Sacramento Suggestions?

I'll be walking the California League of Food Processors show next week and thus spending a couple of days in Sacramento. I've been to Sacto numerous times, but have always eaten in dives. Anybody have any suggestions to raise my standard of living there? (Let's not go overboard, though. )

What would constitute "overboard"?

What would constitute "overboard"?

Uhhhhh, company policy says I can spend $25.00 on dinner unless I'm wining and dining. I wonder how many sliders I can get for that?

What would constitute "overboard"?

Let's see, for Gary that would be a buck 95.

Check out Waterboy -- a decent place at a moderate price.

What would constitute "overboard"?

Let's see, for Gary that would be a buck 95.

Check out Waterboy -- a decent place at a moderate price.

You know me well. But what can you expect for someone striving to be the sommelier at Grocery Outlet?

What would constitute "overboard"?

Uhhhhh, company policy says I can spend $25.00 on dinner unless I'm wining and dining. I wonder how many sliders I can get for that?

I would definitely second the Waterboy recommendation - good value and some would say the best food in town regardless of price. Waterboy is the clear favorite destination in Sacramento for those in the wine business in the Sierra Foothills, a crowd that knows its food and wine. You also can't go wrong at Biba if you're looking for Italian.

The thing is, although Waterboy does indeed offer good value, with entrees between $20 and $25, you would have a tough time dining there on a $25 budget. A less pricey upgrade from your "dives" might be Jack's Urban Eats, a short block away from Waterboy. Sort of a modern update on the Hofbrau fast food model, but interesting fast food. I've been absent from the Sacramento area for a couple of years, so maybe others will chime in with more suggestions. You can check out menus for both Waterboy and Jack's Urban Eats online with some simple Googling.

I guess your company won't pay on an averaging basis, huh? I'm no Sacramento expert but my one meal at Biba's was one of the top 5 Italian in a Restaurant meals of my life.

55 Degrees is also expensive, some very good dishes but some sloppiness (overcooked meats). But nice list.

Thanks for starting thread, the Waterboy is now at top of my list for next time we visit in-laws. I'll also check Jacks.

We went to the Waterboy tonight. I had the cassoulet and my colleague had the mixed grill (lamb, sweatbreads, pancetta with polenta). Both dishes were really excellent. He drank B&B; I had a Sasquatch Scotch Ale. He indulged in the little dessert, the chocolate bread pudding. Outstanding ambiance and I even got a parking space their lot!

Great recommendation. This is definitely an "impress-your-date" and "still-eat-well" place.

Thanks!

Great recommendation. This is definitely an "impress-your-date" and "still-eat-well" place.

Now when have I ever led you astray? Uh, er, wait a minute, don't answer that....

Glad you enjoyed it. JBL turned me on to the place a few years back.

I'm glad to hear it went well. The veal cheeks are a treat, too - it's pretty hard to go wrong on that menu, actually.

Gosh-I can't remember the exact name, but it's something like B&L Trading Company. You can't miss it-it's in an old brick firehouse on 19th street just south of L Street. Outstanding food-and the wine list is amazingly fair (well below 2:1 mark ups.)

I would recommend a wonderful little Japanese restaurant called Zen Toro. It's a family run restaurant and the dad knows how to cook and the prices are reasonable. It's at 15th and I at 900 15th St.

Enjoy!
Kathy

Dang it, Gary! I don't check in often on the Travel board so I completely missed this one.

Glad you had a good time at Waterboy.


Mike

Dang it, Gary! I don't check in often on the Travel board so I completely missed this one.

Glad you had a good time at Waterboy.

Mike

I wondered where the heck you were hiding.

I wondered where the heck you were hiding.

His wife only lets him out of the cage once a day.... give the poor guy a break.

I wondered where the heck you were hiding.

His wife only lets him out of the cage once a day.... give the poor guy a break.

Hey! It's twice a day on Saturdays and holidays.


Now excuse me. I have some feet to rub.....


Mike