Two Good Reasons to Visit Frasinetti Winery Restaurant in Sacramento

Elizabeth Weintraub and Myrl Jeffcoat at Frasinetti Winery

Frasinetti Winery is a place that doesn’t come to my mind as often as it probably should as a place for lunch or dinner in Sacramento. With so many fabulous new restaurants, especially in the Downtown Commons and Midtown areas of Sacramento, sometimes it’s hard to “branch out” and go elsewhere. I tend to stick close to home, except for when I’m listing homes for sale. Then I have a 45-minute travel time rule. If it’s further than 45 minutes, I won’t list it.

Although, I listed a home maybe 10 years ago as a short sale in Novato for all of 72 hours. It was a favor to a close friend. Polly breeded Persian cats. Most cat-loving people are sweet natured. Not this one. When I refused to violate Civil Code, Polly fabricated a vile review. That was my only out-of-area listing. My only fake review out of hundreds of 5-stars. Ever since, I stick to my 45-minute radius.

Fortunately, it’s not that far to drive to Frasinetti Winery for lunch. Maybe 20 minutes from Land Park. So when my friend Myrl Jeffcoat asked where I wanted to go for lunch, I recalled she had written a story about passing by Frasinetti and suggested we go there. Turns out I had not been to this restaurant for about 15 years, and for Myrl, it was more than 30 years. It’s an institution in Sacramento, a landmark.

To me, the location is a bit secluded, although to hear Myrl talk, the area is so built up now. From where I sit, it’s still looks like countryside and spotty subdivisions here and there. Myrl is also a Sacramento Realtor, mostly retired now but she still works with a few friends and former clients, so we have a real estate in common. But we did not really talk about real estate at lunch.

Not only that, but we didn’t get into any trouble, and we didn’t do anything outrageous. Which can happen by accident when we’re together. Although, we did finish off an entire bottle of Frasinetti Winery Chianti.

To get there, just drive down Florin going East from 99 a few miles. Pass the railroad tracks and turn right on Frasinetti St. Do not follow GPS or you’ll end up at a back entrance where you can’t get in.

The two reasons to visit Frasinetti Winery are food and wine. Or, wine and food. Both of us ordered the rigatoni special with tri-tip. Cream, garlic, shallots, asparagus, mushrooms. Then dessert. Tiaramisu and Amaretto Créme Brûlée. We sat in the part of the restaurant with old wooden booths. But the entire decor is Old World. Service is excellent. You can’t go wrong. With all of that, plus a $16 bottle of Chianti, lunch for two with tip was only $80.