By Barbara Biehler
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California, and the site of a famous "gold rush" that occurred in the state over 150 years ago. With museums, theaters, parks and gardens, historic sites and family-friendly attractions, Sacramento offers fun-filled activities for people of all ages. Sacramento also has endless variety of restaurants, many of which specialize in Italian cuisine.
Il Fornaio
Voted "Best Business Lunch" and "Best Places to go on Valentine's Day" by the Sacramento News & Review, Il Fornaio offers an abundance of fresh-baked goods and Italian dishes served in a traditional trattoria style. The restaurant's menus are comprised of authentic Italian recipes developed by Italian chefs, and fresh, simple ingredients and Italian cooking methods are emphasized. Lunch and dinner menus include a wide selection of appetizers such as carpaccio and calamaretti fritti, soup, salads and wood-fired pizzas. The entrees consist of an assortment of grilled and rotisserie roasted meats like pollo Tuscano and bistecca alla Fiorentina, and a selection of fresh pasta dishes such as capellini al pomodoro and ravioli alla Lucana. A wide variety of Italian desserts like tiramisu and gelati Misti also are available.
Il Fornaio
400 Capitol Mall
Wells Fargo Center
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 446-4100
ilfornaio.com
Biba Restaurant
Named after the restaurant's Italian owner, Biba serves authentic Italian food made from fresh, quality ingredients. Among the appetizers on the lunch and dinner menu are parmigianina di melanzome, tonno con cannellini and polenta con ragu alla Bolognese. A wide variety of homemade pasta dishes like lasagne verdi alla Bolognese, gnocchi del Giorno and tagliatelle ai funghi are among the entrée selections along with various Italian dishes containing beef, veal, seafood and wild game. Biba also offers three-course prix fixe menus for dinner Monday through Friday, and two-course prix fixe menus for lunch Tuesday through Friday. A full wine list is available, and reservations are suggested.
Biba Restaurant
2801 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 455-2422
biba-restaurant.com
Michelangelo's Italian Art Restaurant
An Italian-style trattoria located next to the Barton Art Gallery, Michelangelo's Italian Art Restaurant serves fresh, hearty food in a casual, artistic setting. Walls in the restaurant consist of murals made by local artists, and the floors are splattered with paint. Appetizers include bruschetta pomodoro, antipasto salad, house-smoked salmon bruschetta and calamari. Spinach and fennel, Gorgonzola, and Caesar are among the salad offerings, and soup selections include Tuscan bean as well as a daily soup special. Fresh pasta like gnocchi al' limone, spinach ravioli, capellini arrabiatta and Michelangelo's meatball & spaghetti are served in addition to New York strip steak, baked salmon, veal piccata and veal Marsala. Small plates also are offered along with homemade desserts.
Michelangelo's Italian Art Restaurant
1725 I St.
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 446-5012
sacartz.com
Resources
About the Author:
Barbara Biehler is a freelance writer who has written articles for various websites, as well as online specialty courses for MyComputerBuddies.com. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Central Florida and over 15 years experience in business development, sales and marketing. An avid gardener, cook and voracious reader, Biehler resides with her family near Nashville, Tennessee.
