To eat out, or not to eat out?

I've been eating out a lot more lately. I'm not sure how I feel about it... I went to Cheesecake factory with Kat over the weekend, we got chicken teriyaki (I don't know why it looks like it's covered in tar) It was actually really good- considering Kat wouldn't let me order anything spicy... grrr.


So here's the good and the bad, since I'm trying to decide about eating out excessively:

Good-
1. Chefs cook better than me
2. I get to try new stuff
3. I get ideas for my own stuff
4. Eating out is more socially... ummm... conducive
5. I really like splitting an appetizer and entree. That's not something I can do at home (or if I did it would be kinda weird, right?)

Bad-
1. I love to cook
2. I enjoy being in the kitchen
3. I know that I didn't spit in the food
4. It gets pretty expensive
5. Probably a LOT more calories and fat in restaurant food

I think I've decided that I'd like to cook more next week (I've kinda missed the train on this week...). The thing is... I went with Kat, and then returned the next night with another friend. But same hostess, and same me... She just smiled. I felt mentally challenged. But I will say that it was worth it because the cheesecake I tried was pretty nifty. Raspberry Lemon cake cheesecake, I think. And the caramel macchiato... WOW! Watch out Starbucks. Still, next week- more home cooking and less out. Check back for what's cookin then... xoxo! ~anne marie