Dinner with Carmen, Drew and Jack

In the afternoon, Sharon and I headed to Orinda. We spent some time visiting with Carmen, Drew and Jack at Drew and Carmen's house. Jack had taken BART over after work.

The five of us had an early dinner at the Social Bird Kitchen and Bar in Lafayette. Sharon and I ate there once before with Donna and Kevin in 2023 when we were housesitting for Drew and Carmen while they were on their honeymoon.

For starters, the five of us split oysters, marinated olives, DUROC PORK & VEAL MEATBALLS [Calabrian chile tomato sauce, parmesan, grilled bread] and AVOCADO BRUSCHETTA [Pickled sweet peppers, crispy red onions, sea salt].

For entrees, I had SLOW BRAISED BONELESS BEEF SHORT RIB [Organic polenta, mushroom ragout, green beans, burgundy sauce]. Jack and Drew had SNAKE RIVER FARMS WAGYU BURGER [Challah roll, lettuce, tomato, onion, housemade pickles & hand cut fries]. Carmen had LOCAL DIXON MEDITERRANEAN LAMB SLIDERS [Challah rolls, feta, cucumber yogurt sauce, tomato, arugula, hand cut fries]. Sharon had a halibut fish special. While my entree was good, Sharon said that her fish was dry and lifeless...

We finished the dinner with a couple of desserts: a blueberry-peach crumble tart and a bread pudding.

Sharon and I ended home from the restaurant. We were back in Carmichael a little after 8:30 pm.

It was really nice to spend some time with Carmen, Drew and Jack.

Zócalo

Trying to figure out how we are going to navigate the next couple of months(?) without a kitchen, Sharon and I finished the day with dinner at Zocalo University Village. We both had enchiladas. I had a mix of Mole Enchiladas, Enchiladas Guanajuato and Enchiladas Rojas.

Dinner with Gainsleys and Larkins

Sharon and I invited the Larkins and the Gainsleys over for a cocktail. Afterwards, the six of us went to Plan B for dinner. For starters, Sharon had butter salad [walnuts, Roquefort, sun-dried cherries, whole grain Dijonette], while I had a spinach salad [red onion, bacon, almonds, balsamic]. For entrees, Sharon had lamb chops, while I had branzino.

Casa East Sac Second Tuesday Chef's Dinner

Sharon and I went to the Casa East Sac Second Tuesday Chef's Dinner with Brun and Kim. Sharon and I went to the Second Tuesday Chef's Dinner in March. Sharon and Tom went in April.

For an AMUSE-BOUCHE, we had CLASSIC DEVILED EGG [TSAR NICOULAI CAVIAR, HERBS]. For the first course, Sharon had POTATO VELOUTE [CRÈME FRAICHE, HERBS, AND CHIVE OIL], while I had SALAD LYONNAISE [FRISEE, POACHED EGG, BACON, CROUTONS, HERBS, BACON VINAIGRETTE]. For the second course, Sharon had a BISTRO STEAK [16 OZ. RIBEYE STEAK, HERB BUTTER, ROASTED POTATO, SEASONAL VEGETABLE], while I had STEAMED MUSSELS [WHITE WINE, SAFFRON, DIJON, HERBS, YUKON POTATO]. FOR dessert, we had a BERRY PARFAIT.

The Ridge plus Restaurant Josephine

Sharon and I met Holly and Van at The Ridge in Auburn. I had never played this course before.

I felt great on the driving range. We teed off at 10:50 am. Unfortunately, my success from Thursday didn't carry over. I was very inconsistent and got a little frustrated. I had a couple of nice holes and some great shots, but made a mess of all of the par fives. I ended up with a very, very liberally scored 109. I lost quite a few balls and used a number of mulligans.
After golf, the four of us met Margaret and her husband Dave at Restaurant Josephine in Auburn. Sharon, Holly and Margaret all worked together at the Farm Credit Banks. We haven't seen them since the Wongs hosted a dinner in October of 2018. Sharon and I both had an aspargus salad and halibut. The food was good.

Date Night

Sharon planned a date night; I didn't know where we were going. We stopped at McKinley Park and walked around the pond, into the library and by the rose garden. The Sacramento Street Railway Company built the park in 1871 to attract passengers to its line.

Afterwards, we had dinner at the Casa East Sac. They have started a second Tuesday Chefs Dinner with a fixed menu and a wine pairing. We had a nice evening. We talked about trying to go next month with a group of neighbors.

I have to admit that one of the things that I like most about retirement is not having to think about getting up at 5:20 am and going to work after a night out on Tuesday!

Binchoyaki

Friday night, Sharon and I went to Binchoyaki. It is a modern Japanese style barbecue restaurant. The cuisine is based on a style of Japanese cooking called sumikayi ("Sumi" or "Bincho" is Japanese charcoal and "Yaki" is Grill).

We got there about 15 minutes ahead of our reservation. We were a little miffed having to stand around for about twenty minutes waiting for our table, but the food and the server (Lexi) were excellent. It was worth the wait.

