DINNER: Mulvaney's

Mulvaney's Web site

We finally got around to checking Mulvaney's out. The first and last time there was at the pubcrawl where they were making their mozzarella right in front of us. Had to go back. We finally did, and we spent and ate more than we do anywhere we go! Talk about gluttons! We should have been in the movie "Seven" where the fat guy got bounced/offed. Anyhow- we started with Prosecco, beer, pea shoots, and posole. The posole was awesome and they were kind enough to split the order into two bowls. The pea shoots were interesting but highly pricey at $11 and very skimpy. Would skip next time. We then had the pork belly and scallops, lamb, and a pasta dish with mushrooms. All were excellent; the small plates were generous. The pork belly scrumptious. The red wine, an old vine zin, went well with all. The decaf coffee was the best I've ever had. The only loser of the meal was our dessert; we misordered. Will order the ding dong next time. Why did we pass that up?

DINNER: Ambience, Lisa's Take

I'm going to be one of the odd men out and be a little bit more critical of Ambience than the others! Rogue blogger! :) We were really hyped to try Ambience and the prix fixe meals there, but kind of got mixed impressions. The service was a little bizarre at first; I did feel that there wasn't a whole lot of enthusiasm by the wait-staff when we first arrived and the server didn't seem to know what was on the beer list. To her credit, the waitress got a lot better as the evevning went on. As for the food, I thought some dishes were lackluster and others pretty decent; I think, however, that I was hoping it would be more like the Kitchen or Ella, but I think I prefer Ella. The starter dish was a strange salmon mousse concoction on soft toast. We just said "eh" and looked for the next dish. My tuna dish was pretty decent, although one of the tuna sashimis was mixed with a strange tomato paste/sauce, which didn't seem to go together well. The crab cake, again, was ok; the best part was the baby polenta crouton. Wish I had had two more of those! The highlight of my meal was the veal shank; it was perfect. I also tried the beef tartar, which was not tasty, and the duck, which had a strange texture. The rabbit was decent. If this was Iron Chef, I would give them a 25 on presentation and more like a 19 on food. Very hit or miss selections, although impressive that they have such a wide variety and the plating is excellent!

DINNER: Plan B

Plan B's Web site

I've been wanting to try this place since Leslie and Chris reviewed it. Plan B is a cute, cozy eatery near Fair Oaks and Watt. I appreciated the decor -- pretty dark colors contrasted by white brick walls. (John thought it was lacking, though.) I was impressed with their wine list, especially their wines by the glass -- many of our favorite wineries were represented. The menu is simple, offering appetizer "stix" options that mirror the entree selections. And mussels. They offer a variety of mussels, which I assume is one of their specialties. Not really in a seafood mood, we each ordered a salad and meat entrees. John's Caesar salad was good, but could have used more anchovies. My mache salad was also good (it came with a hunk of brie, how could I not like that?). My lamb was simply and perfectly prepared. John loved his rib eye steak, a strong recommendation for all you beef eaters. We had apple pie for dessert, John thought it was boring, but I appreciated its simplicity. In fact, that's how I'd sum up Plan B -- delicious food, simply prepared.

DINNER: Ambience - Leslie's take

Ambience's Web site

John said it best when he said that Ambience in Carmichael was a "delightful find." Man, this place is good! And I have NO idea how they can offer such five star food at a prix fixe menu of five courses for $45. Our waitress started off a little shaky in the beginning (oh, that is a beer that has a "cartoon character" on it and can be sold at Trader Joes... what?), but totally pulled it out by the end. She knew this menu like the back of her hand and explained each detail of the course (often seven different dishes were brought to the table!) effortlessly. Ambience looks completely cheesey from the outside but the decor in the inside is trendy and mellow. For veggies and non-veggies alike, the options seemed endless.... We all started with the Salmon scallop mousse puffed pastry thing. The second course included beet salad, ahi tuna samplers, lobster.... just to name a few. Our table did a good job of ordering almost everything on the menu with the exception of dessert - they had this chocolate number that most couldn’t pass up - so check out other blogers for their view. I had the beet salad that was wonderful. I am a sucker for anything beets. Next course was asparagus soup with creme fraiche that I think was my favorite dish of the items I sampled. It was fresh tasting with a hint of heat. My main course was the Grilled Chilean sea bass on braised leeks, corn arborio rice with radicchio and arugula. I practically licked my plate! The fish was cooked perfectly and some how the whole dish seemed "light" not drowned in any sauce which was a refreshing change. This place isn’t just a fish and steak place — they offered rabbit, duck, and boar as well as a few other numbers. For dessert, most of the table got pulled into this chocolate-sabayon cream parfait number that was to die for. Seriously, it was a lot of food, but the portion sizes were nicely done and they timed the platings perfectly so your tummy had just enough time to digest before moving on. The hub and I decided that we are already going back.... perhaps for Valentine’s day? (Hint! Hint!)

