Sac Bee restaurant critic Blair Anthony Robertson occasionally takes an early look at new restaurants in the area. While not full blown reviews, he gives his first impression of the nascent eateries.  This time around, he looks at the new La Bonne Soupe Café, Blue Prynt and Pause Lounge & Kitchen in Roseville.

On La Boone Soupe:

If La Bonne Soupe is going to be successful, it needs to reflect the heart and soul of the owner-chef. That's what rang so true with Pont and why no one questioned his food. He made it seem as if it would taste great. I would rather see Stoddard be the New Yorker and middle-aged skateboarder that he is rather than try to be the Frenchman he is not.

On Blue Prynt:

[Blue Prynt chef] Lockard is showing he is a skillful, if understated chef. If he takes his game up a notch or two, people are going to start seeking out his food.

On Pause Lounge & Kitchen:

Food, however, is much more challenging. Food has to be sourced properly and cooked skillfully. And before that, it has to be imagined as if from a dream. How can the food make a restaurant stand out without alienating the target audience?

Sadly, Pause continues to struggle with this question. I have already given Pause two looks – one with the old menu and original chef, another with the new menu and new chef.

My first first impression? Fair. The next "first" impression? Worse than fair, better than bad.

Read the entire review in the Sac Bee.

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True microbrewery to open in Sacramento - Sacramento is about to get its first true microbrewery. Officials this week approved plans for Track 7, a 2,000-square-foot beer-making facility and tasting room in an industrial building off Sutterville Road, between City College and the Curtis Park neighborhood. Bob Shallit in the Sac Bee. Suzanne Hurt in Sac Press.