Thursday, July 2, 2015

Magpie Cafe - the Newpie!

1601 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 452-7594

We have had a long love affair with Magpie Cafe. One of our founding members worked in a restaurant with co-owner Ed when they were both just young whippersnappers. When Magpie opened on R Street, we had to check it out and have been devoted fans every since. It's one of the few places we go more than once a year and it's a favorite spot for birthday Thursdays where we pack in 20 people at a odd shaped table configurations and have a blast.

So, when Ed & Janel asked if we would like test out the "Newpie" before they open to the public we yelled, YES PLEASE!

The place was filled with over 40 folks wearing the Magpie uniform of black and yellow outfit complete with magpie mask and ready to break in the new space. Modesto Bitters (sweet vermouth & soda) and Honey Shades (lemonade & pilsner) in hand, we embarked on an evening of Magpie goodness.

Let's start with the space. They are on the corner of 16th & P as the anchor of the 16 Powerhouse project with neighbors such as Orchid Thai and Insight Coffee. On the P Street side, they have a non-smoking/dog-friendly patio with tables, benches and a gorgeous one-ton slab of tree that serves as a place to sit, set your drink or place your cheese plate while mixing and mingling or waiting for a table inside. The wood fencing was reclaimed from the trees that were removed for the construction.

With more space and higher ceilings, the inside is a sexy black with huge windows that open to the street. During the daytime it is bright and light and at night it gets moody and full of ambiance. There is a beautiful zinc bar with many more seats than the R Street location and a full bar with RC Cola on tap. That is just rad!

They open on Monday, July 6th and you'll see some of the old favorites plus a couple of new items as they get acquainted with the new place and see what they can do with a couple of fryers, a new salamander and a bit more space. We look forward to see what new favorites they come up with.

And don't worry, Yellowbill with still be keeping you flush in baked goods and espresso while the R Street location will hatch into a new concept called Nido in the next month or so.

Congratulations Ed, Janel & all the Magpies!

We try to be gracious guests. Black & yellow.
We're crafty
The welcome!
Panzanella
Such a great cheese board
White bean puree with mushrooms is back! I could roll around in this.
Mussels!

Most of the privileged guests


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