It was wonderful to discover pretty little Jasmine restaurant, which serves up very flavorful Mediterranean cuisine in the heart of midtown Sacramento. Located in an old Victorian on K Street, the establishment is cozy and full of character. Walls are painted soothing yellow, cream and purple, and diners have the choice to sit in the sunny main dining area, which looks out onto K Street; in a more private dining room at the side of the restaurant, or—on good days—in the gorgeous patio area, flanked by lots of tall trees. This family-owned establishment offers all your Mediterranean favorites, from chicken shawerma (marinated chicken breast wrapped in pita bread with lettuce, tomato, cucumbers and tahini sauce) and kafta (delicious spiced meatballs) to baba ghannough (grilled eggplant spread) and hummus. I had a knockout falafel recently—crusty, fried chickpea patties swathed in pita bread with lettuce, tomato and the kitchen’s tangy tahini sauce; and was also impressed with the prettily arranged Greek salad—topped with tomatoes, feta cheese, kalamata olives and cucumbers, it was a delightful choice on a warm afternoon. Other recommended items include the fabulous, and very garlicky, chickpea salad, dotted with slices of green olives; and the flaky, lick-your-fingers-till-its-gone pistachio baklava. — Kira O'Donnell

Insider tip: Jasmine also caters. Try it for your next neighborhood picnic or office party.

Payment methods: AmEx, Diners’ Club, Discover Card, MasterCard, Visa

Alcohol: Beer and wine

Hours: Monday–Saturday: 11 a.m.–11 p.m. (one menu all day)
Sunday: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.