Hitting the Dive Bar and Pizza Joint on a Saturday Night



The Crest Theater, K Street Sacramento



A couple of weeks ago, we went to see Javier Bardem in Biutiful at the classic Crest Theater on K Street in Sacramento with one of our very good friends. (Check out the upcoming line-up on the marquee!) Biutiful was beautiful, but also tragic...no matter how hard Javier tries to change the inevitable.

After this poignant film, we needed a little lightening up. As luck would have it, K Street has been experiencing a revival.

"The powers that be" in Sacramento have been working hard to encourage new businesses along K Street, one of the prominent downtown streets in the city. The plans are to make it a premier entertainment district for downtown Sacramento. I was lucky to be involved with this process when I designed a restaurant called Cosmopolitan Cafe, which I wrote about HERE and HERE a few years ago. On the same block, right across from the Crest, a couple of new places have opened that we had to check out. San Francisco nightclub operator, George Karpaty decided Sacramento was an excellent bet for two new ventures. The first one we checked out was the Dive Bar:

It is not what you might expect from a regular dive bar. This one features a 40 foot long, 7,500 gallon salt water fish tank above the bar. There are lots of fish....but it also is home to Sacramento's mermaid and merman population. Sacramento is known, after all, to have one of the most diverse populations in the country.....ahem.

Here's a little peek at the Dive Bar's beautiful mermaids with the in house DJ:

Mermaids in their natural habitat at the Dive Bar.
Photo via the Dive Bar Website

Mermaids swimming at the Dive Bar.
Photo via The Dive Bar Website

And here is the the bar crowd the night we were there:

The place was jammed with those imbibing cocktails all heads turned toward the mermaid in residence. We were no exception. Time for one quick cocktail before heading next door to check out the second of Karpaty's ventures, Pizza Rock. I had heard a bit about the interiors at this newest of "pizza joints", but words do not do it justice.

Pizza Rock has to be experienced first hand to really feel the "impact". A Sistine Chapel-esque mural graces the ceiling where angelic beings float about hanging onto electric guitars, while a Peterbilt truck crashes through the brick wall right over the patrons. (I am not sure I would want that table!) 

Pizza Rock partner, Tony Gemignani, is the first American ever to win first place for his Neapolitan Pizza in The World Pizza Cup competition in Naples, Italy. The pizza is "divine", the atmosphere "electric", and we can't wait to take the girls back with us next time!

As the evening was winding down, we realized we had one more place to see. Time was too short, so  we made a plan to come back. We will  be checking out District 30, a high end modern bar and dance club next door to Pizza Rock next time we head over to K Street. Here's a peek:

Photo via District 30 website

Photo via District 30 website

Mr. Karpaty, you've been a busy man!

Photo via District 30 website

Extraordinary: Extraordinary Desserts

Creme Brullee

I just have to ask....is it fair? One does try to keep one's figure, but really.....the battle is already lost as soon as one enters HERE. But then again, who cares, when surrender is so delicious?

Caramelized Chocolate Lava Bun

A friend of mine, who happens to know my penchant for sweets, suggested that I check out a little place by the name of Extraordinary Desserts. I thought, "why not....the kids always like to go to bakeries". We were planning a walk through downtown San Diego anyway to see the changes since I had been there last (did I mention before that Tim and I met on New Year's Eve in downtown San Diego? Anyway, I digress....) After our hike through the city, a little refreshment might be just the ticket.

Lemon Cupcakes

Little did I imagine I would end up looking like the the latest Lotto winner as soon as I entered the door. I have never seen so many and such beautiful desserts in my life....and believe me, I have seen plenty.

Chocolate Strudel

At first we just sat there staring with our jaws hanging open. One enters Extraordinary Desserts to the full view of the pastry cases. You must pass them to get to the seating area. We discovered that there is no "dessert menu". When you are done with your meal, you get up and peruse the cases, and try to narrow down the choices to one. Ahem....our waitress thought we had gone AWOL since we were trying to decide for at least 15 minutes.

