Grateful as in Grateful Dead.
I had a post-race “Friendsgiving” at one of my favorite local restaurants – Rosebud. How is that related to the Dead? Rosebud is named for one of Jerry Garcia’s guitars, the one he played in his last show in July of 1995.
A celebratory glass of sparkling with our (now empty) app plates
Ron Eyester, the chef and owner, put together one incredible (and HUGE) Thanksgiving feast.
We began with an appetizer consisting of Pimento Cheese, Trail Mix, Smoked Trout Pate, Housemade Pickled Vegetables, and crackers dusted with something spicy (cayenne?). The Pimento Cheese was our favorite, with the trail mix in a close second (I love those wasabi things). The Trout Pate was the only miss of the meal.
Next up was the main event. The way the special menus worked you could choose Sage, Apple & Honey Roasted Turkey or Housemade Berkshire Ham with Mexican Coke Glaze. Then you chose 3 sides from a list of 12. There were 3 of us at lunch, which meant we could try all but 3 sides. And so we did.
I chose the turkey with Brioche & Herb Stuffing (yes it was as good as it sounds), Cider & Maple Braised Brussels, and Red Wine & Balsamic Braised Mushrooms. It was all wonderful. The stuffing bordered on being bread pudding – a good thing in my book! Turkey has never been my cup o’ tea, but Ron’s turkey was nearing perfection. Not the least bit dried out and perfectly flavored. I loved the sage!
Carla’s also chose the turkey and brussels, but ordered the Buttermilk Whipped Potatoes and Baby Carrots with Fennel, Citrus, and Cardamom. The carrots were one of my favorite sides; they were left fairly crisp and the hints of fennel and citrus made for a fun flavor.
Corinne chose the ham. It was good, but I’m glad I didn’t get it. A little too sweet as a main for my taste, but if you like honey-baked ham you would love it. Her sides included the Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Ginger & Sweet Chili, Green Beans with Fresh Garlic and Sea Salt, and Mexican Coke Braised Local Greens with Smoked Ham Bone. I don’t even know how to choose a favorite. Maybe the beans?! I really appreciated how they kitchen left the veggies with some bite rather than cooking them to the point of soggy (all too often the case).
Since all of this clearly wasn’t enough food, Ron sent us a plate of the 3 sides we didn’t order (he really is the nicest angry chef in ATL). Our last 3 tastes: Mac n’ Cheese, Duck Fat & Thyme Fingerling Potatoes, and Truffled Cream Corn. The mac and cheese was done with Tillamook Cheddar and couldn’t have been more delicious. We all agreed the corn was also pretty amazing – and none of us are big on creamed corn!
Everyone had a favorite potato – I don’t know if he did it on purpose, but Ron offered the 3 major potato “types” so there was something for everyone. I was all about the whipped sweet potatoes.
My favorite course is always last – dessert! Chocolate Tart, Bread Pudding with Dried Cherries, Salted Browned Butter Cookies, and Apple Cake with Cardamom Cream. I love chocolate… but those cookies are my favorite. I’m convinced he puts crack in them.
A “Friendsgiving” lunch at Rosebud was the perfect race recovery meal. But I had to get home to make the treat you saw in Friday’s post to bring to a Thanksgiving potluck dinner (big revel tomorrow… suspense, I know). Because one gluttonous holiday meal is never enough. 
______________________________________________________________________________________
Speaking of gluttony… it’s Monday recap time.
Last week brought 2 big accomplishments – the Thanksgiving Half Marathon and I did my 100 push-ups EVERY DAY. That’s 700 push-ups last week!!! 3 accomplishments if you count the fact that I took TWO rest days.
Looking ahead, I’m ready cut back on the running for a while. My focus will be more on weights and kickboxing – just in time for the arrival of more winter-like weather (I can’t stand to run in the cold).
Workout Recap (11/21-11/27)
- Monday – 30 mins stationary bike intervals, Biceps/Back, 100 push-ups
- Tuesday – 2 mile run, 2 mile walk, 100 push-ups
- Wednesday – Tris/Chest, Ab Ripper X, 100 push-ups
- Thursday - Half Marathon, 100 push-ups
- Friday - 100 push-ups
- Saturday – 2 mile walk, 100 push-ups
- Sunday – Kickboxing, 100 push-ups
***
I promise some healthier foods are coming… after tomorrow dessert post!
