Paul Barton

Review of The Firehouse Restaurant

One of the things that daunts me about writing and...

One of the things that daunts me about writing and reading online reviews is the flat five-star system. How do you rate a Michelien three star restaurant on the same scale you use for a taco truck. I guess you rate places that fall into similar categories against other places in their class.
So a superficial pass over the reviews would give the impresion that there are auto parts stores that I like better than this restaurant. That is just grossly unfair. For clarity, then, I have to shout. THIS IS A VERY GOOD PLACE TO DINE! There are simply others that strive to be first-echlon dining establishments in cities like Sacramento where my experience outshone my one dinner at The Firehouse. But I will try this one again.
The large interior is a very attractive space with a gold-rush era victorian feel. Service is attentive with formality held to a 'California' level that was quite comfortable for us. The wine list is indeed wide-ranging. Its greatest concentration, appropriately enough, seemed to be Napa, Sonoma - regions about which my education is deficient. But I found a Spanish Red that we loved. The menu was the limiting consideration. Choices were limited and unimaginative. The specials were likewise.
The cooking was well executed but by virtue of the menu, uninspired. Not to say the dinner wasn't good. It was, like good home cooking, most enjoyable. But not exciting.
Prices were high enough to justify loftier expectations.
Would I go back? I intend to.