Want to guess what we had for lunch!?
Mmmmm sandwiches. I had a thin schmear of tuna salad with veggies on High Five! bread. Yum!!
Matt had this monster (if you can’t tell by scale it was about 3 times as big as mine!)
We worked until about 3:30 – learning the ropes. The host training is just to get more comfortable in the bakery (remember most owners don’t have the 2 years of experience that Matt does) and learn some of the business behind the scenes. We did a little of this and that and called it a day.
I literally collapsed into our hotel room bed wondering if I should just go to bed at 4PM! Many of you comment that you’d gain a lot of weight working around so much bread. In fact, most new owners lose weight because the work is so labor intensive! I think for me it would break even ‘cause I love to taste the bread so much, but it sure is tiring being on your feet kneading dough, lifting pans, washing dishes, bagging bread and the like.
But we rallied. Matt and I knew we had all afternoon to go running and get some dinner, so we decided that we should spend energy to get energy – because it always works!
Before
After!
It worked! Not an hour after I didn’t think I could get up from the bed, we ran a SUPER FAST 4.8 miles around Columbia’s Centennial Park. Matt set the pace and I did my best to keep up. I was breathing HARD the whole time. We finished 4.8 in just under 40 minutes (39:30ish) and our average pace was around 8:30. (Splits: 8:37 | 8:31 | 8:22 | 8:44 )
And because I have to do a little yoga everyday, I managed two poses. That’s it!
We drove home. Rinsed off. Ponytailed it up. And went out!
Our destination was the beer joint here in Columbia – Victoria Gastro Pub.
Loved the décor
We decided to share the beer sampler – 5 5 ounce beers. The pub had a really interesting beer list – very impressive in obscurity. But it was missing a lot of my favorites: a barleywine, a malty high alcohol beer, a high alcohol imperial stout.
We settled on the following:
- Goose Island’s Pepe Nero [a saison with a hint of “homebrew” to it]
- Harviestown Old Engine Oil [a bit weak]
- Flying Dog’s Raging Bitch [a thick wheat beer that was a bit too yeasty for me]
- Heavy Seas Black Cannon Firkin [this could have been SO much better if it had been carbonated. A know a cask ale is not carbonated, but it tasted like something Matt would bring me straight from the fermenter right after brewing!]
- Goose Island Dominique [Now THIS beer was awesome. It was actually a sour beer, which I normally despise. But it was a Bourbon sour beer – and our waitress highly recommend it. So much that she brought me a taste and WOW – it was like Bourbon, white wine and beer, all rolled into one. LOVED it!]
We were brought some complimentary biscuits in a cute pale
Supposedly made from Blue Moon!? They didn’t really have any beery taste though. I actually saved most of mine to have for dessert. It was a perfect palate cleanser!
For dinner I got the most expensive Shrimp Caesar Salad of my life.
And the worst part was that the shrimp were COLD! As in chilled. Not hot off the grill. Very disappointing. And such a small portion too.
Matt’s Duck Confit with Bacon and Greens was excellent
But do you want to know what stole the show? Duck Fat Fries. Yes, it sounds quite odd. But everyone at the bakery today was raving about them, so Matt decided he had to try them. As it turns out, they were fabulous, but NOT because of the duck component – because they were seasoned with rosemary and LAVENDER! My favorite herbs!
Since I didn’t get enough sleep last night, I’m hoping to crash into the pillows right now and sleep straight until 6AM.
Wish me luck!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
I think I would shy away from the name “Duck Fat Fries” but perhaps that the vegetarian in me.
I can totally see how owners would lose weight by doing such hard work!
Emily @ Savory and Savage says
Mmmm, duck fat fries!
It looks like you are having a great time on your trip.
Kudos to you for resisting the urge to hit bed early and getting in a great run 🙂
Katie @ Nourishing Flourishing says
I lost weight at first when I was a server at a restaurant way back when — all that moving constantly really does wear you out!
mitzi @ my nikon eats food says
i believe you! i once worked at a fried chicken joint and lost tons of weight b/c working in a restaurant made me so active!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
Bahaha your before faces 🙂 Sampling bread while working sounds like a dream.
