Oh my goodness, it is 6:30 on Friday morning and I am STILL full!!!!!! Dinner at Fleming’s was phenomenal. Absolutely wonderful and perfect in every way.
First of all, the DRESS:
I felt so trendy except for the fact that the front of the dress is totally taped on my body with fashion tape, every girls best friend!
Before we left, I was presented with my birthday present from Ryan—--tickets to go to Rascal Flatts and Kenny Chesney this summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you KNOW how excited I was??!!! I’ve seen Rascal Flatts live before, three years ago, and it was the best concert of my life. I’ve only been wanting to see Kenny Chesney since I was 14 years old!!! Ryan was a smart man to get me tickets for my birthday and Erin (his sister) tickets for her birthday so we could go together. These concerts definitely call for more of a girls night!
After the shrieking had died down, we set out for dinner. We had a cocktail first in the bar since we got there pretty early. I had a white cosmo!
I always have cosmos on my birthday; its a tradition! 🙂
A little while later, we sat down for our delicious meal. I started with a glass of pinot noir that I slowly nursed all throughout the meal:
And Instead of an appetizer we both decided to get soup. If you have been reading my blog for awhile you probably know my obsession with French onion soup. The story is, when I lived in Paris I became absolutely addicted and would order it at every single cafe and bistro that I ate at. I had never had it before and was absolutely intrigued by the ooey gooey cheese layer!
I’ve ordered it at a few American restaurants since I’ve been back but the only one that comes close to the Parisian version I know and love is Fleming’s! Seriously! The French onion soup at Fleming’s might even be better than some of the soups in Paris. It is a rich beef broth full of onions and topped with thick bread and a delicious layer of gruyere cheese. I order it every time I eat there because its so special!
Here I am in Paris….exactly two years ago!
Last night!
I didn’t finish it, of course, because I wanted to be very ready for my entree!
Can you guess what I ordered?!!
Yep, lobster for the birthday girl!
I NEVER order lobster out just because it is so expensive and at most places I don’t really feel like you get a good bang for your buck. I absolutely hate prying apart a lobster tail at the dinner table only to extract about two tablespoons of meat. THIS lobster, on the other hand, was prepared with Jenna at heart.
The lobster meat was taken out and mixed with a deliciously spicy sriracha sauce then served atop orzo in the shell. It, without a doubt, was one of the best meals of my entire life and will remain in my memory forever. I asked for extra spicy (obvi) and it was soooo perfect. I can’t even put into words how wonderful it was and I raved and raved to the manager about it. Worth every single penny!
Ryan ordered one of Fleming’s signature items—steak—and enjoyed every bite!
And what we both love about the restaurant so much is the ability to customize your side dishes. I ADORE the stir fried sugar snap peas so that was a must. And we also ordered sauteed spinach and Ryan got his favorite mac & cheese. Yep, it was quite the indulgent evening!
In the end, I couldn’t finish my lobster (it was SO BIG!) and I had only a few bites of sugar snap peas + one bite of spinach. All the food was so deliciously wonderful and as much as I wanted to stuff it all in to savor each bite, I just couldn’t!
Even though Ryan and I were both holding our stomachs at this time, what’s a great meal if not followed by dessert? As birthday girl, I was given the choice of anything on the menu and I chose my favorite indulgent delicacy—-creme brulee.
Really. Is there anything more perfect in life than a creme brulee well made? I know this very well since I had a class at school dedicated to the art of it. Its very hard to do right, you know, since you have to bake it to perfection so it still is creamy inside and not overbaked or underbaked. It took me a good 50 times before I got it perfect myself. Last night Chef Ryan customized our creme brulee by reducing down a tantalizing mixture of grand marnier and white chocolate and drizzling it over the top. It was to die for. Simply said. Ryan had a few bites but I finished it all! 🙂
And I of course had a decaf espresso, my favorite way to close out a stunning meal. Reminds me of Europe!
So now at this point we were both rather hurting from being SO FULL. When I got in bed, I could only lay on my back because I was SO full. A HUGE thank you to Keith and Chef Ryan for making this a night to remember and the best way possible to ring in my 24th year!!!!!!!!
Savannah
June 12, 2009 at 7:18 amWhat a gorgeous meal! Hope you had a wonderful birthday!
Tracy
June 12, 2009 at 7:18 amWhat a fun night! Happy b-day! Ok, you know we’re going to ask – where did you get the dress??
jenna
June 12, 2009 at 7:29 amTracy,
Macy’s!
