This afternoon reminded me why I do NOT work in a corporate setting.
For the life of me, I just cannot sit still!!! I can’t even fathom sitting in a cubicle all day….I think I would pull my hair out! I know it works for some people quite well but if I don’t move around I start to itch and jiggle and stretch my legs into the air. Today I spent a solid three hours sitting “at my desk” (aka on the couch) writing and proofing articles, answering emails, writing blog posts and working on my little project, which is remaining Top Secret for the time being. Oh, and I may or may not have painted my toes and fingers, twittered a bit and dropped into random downward facing dogs. Isn’t working from home wonderful?! π
Midway through it all I snacked on one of Ange’s truly fabulous homemade granola bars straight out of the freezer. This must have been the end piece or something when I was cutting them because it was ENORMOUS. I felt quite full after eating it actually!
I got two fun packages! First, the truly wonderful and talented Alyssa made my mom and I matching bracelets to honor my brother! Blue was John’s favorite color because it was the color of the water and I think he would really, really like this. Alyssa, I can’t thank you enough!
And then, Julia sent me some of her gluten-free vegan baked goodies to sample! Holy mackeral, yall know how much I love my baked goods. I tried one of her maple cookies right off the bat.
YUM! It tasted just like a thick, chewy gingerbread cookie, which is my favorite cookie of all time. I can’t wait to try the rest!
And now I shall break up this regularly scheduled blog post to just GUSH about Fleming’s!!!
I mean, do they know how to treat a girl or what?! Tonight was phenomenal!
First of all, the outfit. I wore my new blue birthday dress and new gold Steve Madden sandals (on sale for $29.99 baby!)
I heart these new shoes big time. I mean for $30 bucks…really?! Love ’em.
Let me start by telling you guys a little bit about “5 for 6 till 7”. Basically, you can order five different cocktails, five glasses of house wine and five full sized appetizers all for only $6 each, every night from 5-7 pm. Its actually too good to be true! I also got to meet some very interesting food bloggers. Check out Dan’s blog called (and I love it) “Green Eggs”. He’s so personable and funny in real life….we had a lot in common!
I swear, if people knew about this the line would be wrapped up around the building. Where else can you get a signature cosmo for only $6??!! We compared prices off the regular menu and the calamari appetizer (which rocked, by the way) was about $16 there and if you go in from 5-7 you only pay $6. Seriously now. Go tonight. Hurry!
Right when I got there I was given a cocktail choice and I decided to play it conservative at first and order a glass of the pinot noir. Delicious!
And then almost immediately, we were brought out endless plates of food. To start, the crab cakes:
And I’m not just saying this to be nice. They were the BEST crab cakes I’ve ever had. I’m a harsh critic because I feel like most places puts a ton of filler in their cakes to sort of skimp the customer on the crab, which is the expensive part. Not Fleming’s. These crab cakes were HUGE, fluffy, and about all crab. The other food blogger at the table who lived in Maryland said these even rival the ones back home. They were that good. And only $6! I ate one whole crab cake by myelf….couldn’t help myself; they were so good!
Almost immediately after the crab cakes arrived, yummy ahi tuna was brought over. You all know how much I love ahi tuna! I was betrothed to the crab though and only managed about two pieces of tuna because I was so busy attacking my crab cake forcefully. π
Next, the calamari tossed in sweet chili sauce
Another winner! I adored the sweet chili sauce that the little calamari were dressed in. A very refreshing change from the typicallyΒ heavy marinara sauce. I’ll admit I kept on eating these because they were right in front of me! I have no self control π
Then came the carpaccio, which I’ll admit I did not try because I’m not a red meat person. However, I did have TWO slices of the warm cheesy toast that accompanies the dish (dipped in the red sauce from the crab cakes, no doubt) and it was just fab.
And last but not least the spicy cajun shrimp!! They were spicy indeed!
I had two shrimp and then totally mooched the hot piece of thick bread from the sauce. I think that wedge of sauce soaked bread was the highlight of my entire night….no day! It was amazing. Enough said.
Meanwhile, I was being peer pressured into having another cocktail….I chose the Basil Lemon Drop and it was super yummy!
Anywhere else a martini like that would be at least $11…..I can’t believe it was only $6! Ryan and I are totally going out more often now, that’s for sure!
When Keith, the manager, found out I had been to culinary school and am rather a bread snob, he just had to take me back into the kitchen to try their rosemary bread. Get this guys: EVERY SINGLE DAY THEY MAKE THEIR ROSEMARY BREAD FROM SCRATCH.
