{"id":1657,"date":"2015-09-17T03:42:00","date_gmt":"2015-09-17T03:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/acloserlookmedia.com\/?p=1657"},"modified":"2024-04-14T03:43:26","modified_gmt":"2024-04-14T03:43:26","slug":"best-of-sacramento-2015-food-drink-writers-picks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/acloserlookmedia.com\/?p=1657","title":{"rendered":"Best of Sacramento 2015: Food & Drink writers’ picks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Food & Drink writers\u2019 picks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Build
Build your own poke bowl\u2014and send your mouth to the tropics\u2014at Fish Face Poke Bar.PHOTO BY EVAN DURAN<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Best oral trip to Hawaii<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fish Face Poke Bar<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Hawaii, beach-time lunch runs involve driving to the nearest fish market and munching on cubes of raw ahi tuna, marinated in soy sauce and sesame oil. It\u2019s called poke, and it\u2019s in Sacramento at last thanks to Kru\u2019s Billy Ngo. At his latest venture, Fish Face, you build your ultimate poke bowl with options for protein, sauce and other fun additions. Will it be tender octopus dressed in spicy kimchi and daikon sprouts? Or Passmore Ranch sturgeon in yuzu ponzu, avocado and mango? Close your eyes, taste the ocean and imagine sand between your toes. 1104 R Street, Suite 100; (916) 706-0605; www.fishfacepokebar.com<\/a>. J.B.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best reason to cook for yourself<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mei Mei Noodle Factory<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can be tempting to drive to your favorite South Sacramento restaurant anytime you have a handmade noodle craving. But damn it, you should use your kitchen and actually cook once in a while. Don\u2019t worry, I\u2019m not suggesting you roll your own noodles. Hit up Mei Mei Noodle Factory instead. Find noodles for stir-fries or big bowls of udon alike\u2014just $1.19 per pound and way better than even the fresh noodles you see at most Asian grocery stores. Need another endorsement? Just ask the chefs over at Mother. 1710 10th Street, (916) 448-2938. J.B.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Russian cheese selection<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Berezka Market<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tiny Berezka is tucked away in a tired, nondescript strip mall that most folks can\u2019t even see when driving down Sacramento Avenue. Although the market carries some of the best chocolates from Russia and other specialty goods, the cheese is the real lure. That\u2019s in part because\u2014unless you\u2019re already a Russian cheese expert\u2014you never know what you\u2019re buying until you\u2019ve had a taste. Due to language barriers, Berezka employees describe the store\u2019s many varieties of cheese the same way: \u201cRussian cheese.\u201d Luckily, you can sample until you find the right one\u2014and then buy by the pound. 958 Sacramento Avenue in West Sacramento, (916) 374-8834. E.J.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best morning tiramisu<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dianda\u2019s Italian Bakery and Cafe<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tiramisu is the undisputed king of Italian desserts\u2014don\u2019t even try to argue here\u2014and like carrot cake, it passes as a substantial breakfast item if you\u2019re willing to lie to yourself a little. Dianda\u2019s Italian Bakery & Cafe crafts not only one of the best slices of \u2019misu in the area, but grabbing one is easily done for Fair Oaks-dwellers on a time-crunched commute to the office. Dianda\u2019s take is perfectly portioned, not overly sweet and a steal at only $3.75 a slice. 10131 Fair Oaks Boulevard in Fair Oaks, (916) 966-3757. J.C.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best local pizza you shouldn\u2019t ever forget<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luigi\u2019s Pizza Parlor<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We screwed up. Last year, SN&R published a cover story ranking the best pizzas in the region\u2014and we straight forgot Luigi\u2019s in south Oak Park! Maybe it\u2019s the location (too off the grid), or maybe it\u2019s Luigi\u2019s commitment to classic pies (too old school). Anyway, I personally felt like a dumb dog for neglecting to include Luigi\u2019s in the region\u2019s top 10\u2014it absolutely is\u2014and started frequenting the pizzeria again this summer after softball games. Memories: that Luigi\u2019s House pie, what with its trio of meats, dipped in ranch dressing. If that\u2019s not true Sacto, then I don\u2019t know what is. Special shout out to Celso Brida, the boss at Luigi\u2019s, who left this world in March. Rest in peace, sir. 3800 Stockton Boulevard, www.luigispizzaonline.com<\/a>. N.M.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best buffet for dinner<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pooja Indian Grill<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s why Indian buffets aren\u2019t always ideal: they\u2019re only at lunch and the naan usually dries out. Pooja Indian Grill\u2014already a purveyor of some of the finest Indian food in the area\u2014solves both of those issues. The restaurant started offering dinner buffets on Friday and Saturday nights for about $16, and the naan is made-to-order for each table. Absolutely brilliant. On a recent evening, there was crispy fish pakora, lamb that slid off the bone, thick saag paneer, aromatic goat curry and a wide selection of Indian desserts for ecstatic overeating. 1223 Merkley Avenue in West Sacramento, (916) 375-8906, http:\/\/poojaindiangrill.com<\/a>. J.B.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best love-filled bowl of menudo<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alonzo\u2019s Coffee Shop<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to properly dress a bowl of tripe-filled menudo, you must have lemon wedges, diced onions and oregano. Wanda Alonzo, owner of Alonzo\u2019s Coffee Shop, personally sees to it that each customer receives all the fixings that make this hearty, Mexican breakfast soup so enjoyable. The recipes at this family owned and operated restaurant are more than 40 years old, belonging to Wanda\u2019s husband, Jesus. He died 13 years ago, but Wanda and her son, Samuel, continue to keep his spirit alive via their wonderful homemade food. 5649 Stockton Boulevard, (916) 453-9225. S.R.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best nighttime wake-up call<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

