Finding the best places in Sacramento to eat, drink, be merry ? and yes, even occasionally study ? was a complicated and time-consuming task for State Hornet editors over the January break.

But listed here are some of the hottest places in town we could find in our look at the Sacramento scene.

Please try them out and tell us what you think about our choices. (You can email in your reactions to: [email protected] or call 278-6584).

Over the next few months of the spring semester, the State Hornet will be asking you, our readers, to rate your choices in all of the categories listed here for the hottest spots ? as well as giving us input about additional areas like best movie house, best places to buy CDs and maybe the best places to meet new people, (while avoiding the boyfriend or girlfriend you just dumped).

See you at the hot spots, soon.

The Editors

Night Club

1. 815 L St- 815 L St 443-8155

2. Harlow?s- 2708 J St 441-4693

3. The Rage- 1890 Arden Way 929-0232

4. Faces- 2000 K St 448-7798

5. McGee?s- 5623 Sunrise Blvd. 966-1364

Cheap Eats

1. Paesano?s- 1806 Capitol Ave. 447-8646

2. Spaghetti Factory- 1910 J St. 443-2862

3. Tecate Grill- 807 Howe Ave.649-8226

4. Wings Kitchen- 7680 la Riviera Dr. 381-2883

5. Upper Crust- 1200 K St 444-0844

Restaurant with best ambiance

1. 33rd St Bistro- 3301 Folsom Blvd. 455-2233

2. Max?s Opera Cafe- 1735 Arden Way 927-6297

3. Hard Rock Cafe- 645 Downtown Plaza 441-5591

4. Tower Cafe- 1518 Broadway 441-0222

5. Woody?s- 1379 Garden Highway 924-3434

Brewery

1. Hoppy Brewery- 6300 Folsom Blvd. 451-4677

2. Sudwerk Brewery and Grill- 1375 Exposition Blvd 925-6623

3. Sacramento Brewing Company- El Paseo Ln. 485-4677

4. River City Brewery- 545 Downtown Plaza 447-2743

5. Rubicon Brewpub- 114 J St 443-2739

Mexican Food

1. Vallejo?s- 1900 4th St 443-8488

2. Chevy?s on the River- 1369 Garden Highway 649-0390

3.Ernesto?s- 1901 16th St 441-5850

4. El Novillero?s- 4216 Franklin Blvd. 456-4287

5. Garcia?s- 6049 Madison Ave. 344-3177

Chinese Food

1. Mayflower- 3022 L St 737-2222

2. Chinois- 3535 Fair Oaks Blvd. 485-8690

3. Frank Fats- 806 L St. 442-7092

4. Pho King II- 6830 Stockton Blvd. 395-9244

5. New Rice Bowl- 1407 Howe Ave. 922-1288

Italian Food

1. Buca?s- 1249 Howe Ave.922-6673

2. Il Fornio- 400 Capitol Mall 446-4100

3. Bravo- 2333 Fair Oaks Blvd. 568-0494

4. California Pizza Kitchen- 1735 Arden Way 568-0932

5. Cafe Napoli- 5150 Fair Oaks Blvd. 971-9090

Bookstore

1. Barnes and Noble- 1725 Arden Way 565-0644

2. Borders Books and Music- 2338 Fair Oaks Blvd. 564-0168

3. Tower Books- 1618 Broadway 444-6688

4. Beers and Books- 1431 L St 442-9475

5. Avid Reader- 1003 L St 443-7323

To Study

1. 4th floor and basement of the Sacramento State library

2. Coffee shops

3. On the river bank

4. University Union

5. Book store?s

Burger

1. Hamburger Mary?s- 1630 J St. 441-4340

2. Mel?s Diner- 565 Howe Ave. 641-7500

3. Hard Rock Cafe- 645 Downtown Plaza 441-5591

4. In and Out Burger- 3501 Truxel Rd 1-800-786-1000

5. Jasper?s- 2342 Sunrise Blvd. 631-0855

Bar

1. Limelight- 1014 Alhambra Blvd. 446-2236

2. Monkey Bar- 2730 Capitol Ave. 442-8490

3. Pine Cove Tavern- 502 29th St 446-3624

4. Stingers- 7890 L Riviera Dr. 381-4800

5. Old Ironsides- 1901 10th St. 443-9751

Coffee Shop

1.Java City- Loehmann?s Plaza 2573 Fair Oaks Blvd. 488-3303

2.Starbucks- 4301 Arden Way 482-1205

3.Capitol Garage- 1427L St. 444-3633

4. Peets Coffee and Tea Inc- 2580 Fair Oaks Blvd. 485-7887

5.Nordstom Rack- 2100 Arden Way 646-0846