Baking 'n' Books says
Yeah – screw the weight gain – bring on the bread! As long as I’m happy 😉
I love that 2 yoga poses still count as yoga. Usually I only have time or want to do like 5 minutes…and y’know what – so what?! That’s better than nothing….
Holly @ Couch Potato Athlete says
Blue Moon biscuits sound delicious! Ok I love any type of biscuit.
Good job getting out for that run! I know that feeling — that you just want to go to sleep, but once you’re moving you’re feeling alert!
Kim says
We must have just missed you at GH today! We went up this afternoon to pick up some baked potato bread for a party tomorrow. Darn. Glad you’re having a great time here!
KathEats says
Oh bummer! We left around 3:30. Maybe we’ll see you today? We’re there from 7-lunchtime for sure
Laura (Starloz) says
oh boy, i love the look of those fries & damn, cold shrimp, how upsetting.
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
I can’t imagine running after such a long day, but it looks like it did you some good!
Anne @ Baking Me says
I love lavender and rosemary as well, those fries sound delicious. Good luck catching up on some zzz’s 🙂
Meg says
An expensive salad should never skimp on the shrimp (that rhymes, ha!)
Have a good nights rest, Kath! 🙂
Molly says
Love your green jacket!
Kristin says
Wish I could have come and met you today at the shop (I am in Baltimore, and go there when I can get there to buy their bread). Hope you have a good trip.
cathyb@brightbakes says
I’m always a bit disappointed when salad portions are too measly! :S
The bread you got to nibble on today would have made up for it though! 🙂 Gorgeous.
Nothing like a sandwich on “doughy” bread!
love,
cathy b.
Ellie@fitforthesoul says
haha~you look so adorable in those pics Kath! like an innocent little girl–in a good way! not that you’re NOT innocent…? 😛 haha. I thought that too, about weight gain! But I guess at the same time~for SOME individuals, working at a bakery/kitchen would make them tired of eating it and already know what to expect and so they wuoldn’t eat it as much? A girl I knew actually became very skinny even though she was the head baker of a pastry place b/c she was tired of eating it all the time 😛
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
Those fries sound amazing!!
Angela (the diet book junkie) says
i’m definitely not a beer drinker, and yet those glasses look so pretty! 🙂 have a good sleep, dear!
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says
I love your two yoga poses 🙂
And the spend energy to become energized mentality..works for me, too!
And working around bread and not gaining weight…I can relate! I have had jobs where I’ve worked in a bar around alcohol and could drink 7 nights a week for free if I wanted to…and at points in my life have gone YEARS without so much as having a sip.
Now, if I worked at Mrs Fields cookies, or Godiva, all bets would be out the window 🙂
PR_Cal says
The before pics are so cute! Made me smile.
Do you know of any Great Harvests in Canada?
KathEats says
I don’t think they’re in Canada. Maybe check Greatharvest.com to be sure?
staceyhealthylife says
That salad is kinda small. Which is too bad because a salad should never be small. They should add more lettuce, it’s cheap.
Emma (Namaste Everyday) says
YUM all those beers sounds awesome! I’m gearing up for St. Paddy’s day tonight here in New Zealand! They have lots o Irish Pubs, but I’ll probably stick with Guiness. best bang for your buck, here!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
Bakers’ days do sound so intense! But if it’s what you both love, it will become such a wonderful lifestyle for both of you. 🙂
That pub looks so cute! Too bad the proportions were so small though – you deserve more after all your hard work today!
Morgan says
Wow! You are making me tired just by reading how much you did today!
Duck fat fries sound amazing!
Good luck on the sleep.
Valerie @ Cupcakes & the City says
I need to do a bit of yoga every day! And good for you, going out and running 4+ miles when you’d rather lay in bed….I’d choose the latter!
Sarah says
Ooh I live in Columbia and Victoria is my favorite place! Glad you enjoyed the duck fat fries…yum!
