(Last UPDATED 12/28/2021) Description and review of the recently opened Cafe Bernardo Midtown, located in the Sutter District neighborhood of Sacramento.
I recently stopped by the newly opened Cafe Bernardo on Capitol Avenue to pick up lunch after a visit to the Sutter Medical Complex across the street.
Monkey Bar and the original Cafe Bernardo at that location closed in 2018 when the building was demolished to make way for a new boutique hotel – Fort Sutter Hotel. The property is owned by Randy and Stacy Paragary.
The now-disbanded Sacramento Women’s Action Network (SWAN) had held monthly meetings in the backroom of the original cafe for years prior to its demolition. As a result, I had dined at Cafe Bernardo (at a minimum) on pretty much a monthly basis.
See related blog post: Sacramento Women’s Action Network (SWAN)
SacramentoRevealed.com – All Things Sacramento (from a personal perspective)
Cafe Bernardo Midtown
When I entered the cafe and approached the counter to order I took a quick look around. My primary focus, however, was on the menu board. I was happy to see many of my favorite menu items listed.
The Cafe Bernardo menu changes with the seasons, but a number of patron “favorite” menu items are offered year-round. The menu consists of a nice selection of soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizzettas, and full meal “plates”. The menu is also vegetarian and vegan friendly.
I was tempted to order a sandwich (the Grilled Salmon BLT or the Cubano), but settled on one of my favorite salads – the Thai Noodle Salad (thin noodles, chicken, carrots, cucumbers, scallions, spicy peanut dressing) ($7.75/small or $10.50/large).
After paying, I took my number and stood to the side. During my short wait I looked around the interior of the cafe. The very attractive space was empty, of course, as indoor dining is restricted currently due to COVID-19.
It was a beautiful sunny day, however, and a number of diners were enjoying lunch on the outdoor patio.
As I drove home, I remembered that I had neglected to claim my iEat Rewards points (points earned can be used to reduce the cost of/or pay for your meal on a future visit). Darn! However, that did not stop me from enjoying my Thai Noodle Salad.
Paragary Restaurant Group bars/restaurants: Paragary’s, Centro Cocina Mexicana, R15 Bar, Wiki Bar, Berkley Bar and four Cafe Bernardo’s, including Cafe Bernardo Midtown.
See related blog posts: Paragary’s – Sacramento Restaurants
Cafe Bernardo Midtown Revisited
(3/18/2021) After a follow-up appointment at the Sutter Medical Complex today, I stopped by Cafe Bernardo Midtown to pick up lunch. Yesterday Sacramento moved from purple to the red tier, so there were patrons dining indoors. The patio area was empty as it was wet and chilly.
I ordered the Salmon Burger (avocado, pickled onions, lettuce and tomato) ($13.25) with a side of fries ($2.00). Seating myself at the high-top table to the right of the door to wait for my order, I noticed that the wood table was cut in the shape of the State of California and featured a star to mark the location of Sacramento. Very cool!
When I arrived home both burger and fries were still warm, so I immediately sat down to lunch. The salmon burger, which was cooked to medium, was very tasty. The burger was bigger than the bun, but that was not an issue. I don’t often treat myself to fries, so I really enjoyed them as well.
To sum up, it is really good to have Cafe Bernardo Midtown back!
See related blog post: Annual Sacramento Restaurant Review Recap
Cafe Bernardo Midtown Snapshot:
- 2730 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95816
- (916) 443-1180
- Hours: Check with restaurant
- Outdoor Patio
- Vegetarian & Vegan Friendly
- Street parking/Nearby parking garage
Fort Sutter Hotel
I look forward to checking out the Fort Sutter Hotel and its Four Palms Bar once the COVID-19 pandemic ends. The Fort Sutter Hotel/Four Palms Bar is just down the block from The B Street Theatre at the Sofia where a friend and I hold season tickets. It is no exaggeration to say that we are REALLY looking forward to the time when live theatre performances are once again possible.
Pictures and descriptions of the hotel/bar will be added at a future date.
In the meantime, here are a few facts about Fort Sutter Hotel:
- 1308 29th Street, Sacramento, CA 95816
- (916) 603-2301
- Tapestry Collection by Hilton
- 6 story boutique hotel
- 105 guest rooms
- 2 meeting rooms
- Four Palms Bar
- Restaurant: Café Bernardo
Updates
(8/17/2021) Randy Paragary, a Sacramento icon, has died at 74. The Sacramento Bee has done a very nice article about the man and his impact on the Sacramento restaurant scene.
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