Monsoon Indian Bar & Grill is scheduled to open the first week of December in the building at 16th and K streets that formerly housed Spin Burger Bar and Bistro 33. “It’s going to be fresh food, prepared daily,” said co-owner Chan Singh. “This is Indian food where we use spices to enhance the flavors of the food, not overkill it.” Singh, originally from Delhi, India, came to North America in the 1990s, getting into the restaurant business in Toronto, Canada, opening his original Monsoon location. Singh said his business in Toronto is well-run by his managers, allowing him to come to Sacramento and focus on the new venture. In India, the monsoon season typically lasts from June to Septe

Sacramento’s young professionals are invited to attend United Way’s unique twist on a networking event. Sacramentans can enjoy drinks and appetizers while learning about the origin of ballet at United Way’s Emerging Leaders Fall Event on Nov. 10. Pamela Hayes Classical Ballet will present a costumed Ballet 101 demonstration at the event as well as a sneak peek at the group’s production of “The Nutcracker.” The event will take place 5:30-7 p.m. at Lounge ON20, 1050 20th Street in Sacramento. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at www.yourlocalunitedway.org. Proceeds will benefit United Way California Capital Region and its nonprofit partners working on high school graduation rates,

A soft sunset, a twinkling lit table and people passionate about food and where it comes from in abundance — these were the makings of Dinner on the Farm, a seasonally hosted event for The Center for Land-Based Learning. From teaching students where their food comes from (this in itself is no small deal) to helping train farmers to be farmers (new-generation farmers) this is a invaluable resource to the community. This nonprofit benefits the land and the people who till the soil, and when all the day’s work is done, they sat down and broke bread with their supporters. The drive out to Winters in Yolo County is always a departing from the norm, taking in the country in, in all its glory.

Shady Lady Saloon will add a new white whiskey to its menu called Original Moonshine Clear Corn Whiskey, and to help introduce it, a cocktail competition will be held at 6 p.m. Monday. White whiskey is different from other whiskey in that it hasn’t been aged in the barrel, or if it has, it’s not for very long, Shady Lady co-owner Jason Boggs said. There are no guidelines for the competition – just that the bartenders use the Moonshine corn-based whiskey as the main spirit. Three judges will decide which cocktails win first, second and third prizes, with rewards of $500, $300 and $200, respectively. The three judges are Chris Dooley, head spirits director  bar manager at Ella  L Wine Lo

Cinco de Mayo celebrations are just around the corner, and Sacramento has its tequila bases covered. Made from the blue agave plant, tequila is a beverage whose journey to the table is not a speedy one. The agave plant must grow in the soil for 10 years, enduring drought, wind and pests, and, once harvested, must mature for an additional five years. But thanks to area restaurants, Sacramento won’t have to wait quite so long for a taste of the sweet spirit. In the coming week, there are plenty of opportunities in Sacramento to grab a margarita, check out a tequila tasting or indulge in the pairing of traditional Mexican cuisine and fine tequila. ZÓCALO For the chance to sample boutiqu

Downtown businesses are getting in on the underground social media campaign #HereWePurple. They’re supporting the Sacramento Kings while the NBA is in town through displays, specials, deals, freebies and more. The social media campaign #HereWePurple has encouraged Sacramento to show support for the Kings by “painting the town purple” today while the NBA is in town meeting with local business leaders. The facebook event encourages residents to wear purple, sport a Kings jersey, put sign in your windows and cars, put up flags, wear your purple jewelry or whatever you've got all day long. “We've been watching the campaign on Twitter and wanted to get our downtown businesses to encourage Sac

"You've tried Ryan Seng's Drinks, right? I mean, YOU of all people have tasted the things he's doing down at Grange, right?" These are the sentiments that were repeated to me continuously as I got into this cocktail series. Seng hosts a bar that is not only fun to drink at, but creates a cocktail tasting experience as well. From working at New York establishments that are now showcased at the New York Times to the corporate world of bartending and waiting tables, Seng has quite a storied past working his way up the ranks. However, it was his new family that brought this Midwesterner to California, and that's when the cocktailing really began. From working with Patrick Mulvaney to Kurt Spa

