Ramon Perez’s to-do list
Bottle & Barlow: This trendy Art Deco bar and barbershop crafts some of the finest and most creative cocktails in the city. Unusual ingredients such as ponzu, tobacco, teriyaki and monosodium glutamate are all fair game. 1120 R St. (916) 3797719. http://bottleandbarlow.com Discovery Park: This 302-acre park along the American River features great trails for marathon training, including one of Perez’s favorites in the city. He also enjoys biking the 32-mile trail to Folsom. 1000 Garden Hwy. Crocker Art Museum: Major exhibitions at the city’s premier arts institution have included works by Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei. “A fantastic way to get inspired, relax and see amazing work from past and present.” 216 O St. (916) 808-7000. www. crockerartmuseum.org Midtown Farmers’ Market: It’s easy to spot Sacramento’s top chefs perusing this boutique market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday. Some of Perez’s favorite farms sell here, including Soil Born Farms, Capay Organic and Bird Dog Farm, along with local artisans and small-batch food vendors. 20th Street between J and L streets. www.mid townfarmersmarketsac.com Pho Anh Dao: Vietnamese spots abound in south Sacramento’s Little Saigon district, but this restaurant makes Perez’s favorite traditional bowl of pho. 6830 Stockton Blvd., Suite 165. (916) 428-2826. The Kitchen: Often described as “part theater, part restaurant,” the Kitchen provides dinner and a show in one choreographed finedining experience. It’s a reservation-only, four-hour commitment, with five courses and an intermission where diners are encouraged to wander around the kitchen, wine cellar and anywhere else they please. There’s only one seating per night of 50 guests, so “you essentially feel like family by the end of the night.” 2225 Hurley Way, Suite 101, (916) 568-7171. http://thekitchenrestaurant.com