Restaurants | How to Save Money, Earn Dreams- SamiCone.com

Top Walt Disney Dining Character Restaurants

April 29, 2012 By sami Leave a Comment

We often get asked our top Walt Disney Dining Character restaurants – so I thought I’d share them in one spot for you!

It doesn’t seem to matter how many times we eat at these Disney restaurants, they remain family favorites for their characters, service and food.

Keep in mind that my children are elementary age, but even when we go with three generations, we all have a great time.

Here are our top Walt Disney Character Dining Experiences:

1. Chef Mickey’s

Chef Mickey’s is a classic. Located in the original Disney World hotel, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Chef Mickey’s features the “Fab 5″: Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy & Donald. Not only does the monorail run right through the Contemporary Resort, but you’ll see many pieces of classic Disney memorabilia while there, including a beautiful mural located just outside the elevator bay. You also don’t need a park ticket for this restaurant, so it’s great for days your starting or ending your vacation, or if you want to do the Disney experience without paying to go in a park!

2. Princess Storybook Dining at Askershus Royal Banquet Hall

Our favorite way to see the princesses by far! Princess Storybook Dining is located in Epcot’s World Showcase in Norway. Typically, you will be escorted in to see Belle right away for a picture (which you get to keep as part of your dining package) and then you sit down for your meal. We like to go for breakfast where you start with a continental buffet featuring some European favorites such as sliced meats and cheeses as well as fresh berries and bakery treats. Then a hot plate is served family style at your table with bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs and a delicious potato casserole (everything is all you can eat). After your food is served, you typically get to meet five princesses, depending on the day. Though Cinderella is never promised, she has made an appearance her along with her friends. Some lesser-known ladies (though of no-lesser importance) like Pocohontas, Mulan and Mary Poppins have also been know to make an appearance. If you’re looking to see the princesses on a budget, this is a much more economical choice than the castle as well.

3. 1900 Park Fare – Supercalifragalistic Breakfast

Our original favorite, it’s hard to beat the breakfast at 1900 Park Fare. Located inside the Grand Floridian Resort, we’d go back time and time again just for the ambiance. The fact that this dining experience also happened to have our children’s favorite characters and great food didn’t hurt either With my mom being from England and my son named after her homeland (Britton), our kids grew up loving Pooh, Tigger and Mary Poppins especially – all who make an appearance here, along with Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter. The food doesn’t get much better than this at Disney World and you absolutely MUST try the Strawberry Soup!

4. 1900 Park Fare – Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner

It was hard to decide how to rank my third and fourth choices, which, as you can see happen to be at the same restaurant (just different meals!). If you return to 1900 Park Fare in the evening, you’ll be attending Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner, featuring none other than Cinderella herself, along with Prince Charming, her step-mother (Lady Tremaine) and her awkward (yet hysterical) step-sisters, Anastasia and Drizella. This isn’t your typical meet and greet. The step-sisters are very loud, boisterous and interactive. While we originally thought it might be too much for our then three year old son to handle, he eventually told us at the end of our first trip to this experience that it was his favorite meal of the entire vacation! I’ve already told you the food at Grand Floridian is fabulous and again, this is a much cheaper way to see Cinderella than the castle (and also doesn’t require a park ticket!)

Other favorites include The Garden Grill (at the Land Pavillion in Epcot) with its spinning restaurant and Mickey and friends dressed as farmers as well as a new favorite, Ohana (Polynesian Resort) where you can meet Lilo & Stitch and enjoy one of the most delicious juices we’ve ever tried!

You may be surprised that I didn’t mention Cinderella’s Royal Table…then again maybe you’re not if you’ve been following my logic! I believe everyone should eat at the castle once; it truly is magical. However the cost prohibits this frugal mom from venturing there more. When you can see the same characters at equally charming locations for a lot less money (and without having to buy a park ticket), I’d opt not to spend my money just on the castle…but that’s just me!

Here are just a few reasons we love character dining:
*You get to sit and eat (in air conditioning) while the characters come to you…as opposed to standing in line for hours on end in the Florida heat!
*You can see multiple (related) characters in one shot, instead of waiting in a lot of separate lines for individual characters
*Kids have longer to interact with the characters, instead of just a quick picture and autograph.

