The Kitchen (Sacramento, CA)
We have literally been waiting for years to snag a table at the Michelin Starred “The Kitchen.” Our very very good friend in Sacramento made a reservation in October 2021 and we waited with bated breath, biting our nails for 5 months, hoping Covid would die down enough for us go. Then Omicron surged in Dec/Jan 2022 and we lost hope… Finally the gods smiled, and March 2022 was a go.
I hadn’t read up on The Kitchen before our visit (very unlike me) and I’m glad I didn’t. I did not know this was going to be Culinary Theater with the Head Chef narrating the entire experience with a hilarious opening monologue (“we’re not the French Laundry, but we are next to a laundromat!”).
Even more excitingly, we requested and received seats at the counter!! We were ringside to all the activities in the preparation of the dishes. Apparently it’s quite common to be bumped from the counter for a VIP. For example, the folks next to us were repeat guests that the staff clearly knew very well. We were allowed to visit the back kitchen – ask questions – eat oysters and raw cookie dough out of the freezer. All guests are also able to come into the kitchen, participate in the plating of the dishes, or flambe a pan for Instagram.
And then even MORE excitingly, they had a mixed drink pairing for the dinner which consisted of 6 special mixed drinks designed for each course (Champagne, Vodka, Rum, Gin, Bourbon, Amaro), most with a citrus base. It was like they had read my mind!! Yes, please!! Forget the boring wine pairing!
The flavors, and combinations of flavors, were exquisite. As they should be for a one Michelin star restaurant. I have to say that after two years of pandemic lockdown and deprivation, the sensory overload of The Kitchen experience was almost too much to take. I reached total saturation after the 4th course, before the last 2 courses, and the sweets, and the cheese course. And there’s even a planned intermission (with seafood)! I even missed photos of several dishes and most of the drinks including the amazing Bourbon-based Vieux Carre that is mixed and aged in oak casks for 2 months.
Go if:
- You are seeking a once in a lifetime experience of haute cuisine theater where you can authentically interact with the chefs and staff
Don’t go if:
- You are a value customer who can’t stop thinking about the price of things
- You want the classic white tablecloth experience with reserved, obsequious waitstaff
- you have important business or personal business to conduct (like a marriage proposal)
- you’re not ready to be in a room of 50 unmasked diners
- if you are not ready to consume 5000 calories, even over the course of 4 hours (the stretchy pants requirement)
Cost including 125 wine or cocktail pairing, tax, tip: approx 375 pp
