Every culture’s cuisine has its signature ingredient. For the Italians, it’s garlic. The French put burre (butter) on almost everything. Mexican food just wouldn’t be authentic without chilies. Would a good Thai meal be the same without coconut milk? For Hungarian food, dishes just don’t hit the spot without that smoky red spice called paprika.

Although most Americans probably only know paprika as that “red stuff” on top of the haute hors d’ouvre deviled eggs, paprika actually has flavor. Paprika—derived from various dried and ground peppers—offers a complex flavor as well as a gorgeous color to your favorite foods.
Not only is paprika a pretty addition to the presentation of many delectable dishes, it’s available in sweet, smoky, mild and spicy varieties. But, like many a regional/cultural cuisine, paprika is important to Hungarian cuisine that stars meaty stews, handmade gnocchi-like pasta (spaetzel) and sour cream-a-licious sauces. And, hot ‘n’ spicy paprika can really help heat things up.
So, in response to the recently declining degrees of the greater Sacramento area, I set out in search of some spicy paprika to warm me up. The foggy winteriness of last Thursday was the ideal opportunity to visit Café Marika on J Street in the heart of Midtown.

I’ve walked past this hole-in-the-wall restaurant during many a Second Saturday promenade and peered in to see the little place packed with diners. Each time, I made plans on my mental calendar to return—I was excited to actually experience Hungarian cuisine.

When I entered the café, the mom and pop of the shop welcomed me and invited me to seat myself. I was oddly delighted with the Old World dusty charm that only your grandparents’ house seems to have. With lovely symphony music and conversations of travel setting the scene, the inside of Café Marika felt like being in another country.

The lunch menu offered seven options at $7.25 each. Being the smart girl that I am, I chose the combo plate to taste both the old standard Hungarian goulash and the chicken paprikash. To accompany my assiette of poultry, meat and paprika, I couldn’t resist trying the Egri Bikavér—or “Bull’s Blood,” Hungary’s best-known red wine.

The stewed dishes are made fresh daily (believe me, you can taste it); my dish was delivered promptly and accompanied with white bread and butter. The paprika-colored plate of half flavorful-pork-goulash-over-rice, half comforting-chicken-over-spaetzel was nicely garnished with bright purple pickled cabbage.

Both the pork and chicken were wonderfully tender; the former seasoned with a richer, spicier paprika and the latter seasoned with a milder one. If I had a complaint about my meal, it would have been that the chicken could have used more flavor. But, hey, if you’re afraid of bold flavors (it happens), there’s a dish here that you’ll like.

My favorite part of the meal was the cabbage. It had that lovely rubbery, crunchy quality that makes good cabbage dishes so spectacular. Co-owner Eva openly shared with me that Café Marika’s pickled cabbage is marinated, but never cooked. Ah ha! Brilliant.

Café Marika does not offer the kind of trendy food that you think to crave. Instead, you actually feel satisfied with your meal. I ate my whole meal, and even though I didn’t need to eat the whole thing, I didn’t feel stuffed or bloated when I finished it all.

During the hour-and-a-half I spent in Café Marika, only three other customers came in. But, they all knew owners Louie and Eva by name; and have for years. I chatted with the owners a while and they shared recipes with me. Louie even grabbed spices off the shelves for me to smell. I couldn’t resist and grabbed a piece of homemade apple strudel to go for just $2.50. That’s cheaper than Starbucks pastries.

Café Marika serves lunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and dinner is only Thursday through Saturday nights from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Eva said that Café Marika has limited hours because there was no reason to be open if they had so few customers. That logic makes sense, but what doesn’t is why they have so few customers. The food is good and moderately priced. It’s the type of local restaurant that all true Sacramentans should visit to enjoy some “Bull’s Blood” and paprika with friends. Its no-frills atmosphere will quickly make it your neighborhood spot.

As Louie said, “We [Café Marika] are not a commercial business. We are more like coming to my house.”

