Sophistication Hidden In A Grocery Center

THE COZY LITTLE BAR AT THE RAVINE

You wouldn’t normally find this kind of sophistication in culinary fare and atmosphere in a shopping center anchored by a grocery store, but welcome to The Ravine.

The bistro leans towards an updated version of décor you might have found in a restaurant/lounge frequented by Frank Sinatra. It has that “swingers” feel, with a dance floor and piano player who happily tinkled the ivories with tunes from the forties and fifties, like Blue Moon and Sentimental Journey, but accommodated younger patrons with more recent tunes as well.

The food choices were limited but varied with prices for entrees hovering in the $25 to $30 range. I had the pork tenderloin and added a salad. The flavors added to the pork, which was served in beautiful stuffed rounds, were both engaging and different. I was one of a party of fourteen and all seemed quite satisfied with their meal.

This isn’t a hurry-up-and-eat sort of place, so if you don’t have time for a leisurely dining experience, wait until you do.

The owners, Jonathan and Gita Rolls, have done a wonderful job of making the patrons feel important. Gita visited our table more than once, as it was my parents’ anniversary and she was determined to make it special.

The bar is very retro and hip, a great place to meet and sip martinis.

I would highly recommend The Ravine, especially to a couple looking for a quiet and elegant dining experience.

The Ravine is located at 25005 Blue Ravine Road, Suite 140, in Folsom. You can visit their website at www.theravinefolsom.com or call 916-983-5070 for reservations.

Artfully Yours - Sutter Creek

THE WINDOW BETWEEN GALLERY 10 AND SUSAN'S

A recent outing with family members took me to Sutter Creek, a community in the thick of history, smack in the middle of Gold Country. The wonderfully intact Main Street attracts tourists all year long for a trip back in time and also for its antique shops.

It had been years since I'd been to Sutter Creek and didn't realize the there's a thriving art scene there too. We stopped into a gallery and what I would call an "art shop."

Gallery 10 is located just off Main at 15 Eureka Street. Tucked into a two story ancient storefront, with a popular bistro "Susan's" next door, the works of art welcome you right through the plate glass windows, which on the side of the building give customers a cozy view into the patio courtyard of Susan's. Between the two hang strands of three-inch round glass balls, blown into being with diverse swirling colors.

The space is cut up into alcoves which feature different types of art, from paintings to sculpture to jewelry to pottery, ad infinitum. Turn a corner and you will walk into a new experience. However, the gallery is smallish, so don't move too quickly. You'll get through all of it and feel you've just experienced your own small renaissance.


Painting by Margaret Soegaard

Gallery 10 is open Thursday through Monday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you'd like to call ahead, here's their number 209-267-0203.

The Fine Eye Gallery at 71 Main Street feels more like a shop, but its art is no less spectacular, however in most cases more contemporary with enough practical and crafty objects to attract those that enjoy wearable or usable art.

The Fine Eye Gallery

This gallery is a delight to the senses and you may well find yourself turning around and gasping with surprise one minute then examining with deep concentration the next.

Fine Eye is open daily from 10:30 a.m to 5 p.m.

So, if you haven't already, think of Sutter Creek next time you're hankering for a little art pleasure.