Whired Wine whose name is a combination of both WHIte and RED wines, is scheduled to open on Feb. 8, it announced on Facebook late last week.
Sactown Magazine's Tori Masucci Cummins fills in some of the details:

San Francisco restaurateur John Marco and his wife Vicky transformed the intimate space, a former jewelry store, into a wine bar with a modern, industrial vibe and chic details like a central chandelier and colorful paintings by local artists such as Rafael Delgado, and a moniker that combines “white” and “red...”

To that end, Whired Wine will be serving up local craft beers, selections of sake and a small plates menu that includes a panini with brie, pear and prosciutto, or a cheese and charcuterie board with choices like Tartufo salami and Point Reyes Farmstead cheese. Chef Cecil Rhodes, who runs Cecil's Taste Food Truck and formerly served as head chef at Bella Bru in Carmichael, will helm the kitchen.

Read the entire story in Sactown Mag.

2016 will be a very busy year for the blocks adjacent to the arena. I expect many, many other restaurants to open by the time the Kings play their first game at the Golden One Center this Fall.

Whired Wine is located at 410 L Street, and can be found online at http://www.whiredwine.com/.

* Photo via their Facebook page.

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Confidential: Secret menu, Mother - “You should order our kimchi fries.” This is what chef Matt Masera at Mother tells me. Sure. But they’re not on the menu. “They’re on the secret menu.” Nick Miller in Sac News & Review.

Capitol Garage - The popular downtown restaurant debuted a new menu Jan. 18 replete with vegetarian and vegan options. Head chef Raphael Kendall (whose own vegan diet inspired the menu) is dishing out new meatless options like zucchini noodles with roasted carrots, red pepper, and chimichurri, or the carrot hash, topped with sautéed broccoli, rainbow chard and fried eggs. Tori Masucci Cummins and Anna Petkovich in Sactown Mag.

Flatland Brewing Company - This new brewery is set to open Jan. 22 in Elk Grove, replacing Handcraft Brewing Company. With six rotating taps, Flatland’s brews will include a double IPA, an imperial stout, the malty Bavarian Copper, the spicy Czech hop-based saison coined Uprising, and the rich, fruit-flavored Royal Quail with caramel and chocolate. Tori Masucci Cummins and Anna Petkovich in Sactown Mag. (Second Item.)

Police: Man Denied Sandwich at Subway Returns to Assault Employees, Smash Window - Sacramento Police say a man who was denied service at a Subway restaurant returned moments later with some friends to smash a window and attack its employees. According to officers, the man was denied service when trying to buy a sandwich at the Del Paso Boulevard and El Camino Avenue store Sunday evening. He returned a short time later with several other people. Ian McDonald on FOX 40.

Happy Hour Hound: Duke's Plates and Pints - Located on La Sierra Drive, near Watt Avenue and Fair Oaks Boulevard, Duke’s Plates and Pints is ready to cater to any football fan, hungry patron or happy hour hound. Duke’s is a casual bar that is small enough for you to grab a quick bite by yourself but big enough to meet with your crew on game day. Amy Serna in Submerge Mag.

In a surprise move, Selland's Market Cafe will come to Broadway instead of The Kitchen, reports Sonya Sorich in the Sac Biz Journal.

But on Tuesday, Selland said he's "never really been in a hurry to move The Kitchen." Conversations with customers, many of whom have requested a Selland's Market Cafe location in the Land Park or Curtis Park areas, reinforced his decision to put the cafe on Broadway. Money didn't play a role in the decision, he said.

Compared to The Kitchen, the cafe has potential to bring even more traffic to Broadway, according to Selland. The Kitchen is currently open five nights a week, for dinner service only. Selland's Market Cafe has a more casual setup and is open seven days a week, offering lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch.

Read the entire story in Sac Biz Journal.

I think this is a great move. In the 15 years I've lived in Sacramento, I've only been lucky to eat at The Kitchen twice. But I can see myself eating at Selland's Market Cafe more often than I should. It's affordable, accessible and for those who work Downtown, convenient. I can't wait for it to open in September.

When it opens, the third outpost of Selland's Market Cafe will be located at 915 Broadway, and can be found online at http://www.sellands.com/.

