The Sacramento County Environmental Management Department, which inspects and regulates the health standards at restaurants, ordered one of La Bou's Downtown locations closed last week due to "vermin and animal contamination."

The restaurant, located at 1122 11th St. failed its inspection on Monday, Nov. 23 and reopened the next day after eradicating the infestation and passing a second inspection.

This happens more than you think, even at good restaurants. Unfortunately, restaurants often aren't the building owners and little gaps may allow roaches to enter the kitchen. The responsible ones, like La Bou, get the problem fixed in a day. Recently, Goldfield was closed due to a similar infestation, Cafe Bernardo at 10th & K was closed by the health department in July and even beloved chef Daniel Pont had La Bonne Soupe Cafe closed due to a pest problem.

Even though I knew the restaurant had faced an infestation recently, I ate at La Bou earlier this week (though they've recently raised the price of my go to meal there - the large Chinese chicken salad - to $8).

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Discuss Prohibition at Limelight amid vintage cocktails - The folks at the Limelight Cafe-Bar know a good book when they see it, so they’ve invited Sacramento historian Annette Kassis over for a discussion and signing of her “Prohibition in Sacramento: Moralizers & Bootleggers in the Wettest City in the Nation” (History Press, $20, 160 pages) on Dec. 5. Allen Pierleoni in the Sac Bee.

Beer fans line up out the door to try Device/Alpine collaboration - Word spread among local craft beer lovers when Alpine Beer’s Pat McIlhenney and Ken Anthony of Device Brewing decided to make a collaboration beer. At the pre-Thanksgiving release party Wednesday, the line was often out the door as folks clamored to try the new IPA, which featured Alpine’s signature hop haze and robust citrus flavor profile. Blair Anthony Robertson in the Sac Bee.

Via S.F. - San Francisco transplant: The Tây Giang Restaurant story goes the same way so many other San Francisco stories go these days. The Vietnamese restaurant was a mainstay in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset district for 16 years. Then a lease expired, the city got too expensive and Tây Giang was forced to close last December. A bummer for loyal fans, but a boon for Sacramento. Tây Giang is hoping to open its reincarnation on the cusp of Elk Grove, at 7321 West Stockton Boulevard, Suite 100, this month. Janelle Bitker in Sac News & Review.

VIDEO: Evan’s Kitchen… Delicious! - Chef Evan Elsberry stopped by our studios the day after Thanksgiving and whipped up a crazy delicious breakfast using Thanksgiving leftovers. The Turkey-Stuffing-Gravy Hash was devastating. Check out Evan's Kitchen near Sac State for one of the best meals you've ever had. Paul Robins on FOX 40.

Jason Azevedo, the executive sous chef at Esquire Grill and formerly at Mighty Tavern, started out with the observation that there wasn't much local news in this week's Food and Wine section of the Sac Bee.

That set off a lengthy Facebook discussion with (among others):

• Chris Macias, former Sac Bee food writer who now is a "Critic-at-Large"at the Bee
• Adam Pechal, formerly of Tuli Bistro who is working on a new East Sac restaurant
• Scott Ostrander, the chef de cuisine at the new Paragary's Midtown
• Erick Avila, whose Facebook profile says he's the sous chef at Kru
• Nick Dedier, managing partner at Aji Japanese Bistro in El Dorado Hills
• Keith Breedlove, chef at the Culinerdy Cruizer food truck

In the end, Chef Pechal probably summed it up best in his comment.

I think it's great when chefs and media can have open dialog about this stuff. It's healthy and it's good for everyone. Keep up the good work gang!

Click here for the entire thread.

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Shady Lady nominated for national bar award - With a reaction similar to shooting overproof whiskey, the Shady Lady team was knocked back and happy to hear news that their bar is up for one of the cocktail industry’s largest awards. On Monday, the R Street establishment received word it had been nominated for “Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar” in the 2015 Spirited Awards. Chris Macias in the Sac Bee.

Six ways to get your sugar fix - D'oh! National Doughnut Day rolled around again on Friday, June 5. In case you're unprepared, we’ve baked up a list of six sweet spots around town where you can celebrate this hole-y holiday. Featuring Baker's Donuts, Danny's Mini Donuts, Marie's Donuts and The Parlor. Jason Pham in Sactown Mag.

12 ideas for Father’s Day feasting - Mother’s Day may be a time for Sunday brunches at fancy restaurants and mimosas, but Father’s Day tends to be a time for dressing down, grabbing a beer and a pizza, or forking cold chili from the pot while leaning over the kitchen sink. In that spirit, we offer places Dad might enjoy if he’s got a hunger goin’ and prefers homey over haute. Note: It’s always wise to call first for days and hours. We’ve alphabetized this recommended list. Featuring Broderick Roadhouse, Field House, Limelight, 36 Handles and T&R Taste of Texas. Allen Pierleoni in the Sac Bee.

