Mother’s veggie feasts and Shoki’s ramen dreams

This article was published on 01.15.15

Veggie feasts: The “Chefs 10” at Mother (1023 K Street) was a magical thing. Eight savory dishes, two sweet, all changing all the time—and more than enough to feed two people at a totally reasonable $50.

But it’s gone now. Sorry. Mother served its last on New Year’s Eve. Why get rid of such an attraction?

Co-owner Ryan Donahue said it was part logistical—the orders sometimes slowed down the kitchen—but mostly, the Mother team wants to be a constantly evolving, challenging entity.

In other words: “We were getting bored,” Donahue said.

At some point in the near future, Mother plans to unveil a replacement. Donahue said the chefs are still tweaking the concept, but it will probably be something like a Japanese bento box, featuring a bunch of different small bites. It could be a one-person meal, or a taster-style appetizer for more. And, ideally, paired with beverages.

Ramen dreams: The original Shoki Ramen House (2675 24th Street) closed on December 30, but another location will open just a few blocks away at what was once Trails Restaurant (2530 21st Street). The good news is not only shorter wait times—Trails is a much bigger space than the 24th Street Shoki—but the original restaurant’s old-timey, Western decor and historic neon sign will stay in place. OK, maybe the latter is actually bad news.

Beer me: Expect a lot of beer news in the coming months. A soft opening at Track 7 Brewing’s massive Natomas taproom should happen any day now, with grand opening celebrations in time for Sacramento Beer Week (February 27 through March 9). Sactown Union Brewery, located in industrial East Sacramento, is also expected to open by Beer Week. Its anticipated beer arsenal features exciting flavors like tamarind, blackberry and sorrel, along with some sours and barrel-aged brews—co-owner Quinn Gardner comes from San Francisco’s 21st Amendment Brewery.

Then we’ve got West Sacramento’s Jackrabbit Brewing—its Belgian-style farmhouse ale is popular in area restaurants and bars—which has been planning a taproom for ages. Construction is underway. Construction is also long underway at Twelve Rounds Brewing, hopefully opening in March in East Sacramento, and Dragas Brewing, aiming for an early February launch in Rocklin. Whew. Thirsty yet?