Inside Sacramento, Sacramento, CA (2025)

08/08/2025

Trophy Kitchen
Mulvaney’s spreads word about regional delights
By Greg Sabin
There may be no bigger advocate for Sacramento’s place in the culinary landscape than Patrick Mulvaney. His passion for the region’s food carries weight.

“The first question people ask is my opinion on any of a number of culinary questions,” he says. “But the second one should definitely be about the Sacramento region. It should be about what’s going on at UC Davis. It should be about what’s going on with the farmers throughout the region. It should be about what’s going on at the Capitol.”

If Mulvaney sounds like a professional advocate, it’s because he is one.

More than advocating for the town he calls home, Mulvaney fights for causes such as feeding hungry children and improving school lunches.

You’re as likely to find him at the state Capitol or in Washington as you are in the kitchen of his restaurant, Mulvaney’s B&L.

Coming to Sacramento in 1991 and opening B&L in 2006, Mulvaney has become the face of the city’s farm-to-fork identity.

His dedication to local farmers, ranchers, growers and artisans allows him and his team to promote the region’s food bounty. Through that advocacy, he’s helped other restaurants and farmers rise.

His restaurant receives acclaim from many organizations that hand out awards. Mulvaney’s drive, dedication and vision—along with his kitchen talents—are recognized as singular.

These days, executive chef John Trujillo and CEO Taryn Beltz run the day-to-day details at Mulvaney’s B&L. They produce dishes and dining experiences that extend Mulvaney’s legacy for excellence.

Seasonal focus shines in dishes such as corn-filled ravioli with wild mushrooms and spinach. Hand-cut tagliatelle with California asparagus, peas and a pistachio cream is delicious.

But both dishes will probably be off the menu when you read this. A few year-round favorites remain—think smoked salmon and Irish brown bread. Otherwise, the menu moves with the seasons.

The wine list is a study in strong choices. Bottles from Sonoma and Amador sit alongside standouts from Sicily and Alsace.

From sommelier to server, host to manager, Mulvaney’s B&L exudes casual confidence. Neither stuffy nor pretentious, every staff member treats their job with care and a nonchalance that makes for convivial dining of the highest caliber.

The bar, previously a four-seater in the back of the restaurant, has moved across the alley and now seats a convivial six, serving small bites.

Check out the B&L bar in August when it features calamari to match the installation of a giant squid sculpture at 19th and L streets, part of the second Saturday art celebration.

With Trujillo and Beltz at the controls, Mulvaney has time to bring younger generations into advocacy roles.

“Chefs are some of the most trusted people in our society,” he says. “What’s a more trusting act than asking someone to feed you?”

His goal is to train younger chefs and restaurateurs to make their voices heard.

“Whether it’s about seafood sustainability, regenerative farming or better school cafeterias, the folks in white coats can be great voices for their causes,” he says.

Mulvaney is a driving force in bringing the Terra Madre Americas event to town. Originally a gathering in Italy to celebrate traditional cooking and production methods, the American edition will be a three-day celebration and symposium with renowned chefs, musical acts and international producers. Save the dates: Sept. 26–28.

“It’ll give us a great chance to include those who don’t always have a presence at these types of events,” Mulvaney says.

He’s excited to bring the world to Sacramento. Just like he brings Sacramento to the world.

Mulvaney’s B&L is at 1215 19th St.; mulvaneysbl.com; (916) 441-1771.

For information on Terra Madre Americas, visit terramadreusa.com.

Photography By Linda Smolek

Greg Sabin can be reached [email protected]. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: .

08/07/2025

Blossoms & Bees
Old Portuguese farm finds new life in Pocket
By Corky Mau

Four years ago, I wrote about an undeveloped Pocket property for sale. The 4-acre parcel stretched from Pocket Road to the Sacramento River. Descendants of Albert Mendes Rodgers, a Portuguese rancher, hoped new owners would restore the property to its former glory.
The parcel was sold in 2023 to Dawn McGuire and Aaron Burt. The buyers are siblings who envision an urban farm to honor the land’s history.

