East Sacramento

Elizabeth-Rose Mandalou, who owns Allora with her husband, chef Deneb Williams, recently jumped at the chance to open an East Sacramento restaurant after a popular family of florists retired and vacated their elegant contemporary brick building. Allora is definitely fine dining at its best.

Small-batch coffees brewed from beans harvested within the past 12 months are the rule at Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters, where the bean is king. Founded in 2008 by husband and wife Andy and Edie Baker, Chocolate Fish Coffee takes its product to extremes.

Southwestern cooking is a savory family affair at Nopalitos Southwestern Café, where husband and wife owners Dave and Rose Hanke (shown at right) share duties in the kitchen and front of the house. Opened in 1992 and packed with customers ever since, Nopalitos takes its name from the nopal cactus, a staple in Mexican kitchens beloved for its versatility and light, tangy flavor.

Sausage, tomatoes, potatoes, caramelized onions, olives and goat cheese provide essential sustenance at OneSpeed, a self-described “neighborhood pizza joint” whose ambition belies the name. This Sacramento restaurant opened in 2009 and was crafted around a bicycle theme.