Emily (Healthy Fit Mama)
June 12, 2009 at 7:50 amThat looks like a fabulous birthday meal! I love your dress!!
Kat
June 12, 2009 at 7:54 amwhat a lovely birthday dinner! you look beautiful!
polly
June 12, 2009 at 7:55 amJENNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How fun and you and R are so cute and that MEAL… holy elastic waist pants yummy. 😛 YUMMERS!
Kenny?!?!?! Girl, I saw him in concert a couple years ago and boy does he put on a SHOW! I saw it with 4 of my girlfriends and let me tell you, we got home at 3am and it was the funniest night and latest I think I’ve ever been out! I don’t even drink so it was just good ol’ southern fried girls night crazy. I think you’ll love him. I was suprised at how LITTLE he is. He is one tiny dude with tons of energy! I remember him running all over that stage the whole night! Have a BLAST!!!
Okay, off to Cincinnati today, just sipping my green smoothie checking on the birthday girl. 😉
XOXO
Jen, a priorfatgirl
June 12, 2009 at 7:59 amI love the picture of you in Paris & you at Flemings with your urber cheesy french onion soup!
BEAUTIFUL NIGHT JENNA!
Jocelyn
June 12, 2009 at 8:02 am1. You look FABBBBBBB….that dress looks amazing on you!!
2. That french onion soup looks so yummy
3. Holy steak…
4. RASCAL FLATTS AND KENNY!!!!
That is a whole lot of exciting!!!! You 2 look GREAT together…I’m so glad you had an awesome night..You really deserve it!
<3
Meghan@traveleatlove
June 12, 2009 at 8:02 amYour dress was so beautiful. You were just glowing! All of that food looks great too. Mmmm could I be craving lobster at 8 am?
Megan (Runner's Kitchen)
June 12, 2009 at 8:05 amI love onion soup! All of your dinner selections look SO good. I’ve only had lobster once or twice, but now I think I want to try it stuffed….yum!
kim
June 12, 2009 at 8:06 amwhat a crazily indulgent evening you had! It’s totally worth it too! You, the boy, the food, the creme bulee! You look stunning as well~
Jenna
June 12, 2009 at 8:09 amJenna!! 🙂 this is my absolute favorite post in a very long time!!! Your writing and pictures in this post are outstanding!!!! 🙂 I love love love your dress and dinner looks unbelievable!! I’m so glad you had a much deserved beautiful birthday!!
Amelia
June 12, 2009 at 8:11 amLooks like a wonderful bday dinner! Kenny Chesney is terrific in concert. I’m sure you’ll have a great time! 🙂
Recipes for Creativity
June 12, 2009 at 8:12 amThe dress is gorgeous, and so is the food! I love that the lobster was perfect for you, do you have leftovers? What a wonderful birthday, one I’m sure you’ll remember forever.
Meghann
June 12, 2009 at 8:13 amI’m going to that Rascal Flatts concert too!!!
Laura
June 12, 2009 at 8:19 amwow your dinner looks delicious! hope you had an amazing birthday 🙂
Coco Knudson
June 12, 2009 at 8:29 amWhat a classy, fun way to end your birthday!!!! I’m so happy for you that you got to indulge in all your favorite things and they were cooked to perfection!!!! Happy biirthday again and you are goiing to have the time of your life at those concerts!!!!!
Tammy (Defining Wellness)
June 12, 2009 at 8:33 amYou look beautiful, and I love your dress! Dinner looked delightful, and how fun that you are going to that concert! I’m so glad you had such a perfect night — you deserve it! Now here’s to a great Friday and a great weekend! It’s still your birthday weekend, after all. 🙂
Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats
June 12, 2009 at 8:39 amOMG WHAT A MEAL!!! It all looks so.incredible. – what a feast! Glad you have an amazing birthday – what a great day all around!!
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini)
June 12, 2009 at 8:41 amJenna you looked GORGEOUS! I’m so glad your birthday dinner was wonderful. Everything looks delicious. You deserve every bit!
Welcome to 24!!! I know this year will be awesome for you =)
Anna
June 12, 2009 at 8:43 amWhat a wonderful birthday! And that dress is MAD hot.
Katrina (gluten free gidget)
June 12, 2009 at 8:44 amYou look GORGEOUS! The dress is definitely a keeper! Good for Ryan for treating you to a night on the town!
