meals for one: the steakhouse

Women love a good steak and a man who can eat one. The suits, the scotch, the scent of sizzle that permeates the minute one enters a steakhouse restaurant does everything to make a woman feel like a woman and a man feel like a man. At SingleEdition.com, we are particularly fascinated by just how often individuals, living on their own, schedule these meat eating out rendezvous. There are those dinners for catching up with the folks, girls or guys night out, power business lunches and, for some the solo meal occasion.

While this does a lot to get the juices going, what most diners who diet don't realize is that a 16 ounce Porterhouse Steak can contain up to 1300 calories and a 104 g of fat. And that's before you include the bread basket, Caesar Salad starter and side of golden crisped hash browns.With these stats in mind, SingleEdition.com went on a mission to find better-for-one eats at today's prime establishments.

Problem #1: Portions are so enormous it is difficult choosing a steak that's suited for one.

Solution: It is true that steakhouses are notorious for serving extra-large portions. You can try to control your beef intake by ordering a smaller sized steak dish from the main entrees. You get to pick a steak that's petite at Ruth Chris or choose a "Slightly Smaller" cut at Morton's (we recommend the single cut filet mignon, minus the bernaise sauce!). Where this is not an option, remember that a healthy serving of steak is only about 3-4 ounces, or about the size of your open palm. So make arrangements to eat accordingly. Splitting an entree with a friend or ordering an appetizer as your main meal are good options.

Problem #2: You are consuming more red meat on a weekly basis than Fred Flinstone.

Solution: You may be a beef lover but medical experts recommend limiting red meat intake to once or twice a week. With that in mind, try switching from turf to surf. Fish is an excellent alternative to beef and chefs are increasingly offering more than just salmon to satisfy health conscious and regulars. Newer-to-the-scene steakhouses such as CraftSteak and BLT Prime offer Spiced Swordfish and Wild Striped Bass respectively and you can always go for the dover sole, salmon or shrimp dish at traditional restaurants like Smith and Wollensky's and the Palm.

Problem #3: You suffer from preparation anxiety.

Solution: Watch Words! While descriptors like "breaded" and "crispy" may send off warning signs of something fried, look out for ambiguous adjectives such as "encrusted" or "country style" which often mean the same thing. If you are not sure how something is prepared, do not be shy to ask your waiter/waitress.

Problem # 4: You are a sucker for starters and sides.

If you find it hard to resist the bevy of battered, breaded or creamed infused appetizers and side dishes, you may want to think again. One serving of Au Gratin Potatoes is a whopping 400 calories and 22g of fat while two crab cakes weigh in at 240 calories plus 15g of fat. So skip the shrimp bisque and say no thanks to the creamed spinach. Instead, opt for a slightly more moderate selection before the beef dishes begin to arrive like tuna tartar, shrimp cocktail or oysters on a half shell. Even a simple salad will do! Whatever you do, don't count those hash browns and onion rings as your vegetables for the day. When the main meal arrives, pile up on steamed broccoli or asparagus and enjoy a half baked potato sans butter.

Problem #5: You enjoy when the cup overfloweth

Solution: Who doesn't love a good stiff drink or perfect glass of red wine to compliment a meal. It's perfectly fine to drink in moderation. Just remember to pace yourself, especially if it's the client with whom you're dining!

Steakhouse dining is a pleasure in which all singles can indulge. Just remember that you can enjoy the gastronomic experience without overly astronomic calorie intake!