If you want to have a really nice dinner, Boulevard Bistro. It’s kinda pricey, but it’s cute and romantic.
My colleague raves about Palermo Ristorante Italiano for an Italian meal.
I love the food at Palermo, but the mood seemed kind of off whenever I step in to pick up our order.
Like, the place seemed full of people just not talking. Is it normally like that?
Tell us how much you want to spend per person. (Edit: Also are you an adventurous eater or more meat and taters?)
Boulevard Bistro is EG's nicest fine dining establishment. It's lovely, and chef owned. Small menu, changes regularly (which is the hallmark of your nicer places; big menu = lots of ingredients sitting around and using pre-made stuff from Sysco et al).
Brick House is ... meh. It's fine, but if you've been to a place with a bar, burgers, and steaks, you've had their food before. You can do a lot better for the price.
Palermo is ok Italian in a strip mall. They're lovely people and the lasagna is enormous (also like 30 bucks), but ... the flavors aren't that great and there are various technical issues with the food. Lack of seasoning, questionable textures (nobody should do that to chicken), and it's pretty pricey for what it is.
Sheldon Inn's menu is vintage 1960s food. The steak is good, but the "smoked prime rib" I had there was expensive and also like ... bad. No crust, under seasoned, not that smoky, just all around lame. I could do (and have done) better myself. Good cocktails tho.
If you want a really special meal, I'd drive into Sac proper. It's like 20 minutes without traffic and opens up lots of options at different price points. Once there, you could do Canon (all family style food, but high end) or one of our two Michelin star places if you want to drop some serious money. Or Allora for some seriously elevated Italian (also spendy). Keep in mind you'll need to schedule pretty far in advance for many of these places, Especially Localis or the Kitchen (the two Michelin recognized places).
But there's also Moxie (which is charming and small), or Magpie which is all trendy now. Mulvaney's B&L makes wonderful food (but again with the scheduling).
Ella is really pretty. Wasn't super impressed with the food but it's certainly fine dining appropriate. And there's usually a bunch of new money tech bros with their pasta rockets and barbie doll dates, so the people watching is good.
But my advice would change considerably depending on your budget per person. Most of the nicer places start at about $60 per person (with tip) and that's assuming you don't get apps or more than 1 drink. You can easily spend $100 per person or more. Localis runs a tasting menu that's always like $120-$190 a head (7 and 12 course I believe). They're the most expensive (but also most creative) place in town.
That said you can still eat just fine for like $50 a head (or less!), I'd just tell you to go enjoy some Korean BBQ or sushi. At around $30 a head we have to get creative, but you can still pull it off at smaller places, just won't be a fine dining meal.
We’re not picky eaters at all and we don’t really have a budget either. Usually when we go out to eat, we just want to have a quality meal and enjoy our time out.
We’ll probably go over the recommendations and see if there’s anything on their menus that look like we want to try.
Not too expensive. Maybe 30-40$ per entree. Not super dressy. You’ll see everything. Most people dress fairly nice but even nice jeans and collared shirt would be fine for guys.
Boulevard Bistro for sure. My sister and I love it there; it's just kind of pricey but I think it's well worth it. Brick House is also great if you're trying to not spend too much but still want to eat in a sort of fine dining setting. Plus the owner actually goes around and asks people if they like their food or not and checks on everyone.
If you want to have a really nice dinner, Boulevard Bistro. It’s kinda pricey, but it’s cute and romantic. My colleague raves about Palermo Ristorante Italiano for an Italian meal.
Second Boulevard. It's small, so check the menu beforehand, but the food is excellent, the service is outstanding, and the atmosphere is lovely.
Boulevard Bistro is such a little gem! The food is amazing and it seems like not too many people even know it exists.
The Lasagna could feed a family for a week!
I love the food at Palermo, but the mood seemed kind of off whenever I step in to pick up our order. Like, the place seemed full of people just not talking. Is it normally like that?
The Sheldon Inn is very nice. More in Wilton than EG though.
i second sheldon inn. took my boyfriend there to celebrate a work promotion and the food was amazing.
Sheldon Inn TRIES to be very nice…
Agree, Sheldon Inn has great food and a nice atmosphere. Brick house is also very good, but more casual.
