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May 20, 2005
Read the Online Menu
Eating out is a challenge for us CRON folks, and I can readily see why some of my favorite CR people... well, okay, only one, but he's my very favorite one! don't even bother.
There are times in my life when I can't avoid eating out without giving great offense to people who are important to me, and the fact remains that I still enjoy going out and eating good food. Tonight is one of those occasions when I'll be going out with a lot of people, none of whom are CR friendly, and I don't want to call much attention to myself. It's a dinner for my friend's graduation from law school... the same friend who got married back in March. We're going to a fancy Italian place in New Jersey where she lives. The food is great, but not exactly CR friendly. This is what Laura would call a challenge.
Recently I've started reading menus online before I go to restaurants so that I can scour the selections for the most CR friendly (or least CR hostile) options and be prepared with my order before I go. It cuts down on anxiety beforehand and drama at the table. I read the menu for this place, Villa Barone in Collingswood, New Jersey, this morning online. I've picked out what I'm going to order, a full twelve hours in advance of the dinner.
I would like to propose a game. You can read the restaurant's menu here. I want all you bloggiefriends to check out the online menu and see if you can guess what I'm going to have.
Here are some clues:
1) This is not a CR friendly crowd AT ALL so I am going to do minimal negotiating with the waitron. I will basically order off the menu with minimal modifications.
2) I will plan my lunch to be on the low end so that I have more Calories available for dinner.
3) MR thinks I eat meat too often.
The bloggiefriend who guesses closest to what I actually eats will win a magnet! BTW, Laura, you never sent me the address to send your magnet to. I am not kidding about the magnets. I really do give them away.
So write in your guesses on your comments... and may the best CR'd folk win!
Posted by april at May 20, 2005 3:27 PM
Comments
Main course:
~Eggplant Rollatini~
Classic Seasoned Ricotta rolled in Eggplant, Baked and then served with Tomato Sauce $15
Just for fun, I Googled up a recipe--doesn't look *too* deadly :)
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/cda/recipe_print/0,1946,FOOD_9936_26317_PRINT-RECIPE-FULL-PAGE,00.html
It comes with a side salad, too. If you were going to order a separate salad, though, I'd vote for:
~Insalata Gorgonzola~
Spring Mix Salad in a Raspberry Vinaigrette with Walnuts and Gorgonzola $6
And, if you're going to go for broke and get an appetizer too, I'd hazard:
~Zucchini Fritte~
Pan Fried Zucchini served with Marinara Sauce and Basil Pesto $7
Other stuff that you probably won't get but look reasonably CRON friendly:
~Spinach De Avellino~
Spinach, Portobello Mushrooms, Topped with Grilled Shrimp $8
~Mussels Rosso or Biancchio~
$6
~Stuffed Mushrooms~
Stuffed with Lump Crab Meat in a Delicious Wine Sauce $7
~Insalata Bruschetta~
Sundried Tomatoes, Rigatoni, Roasted Peppers and Grilled Chicken over Mixed Greens $6
~Montese~
Asparagus Tips and Lump Crab Meat in Roasted Garlic Wine Sauce
Vitello $18 • Chicken $16
Posted by: Dan at May 20, 2005 1:34 PM
If you're going with a salad and an appetizer, I'd say the gorgonzola salad with either the stuffed mushrooms or the mussels. If you're getting a full meal, then perhaps the asparagus tips with crab meat and garlic wine sauce?
(The guesses are based on the fact that I know you like asparagus, Mary's gotten you to start eating shellfish recently, and because gorgonzola seemed slightly more CR-friendly than the other salads.)
Posted by: Anonymous at May 20, 2005 5:17 PM
You can't pass up the asparagus bella nonna... you just can't! (though it may be a good idea to take it easy on the cheese). For the main course, I'd think (given the clues) you would skip the meat and pasta, opting instead for the insalata portobello or eggplant parmigiana (my #2 choice).
Posted by: Jacob at May 20, 2005 8:10 PM
go for the ceaser salad. hold the crutons. dressing on the side.
the kids menu is shameful.
Posted by: fruitgirl at May 20, 2005 9:28 PM
Well, Dan and I were thinking along the same lines. That would be the Spinach De Avelino to start, then the Eggplant Rollatini. You have blogged about how much you like lowfat ricotta at home. With your plan to eat even lighter than usual earlier in the day, a small portion of regular ricotta shouldn't be too damaging. And there shouldn't be any annoying "Good Little Girl" comments.
Posted by: Howard at May 20, 2005 10:03 PM
Well, "Anonymous" beat me to it, or I'd have selected the Spring Mix Salad in a Raspberry Vinaigrette with Walnuts and Gorgonzola followed by the Asparagus Tips and Lump Crab Meat in Roasted Garlic Wine Sauce for you. Such yummy-sounding stuff! Fruitgirl is right about the children's menu. Sadly, it's actually better than what's normally on the kids' menu in most restaurants. JD
Posted by: Judith at May 21, 2005 12:36 PM