The promise of a Friday night – so much potential! We had planned to go downtown and on a date, but unfortunately there was lots of unpredictable rain in the forecast. So instead we decided to take a drive!
A rare occasion to get in the automobile, but it also reminded me how gorgeous the Virginia countryside is – we chugged in the fresh air! It’s good to get out of town sometimes.
We dressed up just a smidge. I went for a walk late this afternoon and got all sweaty, so I took another shower and put on a dress. Mr. Scruffy showered and changed his outfit : )
Post walk snack: cheese, crackers, almonds and a graham cracker.
Our destination was Duners, a famous Ivy restaurant. I went with Karen during the peak of my morning sickness and remember the crabcakes tasting amazing when I was just starting to be able to eat normally again. Matt was out of town? So this was his first visit!
There was a short wait, so we planted ourselves at the bar and got some drinks. Just like being in the wine shop last night, despite not being able to actually consume I still love sitting at bars!! Just goes to show it’s the ambiance and fun of it more than the alcohol itself that makes them fun.
We chowed down on hot, doughy bread- although it was seriously lacking salt!? We both ended up salting our bread.
The menu at Duners is pretty incredible – really long with tons of seafood and gourmet flavor combinations. Definitely one of the best menus in Cville! Check out tonight’s menu here.
We decided given the array of amazing tastes to share a bunch of dishes – starting with apps.
Panko Crusted Fried Oysters with Smoked Paprika Aïoli – quite delicious! I can’t get enough fried oysters this year!
And Slow Roasted Rock Barn Pork Loin over Baguette with Warm Brie and Henley Orchard Peach Compote – This could have been an entrée! The melted brie with the salty pork and sweet peach was a match made in heaven. I would LOVE to repeat this!!!
Although “we can make that at home” was mentioned multiple times, we decided to get the caprese salad: Local Heirloom Tomato Caprese Salad with Fresh Mozzarella, Baby Arugula Pesto, Balsamic Glaze. It still amazes me how much I love summer tomatoes!
The basic house salad that came with our dinner : ) [Note at this portion of the dinner I started only being able to fit about 20% of the meal – stomach space is seriously lacking these days and the first course and bread were just too good!)
We shared an entrée, but they surprised us and split it onto two places. This could have been one portion in itself – I could only finish half, which I guess was technically 1/4!
Seared Rag Mt. Trout with Roasted Corn Coulis, Red Potato Hash, Baby Arugula – I wasn’t crazy about the coulis, but the trout itself was great (operation eat lots of fish in the last trimester!)
Definitely no room for dessert – only baby room left inside!
We’re cozy back at home and really enjoyed our date night out! 6 weeks until estimated D-day – I think we need 6 date nights as a countdown!
[email protected] says
Ahhh 6 weeks is gonna FLY by!! Thanks for showering for me :).
Jeri says
I thought about you when I looked in my Williams-Sonoma catalog today. (As if I don’t read it every day like it just came in the mail box). They have a home-made kit for mozzarella. I thought, Kath’s tomatoes and this cheese would be heaven. Makes me want to get a topsy turvy for tomatoes, but I live on a lake and the ducks, geese and seagulls demolish the figs and persimmons that fall on the ground.
KathEats says
🙂
Casey says
You look really pretty and really happy! Have as many dates with Matt as you can. We dated heavily in the last trimester-so thankful! Some of my favorite memories of being pregnant!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
everything about this, I want: Local Heirloom Tomato Caprese Salad with Fresh Mozzarella, Baby Arugula Pesto, Balsamic Glaze!
And taking drives – well, if your baby ever can’t sleep,you may be putting him in the carseat and taking a few drives. For some kids, it works like a champ 🙂
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says
Looks like an awesome restaurant! Trout is such a treat at restaurants! I order a smoked trout salad all the time at a local place my family loves! It is SO flavorful!
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
Those fried oysters look delicious! What a nice date night!
Lisa @ bakebikeblog says
what a lovely evening! And love your dress 🙂
Jessica @ New Girl, New City says
Love the date night! Enjoy them!
And those oysters… omg.
marnie says
look at that tiny waist!! you are rocking the pregnancy! cheers to date night~
Ashley @ Hudson on the Potomac says
That pork appetizer looks wonderful! Brie makes everything better!
