Nick on the Town

Favorites from 2011

December 29, 2011 at 10:04 am 4 comments

Trying to remember a whole year is super-difficult so I’m sure I’m leaving some great stuff off this list. Here’s my best shot at remembering the places and events that I liked most in 2011.

Favorite Restaurants

Magpie Café – I just love everything about this place and I’ve heard rumors about a new peanut butter cookie. It just keeps getting better.

Azul – I eat lunch here like three times a week.  

Café Rolle – Finally ate here for the first time this year. I’ll be back.

Old Ironsides – Maybe the best lunch in town. Get the soup of the day – you won’t regret it.

The Porch – I know it just opened and southern food isn’t supposed to have a lot of avocados in it, but man, that po’ boy was delicious.

Pizza Rock – Amazing pizza makes up for the unfortunate Ed Hardy-esque  theme.

Eastern Empire – By far my favorite Chinese restaurant in town. Go get yourself some Peking duck and flaming Polynesian cocktail.

Juno’s – This place is great on its own, but it’s even better when you consider that it took over the spot where the worst hot dog restaurant in the history of the world once stood (Urban Dog).

Thirteen – Another place that named itself after its address. We’re not bored with that yet? I’m gonna let it slide this time because the food is really good.

Capital Dawg – Stuff it with cheese, wrap it with bacon and deep fry it.

Café Marika – One of my worst fears is that someday the couple that runs Café Marika will retire. I hope they have a plan of succession.

Ella, Grange, Waterboy, etc. – Yeah, yeah, you’re all good too.

Restaurant Let-downs

Kupros Bistro – These guys started strong last year, but after a couple rotten meals and some weird service I’m done with them.

Hamburger Patties – The bar here has some good things going for it, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a sadder burger.

The Garlic Shack – We hardly knew ye.

Favorite Breakfast Spots

Lucky Café – I eat breakfast here every Wednesday. For reals.

Eggie’s – Almost worth the trip out to Fulton Ave.

Market Club – Hidden in an old produce shipping yard, this place comes through every time…except on Saturdays when they’re closed.

Alonzo’s – The best Mexican breakfast around.

Favorite Bars

Socal’s – I’ve been going here for over a decade now, but for some reason I went more frequently in 2011.

Clubhouse 56 – Even though they dropped the ball with my Movember Team, Club 56 still gets credit for being one of the best places that has tvs, drinks and decent food. Also, I totally dominate trivia night here…sometimes.

Cheaters – A change in my bike ride home meant a decrease in my time spent at Cheaters. Still a favorite though.

Espanol – The lounge at this old Italian restaurant is one of my favorite places in town.

De Vere’s – I just think this place is doing everything right.  Not only is it a great bar, but the community involvement and charity of the owners makes you proud to pound Guinness and Jameson there.

R15- The perfect middle-of-the road meeting spot for friends, co-workers, whatever.

Zelda’s – the bar here is so great you almost forget about the pizza. Of course, that’s a lie, but the bar is actually really cool too.

Favorite Places I would go if I were Younger, Cooler and Better Looking

Mix – It’s on a rooftop fer crissakes!

Lounge on 20 – Looks fancy from outside.

District 30 – What goes on in there???

Miscellaneous Favorites

Ginger Elizabeth –   If anything in Sacramento is “world class” it’s this chocolate shop.

The Beat – Someday soon The Beat won’t be there and Sacramento will be less cool for it.

The New Terminal B – I’m totally on board with new terminal at Sacramento International. I’m glad they put some local Sacramento restaurants in there. And I like the big, red bunny.

The Golden Cadillacs – I like this band every time I see them.

Jimmer Fredette- I know he’s looked pretty mediocre so far, but I’ve got a bad case of Jimmer Fever.

Sutter’s Fort – It’s a dang fort right in the middle of town! How cool is that?

The Crest Theater – Get out to the Crest more and you won’t be disappointed. There’s always something cool like a French Film Festival or a David Sedaris appearance going on.

The Whole Food Truck Thing: Drive some of that stuff to my office!

Miscellaneous Let Downs

Parking Lots – Safeway on 19^th, East Sac Trader Joe’s, that awful mess in Natomas where the movie theater is, I’m looking at you.

Non-existent Arena – Why can’t you exist?

Potential New Favorites for 2012

The Firestone Public House – I like beer, sports and good times so I can’t wait to see how this turns out.

Blackbird Kitchen & Bar – Rooting for something cool to fill in those eyesores on K St? This could be it.

The Squeeze Inn – The midtown location should open soon. Look out arteries!

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