#Sacramento restaurant news: Bistro Michel has apparently closed. Here's the sign: pic.twitter.com/DCflMdvTer

— Chris Macias (@chris_macias) April 15, 2015

Bistro Michel, which has received both local and (surprisingly) national accolades has closed, reports the Sac Bee's Chris Macias.

A sign in front of the restaurant posted today simply said, “Bistro Michel is Closed - Out of Business.” The bistro’s website has gone dark and a call to the restaurant went straight to voice mail, with a message saying the restaurant is now closed.

Read the entire story in the Sac Bee.

I resist using Cowtown Eats as my personal Yelp to complain about poor dining experiences, but now that they're closed, I feel comfortable sharing an experience I had at Bistro Michel in May 2014. After a really enjoyable experience earlier in the year where I said that Bistro Michel was the best restaurant nobody was going to, I decided to go to there for my birthday with a group of 8 or 10. To help defray the cost, I went to Sac News & Review's Sweet Deals site, where restaurants generally trade advertising for gift certificates, which SNR turns into cash by selling it to people like you and me.

At the end of a several hundred dollar meal, we tried to use the gift certificates, which are generally considered the same as paying with cash, to cover about two thirds of the check. The owner declined to honor them, so we were stuck with a large unintended bill and stuck with gift certificates that we didn't need anymore. I called Sac News & Review, and they confirmed that the owner should have honored them, and called the owner to let him know. I went back to the restaurant to see if the owner would fix his error, but I never got a response. I don't know if it was the previous owner of Bistro Michel or the current one, but either way, they never received another dime of my money. I'm sad for those who lost their jobs, but not unhappy that the restaurant is closed.

Separately, Tucos in Davis closed on Monday, reports Sac News & Review's Janelle Bitker.

But according to its Facebook page, Tucos (130 G Street) closed on Monday. Its chef-owner Pru Mendez is closing up shop in order to dedicate time to his tech startup, Internet Age Fun Company...

Mendez also said in the announcement that he will keep Tucos as his startup’s headquarters, but he also alluded to the possibility of entertaining diners there as well.

Read the entire story in Sac News & Review.

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Almond joy: Almond milk, The Mill - Last month, The Mill unveiled its housemade alternative to cow and soy milk, pressed from almonds, macadamias, dates and water. Alone, it's sweet, smooth and, obviously, nutty. In a latte ($6), it merges with the coffee's bitterness to create a smoky almond blend that's most certainly a joy. Anthony Siino in Sac News & Review.

What's going on with Dos Coyotes on R Street? - A new Dos Coyotes Border Cafe on R Street is expected to open in late May or early June, according to Bobby Coyote, who owns the Davis-based restaurant company. Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.

Old Sacramento will host inaugural Chocolate Week in May - The historic district will host its first Chocolate Week from May 4-10, complete with chocolate tastings, tours and cooking demonstrations. On May 4, Fat City Bar & Café will host a "Choc-la-trivia" night to test participants’ knowledge of local chocolate history for a chance to win prizes. On May 6, the restaurant Ten22 will present an event that will pair beer with chocolate and feature four beer tastings and house-made chocolate desserts, like Chico-based High Water Brewing’s Campfire Stout paired with cocoa bread pudding filled with caramel and dark chocolate. Tori Masucci Cummins in Sactown Mag.

Mark your calendars, food truck fans! April 25 is MoFo 8! More details here http://t.co/1OVLbKYhH6 pic.twitter.com/G8kqLLPkV1

— SactoMoFo (@SactoMoFo) March 29, 2015

SactoMoFo 8, featuring 35 trucks and a beer garden, will be held at 6th & W (the spot of the Sunday's farmers market) on Saturday, April 25 from 2 t o 9 p.m.

Parking will be $5, or free with a canned good or other non-perishable food item for the Sac Food Bank.

In previous years, the event was focused on the lunch crowd. This year, they've switched to serve the afternoon and evening crowd.