I know, I didn’t believe it either. I really didn’t. I made Keith actually SHOW me the starter that they used and only then did I accept the fact that they made their sourdough from scratch every morning. I don’t even know another restaurant that does that—I’m not sure if you are aware, but most restaraurants get their bread par-baked and then before service the chef will just heat it up. I am in shock and awe that Fleming’s makes their bread homemade and I’ll admit that I ate a nice wedge of it back in the kitchen. Keith was also so kind to send me home with a loaf + their special compound butter so youΒ know what I’ll be eating tomorrow!
I also got a goodie bag with wine glasses!
I love that quote!
Overall, it was a great evening and I think Fleming’s is doing something remarkable with their new affordable menu. It makes it easy for a date night or just a cocktail after work knowing you aren’t going to blow your budget! And, as I told Ryan, my birthday is next week: take me back!!! π
Now I am home, sipping Aveda tea in my jammies and heading to bed. After nights like this you sort of want to put the elastic waist sweatpants on and sip some water but tomorrow is a new day! As I tell everyone, everything is okay in moderation. Life is just waaaaay too short to only nibble carrot sticks. You have to live a little sometimes!
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini)
June 3, 2009 at 7:02 pmGirl you look gorgeous!! Really just glowing! Beautiful.
Glad you had such an awesome night! I need to go check it out. Maybe we could go together for drinks and eats sometime!!!! All of the food looks wonderful and it’s great to see that they serve a quality product, not just some heated up bread =)
Have a great night!
Kayla
June 3, 2009 at 7:16 pmI just got those shoes last week!! crazy! i love them too!
looks like your dinner went amazing.. i would have loved the crab cakes!
Kati
June 3, 2009 at 7:18 pmWhat a fun fantastic night! You look great in the dress and I love the blue bracelet you got today π I sooo envy you getting to work from home. I DO sit at a desk 8 hours a day and would love a work from home job!
Jennifer
June 3, 2009 at 7:19 pmThanks so much for your pictures and stories about Flemings! I’m so excited to know there’s one near me… the husband and I just might go this weekend π
Jen
June 3, 2009 at 7:21 pmI agree, a desk job is way too much for people like us who can’t sit still π
Matt
June 3, 2009 at 7:25 pmSounds like a great night. That food looks delicious!
Michelle
June 3, 2009 at 7:25 pmThat’s awesome. The tuna looked amazing. What I admire about you is that you indulge once in awhile and don’t shame yourself for it. Thanks for that…we women need to have balanced and somewhat indulgent lives. Yummy food.
polly
June 3, 2009 at 7:26 pmLooooove working from home. Well, is teaching yoga “working?” π
Love the dress and the CRAB CAKES! D and I are headed to Hilton Head for a work conference (work for D, play at the yoga studio for me) and they have a restaurant there that has the BEST crab cakes! My total favorite restaurant of all time. Thanks for reminding me how yummy those little crabby cakes are indeed.
Hugs and yes, life is too short. You make me want to go get donuts for breakfast. π
*Andrea*
June 3, 2009 at 7:27 pmum let me just say blue = your color! your eyes are so pretty with the blue dress!!! cute nail polish too. i agree, life is WAYYYY too short to subsist on carrot sticks and celery π i’m the total opposite of you though with work…im starting my first internship in the city at a financial co. and i love the office environment,., i feel so high-powered and professional! lol
Julie
June 3, 2009 at 7:28 pmyou looked so pretty! that was a great review, I cannot wait to go to the Flemings in downtown Boston and get a taste of all those delicious dishes!
Amanda
June 3, 2009 at 7:30 pmI totally have to agree with Andrea! That dress just makes your eyes pop – beautiful! And I am way jealous that Flemings is close to you… it all looks so delicious! Probably a good thing though that they don’t have one near me with those prices π
Amanda
June 3, 2009 at 7:31 pmI mean I would eat there way too much!
VeggieGirl
June 3, 2009 at 7:34 pmSuch an enchanting evening!
Sarah
June 3, 2009 at 7:37 pmAmazing looking food and you look great!
