New & Noteworthy Restaurants in Sacramento

Every month, a crop of new and exciting restaurants, bakeries and markets pop up in Sacramento's
thriving dining scene—to foodies' delight. Here's a look at some of the newest dining hot spots in town,
recently opened up.

Star Ginger
3101 Folsom Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 231-8888
Lunch Hours: Mon – Fri 11 am – 4 pm; Sat – Sun 11:30 am – 4 pm
Dinner Hours: Mon – Thurs 5 pm – 9 pm; Fri – Sat 5 pm – 10 pm; Sun 5 pm – 9 pm
www.starginger.com

Looking for something new and different but are shy of merging entirely into a new cultural experience? Star Ginger is great at embracing the concept previously illustrated called Fusion. Chef Mai Pham is a local legend, and has created another hit with her newest venture called Star Ginger - it's a blend of Vietnamese, Thai, and California fusion with an almost French precision cooking technique. I'm a huge fan of their Beef Pho as it's got a bright, clean flavor with a slight hint of clove, it's perfect on a rainy day or whenever I'm feeling blue. There Budda rolls are a big hit with the Vegan population, and their Banh mi sandwiches are delicious with sriracha aoli and pickled daikon.

This restaurant is the newest venture in a lost location, where there have been many who have come before this have failed, this Blue Prynt might be the first that makes it really last. Jason Lockard chef and proprietor, previously the chef for Brew it Up! has made strides towards his own venture on H street and it's already turning heads. Using local farms like Dragon Mushrooms in many of his classically inspired dishes, Chef Lockard is making waves with his Blackened Pork Tenderloin Sandwich where grilled pork tenderloin is served with sautéed jalapeños, tomatoes, crispy apple wood smoked bacon, cream cheese, cilantro aioli on a Bennett's bakery hoagie bun. This is just one example of where his creative thinking is going, so here's hoping that this kind of culinary inspiration finds ripples in the area.

Looking for a great beer? Sacramento is becoming the place to be for good beer drinking options. We
have a strong beer loving crowd here in Sacramento (specifically I.P.A's - this is I.P.A country), and the
options are expanding with River Rock on J Street, taking over the previous Tex Mex joint this place is
aiming at over 110 taps before September and they already have about 40+. The big note here is the word "taps" where many people offer a larger bottle selection, it's a lot harder to keep so many taps up, so this place should do quite well with such a beer following here. From local beers to Belgians, small bites to desserts this place is attempting quite a bit, and it'll be a drinkers pleasure to see it do well.

Had's Steak and Seafood
1925 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 446-3118
Lunch Hours: Tue – Fri 11 am – 2: 30 pm
Dinner Hours: Tue – Sat 4 pm – 9:30 pm
Closed Sun and Mon
www.hadsonj.com

Legendary roots in Sacramento is the mark Had's Steak and Seafood is living up to. With previous generations of this family at East Sacramento's Fireside Steakhouse the legacy lives on. This is a
solid surf and turf place with great Calamari, best I've had in Sac -where the squid strips are lightly battered and flash fried to a golden perfection. Hads Fire Side Steak Sandwich this 8oz steak, lightly seasoned, fire grilled to your liking, served on a Hads garlic roll - This is a great sandwich. For fun causal lunches or a great new steak place this establishment is living up to it's legacy.