Restaurant Loyalty

on February 28, 2010
in All Posts

Fortune cookies are always so appropriate.  It’s so strange how it works!

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The Husband’s cookie said, “You are lucky – you are on the right path.”  That made us think of his upcoming graduation from Oriental medicine graduate school.  I hope the cookie is right!

 

Last night, we went out to a Asian Fusion restaurant called Chi in the Baldwin Park area of Orlando.  We’re pretty partial to Royal Thai, but the Husband convinced me to try something new.

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I started off with a glass of merlot (fun fact about the Husband and me:  I cannot tell you the last time I ordered my own glass of wine.  I always let him pick out my wine because he knows WAY more about wine than I do, and I always like his choice.)

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And we each had one of these spring rolls.  They were good – the crust was very doughy, but Royal Thai’s are better.

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For my entree, I got the spicy Kung Pao Tofu, which came with mushroom, red and green peppers, water chestnut, zucchini, and peanuts.

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And a side of brown rice.

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My verdict?  It was good, but I’m one of those people who like ONE Thai/Asian restaurant in town and am such a loyal customer that all the waitress know me by name.  Seriously.  Nothing can beat Royal Thai in my heart!

 

Breakfast was 1.5 whole wheat waffles with a smear of Pumpkin Yogurt:

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Sorry to make it so short and fast, but the Husband and I are going to the local English pub to watch the Carling Cup final.  Since the match is in England, it starts at 10:00 AM here!

Manchester United and Aston Villa are playing each other.  Obviously, we’re rooting for Man U!  We actually saw Man U play this December when we were in England (here’s the recap – just reading it again makes me COLD).

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After we come home, I’m going to do an INTENSE brick workout in preparation for the triathlon (which is in two weeks).  I’m going to recreate the second half of the tri by doing:

 

  • A hard 20 mile bike
  • A fast 5.6 mile run

 

Come back later for the recap!

 

Are you restaurant loyal?  What restaurant is your favorite and why?

{ 67 comments }

 

  • jen trinque February 28, 2010, 8:53 am

    Now that I think about it, the boy and I always hit the same restaurants and don’t branch out that much! Once I find something good, I usually stick with it.

  • Leah @ Simply Fabulous February 28, 2010, 8:54 am

    GO VILLA!! 😉

    Have fun watching the game… i’m watching it here and Hubby is at actually at Wembley today for all the excitement!

    • caitlin February 28, 2010, 8:55 am

      so exciting!!!!!!!

      • Leah @ Simply Fabulous February 28, 2010, 8:56 am

        I don’t know what will be worse.. if Villa win or lose as far as his after partying & alcohol consumption in London goes LOL (obvi he’s a Villa fan!).

  • Amanda February 28, 2010, 8:55 am

    I’m very loyal to Mexican restaurants. Once I find one I love I stick with it, and whether I love it or not is usually dependent on their margaritas 🙂

  • Evan Thomas February 28, 2010, 8:57 am

    I’m not necessarily restaurant loyal, there’s just not many good restaurants around, so we ALWAYS end up choosing Tomassos if we go out. It’s really good though; most of the produce and meats are local and wild. And they do make the best pizza I’ve had outside of Italy

  • Joanne February 28, 2010, 8:58 am

    Good luck with the “BRICK”. Look forward to hearing about it.

    Restaurant Loyal: We do have our favorites but I really enjoy trying new places. Our favorites BECOME favorites because the staff is friendly, the food is good, and there is a variety of good wine to choose from.

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs February 28, 2010, 9:00 am

    Oohh good luck on that workout this afternoon, that sounds tough!!
    I’m pretty loyal with one restaurant – a fish one on the coast. It does such amazing food everytime 🙂 but that’s the only place I’m loyal too – I like to try new places 😀
    Have fun at the football match! I want Aston Villa to win 😛

    • Sam February 28, 2010, 9:17 am

      Me too! (Sorry Caitlin!)

      • Leah @ Simply Fabulous February 28, 2010, 9:36 am

        I think most of the country will be cheering Villa on! Man U just don’t have the rep they used to!

        • Sam February 28, 2010, 10:01 am

          Yup, anyone who’s not a United fan will be cheering Villa on for sure (except maybe Birmingham supporters!)

  • Angela (Oh She Glows) February 28, 2010, 9:06 am

    Going to Fresh again today in Toronto. Yes you could say im addicted! Im a very loyal person by nature.