Lesi
June 12, 2009 at 8:53 amI love Kenny Chesney! I’ve seen him a few times and he is definately an entertainer!
Your dress, haircut, and your Ryan are all too cute – I’m glad you had a great birthday!
Lauren
June 12, 2009 at 8:53 amWhat a FANTASTIC birthday meal! Funny, I remember being uncomfortablly full after my b-day dinner, but it was worth every single amazing bite!
Hope you enjoyed your day to the absoulte fullest!
PS- You look beautiful too!
Ada
June 12, 2009 at 8:54 amThat meals looks incredible! Happy birthday again!
Kim
June 12, 2009 at 8:59 amYUM! That lobster looks amazing! When I saw the menu, that definitely caught my eye. 🙂
I love Rascal Flatts & Kenny Chesney! Lucky girl, you! 🙂
Shannon, The Healthy Beach Bum
June 12, 2009 at 9:00 amLooks amazing girly 🙂 Love the dress, your hair, that lobster!!! Happy Birthday again
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
June 12, 2009 at 9:07 amSO happy you guys had fun and HAPPY BIRTHDAY again Jenna! 😀
I love that they wrote “happy birthday Jenna” on the creme brulee plate, and everything else looks absolutely delicious too.
(p.s. LOVE your dress too!)
Sarah
June 12, 2009 at 9:08 amYou looked absolutely gorgeous last night! Glad you had a great time and what great gifts for your birthday 🙂 That food looks amazing!
Laura S
June 12, 2009 at 9:11 amHappy Birthday!! Love the dress and the hair cut!! Super cute!!
Kati
June 12, 2009 at 9:13 amWhat an A-mazing birthday night!! You looked stunning~love the dress! Lobster and creme brulee look to die for!
Danielle
June 12, 2009 at 9:15 amWhat a beautiful dress, you are absolutely glowing too! I wish we had Fleming’s here in Washington, that Lobster looks AMAZING. Enjoy the concert, what a perfect gift.
Katherine
June 12, 2009 at 9:16 amThe perfect birthday!! You look gorgeous, the food looks incredible and you get to see Rascal Flatts!!
Johanna B
June 12, 2009 at 9:18 amYour dinner looks mah-velous! I’ve never eaten lobster. I understand from friends that I am missing one of the great tastes in life.
Heather
June 12, 2009 at 9:22 amYour dress is absolutely beautiful. Both you and Ryan look so happy and lovely. Glad you had an amazing birthday!
Love,
Heather
CJ
June 12, 2009 at 9:31 amWhat a wonderful night! Happy Birthday!!
CJ
Rachel
June 12, 2009 at 9:33 amWow looks like a fabulous birthday! I totally want my husband to take me to Fleming’s now! We have one just a couple miles from our house, and I’ve never been. I have a couple of questions for you. I love your haircut, and am thinking of doing something similar at my appointment next week. I’ve always had somewhat short hair so it won’t be a huge change. My question is – what do you do with your hair when you workout and run? I always struggle to figure out what works best as far as putting it up or keeping it down. Also, I love you dress. I know you said you got it at Macy’s, but what brand it is? Thanks!!!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope
June 12, 2009 at 9:33 amWow, sounds like you had an AMAZING night! You look GORGEOUS in that dress! And I’m totally jealous of your concert tickets. That is definitely going to be such a fun night! 🙂
What fabulous eats! The lobster looks amazing. Can you believe I’ve never tried lobster? I’ve got to get on that haha.
Have a wonderful first full day of being 24!
Sarah W.
June 12, 2009 at 9:34 amwish we had one of those restaurants in my area!!!! everything looked delish!!
Jenny
June 12, 2009 at 9:49 amWhat a beautiful evening Jenna! I’ve never seen a white cosmo, that sounds delicious!
Glad you enjoyed yourself, you are such an inspiring and sweet person, you truly deserved a fantastic birthday celebration. 🙂
Kris C.
June 12, 2009 at 9:54 amJenna,
So happy that you had a great birthday. Isn’t nice to indulge once in while! Don’t you wish your birthday came once a month instead of once a year! We could all use the destressing.
Fabulous Dress as well.
I love Kenny Chesney and have wanted to see him for years, but none of my girlfriends (or guy friends for that matter) will go with me as none of them listen to him. But I keep trying. Enjoy the concert!
brandi
June 12, 2009 at 9:58 amWhat a great birthday meal! You two are so cute together.
