Sacramento Restaurants, Nightlife and Entertainment

[sugit]

That's all awesome news, Ozone. That area is really becoming quite an amazing area, with much more on the way.

I remember there was talk about the place with international papers and magazines in the 18th and L building, but never heard anything about it for a while. Glad to hear they are still going in somewhere.

I've very happy to hear about Mulvaney buying that auto shop on 19th and L.
Mulvaney's has been a smashing success (and my two 2 place in Sac), so hopefully he can do something else cool.

An old high school friend of mine (don't see him much anymore though) is opening that Gelato place where Sakurabana used to be. He's been working on it for a couple years now.

[TowerDistrict]

That's a bunch of great news there ozone. I gotta reread all that again to
take it all in... but first impression for Mulvaney's old building there....

put a small grocer in there. something akin to Taylor's. i think that would
make a killing in that spot. wine, cheese, butcher, produce. and who better
to pull it off.

[ozone]

Sugit your friend is opening the gelato place I'm talking about -where Sakurabana used to be. They are taking a long time to renovate the building though. Eric says by late spring..I hope he's right.

[sugit]

That's a great idea TD! Rick over at Waterboy has been looking to do another small place for a while now.

Last time I talked to one of the servers they said he wanted to do a small pizza place. That was probably about 6 months ago.

[ozone]

I know Rick wants to open up a pizza place and I'm sure it'll be good. But aren't there too many new pizza places opening up in Midtown?

Is Chicago Fire on J Street opened yet? Is it just me or I'm I missing something about Luigi's Pizza? I don't really care for it. In the hood Old Soul's pizza a much better choice. For that matter so is Paesanos and even Pete's Original. Gianni Trattoria on J Street is my favorite in Midtown.

[TowerDistrict]

Originally Posted by sugit

That's a great idea TD! Rick over at Waterboy has
been looking to do another small place for a while now.

Last time I talked to one of the servers they said he wanted to do a small
pizza place. That was probably about 6 months ago.

I know Mulvaney (B&L) and Mahan (Waterboy) are big boosters of each other.
I've called Mulvaney's for reservations before - Patrick answered and told me
they were closed and then said "go to Waterboy - that's where I'll be". haha

Imagine a joint venture of those two local icons!

[brandon12]

"And 19th Street between L and Capitol is moving up as well:
The super cool chef/owner of B&L (19th between Capitol and L) Patrick Mulvaney has purchased the auto repair shop next door (the corner of 19th/L) and will do something with that space."

I've always thought that building had a lot of potential as a restaurant.

[sugit]

Originally Posted by ozone

I know Rick wants to open up a pizza place and I'm sure it'll be good. But aren't there too many new pizza places opening up in Midtown?

Is Chicago Fire on J Street opened yet? Is it just me or I'm I missing something about Luigi's Pizza? I don't really care for it. In the hood Old Soul's pizza a much better choice. For that matter so is Paesanos and even Pete's Original. Gianni Trattoria on J Street is my favorite in Midtown.

Yeah, there are def a lot of pizza places opening. There's one also opening on the corner of 16th and Q early next year in the old Young's Fireplace store.

I'm with you on the new Luigi's...not my favorite. I love the location on Stockton, but the new ones isn't quite up to the old one.

[TowerDistrict]

Agreed on Luigi's. The crust is like a heavy, dry pretzel or somethin.
The original Luigis is still the king.

Pizza is hot right now, and I couldn't be more stoked on the trend.
I especially like the model of the Luigi's by the slice and Uncle Vito's.
I haven't been to the one on K Street, Toppings, but it looks along
the same lines.

Those kinda places are three to a block in Brooklyn, so Sacramento's
pizza options are sparse by comparison.

[urban_encounter]

Originally Posted by ozone

Some more rumors to ruminate about the L lofts (L 19th/18th) and 1801 L across the street:

ICON is moving from the DTP mall and will join Aqua restaurant (of San Francisco) in the LL.

The Real Pie Co. is moving from F Street and a upscale/urban furniture store will join the new chocolatier that is opening soon in 1801 L.

At MARRS -along with aforementioned cheese & champaign bar/lounge I heard (from an employee of Peets Coffee) that a newstand is opening next door soon. Another source told me that they orginally had looked into opening in 1801 L but apparently decided on MARRS. I take it they will offer a wide range of international papers and cool magazines (taking up Tower Book's mantle).

