Good Things Come In Small Packages

by Stephanie Sherrill
on Friday, January 08, 2010

With all of the holiday feasting going on during the past month, I have a new diet plan for managing my meals. Eat in miniature. Because if your food is smaller it means you're eating less, right?

Manifesto serves several tapas, but their mini pizzas are the cream of the crop. The crispy crusts, great sauce and real cheese make it hard to stop at just one of these mouthfuls. Each is sold individually, so go ahead and order a batch. They never go uneaten.

The mini pulled pork sandwiches and chopped beef bar-b-que sandwiches at Bubba's are just as scrumptious as the larger versions. This is my secret: I order these appetizers as my entrée instead of one larger sandwich. That way, I don't end up with french fries staring at me on my plate. Plus, the individual sandwiches make it easier to share with my husband.

The cheeseburger sliders at Boxing Cat Brewery wallop huge taste into a small bite. Even with tiny little patties, the meat is still tender and flavorful. Another secret: instead of spreading the side of cheese sauce onto the bun before eating, I dip each bite into the condiment. This ensures a better cheese to burger ratio.

For a plethora of delicate bites, the Sunday brunch at Le Platane includes several plates of signature canapés. Be it the salmon, the mushroom compote or a French-style morsel, everything is delightful. Of course, this is just one part of their amazing pre-noon feast. After enjoying the canapés and fresh breads, the brunch includes an egg course (my royal perigourdine included truffles, foie gras and pancetta), a seasonal entrée option and many cleverly crafted desserts. What makes this brunch extra special for me is the free-flow champagne (RMB398).

Ok, so french fries, cheese sauce, champagne - maybe this isn't the best weight loss plan but it is delicious! Why is it that food tastes better when made bite size?