I hope to someday be able to work from home, but in my field (finance) that will probably never happen. A girl can dream though. π
Random non-food question. I have straight blonde hair and have always worn it long and low-maintenance. (Shoulder length or longer) I love your short haircut though. Do you flat iron it or blow dry it in place? Do you find it style your current do? I’m nervous to go short.
jenna
June 3, 2009 at 7:48 pmSarah,
Thank you! All I do to my hair is blow it dry with a round brush. I actually want to go a bit shorter because I hate the way it kicks up in the back when it hits my shoulders. I really like the short, smooth and sleek look. My hair probably only takes 8 minutes from wet to dry….I’m a low maintenance kind of girl and the easier the better for me!
Angela
June 3, 2009 at 7:41 pmI love that quote!! LOL
You look so beautiful, I’m glad you had such a great time at Flemings! I agree your eye colour is beautiful! Looks like an awesome restaurant.
I am the same way as you about not sitting still…working at a desk job drove me absolutely nuts! I don’t think it is for everyone..
april
June 3, 2009 at 7:42 pmYou look beautiful! I absolutely love the dress!
Megan (Runner's Kitchen)
June 3, 2009 at 7:45 pmI definitely agree that life is too short not to indulge sometimes. Last night I had a burger & a beer with some friends and while it wasn’t the healthiest choice – it was delicious!
amanda
June 3, 2009 at 7:52 pmI wish I lived near that restaurant! Too bad I am way on the other side of the country )=. That seems like such a good deal, and it is quality
Emily
June 3, 2009 at 7:52 pmWhat a great evening!
Love the dress and the shoes, mos def!
And hooray for working from home π
Christina
June 3, 2009 at 7:54 pmGorgeous dress!! I stumbled across your blog about a week ago and have been reading your prior post during my downtime at work.. it amazes me that you have/take so much time to blog, and thank you for doing so!!
Love the nail polish! What color and who is it by?
Emily (Healthy Fit Mama)
June 3, 2009 at 7:55 pmWow! What a night – and what a spread! All that food looks amazing. Soooo jealous!
Kiersten
June 3, 2009 at 7:55 pmyou look lovely! i like your dress and sandals.
Tammy (Defining Wellness)
June 3, 2009 at 7:59 pmWe have a Fleming’s right down the road from us and crab cakes are one of my favorite foods of all time — hmm, AND my birthday is on the 18th. Sounds like a trip might be in order! π Glad you enjoyed it. You looked beautiful tonight, as always!
Jenni
June 3, 2009 at 8:06 pmJenna you look amazing! I LOVE, LOVE you hair that length…it suits you. And what is this Top Secret project??!!!! When will we know???!!! π
Jenny
June 3, 2009 at 8:08 pmWOW! What an amazing night, that restaurant sounds truly incredible. I love everything you tried tonight, the drinks AND food π How cool that you got to go to check out the breadmaking situation too!
Definitely an evening well spent!
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food)
June 3, 2009 at 8:13 pmThat restaurant sounds great! The food looks delicious and how cool that they make the bread from scratch every day!
Amanda
June 3, 2009 at 8:15 pmJenna – love your blog!! There’s a Fleming’s near my house…I’ll have to try it out after work one day π
Where on earth did you get that blue dress so I can try to find it!? SO CUTE!! Did you get it recently??
jenna
June 4, 2009 at 5:12 amAmanda,
Thank you! My cousin got it for me for my birthday and she lives in LA. I’ve never seen it anywhere!
Beth
June 3, 2009 at 8:18 pmLove those shoes. Where did you get them?? Goes great with the pink polish. Sounds like a wonderful night with amazing drinks and food. Thanks for sharing. I am in CO so a bit far to partake, but I can live vicariously through you, right?
runjen
June 3, 2009 at 8:20 pmI just love your food mentality. You take care of yourself but aren’t afraid to splurge now and then. You are right, life is too short! We have to enjoy the good stuff (in moderation). Great post.
Heather
June 3, 2009 at 8:20 pmI am the same way! At school, I just HATE sitting in a chair all day. I make extra laps around school in-between classes just to get moving during the day!
Sounds like such a wonderful evening! My goodess that is quite the deal for such DELICIOUS food. Thanks for sharing the yumminess with us! π
Enjoy the rest of your relaxing evening!
Help Meghan Run
June 3, 2009 at 8:22 pmLove the dress. π And your schedule sounds pretty great right about now, I’m envious! Glad you’re having a good time with all of your different projects.
HelpMeghanRun.com
Melissa @ For the Love of Health
June 3, 2009 at 8:23 pmYou are one gorgeous lady!! What a beautiful coloured dress! and awesome sandals!!
