Ep 11. Sacramento

In Late Nite Eats Season 1 Episode 11, host Jordan Andino takes us on a culinary tour of Sacramento, California, a city that has really elevated its food scene in recent years. Jordan begins his journey at The Golden Bear, a gastropub that serves up elevated pub fare until midnight. He tries their infamous grilled cheese with tomato soup dip, which he describes as "a symphony of crunch and gooeyness," and their creative spin on an Italian sub, which features marinated artichokes and pickled onions.

Next, Jordan heads to Bella Bru Cafe, where he meets with chef-owner Liz Mishler, who takes farm-to-table to a whole new level. Using ingredients sourced solely from her 20-acre farm, Liz creates dishes like a beet and quinoa salad with pistachios and a leisurely 17-hour braised beef short rib. Jordan is blown away by the freshness of the ingredients, and notes that it's rare to find a restaurant that sources everything from their own farm.

After that, Jordan hits up Southpaw Sushi, a spot that proves Californians can do sushi just as well as anyone else. He meets with chef Billy Ngo, who has made a name for himself in the Sacramento food scene by combining traditional Japanese techniques with local ingredients. Jordan tries a few of Billy's signature rolls, including the Billy Club, which is stuffed with pork belly and enoki mushrooms, and the Snoop Dogg, which features tempura shrimp, avocado, and soy paper.

To cap off his night, Jordan heads to The Firehouse, a fine dining establishment housed in a historic fire station. He meets with executive chef Jay Veregge, who has put a modern spin on classic American dishes like shrimp and grits and steak frites. Jordan is blown away by the elegance of the space, and notes that it's a great place to come for a special occasion.

Overall, Jordan is impressed by Sacramento's diverse food scene, and notes that it's a great spot for anyone looking to explore new flavors and ingredients. Whether you're in the mood for casual pub fare or gourmet sushi, Sacramento has something for everyone.