Opinions LOCALIS Sacramento

Last night we had the privelage of dining at Localis for the Returning To Thailand - A Story of Redemption menu. This was the best meal of my entire life. Chef Chris and his amazing team have outdone themselves. From start to finish I would not have changed a single thing. Every bite was pure bliss and at times I felt myself get emotional. Some people eat to live but I live to eat meals like this. If you have ever been on the fence I urge you to treat yourself to an experience at Localis. Redeemed is an understatement.

Their menu changes every month so I can't speak for every menu, but the Thai tasting menu I had was amazing, and I am sure that is reflected with all their menus. This place is a nice cozy spot in the corner of a block, and sitting at the chef's counter, you get to witness the show while sipping on a nice cocktail. I am so glad there is this fine dining option in the Central Valley, and while expensive as Michelin Stars are, I have no regrets and had a wonderful time at this place.

Without question the most beautiful dining experience. If you decide to go to Localis make a reservation for the Chef's counter. It brings you up close and personal to all of the chefs. The 12 course meal was a sure delight and the wine pairing was spot on. I felt like I was a member of this family at Localis and was treated as though I was a queen. Chef Chris/Owner had so much great knowledge of what he prepares and he was very personal right along with every one of his staff members. Don't consider the cost, just know that the experience is worth it and you are too. Every item on the menu was delicious ????

I saved up all year so me and my partner could go here for our anniversary in Feb. and let me just say it was so worth it. We did the chef’s counter experience and it was incredible. Everything from the vibes to the food to the exceptional service were unmatched to any dining experience I’ve ever had. The owner was incredibly attentive and always listening in even when we didn’t know it to make sure they could curate the experience with everything we needed. I mentioned to my partner that I don’t like truffles because of a bad experience I had in Italy and the executive chef/owner was like “YOU NEED TO TRY GOOD TRUFFLES!!” And comped me like $100 worth of truffles just so I could experience them how they were meant to be.
And of course the food was unlike anything I’ve ever had. Every dish was utterly unique, balanced, and of the utmost quality!!! I can safely say I had never had any one of the 12 courses before in my life. And of course the wine pairings were delectable. They even sent us home with some delicious artisanal instant coffee and homemade banana bread for the next morning. I found myself grinning big as I sipped on the coffee and tasted the passed-down-through-family recipe of the banana bread. I wasn’t sure if I’d be full because the servings are small but man was I stuffed!!! I felt so satisfied and it was worth every penny. My new goal in life is to get a job that pays well enough that I can go there like once a month.

Hands down the most amazing dining experience I think I’ll ever have.

My husband and I had such a nice time tonight at Localis. The atmosphere was so intimate and fun. It was a treat to get to meet the chef and hear some of his personal experiences with his restaurant and the menu he created. I really had a wonderful evening there and would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a creative and delicious experience.

My husband and I went to Localis for dinner and we sat at the chef’s counter… the 12 course dinner was just incredible! Everything was creatively and carefully prepared, so so tasty! The pairings were perfect as well!
Chris, the chef, and his team are just a pleasure to chat with and made the entire experience even better!
Yes, it’s pricey… and Yes, it’s very worth it!

Chef Chris Barnum-Dann has something very special going on at Localis. He is clearly in love with food. If you get a chance to go, go. Simple as that. You will not be disappointed in the food.

Amazing time. Wife and I celebrated a late Valentines Day. 12 courses were fantastic. I ate things I normally don't like such as octopus, sturgeon, and goat cheese. But I trusted their motto "Trust us to feed you well." I did trust and I was SOO HAPPY I DID!! Service was A plus!!

Chef Chris and team are fantastic — my wife and I loved it! We will be back many times in the future.

Everything was just amazing!

They earned their Star rating — in fact, I think they earned two. The food is inventive, the menu playful, and the presentation delightful. Do yourself a favor, and enjoy their beverage pairings. The wine pairing is not only on point or complimentary, it's at times transcendental, often creating new experiences otherwise not present. My wife ordered their non-alcoholic pairing, which was even more impressive — an array of mocktails and consommés that accentuated each course.

Unbelievable experience at the chefs counter here at Localis. The Winter is Coming menu from 1/2024 was a truly special treat for the palate, with the focus on citrus being especially unique in my experiences eating at Michelin rated restaurants. I loved the attention to detail that was given to the presentation of each dish, along with the creative approach to blending the various flavors together into easily consumable bites that covered every ingredient. The chefs counter experience was also really special, and the a la carte cocktails and beverage pairings were both amazing as well. This place stands out as a star in a city still developing a fine dining scene and I definitely believe in this team of talented chefs to keep Localis on the shortlist of best restaurants in NorCal well into the future. Highly recommend!

WOW! Great dinner! Food 5*, service on point and great setting! Pricy but well worth it for a wonderful evening!
Thank you Chef Chris and staff!

We celebrated our anniversary at Localis - Michelin 2023 Star!