Angel7 says
Cheers to date nights 🙂
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Rhapsody says
That sounded like a lovely night. Though, I notice a trend that you keep wishing you were drinking but you find out you can have fun without — that’s my world! I don’t drink, and you know what? There’s still lots of fun and enjoyment to be had, no matter where you end up (yes, even in bars). I’m happy you’re finding this out, but the constant pining away is detracting from it a bit.
KathEats says
it’s a part of my culture, so of course I miss it… nearly all pregnant drinkers do. but I have been surprised and relieved that the bar scene and being around it isn’t as bad as I thought it would be
Emily says
My mom went into labor on her and my Dad’s last date night before my 6 year old sister was born! Now we go to that same pizza place each year on her birthday!
j3nn says
I love how you usually order seafood when you’re out; that has become my favorite thing to look for on the menu as well. Those fried oysters look amazing. Lots of iron for bebe! 🙂
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
I can’t believe how close you are to baby day! It seems like just the other day you were announcing you were pregnant. 🙂
Sana says
No dessert??? I don’t know who you are anymore!!
KathEats says
no room at the inn! but I wanted the coconut cream cake…
Leslie says
You look so cute! Couldn’t even tell you are pregnant in that black dress. I seriously looked (and felt) like a beached whale toward the end of my pregnancies.
Emily says
Love that dress on you Kath-there can never be too many date nights. 🙂
Khushboo says
Sounds like a great way to spend a Friday night 🙂
Taylor says
Aww you look lovely. Cute couple!
Jen says
You added salt? Is your own GH bread salty? Salt is hidden in so many foods nowadays including breads that I think much of America needs to “re”-sensitize their palates.
Jen says
Also – you don’t even look pregnant in that dress!
KathEats says
it really brings out flavor. I rarely add anything but kosher salt to my food, but this was so bland. people have been using salt for cooking for ever… it’s the added sodium in processed foods that needs to go m cut way back
Lorin says
Wow, that menu does look good, but expensive! Seems like good quality food though.
Antonia @ healthinspirations says
Kath, you look so pretty and happy 🙂 Glad you had a nice date night. Love the idea of countdown date nights 😉 Have a lovely weekend!
Chelsea @ Designs on Dinner says
I can’t even tell you’re pregnant in that first photo–you look fantastic! Everything you enjoyed on your date night looks just delicious.
Zoe @ loseweightandgainhealth says
That meal looks amazing, especially the pork with Brie and peaches. I would never have thought of it but will try and re-create it. And definitely go on as many dates as you can before baby – it is never the same after because the minute that baby is born, you always wonder how they are when you are not with them. And they are not welcome in restaurants in the evenings so enjoy taking him with you now 🙂
Mom says
Yes, take the date nights!
Fran@ Broken Cookies Don't Count says
Looks like a lovely evening!
Kori says
You looked absolutely lovely! Even though rain forced you to change your plans, it looks like it was a wonderful evening.
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
What an incredible meal! I love ordering salads made with local heirloom tomatoes in the summer – especially when they’re paired with a good cheese!
Jody says
You look so cute in that dress!!
Erin @ erinberries says
Wow that’s a heavy dinner!! I definitely think you should have 6 or more dates as a count down! Who knows how often you’ll get date nights with just the two of you once the baby comes? Definitely take advantage of it!
Lexi @ You, Me, & A World to See says
Haha well at least you’ll have good leftovers! Oh leftovers…they’re the bread and butter of college students like myself 🙂
Valerie says
The Pork Loin looks amazing. My mouth is watering just reading about this deliciousness!
Dominique says
That dinner looks amazing and is making my mouth water. You look gorgeous in that dress too. What a fun date night!
Liz @ Virginia Bloggers says
That place looks so good! 🙂
Amy says
Duners! I’ve been waiting for you to try that. My husband and I went there on our honeymoon in C-ville. Duners is now notiriously known as the place I fell from veganism (the first time). The Wild Duck with Blueberry Sauce was….totally worth it.
Michele Sparrow says
I think it’s wonderful how the two of you spend time creating date nights and enjoy each others company so much. Wonderful. And…you only have 6 weeks to go?? I only wish my 9 months with both my boys would have gone so fast! 😉
Gina @HealthLoveandChocolate says
That looks like a great restaurant!
a says
do mind if i ask where you got that dress? it’s adorable. you look great!
KathEats says
I think old navy maternity
Kiki says
Duner’s is my favorite!
Carla says
Kath, you look great in this dress! You mentioned in a recent post you’ve felt dresses are unflattering to you now, but I have to disagree! 🙂
KathEats says
🙂 Thanks