Ravenous Cafe

The best kept secret in Sacramento. I am so glad this is across the street from me and I hope Ravenous will be around for many more years. The staff is amazing and friendly. The food has never disappointed me nor the size for its high end quality. And it tastes as good as it looks. Due to the limited number of seatings, reservation recommended or required.

Wow! What an awesome little place! Both the food and the service were awesome. We were looking for a great place to have a birthday dinner and live in Land Park. Most of our options pretty much meant going downtown, but nobody wanted to deal with parking, etc. I’m happy to say that I found Ravenous and didn’t have to worry about parking and walking, as we would need to do downtown (I was driving).
Not only was parking easy, but the food and service were amazing. It felt like a friendly neighborhood restaurant (the server knew almost everyone that came in) that served top quality cuisine at a reasonable price. I will definitely be back, most likely to bring out of town visitors for lunch.

Had one of the most wonderful lunches in my life today! This place is a true neighborhood gem! The place was tastefully decorated and we were greeted with a warm welcome!
The bread came first and was warm and perfect! Better than the bread on all the cruises I’ve ever been on!!!
Then came our first salad — the roasted beet salad. So delicious! Kept saying bite after bite how wonderful it was!
Next the spinach and strawberry salad with blue cheese and hint of ginger in the dressing which was another bite after bite amazing experience!
The highlight was the burger. Oh the bread!!! And the egg! And the meat was so juicy and PERFECTLY cooked. Hands down the BEST burger in my life!!!
Can’t imagine ANY other burger even coming close.
All in all a truly MEMORABLE experience!
We’ll be back!

Loved everything about this place. Décor was elegant and unique and set a romantic mood. April (our server) was so friendly, welcoming and attentive. She really took great care of us. The food was top notch. From the salads to dessert, we loved every bite. Beet salad was fantastic. My risotto with salmon was scrumptious and my husband’s Chilean sea bass was divine. Try the Portuguese mousse for dessert. Wow! Thanks for a great night.

Lovely place, great service The owner is awesome!!! The food is to die for, complements to the head chef.
Love coming here.

Step 1: open the phone app on your handheld computer and talk to Wade about when you want to visit.
Step 2: prepare to be blown away by food created by someone who truly cares about his craft served in an unpretentious but upscale atmosphere.
Step 3: eat anything Wade recommends.
I can’t stress enough that you need to make reservations. This is an intentionally small restaurant — they want to create an individual experience for you and your party. Three people, including the chef, work here during peak hours.
I enjoyed the halloumi, crab cakes, potato leek soup, risotto, and cheesecake. Everything was made to perfection and the owner made a very special night even more lovely. Thank you!

I went there for the first time tonight. I had the lamb and my girlfriend had the salmon risotto. We topped it off with some cheesecake and sea salt and caramel gelato. Everything exceeding my expectations. My lamb was cooked to perfection and my wine was paired nicely.
Our waitress April was incredibly accommodating. I forgot the name of the gentleman working behind the bar, but he was a stand up guy. You can tell they both care about making sure you have a good experience.
Its hard to come up with an adjective to describe the ambiance here. Smooth and classy come to mind, but not at in a stuck up way. They had jazz playing with some dim lighting. It wasn’t any generic elevator jazz, but something cool like Coltrane. Everyone seemed to have a glass of wine and they definitely seem to have their regulars. Overall I had a wonderful dining experience and I will definitely coming back!

Ravenous? Yes, indeed.
Tucked away in such an unassuming space in Greenhaven, this fancy shmancy restaurant will surprise you beyond your preconceived notions.
For such urbane dining one would expect company among finer establishments within the vicinity. Kudos to the owners and/​or chefs basically saying, «Location, location? Nah, whatever, our food will lure them in.» Confidence and class intact, get ready to be impressed ~
Soup — tomato-​apple wood smoked, feta, micro greens.
Main 1 — pan seared filet mignon, garlic-​leek mashed potatoes, asparagus, patty pan squash, green peppercorn-​cabernet reduction.
Main 2 — pan seared day boat scallops, tarragon Israeli couscous, baby carrots, spinach, brussels sprouts, red bell pepper crema.
Those were the dinner specials that night, and my goodness were they sublime. Service was also exceptional. Everything was well worth the detour.