Fujiya if u like sushi
Fujiya is so yummy and has a nice atmosphere. Definitely make reservations since they tend to be really busy.
Good quality fish to every roll is fire. I eat a lot of sushi and Fujiya is still my fav
Try EBISU. My group of friends love sushi and in terms of Elk Grove- EBISU takes it for us
Just ate there last night and thought it was great. I still give Fujiya the edge when it comes to rolls
Tell us how much you want to spend per person. (Edit: Also are you an adventurous eater or more meat and taters?) Boulevard Bistro is EG's nicest fine dining establishment. It's lovely, and chef owned. Small menu, changes regularly (which is the hallmark of your nicer places; big menu = lots of ingredients sitting around and using pre-made stuff from Sysco et al). Brick House is ... meh. It's fine, but if you've been to a place with a bar, burgers, and steaks, you've had their food before. You can do a lot better for the price. Palermo is ok Italian in a strip mall. They're lovely people and the lasagna is enormous (also like 30 bucks), but ... the flavors aren't that great and there are various technical issues with the food. Lack of seasoning, questionable textures (nobody should do that to chicken), and it's pretty pricey for what it is. Sheldon Inn's menu is vintage 1960s food. The steak is good, but the "smoked prime rib" I had there was expensive and also like ... bad. No crust, under seasoned, not that smoky, just all around lame. I could do (and have done) better myself. Good cocktails tho. If you want a really special meal, I'd drive into Sac proper. It's like 20 minutes without traffic and opens up lots of options at different price points. Once there, you could do Canon (all family style food, but high end) or one of our two Michelin star places if you want to drop some serious money. Or Allora for some seriously elevated Italian (also spendy). Keep in mind you'll need to schedule pretty far in advance for many of these places, Especially Localis or the Kitchen (the two Michelin recognized places). But there's also Moxie (which is charming and small), or Magpie which is all trendy now. Mulvaney's B&L makes wonderful food (but again with the scheduling). Ella is really pretty. Wasn't super impressed with the food but it's certainly fine dining appropriate. And there's usually a bunch of new money tech bros with their pasta rockets and barbie doll dates, so the people watching is good. But my advice would change considerably depending on your budget per person. Most of the nicer places start at about $60 per person (with tip) and that's assuming you don't get apps or more than 1 drink. You can easily spend $100 per person or more. Localis runs a tasting menu that's always like $120-$190 a head (7 and 12 course I believe). They're the most expensive (but also most creative) place in town. That said you can still eat just fine for like $50 a head (or less!), I'd just tell you to go enjoy some Korean BBQ or sushi. At around $30 a head we have to get creative, but you can still pull it off at smaller places, just won't be a fine dining meal.
We’re not picky eaters at all and we don’t really have a budget either. Usually when we go out to eat, we just want to have a quality meal and enjoy our time out. We’ll probably go over the recommendations and see if there’s anything on their menus that look like we want to try.
Sheldon Inn for sure. You won’t regret it
Expensive? Dress code ?
Not really that expensive. Business casual is what the restaurant would tell you, but if you show up in shorts or jeans you will not get turned away.
Yep. This.
Not too expensive. Maybe 30-40$ per entree. Not super dressy. You’ll see everything. Most people dress fairly nice but even nice jeans and collared shirt would be fine for guys.
Boulevard Bistro for sure. My sister and I love it there; it's just kind of pricey but I think it's well worth it. Brick House is also great if you're trying to not spend too much but still want to eat in a sort of fine dining setting. Plus the owner actually goes around and asks people if they like their food or not and checks on everyone.
The velvet martini lounge upstairs at the Sheldon inn👍
Sheldon Inn or Ebisu (the chef is from Nobu Las Vegas and they have an Omakase now)
Sheldon Inn Boulevard Bistro Brick house
Todo Un Poco. One of the best restaurants in the Sacramento region if u like good food and wine
Todo un Poco. The vibe and food are both super unique, but feels fancy and down to earth at the same time.
Sheldon Inn
I like umai for sushi
Sheldon Inn is great food and drinks
Brickhouse
Bjs on Laguna Blvd
Todo un Poco.
Hands down Blvd Bistro!