12 In The Kitchen

Last night, we had a treat of eating IN the kitchen of one of San Francisco's hot restaurants, "Two". They have an "In The Kitchen" program where 12 people (6 couples) are selected each week out of a lottery system (you register online) to eat a 6-course meal IN THE KITCHEN of Two. The cost? $20.07/person (+ tax/wine/grat). It's an unbelievable value, but you have to be an adventurous eater. When you arrive, you can grab a drink at the main bar while you wait for the 7 o'clock hour to arrive. I had a margarita with strawberry and peach puree while Valerie had a martini with strawberry and basil leaves....this gives you a feel for the creative setting you're about to enter.
They then walk us through the "back of the house" and into the heart of the kitchen where an oasis awaits us. There is a long table with a white tablecloth and votive candles surrounding it and 12 place settings with 13 chairs. We thought the extra chair was a mistake, but it's for the chef/owner, David, to sit and chat with you throughout the meal.

The food was divine! Soft, warm peaches wrapped in pancetta was my favorite course, but we also enjoyed pappardelle pasta with oxtail and a new gourmet twist on a classic - bacon, tomato and mozzerella sandwiches that MELT in your mouth (David admits that it might be the butter that assists that melting -- "Fat is our friend" he says and I agree!). After each course, you have the opportunity to write down your thoughts, and David keeps these praises and critiques in mind as he introduces some of these items to the upcoming menus for the main restaurant.

We capped off the evening with a trio dessert, served individually, of profiteroles that were more or less mini ice cream sandwiches, but on crack. They were delicious, with three different but subtle flavors and - my favorite - an extra vat of melted chocolate offered on the side in case you need a little more "oomph".
The entire evening was a complete delight. It was nice to meet the other 6 at the table and we enjoyed visiting with the friends we came with - Chris, Valerie, Franklin and Alyssa. I highly recommend signing up for this experience - it is probably the closest thing MY behind will ever get...IN THE KITCHEN.