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The tale of how the couple running this spot for to-go or dine-in French food became husband and wife says all you need to know about their passion for beautifully crafted cuisine—he won her heart with his escargot sauce. In a casual space with ocher walls, six utilitarian stools at the wine bar, and a few tables inside and out, the two serve baguette sandwiches; salads; crepes; stews; and entrées like coq au vin, cassoulet, and pork tenderloin.
4242 Fowler La., Diamond Springs, California, 95619, USA
Known For
- All-day prix-fixe menu (a deal), plus à la carte
- Sandwich, salad, and dessert lunch boxes
- Many vegetarian and gluten-free items
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
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The menu describes this restaurant inside an ivy-covered redbrick building as "a comfort kitchen," but the term doesn't do justice to the sophistication displayed in the cuisine and presentation. Dinner items on the seasonally evolving menu have included mushroom dumplings in a shiitake ginger broth, diver scallops with pureed cauliflower and bacon jam, hanger steak with smashed fingerling potatoes, and a corn polenta bowl with asparagus and mushroom gravy.
61 Hanford St., Sutter Creek, California, 95685, USA
Known For
- Zesty specialty cocktails
- Street-side patio seating
- Eggs Benedict and breakfast tacos
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No dinner Sun. No lunch Wed.–Fri.
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$$$$ | Downtown |
This swank restaurant and bar near the Capitol is artfully designed and thoroughly modern. The California–French, farm-to-table cuisine changes seasonally, but typical dishes include oysters on the half shell, steak tartare, and wood-fired bone marrow and entrées like wood-fired beef tenderloin and poached or pan-roasted fish.
1131 K St., Sacramento, California, 95814, USA
Known For
- Fresh, seasonal local ingredients
- Waitstaff's attention to detail
- Cocktail and wine selection
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Sat.
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A cheery, sometimes boisterous vibe prevails at this ode to Black cuisine and culture that former NBA star and past Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson and his wife, Michelle, founded in a high-ceilinged, quasi-industrial space 3½ miles southeast of the Capitol. Expect heapin' helpings of soul food's greatest hits—gumbo, shrimp and grits, oxtails, and fried chicken, catfish, and pork chops among them—that you can pair with sides that include hush puppies, black-eyed peas, candied yams, and collard greens (with turkey necks).
3428 3rd Ave., Sacramento, California, 95817, USA
Known For
- Art on the walls, sports on bar TVs
- Kool-Aid for kids and (with vodka) for adults
- Banana pudding for dessert
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From potato pancakes for breakfast to grilled rib eye for dinner, this bustling bistro with a series of wainscoted rooms and an outdoor back patio has something for all palates. Lighter grilled vegetables, chicken, sandwiches, salads, and homemade soups always shine here, as does heartier fare that might include elk medallions and prawns, forager-mushroom risotto, and cioppino with a relatively delicate yet full-flavored broth.
402 Main St., Murphys, California, 95247, USA
Known For
- Full bar
- Wines by local producers
- Attentive service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No dinner Sun.
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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Riffing off the calculated flamboyance of its namesake, the gold-rush-era celebrity Lola Montez, the National Exchange Hotel's restaurant flirts with excess—long turquoise banquette benches, wall-mounted Persian rugs, swooping brushed-bronze lighting fixtures—yet retains its composure. The chefs show a similar knack for incorporating unexpected elements that enliven but don't undermine dishes like pan-seared salmon, fried chicken, and a double-cut pork chop.
211 Broad St., Nevada City, California, 95959, USA
Known For
- Cod and smoked-salmon chowder
- Many ingredients "organic, ethically raised, and locally sourced"
- Weekend brunch (weekday lunch served at adjoining National Bar)
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Carefully sourced ingredients from local purveyors, meticulous execution, and the setting at a former mine site 3 miles east of downtown have made this restaurant a hit among locals, Gold Country tourists, and Tahoe travelers. Wild-mushroom Bordelaise appetizer, jambalaya risotto, and the Black and White entrée of filet mignon and perfectly grilled prawns are among the staples on the seasonally changing menu.
2021 Smith Flat Rd., Placerville, California, 95667, USA
Known For
- Sunday brunch waffle Benedict
- Salads, pizzas, burgers for lunch
- Outdoor courtyard
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Thurs.
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A serendipitous find in downtown Plymouth, Taste serves eclectic modern dishes made from fresh local fare. The signature mushroom "cigars"—sautéed shiitake, crimini, and oyster mushrooms rolled with goat cheese in phyllo dough and served with porcini sauce and white truffle oil—are a small-plate staple, and seared day boat scallops, filet mignon, duck leg confit, and a grilled pork chop with foraged mushrooms are examples of the sustainably sourced, creative entrées.
9402 Main St., Plymouth, California, 95669, USA
Known For
- Superb beer and wine list
- Wine bar à la carte menu
- Three- and five-course prix-fixe dinners
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed. No lunch weekdays
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$$$ | Midtown |
Rural French cooking with locally sourced, seasonal, high-quality, often organic ingredients is the hallmark of this upscale, white-tablecloth, corner storefront restaurant that's as appealing for a casual meal with friends as it is for a drawn-out romantic dinner for two. Among the mains, try the steak, duck breast, or seasonal seafood, and save room for one of the palate-cleansing desserts.
2000 Capitol Ave., Sacramento, California, 95811, USA
Known For
- Exceptional French cooking
- Quality local ingredients
- Global wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Tues. and Sat.
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The music-loving owner of this downtown shop mashes up ingredients with verve and imagination—a recent grilled purple grapes and feta specimen with micro-herbs, dry-roasted peanuts, and pear vinaigrette is but one example. Regulars rave about three frequently appearing messy-good sandwiches (ask for a fork), namely the banh mi; the chicken satay with harissa cucumber slaw; and the Spam and kimchi with grilled pineapple, chunky chili sauce, and peanut butter.
