Un ● Conventional Sacramento

May 2 marked the return of Wednesday certified farmers markets and 'Follow the Chef' tours to downtown Sacramento, namely Cesar Chavez Plaza, the park that faces Grange and The Citizen Hotel. 

Since Chef Oliver only unpacked his knives and settled into Grange in November, he introduced himself in a casual California way that betrayed his Sussex [read: British] accent. However he restrained his gestures (arms) as he described how much he loves the restaurant's proximity to the growers. Trust your chef when he tells you that he and executive sous chef, Brad Cecchi, were there much earlier. The early bird catches the worm!

As we casually walked between booths, Chef Oliver entertained questions about seasonal crops, cooking and pairing foods, and his personal relationships with local farmers. (Some growers won't even sell you certain harvests because they've set them aside for specific chefs!) As we stopped at certain canopies, we were given helpful pointers: how to spot fresh asparagus, how to cook fava beans [or broad beans] and how to encourage children to eat healthy foods. Who knew dried apples and marshmallows are so similar?! Despite the dry winter in Sacramento, Chef Oliver notes 'pockets of abundance' in the region keep his creative menus thriving.

The tour also highlights the people who bring such fresh ingredients to market. All that charisma is definitely missing from the supermarket aisle. Near the corner of 10th & I streets, Beatriz typically brings the best melons and squash. Closer to 9th & I streets, Ryan of Bogdanich Farms features naturally sweet snacks from dried fruits to jams that pair well with goat cheese -- or grilled steaks. He knows his regulars, but is ready to help anybody entertain hungry guests. My favorite was Dr. Charles French, who retired from family medicine in East Sacramento to produce Tehama Blend Olive Oil. No special orders needed from your primary care physician to see this heart health specialist!

Good thing we received a reusable grocery bag at the outset. It helped me bring home some juicy red strawberries and green sugar snap peas. I'm imagining salad and grilled chicken paired with a viognier. 

As the tour continued, I had the pleasure of meeting  various Sacramento community members and visitors: from a food literacy advocate to a women's online magazine editor, from a California legislative lobbyist to a Illinois resident on vacation. 

We knew the tour had ended when Natalie oh so tactfully asked, 'When do we get to eat?' That was kind of her to mask the growling sounds from my tummy! 

Part 2 of our farm-to-fork adventure was waiting for us back at the  restaurant... Ready for the conclusion of our Park-to-Plate narrative?

Are you meeting planner who's already picturing 'Follow the Chef' as a team building activity, incentive, or networking event for your conference? Contact the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau to ask us how to make the most of your downtown Sacramento dining partners.

Attention frequent travelers (or passengers who want to look like road warriors),

our friends at Sacramento International Airport share this tip:

Tablets are proving their worth in gold as they clear airport checkpoints faster. Reports show TSA still requires laptop computers to be removed from bags & placed in bins.

Tablets like the iPad, netbooks and e-readers are less dense, posing less of a security threat than laptops or larger devices and their larger storage bags.

Note: an X-ray inspector may still ask you to remove your lightweight device if s/he can’t get a good look at your bag -- or if there's something out of the ordinary. Avoid cramming unrelated materials into the same bag.

Last year, the Sacramento's very own Nick on the Town (second from right) raised awareness about social issues like domestic abuse that affect our neighbors in the capital community. Local hospitality partners -- Chef Patrick Mulvaney and downtown real estate developers -- weren't shy. In fact, they recruited more friends to increase more awareness and funds to help WEAVE Inc.: Women Empowered Against Violent Environments, formerly Women Escaping A Violent Environment.

This past weekend, Hell on Heels 2 even won an award to further advance education to end sexual assault. It raised the most funds as a non-corporate team. Moreover, it featured more SCVB staffers than ever: Jeff and Matt (third and fourth left), and team leader Nick (fifth from right).

The Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau can help out-of-town visitors give back to the  community. Local service projects and fun runs build camaraderie among conference attendees, and create a unique memory of the host city. If you are a meeting planner who is interested in voluntourism, visit discovergold.org to learn more.

Are you ready for experiences that connect you with the essence of Sacramento and its people?

When you're traveling, sometimes it is comforting to stop into a Starbucks and get a "tall half-skinny half-one- percent extra hot split quad shot (two shots decaf, two shots regular) latte with whip" that tastes exactly like it does at home.

But it's not authentic.

