Lucca Restaurant & Bar
1615 J St., Sacramento
Wanting to explore the elegant side of happy hour deals, I was in search of a restaurant known to serve food that was slightly upscale; a place that wasn’t necessarily known for being a bar. Since I was going to a place that was slightly more expensive, I bumped my spending limit up from the traditional Happy Hour Hound budget of $20 to $25. True, that’s not a large increase, but it allowed me to get that one extra dish to put this outing over the top.
It didn’t take long to find many great options that were within walking distance from my house in Midtown, and after examining menus, I decided on Lucca on 16th and J streets. Lucca is one of those places that I have known about for years, yet for one reason or another have never actually been to. I find that dropping in on a nicer restaurant during happy hour is a great way to experience all they have to offer without breaking the bank.
Lucca has some great cocktails ($6) on their happy hour menu, such as the cucumber bramble (gin, lemon, cucumber and blackberry brandy), Don Quixote (tequila, aperol, lime and jalapeno) and the cosmonaut (vodka, triple sec, raspberry and lime) but I opted for a Ruhstaller 1881 Red Ale ($5), which paired well with the variety of items I was about to order.
Though a bit hesitant, I stayed true to the goal of getting the most bang for my happy hour buck; so as the waitress glided to the table I promptly opened my Yelp app and “checked in” to receive a complimentary order of zucchini chips. Always feeling a bit awkward when using coupons or discounts, my waitress didn’t bat an eye and seemed more than happy to supply the pile of the veggie crisps. I also ordered the ricotta gnocchi ($6), steamed mussels ($6) and of course the Bag O’ Lucky Dog Ranch Beef Jerky ($6) which brought my total to $23.
The zucchini chips came out first, and instead of being haphazardly thrown onto a plate, the deep-fried veggies arrived cascading out of a metal container lined with white butcher paper. Well worth the self-conscious Yelp check-in, the chips were slightly salted, perfectly crispy and a great alternative to potato chips, providing that much needed base layer when consuming happy hour drinks.
Next came the Bag O’ Lucky Dog Ranch Beef Jerky. This was indeed the first time I have ever had the option to order beef jerky from a restaurant and was expecting a small artisanal paper bag filled with the dehydrated meat. To my surprise, my waitress arrived at the table offering three options of beef jerky (original, teriyaki and peppered) packaged in the familiar resealable plastic bags we all know. I went with the peppered variety and ripped open the bag as if I were leaving a convenience store—I’m not going to lie, it was pretty fun. Right away I could taste the superior quality of Dixon’s Lucky Dog Ranch beef. The jerky was thick and had just the right amount of tenderness. After realizing how well beef jerky pairs with an ice cold beer, I’m surprised more restaurants don’t have it on the menu.
After the beef jerky arrived the food service slowed a bit due to the flood of hungry playgoers in search of a pre-show dinner before heading around the corner to the Wells Fargo Pavilion. This wasn’t a problem since I was content swigging back my drink while casually gnawing on jerky and enjoying the atmosphere. Before I knew it the ricotta gnocchi arrived. Well worth the wait, the soft starchy pillows smothered in a bright marinara sauce quickly reminded me that the dishes at Lucca were made with finesse—which was briefly forgotten while chomping on jerky.
Right before my final dish arrived my attentive waitress placed a plate of sliced bread on the table, nonverbally letting me know that said bread was solely there to be submerged in the briny, buttery, garlicky goodness that would soon arrive; and though the mussels did arrive at the table quite a bit later than all of the other bites, they ended up being a great way to cap off a happy hour at Lucca.
There were many other items on the happy hour menu that I look forward to trying, like the Lucky Dog Ranch beef burger ($7) and shishito peppers and halloumi ($6.50). Lucca’s happy hour does get crowded fast and is first come first serve so arrive early, be patient, and you will be rewarded with an upscale happy hour experience.
Happy hour at Lucca is 3–6 p.m. Monday–Wednesday, 3 p.m.–close on Thursday, 3–6 p.m. on Friday and 12–6 p.m. on Saturday, and is available in the bar area only. For more info check out Luccarestaurant.com or call (916) 669-5300.
Kasbah Lounge
2115 J Street | Sacramento
Midtown Sacramento has a plethora of happy hour deals, but I’ve found that the offerings can sometimes be a little predictable and uninspired. With this in mind, I took on the challenge of searching out a local happy hour menu with options that stray from the usual taco, slider and nacho deals.
