Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Dining & Nightlife Guide

Media Credit: Johnson, Steven

Media Credit: Johnson, Steven

Media Credit: Johnson, Steven

Picture this, you walk though a beautiful patio which takes you to two large double doors. You enter a large space that is intimately lighted with what appears to be red shot glasses on the ceiling. Warm colors such as red and yellow surround you. Large plasma televisions hang above your head and appetizing smells fill your nostrils. This may be your future home, but it's actually your local downtown bar, R15.

The name completely gives away this fabulous location that is the R15 Bar at night and Café Bernardo by day, and home is exactly the feel that it's going for. This bar/café is located in the heart of downtown right next to Empire nightclub. It opened Sep. 8 of 2006.

The large building is divided into three sections. When entering you immediately face the bar, which is the center and main attraction. To the left of the bar is a game room with four pool tables, two living rooms with sectional couches and plasma TVs. To the right of the bar is Café Bernardo. A whole second floor is right above including the Skyy Box. Also two large patio areas are open for lounging.

"This is a neighborhood bar and café which is very versatile," General Manager Alex Origoni said. "There are so many things we have to offer."

Aside from the 14 large plasma TVs located throughout the venue, there are three Microsoft X-box 360's with wireless controls and numerous game options. The games are free to play.

Various sports packages are also available such as: NFL Sunday Tickets, NBA Leap Passes and MLB Extra Innings. Wi-Fi is available to computer users and High Definition Television can be viewed with hundreds of channels to choose from. The DJ booth is located upstairs with a music video system and both vinyl and CD turntables. Music is played though quality audio throughout the venue and controlled from the booth.

Other forms of recreational entertainment include pool tables with a charge of $1 per game and the Skyy Box. The Skyy Box is a room with tables and chairs, a plasma TV and a large glass wall that overlooks the bar. This room is located upstairs.

"People can book this room for parties or special occasions, I am pretty flexible about it," Origoni said.

Every Thursday night there is an event called, "Scandalous" at R15. Spinning the turntables is DJ Sean Slaughter who is known for his different style of music. There is never a cover charge on this special night or any other night.

Aside from the entertainment aspect of this place, the food is known to be of great quality.

"We use the highest quality food, everything is organic." Origoni said. "Everything is pretty much made from scratch, we make our own mayonnaise and cure our own pickles. We have no microwaves and the only thing we freeze is french fries and ice cream."

Prices range from $10 to $16 dollars per entree.

"The food is moderately priced and reasonable," said Origoni, "You get what you pay for and we only serve the best."

Senior Business Major Elliot Estes has eaten breakfast and dinner there.

"The food is awesome," Estes said. "For breakfast I would recommend the amaretto french toast, I order these every time I go. And for lunch or dinner I would recommend their pizzettas, which is pizza, they are very tasty."

Origoni said he recommends the eggs bernardo for breakfast, and the salmon plate or chicken sandwich for lunch. The food at Café Bernardo has won several awards including one from Sacramento Magazine.

R15/Café Bernardo is so diverse in what it has to offer. They have many things to do compared to other bars and they even serve a tofu scramble to cater to the vegetarian folks. It attracts all types of people, especially students.

The vibe given is one that makes you feel at home. You are free to order food and bring it with you into one of the living rooms to hang out and watch some T.V. or you can groove to cool tunes while shooting pool.

Senior construction engineer major James Salvatierra said R15 has such a comfortable environment.

"The people are diverse and it feels like home with the couches, coffee tables and all," Salvatierra said.

R15/Café Bernardo was even declared a "green business," meaning they are eco-friendly. They help the environment by recycling glass and using low wattage lights.

The bar is open every night until 2 a.m. Food is served Sunday through Tuesday from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Wednesday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. It is a joint venture owned by couple Randy and Stacy Paragary and Kurt Spataro, who all own other well-known venues and restaurants around Sacramento such as Centro, Blue Cue, Monkey Bar, Spataro, Paragary's Bar & Oven and Esquire Grill.

Although R15/Café Bernardo may seem like two separate venues, it operates as one. Two separate themes are intended with the colors and décor differing on each side, Origoni said. The staff is all the same and the same food and drinks are served on both sides. With only five months into the opening of R15/Café Bernardo, it has so much to offer and has achieved great accomplishments.

"Even though a lot is going on here, we definitely have more tricks up our sleeve," Origoni said.

Mindy Yuen can be reached at features@statehornet.com

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