Now their long-range plans are underway. Outta Pocket Farm has chickens, ducks, beehives, artichokes, a pumpkin patch and “you pick” flower garden. Burt is a Kennedy High School graduate and general contractor. He says, “Our venture into urban farming has really taken a lot of dough outta our pockets.”

McGuire owned and operated Blooming Art, a local floral shop, and thought it made sense to cultivate flower plots on the farm.

My visit found rows of colorful, seasonal flowers. Customers include florists, floral designers, restaurants and the public. “You can create custom bouquets of flowers fresh from the field, a true farm-to-vase experience,” McGuire says.

Efforts to “declutter” the property are underway. Burt says, “We knew there would be challenges to clear and recondition the land. Masses of blackberry and grape vines have grown over neglected fruit and walnut trees. We’re clearing out dead trees to harvest more flowers and other edible crops. We’re also dealing with lots of deferred maintenance on the farmhouse and stable that were built in the 1880s.”
A few neighbors grumbled about noise from tractors, trucks and roosters. But McGuire says more typically the community gives support and positive words.

Kathy and Jaime Favila live next door. Kathy is a great-granddaughter of Albert Rodgers. Her mother was born in that 1880s farmhouse.

“We’re thrilled that Aaron and Dawn are breathing new life into the old family farm. It’s only a matter of time that the property will be restored back to its former glory,” Kathy says.

Plans include school field trips and holiday events. “We plan to expand our beehive area. Then we can increase our production of local honey, which is very popular with customers,” McGuire says. “We’d like to host workshops about sustainability and share the fruits of our labor with the community. Our mission is to cultivate the community alongside our flowers, pomegranate trees and pumpkins.”

The flower garden is open April through September, Monday to Friday, 8–11 a.m. at 7150 Pocket Road. For information, visit outtapocketfarm.com.

Photography by Aniko Kiezel

Corky Mau can be reached at [email protected]. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: .

08/06/2025

Strike Three
A’s shakedown was doomed from the start
By R.E. Graswich
I can’t say for sure when the experiment failed, but it was early in the baseball season. Around the time San Diego Padres fans outnumbered A’s supporters at Sutter Health Park.

Now the goal is to reduce the embarrassment, limit the damage and decide how the community endures another a year or two of A’s baseball without looking ridiculous.

This is what happens when a couple of rich guys pump their egos and advance their business plans by introducing a mediocre product nobody needs.

It’s what happens when owners try to disrupt success with something even better.

For 25 years, the region savored the sublime pleasures of minor league baseball at a jewel box in West Sacramento. The River Cats were fun to watch. Prices were reasonable. Beer was cold.

On summer nights at Sutter Health Park, equilibrium existed between entertainment value and social grace. There was no reason to change a thing.

Along came Vivek Ranadive and John Fisher. They had better ideas.

Ranadive, the Kings’ lead partner, bought the River Cats and their ballpark in 2022. Ranadive is a property developer. His affection for minor-league baseball presumably involves real estate near the Tower Bridge.

Fisher, a Gap clothing heir, needed housing for his Oakland A’s while haggling with Nevada authorities over a new stadium in Las Vegas. Fisher is the most reviled owner in Major League Baseball thanks to his reputation for cheapness and futility.

For Ranadive and Fisher, West Sac would be a safe harbor and launch pad.

By temporarily bunking with the River Cats, Fisher enjoys a rent-free stadium. He rings up the highest ticket prices in baseball, thanks to limited seats—14,000—at his temporary shelter. He keeps most of his Northern California TV money, about $67 million.

Ranadive also profits. He shares A’s ticket revenue with Fisher. And he gains a major league toehold, with dreams of an expansion team.

Meantime, what does the community get?

Before the season, baseball boosters, local politicians and media shills described the A’s as the opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to see big league baseball and prove Sacramento finally transcended its small-town image.

The narrative crashed with the first pitch. Visiting teams ridiculed the tiny ballpark. Sportswriters mocked the room set aside for interviews, which resembles a garden shed attached to a tent.

Before the All-Star break, luxurious outfield grass was fading, exhausted by endless games on a field shared by the A’s and River Cats. Fans who bought $250 A’s tickets in hopes of profiting from resale opportunities settled for quarters on the dollar.

Sacramento’s major league experiment backfired.

