Last Friday we had the opportunity to be guests of Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Walnut Creek as part of the Beauty-Fully Girls Night Out. (Don’t worry, The Husband totally LOVED being one of the girls when it involves a steakhouse).
The folks at Fleming’s asked if I would share my BEST Weight Watchers tips for surviving a steakhouse and navigating their deliciously tempting menu.
I have to admit that I LOVED the idea as soon as I heard it. I am always looking for ways to help everyone make healthy choices whether they are making their own tasty recipes at home, travelling or heading out to one of their favorite restaurants.
TIP #1
Always check out the MENU online before you head out to find out what healthy options they have available. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse not only has their menu online, but, they have nutritional guidelines for how you can navigate their menu for weight loss, gluten free, low carb, etc.
If you pick out what you will order BEFORE you go, then, you will not need to open the menu & let any pictures or descriptions (if any) change your mind.
I often look up the points+ values on Weight Watchers online for steakhouses or items that I will be order that are comparable to get an idea of what to order.
TIP #2
Eat your calories/points+, do not drink them 
Ok ~ I realize this isn’t realistic for everyone because well part of dining out is having a nice glass of wine and/or a cocktail.
If you do choose to drink wine and/or a cocktail, alternate each drink with 1 full glass of water. This will help you feel fuller so you will drink and eat less.
Fleming’s actually takes things a step further! This Summer they created the 99 calorie Cocktail called the Russian Prom Queen as part of the skinny Sippin’ Summer!
This is one drink you can definitely indulge on one or even two without breaking your calorie/points+ budget.
Curious how they do it….they are letting me share the recipe with you all
TIP #3
Decide ahead of time if the bread & spread is worth it to you. For me, I can usually pass on just regular bread & butter because I can have that any time, any where.
However, I knew Fleming’s had this delicious warm, toasty, homemade parmesan bread with TWO spreads ~ Sun Dried Tomato & Feta Infused Butters.
It was totally WORTH it to have that crispy, doughy cheese bread. I made up TWO slices ~ one with each bread, then slowly broke off small bites savoring each one.
I made sure I put the bread basket out of reach so I wouldn’t be tempted to have more.
For the record ~ the sun dried tomato butter was my FAVORITE!
TIP #4
Ask about the appetizers BEFORE you order them so you know exactly what you are getting.
Your BEST options at Fleming’s would be the Shrimp Cocktail because you could eat the entire cocktail & stay 100% on track. After all, you get 2 ounce of shrimp with 1/4 cup cocktail sauce for only 4 points+.
I was so excited when I asked about the Mushroom Ravioli and found out it only came with 3 ravioli’s. I knew I could easily stay on track with my plan and not be tempted to have more than 1….so I traded the shrimp for these….
ROASTED MUSHROOM RAVIOLI
portobello and shiitake mushrooms, porcini butter sauce
Hands down, the BEST ravioli’s we both have ever had in our lives…..They were cooked perfectly al dente with a nice woody mushroom flavor. The porcini butter sauce just let them melt into your mouth.
TIP #5
ALWAYS start your meal with a salad and/or broth soup because it will fill you up, keep you away from the bread and can be a tasty way to start your meal.
The Fleming’s Mixed Greens Salad is an excellent choice and so is the Caprese salad. I totally LOVED that I was able to check off my healthy oil & dairy guidelines with this 
I ordered this asking them to go Lite on the Olive Oil and I shared it with The Husband.
The balsamic reduction & flaked sea salt made the the tomatoes & mozzarella shine.
FRESH MOZZARELLA & SWEET TOMATO
drizzled with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, fresh basil
TIP #6
Don’t be afraid to order something that is NOT on the menu or to have them custom make your entrée.
Fleming’s serves the finest USDA Prime beef: corn-fed, aged up to four weeks for flavor and texture, then broiled at 1600 degrees to seal in all the juices and flavor. All of their steaks are seasoned with kosher salt and black pepper; finished with a touch of butter and freshly chopped parsley.
If you are looking to lighten up your steak, make sure you ask them to exclude the butter, Peppercorn or Béarnaise Sauce
My FAVORITE thing about their menu is that they offer their Filet Mignon in different sizes.
MAIN FILET = 12 OZ
PETITE FILET = 8 OZ
THE LITE FILET = 5 OZ ~ Just right! (7 points+)
The other thing that is AWESOME ~ they serve it with a small serving ~ just a 1/4 of their creamy, cheesy Fleming’s potatoes. Just enough to give you the taste.