When I first met the person next in line for my installment on this bartender series I immediately loved the image he projected, old-school "shady lady-style" bartender, and when I commented on his choices he said he didn't think anything of it, it's just how he does it. Mark Neuhauser has worked all over Sacramento establishments for the last 10+ years and come from a diverse background of corporate entities to boutique shops, but never has he gotten a chance to embrace the "drink" like he has now at Red Lotus. From working with Mixology giants like Erick Castro and Jayson Wilde, to helping create the beer program from the ground up at Red Lotus the talent and creativity are endless. "O

So behind all the razzle dazzle of the spirits culture here in Sacramento there is a strong hand that keeps it all going, keeps the new ideas flowing and is known as "The Godfather" of mixology in Sacramento. As the fourth installment of my series comes around this holiday season, it's Joe Anthony Savala from Zócalo that I'm talking to. Bringing Latin spirits to a town that only knew Jose Cuervo before has bridged new horizons for the tequila and mezcal world. Agave nectar is now a common additive instead of simple syrup, and it was visionaries like Savala who brought it here about five years ago, giving us access to tequila most of the world will never see outside Mexico. Widely acclaim

When the owners of Shady Lady Saloon decided Sacramento needed in on the newest bar craze, Prohibition-era drinks with people who are passionate about their craft, they lit up the Sacramento nightlife in a way that was just whispering through before. An artisan like Matt Nurge, an incumbent craftsmen at Shady Lady Saloon, makes the third bartender showcased in my All-Star Bartender series. The first time I met Nurge he was loaded down with drink orders and making it look like a snap. I don't like to burden bartenders with making labor-intensive drinks when they’re "in the weeds," but we waited a couple of minutes, and he was excited about the idea of making something new, not tired o

Ever wonder who's peer-recognized as the best bartender in Sacramento? Who makes the cocktails that scintillate the palate, dazzle the mind and always keep you guessing? Go no farther than 19th Street: we have a local treasure right here. For the second installment on the All-Star Bartender Series, I'm speaking of Chris Tucker. Tucker has been a Northern California local for much of his life, and after working in San Francisco for a period of time, and learning a great deal about his craft, he decided there was something special in Sacramento worth coming back for. So upon returning, Tucker has been working with L Wine Lounge and moonlighting at Shady Lady Saloon ever since. More than a

What's your favorite place to go get a drink? How do you like your cocktails made? When you order, are you really specific? There is a ridiculous amount of culinary talent in Sacramento, and it doesn't stop on the kitchen line. It makes its way to the speedrack and is being showcased all over downtown. In the next couple of weeks I want to give all those great drinksmiths their due, and highlight them in a series I’ve called: All-Star Bartenders in Sacramento. Check out the talent –you might be surprised the treasures that are right around the corner from you. The first in the series is a bartender that has a special place in my heart. He's a solid bartender who cares about his custome

It's always interesting to see people's reactions to their coveted restaurants, and there are few things I speak to others about lately (politics aside) that get such strong and adverse reactions. One example is Sacramento's newest bistro, The Press, in the Panhandle on 19th Street and Capitol Avenue. On two occasions I had a chance to go and patronize this restaurant, and I can see why the reactions are so varied – the experience is far from consistent. Here's an account of my two experiences, and you be the judge on which was closer to your take. First Experience: I walked in at 4 p.m. during the Second Saturday Art Walk, and it was still early enough that there was no one in the

Come join us live as we watch the 3rd Annual Midtown Cocktail Week Competition! Judges include esteemed mixology experts: Julio Bermejo (Tommy’s SF), Chris Macias (The Sacramento Bee), Reza Ezmali (President of USBG SF), Dave Nepove (VP of USBG national and Treasurer of USGB SF, mixologist for Southern Wine and Spirits), Yelp Judge Tanisha B. (Awarding “So Good When It Hits Your Lips” Award). The participants mixing up their specialities this year include: Matt Nurge (Shady Lady), Ryan Seng (Grange), Chris Tucker (L Wine Lounge), Dominique Gonzales (Zocalo), Renee Dominguez (PRG), Chris Dooley (Ella), Atique Rahman (Lounge on 20), Russell Eastman (Golden Bear, Shady Lady, Red Lotus) So c

