I am a research fanatic. I need to know the details before committing to just about anything. Chalk it up to years and years of newspaper reporting and research. Knowing the whole story lets me filter, refine and produce a pithy, concise and complete articles.
Planning & Research pays off. Our trip quick trip to Sacramento yielded two great finds: A terrific breakfast/lunch cafe and a great deal on a hotel.
Katrina’s Cafe is a tiny building with about 14 tables — and heavenly food. It opens at 7 a.m. — and the regulars know to get there early. By 7:20 there was a waiting list. This cheerful, casual eatery is run by friendly folks who take food seriously.
The specials menu yields treats such as feather light lemon pancakes, seasonal pumpkin pancakes with a cranberry/cream topping and a Tuscan medley, along with more conventional breakfast choices. Our server said people start calling in August to ask when the pumpkin pancakes will be back on the menu. They really are that good.
Antique plates, old mirrors adorn the bright yellow walls — and give an atmosphere of being in my great aunt’s country kitchen. Full breakfast for 3 was $27 — and worth it! We highly recommend a visit. From I-80 take the Hwy 49/Grass Valley exit north. Katrina’s is two blocks up on the right.
Hotel Bonus — Those Expedia ads on TV are true! We found a 3-star hotel in downtown Sacramento for $37 ($49 with taxes). It was the Clarion. Yes it was older, but the bed was perfect — not soft, not hard. I’ve stayed in 4-star hotels with beds like rocks. The room was huge and clean; though the TV quite old. For an overnight, I’d stay there again.
Holly O'Driscoll 