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    Prelude Kitchen & Bar

    4.2 (610 reviews)
    Open 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Prelude Kitchen & Bar Photos

    Business Info

    PRELUDE KITCHEN & BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Intimate
    Classy
    Upscale

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    Recommended Reviews - Prelude Kitchen & Bar

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    Pork Chop
    Johnnie M.

    Came here for dinner. It wasn't as packed for a Friday night, but overall great ambience. Our waiter was very attentive for our party of 8. Great service. I got the pork chops cooked medium. Came out perfect and definitely recommend. The spicy blackberry smash was delicious too.

    Small Side Ceasar -- mmmm delicious
    Annie X.

    From the entrance to being seated, we were greeted respectfully by the host. The waiter came to explain the menu with great service. Once we received our starter, salad, to entree...we were very pleased and satisfied with how everything tasted. Overall dining experience here was 100!

    Mocktail with NA Tequila
    Felicia P.

    I have been here for a handful of Happy Hours- never for a full on meal. But their HH menu is pretty excellent! Happy Hour is Mon-Fri 4-6pm (only as walk in and at the bar). I usually get 3-4 food options and split with a friend. They do offer mocktails as well! The greeter is always very welcoming - the ambiance always very nice- but service can be a bit hit or miss. If you aren't in a rush- it's nice. Everything I have had here was delicious!

    Birthday Dinner
    Parveen L.

    First time at Prelude Kitchen and Bar. Booked a table for 10 to celebrate my sister's birthday. Not busy, the staff were friendly and we were greeted upon entry and seated immediately. The added a happy birthday into the flowers, nice touch. Greeted my sister upon her arrival by name and a happy birthday. Sweet. The food, this is what Farm to Fork is all about. We skipped appetizers but did order the bread with cranberries, deliciously soft with the fresh butter. Mary's Half Chicken served with Brussel sprouts Beef Everything was good, cooked to perfection. Menu does change seasonally, so do check before you go. Lovely meal and ambiance if you want low key, luxe feel. Xoxo

    Ling Cod
    Maricris R.

    We walked into a spacious restaurant with dainty wall decors and amazing light fixtures hanging from the ceiling. We were certain it's going to be an epic evening! True enough, our server was on the dot with our drinks, starters, and my Ling Cod for the main menu. The food and dessert was fabulous ! I would totally recommend this place when in Sacramento! Just a great place overall! The parking can be a challenge. We walked two blocks away and counted our steps in:)

    Pumpkin Gnudi - solid choice
    Kate F.

    We got the delicata squash as an appetizer and it was an amazing combo of flavors . I also liked that it was a unique dish. I got the pumpkin gnudi for my main dish. It was a good savory dish but I am not sure I would order it again. My friend got the pork chop and which I wouldn't normally order but it was cooked to perfection and I wouldn't probably get that if I visited again. The service was top notch. Our waiter was friendly and when he didn't know where to recommend for bars, he sent someone else over to let us know the different areas and a couple Of suggestions while we were in town

    Prelude sign with Capitol
    Alex S.

    Prelude is located directly across the street from the Capitol. It was our first time there and we were celebrating two birthdays (mine and my sister in law). We wanted to try somewhere we had both never been before, and we had heard good things! Prelude has a great menu and bar/cocktail list. Our server was usually one of the bartenders, and he recommended the pear side car which was delicious! It was not overly crowded on a Friday night and has a nice, quiet atmosphere. They also gave us birthday centerpieces with flowers and a happy birthday topper. All the food was delicious! The Brussels sprouts were great for sharing and super tasty. The bone marrow wasn't enough for five people to share, so I didn't try that one but everyone seemed to enjoy it. The mushroom mousse was unique but not a stand out for me. Our salads were good and my brother in law enjoyed the broccoli cheddar soup. There was a bit of a longer lull in between courses than we were expecting, and they did seem to be a bit understaffed. The entrees were all super flavorful and delicious. They have the flavors right although I wish my short rib had come out a bit hotter. We were celebrating, so we opted in for dessert even though we were full! The desserts were all great, and good for sharing. We enjoyed our meal and experience here. I think I can definitely see us coming back for a date night or other special occasion, as long as we're not in a hurry!

