Hey Joel I live in Philly you shoulda told me you were there I woulda come down lol…..so how’d ya like the grub?

I’m one of the lucky ones: we don’t drink, so sitting in the bar while waiting for a table just doesn’t happen. And after decades of being obese, my body is FINALLY cooperating with me– I just CAN’T eat all that food! Appetizers (aside from perhaps an “included” salad or soup) are out. Ditto for desserts. There’s just NO ROOM for all that food! Plus, I’m a cheapskate– we try to order from the Senior menu (if there is one) where the portions are usually smaller, or we share an entree. For the occasional restaurant that has the awesome appetizers, sometimes I’ll make one or two of them my “main course.” It CAN be done!

@ MARK:
hey mark – avoid that diet soda and you can have more guac!!! lol :)

Before my husband and I go out I will eat a few almonds or walnuts or sometimes and apple. If I feel I might want a drink I may have a glass of wine before we leave as well. Then I try to eat grilled or broiled fish and veggies. That way I know I won’t leave hungry or overeat.

What a great point about paying with cash! We almost never carry cash, but every once in a while my parents will watch the kids and give us some cash to go out and get dinner. The first few times the money didn’t cover it, so now we’re really careful to get what we really like; we’ll avoid drinks, maybe share something, etc. We definitely order less. (As for your other tip, with a 5 year-old and 2 year-old, we don’t do a lot of “waiting in the bar” before dinner…LOL!)

@Vaseem –
I really like this idea!

Amazing tips…thanks for bringing to mind obvious mistakes in dining out

Hi,
Great idea on carrying cash. This has to be a winner… oops I mean a calorie loser

Nick

Interesting, I will keep that in mind next time, I don’t carry cash but pay by eftpost, and i do over eat much to my dissappointment,

Just yesterday I had same expirience, but in this case we where waiting for friends. I forgot to mansion that I’m from italy so it’s wery usual for people to be late. To cat the story I was HUNGRY, very, and had eaten rissoto nero, calamari and last but not least red vine.
I’t was 11am.
Not good, couldn’t sleep all night and in the morning hade a great nightmare.