Stepping out: The fish and chips are really good

“I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer.”

— Abraham Lincoln

 

Placerville Brewing Company

Fish and chips at Placerville Brewing Company was on Russ Salazar’s bucket list and we tried to go there a couple of weeks ago, but it was a Tuesday, the only day of the week they are closed. So, last Thursday we tried again.

Placerville Brewing Company is a cozy but spacious, family run and family friendly restaurant and brewpub. The present owners took it over about seven years ago and made a number of improvements, including additional parking and a great patio on the side of the restaurant. What I especially like is the fact that they have left room between the tables, so that when the restaurant is busy, which is very often, it doesn’t feel too crowded.

With the fish and chips (we voted it outstanding; panko crusted and not over cooked) we also shared an ABC (avocado, bacon, cheese) burger which was very, very good. With it we ordered the ranch beans, which are commercial beans nicely amended to make them even better. The menu says the ABC burger came with chips and salsa, but they must have been deported (I forgot to ask).
We opted for Parmesan fries “chips” ($1.50 additional) with the fish, but could have selected garlic and herb, Cheddar, blue cheese or pepperjack, or stuck with the plain regular ones.

Salazar had and loved a strong blond ale, I had water. A strong beer at noon on a hot day is nice, but I always want to take a nap afterwards.

As I mentioned, the fish was really good and the housemade tartar sauce was yummy. The fries were delicious and crisp, and remained crisp even when they were cold. Our server, Danielle, made sure we noticed that. I dipped my fries in the tartar sauce.

We had the opportunity to share a few minutes with Steve Meylor, owner and brewmaster. Meylor was hooked on craft-brewing 15 years ago when he earned a gold medal at the El Dorado County Fair for his first ever entry. Since then, he has brewed thousands of batches of beer, more than 225 types of those commercially.

Meylor brought us up to date on “what is brewing” at the brewery, literally. He also talked about some of the dinners and parties they have held there for up to 200 people. Proudly he added that they have partnered with Hill Country BBQ owner and authentic Texan, Allen Vickers to add delicious pulled pork, smoked sausage, tri-tip sandwiches, and fall-off-the-bone barbecue baby back ribs to the menu.

Well, the menu has lots of appetizers (try the wings), specialties, sandwiches and burgers, dinner plates and more. And you can get everything to eat in or take out — check out the menu on the Placerville Brewing Company Webpage placervillebrewing.com. The prices are a bit out of date.

In addition to the long list of craft brews they make and serve, they also have soda, ice tea and local wine, among other things to drink.
The brewery is open 11 a.m. until 9 p.m., every day but Tuesday and is located at 155 Placerville Drive. Call 530-295-9166 for more information.

Lunch at ZacJack Bistro in Cameron Park

Chef John Evans asked me to stop by and try something from their new “Business Lunch” menu, which is available weekdays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. It features several items, all priced at $6.99.

You can choose from a Niman Ranch, all natural third pound burger with cheese and fries, half a salad or half a sandwich and soup du jour, an individual cheese, meat or vegetable pizza or a free range chicken burger.

I tried the chicken burger which came on a French bun with lettuce, tomatoes, Swiss cheese and basil aioli, accompanied by hand-cut fries with house-made catsup. I have eaten a lot of chicken sandwiches in my time and this one was outstanding: a full chicken breast, moist and perfectly cooked with a wonderful “snappy” taste from the basil aioli. I ate it extra slowly so that I could really enjoy the wonderful flavors.

ZacJack Bistro is open daily from 8 a.m. until closing, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. No corkage on Mondays, Tuesday is Ladies Night and there is brunch on the weekends. They also have monthly wine dinners and more. For more information call 530-676-2969.

Wine and paint at Lava Cap Winery

Join Lava Cap Winery and Creative Juices Events Saturday, Aug. 24 from 12:30 until 3:30 p.m. to unleash your inner artist and enjoy a memorable day of sipping wine and painting, guided by Aimee Rebmann, artist at Creative Juices Events.

Rebmann will guide you through this fun, social painting session geared toward the art novice, so no experience is needed to create an amazing painting. Kids 13 and older are welcome to attend when accompanied by a participating adult.

Included in the cost is: all art materials (16 x 20 inch canvas and acrylic paints), a special Lava Cap wine tasting and a spread of crackers and gourmet cheeses. To sign up call 530-621-0175.

Miraflores Pairings

On Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 25 and 26, the chef for Miraflores Winery’s Pairings will be Arturo Moscosos, executive chef at Campo Restaurant in Reno.
You can make a reservation for anytime between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. both days. The four-course meal and chats with the chef start when you arrive.
For more information call 530-647-8505.

Annual “Wine for Words” library benefit

Don’t forget, this Sunday, Aug. 26, from 4 until 8 p.m., the El Dorado County Main Library, 345 Fair Lane in Placerville, will be holding its annual “Wine for Words” benefit. This year it is “An Evening of Mark Twain,” with a presentation by scholar and editor, Robert H. Hirst.

All proceeds benefit the Main Library in Placerville. For more information call 530-621-5540.

Celebrate the day

Birthdays to celebrate today: actors Stephen Fry (1957), Rupert Grint (1988), Steve Gutttenberg (1958), Marlee Matlin (1965) and Michael Richards (1950); TV host Craig Kilborn (1962); pianist Louis Teicher (1934), composer Mason Williams and three former state governors, Kenny Guinn of Nevada (1936), Bob Holden of Missouri (1949) and Mike Huckabee of Arkansas (1955). It is also the anniversary of the invasion of Washington, D.C. by the British in 1814.