  • Kelly February 28, 2010, 9:11 am

    I am very loyal to restaurants but I also love to try new ones sometimes…then sometimes I become loyal to new ones. There is a Chinese restaurant near me that I have been going to since I was a little kid. The owners know me and my whole family, they can even tell when we are just calling for a take out order. We are similarly known at Japanese place nearby. Last time I was there my mom and dad happened to come at the same time and the waitress was like, “your daughter is here” haha

  • Gabriela February 28, 2010, 9:13 am

    Hahaha, I know how it works…
    When you find a good restaurant, nothing compares to it.
    Right?
    😉
    Lovely pics, as always.
    I´m sure you´ve had tons of fun with the husband watching that match in England… 😀
    Have a great Sunday and a great workout!
    Brazilian XOXO´s,
    Gabriela

  • Nicole @ Making Good Choices February 28, 2010, 9:19 am

    I am SUCH a restaurant loyal. I eat the same places over and over and always compare when I go some place different haha. Have good workout today!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is February 28, 2010, 9:26 am

    I love local restaurants sooo much more than chains. We rarely go out to chains because it mostly all tastes the same!

  • Whitney @ whitinspired.wordpress.com February 28, 2010, 9:29 am

    I’m extremely loyal to restaurants. In fact, we go to the same ones over and over again and I always order the same thing…I almost never switch it up. I guess I’m a creature of habit. My favorite here is a local mexican place that serves homemade warm tortilla chips and the best salsa I’ve ever had.

  • Matt February 28, 2010, 9:30 am

    I am loyal to an Italian place downtown. It is so good!

  • Stacey February 28, 2010, 9:31 am

    I am a TOTAL restaurant loyalist. Jas and I have our 5 main picks when we feel like going out to eat. I like going to the same places because they know us and know exactly how we like our food 😀 And most of them are family-owned, so I don’t mind helping keep their business afloat in any way I can!

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) February 28, 2010, 9:34 am

    i don’t know if i have one favorite restaurant, but i’m a huge fan of a local mexican place! they are so friendly and quick, and the food is the closest thing to tex-mex i’ve been able to find in colorado!

  • Heather @ Side of Sneakers February 28, 2010, 9:40 am

    That restaurant looks amazing!! I don’t have a favorite restaurant, but my parents go to the same restaurant every Thursday because they like the wait staff (and the food, but you know)

  • lauren @ Eater not a runner February 28, 2010, 9:41 am

    I’m not too much of a loyalist, I love trying new places!

    Good luck on the workout 🙂

  • Madeline - Greens and Jeans February 28, 2010, 9:42 am

    I think I’m more loyal to coffee shops than anything else! I can’t believe your tri is only two weeks away!

  • Jamie February 28, 2010, 9:44 am

    I’ve always wanted to be a “regular” somewhere (cue Cheers theme song) but it hasn’t happened to me yet… until then, I definitely frequent the same restaurants but I don’t eat out enough for me to order “the usual”!

  • christie, honoring health February 28, 2010, 9:49 am

    Good luck with your training today.

    We don’t really eat out much but I am loyal to the places I like. I do like trying new things from time to time, though.

  • Karla February 28, 2010, 9:50 am

    My parents are regulars at this one chinese place in my hometown. Every time we go everyone there comments on how much I’ve grown since we’ve been going there since I was about 5 years old!
    I’m more of a try new places kind of gal! I went to a great tapas place last night for the first time!

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg February 28, 2010, 9:54 am

    I don’t know if we have “restaurant loyalty” so much as the fact that there are only two or three restaurants in our town that we like, so we always go to them!

    Great fortune! I got one the other day that said “You constantly struggle for self-improvement.” Ummm…I found it kind of insulting!! lol. Whatever.

  • Heather February 28, 2010, 9:59 am

    Royal Thai is SOOOO good. It’s in my top 3 Thai restaurants in Orlando, for sure. I really like Sea Thai – judging by your posts, you live near the airport so it’s a little further from you, but it’s by the Fashion Square Mall and it’s amazing. I hate living so far away from all of them but it makes those trips extra special.

  • KatieF February 28, 2010, 10:05 am

    I love my local Irish pub. 🙂 My husband I eat there at least once a week. It’s literally around the corner, the food is good, and they always have good beer on tap. Can’t beat it!

  • abby February 28, 2010, 10:07 am

    OMG YES!!!! There’s one Thai restaurant in Sarasota FL called Tropical Thai and it was my FAVORITE place to eat…at least once a week!! When I moved to ATL, I tried to find a similar Thai place… I’ve tried 4 different places… and have yet to find one even close to Tropical Thai….. it’s sooo frustrating b/c I CRAVE their food. They had the BEST egg rolls and Thai coffee. *sigh*

    • Rachel February 28, 2010, 4:37 pm

      I have family that live in Sarasota and I visit all the time. I will have to remember to try Tropical Thai. I LOVE Thai food 🙂

  • Kalli@fitandfortysomething February 28, 2010, 10:12 am

    We are loyal to a fav wine bar and a fav tapas place in town. It is hard to go elsewhere! Have fun today. And yes I would have to say your husband and you are on the right path!