We had two specials: Sake Avocado Salmon Crudo and Inegen Kaborcha (green bean and squash) Tempura. We also had a number of grilled items including some eggplant, four oysters, pork belly, and duck.

We would definitely go back. Sharon and I talked about taking the Wongs or the Habibis with us...

Celebrating Sharon's Birthday

We started the day with a hike exploring the old Sunset Whitney Golf course and the Johnson Springview Park. We hiked the Sunset Whitney Recreation Area last January. In total, we covered 4.1 miles in just over an hour and a half.



We finished the day with dinner at Mulvaney's B&L. We split Winter Beets with Hummus [Radicchio Rosa & Spinach ~ Cumin ~ Hazelnuts]. For small plates, I had B&L Ramen in Miso Broth with Homemade Alkaline Noodles [Pasture 42 Soft Boiled Egg ~ Turmeric Pickles ~ Soy Braised Spring Onion], while Sharon had Dungeness Crab Linguine [Bell Pepper Confetti ~ Meyer Lemon ~ Tomato Sofrito]. We split a large plate of Bledsoe Farms Double Cut Pork Chop with Polenta [Tuscan Salsa Verde ~ Full Belly Farms Broccolini].

For presents, I got Sharon a Bluevua Reverse Osmosis System Countertop Water Filter. She had used one at Drew and Carmen's house when we housesat in November. I also got her a pair of 10 pound dumbbells.

The day ended on an odd note.

Old Spaghetti Factory

Wednesday night when we took Tom a birthday cake, he mentioned that he was going to dinner with his boys at the Old Spaghetti Factory on Watt Ave. Sharon latched on to the idea. We finished the week with dinner there.

Teal Bend and Dinner with Holly and Van

Sharon and I played Teal Bend with Holly and Van. We teed off at 12:00 pm. It was a beautiful fall day! I rode with Van and Sharon rode with Holly.

I didn't enjoy the round as much as the previous two. With a number of other things going on, I haven't taken a lesson or been to the driving range in the last three weeks. Thinking too much about my swing, I got off track. I settled down a little towards the end and played the last few holes more consistently. I ended up with a very liberally scored 111. It took almost exactly four and a half hours to play.


Afterwards, the four of us had dinner at Mulvaney’s B&L. As a starter and a small plate, Sharon and I split Fall's First Beets with Persimmon & Hummus [J. Marchini Farms Chicory ~ Cumin ~ Coriander ~ Pepitas] and Brown Butter Squash Ravioli with Persimmons [Shaved Brussel Sprouts ~ Toasted Hazelnut ~ Pecorino]. For the entree, we both had Seared Duck Breast with Potato Gratin [Herb Laden Jus ~ Braised Greens ~ Cranberry Compote].

Miyagi Bar & Sushi

Tuesday night after seeing Killers of the Flower Moon, Sharon and I had dinner at Miyagi Sushi. We split Pork Gyoza [pan fried dumplings, sesame ponzu], Crispy Brussels Sprouts [charred jalapeno aioli], BBQ Albacore [seared rare, chili aioli, green onion, sesame seeds] and a Torch Roll [fried shrimp, snow crab, tuna, albacore, house sauce, tobiko].

Wildwood Kitchen & Bar

Sharon and I met the Gainsleys at Wildwood Kitchen & Bar for drinks and dinner. The four of us are headed to Israel next Wednesday for a Viking trip to Israel, Egypt and Jordan. The Larkins and Leclaires will catch up with us in Egypt. We discussed tipping, clothes and dinners on the pre and post-excursions.

For appetizers, the four of us split Mushroom Bruschetta [locally grown assorted mushrooms, shalllots, herbs, goat cheese, permesan crostinis] and grillel artichoke [lemon, harissa aioli]. For entrees, Sharon and I shared lobster ravioli with seared prawns [caramelised onion, scampi cream, parmesan cheese] and seared shrimp risotto [tender arborio rice, pistou, smoked apple bacon, parmesan cheese].

Poppy by Mama Kim

Tom, Sharon and I had dinner at Poppy by Mama Kim. The restaurant is located in the footprint of the old Sutter Memorial Hospital campus. I spent a lot of time in this area when I first started working for Sutter Health in the late 1990s. Additionally, Drew and Morgan were both born at the old Sutter Memorial Hospital in the 1980s.

As starters, the three of us split hummis with grilled eggplant, Jimmy Nardello peppers, feta, marinated olives and flat bread and fried green tomatoes with pascilla remoulade. For entrees, Sharon and I had lamb sliders with goat gouda, creole relish and arugula on brioche with house pickles, sweet potato chips and a side salad, while Tom has a flat iron steak with chimichurri. The food was very good.

Trip Planning plus Matteos Pizza & Bistro

Sharon and Tom spent a couple of hours trip planning for England and Scotland. After we hike Hadrian's Wall, we are doing a two week loop through Scotland. They had a light lunch at Casa East Sac.

