From Stargazing to Star-Sipping
How a Lodi family winery bottles the entertainment industry
Some moments in pop culture deserve a toast, such as when Season 3 of “Star Trek: Picard” sent critics and “Trekkies” on a warp-speed ride of jubilation, most hailing it the franchise’s best story in decades. Thanks to a small winery in Lodi, enthusiasts who were on that galactic high could pour their pleasure right into a glass.
Gambling on Dining Dollars
Local casinos amp up their food offerings to attract a younger and more diverse clientele
Chris Gibase, president and chief operating officer of Sky River Casino in Elk Grove, goes so far as to assert that Sky River “is a place for foodies.” And the new casino, which opened in August 2022 and is owned by the Wilton Rancheria tribe, isn’t the only local gambling spot that’s placing its bets on food service.
The Next Best Thing
Chef N’Gina Guyton, formerly of South, reopens Sacramento institution Jim-Denny’s while building her own brand
When the restaurant opens in late spring, you will still be able to get a chili dog or a hamburger griddled to a dark sear on the flat top grill. But you can also order a hot dog called a “Catalina wine mixer”: chicken based and topped with kale, avocado and pungent garlic-anchovy mayonnaise.
The Restaurant at the Edge of the Metaverse
Longtime restaurateurs open egaming-friendly diner near R Street Corridor
Go by the business that recently opened in the former home of Waffle Square Country Kitchen and there are still some remnants from what was there before, such as the brown pleather booths. Otherwise, though, something very different is going on here.
Vegan Convenience
Plant-based fast food restaurants in the Capital Region target all palates
Just as meat alternatives have expanded, so have the eating patterns of people interested in plant-based food. A diverse set of diners are embracing plant-based restaurants, thanks to the proliferation of less restrictive plant-based diets.
Trust the Sushi Chef
Local chefs bring high-end omakase tradition to the Capital Region
From Japanese, omakase translates roughly to “I leave it up to you.” It is a covenant in which the diner cedes all decision-making power to the chef.
A Winter Wonderland of Breweries
South Lake Tahoe’s craft beer scene is exploding
These days, Lake Tahoe’s south shore has enough breweries for a full tasting tour, giving explorers more reason to drive into the mountains.
Ghost Kitchens Spread in Sacramento
Rentable kitchen spaces offer a flexible business model for food entrepreneurs and landlords
A trend that helped many restaurants stay afloat during the pandemic has become a burgeoning new business model.
Could Agave Spirits Be a Sustainable Gold Rush for California?
Hardy plants could solve water crisis for farmers and give distilleries a big opportunity
Northern California’s agave pioneers are helping to evolve the crop from a novelty to a force of stability within California’s changing bread basket.
A Sacred Mission in the Vines
A small band of wineries save the Adam root of California wine culture
In 2007, genetic researchers in Madrid used new DNA techniques to identify the origin-point of mission vines. What they found was that the mission grape’s backstory involved more travel, travail and endurance than anyone guessed.