HELP! Gong to a AWESOME Italian restaurant tonight for DH's birthday...

I am on WW and tracking points this fiorst week. I am switching to CORE after 2-3 weeks per the suggestion of my WW leader.

We are going to this AMAZING Italian restaurant tonight for DH's b-Day: LA Vera Cucina

Help pick some tasty WW friendly choices. I WILL be blowing my flex points tonight (I have all 35 that I was saving) and I am going to the gym before we go (I will gain 4 excercise points). I had a yogurt for breakfast (2 points) and I am having grilled vegetable salad for lunch (3 points) So I have 23 points left for tonight plus my flex. What do all of you suggest??? TIA!

Message edited 7/27/2008 11:32:47 AM.

Re: HELP! Gong to a AWESOME Italian restaurant tonight for DH's birthday...

I would ask them if they have whole wheat pasta( If you like that) and have grilled chicken mixed in with it with vegetables....Thats what i eat when i go to a italian restraunt and its filling. Sorry i couldn't help with the other dishes i saw.

Re: HELP! Gong to a AWESOME Italian restaurant tonight for DH's birthday...

First off try and stay away from the bread basket. I am not a bread person and it just never seems worth the points.

I agree with Ro, I always ask for whole wheat pasta (most restaurants have that) and that is core!

If you're looking to stick to core you have a few options:

NY Black Angus Sirloin Steak
BBQ Steak
Salmon Lemon (not completely core but close)

It really depends on what you like to eat - most of the chicken dishes look like they'd be hard to figure out the points...

But it sounds like you did a great job saving up your points and if I was in your position I would just go for what I really want but keep my portion small. Good luck!!

Oh and the baked brie looks

Re: HELP! Gong to a AWESOME Italian restaurant tonight for DH's birthday...

What are your thoughts on these dishes?
I want something that
A) I cannot make on my own
B) That I can ONLY get there
C) That is different, exciting and tastes great
D) Is points friendly (Keep in mind I have about 45 points for this meal and I WILL be having a glass of red wine tonight. Also we RARELY go out to eat so this meal is as much a treat for me as for DH).


Here's what I think I would like...one of these three:

Seafood Tortollaci ...
Shrimp, lobster meat, scallops wrapped in
home made pasta in a pink sauce

or

Scallops and Prosciutto ...
Sautéed in a light cream sauce
with tomatoes and asparagus over rigatoni

or

Filet Mignon Bourguignon ...
Sautéed with scallions fresh tomatoes red wine sauce,
served with polenta and broccoli

Re: HELP! Gong to a AWESOME Italian restaurant tonight for DH's birthday...

Posted by azoodie

First off try and stay away from the bread basket. I am not a bread person and it just never seems worth the points.

I agree with Ro, I always ask for whole wheat pasta (most restaurants have that) and that is core!

If you're looking to stick to core you have a few options:

NY Black Angus Sirloin Steak
BBQ Steak
Salmon Lemon (not completely core but close)

It really depends on what you like to eat - most of the chicken dishes look like they'd be hard to figure out the points...

But it sounds like you did a great job saving up your points and if I was in your position I would just go for what I really want but keep my portion small. Good luck!!

Oh and the baked brie looks

Re: HELP! Gong to a AWESOME Italian restaurant tonight for DH's birthday...

Filet Mignon Bourguignon ...
Sautéed with scallions fresh tomatoes red wine sauce,
served with polenta and broccoli


This one sound delicious, Go for this dish.

Re: HELP! Gong to a AWESOME Italian restaurant tonight for DH's birthday...

The best points wise is most definitely the filet mignon. BUT the first one sounds like it's the most different and would be tasty for a seafood lover. Red wine is only 2 pts per serving (but most restaurants give you double that in a wine glass).

To me cream sauce = fattening BUT you have plenty of points so like I said before, get what you really want and ENJOY it - especially if this a rare treat for you

Message edited 7/27/2008 11:45:15 AM.

Re: HELP! Gong to a AWESOME Italian restaurant tonight for DH's birthday...

I think I may go for the fillet. DH does not eat red meat. I do, but once in a blue moon.

DH is a seafood lover, so maybe I can talk him into giving me a bite or two.

Thanks Girls!

Re: HELP! Gong to a AWESOME Italian restaurant tonight for DH's birthday...

you're welcome!! Enjoy.

Re: HELP! Gong to a AWESOME Italian restaurant tonight for DH's birthday...

I also find that restaurants/waitstaff have been very accomodating to my diet. I went for Italian with family the other night, which I realize typically isn't diet friendly to begin with, and ordered a chicken dish. Instead of the pasta that came with it, I asked if I could have veggies instead - they literally gave me 10 different choices and even choices of how I wanted it prepared! It was great!

I did not touch the bread - don't eat it at all anymore and I thought I did pretty well.

Re: HELP! Gong to a AWESOME Italian restaurant tonight for DH's birthday...

When I went for italian, I had the garden salad and shared the raviolis with DS. I know it's not the most healthy, but with the big garden salad, I still got that italian dish I wanted and was able to keep it pretty healthy. I had 3 raviolis - they're big.

I always say stick with fish and stay away from cream sauces. That's what I do almost every time I go out to eat. So, looking at the menu, I would choose the tircolore salad and for entre the filet of sole or salmon lemon or the lamb chops. that's what I would have.

then, because you have all those points, I would get a desert, and share it with DH.

Have fun. Enjoy

Re: HELP! Gong to a AWESOME Italian restaurant tonight for DH's birthday...

I would just enjoy but stay away from bread and dessert, maybe just have a taste of DH dessert

Re: HELP! Gong to a AWESOME Italian restaurant tonight for DH's birthday...

I'm back and I had:

One piece of fresh, homemade crusty Italian bread bread with flavored olive oil.

Filet Mignon Bourguignon ...Sautéed with scallions fresh tomatoes red wine sauce,served with polenta and broccoli

a glass of pinot noir

split a yummy strawberry shortcake w/DH
and had a fat free cappuccino.

I calculated everything on etools and I still have 8 flex points for the week after eating all that.
The fillet was BIG (about 7 oz) and I ate it all. I barley ate anything substantial today (salad, WW veg soup, and a yogurt...all day) but got want I wanted at the restaurant. This meal was worth every point.

So I just have to be good until WI on Thursday and I have 10 flex to play with if I have a hungry day between now and then.

Message edited 7/27/2008 10:44:14 PM.

Re: HELP! Gong to a AWESOME Italian restaurant tonight for DH's birthday...

Sounds like you did good...

Usually I stay away from bread and appetizers, I order what I want and have them wrap half or I share with DS.

Re: HELP! Gong to a AWESOME Italian restaurant tonight for DH's birthday...

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm sounds delish!!! Glad you enjoyed yourself