two hour lunch? yes, please!

i packed my lunch this morning (turkey sandwich, just like usual), but when i got an offer to go to ceiba for restaurant week i couldn't pass it up. i had to snack on some of my lunch since the reservation wasn't until 1:15, but i somehow managed to hold out. and i'm glad i did - the food was delicious! (and now i have one less thing to do tomorrow morning).

my three courses were: conch chowder (w/ yummy little hush puppy like fritters), the chorizo burger and a chocolate cake for dessert. and luckily we had some of those yummy pita chips w/ dip brought out to our table somewhat immediately because the service was super super slow. granted it was lunchtime during restaurant week at a busy downtown restaurant (that, and our waitress used to work w/ one of my coworkers and let's just say they don't get along), but still it was somewhat ridiculous how long our food took to come out.

the chowder was really good - nice and spicy! and yes, i realize it's nearly one hundred degrees outside. they serve their soup just like sister restaurant dc coast does - they bring out your bowl w/ the "fixins" and then pour the soup into the bowl at the table. and for this chowder they brought out two very mini pitchers (one of gosling's dark rum and the other a sherry) to add into the soup. it was definitely hotter (spice-wise) than i usually get, but it was good nonetheless.
i had a really hard time deciding on my main course. i managed to whittle down the choices to the burger and the steak. and luckily one of my coworkers wanted the same two things so we ordered both intending to share. i love people who love to share. and it was a genius idea - i got to eat both of the things i wanted. and both were absolutely delicious!

the dessert choice was easy - a chocolate cake w/ chocolate ice cream and warm soaked (in something delicious) cherries. i'm very picky about my desserts (just like i'm picky in most other aspects of life). i'd rather pass on dessert than have something bad. but, this combination hit it out of the park (unlike barry bonds last night).

so two hours later we were back in the stale, hotter than hot air walking the few blocks back to work. and it was definitely two hours well spent - it was great food with great company. and i learned some random tidbits about my coworkers.

one of the girls i work with is from new york and went to high school with mark zuckerburg. yes, that guy who founded facebook. why, do you know another mark zuckerburg??

and since we were out in honor of restaurant week one of the other girls alerted us all to the phenomenon known as spa week. not that i'm a big fan of spas, but i figure some people might be. plus i am always in favor of a good deal (definitely something i picked up from my dad). there's one again sometime this fall and apparently there are some killer deals. so if you're into that kind of thing you should check it out.

lastly, i learned that one of my coworkers hung out with an actor from the movie hairspray this past weekend. and while it wasn't one of the big name guys i think it's still kind of cool. it's almost like in la where everyone "knows" everyone famous. apparently it was the guy in the ladder scene - although this isn't really ringing a bell so i'll have to do some more research.