DINNER: Ambience

Ambience's Web site

Ambience Restaurant is a surprising and delightful find – right in the middle of an unassuming strip mall in Carmichael, which we managed to find in the pouring rain thanks to our bossy Garmin navigator. Apropos of the name, the interior is casually elegant, with several rooms, some with booths, adding to the sense of place and privacy. The menu is prix fixe at $45, and has five courses. As we were soon to learn, this may be one of the best deals in the Sacramento area. Several of the courses allowed for multiple options, so do not be concerned that you will be boxed into what the chef thought you should eat that evening. Bernadette had the baby beet salad as a first course, and raved about it. My lobster crème brule came in two parts and was topped with a dollop of caviar. Say. No. More. My main course, the wild boar, was excellent; although I had to get over the guilt of eating beef that was flown in from New Zealand … I’ll offset the carbon with a few trips to work on my bike. Bernadette’s sea bass was similarly excellent, but she regretted smothering it in the herbed butter dollop that topped it. Since I was driving, it was probably OK that Ambience does not offer a wine pairing menu to accompany each course; Bernadette was initially disappointed … until she tasted the Cold Creek chardonnay which put her in a very good mood. Overall, we were just as satisfied walking out of Ambience as we have been walking out of The Kitchen, Ella, Biba, and any of the other “event” restaurants in Sacramento. The service was knowledgeable and attentive, but not obnoxiously so, which added to our very positive experience. So, if your reconnoitering skills are good, do try this little gem in the middle of suburbia. It is worth the trip.

DINNER: Taylor's Kitchen, Bernadette's take

Taylor's Kitchen's Web site

I cannot believe I didn't know about this charming, lovely, little place. We've shopped at Taylor's Market every once in a while, but I never even noticed the restaurant right next door. What a find! The menu at Taylor's Kitchen is interesting and current, the food itself is delicious. The decor is perfectly pleasant and the service is excellent. Its plates are not embellished or styled, but that's probably because it's more of a substance over style place. I loved the Humbolt Fog cheese, although each selection on the cheese plate was delectable. The Housemade Stinging Nettle Tagliatelle was wonderful (Ray ordered it, too); it appeared to be just a bowl of green noodles with a sausage crumble here and there -- but it tasted so much better than it looked. Lots of garlic and some fennel, I think. The beet salad was one of the best I've ever had (and I always order beet salad if it's on a menu). The Andrew Rich Pinot Noir that was recommended by our server was a huge hit, too. I enjoyed the panna cotta dessert, but it was the only thing I'd rate as "good not great." I cannot wait to go back here (our first-date anniversary is coming up, John ... hint hint). So, sorry Land Parkers, your hidden gem is becoming more widely known!

DINNER: Taylor's Kitchen, Lisa's Take

Taylor's Kitchen's Web site

Our 2nd dinner club outing was a lot of fun. I won't write too much about what I think the others will say, but there were some pros and cons. The pros: the service, atmosphere, and decor. What a great romantic neighborhood restaurant! I was digging the sink in the bathroom, and the 16-ply toilet paper. I'm not kidding! Ok. Maybe not 16... The waiter made a great wine recommendation, and the beet salad was fantastic. We all agreed that it was much better than Pearl on the River's beet salad. My minor disappointments in what was otherwise a great setting: the cheese plate was very drab looking; just a sprinkle of an herb or oil would have made it look stellar because the toleme cheese was stellar. Also, my pappardelle was extremely extremely salty salty salty. If and when we go again, I think the smart thing to order, from a sister restaurant of the butchery next door, would be a meat entree or the special fish entree. Duh on my part. Overall, the menu introduced me to a lot of new flavors and ideas for our next dinner club. I've never tried toleme cheese, nor caper berries or panna cotta. So, I really applaud Taylor's Kitchen for having an interesting menu and a diverse wine menu.

