October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. In Sacramento, the festivities kick off with Blues for Life at The Torch Club , a live music festival & pasta cook-off from 1pm to 7pm on October 2.   Ten bands, 10 restaurants, and a five-year Sac town tradition, this event is the primary fundraiser for Albie Aware, a foundation that brings preventive care, support, and education for those with breast cancer or seeking assistance for early detection and treatment.   “If treated early, cancer fatality can diminish with the proper care,” commented Doug Carson. In 2002, his wife Albie Carson, a 50 year resident of Sacramento, lost the battle with cancer because the tumor was caught too late. This

Local chefs will give thanks Thursday if they get a break from cooking. But this week, a handful of them were more than happy to share ideas for Thanksgiving side dishes. They range from Cajun cornbread stuffing and stuffed roasted vegetables to sweet potato gratin and a Swiss dish called chnoepfli – some easy, some family traditions and others just new twists on classic companions to turkey. Just before lunch Wednesday, chef Chris Nestor presided over the kitchen at his newest restaurant, House Kitchen & Bar, 555 Capitol Mall. Working from memory, he jotted down the recipe for Cajun cornbread stuffing, a dish he created two years ago at his other restaurant, INK. "We had jambalaya on

Hop on your bikes, Sacramento, and get ready to search for some bling. Rogers Jewelry Co. and Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) are bringing back Race for the Rock for its second year with plans to make this year's fundraiser bigger and better than last year. "We have a year under our belt with this new event, and our relationship with Rogers and our participants continue to get stronger and stronger," said Blake Young, SFBFS president. On June 5, around 1,000 participants will meet at the west steps of the Capitol to partake in a text message-based scavenger hunt around downtown. Using a mobile, geo-gaming technology system called SCVNGR, clues will be sent directly to con

  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

Chris Nestor knows people are in need of a little comfort right now. The chef behind INK decided the time is right for a restaurant which may be able to provide that. On Jan. 12, he will open House Kitchen & Bar at 555 Capitol Mall. Opening first for lunch, House will serve re-imagined American comfort food in a warm setting, with dinner prices that won't go above $17. The concept is a response to the times, with many people facing continuing economic challenges, said Nestor. "Everybody has changed their mindset about what they want to pay when dining out," Nestor said. "Times are different right now. Meals are different right now. People's needs are different. So I just think it's a ne