![Clockwise from top: Iced hibiscus tea, fried plantains, okra jambalaya and “jungle beans” are among the “coastal infused” dishes at Chulla’s Cafe in North Highlands, which takes influences from West African, Latin American and other cuisines. (Photos by Jennifer Fergesen)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/lead_2.png?1640722072)
Neighborhood Favorite: Chulla’s Cafe
A political-scientist-turned-restaurateur brings a globalist approach to African fusion
The Chulla’s Cafe menu borrows influences from African,
Asian, Latin American, South European and Pacific coastal
regions.
![Clockwise from top right: Auntie’s empanadas, lechon bowl, short rib loco moco, saimin and malasadas are among the offerings at Kehaulani’s Cafe in Vallejo. (Photos by Jennifer Fergesen)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/lead_1_1.png?1637598755)
Neighborhood Favorite: Kehaulani’s Cafe
French technique meets Hawaiian and Filipino comfort food
At Kehaulani’s Cafe in Vallejo, the loco moco starts with short
ribs braised for 12 hours.
![Manchurian Indian Cuisine in West Sacramento serves Indian and Indo-Chinese food, a fusion born in Kolkata’s Chinatown. (Photos courtesy of Manchurian Indian Cuisine)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/80852896_1087454774939249_305436900676758088_n.png?1635374506)
Neighborhood Favorite: Manchurian Indian Cuisine
A West Sacramento restaurant takes a gamble on Indian-Chinese fusion
This fast-casual restaurant serves a cuisine that germinated in
Kolkata’s Chinatown and is now popular across the
subcontinent.
![Wontons with chili oil are one of the oldest dishes on offer at Taiwan Best Mart in Sacramento. (Photos by Steve Martarano)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/september_10_2021taiwan_best_mart-9.jpg?1632417954)
Neighborhood Favorite: Taiwan Best Mart
A homemade sausage business grows into a popular restaurant
“It all started with the sausage,” says Christine Chang, the
second-generation owner of Taiwan Best Mart.
![Owners Albert and Gloria Kutternig of Konditorei Austrian Pastry Café in Davis hold a fruit tart in the cafe’s patio area. (Photos by Charles Vincent McDonald)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/lead_3.jpg?1628610854)
Neighborhood Favorite: Konditorei Austrian Pastry Café
How a ballerina and a baker built a Viennese pastry shop in Davis
Anyone who has visited the coffee houses of Vienna will see the
resemblance between those venerable institutions and Konditorei
Austrian Pastry Café in Davis.
![From left, a mango and strawberry fruit cup, a mixed gaspacho, and a mangonada at Gaspachos in south Sacramento, shown with the three chile powders that customers can choose from. (Photos courtesy of Gaspachos)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0721_blog_neighborhoodfavorite_lead.jpg?1626986906)
Neighborhood Favorite: Gaspachos
Four siblings bring a Michoacan specialty to Franklin Boulevard
Gaspachos in south Sacramento does not serve gazpacho, the
Spanish chilled tomato soup. Here and in Morelia, Michoacan,
gaspacho is something else entirely.
![Feijoada, moqueca and chicken stroganoff are among the offerings at Amazon Grill, a takeout restaurant operated by the Brazilian Center for Cultural Exchange of Sacramento. (Photos by Jennifer Fergesen)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/spread_0.jpg?1623697060)
Neighborhood Favorite: Amazon Grill
A nonprofit serves Brazilian takeout out of a former school cafeteria
Amazon Grill is operated by the nonprofit Brazilian Center for
Cultural Exchange of Sacramento, which serves as a hub for the
Capital Region’s Brazilian community.
![Clockwise from top: Uzbek plov, Russian shuba and Olivier salad, Georgian khachapuri, Uzbek samsa and Ukrainian varenyky are among the offerings at Elena’s Kitchen & Catering in Carmichael. (Photo by Jennifer Fergesen)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/spread.jpg?1621530551)
Neighborhood Favorite: Elena’s Kitchen & Catering
A Carmichael deli offers a culinary tour of the former Soviet region
To walk along Elena’s deli counter is to explore the diversity of
the former Soviet republics.
![Mantoo, dumplings stuffed with meat or mushrooms and vegetables, are popular throughout Afghanistan and other countries in Central Asia. (Photos by Jennifer Fergesen)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/mantoo.jpg?1618517962)
Neighborhood Favorite: Aria Afghan Restaurant
A former translator brings Central Asian flavors to North Highlands
Aria Afghan Restaurant in North Highlands serves a cuisine that
hails from the crossroads of South and Central Asia,
including one dish that takes over 10 hours to make.
![Pupusas, Salvadoran corn cakes, are served with curtido, a cabbage-based condiment. (Photos by Jennifer Fergesen)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/pupusa.jpg?1615495900)
Neighborhood Favorite: Chévere
A Salvadoran restaurant in Arden Arcade attracts a vegan fanbase
One year into the pandemic and two into its existence, Chévere
has managed to hang on with a combination of flexibility and
dedication to its craft.