Granted, the best way to take advantage of Character Dining is when Disney is offering their Dining Plan for free! But if you aren’t lucky enough to visit Disney during one of those times, our other piece of advice is to schedule a late breakfast. It’s not only the cheapest meal of the day, but when you schedule one of the last sittings, you’ll stay full through lunch (think brunch) and also get more character interaction time because they’re not rushing off to visit anyone else!

What are some of your favorite character dining experiences?

Filed Under: Restaurants, Reviews, Travel, Travel Tips, Walt Disney World Tagged With: character, dining, experience, mickey, princess, review, walt disney world

Starbucks Espresso Drinks Half Off March 8-14, 2012

March 8, 2012 By sami

Starbucks Espresso Drinks are half off March 8-14, 2012 when you buy one in the morning and bring your receipt back in the afternoon for a second drink!

It looks like these can be hot or iced – perfect for this weather that can’t seem to make up its mind either

Filed Under: Deals, Deals & Freebies, Restaurants Tagged With: coffee, drink, espresso, half off, receipt, Starbucks

Nashville Trip Advisor: What to do in a day!

February 26, 2012 By sami

Consider me your Nashville trip advisor if you want to do what to do in that extra day you’re spending here after Blissdom (or anytime you find yourself wondering what to do in Music City and only have a day to run around!

Nashville Tourist Attractions

If you haven’t stopped by Broadway before you go home, you haven’t seen Nashville in my opinion! Drive down to Broadway & 4th Street, and you’ll find yourself in the midst of some of the most famous Nashville icons. On one side of the street, you can check out live music at Honky Tonks such as Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge or grab something to eat at the famous Jack’s BBQ. Of course, you’ll want to go down just a few blocks to tour the “mother church of country music”, the Ryman Auditorium (and don’t forget to stop back by Hatch Show Print on Broadway to pick up an iconic poster to remember your trip!)

Cross over Broadway and you’ll find the Convention & Visitors Bureau sitting at the front glass enclosure of Bridgetstone Arena. Even if you don’t stop in, walk behind the arena to Hall of Fame Park (think Hollywood’s “Walk of Fame” complete with stars in the sidewalk, but for country fans). After you walk the park, you’ll find yourself looking directly at the Country Music Hall of Fame, a great stop even if country music isn’t your favorite music genre.

You’ll notice they’re building our new convention center next to the Hall of Fame, but if you head to the east side of the park, you’ll enter into the Schermerhorn Hall, home to the Nashville Symphony Orchestra.

If you go closer to Vanderbilt University, you’ll find two must-see areas:
-Centennial Park: complete with a full replica of the Parthenon (Athens, Greece is our sister city!)
-Hillsboro Village: a unique street filled with shops & restaurants – think college town meet artist’s village. Don’t forget to stop by Boookman/Bookwoman and eat at Pancake Pantry (just be prepared to stand in line!). If you have kids, make sure to stop by Fannie Mae Dees park (known to locals as the “Dragon Park”) with a lot of space to run, plan and connect with friends.

Nashville Restaurants

You may be in the South, but Nashville boasts more than just fried chicken and biscuits (though if you want great biscuits, head to my side of town to The Loveless Cafe, home of the late Carole Fay who battled Bobby Flay in a biscuit ‘Throwdown‘ on Food Network).

If you want a unique dining experience that will let you try a lot of different southern favorites, make sure to hit up Monell’s in Germantown. You’ll sit in an old home at a table with 12 other people and literally pass the plate as you feast on everything from pot roast and greens to cornbread and cole slaw! You’ll also be close to the state capital, Bicentennial Park and the Farmer’s Market, especially fun on a warm spring or summer day.

If you’re looking for the frugal food tour, check out one of my favorite posts, my Top 6 Nashville Food Finds under $6.

Nashville Area Attractions

There’s so much to see & do here in Nashville that it really takes a few days to catch it all, but here are just a few other favorites you may want to look into:
West
*Cheekwood Botanical Gardens

North
*Fontanel Mansion

South
*Main Street in downtown Franklin
*Arrington Vineyards

East
*Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
*Grand Ole Opry
*Opry Mills Mall (Outlet shopping, re-opening end of March 2012)

Where are your favorite places to go in Nashville?

