Chef's Market Wine & Tapas Bar - E Street - Davis - CA

Chef's Market Wine & Tapas Bar - 117 E Street - Davis - CA 95616 - (530) 756 6888
Visit the Chef's Market website here



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Hunger usually gets in the way of traveling back and forth to Tahoe from San Francisco, a journey that might average 4 or 5 hours. Strip malls alongside the freeways host huge signs promising chain versions of burgers, pizzas, Tacos and other such unappetizing foodstuffs. As for me, I prefer to dive a short distance off the freeway into the lively little University town of Davis, not far from Sacramento, to find a spot to eat.



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Chef's Market lured us in with promises of Panini and Tapas. Unfortunately they only do the Tapas on Friday and Saturday evenings so I chose a Panini instead. They were out of my first choice, prosciutto, but when I saw the delicious looking, rare roast beef sitting in the deli counter, I knew it had to be my choice of filling.



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Panini Speciali New York Rare roast beef with creamy gorgonzola and pinenut spread, tomato and baby greens, grilled on Foccacia al Rosmarino $6.95

Despite fresh looking ingredients, the sandwich failed to enthrall. Grilled then served warm with tortilla chips, the filling unfortunately didn't have enough flavour to draw itself out from under the bread. It was a decent but ordinary sandwich, when I was hoping for something a bit special.



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My friend rejected a panini in favour of a couple of small tastes from the deli. I tried the mushroom which was light, with a tasty marinade. She wouldn't let me try the mozzarella, however, because she was certain it was off.



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The Chef's Market is a quick, well-meaning place to stop for some chow. The displays of wines, cold meats, cheeses and deli items suggest you might be for an extraordinary treat, but the results are a little more pedestrian than you might hope for. Counter service only.

Chef's Market Wine & Tapas Bar - E Street - Davis - CA