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
Oh the duck fat fries sound awesome – I love rosemary too! I’ve had fries made with lard, which totally grosses me out, but they are seasoned with rosemary, so they are delish!
Emily says
I’ve never been to Victoria’s but been told to only go for the beer and those fries! Looks like you agree 😉
Jennifer RD says
I recently discovered your blog and was surprised to hear that you are right here in Columbia (I’m an RD in Columbia). So, after taking a look at what you like to eat I agree with an earlier comment – you really should eat at Great Sage (organic, vegetarian restaurant) before you leave. Check out Roots Market and Nest Boutique, also at Conscious Corner – all are owned by the same wonderful locals. I hope to visit Charlottesville sometime soon, looks like fun!
KathEats says
We are going to Great Sage! And I think that suites me a little more than the duck fries 🙂
Amanda (The Nutritionist Reviews) says
I like that green jacket!
Tina says
Those fries sound incredibly intriguing. I have tasted lavender before, only smelled it. I guess I’m sheltered because I didn’t know you could cook/bake with it! I really need to look into this further!
KathEats says
It’s taken me a while to learn to love it as a food, but now it’s one of my very favs!!
faith says
I think I’ve convinced Stephanie to make us a lavender ice cream this summer!
KathEats says
Oh MAN that would be awesome!
Lisa says
so agreed with the energy thing! Nothing “perks” me up quite like a good workout- especially kickboxing!!
Katie says
Those fries look/sound amazing, but it’s unfortunate that the salad was so disappointing! Maybe it’s a regional thing, but I’ve never had a salad with warm shrimp on the top of it. I would actually expect them to be chilled. How weird!
Sana says
So fun that you are highlighting awesome parks in Columbia! i love centennial park!
Julie @ Lettuce Choose Healthy says
that bread looks so goooood! great job on your run today 🙂
Katherine says
Ooh, I’ve been to that restaurant. I had the lobster grilled cheese – yum! I love your jacket. Where did you get it?
KathEats says
Loehmann’s with my grandmother!
Cara Craves... says
A workout can work wonders when you are tired…it’s just the starting part that can be hard sometimes.
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
fries in a bucket wins – such a cute idea for serving!
Colleen (What's Baking in the Barbershop) says
I love that you’re into beer and a beer “geek” of sorts! My boyfriend also homebrews, and I have come to really appreciate the many different styles of beer. I always get excited when your posts involve beer. Sours are one of the last styles I’m just now getting into – would love to try the Goose Island Dominique. Sounds delish! 🙂 Hope you get more rest tonight!
PS – do you and Matt ever make spent grain bread after homebrewing? YUM!
KathEats says
His goal is to make the grain bread soon! He always forgets.
Beer is so fun!
Colleen (What's Baking in the Barbershop) says
I was going to ask if you need a recipe for spent grain bread since I have one on my blog but then thought, how silly of me! Obviously you don’t need a recipe for BREAD. 😉 Hehe.
Kiran says
Those fries does look amazing!!! I always try to work out whenever I feel a little exhausted after a long day. Working out cheers me up, energetically, if that makes sense 😀
Ash @ Good Taste. Healthy Me says
Yum that sandwich from earlier looks really good. I love tuna.
Chilled shrimp? Blegh. I wouldn’t have liked that at all!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Hey, two poses is something. 😉
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
wow, you deserve a good night’s rest!! 🙂
Ashley says
I can imagine that the bread baking requires a ton of physical work! I felt the exact same way this morning about working out. I was reallllllly tired, but felt like my body needed to stretch in the pool. It totally helped. However, when I went back to painting walls, my arms felt like rubber. 🙂
Alaina says
Love your jacket!! Where did you get it?
I’ve heard Anthony Bourdain talk about duck fat fries but I have yet to try them. Being seasoned in rosemary, I would love them too 🙂
KathEats says
Loehmanns
Sunya says
Your dinner looked yum but I have to say that my salad tonight was better and it was all your fault…in a good way. I tried drizzling olive oil and honey on my spinach salad w/ dried cranberries, pomegranate seeds, broccoli slaw, goat cheese and walnuts. I thought for sure it was going to be too sweet but is was not. So thank you! I love the ideas you share!
