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A Very Special 33rd Cactus Club Anniversary Dinner

For our 33rd Wedding Anniversary, Don made reservations at , of course, the Cactus Club. When we arrived, I was met by the lovely Caitlin, who remembers, I don’t know how, the names of her customers. She is truly a delight.

We were seated in the dining room section (far too hot and windy for the patio). Ladies, you know when you are all dolled up for that special ‘date’ you want to look like you didn’t walk through  hurricane.

A young man came over, and told us our server would be with us shortly, could we order a drink? We did that and our server, Tkia brought it to the table. This young lady is someone truly amazing. Let me explain.

Tkia asked us if we knew what we wanted to order for dinner, and I told her I had a bone to pick. She looked shocked and when I told her the crab cakes were no longer on the menu , she chuckled. I ordered my usual and then Don ordered his steak/frites and Tkia was gone to take our requests in.

A table with a young couple were seated and when Tkia saw them, she rushed over to give her a hug. I then stood up, tapped her on the shoulder and said I didn’t get my hug. Silly, I know. We all laughed and but she gave me a hug.

When our food came out, Tkia explained that she and her brother (both servers) worked with this young lady and Tkia was away for a while and this was their first visit since she returned.

Tkia asked Don how his dinner was and he told her he had a big bone to pick. He told her it was THE MOST VERY PERFCTLY DONE STEAK they had ever served him.

Don was asked (by me) to make a choice for dessert. He did and when it arrived, he asked Tkia if she could please take a picture of us. She backed up into the table next to us and took the picture. I immediately got up and apologized to them for upsetting their space. They thought that was no problem as it turned out, Tkia explained their relationship.

Dinner done and then a huge….read my lips here- they brought me to tears, with a wonderful gift. They made our Anniversary dinner really special.

Of course we will return and of course I had to continue our silly night, and I told the young man at the table to treat his date really good. He laughed and said he would, just because I told him.

It was a fun, light and most enjoyable time.

 

 

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The Sonora Room Restaurant

On Father’s Day, when my husband returned home from his annual golf weekend with his two sons and 14 others, we were off to celebrate Father’s Day in  style.

We went to the Sonora Room Restaurant (part of the Burrowing Owl Estate Winery) for dinner. We were greeted by a young man with a big smile who actually asked questions to engage in a welcoming conversation as he seated us at a window table. Our server comes over with a wonderful presence to offer us a beverage, or water (still or bubbly) and leaves the menus for us to peruse.

I ordered my glass of wine and Don ordered a Beck’s. I asked our server (who had the most delightful accent) where she came from and she told us and that she spoke Swedish. Then, she says to us, you were here last year for Father’s Day and you sat over there (pointing across the room). Now, this is a memory!

Don ordered the Clams Vesusius. This consisted of steamed outlandish Manila clams, black garlic, cherry tomatoes and chilies. The bowl was piled high and, yes he did, he consumed it all. He said it was great.  I ordered the pan seared Scallops. Oh my, this was with paprika and honey bacon, spinach, apple butter and apple chips. They were the large scallops, perfectly cooked and absolutely delicious.

Now for the main course.  Don ordered the Firehall Stout marinated pork loin. It came with an Apricot chili sauce, braised greens, and pearl barley. The pork was cooked to perfection and the plate was pretty clean when he finished. I ordered the roasted game hen and was definitely not disappointed. It came with roasted yams (cut and piled up like a handful of poker chips,  sweet chili marinated tomatoes and jus roti. Believe me, there was nothing left. During this slow dining time, I ordered another glass of wine.

Our delightful server comes over and offers Dessert. Did we refuse? Not! Don and I both ordered the same one. Napolean with a fine point strawberry, hazelnut puff pastry, crème fraiche mousse, basil and white chocolate ice cream and we each had a cup of coffee. Wow!

This was truly worth it. It was the only winery restaurant in the Valley that had a menu of great variety. Some were serving pretty basic – same menu as ever and I was looking for something a little different. This is one restaurant that, with a new Chef, has made the food really awesome. Make your reservation and enjoy.

Friendly note to Manager – when new menu is printed up, the word is cherry not chery. Just sayin’.

 

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