Dennis

Downtown bakery

Mon - Fri: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sat - Sun: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

555-555-55-55

Uptown bakery

Mon - Fri: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sat - Sun: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

555-555-55-55

Dennis Sydnor

Award-Winning Chef | Advocate for Local Food & Sustainability

Chef Dennis Sydnor is a Sacramento-based culinary professional with over 30 years of experience spanning restaurants, hotels, and major sporting venues. A graduate with High Honors from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Sacramento, Chef Sydnor brings a unique blend of front-of-house finesse and backofhouse excellence to every plate.

He currently serves as Culinary Manager for Alchemist Events at Empress Tavern. He has earned national recognition as a winner on Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen, and locally as a multi-time Sacramento Bacon Fest winner , including Best Bacon (2023) and People’s Choice Best Dish (2022). His talents have been showcased at premier events such as Pebble Beach Food & Wine, Heritage Fire Tour, and Taste of Black Cleveland.

In 2023, he served as a Lead Chef for the 10th Anniversary Tower Bridge Dinner, celebrating farm-to-fork excellence. Chef Sydnor actively partners with local farmers and ranchers, and works alongside Audubon California (2023– 2025)to promote sustainable, bird-friendly agricultural practices.

From soulful dishes to elevated tasting menus, Chef Sydnor’s work is grounded in passion, purpose, and a deep connection to community.

Follow un on Instagram

@empresstavern

Industry Night If you identify as “industry”, you get a free film once a month. This month, Ratatouille on the 16th. Every 3rd Monday. (We also take requests for films) May be food films each time… maybe not. We’ll open the Empress kitchen and bar. Come by and commiserate.

Happy Thanksgiving! See you after your Black Friday shopping! Join us for happy hour from 4pm-6pm & 10pm-11pm Cheers! 🥂

New Menu rollout tomorrow! Open Thursday-Saturday 4pm-11pm Happy Hour 4pm-6pm & 10pm

Back to basics with a twist 😏 New menu coming this Thursday 🥃🍹🥂🍷 Open Thursday-Saturday 4pm-11pm Check back weekly for event hours, cheers!

👀

There’s a big kahuna burger on the menu. We riffed on it and added pineapple and spam. Supplies are limited.

We (Crest) have a limited number of coins that allow anyone possessing it free entry to any film through next year. They can be had at the Crest Website. #shirtsandshoesrequired

Sour Patch Lemon Bars? We’re workshopping theatre candy inspired desserts. These are for tonight (Friday). Henry Cho is upstairs at Crest.

Word is that there’s a Smackdown in town. If you happen by Empress we have a $3 dollar smackdown shooter (just ask for it by name).

"12 Monkeys", Monkey 47, 12 Monkey 47 martinis....that math is mathing. Come enjoy a Monkey 47 martini while you contemplate your reality watching "12 Monkeys" @crestsacramento Friday 9/20. Artwork by @theheel_dj6040.

🍔 =🔥

We’re running a dessert special for Goonies (4pm)👀

We have Happy Hour. Well, Happy HOURS. Thursday-Saturday 4-6 and 10-11 🌭 🍗 🌮 🍕 🍟

Rock the Vote! #idiocracy

2 things. Rice balls (vegetarian and pescatarian) in celebration of Sac Anime and Barry’s newest incarnation of VHCREST is tonight with live music.

Savage…

Showing Harold and Kumar Go to Whitecastle in the theatre tonight… I had the hare brained idea to make WC sliders…supplies are limited. Because I had to make them.

Don’t stop Dog. That’s what it’s called. Dom threw the kitchen sink at it. (Late night happy hour only 9pm+)

Sacramento. Can we talk? We do silly cocktails over here with silly presentations. We have one now with a Pez dispenser… many getting nabbed. I’ve googled “least popular pez dispensers” and it’s not helping... For the record I love Snow White and our cocktails. Please advise (this is Ryan)

Overlong and a bit sleepy for an IG post. Testing out a new camera with an old shoulder mount. We’re showing Blair Witch on the 17th. Their audio/my video.

We have charcuterie and wine for $16. Send your rat friends.

“Just One Thing” off the Sleepaway Camp Film Series cocktail menu. What’s the one thing? Got me. No doubt a cold cocktail would get you on your way though…

We’re having friends over Tuesday. Details and Tix ➡️ bio

If our signs ever stop being this cool, @86.dom is on vacation. Until then, we’re blessed to have artwork we want to get tatted on our bodies. Yee-haw.

