What a day, What a day!!!
Don’t I look like I’m hard at work? I was taking videos all morning with my flip cam and editing them for our blog. Have I mentioned I love my job? π
Honestly the morning was pretty much a blur. I grabbed a plate of fruit, eggs, and bran bread from the buffet, but could barely find time to eat it!
Just as I would sit down to eat someone else would come up to me with a new question. I felt very important, but also very hungry.
I learned a thing or two when it came time for lunch.
I may or may not have hit the buffet before they let the general session out so I could secure a plate of food and consume it before the masses. That was I was free to mingle and answer everyone’s questions during the lunch break, instead of constantly being pulled from my food.
The buffet was full of many great options. I had filled my plate with salad, 1/2 a crab cake, ratatouille, potatoes, and a roll.
The cakes for dessert were gorgeous as well.
I had a very thin slice of carrot cake and a taste of the double chocolate.
Yum!
For our afternoon snack my supervisor, Shelley, selected the chocolate sampler.
At first I was planning on ignoring the chocolate sampler because I figured it would be the typical chocolate cakes, cookies, and candy bars, but then the chocolate dipped pretzels caught my eye.
When I heard chocolate dipped pretzels I was envision pretzel sticks, but boy was I wrong. Chocolate dipped soft pretzels? Thats new to me!
Shelley and I were very fascinated with the pretzels and each managed to snag a bite.
It was just like eating a chocolate covered donut. It was so rich, only one bite was needed and that one bite was fantastic!
We wrapped up day 1 of the conference around 5:00pm and I was free to enjoy the night with the birthday boy himself.
Derek had arrived in New Orleans earlier this morning and had spent the majority of the day lounging by the pool. π
Derek is a steak man and thanks to a little research on Yelp, I had made reservations for the two of us at La Boca Steakhouse for the evening.
Good thing we were there for steak because steak was all they had. lol
I had read good reviews about La Boca and was pleased with the fact that all of the steaks come from organic, grass fed cows and the city and state the meat comes from is listed on the menu.
We began our meal with a glass of Malbec.
And some bread.
I know this place is known for steaks, but my salad was pretty kick-ass on its own.
I ordered the Ensalada de Frescas with the dressing on the side.
The arugula was peppery and had a lovely bite to it that was only enhanced by the sweet strawberries and salty goat cheese. It was very delicious and I had cleaned my plate. π
I’ not a big red meat eater and have probably not ordered a steak at a restaurant in well over two years, but I figured if you’re in a place known for their steak than you get the steak.:)
I ordered the house special, which was a sirloin that had been marinated in lime juice and served with fresh avocado.
Before we dug in the server gave us our choice of knives.
We also had our choice of sauces. I can’t remember which was which, but the green one was my favorite. π
With a side of grilled asparagus.
My meal was fabulous, but I was most interested in whether Derek was enjoying his or not.
I quote “there are no words” π
To round out our perfect evening they delivered a flourless chocolate cake in honor of Derek’s birthday.
Happy Birthday Baby!
We both left stuffed and happy. If you are looking for a quaint little restaurant that serves a delicious steak I highly suggest paying La Boca a visit while you’re in New Orleans. π
Derek and I are now in our PJs chilling for the night. I have another early morning tomorrow as we enter the final day of our conference.
Good Night!!
Today’s Adam’s birthday too!! April 8 is a great day!
That conference food looks fabulous–I spy some healthy options there. Awesome that you got first dibs π
You all should have chocolate dipped pretzels at HLS!
Happy Bday again to Mr. Derek!
Looks delicious…. (and the green sauce might be chimichurri, but it is hard to tell just from a picture)
Happy birthday Derek!
I kind of want to try a chocolate soft pretzel now
Happy Birthday, Derek! Glad it was a good one:)
I feel like I should know this already. What do you do for a living? I’ve been trying to figure it out, and I know you’ve mentioned it before…but I don’t remember π Looks like something I’d like to do!
