“Feel the Roar” used to be a slogan for the King’s basketball team. Now that they have reverted to cubs in the basketball world, there is a new roaring lion in town. I can say that having been a 22-year season ticket holder.
March was my month to choose. I had been working on my “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day” volunteer opportunity and was sharing it with one of my ladies night friends. I had the pleasure of seeing her daughters, beautiful and grown up. A product of their mother who is one of the most composed and lovely women I know. The girls were participating in the volunteer event too. So, while we were making blankets, the conversation of course turned to dining. One of the daughters happens to be married to a chef. He was working at Lion’s Gate helping a fellow chef on paternity leave.
Ladies night had previously dined at Lion’s Gate in 2002, a beautiful setting in the O Club, the previous Officers Club at the now decommissioned McClellan Air Force Base. We remember it being a good meal in a classy setting.
I chose to revisit the O Club for our dining experience. When we arrived, we were quickly seated in the sparsely populated dining room. However, the bar was packed.
The view from our table was of the pool, timeless and inviting. This was the place that provided a hideaway for the officers, a place to escape the daily grind. It has a bit of romantic history and present day peace to it.
The server was young and told us that he usually worked breakfast but he would do his best to get our dinner. I would much rather be told of a perceived shortcoming on the wait staff part than to have it inflicted on me without warning. In this case, he need not worry. We had no complaints on his serving abilities. We told him we were in no hurry, as usual, and to let Chef know that we had arrived. I should also note that there were only three of us dining. Historically we have gone out when only two are available!
We ordered drinks and began our monthly conversational update. The next thing we knew, salad appeared. It was field greens with blue cheese and nuts in a lovely vinaigrette. Not too sharp for the greens but a delightful contrast to the cheese. Chef then came to the table and advised us to his favorite menu item, steak. I do not recall any of us ordering steak in our dining out history. We are more the pasta and chicken types and one of us not in attendance is dedicated to Caesar salad. We asked him how the salmon was and he said he had just cut it. Good to know. Two of us went with the salmon and one with the chicken breast.
Next to arrive unannounced was an appetizer of house made spinach ricotta gnocchi sitting in a delicate marinara. Wow, the flavors married in your mouth. Delicious.
The soup was a potato. Usually not a standout. But this one was smooth, creamy, and cheesy and had potato bits that contrasted the creaminess. It was served hot and the aroma filled the table. Yum.
The chicken breast was lemon-rosemary with potatoes and served on a bed of Del Rio greens. I had no idea except Chef mentioned where the greens came from. I went on their website and found this:
“Del Rio Botanicals, the Produce Express Farm produces unique, ethnic, and specialty produce for the restaurant trade. In addition, we produce seed for 485 different varieties of vegetables, culinary herbs, medicinal herbs, gourds, and flowers. 30 acres is in organic production. 170 acres is in the process of being converted to organic production. Our year round fresh vegetable supply, the dedicated year round crew, and the continual seed production keep us growing 12 months of the year.”
The salmon was served with sliced potatoes and a blood orange sauce on a bed of the greens. My friend’s husband makes great salmon and I am always excited to be invited to a BBQ at their home in Elk Grove. His is in a sweet sauce to die for. My husband has also mastered the art of salmon even though he doesn’t eat it. He BBQs his with lemon and butter and serves it slightly undercooked.
So I consider myself a connoisseur of salmon. Chef Wright’s salmon beats them both hands down. But please still invite me to Elk Grove!
And then dessert, which we usually don’t order but when we do, we share it. Michael brought an assortment. We had a raspberry layer cake, a chocolate raspberry cake and a crème Brule. The raspberries were tart and the layer cake sweet, a good ying yang. The chocolate was so rich and gooey and decadent. The tart raspberry sauce helped to cut the sweet deep flavor of the chocolate. We were surprised to find that they were both made by Bellabru bakery. You too would be surprised by the breadth of this bakery's reach in local restaurants. The delicious bread my husband raved about at Lucca’s came from Bellabru. Their baking is unsurpassed in Sacramento.
But, the delight of the evening came from the Lion’s Gate kitchen. My friend in Ohio, you would have been in dessert heaven. Crème Brule, house made was served warm and creamy with the crunch of sugar on top. Perfectly vanilla made to melt in your mouth. I could talk about this dessert all day. The only clue I can give you came from the Chef. Here it is Ohio, Alton Brown.