Blame several miscalculations. First was the belief that local fans love the A’s. They don’t. Never have. Sacramento has been a Giants town since 1958.

The Savage family—Susan Savage sold the River Cats and stadium to Ranadive—dropped the A’s and became the Giants’ Triple-A affiliate in 2014. The move instantly rejuvenated ticket sales.

Another miscalculation was the notion that a minor league ballpark would charm visiting major league teams, making them ignore the provincial, substandard realities of a bush league facility. Social media ridicule took flight on opening day.

Finally came the tease that local enthusiasm about the A’s would convince Major League Baseball to include Sacramento in expansion plans.

In the real world, ticket sales are practically irrelevant. Major League Baseball wants owners who convince cities to finance billion-dollar stadiums and fill them with corporate suites and premium sponsorships.

The A’s experiment proves the elusiveness of gold-plated partnerships on the banks of the Sacramento River. This is a government town, not Silicon Delta.

Here’s an analogy. The reason the Kings didn’t move to Seattle a decade ago was because NBA Commissioner David Stern wanted to save a small-market team.

If anyone thinks baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred shares Stern’s determination to stand up for Sacramento, I’ve got a Tower Bridge to sell you.

R.E. Graswich can be reached at [email protected]. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: .

08/05/2025

READERS NEAR & FAR

Dudley and Clover Wade with
Wall Street's Charging Bull in New York City.

Take a picture with Inside Sacramento and email a high-res copy to [email protected].

We cannot guarantee all photos will be printed or posted due to volume of submissions.

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08/05/2025

Only The Best
Farm to fork started with a box of yellow tomatoes
The farm-to-fork movement is more than farmers and chefs. Without a produce company to connect farms to kitchens, the region’s unique food system quickly unravels.

While some restaurants deal directly with farmers, in my 15 years in the industry, every kitchen where I worked relied on distributors. Most restaurants find it impossible to operate without them.

This is where Jim Mills came in. Working with Produce Express, he created a bridge between local farmers, food artisans and restaurants. He transformed the local dining scene.

Mills entered the hospitality industry as a bartender for Randy Paragary after graduating from Sacramento State. As Paragary opened more restaurants, Mills became a general manager and chef.

Along the way, Mills recognized the potential for farm to fork—ideal growing conditions for vegetables, fruits and herbs.

Mills and Paragary Executive Chef Kurt Spataro planted a garden at 28th and N streets, across from the group’s namesake restaurant. They grew basil and other herbs, squash and tomatoes.

After 25 years with Paragary, Mills became a salesman for Produce Express. The career move would last 18 years and inspire the farm-to-fork movement.

“I was able to create accounts because I had been a chef and knew the chefs that were in place at the moment,” Mills says. “As soon as I went to work at Produce Express, I immediately launched on this mission to get more local produce into local restaurants. I was able to put all those farmers into one place and allow the restaurants to order from one place.”

Mills had a blueprint, thanks to Alice Waters, founder of Berkeley’s Chez Panisse. “Alice brought it in direct from the farmers,” he says. “I brought it via a produce distribution company.”

Produce Express was a family business run by Jim and Barbara Boyce. Mills and the family began with two local farmers—Ray Yeung of Yeung Farms Specialty Produce and Suzanne Peabody Ashworth of Del Rio Botanical—to fill the needs of local chefs.

“Yeung happened to walk into our warehouse one day holding a box full of yellow tomatoes,” says J.B. Boyce, the founder’s son. “He was a Roma tomato grower for Campbell Soup and other companies and just mass produced tomatoes, the tomatoes you see in trucks going down the highway that bounce off and roll to the side of the highway.

“He got seedlings for a patch of Carolina Gold heirloom tomatoes and happened to walk up on our dock and said, ‘Hey, I got a whole field of these, and I have no idea what to do with them.’ I told him, ‘Sir, you can pack them in 10-pound boxes and bring them to me. I’ll be happy to pay you for them.’

“We developed the first relationship with Uncle Ray, as we call him, and that was our first true farm-to-fork farm.”

