Hook and Ladder serves fresh drinks, sweet treats

Sammie Moreno

Dressed up with fabric ceilings and vintage furniture, the hipster yet romantic set up at Hook and Ladder Manufacturing Company gathers an array of locals strolling down midtown.

Located on 17th and S streets, the Midtown eatery opened its doors late 2012. Owners Jon Modrow and Kimio Bazett also run the popular local pub the Golden Bear.

Senior Criminal Justice major Willy Tjhia, 25, said he enjoyed his time eating at Hook and Ladder.

Tjhia, who recommends ordering the bucatini made with a spicy sausage ragu, said the intimate setting of the restaurant is ideal for a savory and tasty meal.

“If you have ever been to Paesanos, I definitely recommend trying Hook and Ladder,” Tjhia said. “It’s not too loud; the venue feels like you are at home and have friendly staff that is willing to work with you.”

Hook and Ladder serves a multitude of fresh cocktails such as their De la cenizas, served with Fidencio mezcal, apricot liqueur, grapefruit juice, agave, orange bitters and garnished with a citrus peel branded with a its logo.

Not only does the restaurant have beer and wine on tap, but it has uniquely served cocktails. Some of the cocktails, like the Manhattan, can stream out of a tap without the need of a shaker and cuts the customers’ waiting time.

Hook and Ladder also serves an array of desserts satisfy any sweet tooth craving. Desserts like rich chocolate malt mousse as well as lemon-blueberry meringue tart, which is made with lemon chiffon mousse, blueberries, honey butterscotch and a ginger crust, can leave any stomach satisfied.

Junior communication studies major Kristy Collins, 26, said she has visited Hook and Ladder a few times to enjoy its great food, especially the sausages.

“They make a lot of the sausages in house and they change their menu seasonally which is cool,” Collins said.

Both the kitchen and bar focus on serving local ingredients from farms, wineries and breweries around the area.

Collins, who works at a restaurant, said she admires that Hook and Ladder takes time to find fresh products to serve to its customers.

“It reminds me sort of like Pearl on the River because of the way they choose their fresh ingredients that are in season and I like knowing that I’m eating something local and healthy,” Collins said.

Sac State alumnus Christopher Trinchera, 25, makes sure to bring new friends during each visit to Hook and Ladder.

“Anyone who lives in Sacramento should come here,” Trinchera said. “They have really nice and knowledgeable bartenders, quick service, reasonable prices and a great atmosphere.”

Although restaurants and bars are surround Midtown, Hook and Ladder is one stop people are not going to want to miss.

Sammie Moreno can be reached at [email protected]