Ch Ch Ch Changes: Quick Updates From Sacramento’s Ever-Evolving Restaurant Scene

Sacramento’s food and restaurant scene is perhaps one of the most exciting things the city has going for it, and people outside our own little bubble are starting to take notice.

In an article titled “14 Must-Try Restaurants in Sacramento” published on Zagat.com last week, writer Trevor Felch states, “California’s state capital blends arts culture and agriculture, so one might expect high-quality dining—and wow, does it deliver.”

Thrillist.com also recently published a piece highlighting our region’s culinary scene, in which Sunset Magazine travel editor Lauren Ladoceour told their writer, “In terms of ingredients, yes, Sacramento is right up there with San Francisco or any other city,” going on to say that “in the next five to 10 years, it will solidify itself as a major dining city.”

Southwest: The Magazine has even gone as far as to claim that Sacramento is the “Next Great American Food City.”

On the way to becoming that next great food city, there continues to be many changes in the local restaurant scene. Eateries are always closing, rebranding, moving … it’s almost impossible to keep up. Below, you’ll find some quick updates on just some of the changes going on around town.

As always, if you have anything to add into the mix or to get on our radar, shoot us an email to info@submergemag.com or find us on socials and shoot us a message. We’ve always got our ear to the ground when it comes to local happenings, but we can’t possibly know everything.

After almost a decade in Old Sacramento, Ten22 (1022 2nd St.) is closing on March 2. According to a Feb. 22 article in the Sacramento Bee, Harvego Restaurant Group, the restaurant’s owners, are “looking at opening an ‘alternative concept’ for the space while also marketing it to outside businesses.”

Amaro, an Italian restaurant from the owners of Shady Lady that was open for just over a year, recently shut the doors on their R Street location. No word on what will take its place.

Metro Kitchen + Drinkery inside the WAL Public Market at 1104 R St. recently closed and in its place is Camellia Coffee Roasters, who are now open.

Allora, a modern Italian seafood and wine bar, celebrated its grand opening at 5215 Folsom Blvd. on Feb. 13. The restaurant has a wine cellar that stands 22 feet tall and offers more than 200 selections of Italian-inspired wines.

Zocalo’s new location at the recently renovated University Village over on Howe Avenue is finally open, and it’s beautiful inside. I dined there last weekend and the chilaquiles were some of the best I’ve ever had (and I’m obsessed with chilaquiles).

The owners of popular Midtown cheese, wine and beer mecca The Rind are said to be opening a new pizza place in West Sacramento soon called La Crosta Pizza Bar. It will be located at 330 Third St.

Estelle Bakery and Pâtisserie, which used to be downtown on K Street, finally opened their new location at 2530 Arden Way in January. They are also planning on opening another new second location back downtown near the Golden 1 Center in the Downtown Commons.

Although it has been open for a few months, I recently had my first meal at Canon in East Sacramento (1719 34th St.) and it was amazing. I love how everything on the menu is designed to be shared, because I’m always eyeballing what’s on everyone else’s plates whenever I’m out eating anyways, so now I get to taste it, too. If it’s on the menu when you go, get the citrus salad. It’s a must.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, a national chain with multiple locations in the region, recently shut down their Midtown location at 1901 J St. In its place is Jyros Twisted Gyros, which is already open for business.

Sticking with J Street, just down the road at the corner of 22nd and J there has been some recent changes as well: Sakamoto Sushi shut down and almost immediately in its place O-Toro Sushi and Shabu opened, under new management.

A new brewery and restaurant called Alaro Brewing Co. is taking over the space that Rubicon Brewing Co. occupied for many years at 2004 Capitol Ave. The new owners have past affiliations with River City Brewing Co. and they’ve hired Rubicon’s former brewer Chris Keeton to helm Alaro. They are aiming for a spring opening.

Echo and Rig, a much-hyped Las Vegas steakhouse and butcher shop from chef Sam Marvin, who is known for beating Bobby Flay on Food Network, is opening his second location right here in Sacramento. Look for them to be slanging steaks soon inside the newly opened Sawyer Hotel right next to the Golden 1 Center.

And finally, after 19 years at 6300 Folsom Blvd., Hoppy Brewing Company is moving. Hoppy said in an email sent out to customers that they had “unresolvable differences with our landlord” and that they’ll be moving brewery operations to a location “less than 10 minutes away” with a tasting room to follow. On top of that, they hinted at another new restaurant and taproom location to be opened in Midtown in early April.

**This piece first appeared in print on page 8 of issue #260 (Feb. 26 – Mar. 12, 2018)**