in which i tell you about steaky, and force you to say your goodbyes.

This is Steaky, as dubbed by Therese after I failed to conceal Steaky after a particularly filling dinner of… well, steak. Steaky is the culmination of several months of gorging myself on amazing food. In the last few months, I have discovered my inner, hidden love for food. I used to just eat enough to quiet my belly rumbles, or eat a snack to satisfy a craving. That’s not the case anymore.

Some food highlights from the past few weeks:

There was Isa‘s birthday treat for me and Barby at Angel’s Kitchen, where I met this little number:

Lamb curry with apple chutney! We also had two more dishes, a salad, and two different desserts. I’ll leave those to your imagination.

Then there was the week I went to Ganso-Shabuway with Sarie (who wrote about it in detail over here). Twice. In one week. Honestly, I’m a peanut sauce person. So, I blame it on that. And the wonderful beef. But mostly, I need that peanut sauce. In my mouth. Now.

(The peanut sauce is way better when mixed with the raw garlic paste thing and the chili oil.)

Did I mention the unlimited rice and strictly no-sharing rule at this establishment? I highly recommend this place, though. I would get a regular order of angus meat, with spicy broth, and the regular vegetable set, with an order of plain rice. Or, you could bypass the rice but then I might consider you a tiny bit crazy.

And who could forget that eight-”course” meal (for two!) with Sarie at Nomama Artisanal Ramen, a new Japanese place up in the Scout area (the corner of Scout Castor and Scout Tuazon)? Right after an early lunch at Ganso-Shabuway, we split eight dishes between us for early dinner at around 3pm, and I have a total of zero regrets. This is a photo of the house ramen. Aside from a super broth, that egg is just an amazing explosion of flavor.

Soft-shell crab salad, and beef tataki with sweet potato chips in the background.

My favorite! Curry short ribs with roasted kobacha (Japanese pumpkin). The curry is homemade and the meat is tender and falls right off the bone. Ugh. I need to have this again at some point in my life, honestly.

I’ve discovered my love for food, and I’ve also found that I cannot seem to unlove it. And that eating actually comes with extra poundage. I’ll be upfront with you: I gained about 10 lbs. after I threw all caution to the wind and ignored the ominous extra stretch and tightness around the waistband of my jeans.

As much as I like (pretending to enjoy) having Steaky around, I feel like it’s time to say goodbye. Seriously, I need to cut back on the munching. I’ve actually taken to tracking my calories using an iPhone app—but of course—called My Fitness Pal! And it’s working out pretty well. That photo of Steaky you are seeing is actually a pretty deflated state. Can you just imagine how huge it used to be five or so days ago?

I’ve stopped eating rice, and I started drinking more water. I tried to cut down on the cream and sugar I put in my coffee, but it just doesn’t taste right. However, I’ve said “no” to the occasional Starbucks trip, so I’m happy about that. I also have been keeping track of my snacking. Which is to say, I don’t do that so much anymore.

I’m all for loving yourself, and having a healthy self-image. But when I start being uncomfortable in my own skin—and gaining 10 lbs. just because of eating too much—then I know something’s up. Who knows? I might even try a little bit of exercising, too. Maybe.

All I know is that this introduction to Steaky is also the beginning of a series of goodbyes, although hopefully not one that would take very long. Ideally, I would love for this string of goodbyes to end at about the first week of October, but maybe that’s wishful thinking on my part.