This was my second dining experience at R Kitchen, and I will definitely keep going back. It’s the perfect restaurant for adventurous foodies because you don’t know what’s on the menu until you get there. It’s a 5 course, small plate menu for the flat rate of $30. For the dining experience you get, $30 is a bargain. The menu is completely dependent on seasonal and local products, so you know you’re getting a quality product.
R Kitchen is the perfect place for a special occasion, or in this case, a monthly supper club I attend through Yelp. The supper club gives me the opportunity to try new restaurants with a group of adventurous foodies like myself. AKA I am surrounded by other people who are also taking pictures of the food, which I bet is a funny thing for the other people in the restaurant to see.
We got to sit at the Chef’s Table, which allowed us to see the cooking process up close. This is all part of the atmosphere of R Kitchen. As the chef’s say, it’s a kitchen, not a restaurant. Instead of the food simply being delivered to you, you feel like you’re a part of the process. Before each dish comes out, the chefs explain how they prepared each ingredient and the inspiration behind each dish.
Since there are 5 courses, I had to take notes to make sure I remembered the process and inspiration behind each dish. Here is what I gathered:
First course: “Cool Bean” Soup
The chefs explained that this chilled black bean soup is something one of their coworkers makes all the time, except he serves it hot. They wanted to have a fresh take on it by serving it cold. The soup had an earthy flavor from both the truffle oil and the black beans, which I enjoyed. Even though the soup had nice flavor, I think the texture would’ve been better if it was served hot.
Second course: Nacho Chicken
This dish was an elevated take on nachos, and it was one of my favorite bites of the night. The chefs explained that making the chicken itself was a four-day process. They brined it for 48 hours and then it was sous vide (cooked in its own fat). The process was definitely worth it because it was the most tender chicken I’ve ever had. The chip was perfectly crispy, and the slaw on top added a little sweetness with the local peaches. Overall, this dish was the epitome of perfectly balanced flavors and textures.
Third course: “Stuffed Piggy”
This dish was the wow factor of the night. After I took one bite, I knew it was the best pork I’ve ever had. It had such a smoky and rich flavor that was unlike anything I’ve had before. The stuffing was simply comprised of onions, spinach, and ricotta cheese and it perfectly complemented the flavors of the pork. The rice and fresh corn underneath was simply prepared, which was important because the pork was the star of the show.
Fourth course: Sweet and Savory Duck
As soon as we walked in to R Kitchen, I spotted the duck on the stove. I could see that the skin was perfectly crispy, and I couldn’t wait to dive in. It was simply prepared with salt and pepper, which was all it needed. It was served with sauteed bell peppers, leeks, and some creamy dreamy mashed potatoes. I don’t have duck that often, but after this dish I am definitely a fan.
Fifth course: Bacon Apple Peach Pie
Let me start by saying that I am usually not a fan of bacon in desserts. I think that people take it too far and it usually doesn’t work. After I said that to my fellow Yelper next to me, she said “you better take that back!” I definitely take it back because the saltiness from the bacon was definitely welcome in this dish. The crust was made from phyllo dough, which gave it a nice crispy texture. The inside was so light, airy, and sweet that it was simply addicting. I wish I had one to eat for breakfast right now.
Yelp Supper Club was another successful dining experience at R Kitchen, and I can’t wait to go back again!
