We had a super fun, cool and casual night with our friends Caitlin + Jason.
We started at Noodles and Company where I had a giftcard to use that I won from Kristi’s blog back in July!
I’d never been, so we were excited. Even more excited to read about how healthy the chain is.
Since had giftcard dollars to burn, we ordered a glass of wine for each couple to share
Unfortunately it tasted like this:
The manager was very understand and we switched to a different kind that hopefully hadn’t been open so long. Much, much better!
Matt and I both went Asian for dinner.
I got the Japanese Pan Noodles: "Satisfying and hearty, caramelized Japanese udon noodles in a sweet and spicy soy sauce with broccoli, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, Asian sprouts, black sesame, cilantro and udon noodles" (I swapped out the udon for whole grain!)
Unfortunately, I didn’t really care for the sauce. It tasted kinda like something that would come on a TV dinner. The veggies were great though, and I did enjoy the dish overall. I ate all the shrimp and about 50% of the noodles.
Matt’s dish, however, was awesome. He got the Indonesian Peanut Saute with Tofu: "A bold and exotic spicy peanut sauce folded into sautéed rice noodles with broccoli, carrots, cabbage, Asian sprouts, cilantro, crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, lime and rice noodles." LOVED the bites I stole from this plate!
Caitlin gave me a bite of her Penne Rose, which was great!
Next stop was a local shopping center for beers + outdoor music.
I squealed when I saw Leinenkugals – one of my very favorites!
We settled down by the fountain while the sun set –
And then cravings called. Midway through the day today I realized I am having total PMS symptoms. Everything was getting on my nerves and the insatiable hunger of the past two days explains itself. So I dove into the chocolate. I wasn’t exactly craving it, but I knew it would fill a void in there.
Nonfat soft serve with Heath bar, my very favorite topping. This was the darkest soft serve I’ve ever seen! It tasted very cocoa-y. She gave me more Heath as a second layer underneath and I loved every bite of this. (But my gosh, why isn’t JP Licks a national chain by now!??!)
The others had a second round of drinks and then sleepiness hit me hard so we said goodnight.
Came home to that damn roach that has been squatting in our garage. He’s there every night we come home after dark. I had to go in the front door because I was wearing flip flops and he was acting erratic. Matt refused to protect me.
I love being tired when my bed is ready. Goodnight!!!!! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Jenn (www.j3nn.net) says
Oh my GAWD that soft serve looks AMAZING! 😯
The noodle bowls look awesome, too!
Aaaaaah, need ice cream now! hehe
Jenn
Leianna says
I love Noodles and Company, so healthy, fresh and yummy! Too bad about your bad sauce though!
Yummy ice cream to finish off the night too!
eliza says
looks like a great time! and that fat free soft serve with heath bar ahh looks so so good, love toffee!
have a great night xo
Eliza
Lizzy says
mmmm frozen yogurt and chocolate sound amazing right now!
angieinatlanta says
I love casual noodle places like that! So good!
Samantha says
I adore Noodles & Company! I love the simplest thing on the menu: Macaroni and Cheese with the Parmesan-crusted chicken breast. (-: mmmmm
Run Sarah says
That restaurant looks so tasty! I love noodles 🙂 That soft serve looks great…very cocoa-y.
Alison says
I love Noodles! We ate there in college all the time.
Suzanne says
Leinie’s is my favorite beer! In fact, I grew up in Chippewa Falls, home of Leinenkugel’s Brewery. 🙂
Daria (Summer of the CSAs) says
Hehe, there are some great faces going on in this post! 🙂
Jean says
I love noodles and company! I am always shocked by their sodium counts and total calories though for being a healthy restaurant. You were smart to only eat half your noodles! 🙂
Pam (Highway to Health) says
The noodle dishes look great! I agree JP Licks should be a national chain!
Kristen says
I need some of that soft serve in my life!!!
I can totally relate to the insatiablity and irritability! Grawr. 😉
Angela (Oh She Glows) says
Eric always refuses to protect me AND kill spiders! What gives??
