Christmas Celebration of Another Birth

There is no more magical place to have a meal

during Christmastime in Utah than at 

La Caille at Quail Run.

As you enter the gates of this 

French country estate

style restaurant, you are greeted with 

wondrous Christmas lights.

Tonight we even had a dusting of new fallen snow.

A larger than life pewter colored soldier

stands guard at each side of the gate.

The beautiful French Country restaurant of

La Caille looks like a lovely country home

and at this time of year it is awash with lights.

I shared this restaurant with you last year during warmer

weather and you might remember the peacocks that

roam the property.  This year they have created

a peacock in lights at the front window.

In the grand entry of the estate you are greeted

by this walrus topped fireplace.  It truly

feels like an elegant home that you have been

invited to for a holiday evening.

Most of the seating is up this grand staircase.

We are here tonight to celebrate another

Christmas time birth, the birth of my firstborn

who came into the world just a few days

before Christmas.

We took her and her husband to dinner here

to celebrate both of their 30th birthdays.

(His was at the beginning of the year.)

We thought that called for a big celebration.

(I  was just babysitting my son's children two

days before and his oldest who is four asked

"Grandma, do you know how to change poopie diapers?"

I told her that I had been doing that for 30 years!!)

Wow, it is hard to believe that I have a 30 year old but

we have been married for 32 years - how can that be

when I feel like I am still in my 30s!

Everything inside and out is just magical.

We started with hors d'oeuvres.

I chose this elegant crab cocktail.

The shrimp cocktail was great too, but lacked

the presentation they normally do (similar to the crab).

Then salads come with the meal and you have

a choice of four delicious ones.  This one is

a warm spinach salad.

I chose this salad, a beautiful presentation of

avocado, grapefruit and crab.

Beef Tournedos with

Bearnaise sauce

And Chicken Piccata with a caper cream sauce

were the main dishes of choice tonight.

We all chose to indulge in their dessert sampler -

left to right - a raspberry creme brulee, warm beignets with

a cream dipping sauce and a warm chocolate cake.

(We did choose to share after since we were so full!)

When you are there for a special occasion, they

bring out this fabulous sparkler.

The sparkler was placed in a 

chocolate dipped strawberry 

this time. 

 (Wish I could get some of these sparklers!)

Afterwards we walked around the restaurant to

take in all of the wonderful decorations.

They have many fireplaces aglow at this

time of year.  Each one is a jewel.

We took a peek upstairs in my favorite room.  

No one was there tonight so we could wander and

take pictures.  The ceiling is vaulted with a curved vault.

I love this huge "chocolate" foil wrapped horse that

topped this fireplace.  He is just magnificent.

At this end of the room you can see the curve of the

vaulted ceiling.

At the opposite end you can look out on this

snow covered patio that is alight with twinkling

Christmas lights.

As we left the long meandering drive we had

to stop to take pictures.  The trees are all wrapped in 

colored lights and these beautiful ducks decided to 

stroll across the drive.

A very sweet lady came running and offered to take our photo.

It was a wonderful birthday celebration of two 

incredible members of our family.  We feel so

blessed to be close to our family and to have

them near at this time of year.

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

And may you have a very Happy New Year.

I will be posting this with

Wow Us Wednesday

Tablescapes Thursday

Seasonal Sunday