This East Sacramento venture from restaurateur Clay Nutting and Michelin-star chef Brad Cecchi (formerly of Solbar in Calistoga) is effortlessly hip, from the cool, classic color palette—light wood tables, gray herringbone floor and a deep teal wall—to the minimalist mod accents like retro dining chairs and custom, mushroom-shaped light fixtures. Dining at Canon means choosing one of two culinary journeys. You can traverse a traditional path with a large-portioned protein—like the smoked whole chicken—and à la carte sides. Or you can subscribe to the restaurant’s sharing-is-caring ethos by bringing some of your foodie buddies to partake in a smorgasbord of substantive smaller plates, which recently included roasted cauliflower with dill pickles and pecans, served with Carolina barbecue sauce. Eschewing the bigger meal also allows more room for Canon’s indulgent desserts, which have included a Tennessee peach pudding and chocolate almond pavé.