Appetizers

By Debbie Arrington
darrington@sacbee.com

Looking for local produce? Here's a new guide made for locavores. Besides being a handy resource, it's the best price: Free.

"Buy Fresh Buy Local: Sacramento Valley Eater's Guide" is now available at Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, Davis Food Co-op and Davis Farmers Market.

This 40-page guide covers Yolo, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter and Yuba counties with information on farmers' markets, grocers and restaurants, community gardens, farms, farmstands, food artisans, U-Pick farms, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA produce boxes) and agricultural organizations.

Developed by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF Bay Area), the guide represents an effort to improve access to healthy food and raise awareness about the importance of buying local, say editor Ariane Michas.

Among its useful features:

• Full schedule of farmers' markets including times, dates and locations;

• A seasonality chart, highlighting crops grown in the Sacramento Valley;

• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs in our area;

• Sacramento Valley organizations and websites dedicated to healthy eating and a sustainable food system.

• Listings by county of growers, farmstands, grocers, restaurants, cafes and caterers that support locally grown produce.

"If there's anything that we've learned in our work for this guide, it is that the Sacramento Valley is hungry for local food," said Michas. "Fortunately, the terrific abundance of the area is well suited to feeding this hunger."

The Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op is located at 1900 Alhambra Blvd. in Sacramento. Phone: (916) 455-2667. The Davis Food Co-op is located at 620 G St. in Davis. Phone: (530) 758-2667. Both are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Davis farmers' market, located at 4th and C streets, is open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

By Allen Pierleoni
apierleoni@sacbee.com

Over the past decade, researchers and nutritionists have made a heap of positive claims about the healthful benefits of green tea.

Taking that cue, the Campbell Soup Co. is marketing a new line of V8 beverages. Called V8 V-Fusion Plus Tea, the three flavors are a mix of green tea and fruit and vegetable juices, containing no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

We sampled a batch the other day and liked them a lot. Our favorite was tangy pineapple-mango, followed by sweet 'n' sour raspberry and subtle pomegranate. They're available at most supermarkets, club stores and mass-merchandise stores, selling for $4.99 (a six-pack of eight-ounce cans), $3.99 (46-ounce bottle) and $1.79 (12-ounce bottle).

P.S.: In another nod to health-conscious consumerism, Campbell also has introduced a low-sodium version of its popular Spicy Hot V8 Juice ($1.69 to $4.69). We thought it was like drinking supercharged gazpacho, which is a good thing (www.v8juice.com).

For more information: www.campbellsoup.com.

Call The Bee's Allen Pierleoni at (916) 321-1128.

By Chris Macias
cmacias@sacbee.com

Sacramento's getting all kinds of cable TV love recently, including filming recently for an upcoming episode of the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." And now comes tonight's installment of the Travel Channel's "Man V. Food" which will showcase some of the Sacramento area's most gut-busting food. Witness host Adam Richman as he faces off against 5 pounds of wieners at Parker's Hot Dogs. Richman also hits the cholesterol soaked midway known as the California State Fair, and also pops into Jim Denny's, one of Sacramento's signature burger joints.

The episode airs tonight at 9 p.m. on the Travel Channel. Box of Tums not included.

Call The Bee's Chris Macias, (916) 321-1253.

By Allen Pierleoni
apierleoni@sacbee.com

There are a lot of good pizzerias in the Sacramento area, including Masullo at the edge of Land Park. There, for the past two years, Robert Masullo and his crew have prepared a dinner menu starring Neapolitan-style pizza.

Now the restaurant is offering a lunch menu from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring six kinds of pizza (cooked in an almond wood-burning oven), three sandwiches, and appetizers and salads.

Why the addition of lunch?
"To help spread the word that we're here," Masullo said. "Hopefully our lunch crowd will be more inclined to return for dinner. It would be great if we were a little busier, but everybody is saying that."

Robert Masullo once worked at a bakery in Denmark, learning the secrets of dough. His travels through Italy led him to Naples, "where I spent a lot of time in pizzerias, learning the menus. That's why I opened the restaurant. (Pizza-making) ties in well with my baking skills."

Masullo is at 2711 Riverside Blvd., Sacramento; (916) 443-8929, www.masullopizza.com.

Call The Bee's Allen Pierleoni at (916) 321-1128.