Unlike bigger cities, Sacramento has an ideal size. There are no tourist-only areas where residents avoid. In fact, locals and tourists can enjoy a pretty similar quality of life. Meet some people in our neighborhood whose lives create lasting memories when you visit us:

THE COFFEE ROASTER, Jason Griest
In 2006 after opening another mainstay on the capital's coffeehouse circuit, Jason Griest and artisanal baker, Tim Jordan, started a wholesale coffee bean roasting business. Old Soul Co. sources green beans from small estates and fincas, then lightly roasts them in a 12-pound roaster.

"My favorite days are roasting days because it smells so great in there," hinted Diana, a regular patron.

"You can actually watch bakers put high-grade crack into those addictive ham and cheese croissants," remarked another patron, Richard.

Located only blocks from the Sacramento Convention Center and downtown hotels, the warehouse-cafe (and de facto community center) has even fueled real estate development with alley in-fill projects.

After opening two more coffee-inspired community centers, including one with beer and wine options, founders and fans petitioned to bring soul to the new terminal at Sacramento International Airport. After all, there's a very comforting feeling in enjoying a cup of coffee just before leaving on a trip (or coming home from one).

Throughout the Spring, I'll introduce you to more neighbors who shape experiential travel and tourism in Sacramento. Sign up to get the latest issue of our complimentary SCVB visitor guide.

The Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau has the privilege of hosting meeting planning professionals and conference delegates from throughout the United States. Shortly after their flight arrives and luggage claimed, one of the most common requests we've received from out of state visitors is 'Where is the nearest In-N-Out?'

In-N-Out (2900 Del Paso Road, Sacramento, Calif. 95834 // 1-800-786-1000 // www.in-n-out.com ) is only 10 minutes from the Sacramento International Airport, en route to dowtown and Sacramento meeting facilities. It's typically open from 10:30 AM to 1 AM.

This California institution has a cult following because it quickly serves up high-quality burgers, fries, and shakes from a streamlined menu... as well as a not-so-secret menu of variations like 'animal style' or '4x4'. Look for the marquis and signature crossed palm trees.

The second most common request is 'Where is See's Candies?'

It's 10 minutes from In-N-Out! Located in downtown Sacramento, See's Candies (1009 L Street, Sacramento, Calif. 95814 // 916-443-4497 // www.sees.com) faces the California State Capitol, which is only a block from the Sacramento Convention Center and downtown hotels.  

This California original has its own devotees as well. In fact, the company was one of Warren Buffett's earliest purchases! Our East Coast and international visitors are very fond of the chocolates, peanut brittle, and other candies. They often buy them by the pound to take home for gifts -- or for themselves! And locals are almost guaranteed to receive See's from family, friends, even business partners during year-end holidays.

Got a California exclusive you want to check out during your stay in the capital, Sacramento? Contact the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau to ask us.

Do you depend on booster clubs, parents and fans when it comes to the success of your team -- on and off the home field or home court? Could you use a reliable boost of support to help you plan and execute a well-run tournament?

It's no surprise that tournament directors and competition organizers recruit the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau to assist with their volunteer-run events. Here are 3 reasons we can help you plan a successful tournament:

• Athletes and their families always rank #1.

We work hard off the field, so you can focus and do your best when game time matters. During the free time, athletes and their guests remain our first priority. Ask us how we can enhance their visitor experience.

From personal greetings at Sacramento International Airport and welcome signs at contracted hotels, our tournament services include exclusive discounts at premium shopping malls in addition to brochures and visitor guides.

• Put us in the game, Coach. We know venues, hotels, and more.

We have working relationships with a range of world-class venues from Lake Natoma to impressive facilities like Memorial Auditorium; affordable hotels; restaurants; shopping; and entertainment -- all conveniently located within close proximity. We'll even arrange transportation if you need it!

Furthermore, Sacramento has hosted an array of sports -- from USA Club Soccer to U.S. Fencing, high school wrestling to cross country, NCAA Division I volleyball to USA Track & Field Olympic team trials, and more. We bring the gold standard of professionalism to all levels of competition.  

• Promote your event with a customized web site.

You tell us the details. We listen, and then build your microsite -- so you can get back to the game! Access the site via smartphone for info on the go. It's faster & less costly than an app. Give 'em travel related info. when they want it.

By the way, housing is only a quick click away! Athletes and guests easily can book hotel rooms from a list that you choose to work with.