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Sushi bar vandalism being probed - Last month’s late-night vandalism incident at midtown’s Tamaya Sushi Bar & Grill is now the subject of a Sacramento Police Department investigation, according to the leasing manager for the property. Mary Mesa said this week she’s been informed that an investigator has been assigned to look into the incident that happened the evening of Dec. 3 after former operators of the business lost their lease. Bob Shallit in the Sac Bee. (Second item.)

Small plates, big feasts: SN&R takes some tasty bites out of the local dim sum scene - Cart after cart stops by the table, showcasing bamboo baskets, plump dumplings, various fried things and other mysteries. This is dim sum, the Chinese alternative to brunch that’s way more fun, interactive and affordable. It’s kind of like Spanish tapas—instead of alcohol, you consume tea—with lots of small plates meant for sharing. For what feels like an extravagant feast, you’ll probably spend $10 to $15 per person. Janelle Bitker in Sac News & Review.

Extremely good enough: Shabu Extreme Tea House and Restaurant - The only thing extreme might be the prices for a meal I essentially cooked myself (shabu, for all intents and purposes, is Japanese fondu) and could have accomplished at home for a fraction of the price. This isn’t to say I’m giving Shabu Extreme a poor review. I had a fine enough time, was pleased with the food and left full. It’s getting a solid three-and-a-half star rating, which translates to better-than-good-but-not-great. Garrett McCord in Sac News & Review.

Italian Meets Californian - “FARM TO FORK” IS BEING REPLACED BY A NEW BUZZ PHRASE: PROOF OF CONCEPT. It means that a restaurant is successful and can be replicated in other places. In other words, it’s scalable, another business-school buzzword familiar to anyone who watches TV’s “Shark Tank.” It’s no longer enough to dream of opening a single restaurant and running it for 30 or so years. These days, many restaurant owners hope to hit on The Next Big Thing, like Chipotle or Danny Meyer’s Shake Shack. With proof of concept, they can find deep-pocketed investors willing to help them expand their business. Here in Sacramento, a few restaurant folks are working away on their proof of concept. (Think roadhouse burgers and poké.) One local restaurant is already well on its way to proving its concept: Hot Italian. Marybeth Bizjak in Sac Mag.

Seen in Natomas: Second Domino’s Location - Domino’s added a second location in Natomas last month. The new pizza delivery and pickup store is located at 4401 Gateway Park Boulevard, next door to the U.S. Post Office. On The Natomas Buzz.

Takumi Izakaya Bar will replace Sushi Paradiso at 826 J Street, according to a notice posted on Wednesday.

Based on shared names and addresses in Takumi Izakaya's liquor license application and filings with the Secretary of State, it appears that the new restaurant will share ownership with the popular Bonzai Sushi, located in Sacramento's Pocket neighborhood.

There's not much else out there about the restaurant at this point, but I'll keep you updated. A true izakaya (an informal Japanese drinking establishment that serves food to accompany the drinks, per Wikipedia) would be a great addition to the neighborhood near the arena.

Previously: RIP Sushi Paradiso, closed in late August or early September.

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Tea-riffic: Panna cotta, Kru - One of the most memorable bites was the green tea panna cotta served with a bit of fresh mandarin. Elegant. Sweet. Seasonal. Garrett McCord in Sac News & Review.

Feast Q&A: Sacramento sports bar Joe Marty’s cleats up for a new century - The classic neon “sculpture” says “Joe Marty’s,” complemented by a big new banner proclaiming, “Back in the game.” Both signs perch above the 2.0 version of Joe Marty’s sports bar, with its polished concrete floors, industrial lighting, eight big-screen TVs and a museum’s worth of vintage photos and baseball memorabilia. It’s an homage to Sacramento baseball. Allen Pierleoni in the Sac Bee.

Dunkin' Donuts planning third location in Sacramento region - Two new drive-through restaurants, Dunkin’ Donuts and Taco Bell, are proposed for south Sacramento. According to the application filed with the city, each restaurant would be about 2,300 to 2,500 square feet, on what is now empty land at 7310 W. Stockton Blvd. Ben van der Meer in Sac Biz Journal.

Peach - This organic, vegetarian breakfast and lunch spot is scheduled to open mid-January in Historic Folsom, replacing The Black Rooster Café, which closed in November. Chef Cillian Spain, a prep chef at Karen’s Bakery and Café who owns the new eatery with his wife, Sue. In Sactown Magazine. (Third item.)