By Chris Macias
cmacias@sacbee.com

Along with all the art appreciating at the renovated Crocker Museum, there needs to be time for a snack, right? Local chef and restaurateur Patrick Mulvaney will help take care of that, as he will run the new Crocker Museum Cafe. Mulvaney also landed the contract to cater all museum events with his Culinary Specialists at the Crocker. The Crocker Museum's 125,000 square foot expansion, with a $100 million price tag, will be unveiled to the public on Oct. 10.

At the cafe, look for salads in the $5 range and sandwiches priced around $7. Plan to pay about $12 for more formal plates.

The cafe will be accessible without having to pay an admission fee. The hope is that the Crocker Museum Cafe will attract patrons from the nearby CalPERS building and other offices.

"We'll have cool cafe food," said Mulvaney. "There will be grab-and-go items and a hot line to get a panini or maybe some green chile on polenta. I think there's potential for a strong lunch business. We'll be ready and prepared the best we can."

By Niesha Lofing
nlofing@sacbee.com

Hundreds of restaurants statewide are offering free meals for children in an effort to encourage families to eat dinner together tonight.

Today is Family Day, an annual movement launched by the National Center on Addiction Substance Abuse at Columbia University. The center's research has found that children who eat dinner with their families are less likely to smoke, drink or use drugs.

More than 750 restaurants, from chain restaurants like Chili's Grill and Bar to independent restaurants such as Thai Basil Cafe in midtown, are offering a free meal for children with the purchase of an adult entree from 4 to 8 p.m. today, according to a news release from the restaurant organization.

Click here for a list of participating restaurants.

California First Lady Maria Shriver, who has served as the state's honorary chair of Family since 2006, is leading this year's effort, titled "WE are Family! California's Family Day."

Click here to go to Shriver's WE are Family website.

By Chris Macias
cmacias@sacbee.com

Bistro 33 Midtown, the 16th St. restaurant with the urban lounge feel, closed Monday to make way for a new concept. Look for the opening of Spin Burger Bar come mid-November, with a cycling theme and more recession-friendly prices. Most orders will likely cost under $15, said Fred Haines of SRO Inc., the local restaurant group which also oversees Bistro 33 locations in Davis and El Dorado Hills and midtown's Suzie Burger.

"The ultra lounge thing is dead and we're rolling with the changes," said Haines. "We want to get into something that's more affordable and what's driving downtown."

Spin Burger Bar will feature a variety of beef, turkey, veggie and chicken burgers, and a drink menu that focuses on beer over wine. The late-night hours will continue - Thursdays through Saturdays until 3 a.m. - and a DJ will also "spin" music to keep the vibe going.

The burger recipes are still being formulated, but are expected to be different than the offerings at Suzie Burger.

"We're still developing our blend of beef, but we have a basic idea of what we want to do," said Haines.

Call The Bee's Chris Macias, (916) 321-1253.

By Chris Macias
cmacias@sacbee.com

You can Race for the Cure, Rally for the Cure, attend Art for the Cure - and now you can refuel from all this breast cancer awareness in the "Dine Out for the Cure." Sponsored by Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a host of local eateries will participate in "Dine Out for the Cure" with a series of promotions and special food pairings, with proceeds benefitting Komen Sacramento. It's all happening from Oct. 1 - 31, aka Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here are a couple of highlights:

Michaelangelo's (1725 I St., Sacramento; 916-446-5012) will offer penne pasta with pink vodka sauce, with 50 percent of proceeds going to the Sacramento Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Cafe New Orleans Hot & Spicy (117 J St., Sacramento; 916-443-5051) will host live music on Oct. 10 and special desert and cocktail pairings throughout October.

For a full list of participating restaurants and more details, click here.

Call The Bee's Chris Macias, (916) 321-1253.

By Chris Macias
cmacias@sacbee.com

No, he's not on a mission from God, as the line went in "The Blues Brothers." But Dan Aykroyd will be coming to BevMo (3106 Arden Way, Sacramento) on Sept. 29 from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. as a mission to promote Crystal Head Vodka. It's a vodka label launched by Aykroyd and comes in skull shaped bottle. Spooky! But we're not afraid of no ghost ... but if you're afraid of long lines, plan to get to the appearance early. Aykroyd will be signing bottles of his Crystal Head Vodka, and you can pre-order them from BevMo at the cost of $49.99 for a 750 ml bottle and $99.99 for the 1.75 liter version.

For more information: (916) 481-8657

Call The Bee's Chris Macias, (916) 321-1253.

If you're going to check out this documentary, make sure you're munching on organic popcorn from local sustainable farms. "Lunch Line" follows the ups and downs of six Chicago high school students who are on a mission to create healthy school lunches, and hit the cooking contest circuit. How do their efforts pay off? You'll have to watch to find out.

