First Course: Afternoon Tea –
Tried some of the Sleepytime Vanilla Celestial Seasoning’s sent me along with a packet of Truvia I got from class. I enjoyed both a lot! I rarely sweeten my tea, but if I do, it’s in a mid-afternoon cup. The tea was great – a nice mix of herbals and vanilla smooth.
Next Course: Snack Time
Oikos Blueberry + GoLean Crunch. Probably didn’t need this big of a snack consider I had double dinners coming up, but I was hungry!
Next Course: Me!!
This is self-photography on my new lens. SO CLOSE UP!!! Notice my freckles! Didn’t realize I had those!
Next Course: Monsoon!
On the way to dinner #1
Next course: NEWK’S!
Matt’s friend’s girlfriend invited us to the VIP opening of Newk’s here in Charlotte. I’m always up for a press event, especially now that I have a "big" camera 😉
We were allowed to order anything on the menu –
I got the Newk’s Favorite Salad and Matt got the Shrimp Remoulade, plus we split the Five Cheese Pizza (wish I could have tasted everything!)
They have a big "Round Table" of condiments – Cholula!!! Sriratcha!!! And Capers!!
Hand-tossing a salad –
Honk! (Took 5 tries to get this lens setting right!)
Next Course: Salad
Newk’s Salad. Loved it. Great combo of flavors! My favorite part was that it was a Hugh Jass salad – plenty for me and my big stomach. I got the dressing on the side – a sherry balsamic, which was my very favorite party. My only complaint: I’m not sure I like to see what the inside of a grape looks like! (They were sliced up in the corner there)
Matt’s was great too and I was especially impressed with this remoulade dressing. It was out of this world good. Not even sure what the secret ingredients were!
Next course: Pizza!
5 Cheeses of yum!
I had a small slice. ‘Twas awesome. Liked the thick cheese and chewy crust.
Next Course: Diet Dr. Pepper + H20
Gotta have a straw for my sensitive teeth
Here’s the nibbles I took from my salad. Tried to save room for dinner #2! I’ve got the rest home in a to-go box along with half of the pizza!
Dessert tray. I had a tiny nibble of Matt’s brownie bite, but tis not good manners to have dessert before dinner!
Overall, fun little cafe with my very favorite foods: big salads + pizza!
Next Course: Mama Ricottas
Celebrating Diana‘s birthday!!!
Next Course: Cocktails
Matt got a brew
I got the best liquid in the world
Passed on these hot rolls but they were beautiful to photograph
So were these two!
And the birthday girl!
Next Course: Antipasto + Salad
On the way to Mama Ricottas I decided I was about a hunger level 4 on a 10-point scale. I still needed a little something, but not much to be satisfied for the night. I probably would have been fine without another bite! But I didn’t want to miss out on dinner ambiance, so Matt and I got an antipasto plate and I got a small salad. They ended up being more than enough and I’m quite full now!
I had a few bites of everything – the provolone and parmesan-like cheeses were the best!
I decided on a small salad (more salad!) for dinner: lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, olives, garbanzos + gorgonzola. It was one of the best side salads I’ve ever had!
I pretty much ate it all (no dressing needed – )
A "blind" photo take from above because I couldn’t get the whole salad in my lens!
Pasta dishes were tantalizing!
Hi Friends!
Next Course: Diana!
Happy Birthday!!!
She was kind and shared a chocolaty bite!
Next Course: After-dinner Mints!!
Ate ’em by the handful!
Next Course: Dreams
[Still have so much to learn about this camera!!!!]
Goodnight!
*Andrea* says
you look lovely (as always) 🙂
you can NEVER have too many salads!! or bites of chocolate 😉
Sues says
I’ve never seen so many beautiful, delicious-looking salads in one post! They all look amazing and I’m jealous of your food-filled day 🙂
Julia says
Love all the pictures! Everything looks delicious!
Rebecca says
I love this whole post! All of the food looks delicious!