Raspberry Linzer Danish

By the way, Extraordinary Desserts does have very tasty salads, sandwiches and paninis, which we did eat as well. Tim kept it light with a hummus and olive plate. I had a delicious smoked salmon sandwich, and my daughter had a grilled cheese panini....all very good!

Coffee Cake and Choclate Chip Cookies

But really, what could upstage these confectionery superstars? Here are just a few more pictures just you can understand why my defenses were overrun.

Flourless Chocolate Cake heaped with Fresh Fruit

Chocolate Covered Truffle Loaf Bundt Cakes and Cream Cheese Brownies

Cakes ready for Take Home

After I realized surrender was really the only option, I relaxed and enjoyed the clean and contemporary surroundings punctuated with an Asian flair. The restaurant had a relaxed feel, but I still felt like I was in a place where I would be pampered.

Extraordinary Desserts Restaurant Interior

Extraordinary Desserts Desserts Case Display

So....are you curious as to what we picked? Tim had huge self control and only ordered the Kiwi Lemonade (made with crushed Kiwi fruit....there were many other flavors as well....yum!).

Tim's Kiwi Lemonade and Hummus Plate

That control seemed to fizzle as soon as my, and my daughter's, desserts were brought to the table. My daughter had the chocolate croissant bread pudding.

Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding

I had the Nectarine Crostata. (I am a sucker for fruit desserts of any kind.) Tim dove across the table like it was his last meal. I literally had to move my plate out of reach before it was completely devoured. My poor daughter had to fend for herself at that point. Nothing comes between me and my dessert.

Nectarine Crostata

For more info about the restaurant hop on over HERE and for more about the amazing chef and founder, Karen Krasne, click HERE

Viva! Cinco de Mayo

Roses floating in a huge urn at the entry

We beat the crowds and celebrated Cinco de Mayo early over the weekend at Zocalo in Sacramento.

Icy Margaritas, naturally.....

And Pozole Rojo, yum.....

Sacramento is known for it's many, many sidewalk cafes shaded by giant elms and sycamore trees all over Midtown. Zocalo is one of our favorite's. The weather has been very cooperative lately, and the French doors were all pulled back to let in the Spring evening air.

The food was delicious, the drinks very refreshing, the service perfect and the company was hilarious (yes, Daryl...I mean you!)

If you are looking for a place to celebrate tonight....this it it!

MORE ON THE SAN FRANCISCO DECORATOR SHOWCASE TOMORROW!!!!

Lunch at Ella with Paloma and Jeni

It was a busy week last week! On Friday, I had lunch with Paloma of La Dolce Vita who was in Sacramento to visit blogger friend Jeni from Mrs. Plain Jane. Jeni and I had met through the blogging connection a little while ago, and when she said that Paloma was coming into town, it was only fitting that we all get together! Thanks Jeni for arranging this get together!

It was wonderful meeting Paloma! She is just as sweet in person as she is on her blog, and both ladies are stunning, don't you think? Um...I was feeling a tiny bit "OTH", but they are both so fun, I put it out of my mind. I always love to meet bloggers in person. It adds a whole other dimension to the blog connection.

The food at Ella Dining Room and Bar is brilliant, as is the interior which I blogged about awhile back HERE.

I thought I'd give you another little peek.

We sat at this table right here. When we first came in it was full, but we ended up closing the place down by the time we got up to leave. Time flies......

Thank you to Jeni for bringing us all together!

Napa: Eat Here

If any of you watch Bravo's Top Chef, you will also know about Top Chef Masters. Some of the worlds greatest chefs have been competing to win dollars for their favorite charities. One of my favorite competitors has been Chef Michael Chiarello, founder of NapaStyle, that yummy catalog of cooking essentials. You may have also seen him on his Food Network show: "Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello".

During our weekend of stuffing ourselves in Napa, we made it to Chef Michael's latest venture: Bottega. This Italian based restaurant is located in the town of Yountville in the Napa Valley on the historic Vintage Estates Property, one of the oldest wineries in the valley.

OK...enough of the backstory....on with the food! (And the restaurant of course...this is an interiors blog after all.)

We walked in to see a beautiful interior that was warm and comfortable, and perhaps most importantly, set up to be more about the food, less about the "decorating". Farm house style tables, worn leather chairs and terracotta pavers created that casual but sophisticated atmosphere which embodies the spirit of Napa. We were all smiling at once.