After hearing about their great food and impeccable service, I turned to Kasbah Lounge, which is right in the heart of Midtown near J and 22nd, to satisfy my craving.
While researching the menu, I quickly realized the vast amount of happy hour items I could order for under $20 was more than enough for two people, so I called in backup to help me consume the upcoming finger food feast.
Walking in to Kasbah Lounge after a long day was very soothing. The atmosphere inside the restaurant is comfortable and inviting. Dim lighting and Middle Eastern music set the mood, which worked perfectly with the soft pillows that were sprinkled along recessed, cushioned bench seating. My friend wanted to partake in the happy hour hookah special, which is only $10, so we ended up seated outside in the cozy courtyard. As the sun pounded the sidewalks of midtown, we were tucked away under a string of lights, flanked by green plants and felt a sense of cooled calm.
I started with a pint of sangria ($4) that was surprisingly balanced and refreshing. Sangria can easily be cloyingly sweet, but Kasbah’s mix of red wine, brandy, cinnamon, orange juice and apple juice was just right. From there we jumped into the food portion of the menu head first, ordering hummus with pita ($3), assorted marinated olives ($3), falafel with green tahini sauce ($4) and harissa with chili chicken wings ($4).
The house-made hummus with pita came out first. Excited about the prospect of great tasting hummus, I instinctively fashioned a piece of pita into a makeshift bulldozer, scooping the fresh tasting mixtures of chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, tahini and jalapeños into my mouth. I was not disappointed. I found the hummus and pita to be an energizing way to satisfy my happy hour “chips and dip” craving.
The assorted marinated olives came out next. Immersed in harissa paste and lemon peel, I found the olives to be the perfect snack while smoking hookah, carrying on a conversation, and sipping sangria. The addictive briny bites complemented the sweetness of the sangria perfectly.
Like a one-two punch, out came the falafel with green tahini sauce and the harissa with chili chicken wings. The falafel arrived at the table with said green tahini sauce, as well as a generous dollop of labneh (Lebanese yogurt) which was mixed with Moroccan preserved lemon peel, mint and a drizzle of olive oil. At first glance the falafel looked overcooked, but after my first bite I took back all assumptions. Bursting with the flavor of a garden of fresh herbs, the falafel’s looks were deceiving, and enhanced even more with a schmear of labneh or gingerly dipped into the bright citrus tahini sauce, which was bursting with parsley, garlic and lemon zest.
Rubbing our stomachs in a circular motion—clearly displaying the signs of being “tanked up”—we knew we had one more dish to try: the harissa with chili chicken wings. This was our most traditional “happy hour” choice, but after I glanced at a handful of Yelp reviews raving about the wings, I couldn’t pass them up. Promising to be a bit spicy, the wings were deep fried and tossed in a mixture of sriracha, harissa and honey, then topped with sesame seeds. I eagerly dug in. The wings were spicy, but the heat wasn’t overwhelming due to the honey in the glaze. The garlic aioli that came with the wings was tasty but not needed. I preferred the wings as they were and, even though I was filled to the brim, had no trouble leaving only bones on my plate.
Kasbah Lounge is a great happy hour destination for those looking for a refreshing alternative. Don’t expect TVs showing sports, or the people next to you throwing back well shots. Expect a classy, casual place to unwind; a perfect place to grab a drink with a date, meet up with a friend for hookah or enjoy some alone time. I definitely see myself heading back soon.
Kasbah Lounge is located at 2115 J Street. They open every night at 5 p.m. (closed Monday’s). Happy hour runs everyday from 5 – 7 p.m. Late night happy hour (drinks only) is from 10 p.m. to close Sunday through Thursday. For more info, including online menus, go to Kasbahlounge.com or call (916) 442-4388.
PMA-Team
Maya Angelou wisely once said, “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.” The idea is, with the right frame of mind, one can accomplish anything, and with a negative mindset, negativity comes back to you.
If unfailing positivity makes you want to barf, you better get a bucket ready.
JM Knudsen is a Sacramento-based artist who paints, tattoos, creates clothing, does graphic design and pretty much any form of art he can get his eager hands on.
But he’s not just in it for himself. As coordinator of American Gypsy Apparel and project manager of Sacramento Free Art Drop, Knudsen endeavors not only to create art, but to create new channels for other artists to share their art and collaborate.
