The concert was amazing and so was dinner… two for two! 😀
Dinner
Ryan and I kicked off date night by heading out to City Walk, an area of lots of restaurants, bars and clubs near Universal Studios.
City Walk
Orlando is huge (Disney World is about 25 – 30 minutes from our apartment downtown), and Ryan and I rarely do the “touristy” things.
Last night, however, we felt like we were on a mini-vacation, since we were surrounded by so many out-of-towners.
After parking in the King Kong lot (and paying $14 just to park! 🙁 ), we walked around City Walk for a bit before crossing our fingers and venturing into Emeril’s restaurant to see if we could get a seat without reservations.
Emeril's Orlando
Luckily, the hostess said we could sit up at the bar which overlooked the kitchen.
Ryan and I have been to Emeril’s a couple of times before and we love sitting at the bar because you can watch all the behind-the-scenes action.
Within seconds of sitting, our drink orders were taken and we were provided with several fresh rolls to munch on before dinner.
Me + Cornbread
Cornbread
Ryan thought the sweet potato roll was tops, but I was a sucker for the cornbread (I had 2, plus 3/4 of a sweet potato roll).
We saved some of our rolls for dipping into the bowl of gumbo that Ryan ordered as an appetizer.
Gumbo
One of the cooks behind the bar said that when Emeril himself came to visit the restaurant in December, he complimented the gumbo, saying it was the best he’s ever had.
Ryan liked it a lot, but it was a bit spicy for me.
For our entrees, I ordered the sea bass while Ryan selected the duck.
Sea Bass
According to the menu, the sea bass was a “Seared Chilean sea bass bouillabaisse sofrito served with mussels, clams, toasted French bread with Florida orange-red pepper rouille.”
It was phenomenal. The broth was so flavorful, garlicy and delicious. I also loved the meatiness of the sea bass and the good amount of shellfish they included in the dish. Two thumbs up!
Ryan’s duck was also a great choice. He ordered the duck with caramelized sweet potatoes instead of the dirty rice it came with, which was a great decision.
Duck
We were both very happy with our selections.
Dessert
All through dinner we knew exactly what we’d be ordering for dessert.
Every time we’ve come to Emeril’s in the past, we’ve ordered the banana cream pie and been thoroughly impressed.
Last night was no different.
Emeril's Banana Cream Pie
The chef behind the bar told us that this dessert is the only one offered at all of Emeril’s restaurants.
It is so creamy and rich. Ryan and I finished all but two tiny bites.
Straight No Chaser
After a wonderful meal at Emeril’s, it was time to head over to the concert.
Date Night
Outside Hard Rock Live
We got there a little early but enjoyed people watching as the crowds entered the venue. There were quite a mix of people out to see Straight No Chaser, an a cappella group that originated at Indiana University.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIwXMQrJcjI]
The concert kicked off slightly past 8 p.m. and was full of energy!
We had great seats (4th row, dead center) and I got some awesome pictures and videos of the guys on my camera.
Straight No Chaser
These guys are so, so talented. It’s amazing what all they can do with only their voices.
Sing it Boys!
The show was energetic, fun and really funny!
Ryan and I both agreed that it was one of the best concerts we’ve ever seen.
Dessert x2
As we were walking out to our car, we walked past TCBY. I’m not one to just walk past a frozen yogurt store, so we popped in and split a small peanut butter and white chocolate mousse frozen yogurt.
TCBY
I love date night!
Today
Today I plan to tackle household chores (cleaning, laundry), get some sun, workout, run some errands, go to Ryan’s soccer game and possibly try a new recipe for dinner.
Catch ya lata! 😀
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Hi Julie! Where is your dress from? It’s simple, but cute! Also- I always wondered about people that live in touristy places. I can imagine you would get sick of the touristy stuff fast, but it also seems fun. Whenever I go to Disney it is so exciting. I always feel like a little kid. I live in New York about 45 minutes from Manhattan and I never go to the city, but I know many people come to NY just to explore the city.. so to each is own. The grass is always greener on the other side.. haha! Have a great day!
i bought the dress at old navy like 4 years ago… it’s actually SUPER short so i wear it as a tunic/long shirt (i had on skiny jeans that you couldn’t see in the pic). 🙂
& i totally agree about the excitement of disney – it’s magical!
Sounds like a great date night! You live in such a fun town!