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Sweetwater
5641 J St. | Sacramento
By Corey Bloom

Most people utilize Sunday as a day of rest, or a day to catch up on laundry, yard work, or other things with the word -work attached to the end of it. For myself, it’s a day of false optimism, but usually fun false optimism, centered around one meal: brunch. And not just brunch, champagne brunch, preferably the type that is preceded by the word “bottomless.” My logic goes, if I’m going to have to do laundry, I might as well be drunk. As a 49er die hard who actually believes every week we have a chance, if I’m going to have to watch them get torched, I might as well be torched myself. The idea of champagne brunch is never a bad one, and while other responsibilities and/or emotions can be displaced by the libations, it does make for one awesome Sunday.

What’s funny to me about champagne brunch is that I don’t really like champagne. The first couple sips are always painful, similar to the reaction some get when drinking whiskey or tequila, but like they say, it just takes persistence. In a sense, it’s probably a good thing that I don’t like champagne, mostly because I don’t care if it’s good or bad. For the most part it’s all the same to me. Naturally for any champagne brunch, it’s not about the quality but the quantity of which you can consume in one sitting before the last morsel of food enters your mouth.
After being spoiled by college town brunches that catered to a similarly minded crowd, it took a while for me to find a restaurant that was on the same page in Sacramento. To no surprise, I had to ask a college student to the get the low down. I should have prefaced this earlier by saying that typically a champagne brunch doesn’t mean a good meal, because it’s really not about the food. However, upon finding Sweetwater Restaurant and Bar, that philosophy has been poured down the drain.

Located at 5641 J St. (conveniently across the street from last issue’s feature, Opa! Opa!) Sweetwater is a dynamite find. The restaurant itself is pretty big, with three separate dining areas including a patio (we’ll get to that later). The decor is modern and clean; it’s nothing over the top and a tacky theme hasn’t been utilized to establish an identity as either a family or fine dining spot. On Sunday, the large flat screen TVs have football on, with bar seating giving you a front row seat to the action and the pours. The staff is always on point; they give you time to order (and enjoy champagne) and let you eat while you snail through your meal (and enjoy champagne).

What makes Sweetwater the ultimate champagne destination, aside from the great food and generous pours, is the patio. On any given Sunday, rain or shine, you can enjoy fresh air under the protection of a canopy and relax to the sounds of their waterfall. It makes for an experience, an outing for friends or couples to hang out in a cool atmosphere with good food and drink. I’ve written 500 words, and we haven’t even gotten to the food yet….

Aww, the food. While I’ve never eaten another meal at Sweetwater, their menu does look impressive. From Hawaiian tuna in a mustard crust, to veal saltimbocca, they got you. But it’s the brunch we are concerned with, and just as the aforementioned items elude to, it’s not your run of the mill brunch menu. I always start with the crispy Monterrey calamari, which is breaded and mixed alongside jalapeños and onions. So bomb, and again, allows extra time for some pours. As far as entrees go, they range from your typical egg, bacon, potato breakfast, to steak and eggs and a vegetarian crepe. My personal favorite is the not-so-unusual, but oh-so-awesome BLTA served on a croissant with an herb mayonnaise. My girl goes back and forth between the California Benedict, also served on a croissant, and a breakfast burrito (which no longer appears to be on the menu) and never complained once.

All in all, it’s safe to assume that at Sweetwater you’ll get what you’re looking for in terms of champagne and the brunch rivals any of the other places that don’t serve champagne. Like the Black Sheep said, “the choice is your’s.”

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Having perfected the art of showing up fashionably late, I arrived at Harlow’s just after Helms Alee finishes playing. With Harlow’s this is usually the best option if you want to avoid the arrival crowd—the early birds were lined up outside at least 20 minutes before the doors even opened.

Harlow’s was dimly lit with inviting shades of blue and green, creating an inviting atmosphere. I snagged one of the tables scattered near the bar—having been a long-time fan of Minus the Bear, I was prepared for a mellow evening. As the curtain unfolded for a surprisingly dramatic entrance, Annuals arrived onstage.

“Check, check…check….more?”

“Yeah, we’re okay.”

While I laughed at the seemingly excessive sound checks at the beginning of the show, it turned out that the band wasn’t just obsessive-compulsive about the show sounding perfect—there were some serious technical problems during their set. I scoffed at the earplugs being sold at the entrance, but it turned out that the reverberating noise within the small venue was just too loud, especially with the singer. More cow bell, less vocals?