Tinder for Food - What can’t you do with an app these days? Three app-based companies new to Sacramento deliver restaurant food right to your front door. Here’s a look at what each company offers. Featuring Postmates, Caviar and FoodJets. Jordan Venema in Sac Mag. 

Tamaya Sushi, a restaurant that closed earlier this month after it lost its lease, was trashed the night before the space was to be returned to the owner, reports Bob Shallit in the Sac Bee.

On the night of Dec. 3, she said, somebody did “severe damage” to the place, pulling down ceilings, smashing toilets, cutting electrical wires, pouring concrete into drains and destroying mosaic tiles on walls and granite countertops. Air conditioning equipment also was removed.

Adding insult, soy sauce was poured all over the floors.

Read the entire story in the Sac Bee.

Building owners estimate that the damage will cost up to $500,000 to repair.

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Sacramento's new tiki bar ready for customers - When Rum Rok opened in midtown last week, it embraced the "tiki bar" label. But its drink menu will be a distinct departure from the predictable ingredients that characterized tacky tiki venues decades ago. Rum Rok won't just serve tiki cocktails. It will serve craft tiki cocktails. Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.

Grange slinging $50 burgers - First there was Ella’s $26 burger. It seemed outrageous at the time, and now, completely reasonable thanks to Grange’s $50 burger. Available only tonight through Sunday, this extravagant and decadent offering features generous truffle shavings, fat slices of seared foie gras, braised oxtail and a side of truffle fries. Chef Oliver Ridgeway shared the above photo on Instagram last night of the finished product. Janelle Bitker in Sac News & Review.

New-look midtown Sacramento bar has novel ‘give back’ strategy - Barwest, at 2724 J St., recently completed a complete remodel and revamped its menu. It also established what owner Trevor Shults is calling a “community table” – a designated booth at the back of the restaurant with an unusual feature. All profits from meals ordered at that table go to a designated charity – Shriners Hospital this month, Big Brothers Big Sisters in January, and others, changing each month, over the next year. Bob Shallit in the Sac Bee.

Chaat of India: Ignore the chef’s warning - Chaat of India opened earlier this year. Thanks to a smart lunch buffet and a thoughtful menu that features both classic Indian dishes that Americans have become accustomed to as well as numerous and likely unfamiliar chaats, the restaurant has quickly become a favorite among fans of Indian cuisine. Garrett McCord in Sac News & Review.

Meet the newest pizza restaurant entering the region - PizzaRev, which serves customized 11-inch pizzas ready in minutes, plans to make its local debut in 2016. Franchisee Harvind Uppal said he's opening a location in a retail center that's under construction at 5801 Folsom Blvd. in East Sacramento. The 1,800-square-foot store is expected to open by summer. Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.

It's great to save money at restaurants you're already going to or restaurants that you've been meaning to go to. Here are six great deals to save you money today.

• $22 for $44 at BarWest.
• $12.50 for $25 at Bistro Michel at 14th & O streets.
• $20 for $40 at Revolution Wines.
• $10 for $20 at La Terraza in Old Sac.
• $12 for $25 at Sawasdee Thai at 19th & L.
• $13 for $20 at Ju Hachi by Taka at 18th & S.

While I haven't had the chance to check out Foundation yet, the restaurant that replaced 4th Street Grill, I've heard a lot of good buzz about the place. But to get up and running, the new restaurant had its share of challenges. Here's just a taste of it, from Douglas Curley in Comstocks Mag.

To fulfill their vision, Sin and White would endure more than 12 months of on-again, off-again negotiations with Ron Fleming, the owner of Fourth Street Bar & Grille; and the landlord of 455 Capitol Mall, the building in which the business resides. At times, they would alternatively feel strung along, disrespected and at one point outright “screwed...”

With business plan and finances in place, they handed a proposal to Fleming and — they thought — to Dawson as well. According to Jennifer Hayer, administrator and tenant relations manager at 455 Capitol Mall, Dawson and Monterey & Great Pacific Corp. were not made aware of the Sin/White interest until after the untimely death of the buyer Fleming was pursuing. That was in January 2013. Unaware of the circumstances leading to the deal’s failure, Sin and White offered Fleming a new deal — one nearly identical to the deal he had agreed to with the other party...

