Huong Lan Sandwiches

This Bahn Mi was worth the body check.

Huong Lan Sandwiches
6930 65^th Street, Suite 109

Sacramento, CA

One of my New Year resolutions is to LET THINGS GO.  My lunch trip to Huong Lan allowed me to practice this concept twice: first, when I had to battle a parking lot full of Asian drivers; and second, when an old lady rudely threw her entire body into me just to get a closer look at the menu above the cashier.

It was all worth it.

A few minutes later, and only $3 lighter, I was in my car, driving down Stockton Boulevard back to my office while making some very unladylike attempts to devour a #7 (Grilled Pork Banh Mi) with one hand on the steering wheel.  Delicious.

Now that I think about it, I should probably stop criticizing Asian drivers...

Nena's Mexican Restaurant

One day, I may learn about portion control.

Nena's Mexican Restaurant

445 W. Weber Avenue, Suite 120

Stockton, CA

Eating one of Nena’s warm, soft, chewy, pillowy flour tortillas right off the press makes you feel like snuggling underneath a blanket…a blanket made of Nena’s warm, soft, chewy, pillowy flour tortillas.

Arguably the best Mexican restaurant in Stockton, Nena’s holds the secret to nearly three decades of success: classic recipes with bold flavors, relaxed atmosphere, congenial staff, and, with the recent move to the downtown waterfront, sweeping views of the Delta.  On weekends, crowds spill out onto patio seating and servers adjust umbrella shading or space heating to suit your needs.

What’s good here?  Everything’s good here.  Most recently, I was extremely pleased with my Taco Vampiro, chock full of steak, chorizo, cheese, onions and cilantro wrapped in a corn tortilla that had been dipped in red enchilada sauce and pressed into finely chopped red chilies.  The fiery flames were quelled by the crema and Cotija cheese topping my crispy Pork Chimichanga.

On morning occasions, it’s all about the Chilaquiles.  Sadly, I’ll usually put away half a basket of chips and salsa before my entrée arrives; so when my platter of (more) tortilla chips sautéed in red sauce and mingling with eggs and cheese appears, I am silently kicking myself.  After further carb-loading with another fresh tortilla, I may as well call it a day.

Tip well and, if you’re a regular, accept a kiss on the cheek from Nena herself.  She’s the one dressed to the nines with amazing shoes…every time.

Rio City Cafe

Even better than it looks!

Rio City Cafe

1110 Front Street

Sacramento, CA

With a sepia-toned Instagram filter, any photo taken in Old Sacramento may very well trick the casual observer into thinking it was taken during the height of the gold rush - so long as Round Table Pizza isn't in the background.

In Old Sacramento you can buy taffy out of barrels, take horse-drawn carriage rides, and enjoy events like the annual Jazz Festival.  Plenty of scrumptious cuisine is also available, and I chose Rio City Cafe for a recent Sunday brunch with some pals.

We came for bottomless mimosas and bellinis, but stayed for the gorgeous weather.  Dining riverside in Sacramento can be a treat, and the view from the restaurant's cafe this particular morning was spectacular.  Sunlight bounced off the water and onto the H Street bridge, glistening in all its glory and capturing our attention until we noticed a boater violently bludgeoning something inside his boat.  We crossed our fingers and hoped it was a fish as our waitress approached.

Even that little episode couldn't deter me from my goal: a meal of gargantuan proportions.  I looked down and stared at my Crab Cakes Benedict with just the right amount on hollandaise sauce atop two crispy cakes.  English muffins sopped up the sauce, lightly garnished with tomato and green onion, and all the while my home fried potatoes and onions were largely neglected until then.  A side of fruit was completely ignored.  Sorry, melon slices!  I had to save precious stomach room for more bellinis.

Soon enough, I felt borderline comatose and the bludgeoning boater was nowhere to be found.  The next order of business was to stroll around Old Sac to work off some of the calories…or to find some taffy for dessert…

Petaluma Creamery

Taste tested four times.  Thumbs up!

Petaluma Creamery
621 Western Avenue

Petaluma, CA

The worst thing about sampling at Costco is that there’s always someone watching you.  The best thing about sampling at Petaluma Creamery is that there’s no one  watching you.

That’s right.  No one’s there watching you remove lid after lid from sample containers.  No one’s counting the toothpicks you’re tossing after each cube you eat.  And no one’s raising an eyebrow when you try a particular variety a third time “just to make sure you like it”.