House made carbonara. Pancetta, arugula, peas. Get it before you can’t get it no more. #food #yummy #dinedowntownsac

The Empress Sunset ✨ Now open for late night happy hour Thursday-Saturday 9pm-11pm Perfect for Concerts in the park after party 😎

Say when…..or don’t. Come get our penne bolognese with ground pork shoulder, freshly grated parmigiana, and a pinch of chili flake.

We’re stoked to be able to offer y’all 20% off apps and well shots this CIP season. Enjoy the shows everyone #cipsacramento #livemusic #bringyourwristbands

Our salmon special this week was a hit with the staff. Yes, the sauce did get licked off the plate. No, we don’t have any regrets. Seared salmon, lentils, broccoli raab, fried arugula, spinach purée, and a beurre blanc to boot. Come enjoy while supplies last. #dinner #delicious #salmon #saceats

Closed for a private event tonight. Friday, 4/19/2024. Se y'all Saturday.

Come enjoy food and drinks while winning prizes.

We’ve upgraded our sound system so y’all can hear the questions at our next trivia night loud and clear. Can’t wait to see y’all there.

Come try the Modern Gotham and the Penguin’s Funeral in honor of “Batman Return’s”. Get your free tickets in comment section…

We’ve heard you loud and clear y’all. Trivia night is pushed back to 7:00 PM! See you there ;)

We’re so excited to welcome @c.c.leone and @punischmid into Empress to host our first ever trivia night! Prizes range from show tickets to drinks. Hope to see you all there. 2/8/24. 5:30PM #trivia

🌞 Rye & Shine 🌞 Our newest cocktail featuring Rittenhouse Rye and Kahlua. Come grab one while we still have way too much Kahlua 🥴

So incredibly excited to be entering the new year with artwork from the very talented @mprltmb all over our walls. If you haven’t had a chance to stop in and see some of the pieces, please do so. All pieces are available to take home. Which is your favorite?

Come end the holidays with a “Honey I Drank Your Toddy” Jack Tennessee Honey whiskey, lemon, cinnamon, and clove.

Bet you didn’t know Santa could grill. He’s stopping in this week to serve up 8 oz strip loin with a side of fried potato’s. Don’t forget the whiskey gravy as a drizzle.

Have you met Liz’s Lizards? Unlikely as they’re rather shy. Liz has hidden her Lizard’s all over the bar and we need your help to track them down. If you’re feeling a little devious, you might opt to re-hide one around the space, that is if you can find them first. 😈#comeandplay #sneaky #lizards

Good thing we’re better at cooking steaks than posting reels. 8oz strip loin, roasted then fried potatoes, balsamic reduction, with a whiskey caper gravy on the side. Limited time only. #steakdinner #dinner #delicious

Good tidings Sacramento. We will be closed for private parties and other holiday festivities Friday 12/15, Thursday 12/28, as well as NYE and New Year’s Day. Thanks for your understanding. We can’t wait to see you all soon.

Come unwrap our cocktail of the week - the London drop! London dry gin Pimm’s No. 1 Mint syrup Lemon Fizz

Smoked salmon and pickled pear Bruschetta. Whipped goat cheese, with lemon and dill. Topped with bulls blood greens and a balsamic reduction. For a limited time only.

New special! Deviled eggs with molasses candied bacon on top. They are only around for a limited time, so stop in soon.

What’s that?! Over there in the bushes! It’s a wild Meringy-Tangy! Blueberry rum, coconut RumHaven, lemon, Angostura bitters, and frothy egg white. $10. Limited quantity.

So, are the horses all racing to get a Kentucky Maiden or…?

We are opening an hour early today for the Kentucky Derby. We have even brought out a few bottles of Kentucky's finest bourbons for the occasion. See you at 3pm.

Come celebrate with Cinco de Mayo specials 🇲🇽🌮🍻 - Dust Bowl Taco Truck Lager w/ shot of Tapatio Blanco - Tequilanada: our house made ancho lemonade with honey and tequila - Chips and salsa featuring our house fermented habanero carrot sauce - Marinated Chicken Street Tacos

Come join us this evening before the 7pm showing of Casablanca at the Crest.

Sick of catching feelings? Come to Empress and catch the game tonight instead. 💜🍻🏆🏀

Hey all, for Saturday's shows with @sammorril we are featuring a Manhattan made with his @bodegacatwhiskey. Can be purchased at the Empress bar and the upstairs Crest bar. You can also get it neat, on the rocks, or in whatever fashion you take your rye. Tickets for the first show are nearly sold out, but there are still some left for the 9:30pm show.

