An Atlanta Date Night

Guys, I’m so sorry about the radio silence yesterday! We spent the entire day catching up with old friends and unfortunately, the 30 minutes that I was in the room yesterday, our hotel’s internet wasn’t working. 🙁 Expect 2-3 more posts today with the rest of this weekend’s details!

After sleeping, catching up on trashy magazines, and goofing around on the plane, we successfully made it to Atlanta in record time!

Boy did we miss Atlanta, highways, driving, and our dear friends!

Our first stop was the brand new rental car facility at the Hartsfield-Atlanta Airport! It is the largest rental car facility in the world! Hertz had a brand new Honda Civic ready and waiting for us!

Within minutes we were enjoying the fresh air, six lane highways, and the feeling of being in a car!

While the Atlanta skyline may not be New York, it’s still one of my favorite sites, especially when you’re coming from the airport!

We arrived at our hotel just in time to freshen up before our dinner reservations. Our room is funky and modern but has wonderful amenities!

We may have hit up the mini bar before we left for dinner, toasting to the start of a wonderful weekend in Atlanta!

Sweetwater 420 for Bo and a Diet Coke and Vodka for me!

One of the hotel’s amenities is car service to local restaurants in their fleet of Acura SUVs. Within minutes, we were dropped off at Ecco, a restaurant we’ve wanted to try for ages!

Located in Midtown Atlanta, this restaurant is known for it’s delicious tapas and small plates along with wonderful service.

Our waiter quickly took us through some of their famous dishes and then their extensive wine menu. I started with a light and fruity French Pinot while Bo enjoyed one of their signature cocktails.

I had to taste test his cocktail to ensure it wasn’t poisonous. Doesn’t every good wife do that?

The décor was funky yet still comfortable and rustic, exactly what we wanted!

We were starving, so while we finished reviewing the menu and choosing our main courses, we started with some of their most popular “taste and share” small plates.

My plate featured the fried goat cheese which was to die for along with their octopus salad and the stuffed pepito peppers! Everything was delicious, fresh, and full of flavor. Each of these small plates were perfect for two people as there were four or five pieces of each item.

After much debate, we decided to try one of their local salads and a flatbread pizza for dinner. Their flatbread pizzas looked delicious each time one passed our table and they are cooked in a huge wood fire oven!

The salad was composed of fresh local greens, radishes, lemon rind, freshly grated cheese, and a light vinaigrette!

The pizza was crisp and light, topped with arugula, drizzled with lemon, and fresh cheese! It was unlike any pizza I’ve ever tried but was delicious! I thought I would miss the sauce and tomatoes but I didn’t!

Our dinner at Ecco was exactly what we wanted and was the first date night we’ve enjoyed in a while! I highly recommend this restaurant if you’re visiting Atlanta and looking for a reliable, delicious, perfectly executed meal with wonderful service and reasonable prices.

Share Button
Follow:

A Tao Night to Remember…

 

After a day of fun in the sun and exploring Vegas, last night Theodora and I spent another long evening on the dance floor together!

We took a cab from our hotel to dinner and were surprised how much traffic there was on the strip and how expensive cabs are in Las Vegas!

IMG_1340 (640x478)

Due to traffic, it cost $13 to go 2.5 miles! But, our cab driver gave us a Las Vegas hotel and economy lesson while were with him so at least it wasn’t all bad.

IMG_1341 (640x478)

A few readers recommended Tao since a dinner reservations not only gets you in the restaurant and lounge but also free admission to the nightclub which can run as much as $20 per person and often has a line over an hour long. We were apprehensive to go to Tao while out here since there is one in New York, but we’ve discovered that most restaurants here are chains. In addition, neither of us have been to Tao in ages and remembered having good experiences before.

DSCF7313.JPG

The 42,000 square foot hot spot did not disappoint! We had a perfect table for two in front of the huge statue and were able to people watch during our meal.

IMG_1344 (566x640)IMG_1343 (640x478)

The Asian influenced menu includes many items intended for sharing such as dumplings, edamame, and wontons.

IMG_1345 (478x640)

We took our hilarious waiter’s suggestion and ordered the lobster and mushroom steamed dumplings along with warm edamame.

IMG_1346 (640x478)IMG_1347 (640x478)

I am still thinking about those dumplings, nom nom nom! These two items were the perfect sized appetizers to enjoy with our vodka and seltzer before dinner.

