nguyen’s
2007 Broadway, (916) 736-1157
2. Sunflower Natural Food Restaurant
10344 Fair Oaks Boulevard in Fair Oaks, (916) 967-4331
Best Italian food
Biba
2801 Capitol Avenue, (916) 455-2422, www.biba-restaurant.com
2. Paesano’s Pizzeria
1806 Capitol Avenue, (916) 447-8646
Best Greek food
Greek Village Inn
65 University Avenue, (916) 922-6334
2. Opa! Opa!
5644 J Street, (916) 451-4000
Best California cuisine
California Cafe
1689 Arden Way, Suite 1058; (916) 925-2233; www.californiacafe.com
2. Café Bernardo
various locations, www.paragarys.com
Best breakfast
Fox & Goose Public House
1001 R Street, (916) 443-8825, www.foxandgoose.com
2. Cornerstone Restaurant
various locations
Best desserts
Rick’s Dessert Diner
2322 K Street, (916) 444-0969
2. Tower Cafe
1518 Broadway, (916) 441-0222, www.towercafe.com
Best kid-friendly restaurant
The Old Spaghetti Factory
various locations, www.osf.com
2. Red Robin
various locations, www.redrobin.com
Best burger: local
Willie’s Burgers & Chiliburgers
2415 16th Street, (916) 444-2006
2. Nationwide Freezer Meats
1930 H Street, (916) 444-3286
Best burger: chain
In-N-Out Burger
various locations, www.in-n-out.com
2. Carl’s Jr.
various locations, www.carlsjr.com
Best french fries: local
Jack’s Urban Eats
various locations, www.jacksurbaneats.com
2. Willie’s Burgers & Chiliburgers
2415 16th Street, (916) 444-2006
Best french fries: chain
In-N-Out Burger
various locations, www.in-n-out.com
2. McDonald’s
various locations, www.mcdonalds.com
Best restaurant service
Restaurant 55°
555 Capitol Mall, (916) 553-4100, www.restaurant55.com
2. Morton’s
521 L Street, (916) 442-5091, www.mortons.com
Best restrooms
The Park Downtown
1116 15th Street, (916) 492-1960, www.theparkdowntown.com
2. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
1530 J Street, (916) 288-0970; 1180 Galleria Boulevard in Roseville, (916) 788-2800; www.pfchangs.com
Best ambience
Restaurant 55°
555 Capitol Mall, (916) 553-4100, www.restaurant55.com
2. Bandera
2232 Fair Oaks Boulevard, (916) 922-3524
2. Tower Cafe
1518 Broadway, (916) 441-0222, www.towercafe.com
Best cheap eats
Jack’s Urban Eats
various locations, www.jacksurbaneats.com
2. La Fiesta Taqueria
1105 Alhambra Boulevard, (916) 454-5616; 7951 Greenback Lane in Citrus Heights, (916) 721-1080
To the bartenders at the Round Corner:
Thank you for always being so awesome when I come in. You probably don’t know my name, but you know what I drink and don’t even have to ask when I come up to the bar. Your warm smiles always make me feel welcome. I’ll see you soon.
—Shay
<hr>Best coffee shop: local
<b>Temple Fine Coffee and Tea</b> <br>From the minute it opened, Temple captured the heart of the real downtowners. Politicians wandering away from their offices, artists and residents from the lower depths of the grid, and even a hardworking journalist or two have found their way to this comfortable little haunt and grown attached to the great selection of teas and coffees. If you haven’t visited yet, come on by. You’re bound to see someone you know.
