Editor's note: This story was updated at 11 a.m. May 8 with information from restaurant consultant Andy Soto and customer Donelle O'Brien. Lounge on 20, which combined high-end dining with a lounge feel in Midtown’s MARRS Building at 20th and K streets, took a step back from the more complex menu items as the top chefs left the business last week in a move owner Ali Mackani said was due to the economy. The business will move back toward its roots as a lounge with more mainstream fare, said Pajo Bruich, former executive chef. Mackani said he, Bruich and Sous Chef Mike Ward collectively made the decision, and neither is with the company any longer, though he stressed they weren’t fired.

 Sacramento Fashion Week held an Appreciation Party and Industry Mixer at Lounge ON20 on Thursday April 12. The mixer was attended by designers, photographers, models, volunteers and organizers involved with Sacramento Fashion Week. The evening allowed members of the Sacramento fashion industry to mingle and celebrate the success of Sacramento Fashion Week. The sixth annual Sacramento Fashion Week sold out both designer events held at the Elks Tower Ballroom on February 24 and 25. The mixer gave closure to a successful 2012 Sacramento Fashion Week production.  

The fashion industry continues to grow in Sacramento. Trunk shows, boutique openings, fashion shows, fashion students exhibiting their designs from San Francisco to Sacramento continue to wet the appetite of fashionistas in northern California. Next month will also bring Sacramento Fashion Week to the Elks Tower Ballroom. These events will make an impact in our local economy. This past Friday night "The Art of Fashion" was hosted by Lounge ON20. The event included a fashion show and was also a mixer benefit event for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of the greater Sacramento area. A new campaign was launched by BBBS “100 Men, $100,000, 100 Days” that seeks to raise critically needed fund

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,

Midtown’s Lounge on 20, known for its all-white décor and dim lighting and as a place to grab a drink and relax, transformed last month to include dining and incorporate a warmer color scheme. “We added almost 100 seats for dining, a new menu and (Executive Chef Pajo Bruich),” said owner Ali Mackani. “There are color changes, new lighting, a freestanding sculpture that’s also a fireplace, and we still have areas for lounging.” He added that a dessert chef, Elaine Baker, formerly of Grange Restaurant and Bar, is also working at the remodeled space. Also included is an elevated stage for live performances Thursday through Saturday nights. Careful preparation enabled the transformation to

Several designers, hair and make-up artists, models and photographers got together to celebrate the start of Sacramento Fashion Week. A Launch Party that officially kicked off Sac Fashion Week was held Thursday night at the Lounge on 20. Magnum Opus is the producer of this event. After months of preparation the Emerging Designer Showcase will feature the works of Aubrey Jade, Brenda Vie, Faatui Toele, Kira Martinson, Maisha Bahati, Nkaujer Jules Thor and Noognuv Thao. The fashion show, featuring local designers, will take place at the Elks Tower Ballroom. The Finale Designer Showcase will take the stage on Saturday evening. The event will also take place at the Elks Tower Ballroom. Sacra

The Sacramento website Girls on the Grid announced the winner of its Sacramento's most eligible bachelor competition Wednesday night at Midtown’s Lounge on 20 as a fundraiser for the local chapter of Women Escaping A Violent Environment. The night seemed to start slowly, with a few people filtering into the bar and lounge at the corner of 20th and K. But by the time last year’s winner, Patrick Harbison, announced that they would be showcasing the bachelors soon, Lounge on 20 was a packed house. The winner of the competition, Eric Dietz, 29, legislative director for California Assemblyman Allan Mansoor, was announced as Sacramento's Most Eligible Bachelor. The announcement was followed by

Wednesday’s forecast predicts rain, and Lounge on 20 would usually be a place to take cover, but if you were to visit the restaurant and bar Feb. 16 from 6 - 8 p.m., it might be raining men, as that's the night Sacramento’s Most Eligible Bachelor will be announced. The second annual competition is hosted by local blog Girls on the Grid. It is a nomination-based contest, and this year there were 30 nominations, with bachelors ranging from an interior designer to a chef and even a nurse anesthetist. There is no criteria for being nominated, other than bachelors cannot nominate themselves and all nominations remain anonymous, according to Becky Warren, GOTG editor and senior vice president

Couples scurry before Valentine’s Day to find their significant others the perfect gift: flowers, chocolate, perhaps an engagement ring? For many people Valentine’s Day may seem like a Hallmark holiday but for others – the single variety – it’s just another day in February. The Sacramento Press set out to find how singles spend their Valentine’s Day. “As you get older, it doesn’t matter as much when you’re in college and you’re busy,” said Erica Childs, a Davis native and first-year student at Chico State. Childs added that she will be busy with sorority rush week at Chico State on the week of Valentine’s Day. In addition, Yesania Villaroñ, a first-year nursing student at Sacramento S