It was a lovely dinner, great company as always and a beautiful setting. You can’t ask for more than that. Having Chef come out and talk about the food made the entire evening a culinary experience. This was not our usual evening fare and I am so grateful to Chef for his attention.
I know that credit is due to the regular chef at Lion’s Gate, Johnny Frink. I have some advice for him. Don’t stay away too long. Chef Wright has it right!
www.lionsgatehotel.com
www.bellabrucafe.com
www.luccarestaurant.com
www.delriobotanical.com
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Dining with Ol’ Blue Eyes at the Cosmopolitan Cafe
Last month, the restaurant of choice, not mine, came from a daughter who had previously dined there. It is a rite of passage that we, after 20 years are taking our kid’s advice to dine. After all, we have set an example for them all these years.
This young lady can choose anytime. What a great dining experience this was. My only regret is that I didn’t blog earlier so that my friends could have enjoyed a romantic Valentine’s Dinner there.
I am not sure what I liked the most, the historical pictures of Sacramento or Frank crooning in the background. This restaurant has everything right. The décor is wood, tile, brown leather, monochromatic and cool. The enlarged picture of the former Woolworth’s building greets you while waiting for your table. The lighting is spectacular. A very cosmopolitan touch was Light Rail going by reminiscent of the old rail cars that used to operate on K street. I recall lunching at Woolworth’s with my Grandma, sitting on the stools and watching people go by. It was quite an adventure to go downtown from North Sacramento in the 60’s. A step back in time.
The service was stellar. Not only was it attentive and smart, the server made a point to ask if we were attending the cabaret, show to assure our meal was timely. He relaxed when we told him that we were not.
I was particularly intrigued by the three-course “My Way” menu for $25. It was well written and quite appealing. We had the appetizer polenta fritters which were delicious and a stimulated the appetite. We chose these based on the server’s recommendation. He steered us in the right direction. For the entrée, I had the ravioli with ricotta and chard. My dining friends all raved about their choices too. The ravioli was cooked to perfection and the sauce with parmesan and sage just tickled the taste buds.
Oh would I go back. And I hope to attend the cabaret too. I am not sure if I was so taken by the room, the food and the company that I just imagined this evening because it was so pleasant. I will go back and see if it has the same Black Magic spell on me.
Cosmosacramento.com
This young lady can choose anytime. What a great dining experience this was. My only regret is that I didn’t blog earlier so that my friends could have enjoyed a romantic Valentine’s Dinner there.
I am not sure what I liked the most, the historical pictures of Sacramento or Frank crooning in the background. This restaurant has everything right. The décor is wood, tile, brown leather, monochromatic and cool. The enlarged picture of the former Woolworth’s building greets you while waiting for your table. The lighting is spectacular. A very cosmopolitan touch was Light Rail going by reminiscent of the old rail cars that used to operate on K street. I recall lunching at Woolworth’s with my Grandma, sitting on the stools and watching people go by. It was quite an adventure to go downtown from North Sacramento in the 60’s. A step back in time.
The service was stellar. Not only was it attentive and smart, the server made a point to ask if we were attending the cabaret, show to assure our meal was timely. He relaxed when we told him that we were not.
I was particularly intrigued by the three-course “My Way” menu for $25. It was well written and quite appealing. We had the appetizer polenta fritters which were delicious and a stimulated the appetite. We chose these based on the server’s recommendation. He steered us in the right direction. For the entrée, I had the ravioli with ricotta and chard. My dining friends all raved about their choices too. The ravioli was cooked to perfection and the sauce with parmesan and sage just tickled the taste buds.
Oh would I go back. And I hope to attend the cabaret too. I am not sure if I was so taken by the room, the food and the company that I just imagined this evening because it was so pleasant. I will go back and see if it has the same Black Magic spell on me.
Cosmosacramento.com
Great Expectations at Serritella's
I have great expectations when I dine out. Great service, food and atmosphere.
I got one out of three at Serritella's.
I am blessed to have so many great women in my life. This is not my monthly dining group. You know who you are because I tell you how much your company means to me. You continue to reach out to me and I am grateful every time I am included. This occasion was a birthday dining experience. I have to fasten my seatbelt when with this witty, funny, irreverent group for the sheer enjoyment of the E-ticket ride. When I am with people who really know me, my family, my quirkiness, I can truly relax and enjoy. That is what I expected to do.