DINNER: Plan B

Plan B's Web site

After a long awaited date night, we finally booked a sitter for Saturday night to make it happen. Chris picked the spot - a hip little french joint just around the corner from our house called Plan B. This place was AMAZING. From the decor to the service to the food - 5 stars all the way (even when the guy who was a few scotches in knocked over our almost empty bottle of wine while walking to his table on to my almost finished fish plate special - within seconds two servers cleared my plate and brought me an almost full portion of the special!) It was such a wonderful dinner I almost can’t even remember what we ate. Oh yes, after ordering cocktails (margarita and a champagne split) we started with the butter salad with walnuts, Roquefort and sun-dried cherries. This was simple and delish. Our waiter (who was 100% french, accent and all) was excellent with suggestions. Knowing that this place was famous for their mussels, we asked which dish was the best as they offered six different mussel plates. He recommended the nantaise (butter, shallots, and creme fraiche) without hesitation. This was wonderful - I could have drank the sauce alone. The mussels were fresh tasting and not fishy. The dish also was the perfect size, plenty for two, even three people. The dish was accompanied by pommes frites which were seasoned with oregano. No need for catchup with all this yummyness going around. I ordered the fish special. Honestly, I cannot even recall the two types of fish — they were two that I had never heard of before – but we aren’t talking our standard salmon, halibut or ahi tuna here. So light and with a texture that I would have never thought of. Again our waiter highly suggested this special (and I usually go for the fish special, anyway) and being he was so right on with his other suggestions how could I refuse. Chris had the lambchops which he said were to die for. I took several fork-fulls of his side of ratatouille and thought it was excellent. Our waiter also made an excellent wine selection - a pinot noir from the Alexander valley. We didn’t grab dessert because we were off to catch a movie. This place is a neighborhood gem and I really hope it sticks around. It’s got that kind of downtown trendish feel, so you can get all glammed up if you choose to, but since its nestled between the neighborhoods of Arden Park and Willhaggin, it doesn’t have that crazy pick-me-up clientele. We both decided that we would be coming back, both for dinner and/or also for a night cap on the way home. These guys know their wine and food. Now go and enjoy! Go!

DINNER: Mulvaney's at the B & L

Mulvaney's Web site

Why do I always forget about this place? Probably because it's in an unassuming building on a side street in midtown. Mulvaney's is lovely and consistently good. It has a relaxed, unpretentious environment in a small, low-frills place -- but the food is top-notch. We dined here on the last Second Saturday -- the rustic courtyard is beautiful, especially when it starts to get dark and the twinkle lights do their thing. We've never had a bad meal at Mulvaney's. One of us always gets the steak -- delicious! Last time I ordered an heirloom tomato salad with fresh mozzarella -- also delicious but the amount of cheese was enough to feed 10 people. I'm proud of myself for not scarfing it down, I can't imagine anyone eating that much cheese. I have to mention -- although it has nothing to do with Mulvaney's directly -- that while there, I spotted a woman at another table pour a packet of Sweet'n Low into her glass of wine! But even that couldn't detract from our wonderful dining experience at Mulvaney's.

DINNER: Cyrus

Cyrus Restaurant's Web site

It doesn't get much better than this. Cyrus is not in Sacramento, but it's a couple hours away (in wine country) should you have a special occasion. I won't write up a proper review -- that'd be way too long considering we had the eight-course tasting menu. Plus some champagne and caviar to start off. And there were a few special "bites" that showed up in between courses, too. I just want to say that my dinner at Cyrus was absolutely incredible. I ate every single thing that came my way. As I was leaving, I was surprised that I wasn't overly stuffed -- after all those courses. Then I realized we had been there for six hours! Ah, that's why. Well, the service is impeccable. The dining room is elegant and cozy. But it's really about the food. And the wine. If you're making the drive and spending the money and time for a place like Cyrus, you really must do the wine pairing menu, it adds layers of flavor to an amazing meal. John and I shared the wine pairing (he was driving). But if you space it out like we did, I don't think all those half glasses add up to too much. Cyrus shares the building with the Mars Hotel -- I think we'll spend the night there next time we go. And I hope that's soon! Maybe John will do his own review on Cyrus for those who want to know more ... (I know he's dying to write about the Wagyu beef.)