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
I just LOVE Noodles and Company. Definitely one of my favorites. I recommend their Med Salad, Pasta Fresca, and Whole Grain Tuscan. Everything really is so delicious there!
Sara says
What a cool noodle place! I love health-conscious eateries. I’m now off to their web site to browse their locations….
Caroline says
Mmm Matt’s dish does sound fab! I love including PB into my meals any way I can:)
caitlin says
caitlins rule 🙂
Jenna says
fun night!
Kat (Kat's Daily Plate) says
Kath-
I totally know what you mean. I get really irritable and want to eat a lot and then I will look at my calender and I realize why!
Looks like a great night of food and fun.
Deva (Voracious Vorilee) says
Oh that soft serve looks heavenly 🙂 It looks like you had an awesome time out with your friends; I haven’t made it to noodles & co yet, but The Boy has, and he really liked it.
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i feel like i’m always ordering a dish that is sub-par and stealing off my husband’s plate….
Jenn Eats Nutritiously Now says
I would have loved those noodles. Too bad the sauce wasn’t so great. But the soft serve totally makes up for it!
J says
Kath, I love your blog and I’m a longtime reader. You and your husband are such a gorgeous couple and so cute together, but I do have to suggest something. Hopefully you take it as constructive critism. I realize it has nothing to do with your healthy eating blog , but may I suggest that you get some layers cut in your hair? You have such a beautiful face that needs NO makeup and I think layers would really accentuate it. You ae so lucky to have such pretty hair with such a beautiful natural (I think) color, ad I really think you need some layers in it.
Lexi says
I LOVE Noodles & Co.! Next time, try the Bangkok Curry with Shrimp. It’s to die.
That soft serve looks divine!
Shannon says
You have so many wonderful friends! I bet that will be the hardest part when you moved…leaving these great people. Glad you enjoyed the evening, despite sub-par wine, PMS, and a roach!
Cait (Cait's Plate) says
So many things!
1. YAY for Noodles&Co. announcing that they’re one of our America’s Healthiest! That’s so exciting and I’m so glad you got a picture! I can’t wait to show people at work 🙂
2. I TOTALLY AGREE about JP Licks!! Why can’t they be national??? It’s a nice treat when I’m in Boston but I want it more than that! Haha
3. Looks like you had such a fun night, I’m glad 🙂
Jenna says
Hi Kath! I love Leinie’s too! Great Mid-Western beer, which I am biased being from the Mid-West, but it’s one of my favorites too!
Sorry that you didn’t like your dish at Noodles 🙁 I’ve never had that one, but one of my go to dishes there is the Bangkok Curry, it is super good. Orrr, if you are looking to really splurge, their Mac and Cheese CANNOT be beat.
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Nicole says
I was wondering why I’ve been having extreme cravings for brownies and chocolate! Thanks for reminding me! PMS is a pain, but the alternative would be a lot more life changing! That soft serve looks amazing!!!
Belinda says
Forget the noodles…I’ll take that yummy soft serve.
Death to the roach!
Kath says
J,
I’ve had layers in the past – I feel like with my super straight hair they just make it look jagged and uneven!!! They only look good if I blow dry them with body. Do you have any suggestions on what KIND of layers I should get!? Photos!?
Kath
Christie @ Quit Your Diet says
That soft serve looks amazing!!
Anne says
Hey! this entry inspired me to make some noodles myself at home and I experienced the same as you; wasn’t very keen on the sauce (unfortunately it was ready made, I don’t know any good noodle recipes :/).. tips anyone?
Anyway, I’m totally addicted to your blog even though I have been only reading it for few weeks. Love it!
Greetings from a fan from a cold country in Europe, Finland! 🙂
Anne
Katharina says
Wow I’ve never seen a soft-serve like that. I bet the Heath bar addition was awesome 😀
Jenny says
i was totally about to comment abuot how great the noodle dish looked — but then the froyo totally outshined it — looks to die for!
Ika says
Peanut sauce is like Indonesian’s national sauce! It’s sweet, salty and spicy.. We use it a lot. The sauce goes well with meat, veggies, dumplings, savoury snacks, rice..well almost everything! The best in the world 😉