Sacramento Wine & Dine!

Tuesday, June 29, 2010 by Amber Bernhard

Sacramento Wine & DineCalling all foodies, wine connoisseurs, fortune-hunters, nomads, and fiscal conservatives. From July 2-11, Sacramento’s premier restaurants will be offering 3 to 4-course menus with wine pairings starting as low as $25 per person during our annual Wine & Dine!

This is the time to experience Sacramento dining and actually try the restaurants you drive by on your way to work but only window shop and sigh because it doesn’t seem like the responsible choice of spending. Like the red tag sales at Macy’s we eagerly await, this is the foodie/wine sale for all of Sacramento locals and visitors to enjoy.

Restaurants from Old Sacramento to downtown, Midtown to Roseville, El Dorado Hills, Granite Bay, Folsom, Woodland and Plymouth are participating in this years Wine & Dine.

Pan Seared Salmon (Cafeteria 15L), Grilled 8oz Prime Angus Sirloin (Chops), Roasted Chicken Breast stuffed with Parmesan risotto and asparagus (Ten 22), Blueberry Pistachio Encrusted Lamb Rack (Enotria)…are you salivating!? Map out your dining conquest at www.sacramentowineanddine.com where you can check out all the restaurants, menus, wine offerings, and make reservations.

Whether it's a girl's night out, a date night, or simply an addition to your Sacramento nightlife, everyone should take advantage of Wine & Dine week:

Girl’s Night!
Girlfriends, wine, food, and chocolate desserts: the unconditional love of every woman’s life. Take advantage of this opportunity and plan a girl’s night (or a few for that matter) that embrace all of our favorites. Make sure to check out the dark chocolate smores at Sienna Restaurant!

Single? Now’s the Time to Mingle
Looking to impress that special someone you’ve had your eye on? Take her to a four-star restaurant such as Ella or Grange for half the price! Engage in good conversation over a few glasses of great wine from various wineries in California and don’t go broke doing it.

Date Night with the Wife
Getting a babysitter and deciding where and what you want to do is often overwhelming for the average family goer. The mere thought of getting out the door to go on a date exhausts you in itself. But every couple needs a little alone time, so, don’t make excuses. www.sacramentowineanddine.com  makes it easy: find a restaurant nearby, look at the menus, the wines, the price points, choose your favorite and make reservations all through the click of your mouse.

Baby Booming Venture
You love your food and wine, you know your food and wine, and you’re always looking for new culinary experiences. Use this time to explore Sacramento’s dining scene and viticulture stemming from Napa Valley and Gold Country wineries. Ten days of Wine & Dine equals 10 opportunities for you to cash in on. Map out your dining destinations and explore the city you live in (or if you're not from here) plan the perfect Sacramento culinary vacation!

Whatever your situation may be, check out www.sacramentowineanddine.com, and make sure to post comments about your experience(s).

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"Crazy in Love" with Sacramento Tourism

Tuesday, May 25, 2010 by Amber Bernhard

This Wednesday I had the pleasure to watch the Sacramento Theater Company (STC) present, "Always...Patsy Cline," a tribute to the legendary country singer.  I, along with our Tourism Manager Leticia Bokan and Events Coordinator Stacy Mello from the  Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau, ventured out on the town after work for some good food at Lucca Restaurant, some great conversation, and an amazing Patsy show.

Patsy ClineHowever, aside from the obvious good time and Leticia's "Crazy Love" infatuation with Mrs. Patsy Cline, herself...OK, quick side-note...Leticia knew Patsy's life from A to Z!!! I am telling you, she gave a brief history lesson with each imitation performance and a psycho analysis of the lyrics and how we should interpret them in conjunction with the emotional state of Patsy's life at the time.  I was extremely impressed, and mildly weirded out at the same time.

Back on track, as I was trying to say before, there was a moment during the night that really stood out to me!  During intermission, a STC Board Member was greeting show-goers in the lobby thanking them for their support.  When he approached the three of us, I witnessed what was perhaps some of the most raw, genuine passion any one person could possess for their work, their city, and their customers. 

"Have you ladies been here before?" the STC Board Member simply asked.

And before Stacy and I had time to think, much less formulate a sentence, Leticia said, "We work for the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau; we love this place, of course we have been here, it is fabulous!"

Although I don't remember verbatim the rest of her monologue, it did go something like Leticia Bokan, Tourism Managerthis: 

"Not only have we all been here and think it is great, but we bring Sacramento student travel groups here as well.  I just brought a group from Stockton here not too long ago. I just love everything you do here at the STC and I think theater is one of those fun things to do in Sacramento that many groups forget to take advantage of.  We are also always looking for new student-youth performance venues, so if you ever have opportunities for opening acts, please remember to keep us in mind because we can put you in contact with some amazing young talent."

Now, this might not seem like a big deal to some, but I walked away from that conversation thinking: "Now that is a woman who loves her job and lives it even in her off hours."  She didn't come across like a pushy salesperson, but someone with a genuine love for Sacramento, a passion for  Sacramento student travel and an understanding of what her clients need and value.

Needless to say, I took mental notes. Hats off to Leticia! She is truly "Crazy in Love" with Patsy Cline, and even better, "Crazy in Love" with Sacramento tourism.
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Chico Comes to Play in Sacramento!

Friday, March 26, 2010 by Amber Bernhard

The ring is on the finger, the veil is soon to come, but a girl can’t
walk down the aisle before taking stage and proclaiming her last night of freedom in the infamous tradition we like to call “The Bachelorette Party.”

Her name is Stephanie, she resides in Chico, and her favorite place to play is in our Golden City, Sacramento. "There are so many fun things to do in Sacramento, I would prefer doing my Bachelorette Party there, " Steph said a few months back.

So the planning began and tomorrow, the adventure, or death of her (depending on your personal opinion) begins. Stephanie and six other Chico ladies will pile in their SUV and meet the local Sacramenteans-where we will collectively celebrate the bride-to-be.

The plan you ask? Free wine tasting in Amador County, followed up with dinner at Bistro 33, and a night of dancing at The Mix. Perhaps, we will end the night with a jagged walk back to our downtown Sacramento hotel, The Citizen.  And then wake up to annoyingly bright sun beams hitting our face and go cure our pain with a champagne brunch at Capitol Garage. 

Should be fun. A recap may be necessary. 

 

 


 


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