One day when Mills was driving back from Yeung’s farm, he passed Del Rio Botanical. The farmer, Peabody Ashworth, “was a seed collector who had several acres right along the Sacramento River,” Boyce recalls. “She grew different vegetables and herbs and spices just to collect the seeds, and she would sell those seeds worldwide. She was an instructor at UC Davis and had a network of customers buying her seeds.

“In her living room, she literally had a card catalog like you see in the library full of seeds from plants and herbs from all over the world, and because of the great Mediterranean-like ecosystem right there on the river, she could grow just about anything anybody in the world could grow, including avocados, bananas.”

Mills worked with Peabody Ashworth to grow whatever the produce company needed for chefs at Mulvaney’s, Waterboy, the Selland family and others.

Peabody Ashworth died in 2021, but Mills and the Produce Express team created a circular economy where growers and food artisans sell their products locally and earn sustainable incomes.

Local chefs capitalize on the bounty and biodiversity. They create dining opportunities that distinguish Sacramento as one of the most progressive, dynamic restaurants scenes in the nation.

Mills retired in 2017, but his passion for this unique growing region and dining scene is undiminished. Without prompting, he names 20 restaurants he considers distinctive and representative of the vibrant food culture—a movement he helped create.

Written By Gavrielle Myers
Photography By Aniko Kiezel

Gabrielle Myers can be reached at [email protected]. Her book of poetry, “Break Self: Feed,” is available for $22.99 from fishinglinepress.com. Her new book, “Points in the Network,” is on presale until Aug. 22 at fishinglinepress.com with a mid-October publication date. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: .

08/04/2025

Here is a link to Digital Publications, for all 4 markets
East Sacramento, Land Park, Arden and Pocket

Artist: In remembrance of Elaine Bowers on all 4 covers
https://insidesacramento.com/archives-and-e-editions/2025/

08/04/2025

Majority Rules
How easements became a bike trail stall tactic
Talking to a politician recently, I mentioned the need for elected officials to support public access along the Sacramento River Parkway.

This politician understands the problem: private fences blocking public access, a few homeowners trying to delay completion of the levee bike trail.

“I agree with you,” the politician tells me. “The city needs to finish the bike trail. The public needs access. But we have to respect those homeowners. They need compensation.”

Now I get frustrated. The politician, whom I’ve known for years and consider smart and informed, sounds oblivious to the biggest obstacle slowing the bike trail through Pocket and Little Pocket.

The politician doesn’t realize generous compensation has been offered and rejected—several times—by a handful of people whose backyards stretch near the levee bike path.

For these property owners, compensation isn’t the hangup. They hate the bikeway. They don’t want people riding and walking within sight of their homes.

For property owners near the levee, compensation is an excuse, not a reasonable demand. It’s a delay tactic.

None of this is news. Years ago, the city decided the best way to finish the parkway and eliminate private levee fences was to buy easements from reluctant property owners.

The city sent assessors around to determine fair easement values. The process was easy because the easements in question are imaginary lines drawn in theory. The legal basis for levee easements has never been established.

Some experts say yes, special recreational easements are needed for public access to certain sections of the levee.

Others disagree. They point out the state holds comprehensive ownership rights to the levee. The state’s Central Valley Flood Protection Board controls everything that happens along the river. It has for many decades.

First-year law students study property and easements. They learn the hallowed legal response, “It depends.”

Property rights and easements are called bundles of sticks. In the matter of parkway levees, the state holds the bundle.

Still, the easement question might be a reasonable debate if reasonable people were involved.

But the city doesn’t need legal debates. After promising the bike path in 1975, the city wants to finish the job.

Rather than argue about easements, rather than go to court and persuade a judge that the state owns the levees and controls public access, the city bowed to property owners near the levee.

The city offered cash to make peace and dissolve opposition to the bike trail.

How did the homesteaders respond? They slammed the door in the city’s face.

They ignored offers of taxpayer dollars for imaginary easements—paydays that could top $20,000 for fictional 12-foot strips atop the levee.

They turned down money and forced the city to finish easement discussions with eminent domain actions against the property owners.

These homesteaders can’t win in court. They can’t stop eminent domain once the city says it’s taking easements for public benefit. If the parkway bike trail isn’t a public benefit, nothing is.

