Hawks Public House

Hawks Public House Restaurant Review:

Hawks Public House in East Sacramento is at once rustic and refined, upscale and unfussy. The interior is tiny, but high ceilings and an open floor plan keep it from feeling cramped. Wooden tables and vintage lighting create an air of casual elegance, while soothing, slate-blue walls encourage diners to relax. Like its fine-dining flagship restaurant in Granite Bay, Hawks features seasonal, Mediterranean-influenced cuisine showcasing the bounty of local farms. Dishes are multi-layered yet simple, the ingredients taking center stage. Starters include a salad of asparagus, peas, pecorino, pistachio and mint, the flavors bold but balanced. A seemingly humble starter of house-made potato chips and French onion dip was a surprising hit, full of bold tang. Mains include spaghetti with peas and black pepper cream, the pasta a bit too al dente, but softened with a delectable gravy. Other offerings include halibut with clams and white beans and the popular Wagyu burger with Gruyère. A dozen wines are available by the glass, many from California, as well as local beer and a selection of artisan cocktails; the Thai gimlet highlights gin, Thai basil, makrut lime, coconut and chili.