Eugene N.
Yelp
Paragary's: A Nobleman's Birthright (Whether Midtown Admits It or Not)
As of late, I've been focusing on Midtown establishments--not by choice, but by necessity. You see, while Land Park is truly a Nobleman's paradise, even paradise has its limits... namely, a finite number of restaurants to review without drawing suspicion from Granny or running into my tailor mid-brunch.
Enter Paragary's. Yes, it sits in Midtown--barely. So close to East Sacramento, in fact, that I briefly considered writing this review with a monocle and a neighborhood permit. But then, an epiphany: Paragary's does belong to Land Park. And not just spiritually--historically.
You see, nestled deep in the heart of Land Park lies the great institution of C.K. McClatchy High School, which has produced a lineage of notables: Supreme Court justices, Attorneys General, novelists, MLB players... and one Randy Paragary--the visionary behind Paragary's and arguably a top five Sacramentan of all time (don't ask me for the other four; I'll name them when someone unseats Paragary).
So yes, Paragary's is Midtown in zip code alone. In essence, it is Land Park royalty.
And the restaurant itself? Close to perfect. The dinner menu is inspired. The brunch is exceptional. The patio is so pleasant I briefly considered drafting legislation to have all meals served outdoors henceforth. The bar? It's a place where bourbon flows and the Nobility gather--not to scheme, but to pre-game. I deeply admire when patrons start their evening with a cocktail at the bar before being seated. It's refined, it's respectful, and more importantly, it means I don't have to pretend not to hear them whispering about my ascot.
The prices, while fit for the well-heeled, are surprisingly reasonable--even though they absolutely don't need to be. I always return to two faithful selections:
* The Ricotta & Lemon Ravioli ($27) for dinner--delicate, zesty, and worthy of poetic tribute.
* The Quiche Lorraine (under $19) for brunch--flaky, flavorful, and far more satisfying than that protein bar I pretend to enjoy at home.
As the McClatchy fight song declares:
"M is for Mighty, C is for Class"--and truly, Paragary's is both.
Land Park Gentleman