Another problem for the property owners is their history of rejecting fair compensation offers. But remember, the levee easement debate has never been about compensation.

It’s about delaying and smothering the bike trail.

The city wants to wrap up the bike trail’s environmental requirements before it advances with eminent domain. Homeowners see the environmental process as one more chance to delay the inevitable.

Which is the saddest part of the parkway bike trail story.

A small group of property owners know they can’t stop the community from enjoying a world-class bike trail. Nonetheless, they’ve waged a 50-year battle to deny their neighbors the pleasure of walking or riding along the river.

When I mention this to my politician friend, there’s no pushback.

“When we weigh these questions, it’s a matter of who benefits most,” the politician says. “This time, it’s a couple dozen property owners vs. 500,000 city residents. Not a tough call.”

Written By R.E. Graswich

R.E. Graswich can be reached at [email protected]. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: .

08/01/2025

Future Shock
Blueprint shows troubles we face unless we change
“The Sacramento region continues to grow faster than almost any other place in California. But exactly how the region develops and what kind of quality of life its residents enjoy is up to us.”

So says the Sacramento Area Council of Government’s draft “Blueprint: Metropolitan Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy 2020-2050.”

How much the public can help shape the region’s future is an arguable point. But here are some projections from the plan that underscore why we need to try. Between now and 2050, the Sacramento area will:

—See its population grow by about 580,000 (more than the city’s current population or roughly equal to El Dorado, Yolo, Yuba and Sutter counties combined).

—Add about 278,000 new homes.

—Create about 263,000 new jobs.

The Sacramento Area Council of Governments understands sustainable regional growth. SACOG is federally designated to oversee transportation planning and distribute federal funds to the 28 local governments that make up its membership.

“Without thoughtful planning, we will continue to face a lack of housing that is affordable to our growing population, and we will struggle with longer commutes as the distance between new housing and new jobs increases,” the report says. “Our region’s precious farmland and natural landscapes could be diminished. And all of this could worsen air quality, health outcomes, and economic opportunity.”

In other words, if you think housing is expensive now, or that we already have too much traffic and long commutes and dirty air, we better step up and do what we can to help shape the future.

If we don’t, living here will get a lot worse.

But as the blueprint notes, if we are smart about how and where we grow we can reduce our dependence on cars, develop more compact and sustainable neighborhoods, preserve more open space, and provide more diverse and practical housing options. We can create and preserve communities that work.

SACOG is accepting comments on the blueprint draft until Aug. 8. You can give planners a piece of your mind on the SACOG website at sacog.org/planning/blueprint. If you read the 84-page document, you’ll find plenty to think about.

It covers population trends, employment, housing, traffic and traffic fatalities. It examines air quality and land-use decisions about the risks we face from fires and floods. It’s not light reading. But the region’s challenges are serious.

The blueprint contains copious amounts of data on the status of approved transportation projects and local government revenue outlooks. There’s an alarming section that examines why the region has so many traffic fatalities.

In addition to rapid growth projections, here are some key findings:

—Households will be smaller, our population older and more diverse.

—The region will have more jobs, more economic diversity and less reliance on the government sector.
—Most growth will be in existing cities, suburbs and small towns.

SACOG has already conducted considerable outreach to shape the draft blueprint. Adoption is scheduled for this fall.

The real test will be how local governments respond. The report is well done and authoritative. But it’s hardly revolutionary or innovative.

Its prescription for how the region should approach the next 25 years is sound and responsive to real-life opportunities and constraints. That should be good enough.

Political will is the tipping point. We all know we need more housing and a greater diversity of choices. Infill is better than sprawl. Yet we still make it too hard to get the right housing built in the right places.

A region where everyone needs a car is doomed to more traffic and dirtier air. We need more bike lanes, pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods, eclectic housing choices. We need to maintain existing infrastructure.

We can all weigh in and let SACOG know our concerns and ideas. But it comes down to resources and resolve.

The region has a mixed record on planning. Developers and other moneyed interests can dominate the discourse. The default posture for local government still seems to be competition for limited resources, rather than looking at what’s best for the region overall.

The SACOG blueprint provides answers. Now we get to see what the public and government officials do with the information.

