Brunch is pretty much my #1 favorite meal on the planet. (I mean, have you seen all the delicious food from my Yountville trip??) So when my cousin Stacey suggested brunch to celebrate my birthday this year, it only took about 0.268 seconds to shout "YASSS!" *praise hands*
I chose Pushkin's because the bakery and restaurant are beloved Sacramento staples, and it's been on my radar for a while, but I've never been before. This seemed like as good a time as any to try something new, and it was also the perfect midpoint for Stacey and I to meet. So we wrangled up our boyfriends, and we head out for our morning double date...
Pushkin's is located on Capitol Ave, in the popular neighborhood of Midtown. Luckily for us, at 11 o' clock on a Thursday morning, they weren't too busy, and it had a more relaxed vibe for brunch. White walls, polished concrete floors, and an open kitchen give the space a bright and modern feel (very on-trend), but the wooden accents everywhere make it casual and inviting. Especially the long, communal redwood table that spans the length of the restaurant. (Fun fact: I learned that co-owner Danny Turner built the furniture himself!)
The unique thing about Pushkin's is that they are a completely gluten-free establishment. They also offer a vegan menu and dairy-free options, and a quick visit to their website shows a claim of "100% all-natural." This is obviously a great spot for diners with dietary restrictions, or even groups that have a mix of needs. There's truly something here for everyone. I personally don't have any food allergies or specific restrictions, but my boyfriend Kevin and I do love exploring better/healthier options when we can. We were drawn to Pushkin's because we can go hearty for brunch, but still feel good about it. The menu is unique as well, with a vibrant array of dishes that includes a mushroom po boy and sunnyside chicken rolled tacos.
I could tell that Stacey and her boyfriend Jeff were a little skeptical about the food (generally, most people are once "healthy" starts getting thrown around), but I can happily report that everyone walked out that day as very satisfied customers. They each ordered sandwiches--crispy chicken for her, reuben for him--and also got sweet potato fries on the side. I stole a few bites off of Stacey's plate and was pleasantly surprised by the fries. Too many times I've had soggy sweet potato, but these were extra crispy and delish! I also loved her tomato soup. It was rich, silky, and perfect for dunking...dunking bread, fries, pieces of chicken, etc. Really tasty!
Kevin got the shakshouka, a bowl of soft, baked eggs in a spiced tomato sauce. He'd never tried it before, but instantly fell in love with it. He said he could probably eat two or three more platefuls easily. And of course, all the bread you see here is gluten free!
My brunch choice was the chicken and waffle, and what a very delicious choice it was...The chicken strips were crispy on the outside and still juicy on the inside, and I really liked the seasoning on the crunchy crust. The waffle was also pillowy soft and fluffy. At the end of the meal, our server brought out the cutest blueberry coffee cake with a candle on it! The cake was moist, with a crumbly topping and sweet bursts of blueberry.
Again, it blew my mind a little that it was all gluten-free. I tip my hat to owner Olga Turner for coming up with these recipes. The flavor and texture of everything was fantastic! I'm excited to come back and try even more from the menu, and I'll keep Pushkin's on my list of go-to places for brunch.
The location also makes it a prime spot to walk to other great places. One of my favorite dessert spots ever, Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates, is just a 2-minute walk around the corner! You could also head to the Downtown Commons by Golden 1 Arena, like we did, and grab some boba at RareTea. (Strawberry 2.0 is ah-maaazing) There's so much to explore downtown!
I'm officially 29, and I couldn't have thought up a better way to kick off this final year of my 20's than with great food, loved ones, and a little adventure in the city. Cheers to an exciting and an even brighter new year!
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