Dating back to 1960, this Old Sacramento institution is housed in a circa 1853 fire station and features one of the best patios in town. The ambiance is decidedly Old World decadence, with 19th-century paintings of Yosemite and Rubenesque nudes and candelabras galore. But the food and wine are the real draw. Chef Jay Veregge routinely refreshes the elevated menu—try the seared Pacific scallops with Nantes carrot fondue, English peas, fingerling fritters and crispy parsnips. The wine program—the restaurant boasts an extraordinary collection of over 13,000 bottles of vino—is overseen by sommelier and local legend Mario Ortiz, who has logged more than 40 years at The Firehouse.