Eulogy

Bad news: Oh Cask & Barrel, why’d you have to go so soon? I surely thought your reasonable prices would help you stick around. What will Sacramento do without your velvety, Velveeta-like macaroni and cheese? Or your deep-fried chocolate pie? I don’t want to think about it.

Ever since Enotria closed, this location on Del Paso Boulevard has seemed like a revolving door. What’s next? According to the Sacramento Bee, two new concepts run by Deneb Williams are already in the works. Williams was most recently the executive chef at the Firehouse in Old Sacramento.

It’s been a tough couple of weeks for Sacramento restaurants in general. RailBridge Cellars & Co. abruptly closed on the main floor of the historic Elks Tower downtown. And Irish-themed chain Bennigan’s announced it would open on the corner of 10th and K streets, which means current tenants K Bar and Cafe Bernardo are leaving. Related: the Cafe Bernardo in Davis (234 D Street) recently underwent a makeover. Its new chairs, textured white ceiling and generally bright aesthetic now match Paragary’s in Midtown, while bike wheels hanging from the ceiling nod to Davis itself.

Good news: With closures also came openings. Just in time for Golden 1 Center’s opening, the Pier Lounge, Bar & Grill took over the former Zokku nightclub and brief Triple Double space at 419 J Street. The menu hits a mix of American, Italian, Japanese and Asian-fusion dishes: seared tuna with soy ($14), a bulgogi burger with kimchi ($15), fried ribs with lemongrass ($12), arancini stuffed with mozzarella ($10), sous vide lamb chops ($24), lobster mac ’n’ cheese ($25). Truffle oil seems to be a staple ingredient.

There’s a new hot pot place in Land Park: Shabu Pub (4400 Freeport Boulevard), where you order two broths and a protein, which also comes with vegetables, udon, rice and ice cream. The vegetarian option comes in cheapest at $14.99 while the imported wagyu beef tops the list at $36. Or, you can order all-you-can-eat, excluding imported wagyu, for $30.99. Throw in an extra $10 for unlimited drinks, too.

The Asian-Cajun trend came to Fair Oaks in the form of Asian N Cajun 2 (8121 Greenback Lane). The seafood boil spot also has a location in Natomas.

And Roseville got another Indian restaurant. This is Curry Paradise’s (1079 Sunrise Avenue) second location in addition to one in West Sacramento.