Annuals lived up to their reputation as an indie-rock band, with poignant, throaty vocals screamed out by the endearingly earnest singer. Some of their songs were a little too mellow for my tastes—I believe those were mostly from their earlier releases. But toward the end, the band played a couple of upbeat gems that brought up the energy of the room, and had fans clapping along. Overall, the Annuals put their heart and soul into the show and surpassed their label of “opening band.”

“There are no ghosts, watching through your walls…” began lead singer Jake Snider of Minus the Bear, opening with the song “Lotus” from their most recent album, Planet of Ice. Having memorized just about every one of the band’s songs, I noticed that their live performance was quite a bit faster than the studio releases. The songs blended seamlessly into one another, often without any pauses or transitions.

While in some bands it seems like the singer is perpetually in the limelight, each member of Minus the Bear seemed equally involved, swaying and bobbing to the music throughout the show. It actually seemed to take the singer a couple of songs to really get into the music—but soon he was tossing his long, well-conditioned mane around just like the others.

Minus the Bear isn’t a chatty band, and with the exception of a quick shout-out to Obama, they didn’t use the stage as a soapbox to discuss their political views. This show was all about the music.

Their generously long set, complete with an encore, even included some acoustic performances. The set list did seem to favor their new songs; they played most of Planet of Ice and passed over some of my favorites from their older albums. But I forgave them when they wrapped up the encore with the song, “Absinthe Party at the Fly Honey Warehouse.”

Minus the Bear never fails to disappoint, blending edgy guitar riffs with unique and deceivingly upbeat instrumentals. The sound is almost hypnotic as their surprisingly dark lyrics paint pictures about flawed relationships, altered states of mind and what it’s like to be human. If you haven’t checked this band out, maybe it’s time you did.

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By Josselin Basaldu

What makes for a better Wednesday night than watching a short, awkward little pervy dude telling jokes about boobs and hairy va-jay-jays with booze in hand? Sure, you could do that at any bar, with any run-of-the-mill funny friends, but seeing Mitch Fatel standing in front of a painting of the Capitol at the Punchline Comedy Club was priceless—even though it cost me 15 bucks.

Scarfing down E-Bar food preceded our arrival at the comedy club in the Howe about Arden shopping center. I can’t say that it was the perfect mood-setter for the expected hilarity that ensued, but somebody in the group must have. Regardless of the vittles, we (myself, my sister and her boo) were ready for the perv-itude provided by somewhat seasoned television comedian Mitch Fatel.

Mr. Mitch was voted number six in the 2008 Comedy Central Stand Up Showdown. He’s performed on the Late Show with David Letterman, the Late Night with Conan O’Brian, performed on and done correspondence for the Tonight Show with Jay Leno (super funny NFL interviews) and was featured on his own Comedy Central Presents segment in 2007. He’s been on The Howard Stern Show and featured in articles in Playboy and The Onion. Plus, Fatel has released two comedy albums, Miniskirts and Muffins and Super Retardo that reached its peak as the sixth top selling (currently at 75, but was released in 2005) comedy album on iTunes.

While Fatel came onstage, I wondered if he’d stick to his same ol’ shtick and do the same jokes from his Comedy Central Presents show that I’d seen so many times on YouTube. Sure, enough he did. But, there was a lot of other material that was fresh. It was obvious that this comedian’s act was a really good one that had been practiced and perfected. Although he told some old jokes, his timing was really good, he never broke awkward character and he improvised well.

Fatel held the intimate audience with tales of his intimate audacities too explicit to repeat here (YouTube it, I’m telling you it’s worth it) for about an hour and a half. He was so funny, I was only partially bothered by the two drink minimum.

After the show, Mitch Fatel stuck around to meet the crowd and sign CDs. I got to meet him and nabbed a picture with him. That night was definitely the highlight of the week.

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By Jonathan Carabba
Photos By Melissa Welliver

This was one of those shows that I had looked forward to for weeks. I randomly stumbled across the Myspace page of Sound & Shape and immediately knew I had to be there. It turned out that they weren’t the only band worth seeing; I was in for a pleasant surprise.

