The riverboat Delta King was built in Stockton in 1927 along with its sister vessel the Delta Queen. They navigated the waters of the Sacramento River carrying passengers overnight from
Sacramento to San Francisco. You can relive this glorious adventure at the Pilothouse Restaurant onboard the Delta King. Old Sacramento is on the starboard side and the idyllic river with skyscrapers in the distance is on the port side. As the sun sets behind the trees across the river the diner feels a world away from the city at the other end of the gangplank.

Let’s Eat!

We were seated by our server Michael at a table with a view of the river on a still summer evening with the sun setting through the trees to the west. At his recommendation we ordered Big Eye Ahi Tar Tar served with avocado, wasabi-soy vinaigrette, and crispy wontons. What a treat! It is considered their signature appetizer. We also enjoyed Dungeness Crab Cakes that are served with smoky tomato aioli, a sweet chili that gives them a definitive southwestern zip.

Cheeses are a specialty at the Pilothouse. We sampled the Artisan Cheese Flight, which includes Manchego from Spain, mild and creamy Pierre Robert from France, and Roaring 40’s Bleu Cheese from Tasmania, served with local honeycomb. Michael suggested pairing the appetizers with Holly’s Hill 2006 Rosé. Right on! It created a blending of flavors that we highly recommend. Michael is very informative about wine and cheeses.

If you like Clam Chowder we recommend that you try it at the Pilothouse with its fresh clams and large red potato pieces served in this flavorful creamy soup. We also tried Asian Pear Salad. Asian pear and Point Reyes blue cheese pieces are blended with fresh organic greens and tossed with delightful champagne vinaigrette.

Chef Julian

Chef Julian Vasquez has a passion for “preparing food to please people”. He is a graduate of California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, has cooked at Farallon Restaurant in San Francisco, and has served 3 years under Master Chef Julian Serrano at Picasso in the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Executive Chef Julian has been at the Pilothouse for 5 years. He describes his fare as California Cuisine including fish that are wild, hormone free meats (if available), grass-fed Oregon beef free of antibiotics, or hormones all prepared with ingredients of quality.

It was now time to enjoy those quality ingredients so we ordered Diver Scallops. They were wonderfully fresh and smooth and not chewy. The Scallops are flavored with Lobster jus and wrapped in crispy Prosciutto di Parma, considered the highest grade because the pigs are fed Parmigiano whey to impart a fine sweet flavor. They are served with roasted tomato risotto. Scallops don’t get better than this.

Rack of Lamb at the Pilothouse is impeccable. It is served with mint chimichurri sauce and accompanied with caramelized onion mashed potatoes. If you like lamb you’ll love this!

Half Roasted Chicken is prepared with flavorful Herbs de Provence to bring out the essence of the natural chicken flavor. Once again our server Michael was spot on with his recommendation of 2004 Chateau Souverain Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon to complement our dinner. Entrées range from $13-$37.

Sweets for the Sweet

There are some outstanding desserts ($6.95) with which to reward your taste buds. If you think “Chocolate Decadence Flourless Cake” sounds like something we’d order you’d be right! Blueberry Almond Cobbler and Crème Brulee infused with lavender were two more fantastic meal enders. If you prefer a light dessert try the Pastry Puffs drizzled with chocolate sauce and served with a scoop of Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

The Pilothouse has an extensive wine list from around California and around the world to fill the need for quality vino. Libations of every kind are also available from the Delta Lounge, which has been a long-standing popular place to wet your whistle in Old Sacramento. It is just upstairs from the dining room.

Pilothouse furnishes many special touches that discriminating diners appreciate at finer establishments. Sterling service, changing silverware between courses, linens, fresh flowers, and distinctive presentation are hallmarks seen at quality restaurants such as the Pilothouse.

Historical Note

The Delta King and its sister Delta Queen were in their heyday in the 1920’s and 1930’s. After World War II passenger service was just a distant memory. Over the next 35 years a succession of owners had various restoration plans in a variety of locations but all of them failed. In 1983, after being partially sunk in San Pablo Bay for 18 months, current owners Charlie and Michael Coyne purchased the Delta King and over the next 5 years accomplished what others could not. In April 1989, now permanently tied up in Old Sacramento, the Delta King Hotel and Pilothouse Restaurant opened marking the vessels return as a Sacramento River icon.

The Delta King Hotel was modified to provide 44 comfortable queen bed staterooms with an ideal view of either the river or the city. A recent major upgrade added a number of modern amenities to enjoy in this historical setting.

A Night on the Town

The Delta King is not only a food, drink and lodging venue but it is a great place to go for an evening out. The Delta King Theatre features plays by the Capital Stage Group (www.capstage.org). Dinner and lodging theatre packages are available. Suspects Mystery Dinners (www.suspectstheatre.com) features murder on the menu and you are called upon to find out whodunit. Lodging Packages are available as well. Suspects features a gruesome death on Friday and Saturday nights and has been staging mysteries since 1989. We’ve done this before and it is a lot of fun!

The Delta King with its Pilothouse Restaurant, Delta Lounge, Hotel, and fun activities is a prominent part of the Sacramento scene. Located at 1000 Front Street, Old Sacramento, it continues to be a popular place to eat, drink, and be merry. Hours are Mon.-Thurs. 11:30 am-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat 11:30 am-10 pm, and Sunday 4 pm-9 pm. Breakfast is available and there is a Champagne Buffet Brunch on Sundays. Reservations for the Pilothouse Restaurant can be made by calling (916) 441-4440. Information about all the Delta King has to offer is available at their very informative website at www.deltaking.com. The Pilothouse Restaurant is a must try!