451 Main St., Placerville, California, 95667, USA
Known For
- Grilled tacos ahogadas (with spicy chili sauce)
- Top-line ingredients
- Mainly to-go (just a few tables)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed. No dinner
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A casual spot on the eastern edge of town, Alchemy serves sturdy comfort food like meat loaf, pan-seared fish, and mushroom bourguignon over polenta. Fried calamari with roasted jalapeños and a Caesar with smoked-Gouda croutons are among the starters that pair well with the many Calaveras County wines on the list.
191 Main St., Murphys, California, 95247, USA
Known For
- Alchemy burger with blue cheese
- Lunch-only sandwiches
- Mildly pricey for dinner but reliable
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed. No lunch Mon., Tues., and Thurs. (but check)
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For a place as small as it is, this bakery-café produces a staggering array of sweet and savory pastries, sandwiches, salads, and desserts you can enjoy with a well-brewed (if not always swiftly made) coffee, espresso drink, or tea. The croissants are golden and flaky, the quiches moist and filling, and the scones large and flavorful; the breads for lunchtime sandwiches include sourdough, focaccia, and polenta wheat.
458 Main St., Murphys, California, 95247, USA
Known For
- Limited seating inside and out
- Blueberry muffins, savory croissants, and other baked goods
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free options
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed. No dinner
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Inside the historic American Block building, which dates from 1856, you can see this craft operation's beers being made through glass walls behind the dining room, which serves burgers, fish-and-chips, short rib and fish tacos, salads, sandwiches, and other decent gastropub fare. Gold Country Pilsner, Old Town Brown, and Gold Digger IPA are all Great American Beer Festival award winners.
289 Washington St., Auburn, California, 95603, USA
Known For
- Herb-brined buttermilk fried chicken
- Craft whiskeys
- Weekend brunch
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One of Auburn's favorite old-time breakfast and lunch spots entices patrons with waffles, pancakes, Monte Cristo French toast, and a slew of egg dishes you can wash down with an award-winning Bloody Mary or two. Feast on burgers, sandwiches, and more Bloody Marys for lunch.
13460 Lincoln Way, Auburn, California, 95603, USA
Known For
- Hearty breakfasts
- Grandma's bread pudding with brandy sauce
- Town-hangout feel
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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On some sunny weekends, it seems like half of Amador City has dropped by this small brewery's front porch or umbrella-shaded back patio to enjoy beers that include one made entirely from Amador County hops. The chef, who has a talent for making the familiar unusual, times seasonal items like cornmeal-breaded asparagus fries to local farmers' harvests, with pickled eggs, hot honey walnuts and dates, risotto croquettes, and a sausage-and-kraut plate counting among the year-round possibilities.
14141 Old Hwy. 49, Amador City, California, 95601, USA
Known For
- Community milieu
- Range of beer flavors
- Grab-and-go items, beers by the can
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed. No lunch Thurs. and Fri.
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$$ | Downtown |
The exposed brick, reclaimed wood, and natural light streaming through large-paned windows of this easygoing comfort-food hangout make a great first impression. Favorites like tater tots (in truffle oil), French onion soup, and chicken and waffles (with pecan butter, maple syrup, and pork gravy) prove simultaneously familiar and intriguing.
1116 15th St., Sacramento, California, 95814, USA
Known For
- Two outdoor patios
- Nostalgic food with a modern twist
- Weekend brunch with bottomless mimosas
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$$$ | Downtown |
Upscale London haberdasheries reportedly inspired the aesthetic of this impeccably designed, pressed-metal-ceilinged paean to spit-roasted, Brit-influenced meat dishes. Near Golden 1 Center and Downtown Commons, it's a place to share small offerings like sausage rolls, steak tartare, and local caviar and crumpets (Sacramento is a center of caviar production) before proceeding to salmon, spit-roasted chicken, or English meat pie.
555 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, California, 95814, USA
Known For
- Winston's Hour (as in Churchill) menu weekdays 3–6
- Wine, beer, and cider selection
- Craft cocktails incorporating seasonal fruits, herbs, and vegetables
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Sat.
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Centrally located Charles Street, its rustic decor heavy on the wood and Old West adornments, at once evokes both the gold-rush days and the 1980s, which is when it opened. The extensive straightforward menu includes hand-cut steaks, honey-barbecue baby back ribs, several pasta dishes, chicken, pork loin, lamb, a few well-adorned burgers, and some vegetarian options.
Hwy. 140 and 7th St., Mariposa, California, 95338, USA
Known For
- Excellent steaks
- Cheesecake, sundae, crème brûlée for dessert
- Local feel
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
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With exposed brick walls, a tall ceiling, and a well-worn bar and floor, Cirino's serves up a vast menu of hefty Italian American favorites like Corsican rosemary chicken, steak à la Gorgonzola, and pork chop Milanese. The bar crew, which slings the signature Bloody Mary and other specialty cocktails, is as friendly as the rest of the team.
213 W. Main St., Grass Valley, California, 95959, USA
Known For
- Old-school recipes
- Homemade soups and sauces
- Family-friendly attitude
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
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The decor signals more ambitious fare, but massive half-pound burgers and sandwiches like the Ultimate Grilled Cheese with smoked bacon and tomato between three slices of sourdough bread are what this restaurant inside a late-19th-century stone-walled building is about. Locals crowd the tables, especially after 6 pm, for the ground-meat patties, beer-battered onion rings, and veggie burgers.
93 S. Washington St., Sonora, California, 95370, USA
Known For
- Garlic fries
- Many local wines
- Homemade desserts