IMG_1350 (476x640)IMG_1348 (478x640)

Since we knew we wanted to share our main course as well, we chose a few of their sushi rolls. Neither of us have enjoyed “fancy’ sushi lately and instead have become more accustomed to sushi served in tin foil boxes and delivered to our door step. It was a nice change of pace though we both missed our brown rice!

IMG_1351 (640x459)

Our roll choices, from top to bottom, were as follows

TAO Angry Dragon Roll with Eel and Kabayaki Sauce

Spicy Lobster Roll with Shiso and Black Tobiko

Chef’s Roll with Tuna, Salmon, Tobiko and Avocado

After our delicious dinner, we walked two flights up to the night club portion of Tao. It was packed with beautiful people, different DJs and music in every room, and decorated with naked women in tubs with flowers, red lights, and multiple dance floors.

We spent the next three hours posing for pictures.

DSCF7325.JPG

Making friends with two guys from Kansas who happen to have bottle service! Score!

DSCF7328.JPG

Theodora was really, really happy at this point!

DSCF7327.JPG

I really wish you could see this guys diamond stud earring. Also, Theodora and I have decided that a wedding ring makes any girl 10x more attractive to guys.

DSCF7332.JPG

By the end of the evening our feet enjoyed their table service sofa area. Also, please check out the hostess in the left hand corner of this picture. Yes, that is what the hostesses wear in Las Vegas.

DSCF7330.JPG

Oh, and last but not least, my Dr School slip-ons have paid for themselves ten times over since I bought them the weekend of my sister in law’s 21st birthday. These roll-up slip on shoes cost $10 at CVS and have seen the floor of Tao Las Vegas, Marquee NYC, and Eye Candy Dance Club. By the way, when did I start going out dancing every weekend?

DSCF7334.JPG

We made the smart choice of closing our blinds this morning when we went to sleep and therefore were able to sleep for 7 lovely hours! We woke up starving once again since we haven’t been eating any late night food after our long nights of dancing and drinking.

IMG_1355 (640x478)IMG_1356 (640x478)IMG_1357 (640x478)

Red, White, and Blue in Mandalay Bay delivered on our cravings for something savory. I devoured this grilled chicken “burger” complete with grilled mushrooms, onions, ketchup, and mustard. It was exactly what I was craving. Ten glasses of water, one pickle, and a few tater tots later I feel like a human again!

Now if the sunshine could just return to Las Vegas for one more afternoon by the pool. Oh well, we may have to head for the outlets instead. Winking smile

Share Button
Follow:

Healthy Travel: Conference Food

 

Hello from Las Vegas! The weather this week has been amazing, based on what I see out the windows. Unfortunately, like most large conventions and meetings, we are inside the hotel all week except for a few breaks. But, we have been treated to a few views during meals which are a welcome treat!

IMG_1216 (640x478) (640x478)

This week, in addition to keeping up my workout routine, I’m trying to be conscious of my food choices. It is easy to indulge in more alcohol, sweets, and heavy foods at meetings since most meals are buffet style. Luckily, I came equipped with a game plan this week.

  • No sweets since Lent is still going strong. (I still haven’t broken that goal!!)
  • Drinking water with breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Eating a healthy breakfast and lunch
  • Trying to eat more fruit, vegetables, and nuts for snacks versus processed foods

So far, my plan has worked well, especially since P&G has provided some amazing food options. Our breakfast especially has provided me with a plethora of healthy choices, which has therefore forced me to focus on portion control!

IMG_1310 (640x478)IMG_1312 (640x478)IMG_1313 (640x478)IMG_1314 (640x478)

IMG_1322 (640x478) (640x478)

My breakfasts have been around 350-500 calories this week, depending on options. I’ve also ensured that I bulk up with fiber and protein so I’m not hungry. I’ve avoided the hot bar section and the pastries since those luckily fall under the sweets category in my book.

Lunches and dinners have been a bit harder, but I’ve done my best to follow the “peace sign” rule and the 80/20 rule. I divide my plate like a peace sign, ensuring that greens or vegetables make up the largest portion. Then I try and put healthy carbs and protein in the other portion. In addition, I’m avoiding heavy sauces and the fish dishes since I don’t normally care for fish on a buffet like these.

IMG_1317 (640x478)

Question: What are your tips for staying healthy at meetings and conferences?

Share Button
Follow: