From De’Aaron Fox to Ryan Coogler, this upscale Roseville restaurant attracts big-name stars

The hallway to Q1227’s restrooms is lined with photos of Quentin “Chef Q” Bennett posing with celebrities. It’s not uncommon to see stars in person at his upscale Southern restaurant, either, even though it’s a bit off the beaten path in Roseville.

Ryan Coogler, a Sacramento State alumnus and the director behind “Black Panther,” “Creed” and “Fruitvale Station,” visited the restaurant in June. Tony! Toni! Toné! band member Raphael Saddiq was there in July, and entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” judge Daymond John made a pass through the kitchen when he dined there last fall.

Kings players De’Aaron Fox, Davion Mitchell and Terence Davis have stopped by, as have franchise greats Bobby Jackson and Doug Christie. Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker seeks out Q1227 when back home in Granite Bay during the offseason, and retired NFL head coach Tony Dungy came to the restaurant on a trip through the Sacramento area.

Bennett met a few basketball players and pop stars as the chef at Echo & Rig, a steakhouse across from Golden 1 Center in Sacramento’s Downtown Commons. But most of his A-List connections were built when he catered for Paramount Pictures and Universal Studios in the late 1990s, his wife and Q1227 general manager Tamara Bennett said.

Meals for “The Steve Harvey Show” led to private dinners for gospel legend Cece Winans, and word of Chef Q’s talents traveled, particularly within the Black entertainment community.

Q1227 is one of Placer County’s few Black-owned restaurants, and Florida-born Chef Q specializes in elevating traditional Southern fare — black-eyed pea hummus, Sichuan-influenced okra, jambalaya with saffron rice (the recipe for which is featured in “Sacramento Eats: Recipes from the Capital Region’s Favorite Restaurants”).

The flavors hit home for many Black customers, including famous ones, while the restaurant feels appropos for toasting life’s big moments.

“(Chef Q) is really trailblazing the rise of California comfort food in a fine dining setting,” Tamara Bennett said. “People can appreciate French styles.... But then you definitely have that audience (where) they want that comfort food, but want it in an environment that they can have celebrations in and can pair with some of our higher-end Napa wines or French wines.”

Non-famous Placer County residents love Q1227 as well: Lines often form before the 5 p.m. opening at 1465 Eureka Road, Suite 100. That’s why Q1227 will move across town to the Westfield Galleria at Roseville in early 2024, Tamara Bennett said.

The new restaurant will be about 6,000 square feet, roughly double Q1227’s current space. That will allow Chef Q and his cooks to make fresh bread and pasta in-house, and more seating for guests, whether they have a Wikipedia page or not.

What I’m Eating

It’s a common question from Southern California transplants: “Where is the good Mexican food in Sacramento?” While it’s hard to compete with the Los Angeles or San Diego taqueria scene, in-the-know locals can usually rattle off a few slept-on stars: Lalo’s Restaurant, El Bramido, maybe Mezcal Grill or Nixtaco for a slight step up.

Go ahead and add El Parian Taqueria to that list. Martin Aceves’ North Highlands taqueria along Watt Avenue feels lived-in, with crowds of regulars and a solid salsa bar. It’s not a seafood spot per se, but that’s what it does best.

It’s hard to miss the mariscada ($26), a whole fried tilapia smothered in octopus, shrimp and salsa diabla and served with tortillas. Messy but delicious, it’s one of two ultimate seafood dishes (a molcajete being the other) at El Parian and a fun communal shareable.

A simple fish taco ($5) featuring buttery grilled bass and a cheese skirt was one of the best I’ve had around the Sacramento area. Regular tacos ($3 apiece) hit the spot as well; in a lineup of al pastor, chile verde, pollo asado and buche (pork stomach), the chicken was the somewhat surprising standout.

The tostada de camaron ($6) was more uncomplicated beauty, a heaping mound of cucumber, tomatoes, onions, avocado and juicy shrimp that I could hardly fit in my mouth. For a heartier dish that goes home relatively well, try the alambre ($18), a jumble of beef strips, tangy chorizo, peppers and melted cheese served with two side quesadillas.

El Parian Taqueria

Address: 4834 Watt Ave., North Highlands.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 8:45 p.m., seven days a week.

Phone number: (916) 332-3232.

Website: None.

Drinks: Beer, wine, soda, aguas frescas and fresh-squeezed orange or carrot juice.

Vegetarian options: A few options, including tacos, burritos, nachos and quesadillas.

Noise level: Loud.

Openings & Closings

• Hinoka Sushi opened recently at 7311 W. Stockton Blvd., Suite 130 near the Elk Grove border. The Japanese restaurant whips up uni ikura bowls and rolls such as the “lobster king” (lobster tempura and cucumber inside, crab salad, scallions and masago on top) as well as large sushi platters.

• Sisters Thai Kitchen is now open at 2000 Blue Oaks Blvd., Suite 140 in Roseville. Look for a mix of tried-and-true Thai favorites, plus street food-inspired specialties such as duck prik khing (duck, eggplant, green beans and strips of fingerroot in a spicy curry).

• Hacienda Real, the Mexican restaurant meant to replace longtime institution Hacienda Del Rio, closed Sunday in Historic Folsom after just six months in business. Owner Michael Sanson, who also owns Plank Craft Kitchen + Bar in Folsom, plans to open a new restaurant called Riley’s on Sutter where Hacienda Real once sat at 702 Sutter St., Suite M.

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