Before San Francisco-based group Cannons and Clouds even took the stage I was impressed. Any band that has an electric harp onstage (the stringed kind, not a harmonica) and wears nerdy, thick-rimmed glasses is OK in my book. For the next 30 minutes or so frontman Zachary Blizzard confidently boasted his deep, rich vocal style over their blend of pop-infused indie-rock. The higher ranged vocals of electric harpist Brittany Brunken sounded fantastic as the two harmonized seamlessly. Drummer Steven Medd sang quite a bit as well, further thickening the sound. What really made this band stand out was the addition of the electric harp. It sounded beautiful, elegant and traditional. It no doubt put an interesting and unique twist on the band’s music. It’s simple, yet engaging—not too complex or over played, anyone could enjoy it. Think Iron & Wine meets Death Cab for Cutie with a little Band of Horses thrown in for good measure. Cannons and Clouds seemed to have a decent amount of friends in attendance, and I was surprised and delighted to see at least a couple of people singing along during their songs.

When the Nashville rock trio Sound & Shape took the stage and blasted into their set, the vibe immediately changed to a much more rockin’ one and the main focus became the incredibly fast and precise guitar playing of singer/guitarist Ryan Caudle. Drummer Jerry Pentecost must have had a few Red Bulls before the show because the amount of energy that he played with was quite intense. He was flipping and throwing his sticks all over the place while making extreme variations of the stereotypical “rock face.” David Somerall rounded out the sound very nicely with his locked in, ever so groovy bass playing. For just three guys, Sound & Shape have a huge sound that seems to lack nothing except more attention and recognition. If bands like Queens of the Stone Age and Wolfmother can, it’s safe to say that Sound & Shape might be the next to hit it big.

The show ended on a high note with Pentecost jumping onto his drum stool and back onto his kit perfectly in time with his band mates distorted final chords. It was a great wrap up to the evening and my associates and I had been sufficiently entertained.

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By Corey Bloom

“Eat well…eat Greek!” is the motto of Opa! Opa!, and in agreement with the restaurant and their philosophy on life, I’d like to add one more exclamation point to this sentence! In all seriousness, Opa! Opa! is perhaps the finest establishment I have discovered since starting this column. I’ve always known of its existence but was wary of its brightly colored exterior, and do I ever feel stupid now.

I worked at a Greek restaurant for a couple years in college, so I’ll always have a special place in my heart for the food. By no means do I consider myself a seasoned Greek cuisine critic, but Opa! Opa! is pretty damn good. If you don’t believe my overly glowing words yet, Opa! Opa! has won SN&R’s “Best Of” and has received rave reviews in Sacramento Magazine and The Bee, amongst others. Nearing their third year of being open for business it’s very clear that Opa! Opa! has found a formula for success.

Located at 5644 J St. (near Sac State) Opa! Opa! stands out to the drive by eye. It’s a decent-sized restaurant, with plenty of dining space and an outdoor area as well. You order at the counter, are able to see all the meats and condiments as you pass, which I always admire because you know they’re not hiding anything from you. And while the colorful decor strays from the traditional feel, the food and menu maintain authenticity while also throwing in a couple fun items for good measure.

For the first time visitor like myself the menu was a little overwhelming, flooded with so many different options, all with enticingly detailed descriptions. The Greek meatloaf made of lamb, onions, parsley and secret spices and the pastitso (Greek lasagna) all sounded amazing, and I’m sure they are, but I was easily led to the lunch special of any sandwich or gyro, with fries and a drink, for $7.99. Smart choice. Looking for something other than the typical gyro I selected the barbecued leg of lamb sandwich (which itself costs $6.99). No exaggeration, it was amazing. Served on a warm and fluffy roll, with a goat cheese and feta spread that is pureed with spinach and mint (my mouth is watering again just thinking about it), and accompanied by lettuce and tomato the sandwich was unlike anything I’ve ever tasted. The meat was tender and also full of flavor, and was only complimented more by flavors in the spread. Following suit, the fries were also something to brag on; thick and crispy. It was healthy portions all the way around, and the meal held me down all day without feeling like I overdid it.

