17 minute read
TASTE
THE LISTHot Say Cheese! 7 Gorgeous Grazing Boards BY TARA MENDANHA
Charcuterie, or grazing boards, are as beautiful as they are bountiful. Treat yourself to savory meats, sinful cheeses, sweet fruit, and so much more with these locally crafted works of art.
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Delicious Delights by The Dancer’s Pantry in Gold River creates thought-
fully curated and artistically designed dairy and plant-based cheese grazing experiences. Their boxes, boards, and grazing tables are filled with artisanal cheeses, crackers, jams, homemade spreads, pickles, nuts, and seasonal fruit and veg. Their medium harvest board (feeds 8-12) is particularly delightful, with custom-made pumpkin hummus and beets pickled in brown sugar, rosemary, and apple cider. thedancerspantry.com PRO TIP: Add texture. We eat with our eyes first. A variety of colors and flavors makes any board look appetizing and taste amazing. Grazing Gouda in Sacramento offers luxury boards and tables that include locally sourced artisan cheeses, premium meats, and fresh, seasonal fruit. Their medium round board serves 8-10 and includes four cheeses, three meats, fresh and dried fruit, crackers, nuts, chocolates, honey, jam, olives, and other enticing accoutrements. We especially love the decorative fruit and flower elements in this pleasing platter. @grazinggouda PRO TIP: Don't be intimidated to try new cheeses and have fun while making your board. Include items you love and get creative by using fresh flowers or garnishes like rosemary or sage!
Charcutebrie in Roseville curbs those cheese cravings with deli boxes and platters that can even be custom-made. Their grand deli platter serves 8 and boasts delectable artisan cheeses, freshly cut meats, fruits, olives, nuts, honey, and a specialty jam, all served on a sustainable bamboo platter. charcutebrie.com PRO TIP: Always experiment. Combine types of cheeses that you like or haven’t tried before with prosciutto, salami, or jámon. Add dried fruits, nuts, different types of crackers, and bread. Don’t forget a nice jam and honey. When setting up your board, start with the biggest items to the smallest.
Divine Charcuterie in El Dorado Hills masterfully makes boards and boxes for every occasion, from date nights to weddings. Every board is bright and bold with intentionally paired flavors. Their popular medium board is perfect for 6-8 and flaunts four different cheeses, three cured meats, and an exciting variety of fruits, spreads, sweets, and crackers. divinecharcuterie.com PRO TIP: Choose flavors that pair well together like brie and fig jam, salami and gouda, or goat cheese and honey.
Cellar Door Platters in Sacramento is a long-time cheesemonger who knows their stuff. Their assortment of platter boxes and grazing tables come with rotating cheeses, signature salami roses, local honey, and seasonal accoutrements. Best part? They also offer tasting and pairing notes for their platter boxes, which have been a favorite during the pandemic. cellardoorplatters.com PRO TIP: Have variety and have fun! Cheese is fun food; it doesn't have to be so serious. Mix up types and textures of cheese—cow, goat, sheep's milk, soft, firm, and everything in between.
The Grazing Grouse in Placerville creates platters, boxes, and lush grazing tables that artfully combine food and floristry, resulting in a decadent spread that’s a feast for the senses. Brimming with fresh-smoked salmon, honey-crusted oranges, stuffed brie, compote, local chocolate, and California cheeses and olives, these spreads definitely impress. thegrazinggrouse.com PRO TIP: Choose your favorites, then pick a wild card—something you’ve never tried before. Style tables and boards by starting out with focal food placement. What do you want to stand out the most? Cluster those foods together for the most visible impact.
Sierra Charcuterie Co. in El Dorado Hills delivers a farm-to-fork experience by highlighting locally sourced cheeses, cured meats, olives, nuts, and honey in their tablescapes, platters, boxes, and appetizer cones and cups. Their innovative seasonal medium board incorporates local, fresh, and dried fruit; crudites; and unique accoutrements bursting with freshness and flavor. sierracharcuterie-co.business.site PRO TIP: There are no rules! Explore cheeses in hard, semi-hard, and soft varieties. Shop local farmers’ markets for seasonal pairings like fruits, crudites, nuts, honey, and olives, and finish off with fresh breads.
OF THETOWN
Award-winning, locally sourced food and drink abound in our region. Whether wine tasting amid picture-perfect vineyard views, sipping high-quality craft brews at a family-friendly brewery, indulging in pub grub, or savoring a multi-course meal, there's something for everyone. When you visit the places that follow, make sure to tell them you saw their profile in STYLE!
