So Gross.

So, I am dining at a "better" restaurant while out of town for work.  When I say "better," we're talking a step up from your A.pplebe's or R.uby Tuesday (shoot me), but by no means five stars or anything like that.

Since I am watching my diet, I decide that pasta primevara would be an excellent choice - a lighter cream sauce, plenty of veggies, and all the fettuccine my little heart desires. 

It comes to the table.  It is delicious.  Not too salty, there is delicious grilled chicken, and fresh veggies that still have a crunch.  I am naturally a picker when it comes to food, so I start searching around for the delicious zucchini and squash and broccoli.  Once I finish most of the veggies, I am starting to feel a little full.  I spy another chunk of broccoli towards the bottom, and I dig for it.  I spot what looks something like a mushroom.  As I continue digging, what do you think I found?

If you guessed a CATERPILLAR, YOU WOULD BE CORRECT.

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.

(OK, I just googled caterpillar pictures to show you a similar looking one, and I was too incredibly grossed out to continue looking...my caterpillar did not have fuzz or hair or anything, for what it's worth)

I know, right?

So, I pull it to the side, and politely inform the waitress.  She looks at while picking up the plate, and goes to take it back to the kitchen.  She returns a few minutes later, and both the chef and the manager agree that it absolutely resembles a caterpillar, and my meal will be comped.  Phew.  She offered me some more food, but obviously I wasn't in the mood for more pasta primevera.  The manager came over almost immediately to apologize profusely, which was a nice gesture. 

When the waitress came back over, she said that the manager wanted to offer me a free dessert, since I was being so nice about it all and not screaming all over the restaurant.  So, at least that was a score.

BUT STILL, RIGHT?

Also, how likely is it that I ingested other caterpillars?

Oh, and bonus gross-ness - after I pulled out the caterpillar, I asked my boss and two coworkers what they thought this thing looked like.  My boss and one coworker agreed that it most resembled a caterpillar.  The other coworker tried to stab it with a fork and eat it!  I am 100% positive he would have eaten it if I didn't stop him (I figured it was going to be worth a free dinner - that slimy little bugger was my meal ticket!)