    Rochelle S.

    We had a team dinner here last night and I have to say, it was a great experience. Our server Veronica (I hope Im right! She was awesome!) was amazing and has the best memory! She remembered all orders! Excellent service from everyone! We ordered 3 different appies, the pear was amazing!! 6 different entrees and drinks! I had affogato for dessert and it was phenomenal. Ambiance as always is beautiful. This is my 2nd time here- one was a date night and now with a group, both are amazing experience!!

    R. L.

    Food was great! Drinks were strong and we had a great time. I was here for a business meeting and the staff was so pleasantly nice I will definitely return the next time I'm in Sacramento

    I asked for no mushroom in my capellini but yet they added it
    Gena K.

    Very weird vibes. I came alone on a Monday evening and sat at the bar. The woman bartender named Ray I think was new but she was nice and friendly. The man bartender named Jacob gave weird vibes and wasn't all that friendly to me because he was too busy with the regulars or people he knew. The wine I got was good. The capellini pasta with added shrimp was a joke because it was $40 for a few bites!

    Fixed Valentine menu: $125 + $59 drinks = $184/person. We didn't get drinks.
    Rachel L.

    I made a reservation for Valentine's Day a month ahead, making sure there was nothing about a specific overpriced menu on the site or reservation. I spent hours researching where to go, and picked an early time so we could find parking and it wouldn't be overcrowded. We showed up and there was an overpriced fixed menu. Then, when I said we wouldn't be ordering drinks, they didn't take our food order (for the one option of main course). After 30 minutes of nothing but water, I stopped a random waiter to ask. We got the first food over 45 minutes after arriving as the second table of customers. Maybe they thought we'd leave and eat the cost of a cancelled reservation? Also, my food restriction of no tomatoes wasn't recorded, and multiple items were things I can't eat. Then they brought us the amuse bouche twice, and my wife said the ceviche lacked flavor. I don't eat ceviche, but it was a tiny tortilla over a dot of avocado. The salad was spinach with fruit snd tiny raw onions, no dressing. She said it was weird and I don't eat raw onion. The soup she describes as the same as cheap tomato soup, I couldn't eat it. While the manager was apologetic and asked, "is there anything I can do?" I'm not rude enough to ask for a comped drink, but they did comp 10% off the bill when it came ($25 off $270). I only ate two courses of five, and we didn't get drinks. The waiters were polite and attentive after we had our order in. Mitch was professional and made the experience a little better. The filet mignon was supposed to be medium for both, but mine was rare, and the potatoes were undercooked. The dessert was a matcha cheesecake and for some random reason the crust was thick Oreo cookies. I had to use two hands on the fork to get through it, and my wife's was burnt. The only good part was the strawberry gelato intermezzo, but we were left with bloated bellies from an odd assortment of food and were both still hungry. Ambiance was okay, but definitely not worth nearly $300.

    Crème brûlée was good!
    Terry C.

    Went here for a work dinner. The ambiance had it. The service was good, but most of us were just meh about the food. I had some of the pasta and it was just ok.

    Buttermilk Brined Half Chicken
    David Y.