Filed Under: Nashville, Restaurants, Travel, Travel Tips Tagged With: advisor, attraction, nashville, tourist, Travel, trip, what to do

Starbucks $2 Sandwiches & VIA Taste Promise

October 5, 2011 By sami

You’d think I’d get the inside scoop on these things since my husband works at Starbucks, but no, I’m left to learn them right along with you! But this is a good deal: get any Starbucks breakfast sandwich for only $2 with the purchase of any beverage. This promotion ends 10/10/11.

Couple that with Free WiFi & weekly free iTunes downloads & their new Starbucks VIA Taste Promise, and that’s some real value!

Filed Under: Deals, Deals & Freebies, Restaurants Tagged With: breakfast, free, october, promise, sandwich, Starbucks, taste, via, wifi

2011 Starbucks Treat Receipt & Free WiFi

August 27, 2011 By sami

The 2011 Starbucks treat receipt is back!

Just purchase any Starbucks beverage in the morning before 2pm and bring the same receipt to any participating Starbucks after 2pm to get any Iced Grande Beverage for only $2 + tax. This includes Frappucinos too!

I’ve really started loving the Iced Green Tea, but also just got turned onto an iced Apple Chai – it’s not on the menu, but is a yummy, refreshing (& cool!) alternative to a hot chai, with a sweet apple twist!

If you’re looking for a good deal there, you can also get an Iced Grande Coffee for only $1.95 and you can add syrup for free. Couple that with Free WiFi for everyone and you can’t beat the value!

Filed Under: Deals, Deals & Freebies, Restaurants Tagged With: 2010, free, receipt, Starbucks, treat, wifi

Top 6 Nashville Food Finds Under $6: Talk of the Town Video July 5

July 5, 2011 By sami

Watch the Talk of the Town video from the July 5th show: Top 6 Nashville Food Finds Under $6
(3rd segment on the video)

Are you joining me after seeing my segment on my Top 6 Nashville Food Finds under $6 on Talk of the Town today?

Don’t worry if you missed any of the tips. I’ve got all the details for you right here! And while you’re here, make sure you enter my Birthday Giveaway a Day – a giveaway everyday during July until my birthday! You can win the necklace you saw me wear on tv today!

One of the most popular questions I get asked (other than how to save money!) is how to save on eating out…and where the best places are to get unique Nashville food on a budget! So for all of you planning a visit to Music City, or those of you Nashvillians who haven’t tasted all your backyard has to offer, this is for you!

Here they are, my Top 6 Nashville Food Finds Under $6:

1. The Cupcake Collection – Historic Germantown & Clarksville

I’ve heard about The Cupcake Collection for awhile now, but just recently made it over to Germantown to taste these delicious, and frugal, treats! Run with joy by Mignon and the entire Francois family out of their home-turned-bakery, these cupcakes are made with LOVE! I’m not a huge cupcake person, simply because they usually taste overly sweet and artificial, but these are the REAL DEAL. These cupcakes have the perfect cake/frosting ratio and are made with all natural ingredients, without any artificial colors or flavors added.

She’s even perfected a gluten-free variety…and you’d never be able to tell the difference. Her top 3 sellers are the Red Velvet, Sweet Potato (believe me, you have to try it) & Strawberry (my personal favorite!) – and at only $1.50 per cupcake, you can afford to taste them all!

2. Elliston Place Soda Shop – Nashville

This Nashville institution has been around since the 1930′s, but I didn’t get to visit it first hand until the Farm Bureau Insurance commercial I was in shot there. Though the soda shop was closed to outside customers, they asked Charlie the Farmer (his name really is Charlie!) and I during a break in filming if we wanted a milkshake….uh, YEAH!!! Honestly, it’s one of the few things I CRAVE (well that, and most of the other things on this list…which is why they’re on here!)

I went with the classic vanilla and it brought back so many childhood memories. Rich & thick, it didn’t need any add-ins…though I hear they’ve got a lot of great flavors to choose from. The milkshake is only $3.95, but you can also choose a malt for only $4.14. But don’t just settle for desert: this soda shop is also a Meat & Three, as well as making a dynamite Cheeseburger & fries!