I’ve probably had this place bookmarked for over a year… It’s a fancy restaurant, disguised inside a mediocre shopping center in Greenhaven. Don’t judge a book by its cover!
The restaurant was a lot smaller than it looks from the outside. There are literally less than 10 tables, no wonder they take OpenTable reservations! Which I did by the way, but didn’t need it even though it was a Friday during peak dinner time.
The server was sooooo nice, I’m ashamed I didn’t even catch her name. She was incredibly friendly and personable. We both have server backgrounds so when we see a great server they really stand out to us. I mean she even took a table’s leftover water glasses after they left and used it to water the plants outside… We also appreciated that she didn’t discriminate against us because we look like kids eating in a fancier restaurant than we should be eating at. If you’re reading this, we are the ones who left you the note!
As for the food, wow, equally amazing! We started off with the tomato applewood smoked soup with feta cheese and micro greens. You could really taste the smoky flavor and it went well with the crunchy bread they bring to the table! The soup was actually very filling too. I ordered the crab cakes with spicy corn tomato relish, which is under the small plate category but it really filled me up. The crab cakes were tender and not dry at all, which most crab cakes tend to be. I want some more now!
Ravenous is truly a hidden Sacramento gem — don’t underestimate it by its location or its exterior! Give it a shot for a nice dinner out!

The restaurant is on the smaller side, tables fairly close, and décor is modern. My friend and I came here for lunch and were greeted right away from the friendly owner it seems. They have complimentary bread and butter, which I’m glad we decided to get after passing it up initially. The bread was warm and soft on the inside and had the perfect crunch on the outside.
I ordered the mixed greens salad that came with strawberries and pear. I had really wanted to add chicken to it but they do not make any additional changes to their dishes, which was a bummer but I understand that the chef had specific preparations. The salad itself was tasty and all ingredients were fresh. My friend ordered a sandwich with a side of potatoes which looked tasty as well.
I would definitely come back to order something other than a salad.

An unbelievably charming café nestled in a small strip mall in the Pocket, I was stoked to finally make my way over after hearing raves from all my friends who grew up in the area.
As soon as I opened the door, I was warmly greeted with big smiles from the hostess and the manager behind the bar. I put my wine down on the table while I popped back outside to help my parents in and she was already in the process of opening it without having to ask. The little things always count.
Interestingly enough, the starters turned out to be the stars of the evening by the way of a huge bowl of fresh, smoked paprika mussels as well as a delightful mound of shelled escargot atop a perfectly cooked portabella cap. The sourdough bread was great too as it came straight out of the oven. For veggie lovers, I found the baby kale salad delicious with its pearl onions and pecorino although the portion size was definitely on the smaller side.
For small plates and entrees, it was a bit of a mixed bag. My pan seared duck breast was solid and in retrospect, I should’ve gone with the hostess’ recommendation to cook it medium as my medium-​rare was surprisingly chewy and worked against the bird unlike cattle. Beneath, the purple mashed potatoes were very tasty and softly sweet yet it certainly wouldn’t have been my first choice to pair with duck.
Ravenous’ take on surf & turf with filet mignon and seared diver scallops was quite good — tender and nicely seasoned steak that would’ve benefited from a stronger char matched with the aforementioned potatoes and roasted brussies. The best of the trio, which leads me to the pan seared lamb T-​bones. While I enjoyed the sweetness of the blueberry-​port wine reduction, the lamb itself was tough and sinewy despite being medium rare… a considerable step down from rack of lamb.
On the sweet side, some salted caramel gelato was very good and curiously tasted like banana… minor detail.
Overall, my parents and I had an exceptional overall dining experience when we factor in the ambiance and stellar service. However, I can’t quite bump Ravenous to 4+ stars as the larger plates were so inconsistent given the high price point. I’d recommend this place for a smaller meal consisting of the small plates & salads in a heartbeat. For a 3-​course meal? Not so much.

