Shady hangout

Rev your kitchens: Off The Grid Markets has returned for a second season at The Barn (985 Riverfront Street in West Sacramento), the curvy, indoor-outdoor venue in West Sacramento. Each week from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., the venue will host more than a dozen food trucks, including Flavor Face (American comfort), Latin Flame (Mexican) and the delightfully named Who is Hungry? (Hungarian).

“We want people to be aware that there are things happening in West Sacramento,” said Off the Grid spokesperson Joshua Jimenez.

Weekly, Off the Grid will announce its rotating food truck lineup, which will occasionally include trucks from San Francisco, on its Facebook page.

At the inaugural event on May 13, visitors watched fire dancers while sipping on craft cocktails from Rye on the Road and beers from Drake’s Brewing Co., which will establish a permanent residency at The Barn later this year. To prepare, Drake’s will host “Meet the Brewers” events every second Saturday, starting on June 10.

Guests explored the river while moseying along a newly renovated pier. And, learning from last year, organizers provided them with increased shade from canvas sails and seating that complements the novel shape of The Barn. By serving quality, affordable food and drink at a hip venue on the waterfront, West Sacramento hosts the sort of event that has mostly eluded its eastern neighbor.

Finnegan again: On May 3, John Finnegan announced on Facebook that Finnegan’s Public House (3751 Stockton Boulevard) was closing. He had even posted it for sale on Craigslist for $50,000 with a cryptic comment: “Family issues force sale.”

But by May 8, Finnegan provided an update: “There are investors interested in keeping Finnegan’s open!!!!”

Due to a “perfect storm of sorts”—Finnegan wrote in a Facebook message that he can’t yet comment on exactly what has happened or will—the restaurant has a fighting chance of reopening. “For the record I did everything humanly possible to keep FPH open. If I could tell you the story it would make Crime and Punishment look like a lighthearted comedy. And this may not be the final chapter.”