Chop It Up: Welcome a new reporter on Sacramento’s dining scene, Camila Pedrosa
Hello, readers!
My name is Camila Pedrosa, I’ll be taking over the food & drink newsletter, as well as food and restaurant coverage in the Sacramento area, for a short time!
I moved back to Sacramento after finishing college, and I’ve already had a blast finding my new go-to dinner spots and favorite bars.
I joined The Bee in January as a service journalism reporter after spending summer 2024 as a breaking news intern here.
Since I joined the team full-time, I have been doing some reporting on food and restaurants, by way of weekly restaurant inspection reports and holiday food specials at local eateries.
I’m certainly no Benjy Egel, yet — but I’m committed to sharing the best food and most interesting stories in the capital region with the Sacramento foodie community.
Some more about me
I was born in Córdoba, Argentina, but I grew up in Davis, where I graduated from Davis Senior High School in 2020. For the last four years, I lived in Phoenix to attend journalism school at Arizona State University.
During my studies, I developed a strong appreciation for gastronomy through elective courses on regional food and culture. In one class, I traveled to eastern Sicily, where I learned about the anti-mafia farming movement, sampled the freshest olive oil I had ever tasted, and became convinced that 00 flour is unmatched for making pasta and pizza dough.
From then, I knew food, its culture and its history would always fascinate me. Having the opportunity to write about an interest of mine in the place I grew up in is a dream and a privilege.
If you have any restaurant recommendations in the area, or you want to talk about Argentinian or Sicilian food, my inbox is open! You can reach me at cpedrosa@sacbee.com, on X @_camila_aldana_ or on Bluesky at camilaapedrosa.bsky.social.
What I’m eating
OBO’ Italian Table & Bar was popping during a Friday afternoon lunch rush with East Sacramento-area workers and local foodies alike. The hybrid counter-and-table service model offers patrons a casual lunch vibe with the benefits of a full-service restaurant. As one of four local restaurant concepts run by the Selland family — which includes Michelin-starred The Kitchen — I had high expectations for my first time at OBO’, and it delivered.
Bucatini was a clever choice for a carbonara ($19), with the pasta’s signature tube shape allowing the luscious cream sauce to soak up. Crispy pancetta and a poached egg paired with fresh herbs and a dusting of parmesan topped off the pasta dish, bringing a salty and fresh contrast to the rich sauce.
As an avid bread baker, I was blown away by the lightest, airiest focaccia I’d ever seen. The rosemary & sea salt and garlic parmesan focaccias ($2.50 each) had a wonderfully open crumb and a shiny golden-brown crust. It was chewy and paired perfectly with the balsamic vinegar and olive oil that were included.
I didn’t have the opportunity to try out any of the desserts in the beautifully arranged display case strategically located at the end of the checkout line, but I certainly will be returning for the strawberry tres leches parfait ($7.50) and the classic tiramisu ($8.50), which are hits with my colleagues.
OBO’ Italian Table & Bar
Address: 3145 Folsom Blvd., East Sacramento
Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday to Saturday
Phone: 916-822-8720
Website: oboitalian.com
Drinks: Wine, beer, cocktails, teas, lemonades and more. Self-serve water pitchers available.
Vegetarian options: Plenty of options; the online and paper menus identify vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Noise level: Can be loud during busy times
Outdoor seating: Patio seating available
Openings & Closings
▪ Mikuni Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar opened an El Dorado Hills location at 4361 Town Center Blvd., Suite 111. The restaurant’s soft opening was Monday and Tuesday, according to a Facebook post. This is the first new Mikuni restaurant since Taro Arai announced in February his family’s local sushi chain would be acquired by a Japan-based retail conglomerate.
▪ Popular Roseville taqueria Nixtaco is opening a second location in Folsom, replacing Cantina Pedregal at 185 Placerville Road, Suite 150. Nixtaco owners Patricio Wise and Cinthia Martinez worked with partners Brad Cecchi and Clay Nutting — who own Canon in East Sacramento — on Cantina Pedregal’s high-end Mexican concept throughout the nine months it was open.
.jpg)