I’m always for these little restaurants hidden where no one would expect (in a strip mall by a 24-​hr fitness!?) that turn out to be some sort of hidden gem. The rave reviews from Unilocal helped me find this place, but I’m not sure I got the same experience as everyone else.
I believe it’s the owner that works the front of the house. He’s really nice and personable, but almost to a fault. I’m not too picky about service, but playing up the food, saying it’ll be «worth the wait» (he said our table will be delayed due to a large party coming before us) really raises expectations, perhaps beyond what can be delivered.
The mussels came first. These were the star of the night. The creamy sauce was savory and delicious, and we asked for more bread to sop up every last drop. The main courses, however, were a bit lackluster.
I got the filet mignon. Served with very classic sides: mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts, it was topped with chimichurri, which seemed out of place. Overall, I don’t think the dish worked.
My girlfriend got the lamb t-​bone, which was better than the steak. We love lamb, but that also means that we have tried many lamb dishes over the years to compare this to. Although the dish was good, we have had better for about the same price at many restaurants around the bay area, which also have to pay much higher rent. At $ 30, instead of t-​bone, we would have liked to see rack of lamb, which is a much tastier cut.
Overall, while the dishes the restaurant served up were good, for the price, there are many tastier alternatives.

What a sweet little spot. Came here for Valentine’s Day and was allowed in a few minutes early by a NEARLY (but not quite) too-​cheerful man (presumably the manager? Not sure). Cute interior despite a sort of strip mall kind of location.
Everything we ordered was awesome. I can’t remember the exact name of the appetizer we had but it was a huge bowl of mussels, and bang-​for-​buck was the best deal we had. We also got a dessert that currently escapes my mind but I recall that also being delicious. We were served largely by two folks (man & woman) who were VERY attentive and friendly.
Great spot for a nice but not overly fancy or expensive special occasion dinner.

If it weren’t for Unilocal and you just happened to come across this place, you wouldn’t think much of it. It’s a small little café in a crowded plaza. However, once you try the food you know you’ve found something special. While we were in this part of Sac, I asked hubs if we could come here for lunch. I had read lots of good things about this place so I was very excited to try it out.
It was rather quiet on a Saturday, not sure when this place gets poppin. The manager was very friendly and provided excellent service. We ordered some season specials off the menu. I had a very delicious smoked salmon sandwich. Everything was very fresh and uniquely put together. The food was flavorful and not overly salted.
It’s a great place for any meal. Would love to come back for dinner.

This place is a true hidden gem. Located in a strip mall — It’s totally understated.
The atmosphere is pretty nice, although not so stuffy that it makes you feel weird about coming in jeans and t-​shirt. My boyfriend and I wandered in on a warm Saturday afternoon. We were gonna sit on the patio, but it seemed a bit warm… So we changed our mind and moved inside. Waiter was nice about it, even though he had prepped everything outside.
We got a couple of glasses of wine — Things that the waiter recommended. Both were very good. I rather like the bread that comes with your meal. I ordered a smoked salmon sandwich and the b/​f ordered a sandwich as well. Both very good!
We also splurged for dessert. It was a port and berry gelato that was soooo creamy good. The waiter also gave me a little extra wine on account that it was the last of bottle.
Definitely a keeper on my list of places to go. Good for special occasions or if you just feel like treating yourself.

We came here for our pre-Valentine’s Day dinner since we got a gift card from an aunt in Seattle during Christmas. I had never heard of it before but I’m so glad she found it on trip advisor because it was great!
When we first got there, it didn’t seem anything special as it was a small restaurant in a shopping plaza with limited parking. We walked in and had reservations so were seated immediately, the restaurant was dark and had a romantic feel.
We decided to share the crab cakes for appetizer and it was AMAZING! I’m a huge fan of crab cakes so was super excited that theirs was great, it also came with a corn and tomato salad on the side which was refreshing and different than what I’m used to.
For our entrees I had the steak and crab and he ordered their special for the night which was the lamb chop, both cooked medium well. The steak was good but dipped in the sauce, it was transformed. Very yummy and filling even though it was only a 6oz, and of course I got more of the delicious crab cake! I’m not a fan of lamb but my boyfriend loved it. Even though we were pretty full, we decided to share their cheesecake.
The best part of the experience was definitely the service! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted, seated right away. The owner/​waitress were very attentive and even the chef came out to ask us how our meals were. I would definitely recommend this place for a nice date night!