KathEats says
🙂
Sasha@Blyssful Health says
Looks like you had a lot of fun. I need to treat myself to a day out for lunch.
Lindsay says
Those fries sound incredibly delicious!! I also will wish you good luck…but only in dancer’s terms…which is thus: Break a leg OR meirde!! (which means sh#t in french!) Don’t know why they stuck, but I’ve used them everytime before going on stage and they DO bring luck!!
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
Nothing worse than a too small portion of an expensive meal! Glad the rest of the meal was good 🙂
Ashley @ Feeding Ashley says
That does sound like a lot of work. I’ve never thought about all the components that go into bakery work.
Khushboo says
How awesome to be able to sample bread as you work.and get paid for it! But I can imagine to urge to go OTT with sampling is much less when you are around bread all the time!
Hillary says
Hilarious! Right after I saw you guys at the bakery, I also went for a run at Centennial—and I was going to suggest you guys check out Victoria’s. Great minds think alike, right? ; )
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
I’m always surprised at just how tiring it is to be on your feet all day!
Katherine: Unemployed says
maybe I should take your advice to heart- the before picture resembles how I feel right now
Mercedes says
duck fat fries are amazing! Looks like you guys had a great day in Columbia! I’ll have to check out that restaurant some time!
kaila @ healthy helper! says
Way to get motivated for that run! Sounds like you guys are having a good trip! 🙂
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
A good run always gives me my second wind of energy for the day too! I don’t know how I could have managed such a run after being on my feet all day like you guys. I think I would have opted for a 4 pm bedtime. 😉
Melissa says
I have sandwich envy. And running envy! My last couple runs haven’t been the best. You look so vibrant and happy after yours! Guess I need more carbs in my life! 😀
Laura says
it is so fun seeing you here in Columbia (where I live) because I know the exact park and pub 🙂 we love Victoria’s and whenever we have friends from out of town we take them there for the duck fat fries – totally sinful! next time you gotta try the apple grilled cheese sandwich – it’s awesome! and the lobster grilled cheese is excellent too 🙂
another MUST go to place for a nice dinner – Iron Bridge! You guys would probably love it – the food, wine, ambiance, etc are all amazing. It’s one of our favorite special occasion places to go!
Simply Life says
wow, that’s some fast running!
Jess (Sweet Potato) says
Duck Fries? You are a brave woman!
Molly says
Never judge Pepe Nero until you have it on tap at its brewery-totally different experience! It’s one of my top favorites!!
Heather @ Side of Sneakers says
How did I miss this?! You’re in the town I grew up in!!! 🙂 That’s my step-sister’s favorite restaurant.
Hope says
Duck fat fries? Ew. I don’t think I would be brave enough to try that! Haha! That bread looks good and so does the beer! Sorry that the salad was disappointing. I hate when that happens especially when it’s expensive.
erin says
personally i’d recommend going to dog pub in columbia – or baltimore. i think the pizza is awesome and i love their beers!
Lesley Lifting Life says
Hope you got to sleep straight through 6 am 😉
Stacey (The Home-Cooked Vegan) says
Ragining Bitch is one of my boyfriends favorite beers! I didn’t like it too much though. Looks like you guys had a busy, tiring day! I would’ve totally given into the couch and TV after being at the bakery all morning 😉
Big Daddy’s Burger Bar used to fry their fries in duck fat too! They were soooo good and crispy!
Hope you get some sleep 🙂
Nicole @ Vegan in the House says
You’ve got so much determination. You are determined to to daily exercise and you get it done. It’s very impressive.
Lindsay says
I love that you are in Columbia! I don’t know it super well, but its not too far from DC. I have done a triathlon in Centennial Park (holy hills on the bike portion outside the park) and I went to a baby shower at that pub once. Enjoy your trip!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
I like your motto – “spend energy to get energy” – so true! And I love your before and after pictures…that’s me every morning!