I totally envy your home work set up! I am one of those corporate people and my time there is coming to an end soon! Thank Goodness! I can’t wait to go back to school this fall!!
All that food looked really really good! And those prices are amazing!! No doubt you will be going back! I would too!
Have a great night!
eliza
June 3, 2009 at 8:35 pmaww I just got those same shoes for 14.99 at TJ Maxx!
Kristin
June 3, 2009 at 8:37 pmGirl, all I do is try to figure out ways to get myself out of an office! For now it will have to do, but not forever…
Love the bracelet, how sweet of her! π
meg
June 3, 2009 at 8:39 pmLove the bracelets and the color of your dress is gorgeous!
Fleming’s looks like a fabulous place to eat!
Emily
June 3, 2009 at 8:55 pmI love your new dress and bracelet – really pretty! Your night at Fleming’s sounds awesome and I’m jealous that I’m not close enough to enjoy it! π
Shannon
June 3, 2009 at 8:58 pmAhhh! I live in Clearwater so I will definitely have to try Fleming’s. Those calamari look divine! And I LOVE your dress!
-Shannon π
steph
June 3, 2009 at 9:06 pmahhhh beautiful girl! I have mad calamari cravings now
Still Life in South America
June 3, 2009 at 9:22 pmYou DO look gorgeous in that dress. It matches your eyes.
Instead of “down dog” in my yoga class, the Chilean instructor always calls out the “la carpa”–the tent! It sounds much less zen than the down dog. π
Laura Brandon
June 3, 2009 at 10:28 pmWow, that restaurant looks aMAZing! I wish I could pay it a visit! And I love your attitude about life being too short to nibble on carrot sticks!
Hallie
June 3, 2009 at 10:38 pmWow this looks AMAZING! I have to see if there is a Fleming’s in San Diego. I’m always on the lookout for a deal!
I so admire bloggers like you, Kath, and Angela who have been able to turn your passion into a living. I have a 9-5, and while I love where I work and enjoy what I do (most of the time, haha), I’d love to have a job that allowed me to work from the couch for three hours π maybe someday…
Stephanie
June 3, 2009 at 10:53 pmDid you end up doing an interview with Self magazine? If so, please post would love to hear more about it.
Sarah (LovIN My Tummy)
June 4, 2009 at 12:07 amI’ll nibble on carrot sticks happily…life’s just to short to not dip them in hummus (or nut butter).
Love your gorgeous dress, night and self!
Emily
June 4, 2009 at 1:12 amJenna –
All this food looks so good! I’ve had dinner, but I’m sure I could still fit this in too given half the chance π
Sounds like such a wonderful evening. You look great too – beaming with health.
~ Emily.
Run Sarah
June 4, 2009 at 1:40 amWow, what an awesome restaurant. You looked amazing!
Jenn Eats Nutritiously Now
June 4, 2009 at 2:55 amThat bracelet is beautiful. So sweet of her to make it for you!
amethyst
June 4, 2009 at 3:45 amYou look gorgeous in your new blue silk birthday dress, Jenna (plus the freshly painted nails…)! So happy you had such a great evening – well deserved! Flemings looks fabulous – shame it’s so far from London π
Christie @ BeadLuvah
June 4, 2009 at 4:13 amSounds like an amazing day!! You look so pretty in your new birthday dress!
Liza
June 4, 2009 at 5:21 amThat’s such a pretty dress! π Glad you had fun.
Jenna, going off topic now, are there any yoga videos you can recommend for those who aren’t quite advanced Yogis yet? Something with flow for a good mind and body workout?
jenna
June 4, 2009 at 6:06 amLiza,
Honestly I don’t really do any dvds…..but I do recommend http://www.yogadownload.com , which offers yoga downloadable classes ranging from beginner to advanced. They have been a lifesaver to me whenever I travel!
Liz @ in the skinny
June 4, 2009 at 5:24 amLove the dress! It is beautiful!
Laura wants sprinkles
June 4, 2009 at 6:11 amThat food is making me drool and it’s barely 8AM!
Stacey
June 4, 2009 at 6:14 amOkay, I am officially jealous! Why does all the good stuff seem to be in Florida!!??
Lauren
June 4, 2009 at 6:35 amThat looks like so much fun, and I love your sandals! Gold sandals are the best; I obsessed with my Jack Rogers’ ones. So comfortable, and I’ve had them for over 3 years with no signs of wear or tear. You’ve got to love that.