Sharon and I finished the day with dinner at Matteos Pizza & Bistro. We split an order of Louisiana Style Dungeness Crab Cakes [with Creole Aioli]. For entrees, we both had a Lamb Burger [Pink Peppercorn and Cumin Seasoned Fresh Ground Leg of Lamb Burger with Feta Cheese, Chimichurri Aioli, House Pickles, Red Onion, Tomato and Arugula].

Star Lounge

In 1928 The Eastern Star Hall building was built by a group of women who wanted a building of their own. They gathered funding for the project and facilitated the construction, "For women by Women." This current structure is listed on the Nation Register of Historic Places as a fine example of Romanesque Revival architecture and a rare example of a local building devoted to a women’s organization.

For over ten years, the Eastern Star Hall historic building was vacant until current ownership saw the opportunity to breathe new life into this piece of Sacramento’s history and transform the building into the Historic Hyatt House and Star Lounge. For almost one hundred years, this historical place was a gathering ground for all Sacramentens. At the Star Lounge, we take the responsibility of creating an inspiring space for the public as an honor. By bringing the refined craft of art, music, food, and a great cocktail, The Star Lounge continues the tradition of keeping this space an incubator of creativity, an oasis of thought, and a great place to let loose and unwind.

After taking the Valetine's Day decorations to the shed and dragging back the Easter decorations, Sharon and I finished the day having dinner at the Star Lounge. Walking into the restaurant, we ran into Sharon's hair dresser Kelly and her husband.

We had Happy Hours Smash Sliders [Faria brioche ~ smoked cheddar ~ pickle ~ aioli] and Short Rib Tacos [lime cabbage slaw ~ avocado purée ~ cotija]. For dinner, we split a Caesar Salad and a Seasonal Flatbread [prosciutto ~ Laura Chenel chévre ~ arugula ~ castelvetrano olive].

It is a very nice venue. We are definitely going to go back.

Twenty-six Years

To celebrate our twenty-sixth wedding anniversary, Sharon and I went to dinner at Canon East Sacramento. Over the years, this was been one of Sharon's favorite restaurants. Frankly, the experience was a little subpar. Both Sharon and I felt that the menu seemed kind of limited and the service was not good. Several times in the course of the evening we literally had to wave our arms to try and get some service.

We started with a couple of OYSTERS [estate vinegars]. We split a ROASTED CABBAGE SALAD [oyster mushrooms, nashi pear, miso apple butter, dill seed vinaigrette]. For the entree, we shared BLISTERED ROMANO BEANS [horseradish-tomato jus, oyster mushrooms, gypsy pepper] and WHOLE FRIED FISH [brazino, green tomato nuoc cham, fresno chili, lemongrass]. We have had a lot of brazino over the last month.

The fish was good. I was pleasantly surprised to find a Greek wine by the glass on the menu [Romeiko - Manousakis Winery - Nostos, Crete, Greece].

Spondi

Menu from our dinner at Spondi in Athens on Day 16 of our Greece and Turkey Trip.

Zinfandel Grille plus The Offer

After spending the day getting ready to entertain on Sunday, Sharon and I had dinner at the Zinfandel Grille. We spilt a CAESAR SALAD [Romaine Hearts, Garlic Croutons And Shaved Parmesan]. For entrees, I had SHELLFISH & SAFFRON RISOTTO [Shrimp, Clams, Calamari, Parmesan], while Sharon had TAGLIATELLE [Pork Bolognese, Crescenza cheese, Bread Crumb]. Sharon rarely orders pasta...

We finished the evening watching episode three of the The Offer. The miniseries is about the development and production of The Godfather (1972).

Canon

Sharon, Jack and I finished the week with dinner at Canon. We split a number of quick bites, small plates and a platter, including:

• SHIGOKU OYSTERS [estate vinegars];
• OLIVE & ROSEMARY FOCCACIA [arrabbiata dipping oil];
• CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS [urfa chile sauce, orange, garlic, yogurt];
• HEIRLOOM BEETS [horseradish, everything spice, apple, celery];
• TREVISO SALAD [bacon-duck crackling, green goddess, radish, persimmon, seaweed];
• BRUSSELS SPROUTS [roasted pear, sesame, sage, granola];
• SWEET POTATOES BRAVAS [lemon aioli, paprika, garlic, fried egg];
• NEW YORK STRIP [blue cheese, honey mustard, summer squash], and;
• CARROT CAKE [poached quince, cream cheese frosting, gingersnap tuile].

While we have gotten curbside a number of times in the last twenty months, I think that this is the first time that we have eaten in the restaurant since August 2019.

Mattone

Whose recipe is it? Biba’s family sues Mattone restaurant for pilfering the chef’s legacy

The heirs to Biba, the iconic Italian bistro that was named for the late Biba Caggiano and was a Sacramento favorite for more than 30 years until closing in 2020, are suing former Biba employees who opened their own Italian restaurant, Mattone, in East Sacramento.

Sharon and Tom had dinner at Mattone.

Sharon had Veal Saltimboca [veal, prosciutto, sage, sautéed spinach, parmigiano mashed potato, marsala wine sauce].

Although Tom thought that the meal was ok, Sharon said that it was horrible...