3. The Pfunky Griddle – Berry Hill

Located close to Hundred Oaks Mall in the charming Berry Hill area of Nashville, The Pfunky Griddle is more than just a restaurant, it’s an experience! Every table has a griddle at it’s center, allowing patrons to cook their own food. Famous for their pancakes and French Toast, they also offer a wide variety of breakfast and lunch dishes, including many gluten-free options.

Perhaps most popular (& the item on my top 6) is their all-you-can-eat pancakes for only $5.99. This includes one topping (anything from candy to fruit or nuts) and you can try either their traditional batter or their 5 grain. Kids 4 & up are only $3.99. I don’t even like traditional pancakes (I’m more of a crepe girl myself), but I really love these…especially when topped with peanut butter and chocolate chips

4. Las Palmas – 10 Nashville locations

I honestly think Las Palmas was the reason my husband wanted to move back to Nashville from Florida (…don’t think I’m joking). This was the first place we stopped to eat as soon as we drove in to town and have been back countless times since. I’m not a fan of red sauce, but LOVE cheese sauce, so I’m always on the quest to find the perfect burrito that has one without the other at a low price…and I finally did: the Burrito Jalisco!

This burrito (that you can get with beef, chicken or ground beef – my preference) is wrapped with a flour tortilla, has cheese sauce poured over it and then is topped with shredded lettuce, pico de gailo, sour cream & radishes. I personally forego the sour cream and steal the extra pico from my daughter’s (yes, our entire family orders them). And for only $5.95 (coupled with the coupons we always get in the mail), this is a real deal…and I’m not even including the free chips and salsa they keep bringing to your table!

5. Sam’s Kebab Gyros – Bellevue

Being from Chicago, I consider myself a Greek food aficionado. Every time I find a Gyros place, I always try it, but am typically disappointed. Not Sam’s. We have a location right by our house in Bellevue and they pretty much know what we want from the minute we step in.

If you visit between 11a-1p, you can get their lunch special: a Gyros sandwich, fries & a drink for $5.99! And this isn’t any Gyros. They artfully create a pita pocket full of heaven, including homemade Tabouleh, feta cheese, tatziki sauce and all the fixings perfectly mixed together so you get all that goodness in each bite. And don’t even get me started on the hummus. I used to think hummus was just ok, but now I CRAVE their hummus (make sure to ask for extra olive oil on top…it’s so good too!)

6. Jim N Nick’s BBQ – West Nashville, Smyrna, Murfreesboro & Memphis

Ok, my final crave-worthy mention isn’t under $6, but it’s so delicious, I had to include it! (And it’s only $6.49, so I thought it could make the cut It’s the “Pig in the Potato Patch” from Jim N Nick’s Bar-B-Q. I’ve had bbq before, but never before coming to Nashville did I have bbq on a baked potato.

This “gracious plenty” portion features a baked potato (that’s truly big enough for 2 people to share, but why would you?) topped with your choice of their famous bbq meat (my fav is the brisket), butter, sour cream, bacon, cheese & chives. I wish I had words to describe how good this is, but believe me when I say I’m drooling on my keyboard even as I type this.

I also love their chips & queso that comes with homemade pico, but any mention of Jim ‘N Nicks would be remiss if I didn’t talk about their famous cheese biscuits. I don’t know how they’re so good, but they’ve even made it to Saveur Magazine’s top 100 list (and their close slaw was just mentioned in Bon Appetit!) – not too shabby for a scratch-made Southern Kitchen, don’t ya think?

*****

I know there are many more great food finds in Nashville under $6 – I’d love to hear your favorites! Leave me a comment below with which restaurant you’d like me to check out next!

Special thanks to Fresh Produce for my dress today (and for all my readers voting on which one I should wear!) & Robyn Rhodes for my beautiful “Amber” necklace.

Watch my other Talk of the Town segments to find some other great tips too!