I LOVE that dress! Glad you had a great birthday 🙂
Jennifer @ His N' Her Health
June 12, 2009 at 10:03 amLooks like an amazing birthday. Love the dress!
elliebelle
June 12, 2009 at 10:09 amThat dress looks fantastic on you!!! Wow, what an amazing meal. YUMMY! Plus, the concert tickets are awesome! I’ve been lucky enough to see Kenny Chesney a couple of times in concert, I never had really close seats, but it was a lot of fun. He puts on a great show! I’ve heard (from my sister) that Rascal Flatts are awesome too! I hope you have a wonderful time at the concert.
K
June 12, 2009 at 10:19 amAw you look gorgeous and it sounds like a great night! You’re going to have a BLAST at the concert!!
chandra h
June 12, 2009 at 10:33 amhappy birthday jenna!!
what a wonderful night you and ryan had =D great start to your 24th year! and your new hair is really cute and suiting. again, happy birthday!!!!! 😀
Erica
June 12, 2009 at 10:39 amFirst off- you look gorgeous! What a fabulous dress. The meal looks out of this world! I haven’t ever had french onion soup which is weird because I love onions! I have to get on trying that! Happy Birthday (belated!!)
april
June 12, 2009 at 10:42 amYay for Kenny Chesney!! I just saw him here in New Mexico in April.. he was amazing!
Allie Katie
June 12, 2009 at 10:47 amYou and Ryan made an amazingly good looking couple! Happy birthday–you’ll LOVE kenny and rascal too!!
xoxo
AK
Lindsey
June 12, 2009 at 10:49 amGlad you had a great bday Jenna! You look amazing in that dress and wow! all the food looks delicious!
Melissa @ For the Love of Health
June 12, 2009 at 10:55 amAwww! It looks like you had the most perfect birthday!! All the food looks so amazing and I am glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Cosmos are a girl’s best friend 😉
Have a great day!
Alyssa
June 12, 2009 at 10:55 amYour dress is gorgeous! What an awesome night, Ryan is so sweet for getting those tickets!!!
trish (girlatgym)
June 12, 2009 at 10:56 amSuch a pretty dress and you look wonderful in it! And Flemings is soooo good! Looks like you had a great night.
Stephanie
June 12, 2009 at 10:57 amyour dress is gorgeous!! I’m glad you had a wonderful birthday as well : ]
Still Life in South America
June 12, 2009 at 10:58 amWow—what a night. I’m so happy for you. It appears that you are very loved. 😉
Rascal Flatts and Kenny Chesney would be so much fun to see in concert. The perfect girls night indeed.
I love the back on that dress. I’m going to have to buy some of that fashion tape. Have a great day!
Emily L.
June 12, 2009 at 10:58 amdrop dead gorgeous!
Maria
June 12, 2009 at 11:02 amThat dress looks so great on you. Very chic, Jenna, I love the pattern!
It was very sweet of Ryan to get you those tickets, and to take you out to Fleming’s. Ahh, the food looks to die for! I didn’t know creme brulee was so hard to make. It looks so pretty too! The dinner all together was very French ;).
Glad to hear you had a fabulous time on your birthday!
Rebecca Hoover
June 12, 2009 at 11:06 amOh how I looooovve Flemings and French Onion soup is my fave. I like to go there and get that for my meal (it’s more than plenty as you know). You looked lovely, Happy Birthday.
Jenny
June 12, 2009 at 11:11 ami saw rascall flatts last summer and they were phenomenal! how sweet of ryan to hook you up with some ticks =)!
gorgeous dress, girl! glad you enjoyed your night out and had a very happy birthday!
lora
June 12, 2009 at 11:14 amits great to celebrate like that on ur birthday! im glad u enjoyed yourself!
-Lora
Matt
June 12, 2009 at 11:26 amSounds like a great dinner! I love french onion soup too!
Rachel
June 12, 2009 at 11:28 amHappy birthday!! What a special night out–you’re a very lucky girl!
Natalie
June 12, 2009 at 11:36 amYou look so gorgeous in that dress!!
The dinner looks SO amazing! That is the biggest Lobster I have ever seen 🙂
Mindy
June 12, 2009 at 11:40 amThe hair was perfect, the dress was perfect, the meal was (obviously) perfect!! Glad you had a great birthday and happy belated, Jenna 😉
HeatherBakes
June 12, 2009 at 11:41 amCUTE DRESS! And love the hair! You two make the cutest couple.
