What do you do to decompress??

The last few weeks have been CRAZY in the Kyle household. While we were on vacation in Utah, hubs had to get 16 stitches from a gash he got while snowboarding. Then this last weekend I was traveling to get my Insanity Certification ( still flying high from that). While I was gone, Ryan broke his arm and we had to go get him casted when I got home...so CRAZY!

One of my goals for this year was to learn how to cook and we have been very vigilant in making our meals BUT we really like to eat out. Food always tastes better when you don't have to make it, so I suggested to hubs that we have a date night and of course he said yes!!

One of the perks of where we live is that we are literally 20 minutes outside of Philadelphia and we have so many great options for date night. Hubs gave me 2 choices and we decided that we would try out Talula's Garden. My reason for choosing this restaurant is because it claimed a Farm to Table atmosphere and when I looked at the menu there were plenty of options for our nutrition plan.

I wish I had been able to take more photos of the actual restaurant because the garden outside was beautiful but the waitress told me that the gardens aren't open to sit at until the temperature is consistently above 60. Since the temperature was around 35 when we arrived, I was very happy to be sitting inside.

The chef sent out complimentary brioche buns with a pat of butter and even though that is NOT paleo, it would have been rude for me to leave it sitting there, so I took a small taste and it melted in my mouth. I had already looked at the menu and hubs and I had pretty much decided what we were going to get. 

We started with:

"Oyster and Pickles"...cornmeal fried Chesapeake Oysters, Garden Pickels, Baby Romaine hearts and Smoke house made creme fraiche. (there is not pic because we inhaled it)

The Hubs had:

Overnight Pork Belly, Berkshire Pork, Black Garlic Crust, Ginger Scented Sweet Potatoes, Local Apples, and Pomegranate Pork Gastrique

     I have to say that I did taste the pork belly and it was very very good. I was expecting it to be a little bit crispier but he loved it.

My choice was"

Seared Day Boat Scallops, Fragrant Roasted Quince, Parsnip Puree, Toasted Hazelnuts, Citrus Herb Vinaigrette, Fresh Baby Kale

     IT WAS AHHHHH-MAZING! I don't think it was because I didn't have to actually make it but the parsnip puree was so so good!!! 

For sides we had:

Brussel Sprouts and Bacon "Stuffing" walnuts and Apple Cider Glaze

     and 

Maple Roasted Butternut and Acorn Squash , Hot & Spicy Toasted Pecans

The squash could have been a dessert. The maple syrup that they were roasted with really made them sweet and tender. I could have eaten just that and been a happy happy person. 

We did have dessert ( no pics)
Old Fashioned Maple Bread Pudding
     Toasted Brioche, Maple Ice Cream, Cayenne Cashews, and Bourbon Sauce.

It wasn't a HUGE dessert but it hit the spot and it was a very nice end to a wonderful meal with my hubs.

We really like being able to find places that have healthier options so that when we leave we don't feel like we have ruined the progress that we have been striving for in our workouts all week.

Do you like to go out to eat? What's your favorite places to go??