Filed Under: Best City Deals, Deals & Freebies, Nashville, Restaurant, Restaurants, Reviews Tagged With: $6, Food, nashville, restaurant, sami cone, save, talk of the town, top, video

Win a $25 Maggiano’s Gift Card + $4 Flatbread on July 4th: Givaway Day 4

July 4, 2011 By sami

It’s day 4 of Sami’s Birthday Giveaway a Day in July! Today, 2 readers will each win a $25 gift card to Maggiano’s Little Italy

It’s Maggiano’s Monday here at SamiCone.com and you know what that means…two of you will be going home with a $25 gift card to Maggiano’s!

Going to Maggiano’s this month, I thought it would be hard to beat last month’s Eat-a-Dish for Make-A-Wish specials. But thanks to their July 4th special, I was encouraged to try something I never had before: their Flatbread. Though you’ll find the Flatbreads on the first page with the appetizers, it’s big enough to enjoy as an entree as well.

Chicken Flatbread 300x225 Win a $25 Maggianos Gift Card + $4 Flatbread on July 4th: Givaway Day 4

Maggiano's Chicken & Roasted Pepper Flatbread

When we asked our server, Vera, which Flatbread was her favorite, she didn’t hesitate for a second when she answered, “Chicken & Roasted Pepper”. She said the balsamic glaze they brushed the chicken with couldn’t be beat…and she was right! Made with Grilled Chicken, Roasted Peppers & Onions, Garlic Alfredo Sauce & Fresh Chives, this could be my new favorite dish (along with the Maggiano’s Salad & Vera’s Lemon Cookies, of course!).

Since we ordered a Flatbread & large Maggiano’s Salad this time around, my husband and I decided to split an entree. We opted for one of the specials: the Chicken Romano. The chefs crusted chicken with herb & asiago cheese, then plated it over angel hair pasta with artichokes, garlic and tomatoes in a light white wine lemon sauce. I’m not even a fan of artichokes, but the flavors in this dish married so well that I even stole a few off my husband’s side of the plate

Chicken Romano 300x225 Win a $25 Maggianos Gift Card + $4 Flatbread on July 4th: Givaway Day 4

Maggiano's Chicken Romano

I love that we got to sample so many dishes from a variety of menu sections on this trip, but still left without feeling heavy…not an easy task at an Italian Restaurant. I was also reminded of another reason I love Maggiano’s Little Italy: Family. Not only is everyone treated like family when they’re there (Vera even remembered things we liked from our last visit in May, like extra roasted garlic for our bread!), but it’s one of the few restaurants we can go to with an elegant feel that is still very welcoming towards our children.

So to celebrate the 4th of July, Maggiano’s Little Italy is putting on a $4 sale of their own! Just head over to the Maggiano’s Facebook Page to get your coupon for a $4 Flatbread or $4 Bellini on July 4th only.

And don’t forget to enter this month’s giveaway: just leave a comment below letting me know which $4 option you’d go for: Flatbread or Bellini.
I’ve also got some more chances for you to win, just make sure to leave a separate comment below for each means of entry:

Become a Fan on Facebook (SamiCone.com) & SHARE the contest on your Facebook wall http://samicone.com/?p=13065)
‘Like’ Maggiano’s Little Italy on Facebook, grab your coupon and share this contest
(Enter to win a $25 Maggiano’s gift card from SamiCone.com http://samicone.com/?p=13065)
Follow @TheSamiCone and/or @Maggianos on Twitter & Tweet the following
I want to celebrate the 4th of July with @Maggianos & win at @TheSamiCone http://samicone.com/?p=13065

You have until Midnight CST on Monday, July 11 to enter. Two winners will be selected at random, contacted by email, and will then have 48 hours to respond with their contact info.

Filed Under: Deals & Freebies, giveaway, Restaurants, Restaurants, Reviews Tagged With: 4, flatbread, gift card, giveaway, july, maggianos, restaurant, win

Tony Roma’s Review, Giveaway & Free Father’s Day Gift Card

June 18, 2011 By sami

On our last trip to Orlando, we ate at Tony Roma’s for the first time and were very pleasantly surprised (read my review The Place for Ribs: Tony Roma’s). We’ve been in South Florida this past week and when we found out they just opened a new location in Jensen Beach, FL (Martin County), we jumped at the chance to go visit!

