To Matteo's or Not to Matteo's

January. A new year of dining experiences. The choice was Matteo's located in Five Points on Fair Oaks and Arden. Although this was not my month to choose, I looked forward to going there. I knew that the owners also ran The Supper Club on Del Paso. When dining at Fran's, sadly no longer there, I would see the patrons out in the courtyard and they raved about the dining experience.

Matteo's is beautiful on the inside. Or maybe I had the former Steve's Pizza etched in my mind. The flower paintings on the wall and the mirrors that the hostess pointed out were there to make the room look larger. They worked! I was impressed with the dramatic change of atmosphere.

We had one of the group missing, so the four of us were seated and handed a 3 page printed paper menu. Mine had the third page second...small detail. The wine selection by the glass was limited and the one I ordered was not available. Annoying. The $5 dollar house was barely drinkable so the other wine drinker and I jumped to the $7 glass which was. It shouldn't be that difficult to update a wine list but I find this offensive. You look at the list, choose your wine and then are told it isn't available. You start the process over while the server is waiting for you to decide again. It puts you and the server in an awkward place.

We ordered the calamari appetizer. It was such a surprise when it was served on a bed of onion strings. Very little calamari. I re-checked the menu and the description did not mention the onions. Not a big problem for me but would be for someone who disliked onions. Truth in menu. So far, Matteo's 0 for 2.

We always wait to order as I have mentioned before and are never in a hurry to dine. This night it seemed like the food was not going to arrive. When it did, one pizza was lukewarm and the other burnt on the bottom. The other two meals were okay. Matteo's 0 for 3. I am reminded of a quote in Elizabeth David's collection, South Wind Through the Kitchen. Norman Douglas talking about restaurants in general states, "No sense in growling when it is too late." For me, it was too late after the appetizer.

The service was attentive, food mediocre and the ambiance was the highlight of the dining experience.

We collectively decided that we would not return to Matteo's any time soon. A strikeout.

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pizzamatteo.com

www.supperclubsacramento.com

No Reservations

For years we did not go out in December. There were too many events and obligations that made a night out a luxury. Only recently have our lives slowed down enough to take a night in December to dine. Our plan was to go to Opa! Opa! Historically, we find that Tuesday nights are usually slow and reservations are not required. So we headed to East Sacramento for a Greek dining experience. Upon arrival, the first indication of a problem was no parking in or near the restaurant. As we walked up we were told it was their annual holiday party. It sounded like a great deal, $10 all you can eat buffet. The only problem was standing room only. We were offered an outdoor seating area with heating but the night was cold so we stood outside deciding what to do next. Across the street looking warm and inviting was The Corner Restaurant and Bar, formerly Sweetwater. We collectively thought, "Why not?".

We were welcomed at the door and seated quickly. Menus were handed out and our server took our drink order. The menu was comfortable with good choices for our hungry group. The wine list included $5 house that was more than satisfying. When the server came back to take our order, she apologized by saying that they did not expect the crowd from across the street and were trying to call people in to help out. She did this with a smile and sincerity. We told her we were not quite ready to order but would appreciate our drinks. It was another 10 minutes before they arrived and we had an incorrect wine. She quickly fixed the error and we ordered dinner.

I should say that we are never in a hurry on our nights out. We typically like to be seated, order a drink, talk, then order dinner. It is not uncommon to be hounded by the server to order. We have no problem telling them we need more time. I understand that the business of the restaurant is to move tables. This sometimes conflicts with our purpose to converse and relax with friends. And this was not the case at The Corner Restaurant and Bar.

The dining experience I would classify as metro casual. With an inviting interior steeped in wood and Sacramento historical sports pictures it feels like a bar but the food is fine dining worthy. The Reuben was one of the best in town. The meat was just the right amount of juicy without ruining the bread. It was delicious. The other dining choices were equally good, fish and chips, animal friendly burger and the chicken sandwich. We were all pleased with our dinner selections. We typically divide the bill five ways. I budget $40 for a Ladies Night dinner. It was a nice December gift that each diner's portion was only $23.

The crowning glory to a cold December night was the news that one of us is going to be a Grandmother! What joy to share with good friends.

Happy New Year!

The Corner Restaurant and Bar
5641 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819

Why Blog?

For 19 years, I have gone to dinner once a month with ladies that met when our children were in pre-school at Cottage Park. In those early years we sat at swim meets and shared our lives with each other. School, sports, careers and vacations were our topics. Now that our kids are almost all grown, our discussions include caring for our parents.
We call ourselves, Ladies Night, not too original but it works. We rotate whose month it is. It is usually a surprise destination announced on the way. Initially our purpose was to dine where our husbands wouldn't and where we weren't surrounded by children. Through the years we have many favorites and have observed the coming and going of some fine establishments. We have memories of meals where presentation was the focus and some that were all about the ambiance. And we have had some glorious meals where every part of the dinner was exceptional.
The best part of these meals is the company. We have shared our life events and provided encouragement and comfort along the way. Often we don't talk between dinners but we catch up each month as we dine.
Why the name, I dine, I whine!? I love these dining events. I savor every piece of conversation. The sharing and caring each one shows for their family and each other is the sweet crackling sound of the creme brulee. I don't whine. But it rhymes.