Dinner Strategy

So today I'm bound for Philly again, but only for about 24 hours -- then I'm going to take a train to DC for a 4 day weekend.  I haven't spent the Fourth in DC in more than a decade and I always used to love it.  I absolutely can't wait for this trip since I'm going to see two of my best girlfriends, as well as a bunch of other friends I think. 

One of my best friends is having a very tough time right now -- she is a high-level exec at a government agency that has been in the news for all the wrong reasons lately, and she feels like her job is on the chopping block not because she had anything to do with the incident, but for the sake of being able to say that they cleaned house.  It's tough for her since she's worked very hard to get to where she is and she's great at her job -- and she enjoys it!  Not many people would really embrace working for one of the most hated parts of government, but she's brought skills and personality to the table and basically got into her dream job.  So spending a few relaxing days with her will hopefully help her de-stress a bit.  She's also super into yoga and running so from a fitness perspective, this trip will be good for me and won't even cause a blip in my training.  We're also going to road trip to Charlottesville for an overnight stay to see my best friend, which is always, always good. 

Anyway, the whole thing I was planning to write about, last night, to complete the ten days of work chaos with an audit and two trips to Philly, I had dinner with clients. I go to these client dinners with my boss and sometimes a colleague. And since my boss outweighs me by at least 100 pounds, he drinks me under the table at every single one.  Fortunately these dinners don't happen very often, a few times a year at most. But we eat and drink so much that usually I feel like I double can't walk when I leave -- tipsy and way too full. I usually end up having to ditch my car at the restaurant and have my sweet husband come pick me up. We're both very paranoid about driving with alcohol and particularly since he had a heads-up that it was going to be one of "those" dinners, he didn't mind.

So last night, we went to a place called Ocean Prime.

My choices:

Pre-dinner cocktail:  Pear Grapefruit Fizz (well, if you want to be technical, pre-dinner cocktailS)

Appetizer: Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli, Golden Oak Mushrooms

For the record, what I wanted as an appetizer, but I was worried there would be meat and I didn't think it was very professional anyway: Aged Wisconsin Cheddar Fondue for the Table
You just know anything with the word "Wisconsin" in it has to be good! ;)

Salad: Ocean Prime House Salad, Romaine, Spinach, Granny Smith Apples, Goat Cheese, Walnuts, Sherry Mustard Vinaigrette (ordered w/o the nuts and with oil and vinegar instead of the vinaigrette)

Entree:

•Sautéed Button Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions

•Jumbo Asparagus with Hollandaise

•Black Truffle Macaroni and Cheese

•Steamed Broccoli

•Jalapeño Au Gratin, Sliced Potatoes, Aged Swiss

I just ordered 5 side dishes that sounded good to me and to others and I shared them to create my own veggie plate.

Dessert: White Chocolate Key Lime Tart with Whipped Cream and Vanilla Anglaise
What I really wanted (but couldn't eat because it had nuts): Ten Layer Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing and Pineapple Syrup

It was all really good, but what was strange was that for the first time ever at one of these dinners, I was not completely stuffed when I left.  Definitely tipsy, but not feeling like I might hurl if I bumped into something.  It was a mystery until I got home and I realized my involuntary strategy for not eating too much had worked like a charm.  I'd worn a skirt that was already fairly tight, so I think I ate less since there just wasn't any room to expand! And fyi, while I've held off over 30 years on getting a tattoo, I think the imprint from that skirt's zipper is going to be permanent! 

My not-getting-stuff was a necessary strategy since my diet isn't going to be pretty for the remainder of this week in Philly and DC (and maybe Charlottesville).  Guess I'll have to pile on some more miles of running.... haha, I can't complain about that!!