If you’re looking for a place where shopping and eating go hand in hand, then head to Pottery World Café in Rocklin for a new and improved dining experience. The café is connected to Pottery World—which sells home décor and design products from around the globe—and serves scratch-made fare with French, Italian, Mediterranean and regional American influences. From the menu, patrons can choose from a mouthwatering variety of breakfast and lunch options (grilled tri-tip panini, black bean burger on brioche, and eggs Benedict with salmon, to name a few) plus local beers and wines, espresso drinks and Italian sodas. I tried their Chicken Salad Sandwich—composed of diced grilled chicken, red onions, celery, Gorgonzola cheese, walnuts and mayo on grilled sourdough with lettuce and tomato. To my unexpected delight, my plate also came with the choice of either soup or a salad—you really do get bang for your buck here! I chose my favorite: Spinach salad. I washed everything down with a refreshing Strawberry Italian Soda, which provided the perfect pairing to my flavor-packed, filling meal. 

— Allyson Ashmore

Pottery World Café, 4419 Granite Drive, Rocklin. 916-624-8080.