The January menu is WINTER IS COMING - A Song of Citrus and Snow. If you're a Game of Thrones fan, you're in for a special treat as the menu is developed surrounding the popular HBO series. I love the show references, and certain dishes are named after a specific scene. Very cool! I had a quick chat with Chef Chris and shared my visit to Dubrovnik, where some of the GOT scenes were filmed. It brought back great memories.

For the folks trying Localis for the first time, you have to reserve and prepaid reservation in advance. We reserved for the Chef's Counter 12 Course Tasting Menu Experience because I know I want to watch the chefs at work up close. The other option is Dining Room. I think sitting at the counter is the best way to fully take it all in. I personally love watching professional chefs in their elements and preparing food. I'm mesmerized by their talent and precise execution of each dish. If you prefer a quieter dinner, the dining room option is for you. Also, if you have any food allergies, you can indicate that on the reservation, and Localis will call you the day before to check for food allergies or restrictions.

There are three beverage pairing options, or you can order a glass of wine or cocktail. I went with the Beverage Pairing, which is probably a bit too much alcohol for a weekday dinner (considering I have work next morning), BUT I didn't regret it. It was a mix of champagne, wine, sake, and cocktails. I got to taste a little big of everything. Not to mention, it paired perfectly with each dish. I highly recommend ordering the Beverage Pairing! Make sure you have a DD or Uber home.

Instead of reviewing all 12 courses, I'll share my top two dishes. I mean, every dish I had was PHENOMENIAL in their own way, and each dish is truly a WORK OF ART! My favorite and most memorable dish is 4. The Fall of the Crab King, Thai Coconut Panna Cotta (yum), Dungeness Crab (double yum), Spicy Kumquat Marmalade, Kumquat Chips, Blood Orange-Beet-Pomegranate Blood (which is the finishing red liquid), Basil, Cilantro. I don't know if it was the pairing with 2018 Maximin Grunhaus, Abtsberg, Spatlese Riesling. I can't describe it. So much flavor! Delicate yet intense!

2. The Fire Inside, Dragon Egg , stood out from the other dishes for me. House Pulled Burrata Filled with Arugula Jeow Sum, Supremes of Citrus, Arugula Foam, Olio Nuovo, Mint, Basil. I wanted a piece of bread to scoop up the foam. I have no idea how they can even make the foam taste SO GOOD!

Shout out to our server and sommelier! They both provided excellent top-notch service. INCREDIABLE and unique dining experience - I didn't want the evening to end. We also got to take home a mini banana bread from Chef Chris Grandmother's recipes and instant coffee! I was a happy girl the next morning.

This was my first time here and definitely not my last! This is a very impressive restaurant. The service is outstanding and a good match for the quality and creativity of the food.

In addition, the mocktail beverage pairings were some of the most creative I've ever experienced. That said, a few of the mocktail pairings ended up just being savory accompaniments to the meal. While they were delicious, and that's fine, sometimes you just want something more beverage-y. All said though, they were astounding!

The food was insanity...and I mean that in the best way possible. The mix of colors, smells, textures and flavors was glorious and showed the artistic talents of the chef(s) while also ensuring the taste was the main goal.

The service was impecable. From the friendliness, helpfulness and attentiveness, to the timing. Really impressive.

The whole experience was just over 3 hours for our table and it flew by and was exciting throughout.

I can't wait to see what else this restaurant will do on their way to earning more Michelin stars!

We had the pleasure of experiencing a Michelin star restaurant for the first time, and it was truly remarkable. The 12-course meal menu and drink pairings were an exquisite journey of flavors and creativity. Chef Chris and the whole crew at Localis were fun, attentive, and knowledgeable, and never ceased to make this journey from "Amsterdam to Germany" an interesting and memorable evening. This is a fabulous choice for a special occasion with your loved one.
My fiancé favorite dish was 'Ron: Chasing Stars', an amazing trout tartare with persimmons and ginger sorbet. It is really hard to put a finger on one single dish in between the blast of feelings and flavors this experience was, but I am a sucker for mushrooms and the Chanterele in the 'Hunting in the Pfalz', a dish with Coffee crusted venison, porcini, and the chanterele mushroom was out of this world.
Anyways, go to Localis and have fun.

Second time I’ve had the pleasure of dining at Localis and it didn’t disappoint! The drinks are quite creative, tasted delicious, and there are some fun mocktail options as well. The amuse-bouche is spot on fantastic. The fancy French onion dip flavors were out of this world. The Ron: Chasing Stars, Restaurant Intense, and the Here a Tar, There a Tar, Everywhere a Tartare were also amazing and I savored every bite. We went with a few friends and one of them got the vegetarian menu. She was amazed at the flavors and definitely enjoyed every dish. The fire roasted octopus was very enjoyable, and I don’t eat octopus ????
By the time dessert came around, I could absolutely say I was stuffed and couldn’t eat more. We experienced the chefs table dining and it was fun to be so close and watch all that was happening to prepare each course.
Definitely a memorable experience and I’m sure we will be back again ????