Sacramento Free Art Drop consists of a painted box that shows up in various locations throughout Sacramento and is filled with donated art, free for the taking to anyone who sees beauty in it. Participant Arturo Romero says he was, “… very intrigued by the idea of creating an art hub in the middle of an ‘art desert.’ This city needs color!”
Another participating artist, Ahlo the Alchemist, shares that, “It feels amazing to be a part of such a unique and positive project. It’s cool because you don’t know who is behind the artwork, unless you’re familiar with the local art scene, and [as an artist] you have no idea who can end up with your art.”
Knudsen’s own artwork can be found throughout Sacramento in public areas, free from the monetary ties associated with galleries. This is not because the artist does not accept payment for his art, but because there are other forms of intrinsic payment that Knudsen also values. Much of this artwork consists of paintings on wood that are held up with chain, temporary adhesive or U-lock.
As Knudsen explains, if you don’t like your local art scene, change your attitude and watch the scene change, too.
Why do you think this project was started?
The SFAD was created to spread local art throughout the community of Sacramento in a unique, new way. It was created to get the art we create as Sacramento residents in the homes of our own people, to cover the walls of Sacramento homes with Sacramento art. To inspire artists young and old to create again, to create for the first time, to inspire future artists of Sacramento and instill a sense of pride in what we can do as people here. To create networking opportunities between artist and admirer. To create a platform for unknown artists to be discovered. To give those without the ability to afford a priced piece of artwork an opportunity to own art.
Artists of all skill levels and mediums are welcome to contribute. Not a single person knows how one drop can affect the course of their lives or the City of Sacramento, so no limitations should exist with who can participate. You truly never know the outcome when you give art without expectation.
And last but not least, you can inspire another to create. No dollar can match this … Without a doubt, art saves.
Have there been any issues with the project so far, or complaints? How is the project being received by the community?
To date, there has been only one real complaint, in regards to a single local artist stating that he wouldn’t drop art in the chest because he felt doing so would devalue his art. But besides that, this project has received nothing but praise from the community.
Describe other artistic endeavors in which you’re involved—from your own artwork, to other collaborative projects.
Outside of the SFAD I am the Creative Director/Artist for American Gypsy Apparel “One of a Kind,” an artistic collaborative involving more than 150 artists, including participation in several other U.S. cities and countries. The focus of this group is promoting the idea that we are all “One of a Kind.” The Instagram account has grown to more than 20,000 followers. Some people confuse AG with a brand, AG is not a brand.
For instance, a person in Germany will commission me to design a “One of a Kind” vest with a guitar on the back. I would create that item, text my friend James Cavern for a photoshoot with the vest, and post the photo on Instagram so people can see what James does through tagging him on Instagram, then I would ship the vest.
If an artist shot photography with me for AG, I would pay them with a “One of a Kind” item. Tattoos for sculptures, drawings for haircuts, playing music at an art show for a painting—we find a way to avoid using our currency and trade skills.
In 2016 I have a project with Peace Market around 18th and O streets, with more painting and murals, making art present inside and out. Working with local artists Goop Massta, BAMR and Arturo Romero, we completed a mural on Peace Market the first week of January and we have a group art show at Peace Market together in April.
How does tattooing integrate into your experience as an artist?
Tattooing is a major part of the artistic culture. Midtown Sacramento is saturated with artists and many residents are heavily tattooed. Things I want to express the most, I get tattooed.
What is the state of the art scene in Sacramento currently, in your opinion? What’s going well and what’s lacking? How would you like to see it change?
In my opinion, the state of the art scene in Sacramento is stronger than it has ever been since I’ve lived here. Artists are really starting to come together to do tremendous things, and it’s beautiful to witness—holding events like Launch and TBD Fest that bring in big name artists to our city, and show our artists off to the city. This is bringing us forward in a major way.
The Warehouse Artists Lofts are a great addition to the community as well, a place where artists can afford to live, create, thrive and collaborate. Establishments like the Hacker Lab are a valuable resource where we can learn the tools that can get us to the next level as an artist.
Murals are popping up all over downtown where businesses are becoming more accepting of the artist’s ability to attract through art. Coffee shops like Old Soul and Insight are giving artists a chance to showcase art for 30 days.
With technology, times have changed drastically for artists—many artists who don’t use Instagram are missing out on a free platform to showcase their ability, to network with other artists, to sell their craft and to see what other artists are doing around the world.
How can people find out where the art box is going to show up and when?
