Tired from our adventures, the four of us were about to refuel at the Cheesecake Factory when my…read morepartner pointed out a place called RH. I had never heard of it before. Unfortunately, it was closed, so we didn't get a chance to check it out. We noticed a balcony where people dined, and I said, "Maybe we'll try it some other time."
About a year later, we spent a night in Corte Madera before heading to Clear Lake. Since it was his birthday weekend, I thought it would be perfect for the four of us to have a celebratory breakfast before our long drive.
We walked in, and I couldn't help but exclaim, "Damn! This place is BOUJEEEEE!" (A term I picked up from my millennial coworker, meaning "luxurious in lifestyle.") A tall, dark, intimidating man stood watch at the door, not even greeting us. Maybe we didn't look like we belonged in such an upscale place.
Undeterred, we explored each showroom before making our way up the grand staircase to the restaurant. Wow, wow, wow! Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, and a majestic fountain with a Roman centerpiece stood in the middle of the dining room. Lush plants and trees hung everywhere, giving the space an atmosphere that matched the showrooms--stylish, elegant, and sophisticated.
We received both the all-day and brunch menus. Since my partner loves oysters (and it was his birthday celebration), we started with a dozen. They were plump, smooth, and silky--like a kiss from the ocean. Craving something different, I also ordered the Hamachi Caviar Carpaccio. It was delicate, fresh, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. I was slightly bummed that my partner's daughter loved it so much, while my own daughter wasn't interested after trying a small piece. I almost ordered another, but remembered we still had breakfast coming. At least I got the tiniest final bite of carpaccio. If our appetizers set the bar this high, I couldn't wait for the next dishes.
My partner had the RH Scramble, and I chose the American Breakfast. We were both blown away by the scrambled eggs--so fluffy and creamy, almost magical. I always add milk to my eggs, but they never turn out like this. My partner's daughter enjoyed two enormous slices of avocado toast, while my daughter opted for the Swedish Pancakes, which were rich and buttery. The sweet potato fries struck the perfect balance of sweet and salty. The girls sipped hot chocolate adorned with cute designs; my partner's cortado featured a stylish RH motif, and my chai latte was dusted with cinnamon.
Stuffed as I was, I still wanted us to sing happy birthday, so I ordered a crème brûlée for the occasion (they put the candle on the side). Breaking through the thin, glassy top was satisfying, and the silky, ultra-creamy custard beneath was absolutely divine. I also spotted chocolate cookies on the menu and eagerly ordered them for the road trip--they remained scrumptious even after a quick spin in the microwave.
What an exceptional meal! The service was just as memorable--every server was outstanding.
Okay, that was an expensive breakfast. Looks like it's Taco Bell for the rest of our trip!