Walking up to The Porch people are visually enveloped with a crisp white exterior. Upon entering one will be met with warm shades of brown and cream. The more subdued tones of grey and black provide a strong juxtaposition. The focus of The Porch for Dine Downtown is Southern fare. “We offer a specially prepared menu for Dine Downtown,” co-owner Jerry Mitchell said. “The fare we offer here is from Charleston, S.C., injected with California. I just felt it was right for here.” Hungry patrons start off with the Porch salad, a light buttermilk bleu cheese dressing over roasted beets, apples, pecans and mixed greens. In the second course, enjoy buttermilk fried chicken, shrimp and grits or

The holiday’s are over — now what? How about starting January off right by sampling the best of Sacramento’s dining scene? Starting today, hungry foodies and food nerds can dine in some of downtown’s favorite hot spots, including the newly opened The Porch Restaurant and Bar, during the annual Dine Downtown Restaurant Week. Nearly 30 restaurants will offer $30 three-course meals throughout the grid during the next 10 days. “Dine Downtown gives patrons a chance to relax and treat themselves to a leisurely and delicious three-course meal, at a price that doesn’t break the bank,” said Megan Emmerling, Downtown Sacramento Partnership marketing manager. “Capitol Garage is known for brunch a

The Porch, a southern-style restaurant, opened Thursday and is celebrating its grand opening this week in the space built to hold the popular Celestin’s Island Eats & Cajun Cuisine, which closed in September. “We’ve had a really nice response,” said co-owner John Lopez. “Everyone has said good things so far, and we have several people who have been back multiple times.” Popular food items include shrimp and grits, fried chicken, homemade brisket and a shrimp purloo – andouille sausage, bell peppers, onions, shrimp, rice, blue crab gravy and grilled chicken. Customers familiar with the layout of Celestin’s will notice several differences in the remodeled space. The floor-to-ceiling walls

Two years ago, Camellia Waldorf School’s Winter Faire was hit by something unexpected: rain. It flooded the parking lots, turned a dry creek into a creek and threatened the good spirits of the day. Participants shifted into the school for cover, while vendors put up their canopies and served hot chocolate and soup. Despite the rain, it was one of the busiest fairs that school has hosted, with reportedly 1,000 visitors. “It didn’t seem to dampen anyone’s feelings,” event co-chair Sarah Rucker said. “It’s a reflection of the norm at Waldorf School. If it were snowing, we’d still have a blast.” This year, the Winter Faire began under a cloudless sky on Saturday, December 10th, on the school

The owners of Midtown’s Capitol Garage are bringing Southern-style cooking to the spot recently vacated by Celestin’s Island Eats and Cajun Cuisine, with a projected opening in mid- to late November. The Porch, located at 1815 K St., will feature items such as fried green tomatoes, catfish and corn hushpuppies, a soft shell crab po’ boy and other Southern favorites, said Chef and co-owner Jon Clemons. He added that he wants to keep entrées priced below $20. “We’ve been trying to do a second place for about a year and a half,” said co-owner John Lopez, adding that The Porch will be a dedicated restaurant, unlike Capitol Garage, which mixes a bar, restaurant and entertainment venue. Afte

Ten chefs in the Midtown and downtown area have agreed to take on the Vegan Chef Challenge starting Saturday. Throughout the month of October, each restaurant will feature special vegan items including soups, appetizers, entrées and desserts. Cafe Capricho, 58 Degrees, Bombay Bar and Grill, Tower Bridge Bistro and Michelangelo’s are just a few of the participating restaurants. Restaurant guests who order these specialty dishes will be asked to go online and vote for their favorite dishes. Those who vote will be entered in a drawing to win prizes. Diners who visit all 10 participating restaurants will be asked to score their overall favorites in each category and will be entered into a dr

Easter is fast approaching and along with it comes the requisite egg hunts and candy-fests. Before you go snacking on the Snickers, though, you may be interested in having a good old-fashioned Easter brunch with your friends and family. If you’re looking for good food on Easter Sunday in the central city area, here are a few places offering brunch and drink specials on this special day: Tower Cafe 1518 Broadway Brunch: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner: 4:30 to 11 p.m. Tower Cafe’s large brunch menu includes their Famous French Toast, Eggs Tower, the Borracho Burger, and Thai steak salad. Or, try one of their specialties: a chorizo burrito with sauteed onions, garlic and dry chorizo sausage scramb

Pedestrian traffic may have appeared somewhat peculiar in Midtown on Saturday. Merry crowds of golfers, and a pirate or two, took to the streets in droves for the first annual Albie Puttin’ Pub and Putt Crawl presented by Go-Girl Energy Drink. Tickets were $25 for walk-ups and $20 for those who preregistered. All proceeds from the event went straight to Albie Aware Inc., a foundation dedicated to supporting women struggling with breast cancer. Executive Director Cindy Love, was a close friend to Albie Carson. The foundation was formed after Carson died of breast cancer in 2002. “We started the foundation because she was not given the proper testing after she was diagnosed, and we would

Golf, pub crawl and breast cancer are usually not three topics you see together. But then again, Albie Puttin’ is not your typical pub crawl. Saturday, Sacramentans can play a nine-hole game of miniature golf and enjoy drink specials all while helping breast cancer patients. All ticket sales will benefit the Albie Aware organization — founded to help provide resources such as paying medical fees to breast cancer patients. This is the first pub crawl event fundraiser that Albie Aware is holding, sponsored by Go-Girl Energy Drink. The crawl will begin with at noon Saturday at deVere’s Irish Pub. Each restaurant or bar has made its own themed hole and will feature drink and food specials,

Ok. So tonight is the big night. If you still haven’t made your plans to say good bye to 2009, here’s a quick and dirty guide to the best low key local spots to check out. Part four: Low key and local Start out at Brew it Up, at 14th and H streets. Here you’ll find a reasonably priced prix-fixe menu at only $30 per person. Stick around after dinner for the Brewery Bash, which begins at 9 p.m. Pre-paid reservations score you a reserved table, party favors, canapé appetizers and sparkling wine at midnight. Call 441-3000 for more information. Or, check out de Vere’s Irish Pub for a hearty, home-style meal with a glass of bubbly for only $45 per person. Menu items marry contemporary Califor

Dennis Weaver Jr., better known as Rapper Monotone, has opened for Michael Franti and Spearhead, Talib Kweli and De La Soul. But the 34-year-old West Sacramento resident doesn't usually perform in the big shows that hit the area. However, people who love the music of Monotone's group, MLS, can hear the musicians play Saturday when they release their EP "Target Practice" at Capitol Garage. Local hip hop acts Mahtie Bush, Tribe of Levi, Izreal, 2-4-1 and Torrance the Poet also will perform. Those in the know can recite the double meanings behind the initials MLS: "Monotone and Lou Slugga" and "Major League Spittaz." Monotone's a valley guy. He was born in Fresno and moved to Sacramento whe