To track the whereabouts of the Community Art Chest, follow the Instagram account @sacfreeartdrop. The Chest is set to be at Peace Market on 18th and O every second Saturday of the month for the Art Walk. But the chest can pop up anywhere in Sacramento.
Follow Sacramento Free Art Drop on Instagram (@sacfreeartdrop) to find out where it may pop up next! You can also learn more about American Gypsy Apparel at Americangypsyapparel.com or on Instagram @americangypsyapparel.
If you’ve ever cruised around Midtown on a Second Saturday in the summertime, you know there is a lot of rad stuff going on. Art galleries keep their doors open late, bars are packed to the gills and there is live music everywhere. What was missing for years though was some sort of “anchor event” on Second Saturdays that could draw people in, keep them there for a while and create a real sense of community. Enter THIS, a free block party now in its third year that happens each Second Saturday on 20th Street (between J and K) from June through September. THIS features an expertly curated lineup of national and local bands/DJs, as well as local vendors, live art, food, craft beer, booze and more. The impressive lineup for 2015’s THIS dropped recently and let us just say: it’s going to be a fun summer! It all kicks off on June 13 with electronic musician/producer Cherokee headlining, who hails all the way from Luxembourg! Local acts for the season opener include Exquisite Corps, Mr. Erik James and DJ Epik. July 11’s show features Kauf headlining, a Los Angeles-based electronic musician associated with Cut Copy’s label Cutters Records! Opening that show will be Casino Gold, a popular electro-duo that is also from Los Angeles, as well as local DJs Shaun Slaughter (one of the organizers of THIS) and Adam Jay. Aug. 8’s show will see Oakland-based four-piece indie/pop band Trails and Ways headlining alongside locals Sunmonks (whose 2014 EP In a Desert of Plenty was named Submerge’s favorite release of the year!) as well as Tiaras and a DJ set from Young Aundee. THIS’ series-ender will be on Sept. 12 and will feature prolific Vancouver-based producer Pat Lok headlining with San Francisco singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist 8th Grader providing main support. Locals Joseph in the Well will open that show. All dates are free and start at 4 p.m. Visit Facebook.com/thismidtown for more details and to hear samples from upcoming THIS artists.
If you work or live in Midtown Sacramento and can get away for an hour or two on Thursday afternoons, you really owe it to yourself to head down to Fremont Park (16th and Q Streets) for the Hot Lunch Concert Series, presented by Hot Italian and local promoter Jerry Perry. Every Thursday starting at 11:30 a.m., from now through Aug. 28, awesome local bands will be performing for free. The first two Hot Lunch shows are already in the books (Kepi Ghoulie played June 5 and Dog Party on June 12) but there are still plenty to look forward to: James Cavern on June 19, Matt Sertich (of the Generals) on July 10, Hans! and the Hot Mess on August 7, just to name a few! To see the whole lineup, head to Facebook.com/hotlunchconcertseries. Pro tip: Don’t forget to call Hot Italian ahead of time at (916) 444-3000 to place an order for a panini or insalata plus a drink to go for only $10!
Summer is nearly upon us, and with it comes one of our favorite recurring events: THIS, a totally free and totally rad Second Saturday block party celebrating the independent spirit of Midtown Sacramento. You’ve got live music from national and local artists, a beer garden, live art, sweet local vendors and overall just great Summer vibes, all taking place on 20th Street in between J and K. Oh and did we mention each event is FREE?!? Last year, organizers of THIS brought some amazing talent through town (Yacht, Classixx and others) and this year’s lineup is just as killer (see below). THIS kicks off on Saturday, June 14, 2014 at 4 p.m. For more info, hit up Thismidtown.com. We’ll see you on the block!