The first thing you can’t help to notice when you drive up is the location. Situated right across from the Jensen Beach causeway, every patron gets a stunning waterfront view. (The last thing you think of when you see this location is ‘chain restaurant’!)

Tony Roma's Jensen beach

Our party of seven, including three generations of our family, felt right at home as we were seated in a corner booth in the back of the dining area; other groups and families seemed to have the same idea! And while there were definitely other larger groups besides ours, it did not detract from the intimate feel of our dining experience.

Three generations of the Cone family

Our challenge on this trip was to resist the urge to eat exactly what we did last time (because it was so delicious) in an effort to try something new. Still, we couldn’t help but order the Roma’s Sampler – it’s such a crowd pleaser…especially the onion loaf with that warm barbecue sauce! But after our charming server, Brian, gave us an extensive tour of the menu, we also decided to try the Kickin’ Shrimp. Dusted with flour and flash fried, it’s then tossed in an creamy ‘buffalo’ sauce and served beautifully in a large martini glass with chopsticks over shredded greens.

Kickin' Shrimp

This was by far the unanimous favorite for our entire table of the night!

Across the table, we each had a bite of their house & Caesar salad, as well as the Loaded Baked Potato soup. While I wouldn’t go back for these alone, the salads were fresh and delicious and the soup was rich and beautiful to look at.

It’s hard not to go to Tony Roma’s without ordering ribs, so that’s what half of the table did. Most notably, my husband ordered the St. Louis Sampler: a dozen of their St. Louis ribs featuring four of Tony’s Signature Sauces: Original, Carolina Honeys, Blue Ridge Smokies and Tony Roma’s Red Hots. Not only was the presentation playful, but if offered a charming variation on an already delicious favorite (and perfect for a man who LOVES having a variety of sauces at every meal!).

Keeping in the same theme of enjoying a variety of flavors on one plate, I opted for the Filet Medallions with Shrimp Scampi. Now the scampi was fine, but after our Kickin’ Shrimp appetizer, it was hard to compete. What swayed me to order the Filet Medallions was the opportunity to choose my sauce on each medallion. I went with the Cabernet Demi Glaze as well as the Blue Cheese crust. And it still came with my choice of two sides! Compared to so many of the other ‘tourist’ restaurants in Florida, this food rises far above, especially when making a side by side comparison of quality and price.

While I’d love to be able to tell you both were delicious, you’ll have to take my AND my 5 year old’s word for it….after one bite, he decided to devour my entire Cabernet Demi Glaze filet

It was hard to imagine eating anything else after that, but we couldn’t turn down the Dessert Trio to sample three mini portions of their Key Lime Pie, Raspberry Brownie Royale & Golden Apple Tart. When Brian & the manager, Jim, stopped back to see how we were enjoying our dessert, they raved so much about their Chocolate Chunk Cookie Sandwich, that we just HAD to taste that too….and it did not disappoint!

I think it’s safe to say that not only is Tony Roma’s delicious & satisfying, but it’s consistent; while some may consider this a boring word, as a frequent traveler, few words are more important to me and my family.

And you know this frugal mom loves a good deal! Here are just a few I learned about on our recent trip:
*Free, Live piano music every Thursday – Saturday from 7p – close (the Jensen Beach location is the only one to offer this!)
*Endless ribs on Mondays for one price
*Tuesday’s kids under 12 eat free!
*They also offer a Lunch Club: With your Lunch Club card, after you buy 4 lunches, you get the 5th free! And Tuesday’s you get double punches, helping you get that free lunch even faster!
*They also have Happy Hour food AND drink specials in the bar from 3-7 and 9-close Monday through Friday

And if you’re still looking for a place to take day to treat him on Father’s Day, you’re definitely going to want to find a Tony Roma’s location near you. Every family who dines at Tony Roma’s on Father’s Day will receive a certificate good for a FREE appetizer or dessert on their next visit!

Even if you can’t make it to Tony Roma’s on Father’s Day, they’ve offered a chance for two of my readers to each win a $50 gift card!

