Cafe Vinoteca

3535 Fair Oaks Blvd.
Sacramento, CA
(916) 487-1331
cafevinoteca.com

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editorial profile:

Residents of Sierra Oaks Vista and Arden Park have a secret: They don’t need to drive to downtown or midtown Sacramento to find a sophisticated, first-rate restaurant meal. They happen to have an establishment in their very own neighborhood that will happily provide it for them. Café Vinoteca, located in Fountain Plaza in the Arden Town Center (corner of Watt and Fair Oaks Boulevard) plates up some of the loveliest and most exuberant Italian-inspired cuisine in the city. Denizens of midtown and downtown would do well to make the trek to Café Vinoteca to sample the kitchen’s stellar hand-cut fettucini, tossed in a marinara sauce with chunks of spicy sausage, clams and mussels; or the hearty veal scaloppini, drenched in a heady wild mushroom Marsala sauce. Other specialties of this pretty little restaurant include a housemade potato gnocchi with roasted chicken and arugula pesto; and knock-your-socks-off grilled, warm romaine heart salad, sprinkled with bacon and caramelized onions and napped with a tangy Gorgonzola buttermilk dressing. Café Vintoteca is snug, with cool beige tile floors, white cloth-draped tables topped with fresh flowers, and an elegant wine collection displayed on one wall. The open kitchen directly faces the entrance to the restaurant, so expect a grin of welcome from chefs as you walk through the door. The staff is friendly, and single diners are welcome to belly up to the congenial marble bar for a bite to eat and a chat with the bartender. Café Vinoteca proves that some of our most exciting dining secrets can be hidden away in our city’s suburban neighborhoods. — Kira O'Donnell

Insider tip: Visit at lunch and try one of the kitchen’s popular panini sandwiches

Reservations: Recommended

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

Alcohol: Full bar

Corkage fee: $10

reader reviews:

Great food, excellent service, topped with dessert

posted on 2007-08-29 11:32:27

taste	8	décor	9	service	10	atmosphere	8

" I was meeting some good friends for lunch and arrived just before they opened. Once the hostess opened the door, she immediately greeted me with a smile and "Hello, how are you today?" Our waiter was very personable and when I asked what teas they carried, he brought me the box of them to see. I ordered the Chicken Club on yummy grilled focaccia bread. I really wanted to finish the sandwich but I had to save room for the tiny cheesecake topped with peaches the pastry chef prepared that morning the server brought around to showcase. My other friends ordered half salad and pasta combo with pesto-she said it was delicious and my other friend ordered a salad served by leaves of romaine for a very beautiful plate. And the Dean Martin playing made for the perfect American Italian dining experience. "

a true neighborhood ristorante

posted on 2007-09-05 08:24:19

taste	8	décor	7	service	9	atmosphere	8

" Home grown heirloom tomatoes and a glass of Pazzo, a unique cabernet sauvignon/sangiovese blend, are the perfect prelude to a hearty pasta dish in this very comfortable place. With Lenny or Slim as your waiter, it's all good. CF has a decent wine list and comfortable menu with a wide-range of dishes. "

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More Italian restaurants in Sacramento.

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Cuisine:
» Italian

Price Range:
» Moderate ($21-$35)

Special Features:
» Business Lunch
» Dine at the Bar
» Kid-Friendly
» Lunch
» Open Kitchen
» Romantic

Hours:
Sunday–Thursday: Lunch 11:30 a.m.–4 p.m.; Dinner 4–9 p.m.
Friday: Lunch 11:30 a.m.–4 p.m.; Dinner 4–10 p.m.
Sat: (dinner only) 4–10 p.m.

Cafe Vinoteca

editorial profile:

reader reviews:

Great food, excellent service, topped with dessert

a true neighborhood ristorante

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