Have you ever eaten your Thanksgiving meal at a restaurant?
Do your workouts change in the winter months?
25 comments
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Matt @ The Athlete's Plate
November 28, 2011 at 8:02 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This seriously looks like a great meal
Laura
November 28, 2011 at 9:02 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You would have loved that mac ‘n cheese!
Corey @ Learning Patience
November 28, 2011 at 8:42 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
WHOO HOO! Awesome girl – 100 push ups everyday last week? And you say I am a fitness inspiration! Great job….that meal looks SO good. I want those brussel sprouts – were they a bit too sweet though? Just curious… Looks like you had a great week all together!
xoxo from Trinidad
Laura
November 28, 2011 at 9:04 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Surprisingly not. Neither were the greens. All of the flavors were really well-balanced.
Kiri W.
November 28, 2011 at 8:52 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Wow, what a feast! Everything looks delicious, but that bread pudding slice makes me drool more than everything else. Wonderful idea, too
Lee
November 28, 2011 at 9:11 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m sort of a hippie at heart, so I love how Ron does the Grateful Dead and Widespread Panic themed stuff.
Parita @ myinnershakti
November 28, 2011 at 9:55 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
So, I’m home for two weeks in December, and I propose we do lunch or dinner at one of these fabulous restaurants! Those sides sound sooo good!
Laura
November 28, 2011 at 9:05 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
For sure! I have a long list of “favorites” – just tell me what you’re in the mood for. I want some Indian food, too!
Lisa ♥ Healthful Sense
November 28, 2011 at 10:05 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Holy wow!!! You always have the most amazing looking meals!!
Congrats on the marathon and pushups!!
Heather @ Better With Veggies
November 28, 2011 at 10:05 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I typically run more in the winter – I prefer cold over heat any day for running. I wilt in the heat.
Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family
November 28, 2011 at 10:46 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
What a gorgeous meal, and those desserts I don’t know which one I would have started with, but I know I would have eaten them all!!!
Allie
November 28, 2011 at 11:34 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I have been changing up my workouts too! I’m ready to try and get back into some more lifting.. maybe haha. It is tough for me to run in the cold too-it hurts my chest!
I ate at a seafood restaurant last year for Thanksgiving and it was AMAZING!
Laura
November 28, 2011 at 9:06 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
My chest does the same thing!
There is something to be said for not having to do dishes.
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat
November 28, 2011 at 12:43 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oh my gosh that looks INCREDIBLE – who needs turkey with sides like those?! I’m ready to move to Atlanta now.
Laura
November 28, 2011 at 9:06 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Come on down!
Shannon (Healthiful Balance)
November 28, 2011 at 1:18 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yum! All the food looks really yummy!
Hayley @ Oat Couture
November 28, 2011 at 1:38 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
100 pushups is bloody hardcore!! Love it!! Between that and the half marathon you kicked some serious ass! Meal looks ridiculously good as always! Glad you had a nice thanksgiving weekend!
Laura
November 28, 2011 at 9:08 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks, lady! That’s a big compliment coming from you especially.
Christin@purplebirdblog
November 28, 2011 at 2:52 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice meal!!! Truffled cream corn?! Sweet jesus!
Laura
November 28, 2011 at 9:08 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
LOL! That was pretty much my reaction when I took a bite.
sportsglutton
November 28, 2011 at 3:20 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
ooops…that was me.
Everything sounded great, but then you wrote: “Duck Fat & Thyme Fingerling Potatoes.” Thanks…now I know my Turkey Day was incomplete.
Laura
November 28, 2011 at 9:09 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
The best part is that later that night I also had stuffing with duck fat.
Tessa @ Amazing Asset
November 28, 2011 at 4:12 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I haven’t had my Turkey Day dinner at a restaurant before, but this looks rather glorious! Truffled cream corn? oh my
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic
November 28, 2011 at 9:55 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
100 pushups everyday is super impressive!! And a half-marathon too? Congrats girl!
Parsley Sage
December 4, 2011 at 8:52 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
What a feast! Everything looks delish