Reviewed by Steven Frith

Visited: Saturday, March 29, 2008
Location: 1804 J St., Sacramento, CA 95814(map)(site)
Alternate Location: 649 East Bidwell St., Folsom, CA 95630(map)

My Bar Standard – **Streets of London** New Standard

Without ever having been to England, I imagine that this fun, low-key bar is the closest to the feel of a real English Pub you can get in Sacramento, but thankfully, without the warm beer.

Deeper Insights:

With all of the ultra-lounges and dance clubs popping up in Sacramento (trying to give Sacramentans the illusion that this is actually LA or Vegas), it is getting harder to find a fun place (forget the tiny dives) to go to have a beer and just chat it up with your friends. Streets of London is there to fulfill that need. I must admit that I am biased toward the pub, as I will always have the good memories of having a nightcap there on my first date with my soon-to-be wife. But in a way, it shows exactly why I like it. We had a good time at dinner and wanted to be able to talk some more, and “Streets” gave us that opportunity.

Streets has a vast selection of both American and, if you are feeling adventurous, British beers to try. But once it gets busy, you will probably be waiting a while to get your drink as the service can be slow as the bartenders are overwhelmed with orders at some points of the night.

Streets has a sister location up in Folsom that I spent a lot of time in as a restaurant worker when I lived up there. Both locations are popular places amongst locals that want to have a few too many beers and just hang out and be able to sit at one of the many round wood tables and/or play some darts while listening to the all-British jukebox. In Folsom, pool and foosball are also available. Oh yeah, and it is a great place to watch some football…err, I mean soccer.

Categories:

Attire: Come as you are.

Attitude: Most people just want to relax, have some fun, and are very friendly. There is no certain way you need to act to fit in.

Bar/Bartenders: 1 bar inside, most people drink beer, although other full-bar choices are available. 4-5 bartenders/bar backs were behind the bar. Depending on your timing, drinks took from a couple minutes up to 10-15 minutes. Service can be slow.

Bathrooms: There are two bathrooms in between the back patio area and the inside area. One is for each sex. It is a single room (slightly dirty as you would imagine in a pub) that has a lock that may or may not work. There is usually a line for each though, so most of the time you are safe from someone just walking in. Girls commonly try to get in the guys bathroom as the line is usually shorter (yea, I know, shocker). A couple people from our group (after a few beers) decided to by-pass the line and just get their hand stamped and find somewhere outside to relieve themselves. Not recommended however…

Bathroom Attendant: Never. If someone claims to be, you might be filing a police report later.

Bottle Service: Unless you mean a bottle/pitcher of beer, nope.

Cover: I don’t believe there is ever cover. (Someone feel free to correct me if I am wrong)

Crowd: Mostly early to mid-20’s. I’d say 65/35 guy to girl ratio. And single guys: It appeared most of the girls there were with guys, so don’t go there expecting to find your long-lost love…but hey, I guess miracles happen.

Dance Floor: None

Décor: Old English Pub decorations, a lot of wood. Several plasma TV’s grace the walls to watch sports though.

Drinks: I don’t have exact prices for you, but very reasonable. You aren’t going to pay $10 for a beer or anything. There is a vast selection of both American and European beers.

Extras: Every Sunday evening is “Trivia Night” (as they call it, “pub quiz”). There are also parties, DJ Nights, and other events held occasionally. It (as you would imagine) is a great place to watch World Cup Soccer Matches. The location in Folsom also occasionally has live music. A favorite of mine that plays there is called “The BBC”, a fantastic Beatles tribute band that has a large following. (Here’s a plug for them…they even dress the part: wigs, costumes, accents, and the guy that plays McCartney learned to play guitar left-handed. Yeah, and as what is most important, the music is right on for the most part. You should check them out if you are at all a fan of The Beatles.)

Food: If you get there early enough (before 10:30 pm), British food is available for you. When’s the last time you’ve had Bangers and Mash ($5.80 lunch, $7.95 dinner), Steak and Mushroom Pie ($6.65 lunch, $8.95 dinner), Fish and Chips ($6.70 lunch, $8.95 dinner), or a Corned Beef Sandwich($7.95)? It is all very tasty too.

Happy Hour: There may or may not be happy hour, I went at night. You should call to check. They do have Pint Nights at 6 PM on every Wednesday. You pay $5 for your first brew (the specific brew changes every Wednesday, check the website for details), and you keep the glass and pay $4 for any refill.

Hours: Opens at 11 am everyday. The bar closes at 2 on Fridays/Saturdays, at 1 Monday-Thursdays and at midnight on Sundays.

