Since my previous post from our three-year wedding anniversary, Chris and I were expecting our first child and have spent the last three months adjusting as new parents to our son Baby A. Pregnancy presented travel limitations as well as food and drink restrictions; parenthood challenged our basic necessities of eat and sleep.

We were able to sneak away for our first evening sans baby to celebrate our wedding anniversary as new parents (thanks to my in-laws for babysitting). Chris made reservations at Ruth’s  Chris in Anaheim, California for the Robert Mondavi Wine Dinner.

The event was located in the sectioned off back room of the restaurant with formal tables for four (except for one large group celebrating a birthday). We were seated with Rosa and Kevin from Downey, and shared wonderful conversation on travel experiences and restaurant recommendations during dinner. The backlit wine display wall added a purplish-blue tint to the atmosphere (and my pictures).

The five-course dinner featuring Robert Mondavi wine pairings was $100 per person. Upon walking into the dining room and spotting the computer hooked up to the television, we were wary about the potential for a timeshare themed dinner. To our pleasant surprise, the brief, but informative, background commentary on the company and the wines between courses was not disruptive to dinner.

The dinner started with ahi tuna poke served on a crispy sesame wonton, followed up a creamy butternut squash soup. The highlight of the lamb lollipop course was the sweet potato casserole served alongside. We were offered (and, of course, accepted) the recipe for the sweet potato casserole to take home. Chris’s medium rare and my medium filets were both served medium on sizzling plates. We enjoyed these Ruth’s Chris favorites with sides of mash potatoes and creamed spinach. The final course consisted of an apple tart with iced cream served in an chocolate espresso cup.

Our thoughts remained with the little one back home throughout the delicious five-course dinner. It was nice having a baby-free evening, but we will be including our baby boy in future travel and dining experiences.