I have been to Serritella’s many times over the years and have found the food and the service to be erratic. This night was no exception to the rule. There were five of us for dinner. I was the last one to arrive and the place was packed, bar and restaurant. My friends were in the bar. After I ordered a glass of wine, we notified the hostess that our party was ready to be seated. It was about 6:30. There were people hovering for our bar seats. And lots of kids and adults waiting in the area. We were seated at 7:00 p.m. The server brought out the delicious bread sticks hot from the oven with peanut butter, yum. I believe they do this knowing that you will have a long wait for dinner and so be it because they rock. They take me back to lunching at Shanley's. I miss that place.
So, we ordered. All the while, we shared, laughed and reminded each other why we enjoy the company so much.
The minestrone came. It was thinned out and slightly sweet. Missing something. Substance. The clam chowder fared much better. It was creamy and flavorful.
In the midst of waiting for drinks, looking around the restaurant it was easy to see that this is a comfortable family atmosphere. Not a fine dining experience. There were people conversing between tables. Very relaxed and warm environment. Then the meltdown occurred. Behind us. 8:00 pm, no food and screaming children. We are all mothers and meltdowns are part of the world of dining. We were not bothered by it. We remembered our own experiences dining with children. The parents quickly changed their order to go and we smiled sympathetically as they left.
8:10, dinner served. 55 minutes after ordering...it arrived lukewarm and disappointing. The best of the night was the creamy polenta with grilled veges and the worst was the veal, chewy and bland. My friend commented that it must have been old cow, not veal. And the bill was $125.00!
I have talked to people whose opinion I value that say they have never had a bad meal at Serritella’s and are loyal customers. I regret that I have never had a good meal there. I don't know that I will go back.
As for the dining companions? You complete me! Fabulous, feisty, fun.
There are great restaurants in town and for my money, I have great expectations.
www.serritellas.com
I got one out of three at Serritella's.
I am blessed to have so many great women in my life. This is not my monthly dining group. You know who you are because I tell you how much your company means to me. You continue to reach out to me and I am grateful every time I am included. This occasion was a birthday dining experience. I have to fasten my seatbelt when with this witty, funny, irreverent group for the sheer enjoyment of the E-ticket ride. When I am with people who really know me, my family, my quirkiness, I can truly relax and enjoy. That is what I expected to do.
I have been to Serritella’s many times over the years and have found the food and the service to be erratic. This night was no exception to the rule. There were five of us for dinner. I was the last one to arrive and the place was packed, bar and restaurant. My friends were in the bar. After I ordered a glass of wine, we notified the hostess that our party was ready to be seated. It was about 6:30. There were people hovering for our bar seats. And lots of kids and adults waiting in the area. We were seated at 7:00 p.m. The server brought out the delicious bread sticks hot from the oven with peanut butter, yum. I believe they do this knowing that you will have a long wait for dinner and so be it because they rock. They take me back to lunching at Shanley's. I miss that place.
So, we ordered. All the while, we shared, laughed and reminded each other why we enjoy the company so much.
The minestrone came. It was thinned out and slightly sweet. Missing something. Substance. The clam chowder fared much better. It was creamy and flavorful.
In the midst of waiting for drinks, looking around the restaurant it was easy to see that this is a comfortable family atmosphere. Not a fine dining experience. There were people conversing between tables. Very relaxed and warm environment. Then the meltdown occurred. Behind us. 8:00 pm, no food and screaming children. We are all mothers and meltdowns are part of the world of dining. We were not bothered by it. We remembered our own experiences dining with children. The parents quickly changed their order to go and we smiled sympathetically as they left.
8:10, dinner served. 55 minutes after ordering...it arrived lukewarm and disappointing. The best of the night was the creamy polenta with grilled veges and the worst was the veal, chewy and bland. My friend commented that it must have been old cow, not veal. And the bill was $125.00!
I have talked to people whose opinion I value that say they have never had a bad meal at Serritella’s and are loyal customers. I regret that I have never had a good meal there. I don't know that I will go back.
As for the dining companions? You complete me! Fabulous, feisty, fun.
There are great restaurants in town and for my money, I have great expectations.
www.serritellas.com
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