Line: There is occasionally a short line on weekend nights, however most of the time you can get right in.

Music: An all-British jukebox plays the Brits’ hits. This includes the British invasion era stuff with The Beatles, Stones, Who, etc, but also more modern stuff like Oasis. Live music occasionally takes over the Folsom location (more groups then just the previously mentioned “BBC”). There are also occasional DJ nights at both locations.

Parking: Street parking.

People Watching: There are some interesting characters and a lot of college kids to find entertainment in, but there won’t be many “revealing outfits” if that is what you are looking for. At least this America, therefore most of the patrons will have good teeth…(bad stereotype joke, sorry).

Seating: If you get there early, it isn’t much trouble, but as things pick up you have to hover around tables/seats when it looks like people are leaving. There is seating on the patio, as well, if you head outside and want to deal with cigarette smoke (or smoke yourself).

Smoking: Outside in the back patio or out front.

Water (Free): Yeah, they’ll give you free water if you want to wait for it.

Reviewed by Danny Walker

My BBQ Standard – Baby Blues BBQ – *New Standard*

Visited: Monday night, 3/10/08 (have also been here several times in the past)

Location: 444 Lincoln Blvd., Venice, CA 90291 (eastside corner of Lincoln and Sunset Ave.)(map)(link)
Phone: 310-396-7675

Small, unpretentious Westside joint brings authentic Southern BBQ in a laid-back environment.

Deeper Insights

Baby Blues offers some of the best variety and quality of Southern BBQ in the greater Los Angeles area. Having been several times, it is consistently good, and I particularly enjoy the Lasker Burger and the Pulled Pork sandwich. If you can handle the heat and want to add some spice to your food, give the XXX hot sauce a try.

Baby Blues is small, which can lead to lengthy waits in peak hours, but the food is worth it. Don’t expect fine dining, but just good food in a relaxed environment full of personable people.

Breakdown

Attitude: Relaxed, unpretentious, down-home Southern mentality.

Bathroom: Tiny bathrooms in the back of the main dining room. You may mistake them for a storage closet.

Condiments: Ketchup, BBQ Sauce, Hot Sauce

Crowd: Wide variety of Westsiders looking to get quality BBQ

Décor: Fits the welcoming vibe – local photography (available for purchase) adorns the white walls, the kitchen counter is tiled blue, and the dinner plates are fun, plastic plates that feature sports teams and movie characters.

Delivery: Yes – call 310-396-7675. Available Sunday through Thursday: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday: Noon to 10 p.m.

Dress: Come as you are. It is BBQ, so probably avoid your Sunday’s best.

Drinks: Sodas are $2.00 and refills are free. Micro-brewed bottled sodas (root beer, cream soda, etc.) are $3.00, as is fresh-brewed iced tea (free refills). Once was BYOB, but they now serve an assortment of beer and wine.

Hours: Sunday: Noon – 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday: 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. Delivery available an hour inside opening and closing times

Line: No reservations are available. No wait on this evening, but the place is small and space is limited. There can be waits on weeknights of 20 to 30 minutes and longer on weekends around 6 to 8 p.m.

Tip: If you don’t mind the wait, but want to eat right away, you can get take-out.

Music: Classic rock

Order to Service: 15 to 20 minutes

Parking: Street parking or across the street in the Smart & Final lot.

Payment Options: Major credit cards accepted.

People Watching: Mix of ages (though rarely children there in evenings) and looks. This is a BBQ place, not a meat market.

Reservations: None.

Seating: Limited - About a dozen small tables on the dining side, and stools at the kitchen counter.

Service: All of the staff (including waitresses and cooks) are all very friendly, helpful and full of personality.

Smoking: Outside at the front of the restaurant.

Specials: Lunch specials available everyday from Noon to 4 p.m.

Take-Out: Yes.

Water: Free ice water, refilled after a moderate wait. Bottled water for $2.00.

What I Ate:

Carolina-Style Pulled Pork Sandwich – Classic BBQ-ed pulled pork sandwich served dry on a bun topped with coleslaw. Plenty of BBQ sauce is provided to pour to your taste. The pork is tasty, but you’ll probably need a toothpick or two. $7.50

Lasker Burger (10 oz. prime chuck cooked with bleu cheese, topped with maple bacon, lincolnberry mustard, tomato, and coleslaw): Probably my favorite entree at Baby Blues, as it is always satisfying and brings a unique and great flavor to the typical burger, especially with the bleu cheese cooked into the burger. $8.95

Mac N’ Cheese – This fixin’ is tasty, homemade mac and cheese baked with a little bit of bleu cheese to add extra flavor. 2 Fixins’ come with the order of any of the Platters or ordered separately. $3

Fixins are $3 each or 2 fixins come with each Platter entree. Fixins include mashed potatoes, potato salad, and baked beans, along with more Southern items, such as sautéed okra and collared greens.