Hey Kings fans, come by today for pre-game drinks and eats! Doors open at 1:30pm

We tried it as a special a few weeks ago and people absolutely loved it, so we are bringing it back this weekend. Stop by today until 10pm to try our Braised Pork Belly before it's gone again.

Spice up your weekend with our newest cocktail, the Pepper's Palace. Start with Wild Roots marionberry and St. George's hatch chili vodkas. Add in our house made rosemary simple and fresh lime juice. Garnish with a jalapeno. For an optional kick add our house made chili oil, highly recommended. Come on in tonight-Saturday from 4pm-10pm.

Our great friends from the North gave us the gift of poutine and now you can get it at Empress. Our version has fried rosemary fingerling potatoes, topped with cheese curds and brown gravy. Come down tonight and try some. We'll be here until 10pm. Cheers, Robert

Join us tonight for a White Russian before the screening of the Big Lebowski at the Crest at 7pm. First 20 people to order one get a free ticket to the movie.

Hey all, Robert here with Empress and the Crest. As many of you know, we reopened a few weeks ago, and for those that didn't, good news, we're open. And while we are not the Empress you remember and loved (We all did), we think you'll like our more casual vibe and menu (In our story and highlights). So come on down before a show, a game, or just to say hello to the new faces. We are open Thursday-Saturday 4pm-10pm and on Crest show nights for walk in service. No reservation required. We hope to see you out. Cheers, Robert Alvis

Hello Sacramento, We are sorry to announce that we are pausing operations at Empress Tavern temporarily, including take-out. We want to sincerely thank our guests, for joining us for special events and bringing their friends into the Tavern. We sincerely thank our staff, for being the epitome of hospitality and making connections with our guests. We thank our partners, for their continued support and amazing products. We ask Sacramento to continue to support local restaurants and small businesses during these trying times. We will be back, and we look forward to serving you again soon. ❤️

Shrimp tagliatelle with summer beans, cherry tomatoes, pearl onions and a garlic butter sauce 🍝 . . . One of the dishes from our 3-course menu this evening! Grab a bottle of our @korbinkameron Sauvignon Blanc to go alongside it. 🥂

Taco Thursday’s! 🌮 . . . We’re trying to make it a thing... pictured here is our Braised Beef Cheek taco kit, next photo is the taco you make with it! (Rice and beans sold separately 🤣)

This week’s specials! Thursday, August 6th through Saturday the 8th. 🌮🍤🌭

Without assistance, a majority of our restaurants are going to close for good. This drastically impacts our food system and our community: our friends, our neighbors, our farmers, our bartenders, our family. Share the video and go to https://www.saverestaurants.com/ to learn more. We need your help. ❤️ . . . Reposted from our restaurant friends.

Tri-tip with hasselback potatoes and macaroni salad 🥩 . . . Order online through the link in our bio or by giving us a call at (916)662-7694📲

Last call for fair food pre-orders! 🎉Tonight (Friday, 7/31) at 8pm we will be taking down the menu for all our fair food items - don’t miss out as we will not be able to take day-of orders. 🎡

Lemon mousse with pistachios 🍋 . . . #vegan

Grilled peach & prosciutto salad, part of tonight’s 3-course meal. 🍑

We hope you are as excited as we are about Friday’s fair food menu! 🎡 Here are some shots of some of the items we are offering, you can order them ala carte or we have a few curated meal boxes available. . . . The menu items will be available from 12-8pm, but pre-orders are highly encouraged! 🌭

Fried Chicken sandwich - lettuce, pickles, red onion and Duke’s mayo. 😍

On Friday July 24th - Empress Tavern will be recreating some of your favorite fair treats. Come one, come all — there is something for everyone! 🎉 . . . Order online through the link in our bio, or by giving us a call at (916)662-7694

🔥 BRISKET 🔥

Peach & Watermelon salad 🍉 . . . This is one of the dishes on our Friday Meal, $75 for 3 delicious courses feeds a family of two.