Came for my brother's birthday dinner, LOVED everything. Highly recommend the non-alcoholic drink pairings, if you don't drink alcohol like me. I've never had so many cool drinks in my life. I didn't manage to get pictures of all the plates, but the Oktoberfest spread was so delicious, with house-made bratwurst and pretzel bites with butter and apple butter. Delicious. Thanks to Chef Barnam and the rest of the crew!

Can't say enough about this beautiful place. We have gone multiple times over the last few years. The staff are professional and very friendly as well as fun. Chef Chris is incredible. As a chef and as a person. The food menu changes every 5ish weeks. I have never been disappointed. Highly highly recommend! Chefs counter is where it's at if you want a fun experience with the staff and see how the food is plated.

One ingredient is missing…

The food:

The 12 course menu features select staff favorites and childhood memories, ranging from curry, lamb, to a select your ice cream and customizable Sundae station and a beverage creation from one of the chefs love for peanut butter. Each course is cohesive and has a “plot”. While I thoroughly enjoyed the menu, I must say there was never really a “wow” moment that I often get from Michelin Starred restaurants. Localis came close—the octopus dish is a standout and apparently the chef used to even entice people to try it during their early Ala carte days, offering to comp it if they didn’t like it. Another standout was the take on American Chinese. While the stories and background on each course was appreciated, I felt that the overall experience lacked some character. It would be nice if the creators of the dish came out to serve it to you and give you the story themselves. A 12 course meal requires a connection to the server and sommelier team—enthusiasm, emotion—I had an appetite for that, being a Sacramento local. Lastly, I understand it’s a 12 course TASTING menu, but some dishes left me really wanting more… the portions are a tad small at times. Tasting menus should really “shoot” at your hunger like an arrow, and on the high protein dishes I felt the portions were a little lacking. (More on portions later)

Drinks:

If you’re looking for a solid tasting menu, Localis will check the box. I was underwhelmed by their beverage pairing, especially their pours. I understand you get 3oz, but boy sometimes I felt like they might as well have gotten out a measuring cup or a ruler for the fill level (it’s light). I have had other experiences at Michelin starred restaurants where not only did we share a pairing, but also had enough to where I actually would tell the sommelier to go easy lol. While a bit underwhelming, I do applaud their creativity on the cocktails served. At times, I thought pairings were a bit hit or miss.

Overall:

While I am not complaining about price, (it’s worth it) I can’t help but describe our experience as underwhelming. Yes, there were nice touches such as a take home treat and even a comped item, but it just didn’t feel on par with Michelin level experiences where we’ve said we want to come back and try new seasonal menus.

Best Michelin star restaurant In the area with world class service.
Chef Chris and his team combine the quality of local ingredients with a constant rotating menu of cuisines from around the world.

Really wanted this to be great experience being Sacramento's second Michelin star. Bought a $750 voucher last Xmas and then had issues booking a date electronically. Sadly phone messages to the location were not returned. Finally sent an email via web and we booked Chefs Table on Oct 14 for my wife and I. The place is cozy which is nice but also makes it quite noisy so if you're sitting at the ends, it's quite difficult to hear about each dish. Chef was away this night so maybe would be different. Overall a little disappointed with some of the courses. Eg ravioli filled with polenta was doughy but egg yolk was cooked perfectly. The mushroom risotto was overpowered by lemon. My favorite was the octopus. How does chef get it so tender!! Deserts were OK. Couple next to us also did not finish theirs, and they are not big portions! We opted for the wine pairing which was very good.

Looking at previous comments, the menu does appear to change so maybe we picked a time that was not amazing for us. $850 is a lot of money to keep on returning.

The Kitchen is a different concept and therefore different atmosphere and for us, on this occasion, the flavors for Localis just did not stack up.

The staff are amazing, friendly, attentive and fun!

Localis Restaurant's wine pairing experience is nothing short of a masterful symphony. Each course was meticulously crafted to complement the flavors of the dish, and the wine pairings elevated the entire culinary journey to new heights. The sommelier's expertise was evident as they expertly selected wines that enhanced the nuances of each plate, creating a harmonious balance of taste sensations. From delicate whites to robust reds, the wine selection was diverse and catered to a variety of preferences. The knowledgeable staff shared insightful information about the wines, further enriching our experience. Combined with the elegant and intimate ambiance, Localis Restaurant truly delivers a dining experience that is a feast for all the senses. It's no wonder they have earned their Michelin 1-star status. A must-visit for any wine and food aficionado!

5/5 can't wait for the menu to cycle through again so I can justify going again ???? the non-alcoholic pairings were a wonderful treat

Amazing!!! Food is spectacular. Only gripe is that the portions are so small. The food is so good that you want to keep eating beyond the two-three bites per course. Now don't get me wrong, you do not go home hungry with this 12 course (+ palate cleansers and extras) meal. But when you take a bite into one of the most wonderful steaks you've ever had and there is only one more bite to be had, it is a tragedy. I'm a big man and was satiated after this meal, but I could have went through all 12 courses again it was so good.