The food truck line up includes:

• Kokio Republic (Bay Area)
• Koja Kitchen (Bay Area)
• The Chairman (Bay Area)
• Frozen Kuhsterd (Bay Area)
• An the Go (Bay Area)
• El Porteno (Bay Area)
• Cichy Co.
• Smokin Hot Pizza
• Addy’s Paella
• Brunch Boys
• Bacon Mania
• Chando’s Tacos
• Hefty Gyros
• Costa’s Kettle Corn
• Cruzin’ Crustacean
• Drewski’s Hot Rod
• Fuzion Eatz
• Gameday Grill
• Green Papaya
• The Culinerdy Cruzer
• Happy Cow
• Krush Burger
• La Mex Taqueria
• Simply Southern
• Slightly Skewed
• Smokers Wild
• Smoothie Patrol
• Dogtown Dog’s
• The Flavor Face
• Wandering Boba
• Luciano’s Scoop
• Sweet Spot
• Dave Pops
• Rich’s Ice Cream
• Frenchy’s Waffles
• Local Kine

SactoMoFo launched its very first Sacramento Mobile Food Festival in 2011, with an event at Fremont Park that drew more than 10,000 visitors. While SactoMoFo organizes events several times a week, those events (like the Tuesday events at 15th & Capitol) usually only feature a handful of trucks. Their signature SactoMoFo event brings dozens of trucks together - including many from outside the area.

For more information, visit http://sactomofo.com/sactomofo8/.

* Headline has been corrected to reflect the correct month.

More News:

Sacramento’s baseball history now in the Limelight - Sacramento’s Limelight now shines brighter. And this longtime establishment’s own spotlight celebrates Sacramento’s sporting past — including a special baseball reunion. Debbie Arrington in the Sac Bee.

Jackrabbit to open its West Sac taproom - Jackrabbit Brewing (1323 Terminal St., West Sacramento) is having a two-day grand opening of its long-awaited taproom from 5 to 9 p.m. April 3 and from noon to 9 p.m. April 4. Jackrabbit is the work of four ambitious home brewers who took their passion for beer to the professional level. Blair Anthony Robertson in the Sac Bee.

Duke’s Plates & Pints: Bites, brews and bros - Overall, the spot seems to be off to a good start. We liked that we could sample some somewhat local beers (like several from Healdsburg’s Bear Republic Brewing Co. and a few selections from Auburn’s Common Cider Co.). The limited food menu is pretty good overall, with the clear standouts being the burger and the sausage plate. It’s definitely a nice spot for anyone in the Arden Park neighborhood to bike to for a beer and bite. Jonathan Mendick in Sac News & Review.

Corner Bakery Cafe opening soon in Natomas - Texas-based Corner Bakery Cafe is preparing to open its first location in the Sacramento region. The restaurant in Natomas will open on March 30. Sonya Sorich in Sac Biz Journal.

The Limelight, a popular restaurant and card room on Alhambra Blvd., was robbed early Monday morning, reports KCRA.

Sacramento police said the worker discovered the robber as he walked into the gaming area and found the man armed with a pistol, demanding money.

The janitor handed over an undisclosed amount of cash before the man ran from the scene.

Officers believe the man was wearing a fake beard to conceal his identity.

Read the entire story on KCRA.

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Will newest Sacramento Starbucks offer booze? - Starbucks earlier this month opened its newest Sacramento shop at 1020 16th St., and there is buzz that this might be the first one locally to offer beer and wine. There is no notice on the window about an application for beer and wine, but some local baristas say this location will be the place where the company will introduce Starbucks Evenings to Sacramento. Mark Anderson in Sac Biz Journal.

R Street Project Would be a Welcome Addition to Sacramento - Many of us remember how … well … gross and desolate the R Street Corridor used to be. You’d go to Fox & Goose for breakfast or R15 for NFL Sunday, but it felt too disconnected to spend a significant amount of time in the area. Nowadays, it’s starting to feel like a true neighborhood. The emergence of places like Magpie and Shoki better connect Tuli Bistro, Fox & Goose, Shady Lady and R15 into a real corridor (with its own unique personality) that’s a now a favorite spot for everything from brunch to GNO. And let’s also not forget about all the new art and cultural options. On Girls on the Grid.

One of the best ways to spend a lazy weekend afternoon in Sacramento is to grab brunch and (over?)indulge in bottomless mimosas. Unfortunately for me, it usually leads to being day drunk which leads to the unpleasant day hangover. But still, it really is an awesome way to spend a sunny Saturday or Sunday.

Let me give an obligatory, but important, reminder. Please have a designated driver or indulge within walking distance from a place where you can sleep it off.

Here are 13 16 places in Sacramento with weekend bottomless mimosas.

Saturdays

• Clark's Corner- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., $9
• Iron Steaks - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., $8 
• Kupros - 11:30 to 2 p.m., $12
• Rio City Cafe - 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., $9.50
• 33rd St. Bistro - 8 to 1 p.m., $8
• de Vere's Irish Pub (Sac & Davis locations) - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., $10
• Pizza Rock - 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., $8
• Capitol Garage - 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., $7
• Evan's Kitchen - 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., $9
• Elixir - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $12 
• Ink Eats & Drinks - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., $9
• Limelight, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., $5
• Coyote Tap House, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., $12
• Firestone Public House, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., $10
• Broderick Restaurant & Bar, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., $12