Written By Gary Delsohn

Gary Delsohn can be reached at [email protected]. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: .

08/01/2025

Elaine Bowers

Elaine Bowers passed away earlier this year, used watercolors to capture the magic of Sacramento’s farmlands and delta. Her work has appeared on Inside Sacramento covers more than a dozen times.

Bowers’ portrayal of landscapes in both aerial and traditional perspectives earned her signature status in the National Watercolor Society and American Watercolor Society.

Visit elainebowersart.com

Bower’s paintings are on display through August 26 at the

Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento
2425 Sierra Blvd, Sac.

Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm and
Sunday 11:30 am to 2:30 pm.

07/31/2025

Trophy Kitchen
Mulvaney’s spreads word about regional delights
There may be no bigger advocate for Sacramento’s place in the culinary landscape than Patrick Mulvaney. His passion for the region’s food carries weight.

“The first question people ask is my opinion on any of a number of culinary questions,” he says. “But the second one should definitely be about the Sacramento region. It should be about what’s going on at UC Davis. It should be about what’s going on with the farmers throughout the region. It should be about what’s going on at the Capitol.”

If Mulvaney sounds like a professional advocate, it’s because he is one.

More than advocating for the town he calls home, Mulvaney fights for causes such as feeding hungry children and improving school lunches.

You’re as likely to find him at the state Capitol or in Washington as you are in the kitchen of his restaurant, Mulvaney’s B&L.

Coming to Sacramento in 1991 and opening B&L in 2006, Mulvaney has become the face of the city’s farm-to-fork identity.

His dedication to local farmers, ranchers, growers and artisans allows him and his team to promote the region’s food bounty. Through that advocacy, he’s helped other restaurants and farmers rise.

His restaurant receives acclaim from many organizations that hand out awards. Mulvaney’s drive, dedication and vision—along with his kitchen talents—are recognized as singular.

These days, executive chef John Trujillo and CEO Taryn Beltz run the day-to-day details at Mulvaney’s B&L. They produce dishes and dining experiences that extend Mulvaney’s legacy for excellence.

Seasonal focus shines in dishes such as corn-filled ravioli with wild mushrooms and spinach. Hand-cut tagliatelle with California asparagus, peas and a pistachio cream is delicious.

But both dishes will probably be off the menu when you read this. A few year-round favorites remain—think smoked salmon and Irish brown bread. Otherwise, the menu moves with the seasons.

The wine list is a study in strong choices. Bottles from Sonoma and Amador sit alongside standouts from Sicily and Alsace.

From sommelier to server, host to manager, Mulvaney’s B&L exudes casual confidence. Neither stuffy nor pretentious, every staff member treats their job with care and a nonchalance that makes for convivial dining of the highest caliber.

The bar, previously a four-seater in the back of the restaurant, has moved across the alley and now seats a convivial six, serving small bites.

Check out the B&L bar in August when it features calamari to match the installation of a giant squid sculpture at 19th and L streets, part of the second Saturday art celebration.

With Trujillo and Beltz at the controls, Mulvaney has time to bring younger generations into advocacy roles.

“Chefs are some of the most trusted people in our society,” he says. “What’s a more trusting act than asking someone to feed you?”

His goal is to train younger chefs and restaurateurs to make their voices heard.

“Whether it’s about seafood sustainability, regenerative farming or better school cafeterias, the folks in white coats can be great voices for their causes,” he says.

Mulvaney is a driving force in bringing the Terra Madre Americas event to town. Originally a gathering in Italy to celebrate traditional cooking and production methods, the American edition will be a three-day celebration and symposium with renowned chefs, musical acts and international producers. Save the dates: Sept. 26–28.

“It’ll give us a great chance to include those who don’t always have a presence at these types of events,” Mulvaney says.

He’s excited to bring the world to Sacramento. Just like he brings Sacramento to the world.

Mulvaney’s B&L is at 1215 19th St.; mulvaneysbl.com; (916) 441-1771.

For information on Terra Madre Americas, visit terramadreusa.com.

Written By Greg Sabin
Photography By Linda Smolek

Greg Sabin can be reached [email protected]. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: .

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