We have such a win-win situation here when my parents visit: they love getting to take charge of the little guy and we love getting away on a date!
On Tuesday we dressed up and hit the downtown mall. The dress I wore is from Stitch Fix! With my height I’m not usually able to wear maxi dresses, but this one was perrrfect. Stitch Fix magic!
We decided to pay a visit to Hamilton’s after the menu lured us in…
They have a GREAT Sonoma wine list – we have been to all of the Sonoma County vineyards listed!
But since we were in a white mood on such a hot evening, we settled on this bottle instead:
Thumbs up!
Yep. We heart bread + buttah.
We split this delicious appetizer – chèvre gnocchi with lobster!
Our entrees each came with a side salad that was dressed in sesame oil dressing. I loved that it was something other than your typical balsamic.
I ordered the crab cakes – seafood for the win. When I asked if there were onions in the dish our server said the chef doesn’t use them much because “so many people dislike them.” I found that to be very interesting!
They were awesome!
Matt had a Red Drum fish with red beans, rice and gravy – we both liked it a lot, and the fish had a perfect sear.
Our date night happened to be on the perfect evening – our friend Jeff is in the Cville Municipal Band and they had a free concert hosting the U.S. Army Chorus!
Famous trumpeter!
The Paramount Theater is so gorgeous lit up at night!
The concert included numbers like The Star Spangled Banner, Medley from “Jersey Boys” and the Battle Hymn of the Republic. But the best part of the evening was when they did an Armed Forces Salute encore and played each of the service’s songs. Veterans were asked to stand up when their service song played. These are the kind of moments that bring tears to my eyes.
After the concert, we gave Jeff a big congrats and joined him for a beer (I had a club soda
)
Mom reported that all went swimmingly with Mazen! They had lots of fun reading new books.
jill says
Kath, that dress looks awesome! Such a lovely colour and the cut really suits you. I like your choice of the delicate necklace with it as well.
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
Looks like a great night! I love date nights–they are so important for a marriage, especially when you have kid(s). That dress looks great on you.
Elise says
I really like that maxi dress! I’m about your height (somewhere between 5’2″ and 5’3″…every little bit counts!) and I’ve never had a maxi dress but I’d love to add one to my wardrobe.
KathEats says
Yeah I was surprised that this one fits me perfectly in height! They never do in stores ; )
Kimberly says
Target has them in petite sizes on their website. I’ve never ordered one since I don’t think they are very flattering on my frame, but I’ve heard from others that they were good!
Dominique says
Sorry to barge in on the convo but a couple of my petite friends swear by maxi dresses because it lengthens them out while I always think that they do the opposite.
Kath, seeing you in that maxi dress makes me totally want to get one! I’m around 5’1″-5’2″. We don’t have StitchFix in Canada but do you know the brand of the dress you’re wearing?
KathEats says
Interesting point!
It’s Renee C. brand
Taylor @ LiftingRevolution says
You look great Kath! That dress looks awesome!
Livi says
I love that maxi dress! So cute!
Ashley @ Saving Money in your Twenties says
I agree with everyone above- your dress is so cute! I have never tried on a maxi dress but I really want to find one for this summer!
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Looks like a wonderful night out and so glad that you got your date night and the parents got to dote on the little guy! Club soda, eh? Is that because you were the DD or is there a pending announcement? 🙂
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Oh wait, I forgot about the glass of wine earlier. Dang! LOL
KathEats says
Haha no it’s because I’d already had half a bottle of wine!
Carly says
I wish there was a link button for this 🙂
Carly says
bah..”like” haha
Nicole says
Hamilton’s has a special place in my heart – the first weekend getaway I took with my husband was to Charlottesville and we had dinner there. We’ve been back several times on subsequent trips. Great place for a celebratory dinner!
Elaine Vaughn says
Love that dress!!!
Emily @ It Comes Naturally Blog says
The husband and I went to Arromanches, France for the D Day 70th Anniversary celebrations. It was AMAZING to see the Veterans being treated like celebrities – and certainly brought a tear to my eye!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
Ahh that looks like such a nice date night! I can’t remember the last time I went to a nice restaurant… Haha guess I should get my parents to come visit more so they can take me!
Julie Rosene says
Those crab cakes looked delicious! Fun date night :).
