The Kitchen

So last night I went and did something that my lovely office job has blessed me with the ability to do: I treated a friend to a dinner where the tab came out to be roughly $350.00. I am in no way ashamed that there is a time once a year when I pick a fantastic restaurant and go spend an ungodly amount at it. Ever since I quit drinking, amazing food has been my passion, and last night I got to explore that passion to the fullest.

I drove after work to pick up my homo husband Jesus. We arrived at the restaurant which is in a non-descript building with no signage. Inside there is a very small and cozy dining room, with a huge kitchen as its focus. They encourage you to get up and wander around, ask for seconds if you really like a course, explore the wine cellar, walk through the kitchen, and all kinds of other things that you could never do in a regular restaurant.

Here is one of the sous chefs explaining the sashim/sushi intermezzo where you got up to explore and pick out various goodies before your third course. 

We were seated along a horseshoe bar that wrapped around the kitchen, getting a phenomenal view of all the goings on. There were also about eight tables to the right of us, but I had specifically requested a seat at the bar. I took a ton of pictures, and was glad that others had their cameras out doing the same. The explanation of courses was exquisite. Every ingredient was mentioned with careful care given to telling us where it was sourced, the treatment of the product, and why it was chosen for that specific course. My only regret was my inability to capture a photo of these little miniature carrots and radishes used in one of our dishes. They were so freaking cute. 

Each item was lovingly plated right before your eyes. The beauty of the dishes matched the taste. Each course coming out had me smiling, while wondering if I was going to have the room to make it to dessert. I had eaten next to nothing all day in anticipation of this meal. 


There were so many good things to mention about this experience, not the least of which was the seriousness with which they took dietary restrictions and preferences. When you made the reservation you informed them of any special dietary needs. My dining guest needed a gluten free menu, and they were glad to oblige. Not only that, but it's not like they just made him miss out on bread. They made him a special gluten free bread. The dough on the dessert was made especially for him. They will accommodate any sort of request. Several folks requested no shellfish or no foie gras. There were vegan meals being crafted before our eyes. At one point I heard the chef yell, "Do not handle sesame seeds near that plate right there. They are allergic and if they get sick it's on you." I was astounded and impressed.

Love and care given to the plating of our soup course. The soup was a play on a lobster vichyssoise, and it was amazing.

All in all it was a fun evening filled with irreverent conversation. At one point the chef explained how they stroked the lobsters to put them to sleep, and if any of us wanted to come in the wine cellar later to learn how, we were more than welcome to. Thanks inappropriate humor! I myself like to be sexually harrassed with my dinner. Although this is not something I will be doing again any time soon, and it broke my budget for the month, I have no regrets. It was a four hour experience, moreso than a meal. And it was worth every damn penny.

   My lovely dessert tart, utilizing the exact same blueberries I myself purchased at the farmer's market this weekend.