(Last UPDATED 6/8/19) Description and review of dinner at Canon East Sacramento, a popular Sacramento restaurant located on 34th Street.
A friend had made a reservation at Canon East Sacramento for eight of us at 6:00 p.m. on a Saturday, so we had plenty of time to enjoy dinner before our show started at the nearby B Street Theatre at the Sophia. This was the first time for all but one of us – and we were all looking forward to the dining experience. Canon East Sacramento, co-owned by restaurateur Clay Nutting and executive chef Brad Cecchi, opened in October 2017.
Canon East Sacramento has a small parking lot, but valet parking is also available. As it was early evening I easily found a nearby parking spot on the street. The restaurant is surrounded by industrial businesses and in a neighborhood that I had not visited previously.
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I was the first to arrive, so I seated myself at the bar and ordered a glass of Chenin Blanc (St. Rey, Sutter Ranch Vineyard) ($10). I took the opportunity to look around as I waited for everyone else to arrive. The interior of Canon East Sacramento was smaller than I thought it would be, but it is very attractive. It features a high pine-paneled ceiling and clean lines. The covered outdoor patio, on the other hand, is quite large. The patio is equipped with misters to keep patrons comfortable during hot Sacramento days.
It was not long before the majority of our party had arrived and we were seated, as requested, on the patio.
Canon is known for its imaginative cocktails and members of our group enjoyed a variety of drinks ordered from the Summer Cocktail list including the Pistachio/Peach (Pistachio-Infused Rye, Peach, Celery Bitters) ($13) and the Strawberry (Tequila, Strawberry/Black Pepper Shrub, Lime, Balsamic) ($11).
The Canon East Sacramento menu is designed to be shared, and for a party our size the waiter suggested that we order a “double” order of each dish we chose. After looking over the menu, and keeping in mind that two in our party are vegan, we decided on seven dishes:
- Bread Plate (served with cultured butter and whipped lardo) ($8)
- Louis Ribs (espresso-tamarind sauce, corn nuts, scallions, pickled chilies) ($11)
- Yellowtail Crudo (Calabrian chile and walnut pesto, lemon puree, parsley, radish, olive) ($14)
- Roasted Carrots (west African peanut stew, crispy kale, burnt onion, cilantro, sour peanuts) ($14)
- Succotash (grilled squash, blistered peppers, corn, cranberry beans, huitlacoche) ($15)
- Confit Juliet Tomatoes (smoked provolone, bread crumbs, basil, whole roasted shallot) ($15)
- Charred Broccoli Di Ciccio (with kimchi vinaigrette) ($15)
The Bread Plate had a variety of different breads and rolls – and included corn muffins. The roll I had was excellent. I hesitated at first to try the whipped lardo (pork lard) but when I did I liked it – it was very rich. Let’s just say it tastes a lot better than it sounds.
At the suggestion of our waiter, the Bread Plate was served with the Confit Juliet Tomatoes. I really enjoyed the Confit Juliet Tomatoes – it was perhaps my favorite dish after the Roasted Carrots.
We had ordered a double order of everything with the exception of the St. Louis Ribs. I had a small bite of the ribs and they were very tasty. The yellowtail crudo dish was arranged very attractively and it was visually appealing, but I did not find the dish particularly flavorful.
We had ordered three vegetable dishes, and I think that everyone in our party enjoyed them all – but the Roasted Carrots in particular was a big hit. One of the ingredients in the Succotash was huitlacoche. I vaguely remembered that huitlacoche had something to do with corn- but I was unsure as to what exactly it was. Thanks to Google I now know that huitlacoche (pronounced weet-la-COH-cheh) is a fungus also known as “corn smut”. Another good example of something tasting better than it sounds.
The staff at Canon East Sacramento were very pleasant and efficient. I was cheerfully greeted when I first entered, and our waiter was knowledgeable about the menu and both answered questions and made helpful suggestions. I also really appreciated that halfway through our meal we were offered (and gratefully accepted) fresh plates.
At some point in the future I plan to return to check out both brunch and Happy Hour at Canon East Sacramento.
(UPDATED 6/8/19) Cannon was recently awarded with the designation of Bib Gourmand in the 2019 Michelin Guide California. Restaurants in this category are recognized for both quality and value as customers can order two dishes and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less.
Snapshot (as of 4/19/19):
- 1719 34th Street, Sacramento, CA 95816
- (916) 469-2433
- Closed Monday
- Happy Hour (Tuesday-Friday) 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Brunch (Saturday & Sunday) 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Dinner (Tuesday-Thursday) 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; (Friday) 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; (Saturday) 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; (Sunday) 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
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