Fleming said it wasn’t that easy to transition from one party to the other.

“On the day I was set to sign the final papers on the sale of Fourth Street, I got the word that the individual who was going to buy it from me had just killed himself,” Fleming says. “It was a shock to say the least and really set back my plans for the sale.”

From February to June, Sin and White negotiated with Fleming while he carried out a good-faith, month-to-month lease with Dawson. After months of fruitless go-round, Fleming told them no. Period.

“We spent $7,000 on attorney fees to make the purchase happen. And then, finally, he said, ‘I don’t want to sell it to you,’” Sin says. He basically said, ‘screw you.’”

Read the entire tale in Comstocks Mag.

More News:

Esquire Grill's executive chef wants to make foodies - Expect the fall menu next week, and expect Ostrander’s finer-dining plans to roll out in a few months. Listen as the wheels turn inside the head of a chef who clearly relishes the “serious logistical thinking” big plans require. “We all agree there's a lot of well-executed food in this town,” Ostrander said, “but I don't think anyone's pushing boundaries for everyday people -- people who aren't foodies but who want to be wowed at dinnertime. We want to make foodies out of the people who aren't foodies.” That includes touches such as tableside preparations that put the chef on stage before his diners, honing his crew’s technical skills and perhaps pouring lunchtime craft cocktails for “a drinking crowd that wants to experience food in a fun way.” Ed Murrieta in the Sac Biz Journal.

Local bar gets the party started for college students - Barwest provides a fun atmosphere for all types of people, but the typical demographic attracted is the college crowd at Sacramento State. Barwest plays into the “Animal House” idea by appealing to college students by giving them what they want: high alcohol-content drinks, greasy and inexpensive food, loud fist-pumping music, beautiful girls dancing on top of furniture, and sports on high definition screens. Kaitlin Sansenbach in the Sac State Hornet.

Dining review: Two Indian restaurants in Folsom - This unassuming shopping mall obviously targets the transplants from India who have given Folsom an infusion of old-world culture over the past decade. When it comes to the food, we all benefit. Neither Mylapore nor Chaatney will blow you away, but their offerings will give you a clear sense of the quick, easy and informal way of eating in India, be it in the south or the north. Blair Anthony Robertson in the Sac Bee.

I love pizza. I love eating breakfast food for any meal. No restaurant combines those two concepts as well as Buffalo Pizza & Ice Cream, located on 21st St. In an office I used to work in, Buffalo Pizza was the treat we got delivered whenever we celebrated a birthday.

Here's Sac Mag's Jonathan Mendick take on the place:

The eatery has all the quirky characteristics one might expect a local foodie to love: a unique product (breakfast pizza) and a small location (actually, it’s take-out or delivery only, no dine in). It also has limited hours (7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday). There are no tables, no fancy decorations and no credit cards accepted here; all of these give way to make room for Buffalo to deliver heavily on creativity and taste...

The eatery has all the quirky characteristics one might expect a local foodie to love: a unique product (breakfast pizza) and a small location (actually, it’s take-out or delivery only, no dine in). It also has limited hours (7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday). There are no tables, no fancy decorations and no credit cards accepted here; all of these give way to make room for Buffalo to deliver heavily on creativity and taste.

Read the entire review in Sac News & Review.

More News:

Staff pick: Low Brau satisfies meat lovers and offers vegan options - Satisfying meat lovers when choosing where to eat may often imply that a vegetarian’s preferences are out the window, but carnivores and omnivores alike can enjoy the laid back restaurant that aims to please each and every customer: Low Brau. The restaurant is relatively new to midtown Sacramento and opened on Jan. 1 of this year. Energy runs high throughout the German-themed restaurant as friends, families, dates and business partners chatter as they indulge in greasy food and beer. Hope Roberts in the Sac State Hornet.

A Magazine For Beer Lovers - Hops to Table, a free bimonthly magazine launched in February by publisher and homebrewer John Zervas, bills itself as the “ultimate source for all things beer and food.” The inaugural issue included articles on the history of Rubicon Brewing Company; advice on beer and food pairings; and a homebrew recipe for a pale ale featuring Citra hops from Yakima Valley. “We’re trying to make beer as fun and accessible as possible. That’s really the focus of the magazine,” says Zervas, who founded Hops to Table as a labor of love. Catherine Warmerdam in Sac Mag.