I was stuffed from dinner 2seconds ago but now all I can think about is a chocolate covered soft-pretzel! I guess it’s a good thing I can’t buy that here π
Chocolate covered soft-pretzel! I’ve never seen such a thing, I might have to recreate in my own kitchen.
Happy birthday Derek!!! I’m so happy to see you guys are having so much fun!
Great choice at the restaurant; it sounds amazing!
I loove that they gave you a choice of steak knife! How cool. Also – could that sauce have been chimichurri?
Wow…you look just like your sister in that first picture π
It sounds like you are having an amazing time in New Orleans… I hope that you and Derek have a great weekend and that Derek has a great Birthday weekend!! π
Those chocolate dipped pretzels look insane!!
Happy Birthday, Derek!
looks like an awesome day of eats! Glad the b-day dinner was a success.
The steak does look really good. π
Glad you and Derek had a nice and relaxing evening!
Yay, I’m glad he had a good brithday! That torte looks SO good!!
I hope you get a bit more time to yourself today – I had not being able to properly enjoy my food cos I’m so busy π
I’ve never seen sauces like that before for steak! what a fancy and classy way to spend his bday! That place is a must if I go to Nola!!!! I want that avocado!
That green sauce is chimichurri…which is delish. Looks like you had a great time. NOLA is awesome, especially if you hang out on Bourbon Street for a bit…Pat O’Brien’s is totally worth the wait.
Gappy bday Derek!
That green sauce looks like chimichurri to me. Pretty delicious!
I am drooling over that dessert buffet table and then over the delicious looking steak. WoW!
What a massive heap of mixed greens.
I love the picture of the man delivering the knives! You should consider a as a professional photographer! (:
Aww what a nice bday dinner. Malbec is my favorite favorite type of red wine!
Your job sounds way more fun than most π
That steak looks AMAZING! I think it’s really great that Derek joined you out there. I hope your trip continues to go well!
what a fun birthday dinner π glad the conference is going well!
Glad you liked the restaurant!
I’m not a big steak eater, but that looks amazing! My husband would just die right there.
Oh how I love work conference food. It’s so hard to walk away with a healthy portion.
looks like a fun filled day π
jenna
Sounds like you had a busy but good day! I am glad day 1 went smoothly and hope day 2 is equally as smooth. All of the eats look amazing. Whoever did the food planning did a terrific job. I have never heard of a chocolate covered soft pretzel, but your description is making my mouth water π
Looks like an awesome birthday dinner! Glad you guys are having fun π
Yay for a new restaurant to try next time I’m in New Orleans! π
You’re doing such a good job of balancing your conference and Derek’s birthday! Hope you guys enjoy the rest of your weekend!!!
So jealous you are in New Orleans! I have always wanted to go there! I have become an avid follower of your blog/lifestyle & have recently started my own blog! Thanks for the posts & inspiration to keep healthy & fit! Enjoy your time in NOLA!!
What a lovely bday dinner:)
Happy birthday to Derek! Hope you guys have a great weekend. I love New Orleans…you guys are in the perfect place to celebrate!! π
– Beth @ http://www.DiningAndDishing.com
Happy Birthday to Derek!
I do the same thing when I am hosting an event – eat before everyone else does – I say its for “quality control.” π
Enjoy your time in New Orleans – I have never been there!
I need to visit NOLA asap! I think the green sauce you had was chimichurri sauce which I believe originated in Argentina, when I was there I may or may not have started eating it with a spoon….
I think a soft pretzel in chocolate sounds even better! Especially if it has a touch of sea salt
DANGEROUS dessert table!!!!
I don’t eat steak but that avocado sure looks good! Happy Birthday to Derek.
Those look like some delish eats, esp that lovely pretzel!
Yay for NOLA- I hope you have a better time than I did when I went haha my boyfriend ended up getting appendicitis while we were vacationing.. Make sure you get to Cafe DuMonde for a beignet!
http://www.joelygolightly.wordpress.com
Smart move snagging lunch before everyone else. And I would totally taste that pretzel too π
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