Longtime El Dorado Hills favorite, Sienna—sited where its predecessor Crush 29 once took up residence—opened last September, and has been garnering fans ever since. Owners Mark and Karoline Platt have created a warm and welcoming, well-designed establishment that features thoughtfully executed, contemporary dishes.

My companion and I were seated in the “Saffron Room,” adjacent to the main dining floor, as an afternoon fire radiated from the stone fireplace on a damp, chilly, comfort food kind of day. The chef’s version of arancini (breaded and fried risotto balls), in this case called Risotto Fritters, were perfectly crispy outside with a creamy interior that maintained the integrity of the rice—not a simple execution—resulting in a welcome cold weather starter. 

Next came the Fuji Apple Salad, which we chose not because apples, blue cheese and candied pecans are always a winning combo in salads (they are), but because of the accompanying gorgonzola cheese puffs. What followed were light and airy orbs, known as gougeres in France; cheese puffs in English. Needless to say, they were delicious.

We followed the salad with their Prime Rib French Dip. I’m always hesitant to order this, even more so when the words “prime rib” precede the French dip part. Too often the fat-to-meat quotient favors the fat, but somehow the inverse equation was true, as there was nearly zero offending oleaginous material. The latter—coupled with the  tenderness of the prime rib, horseradish aioli, warm au jus and soft, aromatic, herbed roll—made for one of the better French dips I’ve ever had.

If I see the words “short rib” on most any menu, it’s a forgone conclusion that the item will end up on a plate in front of me. Sienna’s Short Rib Pasta was reminiscent of beef bourguignon and featured short ribs braised in ale (instead of wine), with cippolini onions, sliced mushrooms, and one of my favorite pasta, campanelle. It was a fitting end to an upscale, homey food kinda day.   

Hours:  10 a.m.-10 p.m. (Sunday); 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Monday through Wednesday); 11 a.m.-11 p.m. (Thursday and Friday); 10 a.m.-11 p.m. (Saturday)

Try This:  Risotto Fritters; Short Rib Pasta; Grilled USDA Prime Rib Skirt Steak

Alcohol:  Full bar; beer, wine and craft cocktails

Tab:  $$

Heads-Up:  Brunch and bottomless mimosas are served on weekends from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; four unique private dining rooms; weekly “Fitness Special” (450 calories or less)

Sienna Restaurant
1480 Eureka Road, Roseville
916-771-4700