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

Restaurant 55°
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

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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

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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

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Round Corner knows what you like

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

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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

Temple Fine Coffee and Tea
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

Scott’s Seafood Grill & Bar
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