de Vere\u2019s Irish Pub<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometime you want to catch a buzz, but you don\u2019t want to be sleepy at the same time\u2014and you\u2019re way past drinking vodka-Red Bulls. Enter the Irish coffee\u2014and no one in town does it better than de Vere\u2019s. They mix Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey and coffee, which makes for a warming, bittersweet drink. It\u2019s then topped off with very sweet, thick, fresh whipped cream, which contrasts well with the whiskey-coffee blend. They are a little steep at $8\u2014and on the small side\u2014but they are absolutely delicious. 1521 L Street; 217 E Street in Davis; http:\/\/deverespub.com<\/a>. A.C.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best vegetarian food for omnivores<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It seems like every couple these days has one omnivore and one vegetarian. Unfortunately, the latter tends to miss out on the best dishes at most local restaurants. Not so at Abyssinia. The tofu awaze tibs are extremely tasty, with a wonderful texture and seemingly perfect blend of chili, garlic and onions. Or try one of the menu\u2019s many different wot-style dishes, a sort of stew with special spices and loads of clarified butter. Omnivores and vegetarians alike will leave plenty satisfied. 346 Fulton Avenue, (916) 481-1580, www.abyssiniaethiopianrestaurantsacramento.com<\/a>. E.J.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best surprise soda aisle<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

La Superior Hillsdale<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Venturing into this particular La Superior leaves you inundated with the smells from the adjacent taqueria and with more primary colors than the Gobstopper wing of the Willy Wonka Factory. But venture you must, because an entire aisle is dedicated to bottled soft drinks\u2014the majority made with real sugar instead of nasty high fructose corn syrup. Domestic brands like Coca-Cola and Dr. Pepper sit cozy next to Latin American brands like Jarritos and Inca Kola. 5731 Hillsdale Boulevard, (916) 332-6200, www.lasuperiormercados.com<\/a>. J.C.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best pupusas<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

La Hacienda Mexican & Salvadorian Restaurant<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hiding in a sad, decrepit-looking shopping center are some of the best pupusas around. For the uninitiated, pupusas are a traditional Salvadorean dish that fuses a special, thick cornmeal dough\u2014also known as masa de maiz\u2014with just about any filling you desire. The most popular is the cheese pupusa made with fresh, soft quesillo that oozes out of the center\u2014but the seasoned chicken and refried bean varieties are excellent too. La Hacienda\u2019s offerings change regularly\u2014at just $2.50 per pupusa, come often, come hungry and try them all. 3315 Northgate Boulevard, Suite 9, in Natomas; (916) 921-1282. E.J.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best reason to say \u201cput an egg on it\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hankook Tofu House<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I adore runny eggs and put them on just about everything: salads, pastas, sandwiches, you name it. Hankook Tofu House is all over the egg game already. The Korean restaurant specializes in tofu soup: bubbling red broth, intense spice, silky tofu and\u2014if you ask nicely\u2014an egg on the side. Your server will crack it in, and then you can gently push the yolk underneath the kimchi, mussels or whatever else you have in there. You\u2019ll sip and savor the soup\u2014momentarily forgetting about the egg altogether\u2014and just as you think the meal is ending, you\u2019ll meet your rich, yolky reward. 9521 Folsom Boulevard, Suite A; (916) 364-1950. J.B<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best sausage from a true meister<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morant\u2019s Old Fashioned Sausage Kitchen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Germany, you can\u2019t just open up a sausage shop and expect everything to be gravy. You have to earn that right through rigorous education and a certification process that proves that you are, in fact, a sausage meister. We should also have such high regard for tubed meats in the United States, but until we reach that enlightened state, we have Morant\u2019s, run by certified meister Dirk M\u00fcller. Free yourselves from the shackles of bastardized brats in the name of the real thing. 5001 Franklin Boulevard, (916) 731-4377.\u00a0A.S.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(SN&R)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Food & Drink writers\u2019 picks Best oral trip to Hawaii Fish Face Poke Bar In Hawaii, beach-time lunch runs involve driving to the nearest fish market and munching on cubes of raw ahi tuna, marinated in soy sauce and sesame oil. It\u2019s called poke, and it\u2019s in Sacramento at last thanks to Kru\u2019s Billy Ngo. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1657","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-media"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/acloserlookmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1657","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/acloserlookmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/acloserlookmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acloserlookmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acloserlookmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1657"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/acloserlookmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1657\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1658,"href":"https:\/\/acloserlookmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1657\/revisions\/1658"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/acloserlookmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1657"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acloserlookmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1657"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acloserlookmedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1657"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}