Sophistication offered at Horseshoe Bar Grill in Loomis

Loomis, a tiny town north of Sacramento off I-80, is home to one terrific restaurant, Horseshoe Bar Grill, located on the main street of Loomis,at 3645 Taylor Road. The restaurant, an oasis of sophistication in a decidely country village, reopened in June with new management. The general manager, Richard Bruce, was present and visiting customer tables the Saturday my sister Laura and I chose to have a late lunch.

While the hour the restaurant opens on Saturday, 3 p.m., was a little past the time our stomachs began to protest. It worked out fine, because the atmosphere and food was definitely worth the wait.

Laura and I were going to be treated to a homemade meal when we got back to her home (my brother-in-law John loves to cook!), so we kept to the light choices, both of us ordered the mushroom soup and we shared an artisan cheese tray. My raspberry iced tea came in a water goblet, with mint sprigs draped over the lip

If I had it to do over, I would order two bowls of the mushroom soup, which was a broth-based concoction with a several varieties of mushrooms and a taste that sent us both over the top. Dainty diners we were not. The delectable soup tempted both of us to consider lifting our bowls and draining the last of drops or follow Laura's best plan of sucking up the last of it through a pair of straws. But our manners prevailed and we satisfied ourselves with moaning with pleasure.

The cheeses arrived accompanied by proscuitto, salami, pancetta, an olive selection and bits of fruit. Coming from a family of cheese lovers, our appreciation of the blues, cheddars and creams was warm. We were checked on by Mr. Bruce and our waiter enough to make us both feel important as we enjoyed our treats and our conversation, in the nearly empty restaurant. Of course, we had arrived as the bistro was just barely opening.

The menu had a several choices of both cuisine and price range. There was also a lovely wine list.

I highly recommend taking a trip out to Loomis for the food alone, but don't drive too fast. You may miss the short but picturesque little main street and country roads leading into it.

Reservations are a good idea. Call(916) 652-4100 for hours and to make sure they'll save a seat for you!

Remember adventure always lies just beyond your everyday life, especially in Sacramento!