Once inside the creamery’s retail store you’ll spot a large, refrigerated case with dozens of cheeses – everything from basic White Cheddar to unique varieties like spicy Smoked Firehouse Cheddar and mouth-watering Pesto Jack.  Go ahead: loosen your belt and sample cubes of every flavor if you happen to have skipped breakfast like I did.  Move to the right to taste spreadable cheeses and squeaky cheese curds.  Discover new favorites, then take home a few pre-packaged mini slabs or a log the size of a battering ram.

When you think you’ve had your fill of dairy, give your palate a break with a fresh-baked cookie or thick, luscious fruit tart wedge.  Life is about balance, right?

Pasquale's Italian Pizzeria

Ravioli, come to mama.

Pasquale's Italian Pizzeria

7600 Fair Oaks Boulevard

Carmichael, CA

I am a HUGE fan of Angelina's Spaghetti House in Stockton.  For the most part, I try to avoid other Italian restaurants because I end up predictably disappointed (case in point, Galt’s Wholey Ravioli).

However, I’ve finally found a gem in the Sacramento area.  Pasquale's, you are one of my new favorites.

The place was packed on a Friday night, always a good sign, and tabletops were overloaded with giant, blistery pizzas, bubbly baked pasta dishes, and baskets of huge breadsticks atop red and white checkered tablecloths...more good signs.

My buddy and I ordered the half order of breadsticks, all buttery and made even more delicious when dipped into a generous cup of marinara sauce.  His Manicotti with Italian Sausage Sauce was OUTSTANDING, and the side of two oversized meatballs are beyond description (but I'll attempt anyway): meaty, not overspiced, and super tender.

I ordered the special, Spinach Ravioli, which arrived in a pool of Pesto Cream Sauce.  I'm telling you, it was probably one of the best ravioli dishes I've ever had.  The basil wasn't overpowering, and there was just enough salty cheese to complement the tender pillows of pasta.  Phenomenal.

This place is a must-try if you're ever in the Carmichael area!

Family Cookie Company

Discounted ice cream?  Yes, please!

Family Cookie Company

302 Spring Street

Suisun City, CA

Should you find yourself in Solano County with a hankerin’ for ice cream sandwiches, you’re in luck!

The first time I stepped inside the Family Cookie Company, I knew something special was brewing there.  Then, the nice young lady behind the counter explained why the bakery is so unique.

The Family Cookie Company isn’t your typical bakery.  This humble operation supplies the irresistible cookies found in It’s-It ice cream treats; you can even buy It’s-Its by the case at largely discounted prices here.  At a mere buck apiece, I was able to stock up on Big Daddys, Super Sundaes, and several varieties of the original It’s-Its including the elusive Cappuccino that is hard to find.  If you think your trip home might be too lengthy for ice cream to survive, make a mental note for next time (or hold an ice cream-eating contest on the way home).  You can still buy cases of their tasty doughs in a myriad of flavors including Oatmeal Raisin, White Chocolate Macadamia, and Snickerdoodle.

Now that you’ve read this, pay a visit to this bakery that’s been in business for over three decades…and don’t forget your cooler!

Splash Cafe

Here comes the lunch crowd (at 9:30am)...

Splash Cafe

197 Pomeroy Avenue

Pismo Beach, CA

Splash Café is located across the alley from another establishment that also serves clam chowder.

I feel sorry for the other place.

I’d read up on the café, and most articles suggested getting in line at breakfast time to enjoy hot chowder for lunch.

Although we’d just enjoyed a sugary carb bomb at Old West, we noticed a line starting to form around 9:30…and joined it.  Soon thereafter, while still waiting to order, the line grew, starting to snake around the building even before 10:00.

I ordered what 90% of the crowd was ordering: Chowder in a Bread Bowl.  An additional buck got me “extra seafood”, which proved to be a healthy portion of imitation crabmeat.  The steaming, creamy rich chowder arrived in a chewy bread bowl, and the “lid” of the bowl had been buttered and grilled to add a little crunch.  After a generous sprinkling of pepper, I gobbled it up as if I had just expended as many calories as the half-naked surfers in the room with me.

Finished and ready to explode, I proceeded out the door, vowing to eat nothing else for the rest of the day…and glad I’d worn loose clothing.