Atmosphere and food are both top draws at this restaurant, which serves lunch and dinner only on Fridays. The gracious place is warm and airy, adorned with frescoes and tapestries for Old World interest. The lunch menu is Californian, boasting crisp salads, an antipasto plate, and entrees that range from a barbecued pork sandwich to salmon fritters and crab cakes. You can also opt for a wood-fired pizza, seafood jambalaya, or the house burger. If you stop by for dinner, a pianist adds a romantic touch to the experience.

RANCHO CORDOVA. Traditionally a prominent dinner theater, Garbeau's took on new life in 2007 with a change in ownership. The small, respected enterprise sits about 25 minutes outside of Sacramento and offers a range of entertainments throughout the year. Dinner shows are available, along with Sunday's champagne brunch and matinee offerings. In addition, Garbeau's has implemented "French Quarter" events, which feature jazz performers and Creole fare, along with live blues bands and comedy nights. N.B. Guests are advised to arrive 2 hours before dinner theater shows begin so that they may dine prior to the show.

Harlow's is as unique today as when it first opened. The waitstaff is opinionated enough to let you know what to order and what to pass on. Pumpkin cheesecake atop pecan caramel sauce, and the house specialty ­ Tuoca cheesecake made with ricotta cheese and fresh blueberries ­ are two great options. With an extensive cigar bar, outdoor seating, and some of the area's top jazz, Harlow's is a great place to spend the evening. Soak up the relaxed ambience, watch the upscale crowd, and sip a brandy or cognac while you listen to music. Performers offer anything from traditional jazz to R&B, salsa, or reggae.

Located in a floating hotel (which is itself a restored riverboat) on the Sacramento River, this special dinner theater invites audience members to participate in the action. Seated in a stately room on the boat's lower floors, spectators never know what will happen when each viewer becomes a suspect and an investigator ­ usually with hilarious results. The price includes dinner and a show, and overnight packages feature tickets to the theater event and a stateroom.