Coctel de camarones Empress Cantina style! 🥑 . . . Order by giving us a call or through the link in our bio! 📲

STEAK SANDWICH - ready for pick up starting tomorrow (Thursday 7/26) @ 12pm. . . . Let us be your lunch plans! 📲

We know Taco Tuesday is a thing but Empress Cantina is celebrating tomorrow for Taco Thursday! 🌮 . . . These specials are in addition to our regular take-out menu. You can order online through the link in our bio or by giving us a call at (916)662-7694 📲

This is not the Thursday Meal for 2 - tonight’s menu boasts Thai snapper, corn, peaches, burrata... And we are prepping it as we speak so get your orders in. The deadline is 3pm today! 🍑 #itssummertime

Update: during these difficult times the team behind Empress has been hard at work to create menus to entice our followers and to delight our regulars. With that being said, we've gone back to the drawing board and have decided to spend more time during the week in an effort to focus on our new take away structure. Therefore we will now be open for take-out Thursday through Saturday from 12-8pm. ❤️ . . . We will be offering 3-course meals that you and your family can enjoy. These 'prix fixe' menus will be unique and ran nightly, a way to have the Empress Tavern experience in the comfort of your own home. The dishes will be influenced by summer, drawing inspiration from Sacramento's finest produce. Menus will be posted at the beginning of the week so you can plan ahead. Pre-orders are highly recommended. . . . The menus will be posted on our website, as well as our social media platforms. Ordering can be done through ChowNow or by giving us a call at (916) 662-7694. Don't worry - we will continue to offer our standard take-out menu featuring all your favorites!

Our take-out cocktail program has something for everyone!🍹 . . . Reminder - we are closed tomorrow, Saturday July 4th so get your orders in ASAP for the platter or any cocktails you want to enjoy alongside.

Plans for the 4th? Let us do the cooking for you! This take-out platter is sure to please the family with a little bit of something for everyone. Order by 7/3 at 7pm for next day pickup at 1pm. 🍗🎆

Following the new county directives our dining room will be closed temporarily. We will continue to offer our menu for take-out for the rest of the week. Stay tuned for upcoming family style offerings and specials. 💡

We are starting the week off right with a French dip! 🥪 Available during lunch, dine in or take out until 2:30pm.

Prime Rib. Bone Marrow. Potatoes. &Toast. All on one plate! Come in for dinner, we are open from 5-10pm tonight. 🥩 Reservations highly recommended.

If Sacramento’s summer was a salad, it’d be a panzanella 🍅☀️

French onion soup burger! It’s double patty, swiss, bacon onion jam and arugula. Available for lunch today 11:30-2:30pm. 🍔

❤️ Pan seared cod tagliatelle pasta ❤️ . . . Available for dine-in or take-out through ChowNow or by giving us a call at (916) 662-7694.

To celebrate re-opening for lunch on Taco Tuesday we’ve made beer battered rock cod tacos! 🌮 Lunch is 11:30-2:30pm and dinner is 5-9pm. . . #EmpressCantina

🍖🍖🍖 Make your reservation now!

Chicken Mole with fajitas and hand pressed blue corn tortillas 🌀

💚Pesto Pasta💚 . . . Avocado tagliatelle, cashew nut pesto, asparagus, broccolini, peas and pearl onions. It’s our lunch take-out special, vegetarian friendly! Give us a call or ChowNow to order. 📲

Pork Spare Rib sandwich special for lunch take-out today, order online through ChowNow or by giving us a call at (916) 662-7694. 🍖

Our vegan lasagna with chickpea bolognese made it on to the dine-in menu! 🌱❤️ . We’ve updated our hours this week to offer lunch take-out from Tuesday through Friday, 11:30am-2:30pm. We also offer dine-in and take-out Tuesday through Thursday, 5-9pm and Friday/Saturday, 5-10pm.

Take a tour through the Empress! We are excited to have you back in as we’ve transformed our floor plan to allow for social distancing so everyone feels comfortable and welcome. Make reservations for dine-in starting Friday, June 12th. 📸 @mdotchong

We’ve missed you! We have moved cautiously and the necessary steps have been taken to bring Empress back: we have temporarily changed our hours of operation, modified our capacity and introduced a new innovative QR code method for ordering. The health and safety of our guests and of our team is the most important thing to us. If you’d like to familiarize yourself with our changes — we have a more detailed plan on our website. We hope to see you soon. ❤️ Reservations available through our website or by giving us a call at (916)662-7694.

The Panzanella is basically summer in salad form 🍅

Braised Beef Cheeks with potato au gratin and bordelaise — dinner special for Thursday. 🔥

Our special for #NationalBurgerDay - double patty, raclette, caramelized onions, arugula and a butter bun. Available from 11am-2pm! 🍔

Pan Roasted Sonoma Duck Breast on special tonight ❤️ Limited quantities so plan accordingly!

Empress cantina brings us potato tacos! 🌮

Cheers to it being Friday! 🍹

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