Come See Us!
Mon./Wed./Thurs.: 7:30am-2pm Closed Tuesdays Fri.-Sun.: 7:30am-4pm
We’re focused on small batch artisan roasted Specialty Coffee, along with organic gluten free and vegan baked goods baked fresh daily and locally made organic bagels. We are proud to say all of what we do is made in house, local, or organic. We also feature local wines, and craft brews on tap and by the bottle available for grab and go— come visit us at Totem soon!
312 Main St., Ste. 104 | Placerville | 530-903-3280 | totemcoffeeroasters.com
Wise Villa Winery is the only winery in Placer County to feature a full dining experience complete with a Tuscan-style restaurant, professional waitstaff & culinary team. Using only the highest quality ingredients that are sourced locally to craft elegant, gourmet meals, our esteemed Chef Marc brings a decadent, vibrant flair to each gourmet dish served at Wise Villa. Marc is widely known in the Sacramento area as a culinary master and crafts cuisine which pairs perfectly with the AwardWinning and Certified Sustainable wines of Wise Villa Winery.
4200 Wise Rd. | Lincoln 916-543-0323 www.wisevillawinery.com
DarkHeart Brewing is nestled on Auburn Blvd on the old Route 40. This Pirate themed Brewery is known for fun and great European and American style beers. This hidden gem is a diamond in the rough located in the back of an auto repair complex. DarkHeart Brewing is know for their 20 taps of malt forward classically styled beers and a 8 flavor Seltzer Bar. DarkHeart Brewing offers indoor seating as well as a dog run and huge Bier Garten. Twice per month they offer live music with some of the hottest acts... Mug Club Members never pay a cover charge. Come try something decidedly different.
Dark Heart Brewing 4339 Auburn Blvd., #B | Sacramento | 916-333-1192 DarkHeartbrewing.com |
#1 BEST SUSHI & A BEST CHEF 5 YEARS IN A ROW IN FOLSOM, EL DORADO HILLS
Award winning Executive Chef and owner Michael Liu brings over 18 years of sushi bar and restaurant expertise to Hisui Sushi. With the skill of a master swordsman, Chef Liu unites traditional Japanese cuisine with unique and contemporary offerings by bringing you tasty ingredients from the ocean and land to your plate. Seeking something different for your lunchtime options? Please come Tuesday thru Sunday between 11am-2pm and enjoy our All You Can Eat (AYCE) menu. It has proven an unmatched offering enthusiastically received by our customers discerning palates. We also offer traditional lunch and dinner cuisine crafted and delivered with a contemporary and creative flair you will find nowhere else. Tempura, teriyaki, sashimi, nigiri, hand and plated rolls, and sushi tapas are all made fresh for on site dining or takeout! Sit at the sushi bar or in the main dining area. Vividly flavored, brilliantly executed food with a health conscious approach using only the freshest ingredients available. A dining experience worth traveling for.
Hisui Sushi 25004 Blue Ravine Rd., #107 | Folsom 916-985-7778 | hisuisushi.com
Voted Best Overall Restaurant seven years in a row, a Best Outdoor Dining, a Best Bar, and Best Waitpersons Jake Brekke and Tyrel Blankenship! The Independent Restaurant and Bar offers a refreshing place for gatherings of family and friends in the Emerald Street Building on upper Main Street in Placerville. Come and enjoy the modern rustic setting including comfortable indoor dining and a convivial bar. In addition, extensive outdoor dining is available on their private garden patios. Now in their tenth year, the Independent remains focused on its American fusion menu prepared with the freshest ingredients. The full bar is top tier with innovative creations featuring fresh-squeezed juices, infused liquors, and signature cocktails mixed by their friendly and professional staff. Operating as a “scratch kitchen” the work begins early at The Independent, where meats, cheeses, and fresh delivered produce are all prepared daily for lunch and dinner service. Creative weekend specials are a hallmark of the Independent and savvy patrons know they sell out quickly. Call and speak to the friendly staff for information and reservations or follow the Independent on Facebook to see current weekend specials. The Independent serves lunch and dinner 5 days/week. Also check out their Sous Vide Prime Rib on Sunday nights! Take-out orders and reservations can be made through their website.
The Independent Restaurant and Bar 629 Main Street | Placerville | 530-344-7645 independentplacerville.com |
We love you NorCal! Big Sexy Brewing is an award-winning Sacramento craft brewery, located in an awesome warehouse group in South East Sacramento, offering high quality craft beer anyone can enjoy. OUR PROMISE TO YOU: Always deliver the highest quality, freshest, and most consistent craft beers available on the market.