Sacramentans in the mood for specially made cocktails need to look no further than Midtown this week. The annual Midtown Cocktail Week kicks off on Monday with seven nights filled to the brim with cocktail culture. Co-founder Joe Anthony Savala began the event in 2008 with Erick Castro after attending San Francisco’s Cocktail Week. “We really love the whole Midtown vibe and how it’s growing, so [we thought,] let’s put something together here,” Savala said. After some planning in conjunction with local restaurants and bars in Midtown and some help from San Francisco’s best bars, MCW was born. In 2009, the Midtown Business Association joined in. MCW is more than just enjoying beverages,

 The King of Feasts Wine & Food Luau at the Sacramento Zoo kicks off this evening at 5:30. Sacramento’s finest restaurants will be dishing out a variety of delectable culinary creations that can be paired with the array of premium local wines, beers and spirits. The Zoo will boast live music and dance that will set the mood for the safari from the Na Aikane Ukulele Band, VFW Ukulele Band, Kalei Kema Hawaiian guitar and an array of Polynesian dancers. Guests will not want to miss author, Rick Kushman of " A Moveable Thirst " as he enlightens the crowd with his expert food and wine pairings or the Local Bartenders Guild as they host a Classic Tiki cocktail mixology competition. If you ca

  The newest best kept secret in Sacramento cocktails and cuisine is House Kitchen & Bar.  Located at 555 Capitol Mall, slightly inset on the corner of 5th and Capitol, the pleasantly open environment exists where 55 Degrees once was.  55 Degrees was owned by Ali Mackani, the owner of Midtown Sacramento's Lounge ON20. House opened earlier this month and transformed the once urban kitchen into a city dweller's culinary masterpiece.  The service is top-notch, the staff is friendly and articulate, and the management redefines professionalism.  In fact, the only thing that overshadows the food and service inside is the fantastic bar service.  Jennifer Dunmore, an area native and stylist at Im

After the last strains of the first song, “Strangers in the Night,” at last night’s Cosmopolitan Cabaret production of “My Way, a Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra,” singer Karole Foreman (Woman No. 1) leaned into the crowd and whispered, “I bet everyone in this audience has a memory associated with that song.” Do they?  I had to ask myself if only gray-haired Sacramentans might be moved and entertained by a local show of Sinatra medleys. In truth, the answer is complicated. Last week, my 18 year-old son was driving me around town with his iPod plugged into the stereo.  He played, his choice, not mine, a remix of that very song, "Strangers in the Night," by the young Berkeley band, The Mor

From French bubbly to tequila cocktails, local bars and restaurants are creating a range of options for a New Year’s Eve toast.  Lounge on 20 will serve a cocktail called “By the Fire,” which was created by bartender Steven Oberlander. The drink will give customers the feeling of “eating pie on the holidays,” said Garrett Hintze, Lounge on 20 bar manager and buyer.  The $12 cocktail features Nocino walnut liqueur together with a small amount of pear liqueur. Oro de Oaxaca mezcal will be added to the drink. The cocktail will have a Buffalo Trace bourbon base, giving it a “crème brûlée honey tone,” Hintze said. He described the drink as “very balanced,” noting that it’s not overly sweet.

It's back: Midtown Cocktail Week, slated for August 10-16, 2009.  As its website notes http://midtowncocktailweek.org/, "Midtown Cocktail Week Sacramento launched in 2008 as the brainchild of mixologist Erick Castro, President of the San Francisco chapter of the USB, and restaurant maven Joe Anthony Savala from Zocalo. These two friends and colleagues noticed what was happening in San Francisco with an entire city celebrating the cocktail and the people who create them. Now, MCW has grown into a collaboration that will provide a wonderful experience to everyone that attends." The event kicks off at L Street Lounge at 6 on August 10th, with the night wrapping up at a penthouse party acros