Cafe Zorro, Loomis

Matt Williams grew up in Loomis, just as the four previous generations of his family did. Following familial suit, he decided to stay in the area as an adult, but not before traveling to Italy to train in the culinary arts and acquire a taste for fine wines. After returning to his life-long home, he turned this passion for food and drink into a career, opening Café Zoro.

Matt and his kitchen team, led by Chef Scott Burns, embrace local, farm-fresh ingredients whenever possible, preparing seasonal fish, meat, pasta, and dessert dishes by hand. Though he takes pride in all of the specialties on the rotating menu, he is especially proud of his hand-made pizzas, which combine thin Italian-style crusts with homemade sauces and off-the-stem ingredients such as bell peppers, onions, and kalamata olives.

Of course, Matt’s passion for flavor doesn’t end with food. He and his staff also serve a remarkable selection of locally-crafted beverages. In addition to offering tasting flights from local wineries, they pour a lineup of craft beers, some of which hail from the nearby Loomis Basin Brewing Company.