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The Hot List: Eat (& Drink) Your Greens

It’s time to load up your plate with greens, and we’re not just talking about veggies; we're talking about every type of delicious, verdant-hued food (and drink!) out there. In honor of St. Patrick’s Day and spring’s impending arrival, we decided to celebrate the season of fresh leaves and blooming flowers with a roundup of the most palatable green-hued provisions. 


Edamame for Epicures

Sushi is one of the most colorful cuisines out there. From the rich crimson of tuna to the toasted brown of unagi and the juicy orange of salmon, it’s a feast for the eyes and the stomach.  While we love a good roll from Hisui Sushi—especially for an all-you-can-eat lunch—this time around, we’re singing the praises for one of their appetizers. Who’s stealing the spotlight, you ask? Their Spicy Garlic Edamame. These snackable soybeans level up with a spicy garlic butter that’s pan-fried to perfection. Get it as the intro to your sushi or as part of your own appetizer adventure. 25004 Blue Ravine Road, Suite 107, Folsom, 916-985-7778, hisuisushi.com

Hisui Sushi. Photo by Taylor Gillespie ©stylemediagroup.

 

Matcha Madness

Let’s zen out for a minute. When we think of greens, we think of nature. It’s a color that conjures to mind all things health, vitality, wellness, and earth. Bring that calming goodness into your life with the Coconut Grass Skirt Matcha from Tea Xotics. Made from a perfect blend of premium Japanese matcha (sourced from Kyoto), coconut milk, cane sugar, and ice, it instantly brings a calming vibe with every sip. In addition to several other types of matcha tea, the family-owned shop offers unique blends of international teas and beverages— to feed your soul with whatever it needs. 4356 Town Center Boulevard, Suite 112, El Dorado Hills, 916-461-3548, teaxotics.com

Tea Xotics.

 

Gettin’ Funky

Who said greens couldn’t be decadent? Not the crew at C. Knight’s Steakhouse. Their mouthwatering take on cream of spinach, Green Phunque, is the epitome of indulgence. The dish features a mushroom medley, applewood smoked bacon, and aged cheddar broiled to perfection—making it a super side dish with any of their steaks. But if you’re in the neighborhood for happy hour, you can also get the sinful spinach atop their “The Funky” burger. 2085 Vine Street, El Dorado Hills, 916-235-1730, cknightssteakhouse.com 

C. Knight's Steakhouse. Photo by Taylor Gillespie ©stylemediagroup.

  

Tongue-Tingling Tequila

There’s more than one way to drink your greens. The next time you’re craving Mexican cuisine and a margarita, head to Lola’s Tequila Bar & Cocina (where, if you couldn’t tell from their name, they take their tequila seriously!) and order the Jalapeño Margarita. A spicy twist on their house margarita, the drink features agave nectar, lime juice, and a chili rim. Where does the heat come in? House-infused jalapeño tequila, of course. Keep the green theme going with chips and guac or their hearty chile verde. 1563 Eureka Road, Roseville, 916-474-4951, lolasteqbarcocina.com

Lola's Tequila Bar & Cantina. Photo by Taylor Gillespie ©stylemediagroup.

 

A Sumptuous Salad

No list of glorious green gourmets would be complete without a salad. And not just any salad. We’re talking about one from Heyday Café—a Placerville institution, thanks to its use of locally sourced ingredients and friendly atmosphere. Enjoy their fresh Heyday Salad to get a real feel for the region and the café. It starts with a bed of crisp mixed greens, then—for a kick of sweetness—sliced Fuji apples and maple-glazed pecans join the party. Finally, a handful of bleu cheese crumbles and a tangy apple cider vanilla vinaigrette pull it all together. Bon appétit! 325 Main Street, Placerville, 530-626-9700, heydaycafe.com

Heyday Café. Photo by Taylor Gillespie ©stylemediagroup.

 

Pesto is the Best-o

When you’re craving a taste of Italy, get your greens in with the Tortellini Pesto & Spinach at Visconti’s Ristorante. Folsom locals know this family-owned restaurant is the place for authentic Sicilian and Calabrian cuisine, thanks to recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. The tortellini are no exception, thanks to finely ground beef stuffed in handmade pasta that are doused in a spinach, pesto, and marinara sauce combination that’ll have you saying delizioso! 2700 East Bidwell Street, Suite 700, Folsom, 916-983-5181, viscontisristorante.com

Visconti's Ristorante. Photo by Taylor Gillespie ©stylemediagroup.