    As many times that I've visited the State Capital, I'm surprised that it's taken as long as it has to actually learn about and visit the Prelude Kitchen and Bar. On this particular occasion, I visited with a large group of folks and my experience, which was very positive, was expressed by the others in my group. On this occasion, we were greeted by a very friendly group of staff. They could not have been more accommodating both in adding patrons and tending to requests we had. I realize that large groups could get lost amidst a dinner rush, but such was absolutely not the case. The team was helpful and supportive throughout with wine and food suggestions that were spot on. My review today is going to be on my entrée. I chose the Buttermilk Brined Half Chicken (this is not a fried chicken) rather something along the pan seared side with a finish in a roasting oven. This chicken was juicy with a nice color and crisp and topped and accented with a unique and solid version of salsa verde served atop fingerling potatoes and very tasty and perfectly cooked pole beans. To enhance this even further is a perfectly balanced Jus with a great balance of sodium and fat. This dish was excellent and I give it 5 stars. Prelude Kitchen and Bar has found a new fan in me. From beginning to end, I was impressed by every aspect of what they do. A creative and very tasty set of options to accommodate just about every palette. This was not my last visit to the Prelude Kitchen, rather the first of many. Their beverages were abundant with solid wine options to fit most every preference both in taste and in price. Bravo to the team for providing such a wonderful and fun experience!

    Bourbon pecan cake

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    Page 1 of 16

    Ask the Community - Prelude Kitchen & Bar

    Is dog allowed in the outdoor dining area?

    Can we bring our own bottle of wine, if so what is the corkage fee?

    Yes, corkage is $20 per 750ML bottle.

    Can the vegetarian entree be made dairy free or vegan?

    Yes it can upon request!

    Is there happy hour? I didn't see on website but thought it could have it.

    Yes! Monday-Friday from 4:00-6:00 at the bar and high top tables!

    View All 7 Questions

    Dive Bar

    Dive Bar

    3.2(989 reviews)
    0.1 miDowntown
    $$

    After leaving the Crest Theatre, my girl and I walked across the street to The Dive Bar to end the…read morenight. Security checked our IDs at the door, and once we walked in, the bar area was packed. Luckily, there were reserved booths nobody was using and my girl, and I sat there since the main bar was crowded. It actually worked out perfect for us. It gave us space to sit, relax, and have a good conversation without feeling cramped. We ordered a couple of colorful drinks that were nicely balanced and flavorful, not too overpowering, and easy to enjoy. The music was hip-hop which is right up my alley, so the vibe was definitely on point. What really stood out was the atmosphere. I've never been in a bar quite like this where jellyfish were hanging from the ceiling, and a whole underwater theme. I was told a mermaid appears over the bar at certain times, but sadly, I didn't get to see her this visit. Overall, it was a great spot to end the night after the movie. Good drinks, good music, and a unique sea-themed vibe. If I return, I will hope to see a mermaid

    If you want to be charged a cover to get into a place where you'll be comepletely ignored by…read morebartenders, harassed by security and patrons and allegedly have to worry about your drink being accompanied by something a little extra...just so you can see a "mermaid" swim around in a fish tank then this is the perfect place for you. The bar tenders have horrible customer service even when the bar isn't busy. It seems like they rather hang out and chat with regulars and friends than serve paying customers. The security guards we're blatantly discriminating against my friend for no good reason. Also, security apparently accepts bribes at the front door to let people in, so much for safety. The drinks were in my opinion overpriced and didn't taste good. Maybe I'm biased because my whole experience here put a complete sour taste in my mouth. Then, to top it all off my friends and I were being harassed by two patrons who had clearly been overserved the entire time we were there. We had no choice but to leave and we will never be back again! After visiting I wanted to leave a review because I felt other people should steer clear. To my surprise, I read reviews here that mentioned almost the exact experience we had. So, this is not an isolated incident and Dive Bar has not taken our comments into consideration. Disclaimer: I did not have this experience, but it was very disheartening to see all the reviews, tik toks, reels, etc. I found after visiting Dive Bar in which women and men are claiming to have been roofied. This may or may not be true, but it can't be a coincidence this many people have had the same experience. There needs to be an investigation into this bar. I myself will be placing a call to the BBB and I hope that anyone who has had that experience feels empowered to speak to the authorities.

