Chef Matt Masera leaves Saddle Rock for Hook & Ladder

Things aren’t going too well over at Saddle Rock.

The newest restaurant in Chris Jarosz’s Broderick empire had a last-minute shuffle just before opening, subbing in Matt Masera, formerly of Mother and Empress Tavern, for Kevin O’Conner, who moved to an Australian olive oil company. Last week, at the restaurant’s three-month mark, the first wave of reviews hit—both the Sacramento Bee and SN&R critics issued mostly positive verdicts with some light criticisms. SN&R put the restaurant in its list of the 50 best in Sacramento, largely because of the skill and creativity of Masera.

Now, Masera is going to Hook & Ladder Manufacturing Co., long helmed by Brian Mizner.

“We are long time fans of Chef Matt Masera and are confident that this marks the beginning of a long and successful partnership,” says co-owner Kimio Bazett in a press release.

With full creative control, Masera is expected to redo the menu. However, it’s still in development. And he’s still not sure whether he’ll bring his popular brown butter cookies with him.

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