Sara says
Super recap and fantastic photos. The shot of the birthday girl is really professional-looking — like an ad. And that rich cupcake is clearly a perfect, sweet ending!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
You and your hubby make a gorgeous couple!
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
Wowie, what an evening! The salads and antipasto look AMAZING! Beautiful pictures, they really captivated the moment(s).
You have great teeth, Kath!
Jenn
angieinatlanta says
Wow! What a jam-packed Saturday night! Those salads look so yummy; I’m craving some veggies right about now and those salads looked extra appealing!
Madelin @ What is for breakfast? says
Great post! Looks like a lotta food!!!
mo says
Looks like a very fun evening!
I just have to ask…how did you receive so many free samples? Do companies send things specifically for review on your blog or do you just request a sample to try?
Diana says
Beautiful post, Kath! Thanks to you and Matt for coming! 🙂 Diana
Whole Body Love says
What lovely food pix! Looks like a great time!
Leah @ Simply Fabulous says
LOVE all the pics and food choices!! Hope your friend had a great birthday! Looked like fun and both you and Matt looked great!
Edna says
Your pictures are great! That picture of you is really lovely.
And I am so impressed with the choice of salads on that menu!
Ellen @ Peace in Motion says
both of those salads look BOMBTASTIC. I’m killing for a good salad here in the dining hall. They seem to have forgotten that I need me some VEGGIES in my life besides peas!
Susan says
So many wonderful salads in this post!! The pics are all great too, it’s amazing the difference a quality lens can make!
Jac says
The cake looks delish..small yet indulgent!
christie, honoring health says
Everything looks awesome, the photos are outstanding!
Julie says
Your photos come out so beautifully now. You must be so in love with your camera.
You have very nice teeth by the way! lol
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers says
I love all the courses & how you use the Kashi Go Lean as a granola-type topping for your yogurt. Thanks for the idea,Kath!
Marisa (Trim The Fat) says
What a great time! All those yummy eats!!
Looks like you’re having a fun time with your new camera!
Lizzy says
so full of salads tonight and i love it! the one from Newks looked amazing and HUGE just like you said. i’m not usre i would have even needed dressing! glad you had such a great night!
Kath says
Thanks guys!!!!!!!!
Mo,
The companies find KERF and email me a request. It’s quite a fun perk of food blogging.
Kath
CaSaundra says
Your camera takes stunning pictures! It really does justice to all the delish food pics!
K says
I’m a big echo but your new camera takes gorgeous pictures!!
Mara @ What's for Dinner? says
What a great day, and beautiful photos!
Kristin (Kristins Nibbles) says
Looks like a ridiculously fun night! Newks looks so great!
xo
K
Kiersten says
Mama Ricotta’s is a great restaurant. Their pasta primavera is amazing!
claire says
I LOVE Newks! The Favorite salad is really good and I always have leftovers. Their veggie sandwich and chicken basil sandwiches are good, too. Pretty much can’t go wrong…I’ve heard a lot of people say the Debra is good.
Sophie says
Newk’s Favorite is my favorite! My friends and I always split it (which they do, putting into two bowls) and it’s still always too much! I’m surprised by yours because whenever I get it, all the ingredients are mixed together, not grouped together on top!
Jenna says
wow kath! it looks like you had a super fun night with friends. all of the food looks great! Newk’s looks yummy and funky! I really wanna try it!
And btw the pictures came out realy really nice!
jenna
Sarah @ The Foodie Diaries says
the antipasto looks incredible!
Miss McKenzie says
The salads at Newk’s look AWESOME..I think I might have to treat myself to one today…thanks for the great pics
Lynn @ The Actors Diet says
newks looks awesome – it’s weird we don’t have a place like that in los angeles….
BroccoliHut says
We have a couple Newks locations around Birmingham–it’s always way crowded, especially with people who work at the hospital. Must be good stuff! I hear their pimiento cheese is awesome.