The perennial lunch buddy Bocephus was there, and also sided with the lunch special but with the regular beef/lamb gyro. His praises were also plentiful, commenting on the freshness of the meat and the pita, and the robust flavor of the meat itself. The tzatziki tasted homemade and the tomato and red onion helped accentuate all the flavors.

Judging from the menu, it doesn’t appear that you can do any wrong at Opa! Opa! In preparation for my next few visits I have already planned out my next meals. First up, pita pizzas (which are exactly what they sound like), more specifically “The Big Cheese” which is made with fresh feta, goat, casari, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. I’ll have to go for a dinner and do the Greek meatloaf and convince the person I’m with to get the moussaka. All of their salads looked excellent and hearty, from the homemade tabouli to the orzo pasta salad with tomatoes, artichokes and Kalamata olives. They also serve beer and have a good-sized wine menu. And lastly, the prices were very good considering the quality of the food and the portions.

What made the experience even better was the generosity of owner and staff. I will see you guys very soon.

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Arriving fashionably late with just enough time to grab a drink before the Shuttlecocks come onstage, the crowd is simmering gently, warmed up and ready for the main act. Blue Lamp is your stereotypical venue: pricey drinks that are half the size as the last bar we visited and bartenders who furiously dole out drinks in attempt to keep up with the scene kids swarming around the bar. But, it’s a cozy atmosphere—brick walls and a classy-looking wooden bar, with a crowd that is more likely to start a dance party than a fight.

As the first notes from the band hit my ears, singer Sean Merold jumps across the stage—dressed in a clown suit? Turns out he is aptly dressed given his skill at entertaining the crowd as he and his female counterpart Debbie Niles take turns singing, firing off smooth musical chemistry as their highs and lows bounce off each other. Niles, a fiery redhead in big boots, is no wallflower, and knows how to rock the crowd in equal measure. Meanwhile, fellow band members Tony Whittaker, Michael Casagrande and John Hall are no strangers to rocking out.

Like a variety show taken to the max, this band knows their stuff. Rather than relying on over-played drunken karaoke cover songs like Journey or ACDC, the band impresses the crowd with a brand spankin’ new Coldplay song, “Viva la Vida.” From Coldplay to the Cure—with a little Kanye and Eminem thrown into the mix—it’s easy to forget that you’re listening to a cover band rather than the genuine article.

Midway through the show, as I coax a sound guy to let me climb onto a platform to snap some pictures, it hits me that the audience has grown in size, complete with a wedding party that ups the energy of the room tenfold. More than just performance artists, Utz! and the Shuttlecocks should be known as party artists, infusing the bar with power-packed jams and positive emotional energy. Everyone is dancing and screaming along. The end of the night winds down with some old school hip-hop before it’s time to pack up the instruments and call it a night.

It was a pretty seamless performance overall, and included juiced up renditions of too many songs to list. You may not know every song, but the hodge-podge set list this band puts together promises that whether you’re a rapster or a coffee shop maiden, you’ll find your groove during this show.

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By Corey Bloom

Over the past two years I have, for the most part, cut fast food out of my life. I don’t know if it’s a coming of age thing or realizing that cooking is fun and often times more economically the way to go, but for the most part I don’t miss fast food. I get the cravings, though, and when they come on, they hit hard. It’s like I’ll wake up, and my body will tell me that I need a gordita and my mission for that day will be to get a gordita. I didn’t wake up today with that craving, but for this installment of Refined Tastes, I will contradict that claim and discuss the coveted dollar menus. I’m broke, and it seems fitting.

