Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Sacramento's Old Town has its roots in California's gold rush era of the early 1800s. The 28-acre area situated on the banks of the Sacramento River has weathered raging fires and devastating floods in its history, and has emerged as a tourist mecca for those wanting to step back in time for a little while. Next to the historic riverboats and old saloons are a number of upscale Old Town restaurants that inject a bit modern culture into this historic setting.
Firehouse Restaurant's name is in homage to the building it is housed in. Built in 1853 as the Sacramento No. 3 firehouse, the restaurant is now Old Town's most elegant dining venue. The awards and accolades it has received are extensive, including Best Romantic Restaurant by the "Sacramento News & Review," Award of Excellence for eight consecutive years from "Wine Spectator" magazine and the Award of Ultimate Distinction by "Wine Enthusiast" magazine.
Diners can select the five-course prix fixe tasting menu, or order dishes from the a la carte menu such as oven-roasted rack of lamb with a whole-grain Dijon-peppercorn crust, pan-roasted game hen with toasted pistachios or pancetta-wrapped sea scallops. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Firehouse Restaurant
1112 2nd Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 442-4772
firehouseoldsac.com
Rio City Café enjoys a prime riverfront location just steps from the Delta King. Its spacious dining room features light tones, blonde woods and end-to-end windows, affording every diner a view of the water. An outdoor covered terrace offers al fresco dining, and the wrap-around patio is well-suited for pre-dinner cocktails.
The thoughtfully-prepared menu features an assortment of appetizers, soups and salads as well as pasta, seafood, beef, pork, lamb and poultry entrees. Popular dishes include mussels and Andouille sausage with tomato, garlic and a chardonnay-herb butter sauce over polenta, the Niman Ranch smoked pork loin and the Pacific pasta with shrimp, mussels, scallops, mushrooms, artichoke hearts and sundried tomatoes over pasta. Reservations are suggested.
Rio City Café
1110 Front Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 442-8226
riocitycafe.com
The Delta King Pilothouse Restaurant is an authentic, historic riverboat permanently moored in Sacramento's Old Town. The Pilothouse is one of two restaurants located aboard the Delta King and offers guests and visitors an elegant dinner in an atmosphere reminiscent of times gone by. The spacious dining room features teak wood columns, ocean-colored blue tones and brass accents, bringing a definite nautical flair to the space.
The menu features a variety of appetizers, soups and salads as well as poultry, vegetarian, beef, pork, lamb and seafood entrees. Customer favorites include the grilled steelhead salmon with a mustard-herb butter, the Maple Leaf duck breast with a pomegranate glaze and the petit filet mignon with rum au poivre. A four-course tasting menu is also available. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Delta King Pilothouse Restaurant
1000 Front Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 441-4440
deltaking.com