Thursday, June 05, 2008

Elegant & Affordable Dining in East Sacramento


Soaring mortgages, out of control gas prices, and an enormous grocery bill. For some area residents, a nice dinner night out might be...out of the question.

Enter Arpeggio Wine and Bistro. Tucked away in an unassuming East Sacramento shopping center (56th & H, to be exact), Arpeggio blends fine wines, foods and song in a cozy, upscale environment, all at a reasonable price.

It’s a favorite dining spot of East Sacramento residents, many of them active seniors, who have become fond of the restaurant’s inventive menu and attentive service.

The menu can be described as an eclectic mix of “well-seasoned flavorful foods”. This menu description is straight from the mouth of 2007 Celebrity Chef Challenge Grand Champion, Chef Jerry Moore. He is most known for his “Best of Sacramento” winning “Smoked Salmon Bisque”.

At lunch, try the Big Bleu Burger, Tuscany Panini and Seafood Linguine––all “must eats” praised by local food writers.

Dinner brings together well-crafted small bites, such as mushroom quesadillas, followed by entrees like Seared Tilapia with coconut risotto, Drunken Top Sirloin and creative vegetarian and pasta dishes. There are three house wines available to accompany your meal, as well as an adequate mix of varietals on the wine list. Alternatively, if you wish to bring your own bottle into the restaurant, corkage fee is $8.

No meal is complete without dessert, and Arpeggio offers housemade temptations such as the Lava Luv Cake and the Cappuccino Crème Brulee.

My friends and I enjoyed the tri-tip entree, a shrimp caesar salad, and the dinner special, which was a halibut with grilled vegetables. We also shared the hummus appetizer and a fantastic (for its $30 price) bottle of Zinfandel from the wine list. Erin was our server and took good care of us despite being the only server on the floor and at one point having to shuffle 5 or 6 tables.

Not only does the restaurant serve up delicious meals, but they also continue to serve the local community during a time when area restaurants have been tightening their budgets. They have generously given food and gift certificates to organizations such as the Sacramento Children's Home, Inalliance, Feast for the Streets, Hiram Johnson, Cordava High School, and Loaves and Fishes. They have also donated to local churches and community outreach programs, and participate with the Kitchen Academy by training future chefs.

Arpeggio Wine and Bistro is also featured on restaurant.com, a dining website that features deep discounts on area restaurants. On the website, you can purchase a $25 gift certificate for only $10.00.

The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner on Tuesday–Sunday, and open for Sunday brunch. They are closed on Mondays. You can call (916) 452-7085 or email them at arpeggiobistro(nospaceatsign)sbcglobal.net for more information.

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