Eat Right at a Colombian Steakhouse?

Decorated with lively colors and Colombian artwork, this family-owned steakhouse on Lincoln Avenue promises lots of flavor and...lots of meat.  The gracious server describes the menu for the newcomers and lets you know that when you order the house specialty, Entrana, you are looking at 18 ounces of char-broiled skirt steak accompanied by a fried plantain, yuca and potato.  He says it's a must, but for those that can't decide between the carnes or pollo, don't worry, you can try the dish that Las Tablas highly recommends:  the Combinaciones.  Easy translation:  a combination of the Entrana skirt steak, pollo al ajillo (grilled chicken breast) or grilled pork loin with grilled calamari, baby octopus or grilled shrimp.  The server spoke so fondly of the dish, and I'm always one to take the restaurant's advice on their favorite dishes, so Mitch and I had to try it.

I'm sure that you think that I've lost my nutrition sense here.  I haven't.  And I'll tell you how you can enjoy the 1/2 priced Sangria (made the way I prefer it - deep red wine, brandy, a bit of fruit and absolutely no carbonated soft drink) should your friends opt for a night out Colombian style.

Here are my quick tips:

1. Skip the apertivos.  While they may have some interesting empanadas, aborrajado or ensaladas, they tend to have a fried component or cheese. You're there for the entree, so stay focused.

2.  Share.  This is an easy one when the restaurant boasts 18 ounce servings!

3.  Pretend the fried plantain is your dessert.  It's somewhat sweet and a traditional favorite, so enjoy it like it were the dessert - and skip the flan.

4.  Don't eat more than a deck of cards.  This is the important part when it comes to a Colombian steakhouse.  A deck of cards is about 3-4 ounces, rather than a grown man's shoe, which is about 18 ounces.  Take a close look at this table and you'll know why this serving size is the right size (I included yuca and potato assuming that you'd enjoy some of that as well - and they are both great sources of potassium):

Food Item	Serving Size	Total calories	Total Protein	Total Fat	Total Carb	Sugar (g)	Fiber
Yuca (cassava)	1 cup raw (1/2 a root)	330	3g	0.6g	79g	3.5 g	3.7g
Skirt Steak, lean, broiled	They serve: 18oz	1046	136g	51g	0	0	0
	You eat:  3oz	174	23g	8.6g	0	0	0
Chicken Breast, grilled	They serve: 18oz	840	158g	18.2g	0	0	0
	You eat: 3oz	140	26	3g	0	0	0
White rice, long-grain	1oz	85	6.3g	6.3g	0.6g	0	0.3g
	1 cup cooked	205	0.4g	4.25g	44.5g	0.6g	0 g
Potato, baked, with skin	1 large	278	0.4g	7.5g	63g	6.6g	3.5g
Shrimp, grilled or boiled	They serve: 6 large	137	0.4g	7g	0	0	0
	You eat: 3 large	68	0.2g	3.5g	0	0	0

Las Tablas serves a tasty meal and the yuca is delicious (albeit fried), but you can enjoy this Colombian Steakhouse if you're mindful of portions and focus on the entree.  I give it an Eat Right Rating of Eat Right with Options.