Hail Caesar
So, Caesar salads used to be one of those menu items that I never even thought about ordering. It’s not that I don’t like them; rather, I think that I saw so many magazine articles and tips urging me to “avoid the Caesar salad at all costs!!!!” that it finally fell out of my repertoire of “things I like to eat.”
But you know what I finally remembered?
I like Caesar salads!!! And if I want a Caesar salad, I’m going to order a damn Caesar salad!
One of my favorite restaurants in Shreveport, Olive Street Bistro, has the BEST Caesar salad. Crisp romaine, creamy, peppery dressing, long curls of salty parmesan, and buttery croutons to top it off. For the longest time, however badly I wanted the Caesar salad, I ordered their sad little mixed greens and vinaigrette salad instead in an attempt to “be good.”
I’m through “being good.” Screw being good. I’m ready to EAT good.
Last time we were at Olive Street, I order their Caesar salad and enjoyed every creamy, fat-filled bite.
You know what’s good? Caesar salad.
You know what else is good?
This:
Mmmmm…Caesar salad on a sandwich. You really can’t beat it.
We seasoned up the portabellas and romaine with lemon olive oil (from Florence!), salt and pepper, and garlic cloves, and rubbed a little olive oil on the bread (our pesto bread from the State College farmer’s market!), and then put it all on the grill.
Once the veggies were nice and grilled, we assembled all of it into open-faced sandwiches and topped it with Caesar salad dressing (you could make your own if you were feeling like Martha Stewart…ours was courtesy of Paul Newman) and fresh parmesan.
Seriously, this meal was the bomb.
If this is what it means to be bad, bring it. In the wise words of Amy Winehouse, “You know that I’m no good.”
Something tells me that when she says it, she’s not just talking about Caesar salads.
Side note: last night, the moon was beautiful:
I see the moon and the moon sees me.
The moon sees somebody eating ice cream:
Tempt indeed. Both of these flavors (coconut lime and chocolate biscotti) were awesome.
Have a great Saturday!
Is there anything you used to avoid (or maybe still avoid?) on restaurant menus because it was “bad”?
Hey, i have been reading your blog a few weeks now and love it! I have also always avoided Caesar salads, because i have always read how bad they are for you. I have living in Shreveport for 2 years and still have not been to the Olive Street Bistro, looks like date night tonight may be there!
How funny that you live in Shreveport! I’m down there visiting my family pretty often– we should meet up! What brought you to Shreveport?
And yes, definitely go to Olive Street for a date night! They have awesome pizza and pasta!
My husband is in the Air Force, so we are stationed at Barksdale. It’s our first base, I thought I would hate Louisiana since I’m from Ohio and it’s such a change, but it’s become our home
If I could eat onion rings everyday I would. I avoid them but did indulge a couple weeks ago. They are amazing. (might have something to do with the ketchup, of course.) That pic of the moon is stunning.
This is a good post because it shows that everyone has those menu items that aren’t necessarily good for you but we can always have them in moderation! I am glad you aren’t scratching Caesar Salad off your list for good!
I am sucker for chicken fried steak…I mean come on I am a southern gal after all! I don’t order it very often but every so often only a BIG DEEP FRIED peice will do! haha! Have a great Saturday, Anna!
Caesar Salad is definitely up there on my “unhealthy but freaking amazing” things. And ribs.
My gosh, you have gotten downright revolutionary!! I can’t think of any one food that I like but don’t eat (probably, there should be many) I think moderation is the key – you can’t live on Caesar Salads, but one every now and then can’t hurt. Life is short! Love the picture of the moon – you should frame that one (maybe put it in that corner)
i won coupons for tempt and scott loved the stuff. i am just not that into ice cream but he is!
cesar salad/avoid. Well, that’s such a relative term. People say “oh fruit has a lot of sugar.” Yeah compared to celery it may. But compared to 99% of what most people eat, it’s still amazing for you. I always try to remember lettuce is prob better for you any day of the week than some of the other items
Caesar salad on a sandwich? That idea is pretty much genius.
How in the world did you manage to take a picture of the moon?! Whenever I try it is just a big, dark fail. :S
I used to think fried food would be bad, but now I’m totally for it if it’s gluten-free and not battered. Bring on the fried fat
Definitely the caesar salad! I would just make the healthier options at home. Your sandwich looks good!
Oh yum. That looks soooo good. Love those place mats by the way. I avoid eggplant parm at restaurants b/c it’s typically a greasy mess.
i need to make those ASAP…i was just thinking that Caesar salad sounds amazing!
Ha! I never order ceasar salads because I’m not a fan of buttery croutons. How weird is that.. But I rarely ever order fried stuff because it’s “bad”. I should just kick that attitude and order whatever I’m craving the next time. You only live once, right?
Fettucini alfredo. I actually really love it, but haven’t had it in ages! Cesar salad has never been my thing though!
Ooh, yes, that’s one for me too!
Caesar’s are the best! I make them at home and add Tempeh chunks cooked in Franks red hot with a little sprinkle of mozza or parm on them. So Good!
I love BUT avoid eating Alfredo out anymore. I know they use full fat creamer and tons of cheese and butter, so I just don’t order it anymore. Boo!
I began to LOATHE greens-based salads (think spinach salads). I felt like they were the only “good” types of salads I could eat & as a result I started to resent those stupid greens. Now I make salads with mostly toppings (veggies, nuts) & only add a tad bit of the greens because I still have those negative associations