So I’m going to make the assumption that you are like me.

That even though you have a few kids and are a grown adult, that your parents can still one up you. They know more, they’ve been around the block more, they are your parents.  And as much as we think we have a thing or two we can teach or introduce our parents to, we will most likely get a “Been there, done that” from them.

Now that I’ve gotten that little back history spelled out.  Did you know that April is National Grilled Cheese month? I didn’t until I was catching up on some blog reading and read THIS from Dine & Dish, and saw THIS from Eat, Live, Run.

Now if either of those wasn’t enough for ya, I received an email about the grilled cheese awesomeness that James Beard nominated chef, John Cuevas has been throwing together at The Crow Bar and Kitchen…..

Chef Cuevas has been serving up daily renditions all month long….can you stand this ~

Smoked Mozzarella and Provolone with Selection of Cured Meats and Spicy Mustard on Wheat Bread

Smoked Mozzarella and Grilled Zucchini, Heirloom Tomatoes and Olive Mayo on Country Bread

Aged Cheddar and Braised Short Rib, Pickled Onion Aioli on Potato Bread

Danish Havarti and Crispy Pork Belly, Haas Avocado, Caramelized Onion on Sourdough Bread

Really!?!? I’m biting.

No really, I’ll take a bite. I’m serious.

And really I did take a bite.

Addie and I made a lunch date and we invited Grandpa along because who better to enjoy a gooey grilled cheese, than with your Dad??

Addie was very taken with the crow on the plate.  It is “The CROW Bar & Kitchen” after all. Very cute!

Check out these specials….we opted to try them all out.

As it turns out, my Dad and Mom are frequent diners of The Crow Bar and Kitchen, and as Dad was listing off his favorite dishes they’ve tried (high on the list is the fish & chips), he goes on to say you can’t go wrong with the Chef’s specials…and since we were there for a grilled cheese, we did just that!

Tried ALL the specials….

Ummm, I don’t even know what to say.

One of the best soups I’ve ever eaten. By ever, I mean ever.

I would never have ordered a fennel soup normally. Love it in salads, but just didn’t seem to work in my brain for soup.

So glad I didn’t listen to my brain….it has no idea what it’s talking about sometimes.

We pretty much spoon battled over every bite…

“Creamy fennel, garnished with green apple and pancetta”.

They should have just said “Heaven in a bowl.

I think dad won, but I definitely made a dent and could have eaten an entire second bowl.

By myself.

Then the tacos landed on the table.

I can’t even tell you what was in them, other than the fact they looked so good to Addie she immediately grabbed some beef, and then immediately grabbed her water glass…they had a tad bit of a deliciously, spicy kick.

Again, DEVOURED (by Dad and moi…not Addie!)

THEN the grilled cheese arrived.

Today’s gooey-goodness was “Swiss cheese, roasted pork loin, spicy mustard, cornichons, sourdough”.

Now, if there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that if you have the privilege of being served by a talented Chef, even if there are ingredients you would not choose to eat together, just GO WITH IT. You will almost 100% be surprised and impressed with the result.

This was definitely the case.

With everything we ate. Awesome.

Addie, of course, had her hands in the french fries faster that you could say, well, “french fries”.

Annnnnd then there was more….how about a little Flatbread?

Maybe a flatbread with “pamplona chorizo, provolone, Serrano chilies, spicy tomato sauce, pepperoncinis, herbs”.  To say it was spicy is kind of an understatement.

Dad and I LOVED it….

But they quickly brought out a special cheese flatbread for Addie!

Here’s what I have to say.

1. Parents are almost always right. (As a parent now don’t you think you are!?!?) So even though I had been a patron of The Crow Bar and Kitchen before, as dad pointed out, there are SOOO many fabulous, easy, unbelievably flavorful, well priced dishes on the menu, that this restaurant warrants frequent visits.
2. Taking time out of your week to invite your dad to lunch is good for your soul. You hear about things you might not have known. Like the fact your grandmother, who is no longer living, who is your Dad’s mom, who your oldest daughter’s (the one sitting next to you) middle name is after, once took a cooking class from James Beard. Didn’t know that.
3. Sharing a grilled cheese, with your Dad, and your daughter is the best. I can only imagine what it’s like from the other side of the table to be looking at your daughter (yet seeing her as though she is 3 years old) while she sits next to your 3 year old granddaughter.  No matter the craziness of the lunch, it’s special.
4. Make time for family.
5. Eat a grilled cheese.
6. Go to The Crow Bar and Kitchen, sample the awesomeness that comes out of Chef Cuevas kitchen.

And really, can you argue with this??

Go. You wont be disappointed.

(Disclosure: The Crow Bar and Kitchen was kind enough to share their kitchen with us, but the opinions and recap of our wonderful lunch are all my own. It was most certainly a favorite meal. I’m currently penciling in when to get my booty back for more!)