In honor of our dads, leave a comment below to enter saying why you’d like to treat dad (or someone else special in your life) to a special dinner.
I’ve also got some ways for you to get additional entries:

Become a Fan on Facebook (SamiCone.com) or Tony Roma’s & SHARE the contest on your Facebook wall (http://samicone.com/?p=12855) OR comment on Tony Roma’s Facebook page with what you’d most like to try there
Follow @TheSamiCone or @TonyRomas on Twitter & RT the following
I want to take dad to @TonyRomas thanks to @TheSamiCone (http://samicone.com/?p=12855)

You have until Saturday, June 25 to enter, and you can enter once per day. Don’t forget to go to Tony Roma’s on Father’s Day to get your free treat on your next visit!

Filed Under: Deals & Freebies, Restaurants, Reviews Tagged With: father's day, gift card, giveaway, restaurant, tony roma's, win

Chili’s Triple Dipper Review & Gift Card Giveaway

June 3, 2011 By sami

I know I said this was a Chili’s Triple Dipper review and gift card giveaway and yes, I will get to both, but first I have something to confess to you.

Chili’s has a special place in my heart.

When my husband and I were dating, we used to head to the bar at Chili’s every week. Nooooo, we didn’t drive each other to drink. We’d meet there every week before the prep-for-marriage class that we were taking. We’d sit in the bar because when you did (back in the day), you got free chips and salsa (still our favorite!). Even if we both ordered an entree, we could eat well for under $20 with tip.

I think that’s why I love Chili’s Triple Dipper. It embraces the essence of why we fell in love with Chili’s: even though it’s a chain, it still feels like that friendly, local place you love to go to catch up with friends and share each others’ food!

Though the Triple Dipper is technically an appetizer, it is definitely large enough to share as an entree! With favorites like Southwestern Egg Rolls and Fried Cheese to Chili’s Famous Chicken Crispers and even some new items like Honey Chipotle Shrimp & Memphis BBQ Skins…there are more than enough choices to make everyone happy.

On our most recent trip to Chili’s, we started with chips & salsa (of course) and then my husband and I split the Triple Dipper with Big Mouth Bites, Chicken Crispers and their new Loaded Potato Skins. Even though we got the kids their own meals, they wanted to share too…and luckily there was plenty to go around!

We thought about splitting an entree, but when we found out Ricky got a free brownie with ice cream for his birthday, we went straight for dessert!!!

I know, your mouth is watering now, so how would you like to win a $25 gift card of your own? Two readers will each win a $25 gift card, which will MORE than cover your Triple Dipper and leave you fun money to try some other Chili’s favorites!

To enter, just leave a comment below with what you’d order on your Triple Dipper! (If you want to see even more options, check out the Chili’s Menu). For extra entries, do any or all of the options below, just make sure to leave a separate comment below for each means of entry:

Become a Fan on Facebook (SamiCone.com) & SHARE the contest on your Facebook wall
Follow @TheSamiCone on Twitter & SHARE the contest on Twitter
You can also show Chili’s some love by following them on Twitter and Facebook too!

You have until midnight CST on Thursday, June 9, 2011 to enter. Two winners will be chosen at random from all eligible entries and notified on Friday, June 10. I can’t wait to hear about how you all choose to triple dip!

Filed Under: Deals & Freebies, giveaway, Restaurants, Restaurants, Reviews Tagged With: chilis, Food, gift card, giveaway, restaurant, review, triple dipper

Maggianos Monday: Eat a Dish for Make a Wish

May 16, 2011 By sami

Our Maggianos Monday for May is very special, because right now at Maggiano’s Little Italy you can Eat a Dish for Make a Wish! Seriously, have you ever heard of anything better? Now you don’t have to feel guilty about eating out…just say you’re doing it for the kids

This is Maggiano’s 8th annual Eat-A-Dish for Make-A-Wish campaign at their restaurants nationwide. Now through June 29, when you order from their chef-created Eat-A-Dish menu, you’ll be giving back to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America and helping grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

After a great trip to Maggiano’s Orlando last month, we went back to see our friends at Maggiano’s West End Nasvhille to test out the special Eat-A-Dish menu. Usually there will be one item on a specialty menu that just jumps out at me, but it took me FOREVER to decide what to eat!