And 19th Street between L and Capitol is moving up as well:
The super cool chef/owner of B&L (19th between Capitol and L) Patrick Mulvaney has purchased the auto repair shop next door (the corner of 19th/L) and will do something with that space.

Not a rumor:
Down the street from the B&L the very french shop -Le Petit Paris will be expanding as soon as the sales office for the L Lofts moves into their building (Spring) and they will be offering coffee and small french treats.

Delite -a gelato and panini shop will be opening in late spring next to the 19th/Capitol Building which already has the Felicia Strati European Boutique (IMO one of best upscale women's shop in all of Sacramento), Apartment 19 Hair Studio- located in two converted 1930's apartments upstairs and the 4Paws Pet Boutique.

The building that houses Chipotle and Senses Magazine is for sale for 2. something million.

Still very much a rumor:
The building across from 19th/Capitol Building -home of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing is going to be sold and converted to mix-use
office/retail.

Thanks for the updates Ozone..

[DALINSAC]

[QUOTE=TowerDistrict;3197907]Agreed on Luigi's. The crust is like a heavy, dry pretzel or somethin.
The original Luigis is still the king.

The first couple of times I was there, the Pizza was real good and fresh. (based on the fact that I have not eaten the original)
Yesterday it wasn't good at all. The whole slice was as hard as a rock. The crust was like wood. Like the pizza was a week old. I ate it anyway because I was in a hurry.

[goldcntry]

Originally Posted by sugit

...
An old high school friend of mine (don't see him much anymore though) is opening that Gelato place where Sakurabana used to be. He's been working on it for a couple years now.

Sweet! I've been dying for a Gelato shop for some time now! I foresee many a family trip for gelato in my future!

[sugit]

Originally Posted by goldcntry

Sweet! I've been dying for a Gelato shop for some time now! I foresee many a family trip for gelato in my future!

In the mean time, Pronto on 16th and O has some pretty good Gelato. $2.95 fo a massive cone of it.

_____________________

Here are the plans for the building Mulvaney bought. The prie fix sounds good.


Greased food: Sacramentan Kerry Kilcrease virtually grew up in his father's midtown auto repair shop. He took over the business, Howard & Sons, seven years ago when his dad retired.

Two weeks ago, he closed down the 41-year-old company.

"It's really hard being an independent shop," Kilcrease says. Newer cars are made so well they don't need much work, he says, and repairs are often done under dealer warranties.

Kilcrease, who is 47, will look for a new job. And what becomes of his 19th and L streets shop, which has an impressive bowed-truss ceiling?

He's sold it for an even $1 million to chef Patrick Mulvaney, owner of the nearby Mulvaney's Building & Loan.

Mulvaney plans to convert it to a 100-seat banquet hall for his catering business. "It's another arrow in our quiver," he says.

Eventually, he wants to offer fixed-price family-style dinners when the place is not being used for banquets. The former auto shop's redwood beams will remain.

[sugit]

I'm really looking forward to "Cosmo's"

Homemade Pastrami!!

_______________________________________________________________
Appetizers with Mike Dunne

This has been one peculiar year on the Sacramento dining scene, if for no other reason than that Randy Paragary hasn't opened, closed or relocated a restaurant. In 2007, Sacramento's most expansion-oriented restaurateur stood on the sidelines, though he wasn't exactly benched, just planning for 2008.

Next year, Paragary again will be shaking up diners, not only in Sacramento but Stockton, where in early spring he is to open his long anticipated Paragary's Bar & Grill in the restored 1910 Hotel Stockton, a fixture of the city's surging downtown revitalization. The restaurant is to be completed in February, with a debut expected in March, says Paragary. He describes the concept as a hybrid cross between his casual Paragary's Bar & Oven and his more upscale Esquire Grill, with a more extensive menu than either.

Back on his home turf, Paragary in September is to open Cosmo's, a deli-inspired restaurant in the Cosmopolitan Building, formerly Woolworth's, at 10th and K in downtown Sacramento. The concept was inspired by the restaurant's proximity to another tenant in the building, Cosmopolitan Cabaret, a 208-seat venue run by California Musical Theatre, which in September is to launch a series of musical comedies in the space. Paragary's concept for Cosmo's is being inspired largely by theater-district delis in New York, but will be more than a sandwich shop, he notes. Paragary's executive chef, Kurt Spataro, is starting to research and assemble the restaurant's menu, including a formula for the establishment's own housemade pastrami. "We hope to be a real presence in the middle of K Street," says Paragary.

