Email this page
Print this page
del.icio.us
digg
yahoo!
CommentsBest of 2008
(page 1 of 6)
| Salad Ah, salad. Ubiquitous and colorful, a salad can be anything from your traditional green, Caesar or Cobb to “a bunch of ingredients thrown into the same bowl.” (The latter is why it should be noted that just because it’s called “salad” doesn’t mean it’s good for you.) In searching long and hard for the winner, we divided the category into “self-serve” and “off a menu”. This allowed us to not have to decide between PLUTO'S and CAFE BERNARDO, both in Davis (among other locations). Pluto’s pick-your-own style makes it fun to mix and match toppings, and Café Bernardo allows you to pair up salads on the same plate if you, too, can’t decide. Both menus also include delicious sandwiches, soups and other items, but for big plates of fresh, crunchy, delicious greens with tangy dressings, these are great places to start. Café Bernardo 234 D St., Davis (530) 750-5701; paragarys.com. Pluto’s 500 First St., Davis (530) 758-8676; plutosfreshfood.com. | ||
Juicy fruit Celebrating one of the notable fruits of our agricultural region, the TOMATO FESTIVAL brightens up downtown Fairfield every August. Now 17 years strong, it grows bigger every year; the Travel Channel’s Taste of America with Mark DeCarlo even featured a segment that aired in May and June. Aug. 16-17. Fairfielddowntown.com. | |||
Biggest ambition Just twenty-one years young, WEST SACRAMENTO is being driven by a number of projects intended to renovate both its image and its environment. The Tower Bridge has been expanded to better accommodate foot traffic, making it easier than ever to walk from Old Town Sacramento to Raley Field; Ironworks at the Triangle is filling up what used to be a truck stop with sleek new homes; and Arthur F. Turner Branch Library is being updated for the times with a new 18,000-square-foot building estimated to open in late 2009. There’s still much to do, but what a difference a day makes ... Independent bookstore This is a difficult category because, folks, there just aren’t many around anymore. And so we honor a few that carry on valiantly with selection, service and atmosphere: Solano: BOOKSHOP BENICIA, 856 Southampton Road, Benicia (707) 747-5155; bookshopbenicia.com. Napa: COPPERFIELDS, 3900A Bel Aire Plaza, Highway 29 and Trancas Street, Napa (707) 252-8002; 1330 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga (707) 942-1616; copperfields.net. Yolo: THE AVID READER, 617 Second St., Davis (530) 758-4040; avidreaderbooks.com. A better brittle (and more) Peanut brittle is an old-fashioned favorite, but ANETTE'S CHOCOLATE FACTORY has infused its product with regional flavor: Chardonnay, beer, and firey brittle (beer brittle with a kick). Not in the mood to test your teeth? The namesake chocolates are just as delectable. 1321 First St., Napa (707) 252-4228; anettes.com. | |||
Kids playhouse ALPHABET MOON in downtown Davis overflows with games, arts and crafts, puzzles, toys and books—most of them secretly (gasp!) educational. 235 F St., Davis (530) 757-2142. Sushi Yes, ROCK N’ ROLL SUSHI serves the standards—udon and miso soup, nigiri and hand rolls, teriyaki and tempura—but what makes Rock N’ Roll Sushi shine brightest is its specials menu. Changing weekly, this menu is full of chef Tomo’s unique sushi and sashimi creations. 547 Main St., Vacaville (707) 448-9014. |
| ||
| |||
Do you like what you read? Subscribe to Solano Magazine »
