#99 - A Take-Out Treat, Dinner from The Palm

Going out for a fancy meal at an expensive restaurant is a treat for most of us. Sometimes, however, you just need to treat yourself after a tough day at work or a long day shoveling snow. Do you feel like getting dressed up and sitting through a long meal, no matter how good it might be? Probably not.

The offered solution: Take-out from . Perhaps you didn't know that this national steakhouse favorite and East Hampton Village mainstay also offers take-out. A former co-worker used to treat herself quite often to a burger or a steak, but I had never done so until my boyfriend received a gift certificate for dinner.

The Palm serves its take out well -- no containers falling apart in your bag and sauces leaking everywhere. We chose lump crab-meat, a true delicacy, a very creamy lobster bisque, which was, of course, phenomenal, a Caesar salad, crab-cakes and Clams Casino. It came with rolls, a container of butter and a container of cocktail sauce.

No disappointments here. The meal was fantastic and filling. We probably ordered too much, though the portions are generous. We had leftovers of everything except the Clams Casino, and all the food saved well in the containers they came in, so we had lunch and some appetizers for dinner the next day.

So, you're treating yourself not once, but twice. Don't wait until a special birthday or anniversary, treat yourself for the hard-work you do all year-long. Or, plan your Valentine's Day dinner for your sweetheart at home with some help and delicious take-out. Trust me, they won't be mad you didn't go out.

Category: Food
Price: Expensive (Remember, it's a treat)
Season: Year-round
Note: The menu is available online.

Stay tuned for # 98 next week, same time same place.