Also on his agenda for next year is to determine what to do with retail space he is to control on the ground floor of the massive new parking garage nearing completion at 28th and N, close by his Paragary's Bar & Oven and the neighboring restaurant Ink Eats and Drinks, which occupies quarters he owns. "We've been thinking of moving Ink over there, but so far no concept has flown into my head that I think will work there," says Paragary.

Hmmm, what's hot in food and beverage right now and could work there, especially with the neighborhood's growing influx of doctors, nurses and hospital visitors? Cupcake bakery? Creperie? Wine bar? In the meantime, Paragary is starting to plan an intriguing spring benefit on the roof of the parking structure. It's to be a fundraiser for B Street Theatre, which is looking at possibly relocating to the area.

[TowerDistrict]

On a retail note.. i saw signs in a window of a small shop at 25th and J that
looked like an Upper Playground store was opening up here in Sacramento.

And that's exactly what's happening. For anyone that is unfamiliar,
Upper Playground has been a fixture in San Francisco street wear and
pop culture for years. One of those hipper-than-shit stores that draw the
kids from miles around. For a city not known for edgy retail - this is
definitely a welcome addition....



World Wide Domination Continues

It continues... Upper Playground's quest for world wide domination is
sweeping faster than the invasion of Iraq. With five stores under its belt
already, U.P. is about to make it six, by conquering the city of Sacramento.
This makes the roster, San Francisco, Berkeley, Portland, London - England
and Taichung - Taiwan; enough to make even Ivan The Terrible proud.
To coincide with the Grand Opening, there will be a special exhibit featuring
the artworks of Sam Flores, Saber, Retna, Estevan Oriol, Date Farmers, N8
Van Dyke, David Choe, Mister Cartoon, Alex Pardee, Jeremy Fish, Vitche,
Mike Giant, San, Doze Green, and Herbert Baglione.

The Upper Playground Sacramento Store Grand Opening Reception will be
held Saturday, December 15, 2007 from 7:00 p.m–10:00 p.m.

Upper Playground
2524 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95816
Phone: (916) 444-8148

[sugit]

More cool stuff on the way....I've been Jonesing a Brazilian Steakhouse for a while now.

_____________________________________________________________

Get Out Your Gaucho Hat

Brush up on your Portuguese. Come next summer, a churrascaria is to move into a former fitness center at 14th and H in downtown Sacramento. Basically, a churrascaria -- pronounced shoo-ras-ka-ria -- is a Brazilian steakhouse inspired by Portuguese methods of barbecueing. Meats on skewers customarily are cooked over charcoal or gas, then carved tableside directly onto plates. Service is "rodizio" style, or all you can eat for one fixed price.

Taka Watanabe, who is teaming up with Peter Kwong to open Viva Rio, says the restaurant will be true to the traditional churrascaria, right down to the customary grilled chicken hearts, gizzards and liver. One unusual touch, however, will be the sushi that is to be on the menu. Watanabe and Kwong are partners in Taka's Sushi in Fair Oaks, Kru in midtown Sacramento, and Ju Hachi, another Japanese restaurant to open in midtown Sacramento early next year. Though Watanabe is closely identified with Japanese cooking, he grew up in Brazil, not leaving Rio de Janeiro until he was 26. He's long talked of opening a Brazilian steakhouse here, a dream he expects to fulfill with the debut of Viva Rio in June or July, though restaurant projects are notorious for running behind schedule.

- Tuli Bistro, under construction for nearly a year at 21st and S, is to open for breakfast, lunch and dinner this coming Tuesday, Dec. 11, reports owner/chef Adam Pechal. Breakfasts will be simple, consisting of chalkboard items such as a Cheddar and chive waffle sandwich, but lunch and dinner will be more extensive. Pechal's largely Mediterranean- and Southern-inspired dishes include pasta carbonara ($14.50), bouillabaisse ($16), wood-roasted quail stuffed with jambalaya ($15), pizzas, salads and sandwiches such as the monkfish po'boy with "Southern slaw" and chipotle remoulade ($8.95). It's small, seating just 16 inside, most along the counter, but the patio will accommodate 36, weather permitting. Pechal, a 1997 graduate of the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park, N.Y., has put in stints with Bistro Don Giovanni and Bouchon in Napa Valley and at such local restaurants as River City Brewing Co. and Esquire Grill. He's also been catering. Tuli Bistro is to be open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Sundays.

- Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates, taking shape next to L Wine Lounge and Urban Kitchen along L Street at 18th, now isn't expected to open until early January, though chocolatier Ginger Elizabeth Powers may be able to pull it off between Christmas and New Year's, thereby capturing a bit of the important holiday traffic. "Basically, we're running 30 days late. The building permit took a long time," says Powers. She's not discouraged, however, vowing to have the shop open in time for another important chocolate holiday, Valentine's Day.

- Ju Hachi, Taka and Susan Watanabe's Japanese restaurant at 18th and S in midtown Sacramento, under construction for a year, now is expected to be ready for sushi enthusiasts in January.

- G.V. Hurley's, a restaurant with an "American comfort food" focus, moving into quarters formerly occupied by Radio Shack along J Street between 27th and 28th, now is expected to open sometime between Feb. 1 and March 1, says manager Erick Johnson. In a display of neighborly cooperation, the restaurant's executive chef, David Hill, formerly of Horseshoe Bar Grill in Loomis, has been using the kitchen of Peter Torza's nearby Gianni's Trattoria to test dishes.

- Sofia's on 11th, formerly Sofia, at 11th and H, has reopened after a brief closure, complete with liquor license, something initially in doubt.

[TowerDistrict]

i don't get that... Sofia always had a liquor license. In fact the big bar was
the first thing you see when walking through the door???

That's awesome that the chef of Horseshoe Bar will be working GV Hurley's.
Horseshoe Bar was a fantastic restaurant that would rival anything in
Sacramento. Sucks they closed up shop - but good for us, their chef moved
in closer.

I can't believe how long Tuli has taken. I hope this massive delay didn't
kill the owner financially. I was looking in the window a week ago, and
the article is right... the place is tiny with a huge patio. And although
Sacramento weather is perfect for that setup... waiting 4 months to take
advantage of over half your seating capacity sounds tough.

[sugit]

I've never been to Horseshoe Bar, but I had heard really good things about it.

I just realized I was actually on the same soccer team back in high school for a year with the owner/chef of Tuli..I'm going to have to drop by and see if he remembers me.

[DALINSAC]

Sacramento - SACRAMENTO -- Sacramento's Texas Mexican Restaurant, closed for more than a year, is back in business at its original site following a grand re-opening Monday. Assemblyman Dave Jones, a former city councilman, served as master of ceremonies during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. ”We are excited to be back downtown,” said Griselda Barajas, CEO of Griselda’s Catering and Texas Mexican restaurant. “This is a dream come true.” Griselda Barajas was forced to close her business in 2006 when city representatives said they had acquired properties in the area. “We never wanted to leave our location because we had a strong, thriving business,” Barajas said. “It was a difficult time for Griselda, she was expecting a child when the city wrongfully served her with an eviction notice,” said her husband Mike Keolanui. According to Keolanui, Barajas has become partners with her landlord, Moe Mohanna, returning to the site she occupied for 14 years before the "forced closure." The restaurant reopened despite the city’s recently announced public hearing for December 11 to hear the merits of condemning 700 and 800 block properties on K St. “The City has already contacted us about relocation again,” Barajas said. “I want to be an anchor participant in any future redevelopment project at this location.” Sacramento Central Labor Council’s Bill Camp spoke at Monday’s Grand Opening calling Barajas a ‘model employer’ and praised her as a hard-working and responsible business leader. Other dignitaries included City Council members Rob Fong and Kevin McCarty. Barajas is chair of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and is often mentioned as a potential candidate for public office. Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo was invited to cut the ribbon but was unable to attend. A video of the event can be seen at www.obsnews.com/griselda.html
Posted on:
Thursday, December 06, 2007 02:12 AM

[Pistola916]

Marilyns on K on Friday will be hosting a night of tribute in memory of the death of the great John Lennon from 8pm-10pm. There will be a tribute band afterwards and also prize giveaways. I believe there's a 10 dollar cover. Go check it out!