Ella Dining Room and Bar

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Downtown Sacramento Institution

Ella Dining Room and Bar sits at the heart of downtown Sacramento, just blocks from the State Capitol, the Convention Center, and Golden One Center. Part of the Selland Hospitality Group — a family-owned restaurant group with over 30 years of roots in the Sacramento region — Ella has established itself as the city's premier dining destination for New American, farm-to-fork cuisine. The Selland family's commitment to local and sustainable growers, farmers, and ranchers runs through everything on the plate: fresh, honest, and seasonal ingredients sourced from the Central Valley, one of the world's most productive agricultural regions.

The Kitchen Behind the Food

Executive Chef Dustin Harvey brings a considered, ingredient-driven approach to Ella's menus. Harvey's culinary career took him through some of Austin's most acclaimed kitchens — including Uchi, Uchiko, and Qui — where he developed a deep relationship with local sourcing and head-to-toe cooking: minimizing waste and maximizing the full potential of every product. A formative mentorship with vegan chef Tim Bevins pushed him further toward old-world grains, environmental awareness, and health-conscious cooking. Harvey joined Ella in 2021 and has since channeled those values into seasonal menus that reflect Sacramento's farm-to-fork identity with genuine conviction.

What's on the Table

The menu spans seafood, steaks, pastas, small plates, salads, fresh oysters, and traditional caviar service — a range that suits both a business lunch and a celebratory dinner. Specials lean into the kitchen's creativity: dishes like a Porcini Crusted Halibut with coal-roasted porcini and herbs of Capay, or a Maple Brined Berkshire Pork Chop with bruléed nectarines and grain mustard jus, show how Harvey draws on local produce while applying precise technique. The bar program is equally serious — craft cocktails, select wines, and a happy hour running Monday through Friday — and the wine list earned Ella a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence, a recognition that speaks to the depth and curation behind every pour.

Events, Private Dining, and Bourbon

Ella regularly hosts winemaker dinners, collaborative dinners with nationally recognized chefs, cocktail tastings, and charity events throughout the year. The restaurant's private and semi-private spaces — from the intimate Chef's Table positioned directly in front of the open kitchen, to the Grand Capitol Room and full buyout options — make it a go-to for everything from corporate gatherings to milestone celebrations. Events Director Nicole Desmond, a Sacramento native who has been with Ella since 2010, oversees every detail. A recurring bourbon program, including private barrel selections and allocated bottle tastings, adds another dimension to the experience.