Photo By Larry Dalton
1014 10th Street, (916) 443-4960
2. The Naked Lounge
1500 Q Street, (916) 442-0174, www.thenakedlounge.com
Best coffee shop: chain
Starbucks
various locations, www.starbucks.com
2. Peet’s Coffee & Tea
various locations, www.peets.com
Best place to get a great martini
Bandera
2232 Fair Oaks Boulevard, (916) 922-3524
Ink Eats & Drinks
2730 N Street, (916) 456-2800
Restaurant 55°
555 Capitol Mall, (916) 553-4100, www.restaurant55.com
2. Esquire Grill
1213 K Street, (916) 448-8900, www.paragarys.com
Best place to get a great margarita
Ernesto’s Mexican Food
1901 16th Street, (916) 441-5850, www.ernestosmexicanfood.com
2. Zócalo
1801 Capitol Avenue, (916) 441-0303, www.zocalosacramento.com
Best brew pub
Brew It Up!
801 14th Street, (916) 441-3000, www.brewitup.com
2. Rubicon Brewing Co.
2004 Capitol Avenue, (916) 448-7032, www.rubiconbrewingcompany.com
Best outdoor dining
Paragary’s Bar and Oven
1401 28th Street, (916) 457-5737, www.paragarys.com
2. Tower Cafe
1518 Broadway, (916) 441-0222, www.towercafe.com
Best late-night dining
Ink Eats & Drinks
2730 N Street, (916) 456-2800
2. Tapa the World
2115 J Street, (916) 442-4353, www.tapatheworld.com
Best “drunk” eats
Ink Eats & Drinks
2730 N Street, (916) 456-2800
2. Pieces Pizza by the Slice
1309 21st Street, (916) 441-1949
Best steakhouse
Morton’s
521 L Street, (916) 442-5091, www.mortons.com
2. Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
501 Pavilions Lane, (916) 286-2702; 1185 Galleria Boulevard in Roseville, (916) 780-6910; www.ruthschris.com
Best seafood
<b>Scott’s Seafood Grill & Bar</b> <br>Bisques, chowders, salads topped with grilled pears, calamari spiced with Thai chilies, crab cakes—just the variety of options at Scott’s makes our mouths water. But the restaurant also has a reputation for being a great special-occasion splurge. So, maybe it’s time to turn a regular old weekend into a special occasion.