We came here for our pre-valentine’s day dinner. The run down:
First impression — in the same shopping center as 24 hour fitness. Parking was a little hard but not bad. The restaurant is small, dark, with a casual feel. Nothing exceptionally fancy about the décor, but it still felt romantic.
Service — GREAT! The lady and the cook are so sweet and I can tell they have a lot or regulars. They are extremely welcoming but yet not overwhelming or pretentious.
Food —
Appetizer: We had the sauteed organic mushrooms as appetizer. It has various types of mushrooms cooked with basil and wine. You can taste the wine, but it didn’t take over the natural flavors the mushrooms usually give off when sauteed. Very well done.
Entrees: I had the Risotto with prawns and cherry tomatoes. I was a huge fan of the dish — such a huge fan that I tried to finish it all but couldn’t. I stuffed myself until I was full and had about 3 spoonfuls left and was debating if I should have taken it to go. LOL
My husband had the lamb, which was the special for the night. He wanted it cooked medium, but it came out more of a medium well which resulted in dryness. He wasn’t a big fan of the lamb or the brussel sprouts it was served with, but liked the mashed potatoes. It wasn’t bad though, as he finished all on his plate.
Dessert: I didn’t want any dessert as I was too full, but we ordered the crème brûlée to share. It was good.
Overall, I liked this restaurant and thought it was a great find. The prices were reasonable and again, the service was SO GOOD. I would recommend this place. :)

This is a hidden gem! Small, quiet, and perfect for a date night. The boyfriend and I have been here 2 times now and it never disppoints!
Both times we ordered the organic mushrooms starter. amazing! Perfect amount of white wine and butter (?) Gets my taste buds rolling!
This time we ordered off the daily specials menu: pan seared scallops. came with 2 large scallops over shiso leaf. It was yummy! The scallops were cooked to perfection with a slight crisp to it… not over cooked either! The bf ordered the rib eye special and I tried a small piece. It was delicious with a cracked peppercorn sauce to it. Came with fingerling potatoes, cauliflower & Brussel sprouts. Yum!
And I ordered a small plate as my dinner: the duck breast over celery root mash and a tamarind reduction. Sooo juicy and tender. with a slight crisp to the skin!
Everything about this place is so perfect.

Beautiful and intimate setting. Food obviously made with love and care. Cornered table by the spacious window allows an entire view of the cozy restaurant. Staff were nice and friendly. Reservations are recommended.
Gentlemen, I suggest this spot for a romantic date night. Ladies, I suggest you to order everything on the menu.

UTTERLY ORGASMIC !!! BEST MEAL OF THE YEAR! My wife and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary here and we were amazed from start to finish!
This is a small romantic restaurant in the heart of the pocket area!
I called wade to make reservations a week prior and told Wade that my wife was gluten, dairy, corn and red meat free (rheumatoid arthritis) He said he could make us meal that met all of her dietary needs! HE KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK! Not only did he do it, but it was the most delicious meal my wife has eaten since making all of her dietary changes at the beginning of the year! It has been incredibly difficult to do date nights, but wade and his staff made it seem so easy!
Let me tell you a little bit about what we had !
APPETIZERS
Sauteed organic mushrooms which were
Alba clamshells, trumphet royale Brown clamshells, forest nameko, maitake basil in a white wine !!
We also had a caprese salad with burrata mozerella, heirloom tomatoes, basil, olive oil, balsamic and vinegar!
ENTREES
COQ AU VIN BLANC (chicken)
Mushroom, baby carrots, baby spinach with garlic leek mashed potatoes.
BRAISED LAMB SHANK
blue cheese-​herb polenta, brussels sprouts, mache, baby carrots, braising jus
DESSERT
lemon ginger sorbet!
Start to finish this place is amazing! If you’re looKing to impress someone or just simply enjoys high quality organic farm to fork food, this is the place for you!
Thank you Wade and April for our amazing food and top notch customer service!