(Last Updated 8/15/2023) Description/review of Federalist Public House & Beer Garden, a pizza and craft beer taphouse located in Midtown Sacramento. NEW: See “Update” below – new name and website.
Original Blog Post
Federalist Public House & Beer Garden opened in 2014 in what had been the back yard of the Maldonado Midtown Sacramento family home. The open-air restaurant/bar is housed in several large navy-blue shipping containers.
Menu Overview
The pizzas at Federalist Public House & Beer Garden are baked in an almond wood-fired brick oven. The menu also includes a selection of “small bites” and seasonal salads.
In addition to a variety of craft beers, beverages include cider, wine and sangria as well as assorted non-alcoholic options. Beverages are served in varied sizes of canning jars – a rustic touch.
You will find approximately a dozen craft beers on tap on any given day. All beers served are from California, many of which are produced in Northern California. You can check out what is on tap that day on their website.
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Review
Six of us met shortly after 5:00 p.m. to enjoy a beverage and a bite to eat on a recent Friday. One friend and I arrived right around the same time and joined the short line at the counter to order and pay for our meal.
Both of us ordered from the Small Bite menu. Having had a late lunch, my friend ordered the Polenta (sautéed tomatoes and mushrooms, cashew crème, arugula pesto, creamy marinara, fresh basil) (V) ($12). I ordered the Pizzetta (fig jam, arugula pesto, pickled veggies) ($15). We each also ordered a small red sangria.
While it had been raining the day before, the sky was clear and the weather mild, so we chose an outside picnic table that would accommodate our group. It did not take long before all six of us were seated.
The employees at the Federalist Public House & Beer Garden were both friendly and helpful. For example, a passing employee stopped by our table to suggest we place all of our order numbers together at the end of the table to facilitate service.
The other four members of the group had ordered pizza. There is a variety of pizzas on the menu and each ordered a different one ($18 to $30).
My Pizzetta was the first item to be delivered to the table, and it was not long before each of us had been served our meal.
I am not sure exactly what I expected, but I was a bit surprised by my Pizzetta. Served on a board were slices of a pizza (minus toppings), a handful of Greek olives, marinated artichoke hearts, slices of pickled red pepper and two containers containing fig jam and arugula pesto.
As it turns out, I enjoyed each element of the Pizzetta while visiting with my dining companions and sipping my sangria.
The Polenta and each of the various pizzas were said to be very good.
In short, it was a very enjoyable way to spend an early evening before the expected heavy rain storm arrives in the next day or so.
Federalist Revisited – Wine & Bingo Wednesdays
(5/25/2023) A friend and I recently met up with a few other folks at the Federalist for Wine & Bingo Wednesdays. We arrived early to secure a table for our group.
The first thing we noticed was that the parking lot next door, which had served as a large outdoor patio last time we were there, was once again a parking lot. This change we were told occurred in January of this year.
We ordered a Capitol pizza (crushed tomato, fontina, pecorino romano, pancetta, mushrooms, oregano) ($20) to share, as well as a pitcher of sangria ($20).
That particular Wednesday bingo was from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. If you plan to go for bingo do check the Federalist website in advance as the time can change from Wednesday to Wednesday.
The other members of our party arrived, and stopped to order prior to making their way to the table.
It was time for bingo, and bingo cards and macaroni noodles were provided to everyone who wanted to play. There was a 15 minute intermission between games. The bingo became harder as the evening progressed. After the first two games one had to have two rows in any direction to win, and the winner of the last game was whoever first completely filled in their bingo card.
No one at our table won – but we had a good time.
Updates
(8/15/2023) Federalist Public House & Beer Garden has a new name and website! It is now Federalist Pizza.
To Sum Up
To sum up, Federalist Public House & Beer Garden Federalist Pizza is a great place to meet up with friends to enjoy a casual lunch or dinner in a friendly atmosphere.
See related blog posts: Al Fresco Dining in Sacramento Annual Sacramento Restaurant Review Recap
Comments on Federalist Pizza?
What has been your experience there? Do you have a favorite pizza?
Federalist Pizza Snapshot (as of 8/15/2023):
- 2009 Matsui Alley, Sacramento, CA 95811 (between 20th & 21st Streets and Capitol Avenue and N Streets)
- (916) 400-3859
- Days/Hours: Monday – Thursday: (5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.); Friday – Sunday (Noon to 10:00 p.m.)
- Happy Hour Specials: Monday – Thursday (5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.); Friday (Noon to 6:00 p.m.)
- Reservations taken for 6 or more
- Vegetarian, vegan & gluten-free friendly
- Covered open-air patio
- Dog (on leash) friendly
- Street Parking
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