2010 Best of Sacramento Winner - Best Sunday Brunch

Seeking some romance in your dining experience? Head out to the lovely and history-steeped Delta King hotel and riverboat in Old Sacramento, which houses one of the most romantic and attractive restaurants in the city. Make sure to request a window seat at the hotel’s Pilothouse Restaurant—you and your sweetie will enjoy stunning views of the Sacramento River as you peruse your menu. The restaurant has warm, wood-paneled walls, a low ceiling, and flower-festooned, linen-draped tables, offering an old-world elegance not often found in today’s more modern restaurants. Dinner entrées range from a tender, aromatic roasted half chicken, piled atop garlic mashed potatoes; to rack of lamb (served with black pepper spaetzle) and a feisty shrimp and Andouille sausage pasta. The chef also offers a monthly four-course tasting menu. Don’t miss the crisp, judiciously dressed Caesar salad, garnished with house-made croutons; and the kitchen also plates up a very nice hamburger. The lunch menu is a bit more casual, featuring items like the popular beer-battered fish and chips; a shrimp Louie salad and a turkey croissant sandwich. If you happen to visit on a Sunday morning, you’re in luck: The Pilothouse puts out one of the prettiest (and most sumptuous) champagne brunches around. Parents—even though it’s a fancy dining venue, the Pilothouse staff are genuinely kind to kids (who get their own menu and a pile of crayons and a coloring book upon arrival). — Kira O'Donnell

Insider tip: Pilothouse waitstaff are very knowledgeable about the restaurant’s wine selections—ask them for a recommendation

Reservations: Recommended

Payment methods: AmEx, Diners’ Club, Discover Card, MasterCard, Visa

Alcohol: Full bar

Corkage fee: $15

Hours: Monday–Thurs: Breakfast 7–10 a.m.; Lunch 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m.; “Light menu” 2–5 p.m. (in lounge only); Dinner 5–9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: Breakfast 7–10 a.m.; Lunch 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m.; “Light menu” 2–5 p.m. (in lounge only); Dinner 5–10 p.m.
Sunday: Breakfast 7–9 a.m.; Champagne Buffet Brunch: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; “Light menu” 2–5 p.m. (in lounge only); Dinner 5–9 p.m.