This screening, which is sponsored by Slow Food Sacramento, will be held Sunday at the Guild Theatre (2828 35th St., Sacramento) at 7 p.m. A pre-film reception will also be held at Old Soul at 40 Acres (3434 Broadway, Sacramento), and there's a post-screening panel about local advocacy efforts to keep school lunches healthier. Can we start by banning "mystery meat" at the school lunch counter?

Tickets for the movie cost $6. For more information: www.slowfoodsacramento.com

By Chris Macias
cmacias@sacbee.com

Looking to scarf down a pint of hefeweizen and some garlic fries in a jiffy? If so, you're the key demographic for Gordon Biersch Tavern, a new restaurant concept which will debut on Sept. 30 at the Westfield Galleria in Roseville. This scaled down version of the Gordon Biersch brew pub chain will feature its beers along with to-go packaging on many food items. The menu includes Kobe sliders, mahi mahi tacos, garlic fries and more.

"We are delighted to introduce the Gordon Biersch Tavern format at the Westfield Galleria in Roseville," said Allen Corey, Gordon Biersch's president and CEO, in a statement. "We believe this is a natural extension of our brand. We will continue with the same high quality, made-from-scratch menu and same level of service and hospitality in this concept."

Gordon Biersch Tavern will be located adjacent to the Galleria's food court, and open from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. For more information: www.gordonbierschrestaurants.com.

Call The Bee's Chris Macias, (916) 321-1253.

By Allen Pierleoni
apierleoni@sacbee.com

"Save the Deli" is the title of a book by journalist David Sax, in which he embarks on a worldwide journey "in search of authentic Jewish delicatessens."

"Save the Deli" is also the theme of the 33rd annual Jewish Food Faire, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Congregation Beth Shalom, 4746 El Camino Ave., Carmichael; (916) 485-4478.

Though Sax won't be present at the fair, a live video chat with him will take place at 11 a.m.

As for the food that will be for sale ($3 to $7), envision stacked corned-beef sandwiches on rye and prepare to dig in. Deli meats, breads, pickles and other goodies will be brought in from three Jewish delis - Saul's in Berkeley, Canter's in Los Angeles and Katz's in New York (since 1888).
Also, congregants will bring their own home-cooked delicacies, including borscht (soup), hamantashen (pastry), kugel (casserole) and more.

Also featured will be Israeli dancing and professional-level arts and crafts.
Parking and admission are free.

Call The Bee's Allen Pierleoni at (916) 321-1128.

By Chris Macias
cmacias@sacbee.com

Think of this event as the adult version of "Thomas the Tank Engine" (maybe "Thomas the Tanked Engine?"). Catch the southbound San Joaquin Amtrak from Sacramento at 4:55 p.m. on Oct. 15, and about 35 minutes later you'll be ready to cruise the School Street Wine Stroll in Lodi. The event features more than 25 wineries plus a host of eating opportunities from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The wine train leaves Lodi's Amtrak station to Sacramento at 10:39 p.m., and overnight guests can opt for the 11:34 a.m. train back to the River City. Tickets for the wine stroll (not including train fare) cost $30 or $40 at the event. Hotel packages which include event tickets, transportation and more cost $125. For more information: (209) 367-7840 x 100 or www.lodichamber.com. To book a train ticket: 800-872-7245 (Amtrak).

Call The Bee's Chris Macias, (916) 321-1253.

By Niesha Lofing
nlofing@sacbee.com

This is one appetizing history lesson.

A four-course dinner will be held at Sutter's Fort Historic Park on Sept. 25, where some of the Sacramento region's top chefs will prepare dishes reminiscent of meals enjoyed when John Sutter founded the fort in 1839.

"A Taste of History," hosted by Friends of Sutter's Fort and Slow Food Sacramento, is a fundraiser benefiting the historic site, according to a news release.

The meal will be preceded by tastings of local honey and olive oil. Local wine and beer also will be served during dinner, which will be served outdoors and accompanied by live acoustic music.

The menu is being developed by chefs from Grange, Mulvaney's B&L, Spataro and Cafe Vinoteca and dinner will be served by Plates Cafe; & Catering, a new business launched by St. John's Shelter Program for Women & Children.

The menu includes dishes such as wild rice cakes with smoked trout, oysters on the half with Chinese chili sauce, spit-roasted suckling pig with wild fennel and garlic, Santa Maria pinquito beans and cured pork belly cooked in the fireplace, and caramel apple bread pudding with vanilla bean custard sauce.