Using seasonal ingredients, robust liquors and festive garnishes, bars across Midtown are preparing to fight the bitter cold by adding some new innovative concoctions and classic holiday favorites to their menus. Designed to warm the belly and lift the spirits, here’s a look at some of Sacramento’s tastiest winter cocktails. Shady Lady Saloon 1409 R St. Hot Buttered Rum $8 1 pound softened butter ½ pound brown sugar ½ pound super fine white sugar 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons ground cardamom 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 teaspoons ground clove 1 ½ ounces dark rum Hot water (enough water to fill an Irish coffee glass or mug) Mix that by h

Ali Mackani has made a career out of developing potential. As a computer science engineer at Intel, people came to him with ideas and asked how to make them work. Mackani usually found a way. In 2002, the Folsom resident and partners brought Sacramento a bit of high-tech fame by creating the first large-scale outdoor wireless fidelity or "wi-fi" network. He created a buzz on Capitol Mall, where he opened his first restaurant, 55 Degrees. He then opened a bar, Lounge on 20, that anchors one of the trendiest corners in Midtown, 20th and K streets. Now a team led by this ambitious 40-year-old entrepreneur is a top contender to develop a new arena in Sacramento. That possibility has left s

Tempo, a new group of young professionals, is working to create a new venue for networking while helping other young people discover the Sacramento Philharmonic. “We formed because we wanted to help support the philharmonic and all the good things they do in the community,” said Laura Braden, one of Tempo’s founders. Braden said that in addition to playing classical music concerts, musicians from the philharmonic volunteer to teach music at schools that cannot afford music programs as well as performing in hospitals for kids and cancer patients. Tempo will host themed cocktail parties or receptions in conjunction with philharmonic performances, and the first one will be Thursday. Thurs

On Friday August 20, the UFL's Sacramento Mountain Lions held a special Meet & Greet event for season ticket holders and fans at the team's facilities on the campus of the California State University, Sacramento. Information provided by the Mountain Lions Ticket Sales staff indicated the event was scheduled to take place from 6-9pm. Initial pictures and autographs for fans were followed by player introductions by Head Coach Dennis Green, and performances by the Mountain Lions cheer and dance squad. Thereafter, players and fans reconvened for more pictures and autographs. By about 7:30pm, a few players needed t leave in order to tend to other commitments. Wide receiver Fred Otis Amey, who

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,

LCD Soundsystem, MGMT and other techno-alternative bands played over the sound system as a few unfortunately punctual singles shuffled about Lounge on 20 staring at their shoelaces Wednesday evening. Within 30 minutes, however, the lounge filled up and local Sacramentans intermingled over drinks and hors d'oeuvres for Metrospark.net's launch party. The singles website is specifically for Sacramento area residents and it attempts to solve the problems Amar Dhariwal, 30, and her friends find in online dating. They want the experience to feel closer to home and in touch with the local scene. "There was a need," Dhariwal said. "I have so many single friends, and it's been in my ear so long,

Unemployment and job-seeking are still the number one issue in Sacramento and that’s the impetus behind The Sacramento Social Media Club’s panel discussion, “Putting Social Media to Work: Leveraging social networking tools to find and fill jobs” at the Urban Hive on Tuesday, May 18. The speakers represent a number of perspectives on exploring the tools that job seekers and recruiters alike are using to connect with each other via social media. Curt Cetraro is the CEO of ConnectPoint Search Group, a Sacramento region recruiting firm that provides Direct Placement, Contract Staffing, and Recruitment Process Outsourcing, enabling companies to use social media to increase recruitment efficien

Sacramento wine connoisseurs will be able to savor the diversity of Paso Robles' wine country April 19-20 as part of the 2010 Grand Tasting Tour. Winemaker dinners at local restaurants are scheduled April 19. Wine tasting will be held April 20. A preview retail testing is scheduled April 16. Paso Robles is one of California's premiere wine-producing regions. Twenty-seven wineries and hospitality representatives will feature more than 150 wines during the two-day event. The tour was organized by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. "I think coming to the capital city is very special," Executive Director Stacie Jacob said in a phone interview. "I think many people come for other business

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.

I did it; I blinked. How is it possible? It seems that only yesterday I pulled the sundresses, shorts and sandals out of winter storage; bared my pale shoulders to the warm summer sunshine; traded the flannel sheets for the 400 ct Egyptian cottons; hard to believe, but (dare I say it?) summer is almost over! With only five weeks left until the Autumnal equinox, we'll be hearing the crunch of autumn leaves and Jack Frost'll be nippin' at our noses before we know it! Aack!! With these chilling thoughts in mind, I feel an inexplicable desire to squeeze in as much summer fun as possible, before the rumored El Nino sets in, and the umbrella and galoshes replace the halter tops and Coppertone.