Maggianos Monday: Eat a Dish for Make a Wish

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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).

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.

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!

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:

1. 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!)
2. Become a Fan on Facebook (SamiCone.com) & SHARE the contest on your Facebook wall (https://www.samicone.com/?p=12390)
3. Follow @TheSamiCone or @Maggianos on Twitter & RT the following
   I want to make a difference for @MakeAWish with @Maggianos & @TheSamiCone https://www.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!