Date Night!

Last night after the Trunk or Treat activity at our ward, Kari's parents came over to watch the kids so that she and I could enjoy a date for the first time in a long time. Earlier in the week I suggested Speisekammer, in Alameda, which I know ranks at the top of Kari's favorite local dining spots.

If you're craving good German food, you can't go wrong here. It's a little bit pricey and parking isn't so great, but the dishes are large, the food tastes spectacular, and the service is attentive. For entertainment, there is live music, and last night, the Giants game was on a giant, flat-screen TV directly in front of where we were seated.

Kari has a signature dish she LOVES to get every time we go to Speisekammer: Wiener Schnitzel vom Schwein. I took the Rotisserie Huehnchen. We split a side of German fries. As we ate and talked about things, the game was nearing the end and it was a tense environment in the restaurant with people milling about in the area where we were sitting following the 2-2 game.

In the bottom of the 8th inning, Juan Uribe drove a pitch deep into right field and it landed in the front row of the bleachers to give the Giants a 3-2 lead. The place erupted. An inning later, as we enjoyed apple strudel with vanilla ice cream, the Giants closer Brian Wilson ended the game with a called third strike that resulted with thunderous applause, high fives, and cheers throughout the restaurant, including Kari and I.

I kind of felt bad for jazz singer Regina Maria Pontillo who was on hand to perform her music from the '20s, '30s, and '40s. She said, "Right now I wish I were a baseball game," which got her a big cheer.

For there, behind her on the TV, the celebration had begun:

Kari absolutely loved her dish and, as usual, brought home half for after church. I enjoyed every bite of brocollini, mashed potatoes, and herb-roasted chicken I was served. It was mouthwatering!

The baseball game obviously added some excitement to the event. I've never been in a restaurant with that kind of atmosphere, but it was truly electric. I tried The Englander in San Leandro during the World Cup which was loud. But this was out of control.

Maybe we'll have to go back during the World Series. Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure Kari will go back to Speisekammer with me when baseball season has ended.

Meanwhile, goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Giants!