 

Hurry to the Curry

Tong Thai Bistro is a Folsom favorite when it comes to the multiplex flavors of Thai food. This time around, it’s their Green Curry that’s in the spotlight. If you’ve never had green curry before, get ready: The combo of tender eggplant, green beans, bell peppers, and sweat basil in a spicy-sweet-savory coconut milk curry will have you hooked. Lucky for you, it’s available during lunch and dinner with your pick of protein. 25035 Blue Ravine Road, Suite 120, Folsom, 916-510-1432, tongthaibistro.com

Tong Thai Bistro. Photo by Taylor Gillespie ©stylemediagroup.

 

A Sublime Key Lime Time

Do you like your greens sweet, creamy, and fruity? Then Bennett’s Kitchen Bar Market has the answers to all your foodie dreams. You may know Bennett's for their robust brunch, lunch, and dinner menus, but if you haven’t stopped by their dessert counter, you’re missing out. The Key Lime Pie is all things luscious. Prepare your palate for a crisp graham cracker crust; smooth, sweetened cream topping; and just the right amount of citrus zing. Grab a slice or take the entire pie to-go. It will become the ultimate dinner party sensation, trust us. 1595 Eureka Road, Roseville, 916-750-5150, bennettskitchen.com

Bennett's Kitchen Bar Market. Photo by Taylor Gillespie ©stylemediagroup.

 

Best Buds

One of our favorite ways to incorporate green into our diet is at a bar. And no, we’re not talking about green beer for St. Patrick's Day. We’re talking about those hearty nibbles that are perfect to munch while you sip on a cold one. For the ultimate pub grub, post up at the Auburn Alehouse and dig into an order of Fried Buds, aka, Brussels sprouts. Here’s what will make these little green guys your new best friend: They’re drizzled with bacon vinaigrette and topped with bleu cheese crema and crispy bacon crumbles. Is there anything better than bacon, bleu cheese, deep-fried veggies, and beer? 289 Washington Street, Auburn, 530-885-2537, auburnalehouse.com

Auburn Alehouse photo by Alexis Chantarelle.

  

Grasshopper Green

Want a drink that’s hoppin’ good? Then belly up to the bar at Poor Red’s Bar-B-Q and ask for a Grasshopper: a classic cocktail that's the ultimate indulgence. Crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and cream all swirl together in a shaker full of ice and then get strained into a cocktail glass, resulting in a drink that’s equal parts refreshing and rich. It’s also delicious to look at, thanks to the crème de menthe’s minty hue. We recommend ordering this as a treat after chowing down on a toothsome rack of ribs, baked potato, and coleslaw. 6221 Pleasant Valley Road, El Dorado, 530-622-2901, poorreds.com

Poor Red's Bar-B-Q. Photo by Taylor Gillespie ©stylemediagroup.

 

Escar-go on the Go

Parlez-vous delicious? If you’re craving genuine French cuisine, you don’t have to travel to the City of Love to get your fix. Just visit Allez! in Diamond Springs. This little café offers French favorites in an unfussy format. You’re welcome to dine in, but they also encourage you to take their food on the road; whichever way you choose, make sure you try the Escargot a la Bourguignonne. The dish features six snails stuffed, bathed, and baked in a green-tinted, buttery garlic and herb sauce that’ll turn you into a Francophile in no time. 4242 Fowler Lane, Suite 101, Diamond Springs, 530-621-1160, allezeldorado.com

 

Allez! Photo by Taylor Gillespie ©stylemediagroup.

 

A Slice of the Earth

Handmade pizza and healthy veggies are a match made in heaven. To get a bite of this otherworldly dish, head to Red’s Pizzeria & Taphouse in Rocklin. The family-run restaurant serves up wood-fired pies straight from their artisan brick oven. Chef Cory uses only fresh ingredients from local farms to build the Green Garden Pizza. Ready to drool? First, he starts with a mother dough that’s part Napoli style, part New Yorker. Then comes zucchini, jalapeños, green onion persillade, garlic, lemon, and pesto partnered with torn mozzarella and parmesan. Irresistible, indeed. 6696 Lonetree Boulevard, Suite 100, Rocklin, 916-872-1036, redspizzarocklin.com

Red’s Pizzeria & Taphouse.

 

by Pauline Arroyo

Hisui Sushi, C. Knight's Steakhouse, Lola's Tequila Bar & Cantina, Heyday Café, Visconti's Ristorante, Tong Thai Bistro, Bennett's Kitchen Bar Market, Poor Red's Bar-B-Q and Allez! photos by Taylor Gillespie ©stylemediagroup. Tea Xotics photo courtesy of Tea Xotics.  Auburn Alehouse photo by Alexis Chantarelle. Red's Pizzeria & Taphouse courtesy of Red's Pizzeria & Taphouse.