COCKTAILING: Morton's

Morton's Web site

I never went to the Morton's at its old location, but a lot of my coworkers like their happy hour and a lot of the bar fare appetizers. We decided to give it a try before Concert in the Park, since a bunch of us were headed over to watch a coworker's boyfriend's band play. I was quite impressed. They have a great patio, but also a nice lounge area. They list their happy hour specials, so if you are looking for the cheaper drinks go with that. I recall my Finlandia vodka being $7 and Wray's Stella being about $6.50. So, the drinks aren't super cheap, BUT the apps were $5 a piece. Yes, let me repeat that! $5! The table had sliders and roast beef sandwiches, but I did see crab cakes and an endive leave "type" app for the pescatarians. I think the waitress may have been annoyed at us for moving the tables, but she got over it and was friendly afterwards when more people showed up. Going to the ladies room I checked out the dining room and know I'll be back. They had the entrees laid out very tastefully by the chef's area, and it wasn't creepy the way it is at Chops (the meat being in the locker areas). You could tell the quality of meat was high, and I can't wait to hit the dining room next time! Ray- bring your checkbook!

DINNER: Ella Dining Room and Bar

Ella Dining Room and Bar's Web site

Recently, a prix fixe menu for Ella for April was emailed to us, so we thought we'd try it out. $25 Lunch and $35 dinner. Great prices, although the entrees are entrees from the lunch menu, which is ok, though, because if you break it down, you are definitely getting your moneys worth. As usual, the service and decor were excellent. The only downer- when we were seated no prix fixe menu was provided; we had to ask for it, which immediately had our waiter rushing us to pick our entrees and our wines ($20 wine pairings with each dish). He warmed up to us later, but still.... Don't advertise a prix fixe menu if you aren't going to be happy about honoring it! Not sure if they will have one next month, so go soon for the April menu (note- no substitutes and the small plate is their meatball plate (for you vegans)).

COCKTAILING: Bridges on the River

Bridges on the River's Web site

I want to love Bridges on the River. I really do. I keep trying to give it chance after chance after chance. It's a family run neighborhood restaurant right on the river, and, during the summers, they have great outside seating with view and the occasional band. I just wish the food was more consistent, and wish the upstairs service was, as well. The bar, I thought, was nicer when it was smaller and cozier; now, with the remodel, it seems a bit open and cold. Nonetheless, if you go -- the owner told us he's starting to do nightly 2 for 1 specials; that may get us back in the door for dinner. What is always consistently good is the brie appetizer with roasted garlic and a sort of compote over bread toasts. Can't complain about the cocktails!

WINE: Old Sugar Mill and Bogle Vineyards, Clarksburg

Thanks to mom and dad visiting, I had a great excuse to excuse myself from work. Saturday was Ports and Chocolate weekend at Bogle Vineyards and the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg, CA. I won't make this too lengthy, but let's just say, we prefer less crowded weekends when we bring a picnic and don't have to deal with pushy people trying to get their 100th pour. Too many short obnoxious men taking up too much room and being overly domineering and loud. Do you really need to drape yourself over 5 feet of the entire tasting area and monopolize the vintner's attention when there are about 50 other people waiting? I think not. Typical jerks trying to get their free stuff. Seemed to be more about the "free" and not about the tasting of the wine. Bogle- still a favorite, mostly a reason to support local businesses; best wines- Phantom and Old Vine Zinfandel. Old Sugar Mill- great ambience, but Ray described the wine, at times, as vintner's dysentery. Carvalho- bad; immature wines. Solomon- disgusting; sugary water. Revolution- respectable Pinot Grigio, if just for the price. Heringer- the best petite syrah port we tasted on that particular day. Todd Taylor- this is probably the best winery in that complex/area. I think it's better than Bogle (sorry Bogle). It seems that their wines are more complex than the sugar water we drank at all the others. Their wines probably compete with Napa- I think most of their grapes are from Amador County and some regional Monterey areas. The Tempranillo, Primitivo, and "Clockspring" Zin are must tries. The best food we had that day- some random deli in between Bogle and the sugar mill on the main road.