Hungry yet?

"A Taste of History" starts at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 25, with dinner served at 7:30 p.m. Guests will receive a keepsake program that includes historic recipes and the adapted ones featured during meal.

Tickets are $85 per person and available online through the Sutter's Fort website. Seating is limited. For more information, call (916) 323-7626.

*Sacramento Bee file photo by Hector Amezcua

By Chris Macias
cmacias@sacbee.com

Do you like wine? Do you like to dine? Are you cool with paying $35 in advance and $45 at the door for the opportunity to combine the two? Well shoot, then you're in luck as the first ever Wine & Dine event comes to Raley Field on Friday. So step up to the home of the Sacramento River Cats, grab a plate and glass and sample from more than 40 wineries and about 20 eateries. You big ballers out there can also buy a $70 VIP ticket that includes valet parking and a special wine tasting from L Wine Lounge & Urban Kitchen. The event runs from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m., and 6 p.m. for VIP entry. For tickets: www.raleyfield.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Here's a list of participating wineries and restaurants:

WINE

Benson Ferry Vineyards
Black Sears Winery
Bogle Vineyards
Borjón Winery
Carvalho Family Winery
Dobra Zemlja
Dona dal Cielo
Gnarly Head Cellars
Heritage Oak Winery
LangeTwins Winery & Vineyards
Lava Cap Winery
Lucero Vineyards
Luchessi Vineyard & Winery
Mumm Napa
Peltier Station Wines
Putah Creek Winery
Terra d'Oro Winery
Montevina Winery
Vina Castellano Vineyard
Delicaso
Overboard

FOOD

Basic Urban Kitchen and Bar
Crush 29
The Chef's Table
Delta King Pilothouse Restaurant
Fourth Street Grille
Icing on the Cupcake
Jazzy Blues Café
Johnny Garlic's
Pearl Asian Cuisine
Plates Cafe & Catering
Raley's
Suede Blue Restaurant
Sweetwater Restaurant and Bar
Tex Wasabi's
Tuli Bistro
Vaneli's Coffee
L Wine Bar and Kitchen

Call The Bee's Chris Macias, (916) 321-1253.

By Allen Pierleoni
apierleoni@sacbee.com

The weather was perfect for the 3,500 foodies who attended the 25th annual Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival, held Sept. 10-12 at the Village at Northstar ski resort (www.northstarattahoe.com) and the neighboring Ritz-Carlton Highlands hotel (www.ritzcarlton.com).

The festive lineup featured food- and wine-tastings, cooking seminars and demonstrations, a gourmet-foods marketplace, grape stomp and a celebrity chef cook-off.

The three-day celebration culminated with Sunday's Grand Tasting, at which 23 restaurants teamed with 23 wineries to vie for the best pairings of food and wine.
A panel of judges had huddled earlier in the day for an extensive tasting. From noon to 4 p.m., crowds of attendees went from tent to tent, tasting delicacies and sipping red and white wines, taking notes for their entries in the people's choice awards category.

In the end, the judges' awarded the gold medal for "best food and wine pairing" to Longboards restaurant (Kurobuta pork bun) and Cono Sur of Chile (2009 Riesling). The silver went to Manzanita, the four-star restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton (beef shortrib with bacon-leek bread pudding) and Pisoni (2008 Lucia, Garys' Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, pinot noir). The bronze medal was given to the Village Pizzeria of Northstar (penne with Italian sausage) and Brutaco (zinfandel).

The people's choice award for "best pairing" went to Manzanita and Pisoni.

Hawks restaurant of Granite Bay was the only entry from the Sacramento area, offering shredded shortrib sliders with house-made potato chips.

For a complete list of winners, go to www.tahoefoodandwine.com.

Call The Bee's Allen Pierleoni at (916) 321-1128.

By Niesha Lofing
nlofing@sacbee.com

Move over Hooters.

Buffalo Wild Wings, a sports bar chain that boasts more than a dozen signature sauces for its wings, is opening its first Sacramento-area location on Monday.

What's more, the Citrus Heights restaurant, at 6301 Sunrise Boulevard, is offering free wings for a year to the first 100 customers in line for its 11 a.m. opening, the company announced in a news release.

Wing enthusiasts are being told to arrive early and must be present until the doors open to receive the prize. No word on whether the prize comes with a year supply of antacid.

The company also is planning to open a location at 2759 East Bidwell St., Folsom, according to the website.