Photo By Larry Dalton
545 Munroe Street, (916) 489-1822; 9611 Greenback Lane in Folsom, (916) 989-6711; www.scottsseafood.net
2. Joe’s Crab Shack
1210 Front Street, (916) 553-4249, www.joescrabshack.com
Best sushi
Mikuni Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
various locations, www.mikunisushi.com
2. Zen Sushi (formerly Taka’s)
formerly at 1730 S Street; moved to 900 15th Street, (916) 442-4933
Best sandwiches
The Bread Store
1716 J Street, (916) 557-1600
2. Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shops
various locations, www.mrpicklesinc.com
Best barbecue
Sandra Dee’s Bar-B-Que & Seafood Restaurant
601 15th Street, (916) 448-6375, www.sandradeesbbq.com
2. Texas West Bar-B-Que
1600 Fulton Avenue, (916) 483-RIBS; 1950 Douglas Boulevard in Roseville, (916) 773-RIBS; www.texaswestbbq.com
Best pizza
Zelda’s Original Gourmet Pizza
1415 21st Street, (916) 447-1400
2. Round Table Pizza
various locations, www.roundtablepizza.com
Best soups
La Bou
various locations, www.labou.com
2. La Bonne Soupe Cafe
920 Eighth Street, (916) 492-9506
Best salads
Jack’s Urban Eats
various locations, www.jacksurbaneats.com
2. Fresh Choice
various locations, www.freshchoice.com
Best smoothies
Jamba Juice
various locations, www.jambajuice.com
2. Juice It Up!
various locations, www.juiceitup.com
Best bakery
Freeport Bakery
2966 Freeport Boulevard, (916) 442-4256, www.freeportbakery.com
2. Ettore’s
2376 Fair Oaks Boulevard, (916) 482-0708; 510 Natoma Station Drive in Folsom, (916) 985-3920; www.ettores.com
Best fresh bread
The Bread Store
1716 J Street, (916) 557-1600
2. Panera Bread Co.
various locations, www.panerabread.com
Best bartender
Brandon Hicks at The Old Tavern Bar and Grill
1510 20th Street, (916) 448-5837
2. Chrissy Galpern at Brew It Up!
801 14th Street, (916) 441-3000, www.brewitup.com
Best appetizers
Tapa the World
2115 J Street, (916) 442-4353, www.tapatheworld.com
2. Bandera
2232 Fair Oaks Boulevard, (916) 922-3524
Best chef
Luc Dendievel at Restaurant 55°
555 Capitol Mall, (916) 553-4100, www.restaurant55.com
2. Rick Mahan at The Waterboy
2000 Capitol Avenue, (916) 498-9891, www.waterboyrestaurant.com
Best restaurant worth the long wait
The Cheesecake Factory
1771 Arden Way, (916) 567-0606, www.thecheesecakefactory.com
2. Mikuni Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
various locations, www.mikunisushi.com
Best place to cure a hangover
Cornerstone Restaurant
various locations
2. Ink Eats & Drinks
2730 N Street, (916) 456-2800
Best tequila selection
Zócalo
1801 Capitol Avenue, (916) 441-0303, www.zocalosacramento.com
2. Centro Cocina Mexicana
2730 J Street, (916) 442-2552, www.paragarys.com
Best vodka selection
Bandera
2232 Fair Oaks Boulevard, (916) 922-3524
2. Shakers Pub
5940 Sperry Drive in Citrus Heights, (916) 863-7465, www.shakerspub.com
Best retail wine selection
Corti Brothers
5810 Folsom Boulevard, (916) 736-3800, www.cortibros.biz
2. 58 Degrees & Holding Co.
1217 18th Street, (916) 442-5858, www.58degrees.com
2. Beverages and More
various locations, www.bevmo.com
Best salsa bar
Dos Coyotes Border Cafe
various locations, www.doscoyotes.net
2. La Fiesta Taqueria
1105 Alhambra Boulevard, (916) 454-5616; 7951 Greenback Lane in Citrus Heights, (916) 721-1080
Best hidden treasure
Bandera
2232 Fair Oaks Boulevard, (916) 922-3524
2. Jim-Denny’s Lunch
816 12th Street, (916) 443-9655
Best gourmet to go
Selland’s Market-Cafe
5340 H Street, (916) 736-3333, www.thekitchenrestaurant.com
2. David Berkley Fine Wines
515 Pavilions Lane, (916) 929-4422, www.davidberkley.com
Best value
Los Jarritos
2509 Broadway, (916) 455-7911
Paesano’s Pizzeria
1806 Capitol Avenue, (916) 447-8646
2. Café Bernardo
various locations, www.paragarys.com
Best caterer
Texas West Bar-B-Que
1600 Fulton Avenue, (916) 483-RIBS; 1950 Douglas Boulevard in Roseville, (916) 773-RIBS; www.texaswestbbq.com
2. Capital City Catering
1910 Canterbury Road, (916) 641-6111, www.capitalcitycatering.com
Best tea house
Earl Grey Manor Tea House Nonpareil
916 Second Street, (916) 447-4832, www.earlgreymanor.com/
2. Temple Fine Coffee and Tea
1014 10th Street, (916) 443-4960
Best ice cream
Gunther’s Quality Ice Cream
2801 Franklin Boulevard, (916) 457-6646
2. Vic’s Ice Cream
3199 Riverside Boulevard, (916) 448-0892
Best waiter
Jon Crowder at Bandera
2232 Fair Oaks Boulevard, (916) 922-3524
2. Gary Grogan at Paragary’s Bar and Oven
1401 28th Street, (916) 457-5737, www.paragarys.com
Best waitress
Allison England at Tapa the World
2115 J Street, (916) 442-4353, www.tapatheworld.com
2. Lauren Cox at Paragary’s Bar and Oven
1401 28th Street, (916) 457-5737, www.paragarys.com
More Guides » Best of Sacramento
Sacramento, I love you!
Our readers and writers pick the best food & drink, people & places, sex & love and…
Published on 09.28.06