    Photos
    Dive Bar
    Dive Bar - Inside

    Inside

    Dive Bar

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    The Jungle Bird - Jungle Bird

    The Jungle Bird

    3.8(842 reviews)
    1.1 miMidtown
    $$

    We stopped by there yesterday! What an amazing place!!! Ginger was awesome!!! It's a hidden gem!!read more

    This little piece of Hawaiian paradise is so much fun! Now that there are a few tiki bars in town…read moreto choose from, the Jungle Bird still holds its own for some kitschy tiki vibes. Think dive bar meets aloha: it's crowded and dark, nicely furnished and decorated with island style, and serves amazing tropical drinks and food. We went recently for the Aftershock 2026 promotion night. First 100 drinks were on them, and they had a raffle for a pair of tickets! There was a long line when we pulled up, but luckily, my friend was able to snag a reservation right at the start of the promo. (Pro tip: always MAKE RESERVATIONS!) I know it's just a bar, but they are so busy most nights, you will be grateful you got in right away and get to sit down at a table. They also have a patio for more seating. The bar itself is small and is right at the front, so it's crowded right as you walk in. The host stand is to the right. Service was very welcoming and polite albeit slow, just for the fact that it was a very busy night. The mai tai and pina colada were delicious, fruity, and strong. We ordered Spam fried rice (my favorite), chicken potstickers (OK), and the coconut shrimp (good and not too sweet). We shared that between 3 people and it was a good snack while we sipped on our tropical drinks, but we were still hungry when we left. It's a good portion for 1-2 people for a meal, and prices were average.

    Photos
    The Jungle Bird - Interior seating

    Interior seating

    The Jungle Bird - Cocktail made with Ube

    Cocktail made with Ube

    The Jungle Bird - Piñaiquiri and Plank Walker

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    Piñaiquiri and Plank Walker

    ForePlay

    ForePlay

    4.7(55 reviews)
    0.7 miMidtown

    Excellent stop to cool off after wandering the Saturday Sacramento Midtown Market!…read more SITREP Located right on K Street a block down from the Midtown Market's main channel up & down 20th Street, ForePlay is a fun stop that is full of LOTS of distractions of fun and drink to escape the heat. THE SETUP It would be imprecise to call ForePlay just an arade because it also brings in some of the fun carnie elements you'd catch at a State Fair. One of the more eclectic elements is the axe-throwing range! Tons o' fun. FULL BAR The most beneficial aspect of this stop was the full bar, which - after a couple of hours of heat in the sun while wandering the Midtown Market stalls - was a wonderful treat. Coool beer! There is random parking along the streets and some rare off-street parking lots, but limited parking during events. THE LOWDOWN This is a great stop from to duck into from the heat, or for groups making the rounds. I enjoyed watching a bridal shower when I was here!

    Sad to report this place wasn't somewhere I plan to return…read more Half the pinballs machines didn't work. Three of the machines got the ball stuck and wouldn't allow me to keep playing. With each game costing one to two dollars I felt a little ripped off I couldn't even finish my game of three balls. The pool table me and my friend played on was quite frankly disgusting. Tons of stains on the table and felt peeling. The balls all chipped and scratched. Also there was some issue with something being stuck when the game was first setup with my friend putting it together but I wasn't paying attention. He had to flag down a worker to help resolve the issue. I get it, things are pricey these days, so a newer business has to find a deal when they can, but at least find a way to improve an already overly used item. I don't expect brand new pool tables, but at least tables that look like the business cares Not to mention the ground and walls were just dirty and gross. Seemed like nobody is really cleaning the place. All the tables tops seemed sticky (if you know you know). The velvet lounge just kinda seemed like a random thrown together area, but maybe on a slow Monday it didn't feel right with lack of people. The workers were great and gave great service, just sadly all the half run down amenities that is supposed to make this place great, makes it pretty lackluster. I guess come if you want the axe throwing?

    Photos
    ForePlay - Arcade games pool table & tables

    Arcade games pool table & tables

    ForePlay - Signs

    Signs

    ForePlay - Signs

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    Signs

    Prelude Kitchen & Bar - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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