Before we forget to mention, we've got sunny weather -- without humidity. Athletes love our restaurants, many of which serve fruits, vegetables, even rice that's grown locally. Most of all, they enjoy the enthusiasm of our neighbors who gather to cheer on aspiring athletes. 

Contact Director of Sports Development, Brad Hillard, CSEE (bhillard@cityofsacramento.org) to talk about the needs of your tournament.

Have teens who want to avoid family vacations like the plague? Maybe they'll change their minds after hearing about downtown Sacramento tourist attractions that cater to them... and parents won't have to hear complaints!

Sports and Fitness
Cruise the capital in style. See the City of Trees from the seat of a bicycle. Family-owned Practical Cycle (916.706.0077) rents bikes made in the USA. Guided or self-guided tours get your teen exercising! Fast Eddie (916.812.2712) only offers guided tours; pricing includes bike rental.

Shock your X Games fan when you tell him or her to pack a helmet because the skate park at Sutter's Landing (916.808.5611) is on the itinerary. All sessions are supervised. Skateboarders, scooters and (inline) skaters are invited. The indoor street course features a bowl, quarter pipes, fun boxes, and grind rails -- can you picture it? Pro skaters Matt Pailes, Matt Rodriguez, and Omar Salazar are familiar faces.

When the sun goes down, student specials on glow-bowling appear at Capitol Bowl (916.371.4200). Remodeled. The 1950-era bowling alley is the first in the country to feature granite counters and restaurant-caliber dining. Don't wait til Thanksgiving to bowl a turkey! 

Another popular indoor activity is rock climbing. Pipeworks has a 40-foot-high lead wall with 11,000 square feet of climbing terrain -- plus 2,000 square feet of bouldering.

Entertainment
Ever read Teens are from Mars, Parents are from Earth? Shrink the generation gap when families laugh together. Sacramento Comedy Spot (916.444.3137) at MARRS -- the Midtown Art, Retail and Restaurant Scene -- is an all-ages venue featuring weekly improv, stand-up, and sketch comedy shows. Material rated 'PG-13' (parental guidance recommended, age 13 and older) to 'R' (restricted, age 17+).

If your youth enjoy music, free summer Concerts in the Park or the all-ages, indoor Ace of Spades event facility can introduce them (or you) to a wide variety of live, local music: from blues and country, to punk and indie, to pop and hip hop. During the outdoor park series, more than 40 bands play on Friday nights from 5 to 9 PM. The diversity of talent and ages on stage may inspire your guitarist to learn more than 'Stairway to Heaven'.

Discover more inspiration at the California Museum (916.653.7524), home of the California Hall of Fame. This cultural destination is popular for its modern and thought-provoking storytelling of the state's rich influence on the world of ideas, innovation, art and culture. Now through March 25th, Riding Concrete is a multimedia exhibit about skateboarding from California creation in the 1950s to its international appeal today. 

Food and Shopping
Schedule a power-ballad lunch or dinner at Pizza Rock (916.737.5777). World pizza-tossing champion, Tony Gemignani, opened his flagship artisan pizzeria in Sacramento to re-establish respect for his craft by using seasonal and organic ingredients. The ceiling mural, semi-truck cab, and energy certainly suggest you aren't at Chuck E. Cheese. 

Got an adventurous or epicurean eater or chef? Downtown Sacramento dining can take you on a culinary tour of the world. Join a Local Roots Food walking tour. Or browse farmers markets. 

Finally, indulge designers or stylists with a shopping tryst. Explore Midtown's concentration of new and vintage clothing stores plus record, home, and gift shops. And if you feel like driving them, Arden Fair mall (916.920.1167) is 10 minutes away!

Let your teen to discover Sacramento, shortlisted by BETA UK -- the British Educational Travel Association -- as the Best International Youth Destination.

Contact the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau at tourism@discovergold.org to learn more about itineraries for traveling families with teenagers and tweens (pre-teens).
 

To help you make the most of your theater experience in the capital, or you're planning a visit to Sacramento and would like to see a play or musical performance, we've compiled this insider's guide to venues in the area:

From Broadway to Cabaret
Broadway Sacramento — established nearly 25 years ago at downtown's Community Center Theater on the Sacramento Convention Center campus, and now the region's largest live performing arts event — is home to big, splashy musicals. Prices range from $16 a person midweek or matinees to $85 for orchestra seats on "premium" weekend nights. More than 200,000 tickets are sold annually to theatre-lovers from the California-Oregon border to western Nevada and the Central Valley. Remaining productions in the current season includes Mamma Mia, Million Dollar Quartet and Wicked.