June 14
Carousel
Fronds
Cold Eskimo
Bell Boys
DJ Roger Carpio
July 12
Goldroom
French Horn Rebellion
Sunmonks
Gentleman Surfer
Be Calm Honcho
DJs Shaun Slaughter and Adam J
Aug. 9
Blackbird Blackbird
Tropicool
Patrick Baker
The Kelps
Honyock
The Be At DJs
Sept. 13
Special Secret Guest Headliners (we wish we could tell you, but just trust us, they are awesome)
Zimmer
Lincoln Jesser
Lunaverse
Plus more TBA
Well it took a long time (no thanks to the city’s endless hurdles), but Midtown’s newest beer bar, Der Biergarten, located on the corner of 24th and K streets (what was once that ugly vacant lot next to Golden Bear), is finally open! This cozy little open-air German-influenced beer garden swung open its gates to the public on Friday, Jan. 24, 2014, but Submerge was lucky enough to attend their soft opening a couple days prior. We were impressed with their affordably priced, vast selection of beers; they have 32 on tap alone. Plus the sausages they serve from Morant’s Old Fashioned Sausage Kitchen and the salad that we tried were great too, and they came out surprisingly fast (granted we were there earlier in the day, before they presumably got slammed like all new restaurants do). For drinks, we had the Erdinger Hefeweizen (excellent), New Helvetia’s Buffalo Craft Lager (also excellent, plus it’s local!) and their Biergarten Blonde “house beer,” which is brewed by Lost Coast. The highlight was that one of our favorite sour ales, Duchesse de Bourgogne, tasted oh-so-good on draft (we usually get it out of the bottle at other local craft beer bars). Next time we return, we’ll order one of their sandwiches that come served on a waffle! Sounds weird, but we saw a couple come out of the kitchen and they looked delicious.
And while we know we desperately need some rain, you really can’t argue that this weather lately is absolutely perfect for owner Sean Derfield (he also owns River City Saloon in Old Sacramento) and his Biergarten team to open up their outdoor eatery. So as long as this abnormal weather sticks around, you might as well pop into the Biergarten to see what it’s all about and enjoy some brews and food with friends. Bring your pup, too, as they are dog friendly. For more information, visit Facebook.com/MidtownBierGarten or Beergardensacramento.com. To view a frequently updated list of what’s on tap, visit Sacramento.taphunter.com/location/Midtown-BierGarten.
I swung by Rubicon on Capitol and 20th around 3 p.m. to shoot the breeze with Scott Cramlet, brewmaster since 1990. Not quite happy hour, not quite the lunch rush, the patio remained lively as were the tables inside. The bartender Summer Quinn offered water or coffee. I must have looked like I needed freshening up. Two glasses of water deep when Scott sat down at the bar with me, an unspoken short pour of IPA was placed in front of him as he asked if I wanted a pint. I graciously accepted, requesting a Rosebud and used my choice as a transition into a curiosity I’d had since I first tasted the hoppy red ale, “Is the name a Citizen Kane reference?”
“It has nothing to do with sleds or strike anywhere matches,” Cramlet said.
Rosebud Red Ale was born on Aug. 9, 1995, a day that causes great sadness among Grateful Deadheads. Cramlet was in the brewery with the task of brewing a style he cannot recall. He got the news of Jerry’s passing and got inspired to improvise a brew. Named after one of Jerry’s guitars with a mother of pearl inlay, drink a Rosebud with this knowledge and taste the divine tribute. “It’s a little bit different every year,” Cramlet said. “The recipe changes, but it’s good. The little tweaks; the analogy I make is much like the Grateful Dead they have their repertoire of songs and yet you recognize that song you’ve heard before, but they’ll play it a little bit different this time.” It should also be noted that Summer the bartender painted the replica guitar neck tap handle.
When Rubicon opened on Nov. 1, 1987 one other brewery existed in Midtown–Hog’s Head, which opened July 1986. Cramlet was graduating high school. Do the math in years and it’s puzzling how Cramlet got the job with the brewery without being legally allowed to drink.
“I was one of those guys that started home brewing before I legally should have,” he said. “You can buy malt and hop, combine it with water. You can buy a book on home brewing and teach yourself how to do it, despite your parent’s wishes or the government’s admonishments not to do it.”
He gained the company of the Local Home Brew Club and original Rubicon brewer Phil Moeller took a liking to Cramlet at a camp getaway. A week later, at the age of 22, Cramlet became Moeller’s understudy. “I wasn’t looking for the job,” he said. “I literally got the angel’s tap on the shoulder.”
Beyond its taste and after-effects, Cramlet began brewing for its combination of art and science. “There’s a lot of creativity and artistic input for making beer,” he said. “But there’s also the science behind it, the microbiology and chemistry that make it happen.”
Moeller’s legacy though rests on the full body blending called wheatwine. The conceit was a barleywine with enough wheat to push the flavor without compromising the ABV (alcohol by volume). The Winter Wheatwine won gold at the Great American Beer Festival in 2006. Many of the signature brews were in place before Cramlet came on; think of his job as a guard of a holy grail. “I inherited the legacy,” he said. “Even though the brewery was only open for three and a half years. I inherited the foundation and we really haven’t messed with it. I’m the caretaker from what was started.”
