Tuesday November 10, 2015
Vixen Vittles ~ Formoli’s Bistro
We had a blast recently enjoying the ambience and fine cuisine of Formoli’s Bistro. Owner Suzanne Ricci invited us to check out the “digs” and to indulge – what’s not to love about that invitation? Formoli’s Bistro located in East Sacramento at 3839 J Street, is a perfect location to hold a wedding rehearsal dinner, private cocktail party, or any style of social. Executive Chef Aimal Formoli (and Suzanne’s hubby) created some awesome dishes (the restaurant is described as “New American” with European influences of Spain, Italy and France) – Chef chatted with us to explain the flavors of the many different dishes.
Vixen Kendra and Vixen Vendor photographer Meagan Lucy from Christopher Kight Photographers, arrived before the rest of us… apparently staving, they ordered an item off the Happy Hour Menu and snapped a photo of the Braised Lengua Tacos with avocado crèma, pickled cabbage and jalapeno slices.
When the rest of us arrived, we were served these beautiful and oh so delicious Stuffed Dates, Medjool dates stuffed with goat cheese and served atop picked endive with fennel salad. House cured bacon was sprinkled over the dates along with a drizzle of champagne viniagrette.
The Calimari was beautifully prepared, served with a Hoisin viniagrette, along with radishes, a bed of stir fry vegetables and pickled purple cabbage.
All of us love beets, and especially in the form of a tart fresh Beet Salad – red and golden beets were used, along with pickled fennel and carrot ribbons, fromage blanc , frisee and a small scoop of really tasty housemade granola. Unique!
Then Chef prepared a wonderful hearty dish – a combination of Flat Iron Steak and Scallops, served with Blue Lake green beans, mushrooms, spinach, summer squash and fried potatoes… all this presented on a fun miniature surf board.
For a vegetarian option, we got to feast on their Summer Vegetable Board comprised of Trumpet mushrooms, fingerling potatoes and quinoa… yummy!
And then to end a wonderful meal, Suzanne brought out a great assortment of Mini Tarts – chocolate, strawberry and carmel custard in a flaky phyllo dough, and we toasted ourselves, with a fantastic 10 year old Tawny Port. Big thank you to Suzanne and Aimal for treating us so well, and another huge thanks to Meagan for taking great food-porn photography!!