LITE FILET MIGNON* served with Fleming’s potatoes
The Husband has put Fleming’s Steaks on our top 5 list of the BEST Steak places in the world after eating there.
TIP #7
If you are content after your meal and you do not feel like you need dessert, treat yourself to some coffee or tea.
If you decide to have dessert, then, share it with someone and savor just a few bites.. The Husband has a pretty big sweet tooth so I knew he would be ordering dessert.
I usually focus on savoring 3-4 bites with my coffee. It is “just enough”….
We finished our night with this refreshing Lemon Pie ~ it totally reminded me of a creamy, tart lemon sorbet and paired well with the gingersnap crust and raspberry sauce.
FROZEN LEMON GINGERSNAP PIE
frozen custard with vanilla and fresh ginger, raspberry lemon foam sauce
Are you all hungry now?! I know we definitely cannot wait to go back ~ every single dish had us raving with each bit about how good it was. Not to mention, we had the best servers (Hi Rexanna!) ~ everyone was really on top of their game, even the managers made sure to come by and say hi!
Fleming’s wanted to share in the FUN with you all and they are offering up a Beauty-FULL Girls Night out to one of my readers.
ONE LUCKY WINNER WILL RECEIVE THIS PRIZE:
* $50 gift certificate for ANY Flemming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar across the US
* Sigma Beauty Kabuki make-up brush
* Yes to Carrots Brightening Facial Towelletes
* Gardener’s Hand Cream, Lip Butter
* On-the-go Facial Towelette
* Eye Firming Treatment
HOW TO ENTER:
1) Simply tell me your best TIP for how you survive going to a steakhouse in your FIRST comment.
BONUS ENTRIES
2) “Like” Flemming’s Steakhouse on Facebook. Feel free to tell them how you found out about the contest (on Danica’s Daily!) leave your SECOND comment letting me know you did.
3) TWEET about this giveaway and/or follow Flemming’s Steakhouse on Twitter. “@danicasdaily is sharing her tips for surviving a steakhouse & giving away a @flemingssteak giftcard & prize pack http://bit.ly/qpjFQd“ Be sure to leave a THIRD comment to let me know you did.
4) FACEBOOK this giveaway. “@danicasdaily is sharing her tips 4 surviving a steakhouse & giving away a @flemingssteak giftcard & prize pack ~ enter now! http://bit.ly/qpjFQd“ Be sure to leave a FOURTH comment to let me know you did
5) If you have a blog, LINK back to this contest and leave a FIFTH comment letting me know you did.
If you don’t have a blog, just leave a comment below telling me someone you told about this giveaway.
The Fine Print: Thanks to the folks over at Flemming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar for providing one lucky reader & I a night out on Flemming’s Experience & a Beauty-Full Girls Prize Pack! This contest is open to US-Residents.
The winner will be randomly drawn and announced on Friday, August 26th, 2011!
Ready to enter, comment away!!!
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I usually order a big salad and a small steak – or a steak to share with someone else!
I usually look at the dining out companion when going to a restaurant that does not have nutritional values on line. I would first look on line then the book. I think you made great choices.
Thanks,
I order water and drink at least a whole glass before I start eating.
I like to research the menu online before I head out. I also try to share meals if possible.
I just told my sister about your giveaway!
I save points by skipping the bread and butter. I also order the smallest sirloin and I “try” most times to box up half right away.
I don’t have a blog, but I told my husband about your site and giveaway. I told him Flemings was in our future, regardless on how the contest turns out! It sounds delish!
Portion control & skip the bread basket
I always know what I’m ordering before I walk into the restaurant if a menu is available online. The bread basket is usually my splurge (and wow that bread in the pic looks GOOD) but I limit myself to one piece and use whatever spread they have sparingly. I like to avoid drinking my points too.
Great tips. My favorite tip is to order your entree without the butter or oil.
My best tip is to order any sauce on the side. I love Bernaise sauce but it helps if I control the amount on my steak.
Danica, love your article! You might like to know that at the end of September we’ll have six different 99 calorie cocktails on our beverage menu. We’re committed to “Skinnier Cocktails.” And thank you to all your readers who liked us on facebook! Good luck to you all.
–Fleming’s
I haven’t been to Flemings, though I know there is one in the area. The only tip I have is to plan ahead and shell out the extra money for the filet – it’s smaller and leaner and of course really freaking enjoyable.
I would definately SHARE my choices. That way you can a little of everything that sounds good without going overborad. Hey, going to FLEMINGS is a very special occasion; use some of those weeklies!
I like Flemings on FB
I always order a cold appetizer so I can snack on it after I finish the reason I came to begin with – steak!
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