The Eat a Dish for Make a Wish menu features a pasta (Chicken Farfalle with Aglio Olio), two entrees (Chicken & Sausage Spiedini and Alberini-Style Shrimp with Risotto Milanese), two desserts (Berry Tiramisu and Flourless Chocolate Cake) and one very special beverage crafted by a Make-A-Wish child herself: Leslie’s Lemonade.

Well of course I had to try Leslie’s Lemonade, a refreshing peach and Pomegranate lemonade named after Leslie from Dallas (Maggiano’s is sponsoring her wish to go to Hawaii). I enjoyed what I drank of it. What I mean by that is that as soon as I let my kids try a sip, I barely got it back! Good thing they offer two free refills or I would have been out of luck!

As I mentioned, I had such a hard time deciding between the Chicken Farfalle with Aglio Olio and the Shrimp with Risotto, that I had to influence my husband’s meal choice a little so I could try both

If you’ve ever read my Meal Plans, you know I’m infatuated with anything that involves garlic and olive oil (my husband even jokes that before we got married, every dish I ever cooked began with the two!). So when I saw the pasta dish, I immediately wanted to try it, but to be honest, was afraid it might be a bit bland. Still, I couldn’t stop salivating over the asparagus, fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan….and so I eventually caved in (did I mention I asked our server, Vera, to ask the chef to add even more garlic for me? I know, I need help).

IMG 44001 300x225 Maggianos Monday: Eat a Dish for Make a Wish

Chicken Farfalle with Aglio Olio

We also tried the Alberini-Style Shrimp with Risotto Milanese. This dish features jumbo shrimp sauteed with aglio olio and paprika, finished with a roasted red pepper sauce, fresh chives and saffron risotto.

IMG 43971 300x225 Maggianos Monday: Eat a Dish for Make a Wish

Alberini-Style Shrimp with Risotto Milanese

Before I go on, let me stop and say that these were the most satisfying dishes I have ever eaten at Maggianos!

My concerns about the pasta being bland were TOTALLY unfounded. The sauce was a delicious Paremesean broth, and partnered with the cheese, fresh veggie and garlic, was perfection! And if you’re looking for a luscious, luxurious dish without feeling heavy as soon as you’re done, you must try the shrimp with risotto. It is the ultimate comfort food and they are both PACKED with flavor!

As is typical with the generous portions at Maggiano’s, I couldn’t finish my meal…but that didn’t stop me from trying dessert! To be honest, I was going to hold off, but when I heard people return year after year especially for the Berry Tiramisu, I had to give in. I’ve never liked tiramisu before because I don’t like coffee (tiramisu is typically make from ladyfingers soaked in coffee or a coffee liquor). This Tiramisu, however, is a seasonal twist on a classic….layered with fresh blueberries, blackberries & strawberries and orange-soaked ladyfingers. One word: Delish! And it’s big enough to share, so even the kids can’t steal it from you!

IMG 44031 300x225 Maggianos Monday: Eat a Dish for Make a Wish

Berry Tiramisu

Once again, the fabulous folks at Maggianos have given me two $25 gift cards to give away to my fabulous readers! It’s easy to enter: just leave a comment letting me know which main course you would have picked, the Farfalle or the Shrimp!
I’ve also got some more chances for you to win, just make sure to leave a separate comment below for each means of entry:

Leave a comment with which option appeals to you most: The Chicken Farfalle with Aglio Olio or the Shrimp with Risotto (or if you prefer, the Chicken & Sausage Spiedini!)
Become a Fan on Facebook (SamiCone.com) & SHARE the contest on your Facebook wall (http://samicone.com/?p=12390)
Follow @TheSamiCone or @Maggianos on Twitter & RT the following
I want to make a difference for @MakeAWish with @Maggianos & @TheSamiCone http://samicone.com/?p=12390

I’ll pick two winners at random from all entries received before Midnight CST on Sunday, May 22. Winners will be contacted by email and will then have 48 hours to respond with their contact info.

Even if you don’t win, make sure to sign up for the Maggianos eClub and get $10 off your next meal!

Filed Under: Deals & Freebies, Restaurants, Restaurants, Reviews Tagged With: eat a dish, giveaway, maggianos, make a wish, monday, restaurant, review