Reviewed by Jeff Walker and Danny Walker

My Casual Dining Standard – Truxton’s American Bistro (Westchester)

Visited: Thursday night (3/20/08)
Locations: 185 Culver Blvd., Playa Del Rey, CA 90293-7659 (between Culver Place and Esplanade St.)(map)(link)

Solid, but unspectacular burgers cannot overcome a beach vibe that is too laid-back and results in long waits to get your food.

Deeper Insights:

The Shack isn’t as small and rundown as its name implies, but by no means is it a place for gourmet food or a trendy crowd. On the menu are a number of burgers and chicken sandwiches that come with a variety of tasty toppings. At a reasonable price, they are decent for a casual lunch or dinner with friends, but not ideal for your next hot date.

In fact, unless you’re going there for a few drinks (there is a full bar), karaoke or just have a lot of time to kill, you would best go when there is no crowd at all or simply stay away. On a Thursday night with an average-sized crowd, it took almost 30 minutes for diners to get their food. One pair of guys even waited that long for their potato skins.

Once finally getting the burger, it was filling and satisfying (albeit surprisingly lukewarm temperature-wise), but not worth such a long wait. The tiny kitchen could use an expansion, while the employees could use a bit of urgency. The relaxed beach atmosphere seeps its way through every bit of The Shack leaving it as a decent place after a day at the beach, but definitely not a destination spot.

Breakdown:

Attitude: Hang loose, chill out, watch some sports highlights and think about the size of the next day’s waves.

Bathroom: Tiny bathrooms in the back that can be reached by both the restaurant area and the patio. Men’s urinal is practically in the corner of the men’s room, meaning you may get hit by the door. Stall was serviceable, but there was no lock on the door – there is one on the main bathroom door if you want to try that for some privacy.

Condiments: Ketchup, mustard and Tabasco sauce on the tables.

Crowd: Laid-back locals ranging from twenty to fifty, with the occasional college kids.

Décor: Beach vibe – hanging surfboards, wood tables, and promotional posters that adorn the walls. In some ways, it represents its name well as far as feeling smaller and more cramped than it is and not having the sleekest environment.

Dress: Come as you are.

Drinks: Soda and water from dispenser (free refills). Beer and hard alcohol available from the bar. $12 for a pitcher of Newcastle that served a little under 4 pint glasses.

Hours: 11:30 a.m – 1:30 a.m.

Line: At 8:15 p.m. on a Thursday night, there were only two to three people ahead in line, but the wait for food was quite long given the lack of line.

Music: Sports broadcast played softly over the speakers.

Order to Service: 30 minutes to receive food. Sit at a table and wait for name to be called.

Parking: Limited street parking. Parking available in nearby strip mall lot and a hidden lot next to the strip mall.

Payment Options: All major credit cards accepted.

People Watching: Unique crowd of locals that doesn’t provide a great pick-up opportunity unless you’re drunk, older or find a night when more co-eds show up.

Reservations: None.

Seating: A half dozen or so tables in the front seating area with another half dozen (including booths) further back. Seating also available at the bar and along a counter against the wall.

Service: Cashier was friendly, but was also forced to help in the kitchen when they got very behind on the orders. It took the busboy 10 minutes to clear off our table. The staff was unflappable under the face of pressure, but seemed to take much longer cooking the burgers than they should have. A larger kitchen would probably help solve this.

Smoking: Patio on the left upon first entering.

Take-out: Yes.

TVs: About a dozen TVs visible from the bar and the tables.

Water: Free in dispenser.

What We Ate:

Kelsey Burger (1/4 burger, Swiss cheese, bacon, avocado, BBQ sauce served with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and mayo on a sesame seed bun): The burger was supposed to be medium, but came out medium-well and not as warm as desired. Despite the extra crispness, the meat still had a nice flavor to it. The bacon was not as fatty and limp as a lot of places serve it, while the avocado was fresh and decently portioned. The combination of ingredients made for a good burger, but definitely an unmemorable one. $7.25

The Shack Burger (1/4 burger, Louisiana Hot Link on top, served with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and mayo on a sesame seed bun): The signature burger provides a decent meal, but overall uninspired. The hot links are moderately spicey but nothing that most people wouldn’t be able to handle. $6.00

Added French Fries: $1.25 with Burger

Tip: Get $1 off burgers on Tuesday nights.

