The Waterboy is a neighborhood restaurant in Midtown Sacramento that has been cooking delicious food and providing great service since 1996. They feature a seasonal menu, inspired primarily by the beautiful cuisines of northern Italy and southern France. In addition, they offer a diverse wine list and a full bar featuring artisanal cocktails and aperitifs.
Rick Mahan is chef-owner of The Waterboy Restaurant. According to the website, "Mahan is passionate about the dining experience. Great food starts with quality ingredients, but a meal is about more than just what’s on the plate—it’s about the moment, the company, and the connections made around the table. From the farmers and purveyors who supply the ingredients to the cooks in the kitchen and the servers on the floor, every part of the process is built on relationships with good people."
The menu features a beautiful array of fresh dishes, so Kaitee and I ordered a few for the table to try bites of a bunch of different things.
We started with a pickled beet salad with watercress and topped with olives, oranges, grapefruit, avocado, shaved fennel, and a citronette. Interesting & fresh.
Then, it was a set of deviled eggs, which are always a favorite of mine. I think they can be a vehicle for creativity. These were pretty straight-forward in a classic style with a little extra briney goodness from the capers.
Then, we did a cheese plate, which had four cheeses, toasted bread, crostini and olives. I only wish there was some sort of sauce or dip to make this a bit more dynamic.
Finally, it was time for my entree, which was just out-of-this-world. Artichoke-lemon-ricotta agnolotti: fried artichoke hearts, spring greens, tarragon, butter sauce, parmigiano reggiano -- some of my favorite words.
This is a dish I still dream of. Perfectly chewing agnolotti. Rich. Just everything I crave in a meal.
Grade: A
