Author: Kate Washington

Armed With Knowledge

The number of gun-related deaths per year in America is now at its highest point in the last 30 years. But in California, in that same time frame, the numbers have fallen by nearly 30 percent—due in no small part to the relentless efforts of Dr. Garen Wintemute, a Sacramento physician who employs science and data to help implement pioneering gun violence legislation. It turns out that the best way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun research center.

The Ultimate Guide to Apple Hill

For many Sacramentans, A is for Apple Hill, especially in the fall. Want to know where to go for the best homemade pies or the freshest cider doughnuts? We’ve got your apples-to-apples guide to the beloved region. Scroll down—your fruit-full adventure awaits.

Hot New Hoods

It’s no secret that Sacramento is at a tipping point. Amidst all the construction dust, however, there are a few areas, such as R Street, Oak Park and West Sacramento, that are ready for their close-ups right now, and they are where you should be heading this weekend if you want a taste or a sip of the buzziest neighborhoods in the region (a flaming Sex Panther cocktail, anyone?). Consider the next 18 pages your insider’s guide to these hot hubs, where new restaurants, bars, boutiques and one-of-a-kind urban experiences await your arrival. Ready, set, go out!

Choose Your Own Adventure

Sacramento, class is in session. Whether you want to learn how to surf or sail, fly-fish or fly a plane, craft a cocktail or a cocktail table, we’ve found teachable moments all over town. Got skills? Here are 50 fun ways to add more arrows to your quiver (literally--our how-to list includes archery lessons). Let us edutain you!

Cool Beans

From an espresso milkshake to a nitro coffee on tap, we've got a sweet quartet of cold coffee drinks for when you're in the mood to just chill.

Mother Superior

A former chef at Ella Dining Room and Bar opens the "Mother" of all vegetarian restaurants just a block away on K Street.

New Mexican

The former chef of Mayahuel opens a “Mexican gastronomy” restaurant in East Sacramento, importing authentic flavors and infusing a fresh take on south-of-the-border cuisine.

City Pickers

As we become more and more distanced from the source of our food, a new crop of urban ranches like Sacramento’s Soil Born Farms are bringing us back to our roots.

Fire & Nice

Paying homage to Sacramento’s original fire department, midtown’s new Hook & Ladder lives up to its namesake as one of the hottest spots in town.

Brau Wow

Midtown’s new LowBrau presents a modern take on a German beer hall and boasts the best of the wursts.

Morning Stars

When the weekend rolls around, we like to play our own version of the hunger games, seeking out our favorite meal of them all—brunch. In our latest quest, we tracked down sweet ’n’ savory chicken and waffles in Davis, a magnificent mango-stuffed French toast in Roseville, perfect pumpkin bacon pancakes in midtown, and a tangy Welsh rarebit omelet downtown, along with dozens of other egg-cellent dishes. So, top of the morning (or afternoon) to you, Sacramento—here’s our region’s best of the brunch. Let the games begin!

Taking Flight

With an eye toward family, community and quality, a flock of ambitious young restaurateurs open Blackbird, a seafood restaurant and raw bar in downtown Sacramento that’s setting its sights sky-high.

Great New Places to Eat

There’s a saying that when one door closes, another one opens. Last year was tough on local eateries, but some very exciting restaurant doors have opened in the past few months, including one inspired by a food truck, another by a 56-foot-long bunny, and others by cuisines ranging from French to Mongolian and Indian to Southern (grits, anyone?). So feast your eyes on our favorite new spots, and you’ll see why we think the food scene is looking very sunny-side up.

Science Fare

What happens when you mix Iron Chef with Mr. Wizard? Molecular gastronomy, that’s what. How Lounge on 20 is reinventing itself with compressed strawberries, carrot gel and, yes, mango “yolks”

Message in a Bottle

Downtown’s new Tequila Museo Mayahuel pays homage to the culinary art of Mexico and the unexpectedly elegant side of the country’s most celebrated spirit