In my opinion, the best dollar menu item has to be Jack in the Box’s two-taco deal. I know it seems a little sacrilegious to dub a taco the ruler in a hamburger nation, but for years these questionable pockets of fried stuff have held me down. It’s never really been clear what the meat it is, but it’s masked by something that’s sharp to the tongue so it gets a pass. In fact, when at Jack in the Box, I approach the dollar menu strategically. After some tacos drenched in additional hot sauce, a chicken sandwich makes for a nice palette cleanser, leaving the taste buds with a nice gluttonous mayonnaise flavor. Basically, every time I walk into Jack in the Box, I come in with exact change. $2.12, out the door with a full and balanced lunch (in terms of low grade meats). Their fries are arguably the best, and the dollar portion is proper, and before the Jumbo Jack graduated to the regular menu, they made an awesome combination. If a letter grade had to be given, they’d get a B+

I can’t front though. In terms of tacos, Taco Bell trumps Jack, but when going cheap, quantity plays a major factor. However, Taco Bell recently stepped up their dollar menu game a couple notches, launching the .79, 89 and .99-cent menu. In terms of dollar options, Taco Bell has got the game in a stranglehold. It’s basically the same five ingredients, but they dress them up well. I’m a fan of the newly introduced, and .89-cent, volcano taco, although the red shell is a little suspect. I’m not mad at .79-cent triple layer nachos, and I’ll go to town on some .89-cent soft tacos. As ridiculous as it sounds, the .99-cent menu is almost off limits with so many great and cheap options. Letter grade: a strong B.

I’m not a McDonald’s fan, but I have been known to wreck their Wednesday/Sunday hamburger or cheeseburger specials. I guess McDonald’s dollar menu turns me off on the strength of the parfait. It seems so out of place, and almost comical to me. The McChicken is decent and the apple pies get props, but I don’t go to McDonalds because of their dollar menu. Overall grade: C+

Wendy’s is the sleeper dollar menu. They’ve got quality items, from a Frosty and junior bacon cheeseburger, down to the five-piece chicken nuggets. It’s not the most extensive, but what they offer for cheap they do it well. Despite what BK might try to plant in your head, I’m a big fan of the sour cream and chive baked potato, and while never an urge, the chili gets a pass too. Dave, you’ve got the right formula and earned yourself a comfy A.

At first I was quick to crown Burger King, thinking back to summer of ‘97 when a van full of stoned teenagers would combine to eat 15 Big Kings, but in hindsight BK is not the King. In fact, their dollar menu is pretty wack, and I’m ashamed to have even held the idea that it was on point. The chicken nuggets are bomb, but the hamburger is pretty lack luster. I mean, it has the word “regular” in it, so that shows that there is not much going on. Bring back the Big King, and we can talk, but until you step up your game, BK shall reside somewhere in the B/C range.

The winner: Wendy’s. Congratulations! HA!

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Tamaya Sushi & Grill
2131 J St., Sacramento

By Corey Bloom

It seems odd that in spite of the worst economic conditions this country has seen in decades that we are just now coming around to reviewing a sushi restaurant. Trust me, my wallet is just as malnourished as yours, but if I’m going to indulge in one meal, it would have to be sushi. For one, I can’t make it (very well), so going out to sushi is always a treat. Most importantly though, whenever I eat sushi I always feel good afterward, not greasy or bloated, but refreshed and in a Zen-like food coma. If I’m going to splurge, at the very least I want to feel good about myself afterward, and sushi is always that meal for me.

In the time I’ve been in Sacramento, I’ve tried a good chunk of the sushi restaurants. I’ve gone through phases where one spot will be my favorite, and I will frequent that spot almost exclusively. About six months into my Sacramento experience, I discovered Tamaya Sushi & Grill, located at 2131 J St., a couple doors down from Tappa the World, and directly across the street from the One Man Band if you come on a weekend night. The décor is modern, and the energy is lively in both the main dining area and in the back bar area, which also doubles as a nice place to chill and grab a drink. The wait staff is attentive and helpful while giving you space and letting you enjoy your experience. Yes, this is going to be another one of those glowing reviews, but in all the times that I have been to Tamaya I have never had a bad meal, or even a bad dish.

It’s hard to look past Tamaya’s extensive menu. Picking it up is like lifting a book, with detailed descriptions of each dish or roll. I’m not even going to begin to count everything they offer, but sections include over 30 appetizers, noodles, Donburi, a healthy amount of Nigiri rolls, as well as 17 special rolls, 13 for “everyone” and 20 spicy rolls (which I generally choose from). Deciding what to get is the biggest dilemma you will face at Tamaya.

