8 months ago
Vhfimbres
Ok. So, where do I start? I'm going to go way back to 1996 when I first met my husband. Both of us are from Southern Cali, but would often make trips to Las Vegas for a quick getaway. On one particular visit, my brother-in-law told us that we needed to try this place called the Oyster Bar located in the Palace Station casino. So, one night we all headed over to the Oyster Bar. After about an hour of waiting in line, we sat down and ordered several dishes, including: combo pan roast, oysters in the shell, and gumbo. I had never tried any of these dishes. But let me tell you, all three were amazing. Especially the pan roast!
Something about the creamy tomato soup base with the perfect blend of spices and seafood. It's a special treat! Really. So special, in fact, that many times I've searched online for a good copycat recipe, but unfortunately I was never successful duplicating this incredible dish. I honestly must have tried ten different recipes over the years. All promised great results. Ummm, sadly no.😢
I must say that part of the experience at the Oyster Bar is the fun atmosphere. My husband and brother-in-law had always enjoyed talking and joking with the original chefs. The two of them probably ate there no less than forty times since 96 (me, maybe fifteen times). They really got to know the chefs pretty well. I didn't know them that well. However, I did notice about fifteen years ago that the "OG" chefs had left and new chefs had replaced them. After that (my husband would agree), it was never quite the same experience, but the food was still always great.
So let's move on to how Ritter's fits in to all of this... it's Mothers Day 2019. I work in Arcadia, Ca. I am scheduled to work this day. My husband and daughter are coming to have lunch with me. My husband tells me to pick a place to eat. I turn to Yelp because I am not that familiar with the local restaurants (I commute an hour to work). I am craving shrimp or fish so I type fish "n" chips and I end up with several suggestions, including Ritter's Kettle Cooking. I have no idea what kettle cooking is so I spend a few minutes looking over the menu and as I'm reviewing the menu I'm thinking, "this reminds me of Oyster Bar in Las Vegas-sounds good." I send my husband the information, including pics and the name of the restaurant and I'm like "let's try this place-looks good" Within a minute, he sends me back a text that reads...wait for it...."I wonder if that's Ritter from the Palace Station Oyster Bar?" Well folks, turns out it is!!! Remember those chefs I was telling you about way back when that left around fifteen years ago? Chef Ritter is one of them. I found out recently that he even helped develop the Oyster Bar menu when he worked there.
Almost done folks... 😊
So, course we went to Ritter's Kettle Cooking on Mother's Day and it was even more amazing than I remember in Las Vegas. Chef Ritter is an amazing chef and my husband and I are so happy to have found this place. We are still kicking ourselves that we didn't know he had a restaurant (actually several restaurants) throughout Southern California. I can tell you we will eat here until we are old and gray and can honestly say that Chef Ritter is one of the most amazing and talented chefs ever. Please ladies and gents.... run, don't walk to Ritter's Kettle Cooking. Your tummies will be happy I said so.
Heidi Fimbres