check, please!

First and foremost — thank you all so much for your well wishes on a speedy recovery. I can honestly say I woke up this morning feeling (almost) back to normal (if I ever even am normal).

Today we’re going to have some fun. Whenever you see the words “check”, you get to say it out loud and make a checkmark in the air with one of your pointer fingers. Are you ready? Let’s practice.

CHECK! (you make checkmark in air)

Nice work, folks. Let’s keep rolling with it.

On days when a top secret mission to an undisclosed restaurant happens, it is always important to start out with a wholesome, beta carotene laden breakfast.

Breakfast of pumpkin oatmeal? Check!

Pull out your favorite glittens (gloves + mittens = glittens… f.y.i)  - Check!

For hands that are too warm….

For hands that are kind of freezing…

Does everyone have their warm boots? Check!

Okay, we must be ready to go.

This afternoon, I had the opportunity to go out to lunch with a few lovely ladies downtown. One of my good friends is moving to Las Vegas in the next week, so we arranged a lunch downtown for the two of us, plus our mothers (who also happen to be great friends), and her sister.

Moment of shock when your company actually suggests a vegan restaurant? Check!

I have been dying to try out Karyn’s on Green for months and months now. I was surely one jealous food blogger when I saw others get to try amazing dishes when Healthy Living Summit 2010 was in Chicago.

Take a picture of the creepy man in the window? Check!

Sorry creepy man — I hope you never stumble upon this picture of yourself on the internet. Which makes me wonder if I’m ever the “creepy girl” in anyone else’s pictures on the internet. Hmmmm….

Did the menu pass the inspection? Check!

Are you still “checking” with your fingers in the air? Just want to make sure you’re still on task!

One of the lovely ladies I was with ordered an organic hot green tea, which arrived like this:

I’ll give Karyn a check for that one! Amazing!

It is always difficult for me to choose one thing on the menu when I actually have options. So, I did what any other normal food blogger would do — order more than one dish. Check!

Up first….. Potato Leek Soup.

Absolutely incredible. This soup was smooth, creamy, and packed a punch of flavor. I almost wanted to bathe in it. Then I realized I could just eat it and have the same effect. This soup makes me want to try and recreate it at home as I’m wondering how they were able to come up with a creamy cheesy flavor in a gluten free and vegan dish.

Did I make sure to order a side of the most incredible brussels sprouts known to mankind? Check!

Believe me, there were more than that — we all shared a side of brussels sprouts. These were either pan seared or roasted and coated in a mustard vinaigrette. Hands down, the best brussels sprouts I have ever eaten. And I have eaten a lot of brussels sprouts in my day.

I also ordered a chopped vegetable salad — don’t forget to forget to take a picture of your salad. Check!

It was really good — full of hearts of palm, yellow squash, peppers, and CORN. I actually took a few bites. On my third or fourth bite, I screamed, “CORN!” and spit out what was in my mouth.  Other than the corn and the fact that the salad was the size of my fist (try it with your hands.. pretty small!), it was delicious.

I may or may not have also had a few (x4) fries off of other’s plates. What is with my fry cravings lately? I’m unstoppable.

An afternoon of lovely company? Check.

Going home and finding out you put the ham and cheese in the bread basket with your very stained lunch box last night after making the Husband a grilled ham and cheese? CHECK!

If you’ve learned nothing else today, always remember to check your bread baskets, please!

Question: What is the BEST thing you’ve ever eaten from a restaurant? OR Have you ever left out food on accident?

Tagged as: check, creepy man in picture, Karyn's on green, restaurant, review