Working a desk job can be challenging for me sometimes. Prior to joining a corporate group (I work for an environmental and sustainable design firm, so at least the work is always interesting!) I was in grad school, and then taught Creative Writing. I was very accustomed to a more flexible, less cubicle-based schedule π I like my current job a lot, so don’t mind the imposed “stillness” that comes with working at a desk. I definitely think that working out in the morning, and taking regularly scheduled walking breaks during the day, helps me handle sitting in a cubicle for several hours a day.
brandi
June 4, 2009 at 6:54 amFleming’s sounds awesome! Looks like it was a great time and great food – and that’s cool that they actually bake their own bread.
I love that dress! The color is perfect for you!
Shalane
June 4, 2009 at 7:05 amYou looked GORGEOUS!!! I love those shoes as well!
What an awesome deal and awesome dinner selections. Those crab cakes look AMAZING. YUM!
Sarah
June 4, 2009 at 7:08 amJenna, I totally envy you! I’m currently stuck in the confines of a cubicle and its driving me crazy!! I want to work from home so badly but I’m not even sure where to start π
You looked beautiful, btw!
earthybrit.wordpress.com
June 4, 2009 at 7:21 amBeautiful night and you rocked that dress. Shoes are fantastic, I do a 5 for 5, you get 5 glasses of wine and 5 appts, for 5 dollars and plus there is a 6th table full of coffee and dessert. I always hit the gym for a sweat session, to remove those toxins and eat a lot of greens, while chugging h2o. Green smoothies are part of my life because of you Gena. I would also take milk thistle, it helps the liver cleanse your whole body. take care, brit
Sara
June 4, 2009 at 7:41 amwere you working with the TV on?! π lucky you for working from home and you look great!
Sarah
Leanne
June 4, 2009 at 7:53 amHow cool that you got to do the tasting. The presentation of the dishes is beautiful!
Holly
June 4, 2009 at 7:53 amYum, yum and YUM!
Shannon (The Daily Balance)
June 4, 2009 at 7:53 amfisrt of all – you look beautiful! stunning π
I also agree you have to live a little! Just yesterday the Mister and I enjoyed TWO slices of cake at one of our favorite restaurants. Ture, not an every day things but special treats are MANDATORY in our house. (In all seriousness, it’s exactly why I work out ;))
Briana
June 4, 2009 at 8:23 amHi Jenna
I actually just went to Flemmings for my graduation dinner and loved it and the shrimp were my favorite thing all night, I also ate the soaked bread DELICIOUS!
Menden (SkinnyMenny)
June 4, 2009 at 8:46 amJenna, you look so pretty in that dress, and I loooove the shoes too! Sounds like a night of delicious eats…I’d certainly be busting out the elastic-band sweats after a night like that π You’re right – life is too short not to indulge every once in a while!
Marina
June 4, 2009 at 8:51 amWhat a pretty dress! Way to have a great attitude and really enjoy your night!
Michelle
June 4, 2009 at 9:38 amahhh!! I love that you’re a bargain shopper/eater and find some awesome deals…uh…EVERYWHERE!! Yes, those shoes really are adorable and I am SUPER jealous you get to work from home!!! A desk job really does suck the life out of you (story of my life…well…9 months of it at least).
Thanks for sharing all those lovely dinner pictures!! The tuna is SOOOO right up my alley! π
Alyssa
June 4, 2009 at 9:42 amThanks Jenna! I’m glad you got the bracelets alright. The bracelet will look great with your eyes!!! π
Michele
June 4, 2009 at 10:06 amYummy π Your making me hungry.
beerab
June 4, 2009 at 11:40 amWow girl you look amazing! The food looks so good too- it’s an hour before my lunch and now my mouth is watering lol
elise
June 4, 2009 at 11:43 amthat place sounds AWESOME!!!!!!! i wish i lived nearby just to go there alone! your bday will be fabulous. that dress is gorg! although everything seems to look great on you! i know you got hooked up, but do you know where its from?
jenna
June 4, 2009 at 11:44 amElise,
I’m 99.9% sure it was sent to the set of America’s Next Top Model and was not used. The designer is “Holiday”
Steffany
November 8, 2011 at 10:48 amI know this is a really old article, but I am still pretty new to your blog and just click from post to post via the little pictures at the bottom when I am bored ! I love your workouts and recipes, but I had to comment here because I LOVE your dress !!!!