I’m drooling over your dinner. Especially the mac and cheese and creme brulee. Mmm, comfort food.
Happy (belated) birthday Jenna!
Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl
June 12, 2009 at 11:44 amThat’s awesome, Jenna! So glad you had a great birthday! I love the pattern and colors on your dress!!!
*smiles*
Michele
Katie
June 12, 2009 at 11:56 amI love your dress! You look so beautiful! You and Ryan make an adorable couple. I’m glad you had such a wonderful birthday, you deserve it! Dinner looks fab, by the way 🙂
Peabody
June 12, 2009 at 11:56 amLoving the dress. Glad your meal was tasty and memorable.
Sally
June 12, 2009 at 12:05 pmHappy Birthday Jenna 🙂
Your meal looks wonderful and what better day to spoil yourself by eating whatever you fancy!!
A great trick i’ve learnt when feeling full is to lay on your left side… this helps digestion and it really works! 🙂
Samantha
June 12, 2009 at 12:06 pmWHat a perfect gift, nothing beats live music!! Happy birthday 🙂
Nicole
June 12, 2009 at 12:13 pmLovely dress and delicious dinner!
Courtney
June 12, 2009 at 12:15 pmHappy Belated Birthday!!! Hope your day was absolutely phenomenal! You looked fab in that dress!!!!
Brooke
June 12, 2009 at 12:21 pmI’ll be at the Kenny concert too! Can’t wait.
Looks like you had a great birthday!
beerab
June 12, 2009 at 12:32 pmHappy Bday you look beautiful in that dress! The food looks amazing my mouth is always watering after reading your blog lol 😀
Rachel
June 12, 2009 at 12:47 pmOh, what a wonderful post! Your dress is beautiful. Happy belated birthday!
Aimee
June 12, 2009 at 12:50 pmThat dress is beautiful. I adore Kenny and Rascal Flatts. I have seen Kenny in concert once and Rascal Flatts maybe 4 times. I really love Rascal Flatts in concert, Kenny is awesome in concert to obviously, but I can’t miss Rascal Flatts when they are in town! Looks like one wonderful birthday.
Deirdre
June 12, 2009 at 12:55 pmAmazing birthday gifts! I’ve seen Kenny twice in concert and its always an amazing show. I’ve always wanted to see Rascal Flatts. Your bday dinner looks amazing.
Run Sarah
June 12, 2009 at 1:26 pmWhat a wonderful birthday! You, Ryan and the fabulous food look great!
Melinda
June 12, 2009 at 1:34 pmHappy Belated Birthday! Looks like you had a fabulous time!:D
Allison K.
June 12, 2009 at 1:47 pmStunning Dress! The back is so gorgeous! Happy Birthday!
Glidingcalm
June 12, 2009 at 1:55 pmJenna love!!! Yay!!! I am so glad you had a wonderful birthday!!! Hurray for Kenny Chesney and Rascal too!! I loveeeeeee Rascal, and I’m not really a huge country person!!!
You dress is STUNNING, and yayo for fashion tape!! It’s handy stuff!!
Your meal looks sensational and I am so happy that it was so memorable!! What a fabulous day!!! And I am totally craving LOBSTER!!!!
Even though I wished you a happy birthday on facebook, I wanted to say it again………HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! And sorry about the keys getting locked in your car this morning!! That is a drag!! Way to get another workout in!! That is impressive!!!
HAVE A FABULOUS DAY!!!
Love,
Gliding Calm
kilax
June 12, 2009 at 3:38 pmWhat a fun birthday dinner! It’s so neat that you found a soup that reminds you of the one you had in Paris. I am still looking for some good gelato and pizza bianca to substiture what I had in Rome!
Kiersten
June 12, 2009 at 4:40 pmI am glad you had a nice birthday dinner. Your dress is beautiful!
elise
June 13, 2009 at 3:19 pmhappy happy happy birthday (i know im a bit late, but i figured its better than never right?)
hope you had an amazing day! although based on the dinner recap i KNOW you did 🙂
xxx
elise
Jenny
June 13, 2009 at 4:22 pmHappy Birthday Jenna! I love your dress and dinner sounds delicious! You will absolutely love Kenny Chesney. I have seen him twice and am taking my Dad for Father’s Day in just a few weeks. Get ready to sing your heart out!