Pages

Nov 12, 2008

Joie de Vivre Comes to Sacramento - The Citizen Hotel


I just had the opportunity today of touring the Citizen Hotel opening on J Street the end of this month. Wow! Are we in for a treat! Those of you familiar with Joie de Vivre Hotels know the thought, expertise, and flair that goes into their hotels.

The Citizen offers old-world grandeur and character. Built in 1926, the historic Cal Western Life building combines the allure of Sacramento’s distinctive past while providing all the luxuries and innovations of today. The décor reflects the elegance of a historic era, with ornate features such as vaulted ceilings, lead-paned windows, ornate woodwork, hand-crafted staircase railings and Italian marble refurbished to their original beauty. The ambiance is modern and intelligent, a celebration of legislature, culture and tradition.

The Citizen is within walking distance to the California State Capitol and the Sacramento Convention Center and directly across from Cesar Chavez Park and City Hall. It features Scandal - a unique,edgy yet polished cosmopolitain bar, 11,000 square feet of meeting space including a fabulous 3,000 square foot roof top tented terrace. (FYI- if you head down close to the hotel on Saturday morning you'll see the tent being installed via helicopter - surely, it will be a site!)

Located inside the Citizen Hotel is Grange, a culinary expression of all things local - an innovative farm-to-table restaurant. This new Sacramento restaurant’s setting is both classic and authentic. The two-story space combines architectural elements from the building’s rich history with exposed beams and concrete columns creating a loft-like atmosphere . Semi-private, clubby booths and the very private Citizen Room peer down to the main dining level from the mezzanine level above.

Grange's Executive Chef is Michael Tuohy, a 31-year veteran of the restaurant industry and leading proponent of the Slow Food Movement. Chef Tuohy hails from Atlanta where he worked at Murphy's restaurant - considered an Atlanta institution, and chef/owner of Woodfire Grill, which opened in 2002 and remains Atlanta's leading restaurant for local, seasonal, and organic cuisine.

Already booking up for Inagural events and Holiday parties, The Citizen will be a great addition to Downtown Sacramento and you can be certain that I'll be booking "Scandal" for and event very soon!

No comments: