Cafe Americian Seeks to Take Sacramento to New Frontiers!

My first impression of Cafe American was Russian Imperialism to the hilt, from the tapestry-like wall paper to the crystal chandeliers, the display case featuring multiple bottles of elite vodka, the caviar selection to the raw food items on the menu this place was soo not a Sacramento norm. Sacramento's known for it's burgers, legislation, trees, and cowtown-ness not a raw food caviar restaurant with an attached speakeasy style lounge hidden beneath.



The food ranges from the above shown seared scallops with pearls (caviar) to the beet and crushed macadamia nut puree raw food ravioli



As opulent as it can get, in very downtown Sacramento swank style - gold filigree mirrors, and flutes at every place sitting. But this wonderful ambiance comes at the worst time for Sacramento's slumped economy and thus ability to spend mountains of disposable income on lavishness. It's all about the food trucks and happy hours lately, not 4 course caviar services. But despite the timing, this is the place I would go if I had the consistent ability. Not only for the caviar, that was hand-picked by Darrell Corti, but also the raw food (it was really good) there is one particular dish (not pictured) that was a creation of the owners and it consists of an eclectic African spice, wilted greens, pine nuts and a yogurt topping!! I just wanted more, more and more. It was spicy and wonderful in texture, but had the cool yogurt to cut the heat - wonderful, and it was a SIDE dish!




The sandwiches were plentiful offering huge hunks of mozzarella and heirloom tomatoes - almost every item on the seasonally changing menu was little or no cooking keeping with the raw food themes of the restaurant. My favorite desert was the chocolate avocado mousse torte. So rich and creamy, not even a hint of vegetative avocado, just creamy chocolate.



This place might have a long road ahead of it, with wonderful cafe's like Le Petite closing and well financed joints like Good Eats opening this niche restaurant has a lot of competition, in addition to being in the novelty ridden Old Sacramento area that has long been dismissed by local foodies as a tourist trap. It's a innovative and creative approach to the same old thing, unlike many of the other operations within short proximity that have opened in the Old Sacramento area (Ten22). Here's hoping creativity wins out over mediocrity.