  • Tiffany February 28, 2010, 10:25 am

    Hmm. I definitely like to branch out and try new cuisines but once I’ve found something I LOVE, I am DEFINITELY a loyal customer. Unfortunately, my favorite Thai restaurant recently closed down and I’m struggling to fill the void.

    My brother woke up early to catch that match (we’re on the West Coast!) We toured the Liverpool stadium late last year, and I would love to tour a few more during my next trip back to the UK!

    Good luck on your tri training =)

  • Michael February 28, 2010, 10:27 am

    Caitlin,

    Thanks for reading my email and replying promptly. I am still debating the starting of my own blog. Or perhaps just procrastinating, which will be a popular topic of self improvement when I do start it.

    I am curious if you get weird looks when snapping photos of all of your food?? Or more importantly how much work this is for you? I am fairly sure I could not keep that kind of pace if I had a blog. Perhaps blogging is of itself more helpful to the blogger than the bloggee-> word??

    I got a email from UCF about Global Food Policy Expert, Author, and Activist Raj Patel speaking at UCF on Thursday March 4th. If you are interested, I think it would be more about malnourished activism than about healthful eating and exercise. But that is only my speculation. Let me know if you want me to send you the email about it.

    You and your husband are on an amazing path. It is great to see two people unite with such similar healthful pursuits! You both are very lucky!

    Enjoy the game!

    Michael

    • caitlin February 28, 2010, 2:33 pm

      sure, shoot me an email about the event.

      not all fitness/food blogger blog every bite they eat – some just do some meals and some workouts. this style of blogging works for me (it’s also a full time job) but not for everyone.

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople February 28, 2010, 10:46 am

    I am definitely restaurant loyal. I have never liked another Chinese food place other than Wong’s King. I have been to many other ones, tried various items, nothing beats Wong’s King! Although I know longer eat there, not exactly friendly to my waistline. =)

  • Tania @ Moment Anew February 28, 2010, 10:48 am

    There is a sushi place in my town called Koganei Sushi that hubby and I order from every week. They’re fantastic!

  • Marissa February 28, 2010, 10:50 am

    I am the same way. If I have a favorite place to get a certain kind of food I am always bummed if I go somewhere else.

  • Lia February 28, 2010, 10:52 am

    I am definitely a restaurant loyal — once I find a great place, I stick with it! I go to the same Indian restaurant at least once a week haha

  • skinnyrunner February 28, 2010, 10:54 am

    im not really restuarant loyal. i love to go out to eat so ill go anywhere!

  • Christy February 28, 2010, 10:58 am

    My husband and I are the exact same way with our Thai place! We have tried others but they never compare and the owner knows us by name. We take everyone we know there and they love it too.

  • Mara @ What's For Dinner? February 28, 2010, 11:05 am

    We’re cool with branching out to different restaurants unless we’re talking about Thai…then we only go to ONE place 🙂

  • Allison @ Food For Healing February 28, 2010, 11:19 am

    that restaurant looks funky!
    I love Red Lobster to be honest, i love crab. Although I wish we had Vegan or Raw type restaurants, but unfortunately we don’t.

  • Morgan @ Healthy Happy Place February 28, 2010, 11:34 am

    I have restaurant loyalty to a local pizza place. nothing else compares!! I think all chicagoans have their favorite deep dish joint

  • Emily February 28, 2010, 11:44 am

    I’m very loyal to restaurants. I have one favorite pizza place, one favorite sushi place, one favorite bar that I like to go to. Of course, I love trying out new restaurants, but I always know what I love to order at my favorite places.

  • Maria (realfitmama) February 28, 2010, 11:56 am

    I am VERY restaurant loyal!! I have a favorite for every type of cuisine in our city. Asian food is Lemongrass and I ALWAYS get the Vegetarian Hot Pot. Middle Eastern Food is Ranoush and the hub’s and I always split the Traditional Mesa for 2. Come to think of it – not only am I restaurant loyal I’m also menu item loyal at each restaurant!! How funny…

  • Amy @ running in pink February 28, 2010, 12:31 pm

    Did you enjoy the game? I didn’t, i’m originally from Birmingham so my football team is Aston Villa – us Brummie’s are gutted 🙁

    the Thai food you had last night looks delicious!