Speaking of Buffalo Wild Wings' website, one of the most amusing elements is a "Boss" tab on the left side of the home page. Click on the tab, which unfurls the message "Alert! Activate Cloaking Device" and an Excel spreadsheet database of numbers covers your browser. Clever.

By Allen Pierleoni
apierleoni@sacbee.com

Harrah's and Harveys hotel-casinos at Stateline at Lake Tahoe have a sure bet for a good time Sept. 30 through Oct. 3.

For foodies and the culinarily curious, the first annual Lake Tahoe Food and Wine Festival should be a jackpot. Included will be presentations by Anthony Bourdain, author ("Medium Raw") and host of the Travel Channel's series "No Reservations"; chef, cookbook author and veteran TV host Martin Yan; chef Elizabeth Falkner, owner of Citizen Cake patisserie and Orson restaurant in San Francisco; and Gary Vaynerchuk, host of the video blog "Wine Library TV."

The highlight will be the Epicurean Expo in Harrah's Special Events Center. There, many of Harrah's chefs from around the country will gather to cook and offer tastes of their kitchen magic. Wine-tastings, exhibitions, demonstrations and entertainment will be parts of the weekend.

Other highlights include a five-course Cantonese dinner at Gi Fu Loh restaurant at Harrah's; multi-course wine-pairing dinners at Harrah's and Harveys; and the "Tahoe Tech Talk Conference," with Vaynerchuk leading a panel of social-media innovators (www.tahoetechtalkconf.com).

Dovetailing with the food-and-wine expo will be the West Coast release of "The Seven Stars Cookbook," edited by John Schlimm, with a foreword by Paula Deen (Chronicle Books, $45). It's a collection of 125 recipes from chefs at various Harrah's Entertainment properties. Some of the recipes will be prepared for the festival-ending farewell brunch at Harveys.

For more information and to buy tickets, go to www.ltfoodandwine.com. For general information, call (775) 588-6611 or email ltfoodandwine@harrahs.com.

Call The Bee's Allen Pierleoni at (916) 321-1128.

By Allen Pierleoni
apierleoni@sacbee.com

Avast ye lubbers, get ready to step lively to the Seafarer's Marketplace & Pirate Festival, where fine fare and fun will await from noon to 7 p.m. come Sept. 25-26.

The "fare" part will include seafood, barbecue, meat-filled dumplings, fried noodles and rice, chicken on a stick, buffalo and elk burgers, wild boar and buffalo bratwurst, roasted turkey legs, jambalaya and vegetarian dishes.

The "fun" part will feature cannon battles, live music, games and contests, treasure hunts and scavenger hunts, costumed characters and, of course, roaming pirates.

"We'll capture the flavor of a multicultural seaport, but it's very much a family event," said organizer "Louisiana Sue" Ramon. "And we've got plenty of shade, so bring lawn chairs."

Admission will be free with the donation of a can of food; parking will be $5. The festival will benefit the Sacramento Food Bank.

The festival will be at Rio Ramaza Event Park, 10000 Garden Highway (between Riego and Elverta roads), Sacramento. Information: (916) 962-6415, www.louisianasue.com.

Call The Bee's Allen Pierleoni at (916) 321-1128.

The woman who helms one of the most successful bakeries in Sacramento is taking a lead role in a nationwide bakers' association.

Marlene Goetzeler, who owns Freeport Bakery with her husband, Walter Goetzeler, was elected to the executive committee Retail Bakers of America's board of directors.

Goetzeler was asked to join the association because of her bakery's success and management style, she wrote in an e-mail to The Bee.

"I'm pretty excited about the future of the board," she said. "We will keep our focus on workshops, networking and education, which is what we do best."

By Chris Macias
cmacias@sacbee.com

Nishiki Sushi has decided to spare its prawns. After being contacted by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the midtown sushi restaurant has removed live prawns from its menu.

"We were informed that it was unacceptable as far as animal cruelty," said Tony Malpartida, a bartender and manager at Nishiki.

According to Amanda Fortino, a campaign coordinator for PETA, dozens of calls were received by PETA about Nishiki's live prawns. The prawns were bathed in cold sake before their tails were removed. They were then served live and still moving.

"Because we received so many calls, we contacted Nishiki and told them every animal feels pain, and we have the scientific evidence to back that up," said Fortino. "They agreed to not sell the live shrimp anymore, and we really appreciate that."

PETA bases its stance on a 2007 study from Queen's University Belfast in northern Ireland. The research found that prawns acted as if they had an injured paw when acid was dabbed onto an antennae, and the crustaceans also responded to numbing effects of painkillers.