Cramlet’s first batch to call his own was a Scotch ale he called Scott’s Ale, so people would know it was his. A few years later, it was a German Alt Beer he dubbed Scottmeister Alt. When he took over, he quit putting his name on his batches. With several brewers under his liege, he does not stifle their creativity. The Capricorn Black currently on the menu is a homebrew from Al Griffin they’ve added to their repertoire. Cramlet said, “You guard the legend, but it doesn’t mean you don’t carve your initials underneath where no one can see. All my brewers have had a chance to put their thumb into the equation and contribute.”
The Monkey Knife Fight Pale Ale is one of Rubicon’s most widely distributed additions to the family, despite only having brewed 250 batches to date. Cramlet refers to it as the new pretty boy in the bar. There was only one disappointment when discussing the Monkey Knife Fight: there have been no monkey knife fights in the brewery, not in the back of the house nor the front of the house. “There was a reference in an episode of The Simpsons when Homer was out on a ship,” he said. “He was betting on monkey knife fights. Classic cartoon comedy. I don’t know exactly how we grabbed that name, it’s just funny sounding.”
The workhorse in the bar is the IPA, brewed since 1988 and in its 1500th batch (one batch is 310 gallons or 2,400 pints). For Cramlet, brewing beer is the result of practice, and he’s had plenty of it. Their beer logs consist of 13 binders, three inches thick of hand written notes. Scott said they will brew their 3,000th batch as soon as the logs come up on 3,000 pages deep. “I’m not any smarter or any better than a lot of [home brewers],” he said. “But when it comes to brewing Rubicon beer…yeah, I got that.”
Giving craft beer lovers a balanced and consistent brew, satisfying in hops without risking alienation, won Rubicon a prize more valuable than gold and silver medals–regulars. An institution on Tuesday nights is Ground Chuck, who Cramlet joked was there even before they opened in 1997. “I think Ground Chuck started coming in 1790,” he said. “He’s been reborn several times. Who knows when the spirit of Ground Chuck first came through?”
Call it a hunch, but I think Ground Chuck will be at Grateful Dead Night on the debut evening of Rubicon’s 25th anniversary week parties. The night is in honor of an early tradition at the brewery. Every Monday night, they would turn the lights lower and patrons would bring their Dead tapes to play on a cassette player behind the bar. Whoever brought in the best bootleg show earned a free pint. The original Monday night bartender, Vincent Stern, a big Deadhead and owner of Two Rivers Hard Cider, will be guest bartending his old shift, although no one has a cassette player anymore. “We’re going to find a way to spin some Dead tunes…go a little retro,” Cramlet said. “We’ll see how loud we can turn the music up.”
Cramlet is nearly ready to debut the Rubicon 25th Anniversary Ale as well. It is a single malt, single hop IPA, being that the IPA is the beer that got them to 25 years. “Let’s just make an IPA featuring cascade hops,” he said. “Keep the hops featured by using a two-row barley malt, not a lot of body to the beer, the malt character is relatively light so the hops can shine through, and 7.3 alcohol to make it bigger for celebration. We didn’t want a head-crusher. Light in character but screaming with cascade flavor and aroma. I just had a taste of it this morning, and it’s coming along. Something special but something simple.”
SONY DSC
Along with a big week of celebrating, Rubicon announced plans to expand the manufacturing and distribution side of the company to fix the dilemma of not being able to make enough. They purchased a facility in West Sacramento strictly for production–sorry, no tasting–in brewing, bottling and kegging. It will give Cramlet space for 13 more binders of beer logs.
“Capitol Avenue is a vibrant corner now, but at the time it was just Java City down the street,” he said. “It used to be dive bars down here and us. In the early days it was kind of pioneering. Now there’s excitement again. Small breweries coming in like nano breweries and tasting rooms. It’s a very exciting time.”
Rubicon’s 25th anniversary week-long celebration kicks off Monday, Oct. 29, 2012 with Grateful Dead night with events continuing throughout the week. Go to http://www.rubiconbrewing.com/ to get the full rundown!