That banana cream pie looks simply heavenly! 🙂
Enjoy your Sunday!
Awww what a fun way to spend the evening! I LOVE City Walk and am so jealous you live soo close to Universal Studios! I’ve never eaten at Emeril’s, but I’m sure it’s phenomenal! And way to go on eating those 2 desserts…you rock! 🙂
YAY for date night! They’re my favorite 🙂
I love the desserts…I’m hoping to squeeze in a little frozen yogurt myself today! 8)
Happy Sunday!
We had concert date night this weekend, too. So fun!
I’ve been to one of Emeril’s restaurants in New Orleans and it was awesome! His cajunny recipes rock!
I think last time I was in Orlando we went to Gloria Estefan’s Bongos and it was really good. Is that near Emeril’s restaurant?
i’ve actually never heard of that restaurant but i love gloria estefan! 🙂 i’ll look it up… sounds fun!
I LOVE YOUR DRESS… Julie you have the best fashion and wardrobe (both workout, casual, and dressy…)!!
WHAT A FUN date night.. and everything looks so good. I think you got one of the best seats in the house.. I love to watch the process of food being prepared!
and never pass up TCBY.. white chocolate mousse with raspberries oh heavens yum
thanks! & i totally agree about the white choc mousse. it’s heaven in a cup!
What a fun date night! You are gorgeous as always!
I’ve only started reading blogs a few days ago and yours was one of the first I discovered. I’m completely inspired by you and your blog has quickly become one of my favorites. I just started my own blog yesterday and I really hope I have the dedication to stick with it like you have!
thank you so much! i’m off to check out your blog! 😀
too cute! sounds like a really fun date night! 🙂
aww what a fun night… I also want to echo the other commenters & say I love your dress!
What a fun evening Julie! I can’t believe you left 2 whole bites of pie left though! I’d have licked the plate!
Wow, Julie!
Everything looks so amazing!
I bet you and Ryan had a BLAST lat night… 😀
Have a wonderful Sunday, love!
Brazilian XOXO´s,
Gabriela
looks like fun! i want to go to disney sometime soon!!!
Sucks about the parking..but that’s the normal rate for me. I pay about $130 a month to park for work, and the company doesn’t reimburse me. one of the pits of living in chicago!!
What a fun weekend you’re in the middle of! Super busy but full of fun things 🙂
Date nights are so much fun-even if you have been with that person for a million years. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Busy Sunday! I’m hoping to do a little of the same – the sunshine is calling my name.
the concert sounds amazing! i am a new reader – attracted to your blog because of your PB love! I am living in Brazil from Feb-Augustish and my friend just visited…I had her bring me a jar of Jiff extra Crunchy and I have been making PB fingers (and a huge dent in the jar) non-stop!
Your date night sounds wonderful! And TCBY is one of my favorite fro yo places 🙂
Lovin that peanut butter TCBY fro yo! It’s my absolute FAVORITE! I used to work at TCBY in high school and was told that taking samples throughout my shift would make me grow tired of it, but I think the opposite happened–I craved it the more I ate it! I had a cup of the exact same last night–it was a special 85-cent night where I live, so of course I couldn’t pass up the discount opportunity 🙂 Four more cups are waiting in my freezer for whenever I’m in need of a fix. 🙂
What a fun date night!!! And you look so beautiful. I love that dress! 🙂
Hope you’re having a great weekend.
City walk is sooo much fun!
Looks like a great night! I was a big theater/choir nerd in high school, so I love all things a capella…I’m glad you had fun!
Are you kidding me? Chilian Sea Bass and Gumbo? They just shut down my favorite place for Gumbo’ Speak Easies was a Memphis barbaque (it’s a greasy spoon now) and I can’t find Sea Bass since we left Seatlle. Oh how I envy you! You Ryan and Sadie soak up sum sunshine for us, we’re gettin soaked by rain now.
Fun!! City Walk is a blast, my brother lives nearby. How about the Whopper Bar, lol.
And if people can go to REI and register for camping stuff…bring on the froyo machine.
Oh wow, SO jealous!!!! That meal sounds out of this world good!
So lucky. We still have not seen Straight No Chaser in person!
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Just saw this link back and had to comment. I saw Straight No Chaser in April in Boston and I LOVED it! I laughed so hard and they are so incredibly talented. Their “12 Days of Christmas” song is one of my favorites. 🙂