Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Leon Bistro
CALIFORNIAN
(
http://leonbistro.com
;
817 Main St; mains $18-35; from 5pm Wed-Sat)
When the most ordinary thing on the menu is a wagyu beef burger with bacon-onion
marmalade, you know you're in for something nice. Chef Ann Leon cooked in several fine
kitchens before opening her namesake restaurant, a go-to among Chico tastemakers. She
regularly shares her skills in cooking classes.
5th Street Steakhouse
AMERICAN
(
www.5thstreetsteakhouse.com
;
345 W 5th St; steaks from $26;
11:30am-2:30pm Fri, from 4:30pm
daily)
This is the joint where college kids take their visiting parents. It features crisp white table-
cloths, steaks tender enough to cut with a reproachful look, and occasional live jazz loud
enough to drown out any disapproval.
Red Tavern
AMERICAN
(
www.redtavern.com
; 1250 Esplanade; mains $17-28; from 5pm Tue-Sat, 10am-2pm Sun)
Slightly swanky, the Red Tavern is one of Chico's favorite fine-dining experiences, with a
sophisticated menu that uses local, seasonal and organic ingredients, naturally.
Drinking & Nightlife
As you might have guessed from Chico's party-school rep, you're unlikely to go thirsty.
There's a strip of bars on Main St if you want to go hopping.
Empire Coffee
CAFE
(
http://empirecoffeechico.com
; 434 Orange St; 7am-7pm; )
It's not just that this coffee shop is housed in an orange-and-blue 1947 Empire Builder
train car or that the baristas draw elaborate images in the foam and host Sunday crochet
nights. It's all the fair-trade, organic coffees and creative specials such as macca root and
matcha that make this the hippest stop in Chico.
Madison Bear Garden
BAR