Broadacre Ltd. Coffee
1014 10th Street, Sacramento
Words & Photos by Adam Saake
The last time we left the Elia brothers, Jake and Lucas, they had moved on from their first venture, the chic and elegant Bloom Coffee and Tea out in Roseville, and were onto their next entrepreneurial endeavor, Pause Kitchen and Lounge, which was literally a stone’s throw away from Bloom. Unfortunately, this past August saw the closing of their swanky establishment that had a focus on small plates and thoughtful spirit pairings and found the two brothers back at their drawing boards once more. Luckily for the Elias, their drawing boards are accompanied by very sharp pencils and the Crayola 64 set, if you catch my drift, and these boys wasted no time in setting out to create their next work of art.
This time, along for the ride are two of their long time employees from Bloom, Justin Kerr and Andrew Lopez, who share the Elias’ passion for finely crafted coffee and the vision of bringing it to the masses. The idea for a coffee shop was in place and the four started looking for a space in the midtown/downtown area. With a stir of perfect timing, the firmly established Temple Coffee on 10th between J and K streets was gearing up to relocate from their original location, a charming Hobbit-like structure that was once a bookstore, to a new location just around the corner. This brewed the right opportunity and the perfect space for the four partners to capitalize on their new venture–Broadacre Ltd. Coffee.
With the addition of two more opinions weighing in, decision-making could get hairy. Especially since the brothers had been calling the shots at Bloom and Pause for the past couple years. But Lucas says the addition of Kerr and Lopez is all for the better.
“We definitely saw [Justin and Andrew] as assets and as minds we thought could bring something to the table,” says Lucas. “There are definitely conversations that have been hashed out, and we argue sometimes but at the same time we end up at a better result than we would have if it was just the two of us.”
Those minds all thinking in unison have created a new and knowledgeable destination for quality brewed coffees and beans in the heart of Downtown Sacramento. The location is perfect for foot traffic and their reputations from Bloom precede them. That means those seeking a good cup of Joe know exactly where to go, and Lucas says business has been good so far.
In many respects, Broadacre is a coffee shop like any other. Tables and chairs are aligned in neat rows along the narrow corridor leading to the counter. An espresso machine hisses and gurgles, the crescendo tick of beans spilling into the grinder can be heard and the plates and cups collide to complete the symphony of a busy café. The pastry case is full of croissants and muffins from Freeport Bakery and Doughbot Donuts to accompany your beverage. Angled walkers in stride pass briskly in the morning, some stopping in for a quick cup of coffee on their way to work–some unconcerned by what the sign reads on the outside, only interested in the almighty caffeine contained within. But there are subtleties at work that make Broadacre unique and make them a premier location in town to get premium coffee and an authentic café experience.
It all starts with good coffee and Broadacre has got that covered.
“We just had Verve at Bloom, and so we were an exclusive account,” says Lucas. “Here it’s very dynamic, and it’s changing all the time. We have four coffee roasters and it changes once a month–one drops off and another comes on. So there are always different coffees around.”
Aside from Santa Cruz, Calif.’s Verve Coffee, which the Elias still carry, their other roasters include San Francisco’s Ritual Roasters, Chicago’s Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea and Portland’s Stumptown Roasters. With the coffees rotating so frequently, it’s important that Lucas and the rest of the team dial in the espresso and make sure the transition to the new coffee is smooth.
“It’s not an easy thing to do if you don’t have the right skill set to manage changing out coffees every day, dialing in espressos and making sure everything tastes good all the time. You need to taste it, you need to have a good palate to be able to know that the espresso you’re pulling is tasting good,” explains Lucas.
Good coffee deserves careful preparation to make sure the final product, what’s in your cup, stays consistent. Broadacre currently offers four different methods of brewing for you to choose from: Hario V60, Aeropress, French press and Chemex. All have their different qualities and can bring out different notes in the coffee or reduce oils. Each method can be explained to you if you don’t know which one best suits your tastes. It’s also prepared right before; meticulously weighed out and treated with care.
When I arrived to chat with the brothers, Jake and Lucas were behind the counter helping customers and preparing their own coffee to drink. Both dressed in clean and pressed collared shirts that were tucked into their slacks; belts and dress shoes to match. Their thick, black tufts of hair neatly combed and groomed, a mirror of their surroundings. On the left counter, the shiny and new La Marzocco Strada espresso machine that Lucas spoke fondly of. White mugs sat orderly on the top, and behind the counter two-dozen rocks glasses, each filled with weighed-out portions of fresh coffee beans, awaited the grinder. Three scales rested neatly across the counter; another necessary component for ensuring consistency with how much water is required for the perfect cup. There’s this air of fun about all the young baristas there, seen in their honest smiles and their passion for coffee and how it’s served. Their blog posts that speak to the search for great coffee are always signed off, “the broad acre boys” like they’re some kind of Wild West Robin Hoods; taking the pretentiousness out of carefully brewed coffee and giving it to the common Joe drinker to enjoy. When you walk inside Broadacre, you feel compelled to stay a while and that’s exactly how the boys like it.
