Posts Tagged ‘sacramento restaurants’

Sacramento is always being highlighted for something, but did you know Restaurant News recently named Sacramento as the city whose “Restaurants Sizzle”?  Sacramento has evolved into a vibrant dining Mecca. Time magazine has also named Sacramento the most diverse city in America, which is reflected in the many flavors found in restaurants throughout the region.  Be adventurous and ready to be entertained as you join Local Roots Food Tours in one of their 3 culinary tours in downtown Sacramento.

Taking time to explore the back streets by foot, taking your palate on a culinary journey is what Local Roots Food Tours is all about.  Savoring, Learning, Exploring and Connecting its locals and tourist to Sacramento’s cuisine, culture and history.  Their tours are a great way to get acquainted with the local food scene, and a great activity for visitors, families, and co-workers alike.  They harness the power of great food to unite people, no matter their race or creed.  Spend three hours learning and tasting, and you’re sure to come away a bit more enlightened than you already were.  Book some time for you or your group and take a well-rounded sample of some delicious foods, from iconic restaurants to the hidden gems — you’ll see what the buzz is about! Local Roots Food Tours offers four tours in Sacramento; each distinctly different.  City of Trees Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour and our Origins of Sacramento Food and Cultural Walking Tour are offered 6 days a week, custom group tours can be arranged as well.  Their newest food tour experience is offered Wednesday and Thursdays; Market to Plate Executive Chef Lunch Tour

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Microgreens . . . take them or leaf them!

It is only natural that California would pioneer the latest microgreen trend in the food world.  These flavorful Lilliputian members of the greens community have been appearing with increasing frequency on today’s restaurant menus.  They are appearing in upscale markets and restaurants and locally command a luxury item price of up to $3 to $5 per ounce. Many chefs in the Sacramento restaurant scene are now incorporating microgreens into a variety of dishes.  One common microgreen that is being found on local menus in California restaurants is Bulls Blood.  Read that twice when you see it on a menu and wonder to yourself;  “really?”.   Do you take it literally or have you already been exposed to one of the newest local farm trends to hit many restaurants menus?

Bulls Blood is a popular microgreen that stems from the 1840’s bulls blood beet. Bull’s blood leaves have been used in folk medicine to treat a wide variety of ailments. This Microgreen’s beet-like flavor and vivid red color enhances mixed green salads but also finding its way on top of raw meats, seafood and pork belly sandwiches!
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5 New Restaurants Arriving in Sacramento! by Bethany Woy
Due to the precarious economy many local restaurants here in Sacramento have been forced to close their doors. Being someone that enjoys dining out, it can be disheartening to walk around midtown and see all of the empty storefronts and abandoned spaces. This article is dedicated to the new (yay!) restaurants opening in the next year! All I know is- I cannot wait to see the creativity, passion and vision each of restaurants will have. Enjoy and Bon Appetite!

Hook and Ladder Manufacturing Company
1630 S Street, Sacramento, CA 95816
With the closure of Hangar 17 in March of last year, the Quonset hut located on S and 17th has been sitting empty. The once popular Bar and Grill closed suddenly after owners were unable to come up with money for unresolved tax issues. Neighbors and locals alike were saddened by the shutting of the doors and have waited patiently for any news of a new local business.
With the wild popularity of neighborhood bar Golden Bear on 23rd and K, which has flourished for over 7 years, owner Kimio Bazett has decided and announced the opening of his new venture: The Hook and Ladder Manufacturing Company. The name itself pays homage to a historic volunteer fire department in Sacramento (we love anything that connects local history and good food!)

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by Local Roots Food Tours Guide: Bethany Heckman
Sometimes, after a long day of work (or watching after the kids), shopping, driving in traffic, baking for the 15th holiday party to attend, and a load of laundry, the last thing you want to do is cook a dinner. Money can’t be tight these days (we are in a recession people!) but I’ve compiled a list of restaurants where not only do you get a value meal, but these places are very kid friendly! What’s better than eating delicious food and getting the bang for your buck!

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So you say you have a sweet tooth but don’t know how to appease the cravings you have for delectable desserts?  Local Roots Food tours is going to take you on a virtual dessert tour through some of Sacramento’s hot dessert spots….maybe even a little hidden gem or two.  Kick up your feet with your cup of Joe and let’s get salivating, shall we?  By Bethany Heckman – Tour Guide of Local Roots Food Tours

Our walking food tours take ticket holders through a food adventure 5 days a week.  We are treated to some amazing food along our tour route.  Our motto on our tours is simple:  Eat, Walk and Talk.  But how about INDULGE?  We love it when our food tour pastry chefs sugar us up!  We have found some amazing dessert stops that kick up our toes and hit our sweet tooth in just the right way.  Shall I go on? Here’s a sneak peak of what is behind the sweet nothing curtain in Sacramento’s dessert dining scene:

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If you aren’t in the mood to tackle defrosting a 19 pound turkey and can’t think of making another dish of stuffing, then maybe dining out for the holiday is a better idea. I’ve put together a list of some of the restaurants that are serving Thanksgiving dinners. Take a look at some of the dishes online and you may just change your mind on hosting the holiday this year! Another plus: NO DISHES!   Remember: many of these restaurants REQUIRE a reservation. Don’t forget to book early!   – Blog post written by Bethany Heckman

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VOTED #1 in Sacramento Tours!
Previous participant stated;   “WOW! A culinary delight mixed with a historical overview that would make a Hollywood screenwriter proud.”

