Thursday, January 07, 2010
The Kitchen
When we were back in California for Thanksgiving, Karen's brother and sister-in-law treated us to a special dinner out as their Christmas gift to us. Dinner out in Sacramento. "Sacramento," I thought to myself. "Hmmmm..." They explained it would be a 4-course, prix fixe tasting menu at a place called The Kitchen. Foodie that I pretend to be, I've been lucky enough to enjoy a lot of memorable tasting menus over the years, prepared by the likes of Charlie Trotter, Thomas Keller and Paul Prudhomme. But I'll tell you straight out, the evening we spent at The Kitchen was perhaps the most enjoyable restaurant experience I've ever had. They have one seating per night -- 50 guests only. You arrive at 6:30 to a welcome glass (or two or three) of champagne, are shown to your table, but invited to wander around... anywhere, anytime. I spent half the evening eating and half the evening in the kitchen, watching the kitchen staff work and chatting with chefs.
The focal point of the room is a large semi-circular bar that surrounds a demonstration kitchen space where the Chef de Cuisine Noah Zonca cooks and acts Master of Ceremonies. He laid the groundwork for the evening with a monologue that would make Jay Leno smile. As you'd expect, he provided a lively overview of the dishes we'd be eating, but made it abundantly clear that we were all there to relax and have fun. He said it was our evening; we were in charge. If we had dietary restrictions or didn't care for something on the menu, let our server know, they'd change it. He took a special little dig at vegetarians. "We might make fun of you, but we'll cook whatever you want." He told jokes. He introduced his staff... with obvious pride but a lot of humor. No Temple of Gastronomy here.
They offered paired wines, too, either a full glass with each course or a half glass (if couples preferred to "share.") And amazingly, Chef invited us to ask for seconds if we wanted them! (We didn't, but when I asked him about an obscure, Italian cheese he used in one course, he came by our table later in the evening with a container of it for all of us to see and sample.)
After the first two courses, they had an intermission of sorts, inviting us out to a back patio (where a wood fire was blazing) to enjoy trays of fresh sushi, sashimi & tempura... along with a glass of sake (priced extra), if we wished. Then we returned to the dining room for the "entree" courses and dessert. We ate, we drank, we laughed, we took photos, and wandered around talking with other diners... for about five hours. And left, filled with a lot of good food yes, but also filled with some seriously fine memories. Let me publicly say it: Thanks Dale & Bonnie. You the best!
Sure, experience Charlie Trotter and Thomas Keller if you get the chance. But if you're gonna be in Northern California, put The Kitchen on your list of "must try" restaurants.
# posted by goots @ 10:21 AM 