Jaclyn Parsons says
Just a quick note to say that you’re looking so beautiful – radiant and happy! Thanks for sharing your date night. xx
clare @ fitting it all in says
Hamiltons was my last meal in Cville, and I had the crab cakes too!! SO YUMMY!!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Love the dress, it looks so cute!
Alison says
That dress is so cute! Also, is that hollandaise sauce on your crab cakes?
KathEats says
It was a garlic-chili aioli and was delish!
Lindsay says
I don’t normally comment, but that dress is PERFECT for you!
Joni says
Kath, you look fantastic! (And in typical internet “here’s how I meant that” disclaimer you always look great.) Just something different about you lately – you look more vibrant 🙂
Chelsea @ Designs on Dinner says
I never understood why some healthy tips are to skip the bread before a meal. If it’s a date night and it’s delicious bread, there’s nothing I like better before my meal than a warm, crusty, chewy hunk of bread with butter!
KathEats says
Amen!
Bethany says
The color and fit of that dress look soooo great on you!!! Dinner looked delish. I could go for some crab cakes right now!
Becky says
That dress looks great on you.
Leah @ goodnight cheese says
That dress is great on you! Very flattering and fits you well. I’m surprised at the chef’s comment, though. Onions are the basis for most savory dishes, and if the dish is cooked right you don’t notice them – they just make it taste good. If the dish is cooked wrong, then I could see where not liking onions could come in.
Emma says
You look so nice! Your makeup and skin really look good in these photos.
Alex @ Kenzie Life says
I love that maxi and it looks so amazing on you! It’s always great when you find a piece of clothing that wears well that normally isn’t a match for your body type/height/etc. I love that!
Kate says
I love that dress, do you know the brand? The stripes are so cute and it looks well made.
I have also had luck with the petite maxi dresses at Old Navy.
KathEats says
Sorry im late… just had the chance to look. It’s Renee C.
Emily @ Life on Food says
That theater is gorgeous. And I love the dress.
Polly @ Tasty Food Project says
What a fun date night! That gnocchi with lobster looks amazing!
Kim says
Looks like a wonderful evening! We love to also spend an evening with our grandchildren when visiting Charlotte- we remember when our own kiddos were young how nice it always was to have a date night!!! It sure is a win- win for all!
Also, your dress looks great – And I really like the necklace you wore with it – do you mind me asking where you found that – a nice delicate one that looked perfect with the dress!
P.S. I didn’t comment earlier- BUT we also love to go to Cow-Fish when in Charlotte , it is very good- it is a treat for us- where we live in VT there are not many Sushi restaurants !!
KathEats says
The necklace is Stitch Fix as well – I love how delicate it is too!
Jeanie says
Good times! I was going to make an issue of you not having beer, then I remembered your wine. 😉 I’m short, too, and would look as wide as I am tall in a maxi.
Michele S. says
Love the dress! Crab cakes are my favorite meal ever!!!! Kath, I am still seeing the big box with “I heart KathEats.com” every time I come here. Am I the only one? I tried the F5 thing but it didn’t make it go away. I’m on IE if that matters.
KathEats says
Darn it! Ill let them know
Karin says
Great definition in those arms Kath! Those workout sessions are really paying off!
jen says
Totally off topic, but if you’re still interested in suggestions for posts, I’d love to see a nerdkerf post on ides for managing digital photos: storage and organizing, displaying and enjoying, backing up and safekeeping, etc. Im guilty of taking a bunch, losing track of what is where, then worrying my laptop will die and I’ll lose all my pictures, but not actually doing anything about it. I need some good systems and figure you must have some because you take millions of photos.
KathEats says
Thanks for the suggestion!
Amelia @ Eating Made Easy says
Love that dress on you!!
Sarah says
You look ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
My husband and I are LONG overdue for a date night…hmm, maybe tonight?! 😉
Sarah says
Please, please, PLEASE do another Stitch Fix post soon!!! The clothes you have gotten look so good!
Mallory says
Just getting around to reading this post now and wanted to share that I love it! I was one of the “difficult” (yet loyal!) readers who clung tooth and nail to your old “slice of life” style of blogging, so I wanted to let you know that I’m officially a convert to loving your new variety style. I’m sure you heard some of the “they’ll come around” advice when making the transition and I just wanted to share with you that it is so true!
This date night post has me wanted to make a point to have a nice dinner with wine, a cute outfit and my man!
KathEats says
Thanks so much Mallory xoxo