Tuesday, December 27, 2011

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
Jacqueline
Jacqueline

Chocolat - French for Chocolate. I adored chocolate from a young age when I had to sneak in the cupboard to find where my mother had hidden the Nestle's Chocolate Chips. Having read about the famous chocolat shoppes in Paris, when I finally got there I was determined to try a chocolate from every Paris shoppe. I invite you to share my adventures in creating, in travel, and in life.

32 comments:

  1. BEAUTIFUL!! Thank you for sharing, Anne

    ReplyDelete
  2. You look like sisters:)

    I think you showed us this fabulous resto once before..perhaps i am wrong?

    It's lovely..What a treat:)

    Your daughter has such a sweet face..I love the questions our 4 yr olds ask..
    Me too I sometimes think..my daughter will be 37 this summer..wasn't I 20 2 years ago?


    Happy Birthday to your daughter..They are a cute couple!I must tell you your husband looks like a very nice man too..

    ReplyDelete
  3. We have eaten there and it is a very special, cozy place. Beautiful daughter and what a special time to be born. :D

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a fabulous restaurant. It is like a fairytale kind of place. Happy birthday to your lovely daughter and SIL. Happy New Year to you. xo

    ReplyDelete
  5. That looks like a fabulous restaurant! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jacquekine, I remember when you posted about this restaurant before and I fell in love then but all dressed in it's Christmad finery it is spectacular!!!!!!!! I wish we could go there. You chiose all my favorites for dinner too! My tummy is growling looking at this delicious meal! Glad you had a wonderful celebration! My "kids" are 43 and goiong on 41 next month!!!!!!!! How the heck did that happen???? XO, Pinky PS, my birthday is in August if you want to take me there....it will be a BIG number b-day:):):)LOL

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love La Caille's warm spinach salads. Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos. It's been a few years since we have gone there at Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Seems like a magical place! Your daughter looks like you (and you look like you're still in your thirties).
    Catherine Denton

    ReplyDelete
  9. My first born just turned 30 this year too :) What a beautiful place to celebrate! Happy Birthday to your daughter!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Looks like a beautiful night Jacqueline! Learning to make chicken piccata is at the top of my list of things to try in 2012! Happy New Year Week:@)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I had no idea they decorated like that, now I want to go! I LOVE that restaurant! What a nice gift for a 30th Birthday, I hope my Mom does that for me this year! What a beautiful post, so glad you shared it, and tell her HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a spectacular restaurant & how lucky for you all to share the wonderful celebration together. The pictures of the food is making me drool!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh my! The next time I drive through your state I'll have to stop there.I'm writing it down in my vacation idea's journal.When I hear of any where I think I would like to see I have to put it down in writing .It helps me plan wonderful vacations-Thanks Denise

    ReplyDelete
  14. You look 30 Jackie! I'm so glad you enjoyed a special celebration in one of our favorite places too. It all looks so beautiful and delicious! Happy birthday to your kiddos too...

    ReplyDelete
  15. Beautiful. What a gorgeous restaurant to celebrate.
    I cannot believe you have a daughter of 30! You look so young still.
    Have a blessed New Year and looking forward to visiting your stunning blog soon again.
    Shel

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a beautiful place! It's very European, and I love the Christmas lights they put up!

    What a lovely time you had with your daughter too. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and you will have a fab new year.

    I look forward to following you again in 2012

    ReplyDelete
  17. your DD is absolutely Gorgeous, Jacqueline...she looks SOOOO much like you & YOU look like you're still 30, honest! That had to be a very special night for everyone.
    Thanks for sharing the fantastic photos & FOOD...yumm!

    I bet they never forget their 30th birthdays!

    hugs,
    Rett

    ReplyDelete
  18. Happy birthday to both 30 year olds.. I know how you feel, my baby turned 30 this year.. oh gosh.. this is a magical place. Loved seeing the decorations. What grand ideas. Happy New Year. I hope the year ahead is filled with warmth, good cheer and many, many blessings. xo marlis

    ReplyDelete
  19. Looks like a fabulous place to celebrate a special occasion! Thanks for sharing it with us!

    Katherine

    ReplyDelete
  20. You're right, it's magical! What a wonderful place to celebrate birthdays! Thanks for sharing your pictures, they are fantastic. Looks like you all had a wonderful time. Your daughter is beautiful. Time flies, doesn't it? Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi lovely lady.
    This is a Beautiful restaurant so elegant with the Fireplace and all the Christmas lights for the Holidays. I would like to wish your Beautiful Daughter a Happy Birthday.
    I also hope you and your family have a wonderful New Year.
    XXOO Diane

    ReplyDelete
  22. What a BEAUTIFUL place! And your firstborn is GORGEOUS as well!!! Thanks for sharing!!! XO!

    ReplyDelete
  23. PS I'm your newest follower! Thanks for your super sweet comments on my blog earlier. My Little B is NINE...it's already gone fast! Glad to see you and your daughter still enjoy each other LOTS! Thanks for being such a great example for me!!! XO!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Beautiful place for a birthday dinner.
    Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a beautiful place to have a celebratory dinner, Jacqueline! Such a grand entrance, too. I know what you mean about wondering where the years went. My daughter {my firstborn} will be 25 in February and I still feel 21! : ) Throw a granddaughter into that mix and my mind is saying, "Wait. What?". Your daughter looks just like you.

    Thanks for your visit to my blog. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love seeing the restaurant festooned for the Christmas Holiday. I'll never forget our experience there during the premier of our movie, "Savannah Smiles." Thanks for inviting us to join your party. Happy New Years! Cherry Kay

    ReplyDelete
  27. I remember this restaurant from your post last year! I think this was one of the first posts of yours that I ever read. I remember the peacocks being very curious! What a great way to spend an evening!!! Happy Birthday to your daughter!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Lovely celebration for the 30 year olds. Your daughter looks like her beautiful mom! You certainly look like you could be in your 30s, and there is no question you have the energy of someone in their 20s. I admire all the creative posts that you share with us and look forward to what you have to share in 2012.
    Happy New Year! ~ Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  29. What a perfect place for a special celebration! You look like you could be the sister to your daughter:) Our oldest is 30 also~YIKES!

    ReplyDelete
  30. What an amazing place. It looks like a positively magical evening.

    Happy New Year's.

    - The Tablescaper

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are the highlight of my day! Leave a comment and then I can come and visit your blog. Have a wonderful day! Unfortunately I have had to block anonymous comments, hope you understand.

Follow me on Instagram