We decided to eat outside on the patio which was covered with awnings which created a warm glow. (Very flattering to the complexion, but I will have to apologize for the color quality of the food photos.) This is the patio next to the entrance where drinks and appetizers are served:

We had a wonderful meal, and I have to admit there were forks flying all over the place while we shared bites. I had a delicious pot of polenta with sauteed mushrooms for my appetizer. Served with a small pitcher of warm balsamic. I just loved this presentation:

Tim had the chicken, flavored with fennel and served with sweet corn, fava beans, onions and peppers...so good! The plates looked perfect with the logo on the edge.

I also had the Tuscan Tomato and Bread soup, very hearty and very yummy! I could not get a get a good shot however. But I highly recommend it. Perhaps my favorite item at our table was my friend Nicki's salad of snap peas, sweet corn and delicate onions in a citrus vinaigrette...so refreshing and very tasty. (I am going to try and recreate it for my book group this Friday....wish me luck!)

And at the end of our meal, I felt very pampered when I dabbed my lips with the Frette napkins!

Bottega is well worth a visit if you are planning that Napa getaway. Great food and ambiance. And for all of those shoppers out there, it is right across the path from the NapaStyle Store!

Bon Appetit!

Napa: Dessert!!

I promised you dessert didn't I? How rude of me to keep you waiting!

After a delicious lunch at Bistro Jeanty, we hopped down the block to Bouchon Bakery. Another of Thomas Keller's creations, Bouchon Bakery was started to compliment his restaurant, Bouchon. Thomas Keller is well known for the famous French Laundry in Yountville. Mr. Keller started Bouchon as a more casual, family style French bistro and Bouchon Bakery was first started to supply Bouchon with it's bread. It has since blossomed into a delectable patisserie with macarons, eclairs, and tarts. There are also cookies and chocolates. And if you want a quick picnic, there are soups and sandwiches for take-out.

I thought you would enjoy a peek!

I had a carmel macaron that was so big I had to save part of it for later. ( OK......Later being ten minutes.) Soooo good!

One of the best cookbooks out there for French Bistro faire:

Click here for more info on the cookbook!

Napa: Where to Eat

I guess a better question would be, where NOT to eat! There are so many 5 star restaurants in the Napa Valley, you might never find a bad one. On our day in Napa, we had a hard time deciding where to go. We decided that Bistro Jeanty would be perfect: casual, but brilliant, authentically prepared country French food.

Opened in 1998 by chef Philippe Jeanty, Bistro Jeanty has been receiving accolades ever since. Philippe Jeanty came to the U.S. from Epernay, France in 1977 and hasn't looked back. And lucky for us! He arrived here to open the Chandon Restaurant with a team of French chefs. But after many years of perfecting his skills in classic French Haute Cuisine, he decided to open Bistro Jeanty to quench his thirst for the simpler country version of French food.

The restaurant has received a Michelin star each of the last three years, as well as other numerous awards. Yet you would never feel out of place in this charming, so-not-stuffy bistro.

OK, before we go any further, click here to listen to some music to put you in the mood. Then come right on back!

Here is what we had:

My friend Leanne had the Salmon Carpaccio and a Beet and Orange Salad. The Carpaccio was melt in your mouth, and the beets delicate and delicious.

Mine was a mouth watering leek tart with a Porcini mushroom reduction. I also had the Hericots Verts Salad, perfectly seasoned with just a hint of crunchiness.

And Lise had the Salade Nicoise and Frites. The Butter Lettuce was firm and perfect. The artichoke hearts, tomatoes and anchovies tasty and fresh, With the light dressing of EVOL and lemon juice....so good! And the Frites? Well....let's just say there were no leftovers.

If you have not already perused the website by now, please take a moment to visit. The website is just as charming as the restaurant! You can see menus,( which change daily...I can see that what we had is no longer on the menu), and learn more about Chef Philippe Jeanty.

I hope you all have a chance to visit in person next time you are in the Napa Valley!!

Tomorrow: Dessert!!!