Don't miss its summer series, Music Circus. JUST ANNOUNCED: the 2012 season of musicals in the round: Grease, The Little Mermaid, The Music Man, and Fiddler on the Roof, and Crazy for You. Prices are slightly less than the Broadway series, making this an affordable tradition for families as well as groups.  

If you prefer cabaret, to drink or eat as you enjoy the musical production, The Cosmopolitan Cabaret offers a more relaxed and spacious experience. Tickets range from $33 to $48 a seat. Forbidden Broadway will have you laughing out loud and falling out of your seat.

Off-Broadway or Fringe Theater
Midtown Sacramento, where indie boutiques and locally owned restaurants flourish, is no exception to gutsy, thought-provoking, and intense productions.

Established by Timothy Busfield and his brother Buck Busfield, B Street Theatre has become recognized as one of Northern California’s top professional theaters. It has produced more than 100 new plays, 60 of which are world, national, West Coast, or regional premieres. The current season includes The Giver, based on the award-winning and widely-read novel by Lois Lowry. Prices range from $10-30 per person.

Since 1942, Sacramento Theatre Company has been professionally producing contemporary and traditional theatrical works, providing rigorous and comprehensive training to young professionals, and advocating theatre as a tool for educational engagement. From September through June, its theaters, including its own cabaret, feature eight performances each week for a total of more than 300 each year. Prices range from $15-$46 per seat. STC even offers senior and rush discounts. The current season includes Dial 'M' for Murder and Little Shop of Horrors. 

Now in its (lucky) 13th year, Capital Stage continues to bring bold, intimate and live plays from contemporary playwrights to audiences of no more than 125. Explore the human condition with your mind and soul -- at slightly less expensive prices. Highlights include periodic post-production discussions with the director and cast. Prices range from $16-38 per seat. Cap Stage also is expanding its high school, youth summer drama instruction programs.    

Off-Off-Broadway have even smaller (and perhaps scruffier) spaces with fewer than 100 seats. They can be found throughout the capital. Our pick is Big Idea Theatre, near uptown's Enotria restaurant and wine bar, a laboratory for new actors and the theatrical vanguard -- and tickets for as low as $10.

.... A dizzying number of options, and we haven't even talked about the community and school productions! Book a hotel room, pack your bags, and stay a while ...

The League of Sacramento Theatres lists dozens of curtains going up every week all over town. Don't believe me? Check out the list of current productions for yourself. Sacramento presents audiences with a surprising array of theater-going experiences, from blockbuster musicals to intimate monologues. Navigating all the choices to arrange a night (or matinee afternoon) at the theater is easier with a little help from your friends, here, at the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Ticket Timing and Specials
For Broadway (and Music Circus) shows that regularly or nearly sell out, get tickets weeks or months in advance. Midweek shows are less crowded (and often cheaper) than Friday, Saturday or Sunday shows. Saturday nights require booking the furthest ahead. Student tickets may be available, and some venues offer a limited number of cheap same-day rush tickets. Check each company box office for discounts and details.

Fueling Up
Several restaurants serve traditional pre-theater meals at reasonable prices; peek at the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau site list of eateries where you'll be in good hands. Book a reservation 90 minutes before curtain, and as soon as you're seated at the table, tell your server you're going to a show.

As college students weather finals and return for winter break, empty nest parents are planning new trips to Sacramento. Parents still remember taking kids to the State Capitol and other tourist attractions. They've been there, done that -- even the newly expanded Crocker Art Museum, which debuted a year ago. 

They're passing on packaged tours. Instead, they're exploring places new to them. And they aren't collecting magnets or shot glasses. They're bringing home art that captures the spirit of their adventure, and sharing these stories of discovery with friends. Their secret's out as I visited five Sacramento art galleries, clustered predominantly in the midtown neighborhood.