OUR PROMISE TO OURSELVES: Be bold, brave, and to treat our fans and each other with unyielding integrity. OUR PROMISE TO OUR COMMUNITY: Give back whenever possible through charity and outreach programs that encompass volunteerism and giving. All of us at Big Sexy Brewing strive to make a positive impact on our industry and community. Covid take out hours Wed-Fri 2-6 pm and Sat 12-5 pm. Brewery direct deliveries 6 days a week! Open Wed-Thur from 2-7pm; Fri 1-8pm (live music), Sat 1-6pm (live music). Offering brewery to door delivery in Sac and Placer county select areas.
Big Sexy Brewing Company 5861 88th St., Ste. 800 | Sacramento 833-310-4777 | bigsexybrewing.com
#1 BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT 16 YEARS IN A ROW!
Visconti’s is a family owned full service restaurant in Folsom where we do our best to make you feel at home each time you come to visit. Our recipes come from past generations of our family in Southern Italy, from the regions of Calabria and Sicily. We are proud to use only the freshest ingredients, imported meat, cheese and wine. When you dine with our family you feel at home where the flavors are savory, the atmosphere is filled with love, and the ambiance is old world traditional Italian life.
If you are wondering where to eat, we welcome parties of any size no matter what the occasion! We are a family friendly restaurant that is a perfect place to celebrate anniversaries, weddings, and birthdays. We can also host business meetings and private parties. Open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner, and Sundays for dinner only. We are so proud of our rich traditions and history and that pride goes into every dish we serve. Thanks also for making Visconti’s Restaurant Folsom’s Favorite Italian Restaurant for 16 years in a row!
Visconti’s Ristorante 2700 East Bidwell St., Ste. 700 | Folsom 916-983-5181 | viscontisristorante.com
We are OPEN! Watch the days and evenings go by on Historic Main Street Sutter Creek while enjoying Chef Jason Clevenger’s culinary creations and Hotel Sutter’s signature cocktails at one of our street-side tables, on our cozy balcony, or on our back lot patio with live music on the weekends. Now featuring our new "Sutter Smokehouse" menu offering St. Louis ribs and Chimichurri TriTip! With 21 charming rooms, a beautiful banquet room, a restaurant and two bars, Hotel Sutter is Northern California's number one destination wedding venue! Thurs., Sun., Mon., 11:30am-7pm / Fri. and Sat., 11:30am-8pm
Hotel Sutter 53 Main Street | Sutter Creek | 209-267-0242 www.hotelsutter.com |
Family owned, Nixtaco is a qualityfocused retail specialty taquería — call it a "Mexican Kitchen." Nixtaco is committed to sourcing and using the finest ingredients while preserving traditional techniques. We're proud to have started this venture in the Sacramento region, California's capital, where lingo like "farm to fork," local, sustainable, and organic have become so mainstream they convey nothing new. We do what we do, not because it's a fad and everybody's on the bandwagon, but because it's the right way and we believe in it. We hope you enjoy them and support true, "Farm to Tacos."
Nixtaco 1805 Cirby Way #12 | Roseville | 916-771-4165 | Nixta.co |
Jarunee Fleming Co-Owner & Head Chef
Thai Paradise serves healthy, delicious and authentic Thai food. Thai Paradise is open for indoor and outdoor dining when allowed in both cities, delivery by 4 companies, and easy online ordering for take-out. What makes Thai Paradise food so healthy is that we cook with health promoting and expensive rice bran oil like they do in Thailand. Thai Paradise also uses local farm-to-fork ingredients, fresh vegetables and meats purchased daily, plus ingredients used in Traditional and Ayurvedic medicine. Our fresh ingredients are full of healthy antioxidants and nutritionals that taste great. Some of our ingredients help with inflammation; lowering bad and promoting good cholesterol; boosting immunity and fighting aging; plus helping with: digestion, arthritis, the heart, ulcers and more. Healthy dishes, like Pad Thai, Tom Yum, Papaya Salad, Red, Green and Yellow Curry, and Spring Rolls are on the list of Thai foods recommended by Registered Dieticians. Jarunee Fleming, Co-Owner and Head Chef says: “I make my food to make people happy.”