"(Nishiki) was kind of promoting (customers) to squeeze lemon juice on their exposed flesh so they would writhe or 'dance' while being eaten alive," said Fortino.

The writhing prawns were removed from Nishiki's menu about two weeks ago, and overall shrimp sales have been unaffected, said Malpartida. The shrimp are now served in a nigiri style or as sashimi.

"People would normally get excited about them," said Malpartida about the live shrimp. "It's kind of taken the wind out."

Seafood restaurants need a saltwater tank for live shrimp, which few local sushi spots have. No other Sacramento restaurants are being told to stop this practice of serving live shrimp, said Fortino.

Call The Bee's Chris Macias, (916) 321-1253.

By Chris Macias
cmacias@sacbee.com

Here's when the domestic wine industry will descend on Sacramento: Jan. 25-27, 2011. That's the date for the 2011 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, which attracts some 600 exhibitors and 12,000 attendees to the Sacramento Convention Center. It's regarded as the largest wine industry exposition in the Western Hemisphere, with a "state of the industry" seminar, a series of panels and trade show.

For more information: www.unifiedsymposium.org

Call The Bee's Chris Macias, (916) 321-1253.

By Leigh Grogan
lgrogan@sacbee.com

The e-mail opened with a simple "Farewell."

In restaurant (and fashion) news, Le Petit Paris, 1221 19th St. in midtown Sacramento, will close after opening almost five years ago. The boutique opened in October 2005 and specialized in everything Parisian, including handbags, silk scarves, children's apparel, men's accessories and home decor.

Owner Tassina Placencia added a cafe a few years ago, serving espresso drinks, desserts and French tartine sandwiches.

Placencia said, "After five wonderful and fulfilling years, we would like to thank all our loyal customers for supporting our dream, especially during this economic catastrophe.

"We hope we've brought a little bit of Paris to Sacramento, and in that created an interesting neighborhood and a local escape."

Placencia often said opening Le Petit Paris was like inviting a bunch of strangers to your home (after a remodel) and serving them coffee.

The boutique - open seven days a week - will continue to serve a full menu until Sept. 26. And there will be an amazing sale to coincide with the closing. Beginning today, all retail items are 50 percent off, including clothes, handbags, jewelry, soaps, perfume and housewares. Teas are also marked down. The store's one-of-a-kind fixtures, many of which were purchased and brought over from Paris, are on sale. Murano chandeliers are 50 percent off; bistro chairs are $50. All large items will be available for pick-up on Sept. 27.

Placencia invites customers and friends to stop by, say goodbye and "get that last purse you've always wanted, or bag of espresso beans."

Call The Bee's Leigh Grogan, (916) 321-1129.

By Chris Macias
cmacias@sacbee.com

Hey, single ladies - and fans of reality TV. Check this out, if you're feeling a little thirsty after work: Jesse Kovacs from ABC's "Bachelor Pad" will be at L Wine Lounge (1801 L St., Sacramento; 916-443-6970) starting at 6 p.m. tonight. Not only does Kovacs melt hearts via network TV, but he's also the winemaker behind Kovacs Brothers wines. Current releases include a 2007 syrah with Monterey county grapes, a Rhone blend from Arroyo Seco and late harvest sauvignon blanc. Kovacs' wines will be for the tasting tonight and you can also pre-order his book "The Young and the Thirsty: 25 California Wines for the New School Drinker." Sounds like the makings of a lot of swooning and sipping ...

Call The Bee's Chris Macias, (916) 321-1253.

By Allen Pierleoni
apierleoni@sacbee.com

When it comes to fast-food chains, El Pollo Loco stands out for its marinated, flame-grilled fresh chicken. Five outlets are in the Sacramento area.

In celebration of its 30th anniversary, the company is giving away money-saving coupons at its Web site, www.elpolloloco.com. Most coupons are worth $3; some are good for only 30 cents.

Note that coupons are food- and date-specific. For instance, the coupon that's good only on Sept. 3 subtracts $3 from the purchase price of two chicken tortilla rolls. The coupons valid only on Sept. 6 and 12 subtract $3 from any $15 purchase.

Yet a better deal is the coupon for Sept. 15. Because that date is National Chicken Day, the coupon is good for "a free piece of chicken (leg or thigh), warm tortillas and fresh salsa. No purchase is required."

As usual, be sure to read the fine print on the coupons. For instance, there's this line: "Limit one coupon (on the date) per customer."

Call The Bee's Allen Pierleoni at (916) 321-1128.