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Get Your Freshly Ground Hamburgers Here!

Local Roots Food Tours Guide Bethany Heckman goes Behind the Hamburger Scene

There is nothing more American than a burger and fries. But who wants meat that has been frozen for 6 months and floppy produce to top their hamburger? Not this girl. I took it upon myself to delve into Sacramento’s restaurants and research places that boast using FRESH ground meat and FRESH delicious fixin’s. Bon Appetit!

Nationwide Freezer Meats
1930 H St
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 444-3286
www.nationwidefreezermeats.com/

Serving fresh ground steak burgers since 1969, Nationwide is a Sacramento staple. Nationwide boasts about their quality of meat used in each hamburger- Harris Ranch steak that is freshly ground to order. Each patty weighs 1/3lb. Tasting the French Ground Steak burger you understand why they take pride in their burgers. The fresh beef flavor shines through right after your first bite. Each patty is cooked to the perfect temperature, making sure it doesn’t dry out on the grill.  The fresh baked French roll bun is served on is light and airy and fabulous. The vegetables used to top the burger are fresh and crisp: red onion, tomato, lettuce and crunchy dill pickles. (for a little extra I always add the grilled onions and mushrooms) The special sauce is to die for. I always ask for more because it doesn’t take away from the taste of the fresh meat, it only enhances it.  Don’t forget to add a side of their house made fresh steak fries!!
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“Mama Mia! Now that’s Italian!!”

Local Roots Tour Guide, Bethany Heckman steps behind the Italian deli counter at Sampino’s Towne Foods.

If you’ve ever stepped foot inside Sampino’s you’ll know the physical reaction you have to the place. Instantly, your taste buds awaken, you’re sense of smell ignites and you are quickly ready for one thing: Ready. To. Eat.

Coming from an Italian family myself, I knew that I would instantly fall in love with this place. My grandparents both came from Italy and opened a deli/restaurant similar to this one in Northern California. The minute I tried the food, I was hooked.
If you are seeking fresh, local and mouth-watering food- look no further than Sampino’s. Tucked away next to a Laundromat, fast food Chinese and a bail bonds company, you would never expect this little hidden jewel on the fast paced 16th Street.
Sampino’s is one of our tour stops on our Local Roots Food Tour; City of Trees. Sampino’s has quickly become an instant favorite. Tastings of button and porcini mushroom risotto to the handmade mezzaluna stuffed pastas and cappuccino/pistachio gelato, Sampino’s has a knack for food which is why we chose them to be on our food tour!
Owners father Bill, his son Michael and daughter in law Gabi have turned Sampinos into a tucked away hot spot. But the word has gotten out about this treasure. So much so, Sampino’s is launching their debut dinner menu this Friday night, August 26. The owners of Sampino’s have seen the demand their customers are looking for. Food after 4 pm. Chef Craig Takehara has joined the Sampino team by donating many hours of his time while teaming with the Sampinos in creating a dinner menu that speaks right to one’s palate.  Chef Takehara will be joining the Sampino Team if these dinners go as well as anticipated. “We looked around for someone with the same values we cherish. Quality food, fresh ingredients and a devotion to service. That is what this family business is about,” says owner Michael. “There are plenty of chefs in the area but we feel we found the one that will best fit in with us here at Sampino’s.”  Chef Takehara has lived primarily in Los Angeles but was trained mostly in Japan. “You may think it’s odd to have a Japanese chef at an authentic Italian restaurant, but you’d be surprised,” says Takehara. “I learned the most about Italian cooking while in Japan. The Japanese are passionate about noodles and rice. Similar to Italian cooking.”
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It’s BACK TO SCHOOL TIME and Local Roots Food Tours is celebrating with a SPECIAL DISCOUNT TICKET for their walking food tours!

Come join us on our walking culinary adventure and SAVE BIG!

Sale begins TODAY for tours starting AUGUST 16th thru AUGUST 30th.

Use code:  “BTS” for your SPECIAL DISCOUNT TICKET

Join us on a 3 hour guided culinary walking adventure that walks you through one of Northern California’s most popular destinations. Learn what continues to make Sacramento a unique and delicious city, one taste at a time.
Our three-hour City of Trees Food & Cultural Walking Tour will let you see California’s State Capitol city in a whole new light.

Get an insiders look at the can’t-miss eateries and restaurants with no reservations…..greet and meet with some of Sacramento’s most talented executive chefs.
Get tidbits of Sacramento’s history while tasting the scrumptious foods that make Sacramento’s culinary scene a regional treasure.  Our walking tour,led by one of our culinary tour guides, takes you into the heart of Sacramento’s historical neighborhoods.  You’ll taste farm fresh ingredients that inspire our local chefs.  Explore our beautiful mansions and their architectural history.  Our tour will take you on a gastronomic adventure off the beaten path.

Typical tastings on our tour (each tour stops at 6 to 7 different locations):

Carnaroli Risotto with local butternut squash paired with local wine
Authentic Mexican sauteed shrimp w/stewed cactus paired with mango margaritas
Organic, fresh fruit smoothie with all the vitamins and antioxidants
Italian Frittata w/fresh mushrooms,spinach,and garlic
Mint chocolate chip whoopie pie
Handmade ravioli stuffed with caramelized onions, mushrooms and balsamic glaze sauce
Cappuccino brownie with cinnamon cream cheese filling