Brasserie Capitale Awards

Brasserie Capitale Restaurant Review:

From the opulent velvet upholstery to the imported golden light fixtures and the sleepy jazz playing in the background, Brasserie Capitale's mood rivals the joie de vivre found in any Parisian bistro. The space is light and airy, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening onto a busy pedestrian mall, and it’s hard to believe it is in downtown Sacramento, not Montmartre or the Left Bank. The approachable menu is traditional French. Starters include rustic favorites: cured salmon, pâté and escargots. One highlight was the French onion soup, the broth clearly simmered for hours to extract every molecule of flavor. Mains are also prepared with the same patience and precision. Quiche Lorraine was creamy and quivering, the steak frites shone in its simplicity, the meat well-seasoned and tender. Other delicacies are a roasted monkfish and grilled pork shoulder, as well as daily specials of coq au vin, bouillabaisse and cassoulet. Chantilly rum cake, crème brûlée and profiteroles are among desserts. Dozens of French wines and beers are available, as are classic cocktails such as the kir royale and French 75. Stop by the sister eatery next door, Cafe a Cote, for a coffee, pastry or grab-and-go sandwich.