• Skinner Howard / 723 S St / Sacramento, CA 95811 / 916.446.1786 

• Art Foundry and Solomon Dubnick / 1021 R St / Sacramento, CA 95811 / 916.446.1786 AF / 916.444.3868 SD  

• Axis Gallery / 1517 19th St / Sacramento, CA 95811 / 916.443.9900 

• b. sakata garo / 923 20th St / Sacramento, CA 95814 / 916.447.4276 

• La Raza Galeria Posada / 1022 22nd St / Sacramento, CA 95814 / 916.446.5133 

Sunny Sacramento residents and most visitors enjoy how walkable California's capital is: flat sidewalks framed by modern skyscrapers, Victorian houses, not to mention a canopy of lush green trees.
And who can resist stoppping at a sidewalk cafe? checking in at a restaurant or bar to nosh on small bites? sipping a refreshing drink? walking through an art gallery? or shopping a local boutique?

If you have limited or moderate mobility, navigating downtown Sacramento and its tourist attractions may seem intimidating -- at first. But you'll want to venture beyond your hotel. 

Discover a great destination for people who walk very little, cruise in a wheelchair, or hike and bike for miles and miles. It really has something for everyone! 

Seniors and people with mobility issues can still enjoy their visit from their arrival at the airport to many famous sights. Nearly all major points of interest are easy to get to without leaving pavement. Some require a short easy walk from where you park.

• Instead of moving sidewalks, the Sacramento International Airport chose to install an automated people mover. Picture a miniature monorail. Moreover, the airport is only a 15-minute shuttle or taxi ride from downtown Sacramento hotels.
  
• The Sacramento Convention Center and adjacent convention hotels, Hyatt Regency Sacramento and Sheraton Grand Sacramento are located within the same size footprint as a big-box hotel ... but guests enjoy fresh air and sunshine as they walk the corridors! These 4-star, 3-diamond properties certainly have ADA-rooms.

• Don't miss California's culinary showcase at many downtown Sacramento dining options. Chefs and restaurants bring the best of regional farms & ranches to you, so you don't have to get dirty. But if you want to visit them, we can arrange that as well!

• Think Rickshaw 2.0. Velocab brings together Sacramentans who love cycling and visitors who appreciate zero-emission travel. Each taxi can carry up to 3 people, plus driver. You can even reserve a guided tour with this company.

• Easily hail traditional taxicabs outside hotels and throughout downtown. Yellow Cab even offers a pre-paid TaxiCard, so you can plan your transportation budget as you plan your trip to Sacramento!

• Public transportation via Sacramento Regional Transit (RT) offers bus route #62, which runs westward on L Street, northward on 3^rd Street, and eastward on J Street before it runs southbound toward William Land Park on 19^th Street.

'Alternative airports' earn sky-high approvals among travelers who use them. The majority would do so again to feel less stress than flying through a major airport like San Francisco International (SFO). Other benefits include lower airfares, affordable parking and overall convenience. 

The ease is catching on. Half of U.S. adults who have traveled by jet in the past year used an alternative airport. Harris Interactive is revealing 'one of travel's best kept secrets (to) significant time- and money-savings."

Thanksgiving is eight weeks away, so consider the increasingly popular Sacramento International Airport: outbound travelers have uncongested freeways and park for less, while inbound travelers realize easy access to the San Francisco Bay Area and other Northern California destinations.

Don't miss the breathtaking, brand new Terminal B. The architectural design elements and reclaimed building materials emulate the natural beauty that surrounds the capital.  

Simply check the alternative airport box as you do your online fare search... and don't forget Southwest Airlines, the largest carrier at Sacramento International, whose rates don't appear on most online booking web sites.

• For one day only -- July 3, 2011 -- the Train Collectors Association, Northern California Division will give non-members a sneak peek. Don't miss this fun model train exhibition at the Sacramento Convention Center.  

• July 8-10, 2011, the National Model Railroad Association presents the National Train Show. This is the industry’s most respected model train show and trade exposition. See all aspects of model railroading including the newest, unique products and services from the U.S. and around the world. The event will cover 134,000 sq. ft. of space, including 35,700 sq. ft. featuring extraordinary operating model train displays.  

• September 10-11, 2011, marks the return of the annual California Capital Airshow! Fans of all ages, prepare to be entertained and educated by exhilarating jet demonstrations, world-renowned aerobatic performers, jet trucks, warbirds, and more at Mather Airport.