Thai Paradise | Folsom | 916-984-8988 2770 E. Bidwell St. | ThaiParadiseFolsom.com Thai Paradise EDH | El Dorado Hills | 916-939-0389 4361 Town Center Blvd. | ThaiParadiseEDH.com
Kehret Vineyards pairs wines of the world with a spectacular view harmonizing your senses of taste and sight. From the moment you round the corner at the top of Mount Aukum you will be delighted by the stunning views. The mountainside vineyard provides a marvelous location to experience great wine and to enjoy life. Kehret Vineyards specializes in bold world varietals. Experience the Fair Play AVA with stunning views that sweep from the Sierra to the Coastal Range. Bring a picnic and indulge your senses. Now hosting small to medium weddings, special events and corporate team meetings.
Kehret Vineyards 6781 Tower Rd. | Somerset | 209-245-3757 | kehretvineyards.com
Combining the flavors of France and the Mediterranean regions with an emphasis on quality, fresh seasonal and locally-grown ingredients. The perfect location for private dining, special events, wedding celebrations and corporate dinners/presentations. Lunch: T-F 11:30am - 2:30pm Sat Brunch: 10:30am - 2:30pm Dinner: T-Th 4pm - 9pm; F-Sat 4pm - 10pm Happy Hour: T-Sat 4pm - 7pm
La Provence Restaurant & Terrace 110 Diamond Creek Place | Roseville | 916-789-2002 www.laprovenceroseville.com |
We here at Papa Gianni’s appreciate your business, and are so grateful for the trust you’ve placed in us, our staff and our food. Your support means the world to us and we are so grateful for the pleasure of serving you for three decades! Thank you for your never ending loyalty and support. Featuring a wide range of traditional pasta dishes as well as custom signature entrées, Papa Gianni’s has all the ingredients needed to help celebrate a special occasion or enjoy a casual family night out. Family-style options are available for take out.
Papa Gianni's Ristorante 3450 Palmer Dr., Ste. 1 | Cameron Park 530-672-2333 | papagiannis.net |
Come on by and visit us at our new location! We have expanded our menu and some of your favorite specials will be available all the time such as Liah Liah Jambalaya, Crabby Cakes, and our fancy tater chips. We will continue to serve Folsom’s best burger and our almost famous New England lobster roll. That Dam Place is THE place for felonious flavors and gatherings of family and friends. We have a beautiful and spacious pet friendly patio and we think it is way past time for you to join us again; or come on by and meet us for the first time! We’re dam happy to see you!
The Dam Place 1013 Riley Street, Ste 100 | Folsom | 916-790-8182 ThatDamPlace.com |
The Home of the Indian Chicken Wing Experience, serving organic and halal wings in exotic Indian flavors like Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, Punjabi BBQ, Mumbai Spice, and Delhi Spice, along with traditional flavors. Vegetarian wings option available. Our sides include fresh cut French Fries (prepared daily), Crisp Veggies, and Indian Samosas. We also offer Mahal Chai Latte (Indian spiced tea), Mahal Cafe Latte (Indian spiced coffee). For our alcoholic beverages, we offer Indian beers (Taj Mahal, Frontier), along with a variety of American beers. Our soda selection includes Indian soda (Thums Up, Limca), along with the regular sodas.
Wing Mahal 1115 E Bidwell St. Unit 124 | Folsom | 916-984-2000 | WingMahal.com |
The story of Rancho Victoria Vineyard began in 1854 in one of the oldest communities in Amador County and the county’s first gold discovery site. Today, cattle still graze the rolling hills while our 120 acre vineyard is the focal part of the property. Our tasting room honors the estate’s rich history in a blend of rustic warmth and country elegance. Rancho Victoria Vineyard attracts visitors from all over the world with a combination of amazing wine, live entertainment and one of the most unique venues in the region. Take a step back in time, sip and unwind at our spectacular tasting room bar, or relax outside surrounded by exquisite stone laced patios coupled with a striking Amador Wine Country backdrop. Open seven days a week.
Rancho Victoria Vineyard 16920 Greilich Road | Plymouth 209-600-2557 | ranchovictoriavineyard.com
John and Cindy Sweigart are thrilled to acquire Perry Creek Winery and to grow from the legacy it has established in the wine industry. They bring fresh eyes to the winery and are focused on supporting their wine club members, industry partners and family of talented employees. Located in the quaint community of Fair Play, Perry Creek Winery is known for its gracious hospitality, handcrafted wines, picnic area and live summer entertainment.
Tastings are offered daily at the charming winery, but to really enjoy the surroundings, pack a picnic and relax in our park. We are the home of the legendary Zinman Zinfandel, Cobra and the Altitude: 2401 Reserve Series.
Visit the winery and enjoy the fruits of our labor. Open seven days a week.
