‘From deli to diner’: This Sacramento restaurant plans to mix music, food and culture

If you walked down the block on K Street in downtown Sacramento, you might have seen changes at Solomon’s, the Jewish delicatessen. Don’t worry, it is open for business, starting Saturday with a relaunch and a different style.

It had momentarily shut its doors after transferring management operations. Andrea Lepore, co-founder and co-owner of Solomon’s, stepped down as managing director of Solomon’s at the end of 2022.

Since January, the establishment has been managed and operated by Vizion Capital Management, a Sacramento-based hospitality group, which will maintain the Solomon’s brand, building off its foundation, and add a “fresh new concept” that provides a nostalgic experience. That concept will shift the restaurant from “deli to diner,” and more – with food, music and the legacy of the restaurant’s namesake intertwined.

VCM is made up of a diverse group of five co-founders and local successes: Robbie Metcalf and Tony Christ of HOF, Dave Pringle and Sonny Mayugba of FHM group, and Ryan Royster of Last Supper Society.

“We love our city. We want there to be awesome options and offerings,” Royster said. “We’re transitioning from deli to diner and specifically we’re calling it ‘Vinyl Diner’ with the popularity and rise of hi-fi bars and record bars.”

They have revamped the existing space to create an atmosphere that connects with the culture, community and diversity of Sacramento.

“Our take on hospitality is highly experiential,” Christ said. “The goal is to create spaces that are access points to authentic cultural moments for diverse audiences.”

What the new Solomon’s features

The establishment at 730 K Street was a Tower Records until it closed in 2006. After remodeling, Solomon’s opened in 2017, and was named after Tower Records founder Russ Solomon, who died in 2018.

“Solomon’s Vinyl Diner” is a remix of what the classic American diner is.

It features the ambiance of a diner accompanied by a various selection of vinyl records playing throughout the restaurant’s 3,000 square-foot ground floor and its 2,000 square-foot upstairs space.

“As a community space and as a social space, we’ve made some adjustments launching a fresh new concept that’s also building off of the foundation that was there,” Royster said. “There are beautiful things about the current Solomon’s brand, we’ve built something that we think is going to really connect with community and culture in a special way.”

The upstairs space, known as the Russ Room, is a “Listening Lounge,” providing music programming along with the food and beverageA record will always play, adding to the atmosphere of Solomon’s Vinyl Diner.

Outside of restaurant operation hours, the Listening Lounge will also be a music venue for small, intimate concerts.

It’s right on brand for Solomon’s – the vinyl installment is how VCM honors the life of Solomon.

The Listening Lounge has an all-day space where you can dine upstairs and become fully immersed in the music programming. The music upstairs will be a little louder. The energy is expected to be higher up there.

Classic diner food with a twist

Solomon’s Vinyl Diner has a new executive chef at the helm of the kitchen. N’Gina Guyton brings her experience in food hospitality as the owner of Jim Denny’s and former owner of South restaurant.

Diners can eat and have a drink anywhere from the downstairs ground level, the listening lounge upstairs, or outside on the patio, when weather permits.

The menu boasts a combination of fresh ingredients and a sprinkle of nostalgia, with items such as chicken and french toast, egg salad sandwich, or Spaghetti-O’s.

“I’m looking forward to an injection of some really classic diner food with some modern tweaks, more variety in the offerings and the ability to change the menu with seasons allowing the kitchen staff and I to test our creativity and really have fun,” Guyton said.

The eatery plans to hold music-themed brunch events on the weekends.

From the bar, anticipate mimosas, espresso martinis, classic cocktails, and even spiked root beer floats.

“The menu really lends to that diner feel where you can bring your family, while having a nice brunch or breakfast on a weekend downstairs or on the patio,” Royster said. “And maybe if you want to catch a little different vibe, you head upstairs to the Listening Lounge.”

When is it open?

The operating hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday.

Metcalf said that he expects Solomon’s to cater more to a daytime audience.

However, once opened and established, Solomon’s Vinyl Diner is expected to add a late night spot that closes at midnight, potentially later.

“I think the offering from the food side, as well as the vinyl DJ concept, will definitely cater to different audiences,” Metcalf said. “The more things happening on the (K Street) block the better for everybody.”

This story was originally published May 26, 2023 at 5:00 AM.