The Kitchen in one word: Wow!

My favorite Wisconsinites, Chris’ parents, came out to California last week for visit. No trip to visit their favorite son is complete without dinner at The Kitchen, and Chris and I are always delighted to share the experience with his parents.

 The Kitchen serves a decadent, multi-course demonstration dinner. Nothing is off limits at this restaurant, where they invite guests to stroll through the kitchen, chat up the chefs, peek into the wine cellar, even do dishes if that’s what floats your boat. The menu changes monthly, and every ingredient has a story. But instead of trying to recall each of these stories, how about I just show you some photos?

Here’s what we feasted upon last week.

First Course: Tortilla Soup with Maine Lobster, “Creamed” Chorizo, Avocado and Smoked Chilies 

Second Course: A Salad of Foie Gras, Frisée, Sea Grapes, Grilled Chicken, Fennel and Crisped Brioche 

Not pictured (because I was too busy throwing elbows to get the best goodies): The intermezzo, when you’re invited to leave your seats, stretch your legs and help yourselves to a variety of sushi, sashimi and other treats.

Third Course: 100-Mile Salmon, Dungeness Crab Béarnaise, White Asparagus Flan and Preserved Meyer Lemon

Fourth Course: Slow Roasted Young Beef, Duck Breast and Crispy Skin with Shepherd’s Pie and Black Peppercorns

 Aaaaannd, Dessert: Nancy’s Carrot Cake with Butter Crunch Ice Cream, Caramel Popcorn and White Chocolate.

Why limit the birthday celebration to just one wonderful meal?

I know it's not quite Turkey Day, but here's what I'm thankful for right now: an awesome birthday.

I've spent past few days celebrating my birthday with some of my favorite people. A lot of that celebrating has involved delicious food.

First up was a wonderful dinner with my boyfriend Chris, who took me to Grange, a restaurant in Downtown Sacramento the two of us have been drooling over for months. The entire meal was heavenly, from the marinated olives with olive oil and goat cheese to the entrees -- I chose a New York steak served with potatoes and brussels sprouts, while Chris killed it with ordering in the form of a duck breast with sweet potatoes and plums.

My second celebratory feast was dinner with the family at Mas Cocina Mexicana, a sort of sister restaurant to one of my favorite Sacramento spots, Ernesto's. Any place that serves bean dip with its chips and salsa is OK by me, and these guys make a mean shrimp chimichanga.

I spent this past weekend in the Bay Area with some of my girlfriends, and gorged on gooey cheese at Matterhorn, a place I've wanted to try for years, ever since I spotted their "Fondue Festival" banner while cruising down Van Ness. Step into the Matterhorn and you'll feel like you've been transported to the Swiss Alps.

Lucy, Kimmy, Colleen and I opted for the "Oh La La" (a blend of French raclette and Camembert) and the "Highlander," a melty mess of cheddar, gruyere, and a "wee dramm" of whiskey. We all scarfed the fondue with help of bread, apples and sausage. Dessert, a dark-chocolate fondue served with marshmallows and fresh fruit, put us all in serious food coma.

I feel so lucky to have shared my birthday, and some seriously delicious meals, with such wonderful people.