My girlfriends and I make it a point to have a 'girl's night out' at least once a week. I look forward to our dinner dates because it is a great excuse to sip on cocktails and catch up on all the current gossip, laugh, and most importantly, enjoy a good meal. As much as we love to indulge on a chocolate cake every week when we see each other, the girls and I find different ways to compromise the chocolate cake calories (we do have about five spoons attacking one cake.)

Usually, when we dine at a steakhouse it would often lack healthier options, i.e, a baked potato smothered in butter, sour cream and bacon is married to the steak. So, on a care-free warm weekday night, my girlfriend Laila and I dined as guest of Fleming's Steakhouse and ordered up a storm of guilt-free dishes. Don't get me wrong, Fleming's offers all the traditional steakhouse staples like the well-dressed baked potato but there were also so many other healthier options.

We were kindly greeted by the staff and embraced by the leather booths, warm lights and an active open kitchen. Fleming's offers a 99 calorie skinny cocktail, the Russian Prom Queen. A fun and light cocktail to clink and cheers to a wonderful night. To begin, Laila and I split a Fresh Mozzarella and Sweet Tomato salad. The cold tart cherry tomatoes drizzled with balsamic vinegar served with cold mozzarella was a nice way to start the evening.

Next, I couldn't pass up the Seared Ahi Tuna served with a vegetable salad in a mustard sauce. Our server said it was one of his favorites and the best seared ahi tuna he had in any restaurant. I am a fan of tuna because it is lean and I love the texture of the seared crust and medium rare center. Plus, tuna is full of vitamins and omega 3 so it was a win-win situation.

Of course at a steakhouse I ordered a steak for my main dish, the bone-in rib eye and a side of sauteed french green beans. Our server told us the bone adds about 40% more flavor. He was right, the bone-in rib eye was very flavorful, just the right amount of crispy sear from the flames. And of course, I did not polish off the entire steak and had leftovers for lunch the next day. Graciously, Fleming's website has recipes for the leftover steak. I made the steak and vegetable lettuce wraps for lunch the next day. Click here for the recipe.


Instead of a carb heavy side dish I went with the Sauteed French Green Beans which retained the fresh crunch but still tender. I think the green beans should be married to the steak.


After my savvy healthier picks for dinner I went ahead and ordered dessert. I ordered the the frozen ginger lemon pie, a little treat to end a warm glowy night with great conversation. I really did make an excellent choice, the frozen custard was tart and cool, it really picked up the palate at the end of the night. Oz called me when we finished dinner and I told him about my meal. He was drooling and he is someone who loves to order an extra side of baked potato with his steak.

Do you want to enjoy the same meal I had at Fleming's Steakhouse? There is also a gluten free menu!

I am giving away a $50 gift certificate to Fleming's steakhouse and a makeup goody bag, click here for locations.