The Kitchen Restaurant

10/10 would recommend going here at least once in your life, it's well worth the experience (though a VERY hefty price tag, especially if you add any drinks during dinner). The vibe is like no other, very jovial, interactive, staff are so friendly and accommodating to make it the best dinner experience of your life. No shortage of food, you won't leave hungry. Every seat in the house is a good seat.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Be prepared for an event as this isn’t just an ordinary restaurant. It’s more like a house party. The chefs invite you to walk around the entire kitchen and watch what they’re doing, ask questions and even take a taste. One thing to know is that it’s pretty loud in there, so if you have hearing issues like I do, you might be less comfortable. The bar type tables are pretty tall for short people. But the food was stupendous. There are a lot of creative combinations of foods and the presentation is stunning. There is a lot of staff at the restaurant, and they’re always cleaning your place setting. The atmosphere is wonderful, like being in someone’s fancy house. We had so much to try, and it was pretty much all good.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Decor highlights sleek design with earthy natural tones

Nothing Finer

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

To eat here, you need to get a reservation. To get a reservation, you needed to have participated in a online stampede at the start of the month when they release the reservations for next month. Tables for 2 are near as impossible as getting Gen-Z teenagers off their phones. Tables of 4 or 6 are far more gettable.

Once you have the reservation, you need to prepare for the meal. The day of your reservation, it is best to starve yourself to work up an appetite; but drink water to expand your stomach. Stop drinking water by 4pm and you can arrive with an empty stomach, ravenous appetite, and full bladder. Their bathroom is classy and elegant so there's an opportunity to pee out the water.

The Kitchen was formerly in the Arden-Arcade area; this new location is attached to the same building as Selland's Market (who owns The Kitchen). Pay no mind to the cemetery across the street, nor the construction office separating the unmarked restaurant from the highway 50.

I've experienced The Kitchen thrice now, and each time, you've had to wait in line. When you get to the front of the line, the person checks your reservation and someone leads you to your table.

The Kitchen isn't your stodgy Michelin-starred restaurant. It's intentionally unpretentious. You get to walk around anywhere, into the kitchen, into the prep area, into the wine cellar. Talk to any person. They welcome you to explore and mingle. They don't turn the tables there's no hurry to get you out of there for the next guest. The ambiance is that of an 80's party music, but not loud enough to disrupt conversation.

This time was the Fall menu. There was Act I, Intermission, and Act II. The food at most fine dining places is art. You eat with your eyes as much as you eat with your mouth. The Kitchen is no different, and every bite is artistry. Who thinks to combine cucumbers, mango, and peanuts? Who thinks to combine jalapeno with pineapple and make it taste like flavorful grass? (Not me, for sure).

But that's the experience with Chef McCown and his team. The peach with candied ginger and lavender on a vanilla frosting... pure genius.

The Kitchen is an amazing experience to be had at least once in life. Your stomach will feel as full as your bank account feels empty.

And it's worth every penny.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Pricey but worth ever penny. Great food, staff and experience.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Fantastic dinner, unbelievable service and a great time

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

That Michelin star is entirely justified! And my God, you leave absolutely stuffed. Staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive. Food and drink was phenomenal. You WILL feel in the way walking through the kitchen but they invite you in! Take advantage of the rare opportunity behind the curtain. With cocktail pairings and automatic gratuity to ensure fair staff pay it comes to about $400 per person. For a rare dinner or special event, very worth the experience.

As an aside, if you're someone who gets a bit overstimulated by long stretches of loud noise, don't expect a quiet experience. It's a fun time absolutely and it's not obscenely loud but if you're misophonic or have sound sensitivities, maybe consider earplugs.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I have to say I been to 40 countries and been to alot of upscale restaurants but this place was different. Staff was amazing food was on another level and the cocktails was from another planet. My wife did the wine 🍷 pairing and I did the cocktail 🍸 pairing. I talked to the executive chef 👨‍🍳 that man is comical and a mad scientist when it comes to deliciousness. He stood on business when he said you will not leave out of here feeling like you need to go see an In and out 🍔 . I can see what the buzz was all about and understand how one get flash backs from college days staying up picking the course you want becuase its the same when attempting to book a date. 10 out 10 I recommend.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Osyter and cream puff was good.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

The best dinner experience ever!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Fantastic experience with our friends tonight!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The kitchen lives up to the hype. Super fun experience and awesome food. Head chef Kelly is hilarious! Recommend!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Had a blast here, fun atmosphere, great food but a special shout out to the sommelier Kayla who made the entire experience that much better.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I came here in 2016 on a whim (there was a hurricane on the east coast, and a friend and I flew out last minute), and I’m still raving about it to all my friends as my favorite restaurant of all time (out of a lot of exceptional meals) almost a decade later. It’s truly a spectacularly delicious and unique experience - one that will stick with you for years to come. I recently moved to the west coast and have tried several times to get a reservation - hopefully I’ll be reunited soon!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5