Author: Jessica Rine

Best of the City 2021

If there’s one thing we’ve learned during the pandemic, it’s that the human spirit perseveres through the darkest times. The dozens of Sacramentans featured here—struggling like all of us over this past year and a half—have found ways to shine some much-needed light into our lives, whether with charmingly anachronistic TikTok videos or a winning French pastry made with Top Ramen or an eco boutique that’s trying to help save the planet one bottle-free shampoo bar at a time. They bring smiles to our faces, good food to our bellies and taps to our toes. And if you haven’t already met, we’re thrilled to introduce you.

Choco Loco

Can’t decide between chocolate cheesecake and chocolate mousse? Chocolate truffle and a chocolate bar? Have your cake and eat all the other chocolaty treats too with this over-the-top torte at Rick’s Dessert Diner

Paradise Found

After a career that took her from being a style maven at Williams-Sonoma to launching a boutique bowling alley in San Francisco, Fair Oaks native Sommer Peterson has returned home, importing a slice of mid-century Palm Springs along the way. She calls her little piece of heaven Shangri-la. You can call it your new home away from home.

If Wallpapers Could Talk

The difference is in the décor details for the de Vere White brothers, who weaved tales of travels and family history into the design of their cozy new R Street cocktail bar, The Snug.

Tours of Beauty

They’re some of our most iconic landmarks, but look deeper and you’ll see that they’re also filled with fascinating stories that shed light on Sacramento’s rich history. Check out these five architectural tours for a behind-the-façade peek into a few of the stunning structures that have helped build this city.

Sacramento Bike Czar

When Jennifer Donlon Wyant began her post as Sacramento’s first-ever active transportation program specialist in 2016, protected bike lanes and bike-share options were nonexistent. Now, protected cycling paths have started to emerge in the central city and bright red, electric Jump bikes are suddenly everywhere, with electric scooters on the horizon. The bicycle enthusiast talks with us about embarking on the city’s ambitious plan to reach zero traffic fatalities and her vision for a more walkable, bikeable Sacramento.

He Has the Meats

Chef-owner Sam Marvin targets contemporary carnivores with the opening of a modern steakhouse at Downtown Commons.

An Instant Classic

Sacramento’s most prolific new husband-and-wife restaurateurs open a downtown boîte that takes you back to a time of mid-century manners, meals and mixology. Get ready to drink in the nostalgia at the Ten Ten Room.

A la Cart

Tiger—a new bi-level restaurant and bar on K Street—reinvents the dining wheel with dim-sum-style trolleys that roll out inventive craft cocktails and tasty New American bites.

Bailey De Young

The ’50s sure are nifty for Bailey De Young, who stars in "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" as Imogene Cleary, the title character’s best friend and fellow mid-century mom. With season two of the hit Amazon show launching in December, we catch up with the Sacramento native (and 21st-century mom) about playing a not-so-desperate housewife, the (very good) reason she skipped this year’s Emmys—where "Mrs. Maisel" won best comedy series—and catching the acting bug on the Music Circus stage at age 11.

Eyes on Art

Cool weather brings even cooler art shows, where you can grab some face time with photographer Duane Michals’ celebrity portraits, see City Hall through the eyes of political cartoonist Rex Babin or walk toward the light in one of Bruce Nauman’s corridors. Here’s our guide to five see-worthy exhibits around the region this fall.