Starting with the appetizers, the spicy sashimi salad has always been a favorite to kick the meal off. The hot factor is not overbearing, and pairs nicely with the bite sized pieces of fish and the flavor of the marinated onions. I can also testify to the barbecued albacore, which is not comparable to another local variation, but nonetheless a nice start to any meal. I’m a sucker for barbecued tuna and garlic. Glancing down the menu, though, all the appetizers appear to be excellent and elegant.

I’m ashamed to admit it, but I’ve never ventured into the entrees section of the menu, because, let’s face it, if you’re going to Japanese food, you’ve got to get sushi. With that said, let’s get into the good stuff.
To be honest, I don’t even know where to start. There are so many good features on the menu, but perhaps what stands out the most is the portions and quality of Tamaya’s fish. The portions are so generous that sometimes two rolls can make a perfect meal for two, especially for lunch. All the rolls are huge, sometimes almost too big to fit in your mouth in one bite. Oftentimes my girlfriend will get three bites out of a roll, which she has convinced herself helps her savor it more. This could hold some truth, but it’s just something I can’t do. Aside from the rolls, the sauces vary, so unlike some places that use the same three sauces on every roll, Tamaya’s rolls are all very distinct. Some of my favorite rolls on the menu include the 007, which has creamy spicy tuna, with torched salmon and avocado on the top. The Used Car Salesmen (quite a paradox) is also delectable, boasting spicy tuna, crab, avocado, shrimp tempura and then topped with red and white tuna.
Special and spicy rolls range from $9–$18, but as mentioned you can get by getting one or two. Love is a powerful word, but I love Tamaya.

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Harlow’s Sacramento
Monday, Oct. 6, 2008

Upon entering the dimly lit Harlow’s Restaurant and Night Club last Monday, I was delighted to see that Two Sheds had been booked as the last minute opener for Mates of State. I immediately noticed that it was not only Caitlin and Johnny Gutenberger (who make up Two Sheds) occupying the stage; there was another women sitting in-between the two assisting with vocal harmonies and light percussions, including the tambourine. I later came to find out that it was none other than Amber Padgett of the local duo Spider Silk Dress. Her addition was a great one and Two Sheds entire set was fantastic, but it seemed like the majority of the crowd didn’t care because almost everyone was talking—so loud in fact that it was nearly impossible for me to really focus on the music. Maybe I chose a bad spot to stand (I do that sometimes), maybe they weren’t there for the opening band, but come on people, show the band some respect and shut the fuck up for a few minutes. My guess is that the lack of bass and drums during Two Shed’s set made it easy for the audience’s short attention spans to become even shorter. What a shame.

As soon as Mates of State took the stage my theory was proven correct: all it takes is loud drums to get people to shut their yappers (probably because they can’t hear each other talking) and actually focus on the music. As if they were trained to do so, the entire crowd stood up and rushed toward the stage to get a closer look at Kori Gardner (keyboard/vocals) and Jason Hammel (drums/vocals). The two are married and have been making records and touring together since 1997, so they are solid as can be. The chemistry between the two on stage was something I have never before witnessed; you could sense them communicating while playing. They would cue each other with tiny glances or facial expressions to change parts or bring a song to an end.

Their timing and harmonies were flawless, further proving another theory of mine that every married couple should just make music together instead of making babies. When the two would simultaneously sing complementary vocal melodies it was so layered and sounded so huge that it was hard to believe only two people were on stage. At a couple different points during their set, two other musicians joined them: one played cello, adding a very symphonic, cinematic feel and the other played electric guitar (which wasn’t even really noticeable in the mix) and messed around on a laptop playing loops and samples here and there.

Crowd favorites of the night seemed to me to be “Fraud in the ‘80s,” and “Like U Crazy,” both off their ‘06 release Bring It Back, and “The Re-Arranger” which is on their newest album Re-Arrange Us and on this particular night brought their set to an end (before the obligatory encore of course).

As the show came to an end we quickly guzzled what remained of our beers and stumbled out the door, satisfied with the performances of both artists.

By Jonathan Carabba
Photos by Melissa Welliver

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