Temple Cafe - 95 Points

Location -- 1014 10th St, between J and K

Website -- http://www.templecoffee.com



Whether you are sobering up after a few rounds at Pyramid Alehouse or just heading out for a cheap date you can't go wrong at Temple Cafe. Yes, it lends itself primarily to the wi-fi geeks and Sac State study bugs, but its leather couches and cozy window seats are appealing to everyone.

Temple offers a wide variety of coffee beans and teas from various regions all of which are organic and fair trade. Let each sip whisk you away into the south-western highlands of Ethiopia, or Antigua valley in central Guatemala. You wont be there long, as the light jingle of jazz overhead will bring you right back. According to my wife the music is always, "a perfect volume and selection".

Also noteworthy, Temple holds events such as espresso tasting, coffee tasting, and latte art competitions!

Bottom Line -- Great coffee, cool digs, free wi-fi, sometimes understaffed.

Kru Sushi - 85 Points

Location -- 2516 J St, between 25th and 26th

Website -- http://www.krurestaurant.com

I have been waiting for that token sushi place to come along. You know, the one with the perfect balance of price and quality. I still haven't found it in Sacramento. Kru delivered in quality with fresh-tasting fish, beautiful displays, great plating, and a nice ambiance inside, but the prices were a bit steep. I understand that generally good quality = higher price, but I've been to many AMAZING sushi restaurants that were under $10/roll.

We ate--

krazy kali - snow crab, spicy tuna, avocado, all rolled and lightly fried, spicy cream, garlic cream, shiso oil, kaiware

spicy d - shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, cucumbers, topped with avocado, seared tuna, smelt roe, micro-greens, garlic cream and chili sauces

fatty tuna sashimi - tuna.


I would definitely go back, but not after exploring all of our options in the area.

Bottom Line -- Great sushi, wide variety, bit pricey.