Frank W.
Yelp
We had a convivial evening at the Waterboy. My wife and I come to the Sacramento/Davis area every year, at least once. We have friends who date back decades whom we have dined with, and they have explored the food options. They said, for example, that they have come to this venue a half dozen times or so. They recommended it for the four of us. We sat outside and the servers did not rush us.
We had the beef tartare and the potato gratin as starters. We also all enjoyed a cocktail from their list of specialties. I had the martini, which used a floral gin I had not imbibed before, and it was served in one of those glasses with a short base, a stout protrusion. The beef tartare looked like little sliders. The potato gratin was rich, not quite as well done as I prefer (a bit of burnt crispiness at the edges), but that may be a less common desire. The wine list was priced reasonably. We had a bottle of a sauterne, not too sweet, which everyone seems to be offering nowadays.
For main courses, the women had the seafood bouillabaise. I had the gnocchi, which had an appropriate seasonal profile, for the spring, light and herbaceous. My friend had the steak. The dishes had fresh ingredients, were prepared well and as requested, with moderate seasoning, and ample portions. It was one of those places remarkable for doing everything right. It seems to be an establishment that has the competence to do that continually, day in day out. The server was friendly, chatty in an unobtrusive manner, someone suited to that job. We tipped generously, because it was the right thing to do, and, besides, she was ingratiating without being obsequious. (We learned she is binge watching Succession again, with a new boyfriend, even though she has seen it, and I suggested she might judge him on his reaction.)
We sat outside. It was just warm enough. We did not need a heater. I had on a light jacket. The Waterboy would cost twice as much in San Francisco. It is great to have such a fine dining option in Sacramento.
