Amidst all the frenzy about the Church/Schneider for Milledge trade, yesterday was Little Chatter’s 10th birthday. (Cue awwwws!) Little Chatter is also very good friends with Wildfire’s head chef’s son, who is close in age. Not that he had a choice — us being friends with the parents forced him to and they’ve known each other since little chef was born! In all seriousness, the boys get along famously and are having a great time for the year their family is here. We were treated to a pre-opening birthday dinner at Wildfire last night.
As mentioned, the restaurant is running through mock dinners to get ready for opening in about two weeks. Before they do real people mock dinners next week, the kitchen is running through drills of cooking for invisible people. Then when they’re done, they get to sit down and enjoy the food (nice perk!). We walked in yesterday evening after half the restaurant’s tables were filled with delectable dishes. My eyes widened as I scanned table after table filled with steaks and ice cream sundaes. Mmmmm! We were seated at a table and given plates and told to just take whatever we wanted off the other tables. Wow! Where to start?!
We actually never left our seats. Mr. Chatter and I feasted on lobster tail with a crab crust, swordfish, salmon, peppercrusted filet mignon, bacon wrapped scallops and chopped salad, all of which was brought to us after naming our food (I want that, and that, and that, and that…). I have to say, I think the kitchen is ready for prime time. The food was wonderful, although I think I ate the equivalent of three entrees, plus salad, plus cake! The kids were oh-so-adventurous with cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, french fries, and mac n cheese (I couldn’t resist trying it – good stuff!). I hope their taste buds get more sophisticated as they mature.
A chocolate cake slice with candle was brought over for Little Chatter and we all sang Happy Birthday to him (but not the whole place, thank goodness). I think he’ll remember that for a while! The cake I bought him at Safeway is still sitting on the kitchen counter untouched. What? You don’t really think I bake?!
The restaurant is in Tyson’s Galleria (the new mall) on the far north end next to Macy’s on the third level. Can’t miss it! Here’s a copy of the menu with prices by request. I didn’t scan all of it, but you get the idea. The place has a gorgeous backlit bar and apparently this room where these cool walls can drop down and give individual booths privacy (I didn’t see that, but believe me, I’m checking it out next time!). If you go, tell Chef Steven that MissChatter sent ya 😉