Reviewed by Jeff Walker

My Casual Dining Standard – Truxton’s American Bistro (Westchester)

Visited: Friday afternoon (3/14/08)
Location: 720 Allied Way, El Segundo, CA 90245 (in Edge section of Plaza El Segundo) (map)(link)
Phone: 310-535-0025

Other Location: 4213 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA 92612 (University Center) (map)
Phone: 949-509-0003

A healthy alternative to the typical casual restaurant, The Veggie Grill serves variations of classic sandwiches and entrees that use veggie protein blends that are surprisingly tasty and have you wondering if it’s actually real meat.

Deeper Insights:

If you are looking for any real meat (or Coca-Cola for that matter), don’t even bother coming in here. However, while one would expect an array of vegetables, The Veggie Grill is more like a healthier alternative to a Chili’s or a burger joint. The entrees feature seemingly familiar items such as Carne Asada or Chickin’ Marinara, but use seasoned and marinated veggie protein blends instead of meat. In the Santa Fe Crispy Chickin’ sandwich, the veggie substitute was startlingly similar to real chicken in terms of looks, taste, and texture. While disarming mentally, the actual sandwich was quite satisfying.

That’s the thing with The Veggie Grill. If you can get over the fact that you’re eating veggie blends that are really similar to real meat, then you’ll enjoy the food. If not, stick with a soup or salad, or go elsewhere.

Even if you want to feel like you ate a healthy meal, you may want to opt for the Whole Foods across the street. The meals at The Veggie Grill are hearty and lack the light, cleansed feeling one gets from a salad or “healthy” food. Entrees may be rich in proteins and minerals and be free of cholesterol, but with some of the food being fried, you still feel like you pigged out a bit.

If you can swallow the idea of veggie substitutes for real meat, The Veggie Grill is a nice lunch option and represents the best of both worlds. You can eat food that tastes better than most vegetarian or health food, without sacrificing all of the health benefits.

Breakdown:

Attitude: The Veggie Grill lacks the pretension one can associate with healthy food, while aiming to satisfy and fill you with natural, wholesome food.

Bathroom: The men’s bathroom is large, modern (unique sink in particular), and very clean. It serves one at a time and has a urinal, toilet, and a working lock.

Condiments: Unless provided with your meal (as stated in the menu), condiments (including organic ketchup) are only available to the left of the drink dispensers. None are on the tables themselves.

Crowd: Diverse mix of men and women (singles and couples) ranging from teens to people in their 40s.

Décor: Clean white space accented by bright reds, oranges, and greens.

Dress: Come as you are.

Drinks: Only dispensed drinks are water and teas. Bottled natural sodas and organic beer, wine and coffee are available.

Hours: 11 a.m – 10 p.m.

Line: On a Friday afternoon, only one person was ahead in line. Moves quickly – order, pay, and wait for your food.
Tip: Take-out is available by calling 310-535-0025.

Music: Noticeable, but not intrusive pop-rock that ranged from Bad Company to Five for Fighting to Miami Sound Machine to Smashmouth.

Order to Service: 5 to 7 minutes to receive food. Sit at a table with a number and then your food is brought to you.

Parking: Plenty of free parking in the shopping center.

Payment Options: All major credit cards accepted.

People Watching: Don’t expect to find a hot date, but you may find a new yoga partner.

Seating: About 25 small tables scattered throughout the place and tightly packed together. Also, are another ten or so tables outside on the patio.

Service: Workers were helpful, friendly, and seemed ready to answer any questions. None of the silver or plateware is plastic, so all plates are cleared by the workers.

Smoking: Outside only.

Water: Free self-serve water in a large cup. Lemons are available.

What I Ate:

Santa Fe Crispy Chickin’ Sandwich (Crispy fried chillin’ chickin’, lettuce, tomato, red onion, avocado, southwestern spiced vegan mayo served on a wheat bun): The veggie protein blend looked and tasted like real chicken. It was almost like a gourmet McChicken sandwich without the actual chicken. I’m an avocado aficionado, so more would have been nice, but the sandwich still tasted good thanks to the southwestern vegan mayo that provided some mild kick. $8.95


Sweetheart Fries (Sweet potato fries, with chipotle ranch): Fries were piled high and were more than enough to fill me up. They had a subtle sweet taste that provided nice flavor and no blandness. The chipotle ranch was excellent for dipping both the fries and the sandwich. $1.95 (normally $3.95, but substituted for side of slaw with entrée)