Stephanie @ Walking my Talk says
I think it’s so cool that you’re buying a bakery. Makes my heart happy.
Rebekah says
“…a barleywine, a malty high alcohol beer, a high alcohol imperial stout”: my holy trinity of beers. For the second variety, Belgian tripels are my favorite…have you had Piraat? Outstanding.
KathEats says
Mine too! I haven’t tried Piraat before!
Stace says
Duck fat fries sound so interesting. I love french fries and they are one of the foods I like to indulge in now and again. Although had i seen these on a menu with out a recomendation I might have been a little scared to try them. Love your pictures as usual!
Meaghan says
Aw, I love seeing pictures of you in my stomping grounds. I live in Baltimore but grew up around Columbia and stop into that GH whenever I’m out visiting my parents. I see some others recommended already, but you should totally go to Great Sage. It’s amaaaazeballs. Roots is a cool grocery store that’s right there too. And if you have the time or are looking to hit up some hot yoga, you should come into Baltimore and check out Charm City Yoga. They have some amazing instructors and fun classes. Hope you have a fun trip!
Angela (Oh She Glows) says
I get a lot of those ‘i’d gain weight’ comments about my bakery too, but the labour is so intense! Some days I make granola bars for 8 hours straight, on my feet mixing everything by hand. It is tough work and I have to eat more food to keep energy levels up.
Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather says
I can really are how new bakery owners would lose weight. I worked at a bakery for a couple years and you’re definitely not just standing around. There is always something to do, plus you’re on your feet all day.
Beth says
We really enjoy the Victoria Gastro Pub! Their beer list is VERY seasonal, so I bet some of your favorites are on there other times of the year. I love that duck salad, but some of their other food is hit or miss.
Natalia - a side of simple says
That coat is too cute on you! I think it’s a great color for you 🙂
Occula says
You’re making me so sad and jealous that our local Great Harvest, which opened a year or two ago, always seems really dirty. It’s very small, so there aren’t many places to sit, and it’s pretty busy, so the tables are always dirty and cluttered with trash from previous diners, and last time we were there, there was a very offputting pool of liquid spreading from the trash. If they only had enough time or staff to keep it cleaner-looking, I’d love to eat there more often. It makes me not even want to get takeout. There isn’t even anywhere to stand while you wait! It’s like a hallway.
sorry, I digress. But the food is so good! That’s why it makes me sad! I love all that grainy seedy bread.
KathEats says
Huge bummer 🙁 I promise our store will be SUPER clean (and organized!)
Occula says
I would come to it if I could! Enjoying the behind-the-scenes looks very much, and your inspiring blog overall.
Namaste Gurl says
Looks like you’re throughly enjoying your time there! Hang in there, you both are doing great 🙂
Kay (skinnybound) says
What a disappoinment with the shrimp. I hate when I’m all worked up for restaurant food and it’s a downer.
Jody says
I live just outside of Columbia and I recognized Centennial Park immeditately! I haven’t been too impressed by the entrees at Victoria’s either. We’ve been for beers and apps most recently, but maybe I should try the grilled cheese sandwiches that another commenter spoke of.
Also, I can recommend Iron Bridge Wine Co. on 108 and Roots (vegetarian restaurant) in nearby Clarksville. Also, if you have time, check out the Perfect Pour liquor store in Columbia/Elkridge at the intersection of 108 and 175. It has an amazing selection of beer and you can do mix and match 6 packs to try different kinds. It’s also right next to the Trader Joe’s so you really can’t go wrong.
Have fun!
Jody says
Oops…I meant Great Sage in Clarksville, but Roots is a great grocery store in the same shopping center!
Hilary says
Mmmm….want those fries! And your time is super-fast….you are a speed demon!
Hannah says
Lavender fries! Be still my heart!
Chelsea says
Your sandwich looks so good! Do you find that you have a preference for the more whole grain/seedy bread than just plain bread? There is a 5 grain bread at my local bakery I really want to try out! 🙂
KathEats says
Definitely. I love sweet things, but if I had my pick I’d choose nuts, seeds and whole grains anyday