I usually don’t write about major restaurant chains.
Especially when I imposed a personal ban on them years ago and swore, I would
never patronize them again. But time passes and Buddhism does stress
forgiveness. And the pictures of each course does look delectable. And they are
pairing each course not just with the fermented grape but with that naturally
carbonated fermented grape, Champagne…
The Original Sin
Ruth’s Chris Steak House committed that original sin
shortly after they opened in what formerly was known as Restaurant Row but now
is known as Waterfront Plaza. Some twenty-something years ago, I took the Mrs.
to dine at the newly opened restaurant and after ordering my usual starting
cocktail ordered an appetizer (I can’t even remember what I ordered) while the Mrs.
selected a Caesar salad. Our server asked us if we wanted the salad on two
plates. “Sure”. We then ordered our steaks (I can’t say for certain but I’m
pretty sure we both ordered steaks since it is a steakhouse). When I finally
received the bill, I didn’t really look at it and added my usual 20% gratuity
and we left. Several days later when I actually looked at the receipt, I
noticed a $3 plate charge and confirmed that at the very bottom of the menu
that they charge $3 for a separate plate. My disdain was not for the actual $3
charge but I felt that since the server offered it from his end, he should have
at least notified us about the charge. I would have simply declined the 2nd
plate and simply reached across the table if I wanted a bite of the Mrs’ salad…
like I usually would do…
Change of Heart
About 4 years ago during a three-day weekend, a friend
suggested we meet for dinner at Waterfront Plaza at Ruth’s Chris since it was
that “black” period when Vino Italian Tapas and Wine Bar was moving from their
old space to the new space so they closed for about 5 months. Ms K knew my
story about Ruth’s Chris but said she frequently took clients there and always
had great service so we should give them a 2nd chance. Again,
Buddhism does stress forgiveness so I said ok. And everything that evening was
almost perfect. Ok, the French fries weren’t as crisp as they should have been
but from the extra real maraschino cherries in my Manhattan, to the waiving of
the corkage fee to the discount pricing – between 5pm and 6pm, Ruth’s Chris
offers Happy Hour pricing for several menu items though orders must be placed
by 6pm. Because our reservations were for 6pm, our server gave us the Happy
Hour prices even if our orders were placed well past 6pm. And other than the
slightly limp French fries, the rest of the meal was superb! So, redemption is
now complete!... some 20-something years later…
The Tastemaker
Series
For the past several years, Ruth’s Chris host six
Tastemaker Dinners usually featuring a specific winery though sometimes they
highlight a specific distillery. We originally planned on attending last year's
Veuve Clicquot dinner but unfortunately it landed right in the middle of Hurricane
Hector and Hurricane Lane which narrowly missed the Hawaiian Islands so I
regrettably cancelled the reservation. Thankfully, Veuve Clicquot returned this
year with a new tasting menu.
The House of Veuve
Clicquot Ponsardin
Founded in 1772 by Philippe Cliquot who was a banker,
textile merchant and vineyard owner, he partnered with fellow textile merchant,
Nicolas Ponsardin solidifying their combined businesses with the marriage of their
children Francois Clicquot and Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin. Philippe eventually
passed the business to Francois in 1801 but in 1805, Francois unexpectedly fell
ill and died at the age of 30. Philippe originally intended on liquidating the
business but Francois’ young widow (veuve in French) decided to take
over the business at 27 years old hence the house of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin
which was launched in 1810.
Madame Clicquot is credited with creating the first
vintage Champagne in 1810, inventing the riddling tables that separate the
expended yeast cells from Champagne in 1816 and creating the first blended Rose
Champagne using still red wine in the finished Champagne. When Madame Clicquot
died in 1866, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin was producing over 750,000 bottles per
year and it was being exported to all of Europe, the United States and Asia.
Currently it is part of the vast Luis Vuitton Moet Hennessy empire and the
trademark yellow label can be found in every supermarket as well as the
refrigerator of the Barefoot Contessa.
Regrettably, as fate would have it, we also had to cancel
this year’s Veuve Clicquot Tastemaker dinner due to an unexpected family health
issue. So why am I writing about a restaurant dinner or dinners in the 50th
that we never attended? Because there actually are two more Tastemaker Series Dinners
before the end of the year with Caymus Vineyards being featured on October 10th
and Stags’ Leap Winery featured on November 7th. And The City does
have a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse location right in the middle of Van Ness between
Sacramento and California streets. They are already taking reservations for the
Caymus Vineyards dinner with a menu that looks like this:
Crispy Prawn
orzo salad, lemon
vinaigrette, basil puree
paired with
Emmolo Sauvignon
Blanc, Napa Valley, California
Jambalaya Arancini
red pepper coulis
paired with
Mer Soleil Pinot
Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, California
Prime Bolognese
bucatini, tomato
basil, shaved parmesan
paired with
Conundrum Red
Blend, California
Filet Au Poivre
paired with
Caymus Cabernet
Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California
Accompaniments
Braised Baby
Eggplant
Orange Glazed
Honey Carrots
Chocolate Tart
fresh starwberry
jam, meringue cookies
paired with
Caymus-Suisun
Grand Durif, California
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