  • Caitlin @ Right Foot Forward February 28, 2010, 12:56 pm

    I am definitely restaurant loyal! I also only order one of a few different things each time I go. It may sound boring, but I know what I like! Your dish from last night looks delicious.

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) February 28, 2010, 12:57 pm

    I try new places all the time, but if I find something I really like I return – a lot!!

  • Daniel February 28, 2010, 1:10 pm

    I’m not really a huge dining out person because it’s hard to tell how most of the food is prepared or the selection is very slim and poor where I live (small town = not a lot of variety). My parents on the other hand go to the same restaurants every single day almost religiously. They’re definitely loyal (so long as someone didn’t piss them off that day, haha).

  • Nicole, RD February 28, 2010, 1:24 pm

    I am very restaurant loyal, especially with Mexican restaurants or places that do a certain item best — i.e. crab legs!!

    I love that you let your hubby pick out your wine selection. We are wine-os and love trying new wines. I guess that’s what happens when you spend time in Europe, or in your hubby’s case, are from Europe! 🙂

  • Run Sarah February 28, 2010, 1:27 pm

    I am restaurant loyal as well! I have the favourite places in my neighbourhood that I prefer to frequent. Good luck on the brick workout!

  • Beth February 28, 2010, 1:29 pm

    I go back and forth… I definitely have my favorites that I like to frequent but I’m always down to try a new place. I know what you mean though about expecting something a certain way and then it coming and not being exactly how you’re used to having it… My favorite restaurant is Minh’s (Vietnamese) in Arlington, VA. Their food is always delicious and so fresh!

  • Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] February 28, 2010, 1:56 pm

    OMG. That workout sounds intense! Good luck!

  • Monica @ Musings of the Granola Girl February 28, 2010, 1:58 pm

    I am definitely restaurant loyal, but loyal to many different kinds! I have a favorite sushi restuarant, favorite italian, favorite chinese, favorite mexican, favorite mediterranean, favorite thai…and the list goes on!
    I’m definitely NOT a steak and potatoes girl 🙂

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing February 28, 2010, 2:03 pm

    I am totally restaurant loyal too but I don’t think i can choose my favorite restaurant ever. There’s an amazing Thai place where I live called Thai Taste… haven’t tried another Thai restaurant yet!

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) February 28, 2010, 2:03 pm

    We are very loyal and have a hard time switching it up. But when we do we sometimes find other restaurants we really like.

  • Emily February 28, 2010, 2:59 pm

    Random comment that does not have to do with restaurants… but I saw a documentary my college showed last week called America the Beautiful, and I thought it was something you would find really interesting. I don’t know if you have seen/heard about it, but it talked a lot about Americans’ obsession with beauty. I highly recommend it!

    • caitlin February 28, 2010, 6:02 pm

      i’ll have to check that out! maybe i can find it on hulu.

  • Gwen February 28, 2010, 3:49 pm

    I’m totally loyal! I have a favorite for every kind of food. It is great to try something new, but it’s nice to go where everybody knows your name! At our local kabob joint we are like royalty! It’s great!

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) February 28, 2010, 4:06 pm

    I am loyal to my favourite restuarants too 🙂

  • Paige @ Running Around Normal February 28, 2010, 5:50 pm

    What a nice night out! The food looks good, but I know whatcha mean about being partial to one restaurant. We have a billion Mexican restaurants in town, but I like one above all the rest!
    Good luck with the workout:)

  • Ellen February 28, 2010, 6:20 pm

    It took me so long to find all my fave spots in NYC, so now that I have them, I usually don’t venture out too much unless it’s a special occasion!

    P.S. My last fortune cookie message said: “Your stylish haircut isn’t enough.” Umm, I don’t even HAVE a stylish haircut, so I’m not sure what that means, but it doesn’t sound good!

    http://www.firednfabulous.blogspot.com/

  • Laura Georgina February 28, 2010, 6:24 pm

    I’m a restaurant loyalist (I have one favorite for each cuisine) but I always end up ordering different things from the menu…

    Congrats to your Man U household! The Mr. is currently a very dejected Villa supporter–and has put the Villa shirt away for the season after his disappointment today.

  • jenny (green food diaries) March 1, 2010, 1:49 am

    i love fortune cookies. when i go to asian stores i just buy a dozen for a dollar! can’t resist.

  • Helen March 1, 2010, 10:28 am

    My BF + his family are the biggest man utd fans ever! We all watched it yesterday and they were so happy they won. They said beforehand, oh its only the carling cup final but as soon as it started they were so nervous. How come you guys support Man Utd? Helen x

    • caitlin March 1, 2010, 10:47 am

      The husband just grew up loving them… so i love them, too 🙂 please, its fun to cheer for the winners 🙂

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