Capital Stage starts its 2011—2012 season in a larger space
A theater company six years in the making will start this year’s play season on Oct. 7 at a new location–the Old Armoury on J Street in the heart of Midtown.
Capital Stage, which for the last six years has been tucked away inside the Delta King in Old Sacramento, has been relocated to a space that not only provides the theater company more space but also allows it to establish its identity.
“Even though we had been working [on the Delta King] for years and winning awards for our work, the bulk of the community still had no idea who we were,” said the company’s founding director Stephanie Gularte. “Now we’ve got this amazing storefront presence.”
This year’s season will start on Oct. 7, 2011 with the comedy Superior Donuts, the story of an owner of a poorly kept donut shop in uptown Chicago whose work ethic is challenged by the spunk of a new employee. It will feature a nine-person cast, which Gularte considers large for the company.
This is a busy time for Capital Stage, with the start of the season just around the corner. Nonetheless Submerge managed to finagle a chat with Gularte over the phone in the midst of her busy schedule.
The company has placed great emphasis on producing bold, innovative and intimate plays since its inception in 2005. In fact it’s engrained in their mission statement. They must be doing something right: last year the company received five stars for its entire season of plays from the Sacramento News and Review.
“We believe live theater is such a communal experience and opportunity for our audience and artists to have an experience together that is really kind of elevating, that goes beyond just entertainment,” Gularte said. “We like to explore strong ideas and try and create an experience for the audience that is memorable and provocative.”
This experience is partially created by providing the audience an opportunity for introspection as members of society, in a sense holding up an invisible mirror to reveal human reality.
“We have so many opportunities to be alone and be behind our computers at a safe distance,” she said, “But live theater particularly gives us the opportunity to do work that is thought-provoking and challenging, [and] provides an opportunity for a more visceral and community experience around that introspection.”
The desire to provide this unique experience is what brought Gularte and partners Jonathan Williams and Peter Mohrmann together to begin Capital Stage back in 2005.
Up to that point, although she was living in Sacramento working as an actress, Gularte found that the plays she found most provocative and interesting were those she was working on in the Bay Area.
Rather than relocating to the Bay Area, Gularte made it her mission to bring provocative theater to Sacramento. Thus, with the cooperation of likeminded individuals Williams and Mohrmann, Capital Stage was born.
This season’s string of plays should not disappoint. The plays are expected to be just as thought-provoking and introspective, Gularte said, if not more so.
They also all have a very American vibe, she said, and are what she considers to be American theater at its best. Several of which include the work of groundbreaking playwrights of the last couple of decades.
“This is an important time in our culture to see who we really are as a nation and where we come from and where we’re going,” she said.
After Superior Donuts, the season will continue with a diverse set of plays that include subject matter ranging from the Iraq War to a scientist’s wife in the 1800s.
With higher ceilings and a larger stage area, the new location is allowing the company to add more creativity to their sets and cast more actors. The seating capacity is also increased by 15 percent from the old location.
The hope is that with the new space, Capital Stage will also attract new audience members.
”We have a really smart, dynamic, passionate audience base and I just want more of those folks,” Gularte said. “I look for opportunities to surprise our audiences and take our subscribers in particular, who commit to the entire season with us, on a real journey.”
For those who are all too eager to see what the upcoming season brings, Capital Stage will be performing sneak previews of Superior Donuts as well as a new, one-woman show that the company will debut at Midtown Modern Arts Festival on Oct. 15. And for those needing an excuse to celebrate, the company will hold its opening gala on Oct. 21.
Capital Stage’s Superior Donuts will be in previews from Oct. 7—14 , 2011 and officially open Saturday, Oct. 15 with a run that will last through Nov. 13. More information and tickets can be found at Capstage.org. Don’t forget to catch Capital Stage members in action at Midtown Modern Arts Festival on Oct. 15. Event is free, starts at 12 p.m. and is taking place on 20th Street in between J and K streets.