• October 7-9, 2011, rev your engines at the 10th Annual Golden State Street Rod Nationals Plus, organized by the National Street Rod Association. Feast your eyes on more than 1,400 street rods, customs, muscle cars and street machines at Cal Expo Fairgrounds. This is the city’s largest vintage car show. It has plenty for the family from games and live entertainment to women's world arts & crafts and a ladies' tea.

Tonight the Deftones will play a bittersweet homecoming in Sacramento. The SOLD OUT benefit concert supports bandmate (but more like family member) Chi Cheng. The bassist is currently under the care of the Int'l Brain Research Foundation for injuries sustained during a car accident in 2008.

Bet on full house at one of the city's newest event space, Ace of Spades (1417 R Street, Sacramento, CA 95811 // 800.204.4401). 

The ante for a ticket is small compared to Chi's medical bills and the big payoff in midweek entertainment: a convenient midtown location between Shady Lady and R15 bars. Or park your bike & grab a Guiness milkshake at Burgers & Brew! 

Support Chi's recovery whether or not you attend the concert. The web site One Love for Chi provides updates on the musician's health, as well as the Chi Ling Cheng Special Needs Trust. Merchandise sales help to offset medical expenses.  



In February 2011, under new management, the 1,000-person-capacity club reopened with significant upgrades. Its decor now shares the historic yet modern charm of the neighborhood: crimson wallpaper, red walls with gold-colored crown molding, chandeliers, and tufted patent leather seating. A Meyers Pro sound system has improved acoustics in the cavernous space. Thanks to the previous owners for investing $2 million in renovation!

Bret Bair and Eric Rushing have ended the venue's era as a dance club. Instead, these entertainment industry veterans focus on booking live acts to draw out an array of music lovers. Check its calendar for your music preference(s). Ace of Spades hosts artists from pop to rap, from reggae to metal (rock).  

Kudos to them for hiring very friendly bartenders; I wish I could say the same about security. This is an all-ages venue, so your alcoholic drink will be restricted to the bar areas. For patrons under 21, a juice bar to the right of the stage will keep your thirst quenched. 

The third bar, nearest the entrance, is pub-like. It serves appetizers and dinner after 3 PM Mondays - Saturdays and after 12 PM (noon) on Sundays.

Beware of fees if you park in the state agency lot across the street. Free parking after 6 PM on-street spaces in the neighborhood.

Note: This article is the second in a series featuring Sacramento nightlife venues.

• Rose Sidhu began her career with Hyatt Regency Sacramento as a valet (learning to drive a manual transmission on a Porsche) and now works as a security agent with GM Ulrich Samietz as her backup.

• Amado Abarca, a line cook with Radisson Sacramento, was celebrated for his inspiration with a smile and outstanding respect from his peers.

• Alex Palamarchuk, a native of the country of Georgia, of Sheraton Grand Sacramento was described as the 'heart of the house' and praised for his "I'll take care of it!" mentality.

We have seen Sacramento CEOs shave their heads for charity and Sacramento tourism professionals grow moustaches to raise awareness about social issues that affect the capital community... NOW we will see it all.

On April 30, 2011, some of Sacramento's businessmen will man up to advance public education of sexual assault. Walk-a-thon participants include Chef Patrick Mulvaney, no stranger to downtown Sacramento dining; developer David S. Taylor, famous for downtown entertainment venues; and developer Bob Slobe, who chairs the California State Railroad Museum Foundation and serves on the Crocker Art Museum board.

To learn more about this event, sign-up, and/or support a participant, visit WEAVE. Join us April 30 as men walk anywhere from a block to a mile, starting at Zócolo restaurant.

While Sacramento did not sustain any physical damage from the recent tsunami, our residents are far from untouched by current events in Japan. 

SCVB friends Mikuni Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar has many employees with friends & family who live in affected areas. Imminent danger has subsided somewhat, but the aftermath and grieving remain very real concerns.

All eight Mikuni Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar locations throughout California and Park Meadows/Denver, Colorado offer a “Rescue Roll” with 100% of the sales going to the American Red Cross for disaster relief. The Rescue Roll sells for $12 at all Sacramento locations and $16 in Truckee, Calif. It is made with Panko shrimp, crab salad and cream cheese inside with slices of avocado and seared tuna outside. The roll is topped with Mikuni sauce and seared with a torch. The roll will be available through March 2011.

The restaurants also offer chef Taro Arai’s autobiography, Abundance: Finding the American Dream in a Japanese Kitchen, with 100% of sales going to the relief effort.