Poke, ramen and Hawaiian barbecue: These 20 Sacramento-area restaurants opened in January

A wave of prominent restaurant closures at the start of 2020 made headlines, but more than a half-dozen new places popped up near Sacramento’s city center as well during the year’s first month.

Nine restaurants opened in midtown or downtown Sacramento in January, while another 11 greeted customers for the first time throughout the rest of the city and greater region.

New downtown, midtown dining

Curry Up Now (1610 R St. #130, Sacramento): The fast-casual Indian fusion chain started in the Bay Area and opened its first area location in the Ice Blocks.

El Santo Cantina & Ultralounge (1000 K St., Sacramento): El Santo’s extensive menu places Mexican-inspired classics alongside American bar food like spinach-and-artichoke dip and pulled pork sliders.

Honey And The Trapcat (1023 Front St. #A, Sacramento): Located in Knobs & Knockers’ former Old Sacramento haunt, this restaurant and bar’s most eccentric items include Cajun risotto and deep-fried peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

O Ponto Brazilian Steakhouse (1000 K St., Sacramento): Listed with the same address but with its entrance around the corner from El Santo, O Ponto’s meaty menu includes all-you-can-eat and a la carte options. Both restaurants come together to form a nightclub after 9 p.m.

Odd Cookie Bakery Cafe & Bar (1015 Ninth St., Sacramento): Odd Cookie took over for Bar Rouse and specializes in creative cupcakes, though it also carries savory lunch options and a full liquor license.

Saigon Alley Kitchen & Bar (1801 L St. #70, Sacramento): Former Make Fish Poke & Sushi Burrito owner Mymy Nguyen replaced her existing restaurant with new-age Vietnamese food next door.

Skip’s Fish & Chicken (915 K St., Sacramento): Skip’s added a downtown restaurant to its existing Arden Arcade footprint, and plans to open additional locations on Florin Road, Truxel Road and in Brooklyn.

Taco Bell Cantina (900 K St., Sacramento): Cantinas differ from ordinary Taco Bells in that they serve beer, wine and mixed drinks as well as exclusive food items.

Food in Sacramento region

Boston’s Pizza Restaurant & Sports Bar (5511 Sunrise Blvd., Citrus Heights): The Dallas-based sports pub chain opened its first Northern California location in an old Logan’s Roadhouse.

Cafe Yum (8698 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove): The Indian-inspired cafe and restaurant carries fusion dishes such as a tandoori chicken naan pizza and masala fries.

Cajun Feast (206 Third St., Davis): The name says Cajun, but this restaurant’s menu is mostly Chinese-inspired aside from a seafood boil section.

Creekside Cork & Brew (7915 Fairplay Rd., Somerset): Customers at Creekside can pair New American food with wines from Fair Play in nearby rural El Dorado County.

Enchanted Forest (372 Main St., Placerville): This foliage-rich, Celtic-themed restaurant serves sandwiches, salads, small plates and dinner entrees, with fondue and crepes coming soon.

Fast Freddie’s Pizza & Pasta (6011 Stanford Ranch Rd. #106, Rocklin): Fast Freddie’s closed its Old Town Roseville restaurant in late 2017, but found a new place to churn out brick oven-baked pizzas in Rocklin.

Lazi Cow (1582 Howe Ave., Sacramento): This is the second location for the Davis-based boba shop, which offers two-person appetizer and drink pairings called “Tinder Date” and “Real Deal” as well as the “Forever Alone” for one.

Poke Ichii (7600 Greenhaven Dr. #22., Sacramento): This two-year-old poke restaurant also has locations in Downtown Commons and Natomas.

Poke Noke (230 Palladio Dr., Folsom): Jimmy Khov opened his first Poke Noke in The UV shopping center two years ago and commissioned murals from local artist Maren Conrad inside both locations.

Sunshine BBQ Express (110 W Stockton Blvd., Sacramento): This Hawaiian barbecue restaurant opened at the beginning of the year with a 15-percent off deal.

Tamashii Ramen (1036 Florin Rd., Sacramento): This ramen house opened in Greenhaven’s Lake Crest Village Shopping Center last week.

This story was originally published January 31, 2020 at 5:00 AM.