I was at The Market Place over the weekend for a special promotion: Spend $200 and receive a $20 gift card back *plus* management would donate $10 to either Irvine or Tustin Unified schools. With Christmas around the corner, early holiday shopping was a breeze.
In addition to these incentives, they were handing out vouchers for free brekkie at Jerry's Wood-Fired Dogs. When did they start serving brekkie? Very recently, according to property management. They are now open at 8am at 3 out of 4 locations (Irvine, Ladera Ranch and Santa Ana. La Habra is not currently participating). The morning menu is served until 11am.
Ranging in price from $2.95 for a simple English muffin sandwich to $6.50 for a combo, there's an option for every mood. Their Breakfast Dog doesn't have its bacon wrapped around, but the crisp strips are always welcome. I'm looking forward to checking out their Smokey Joe Croissant ~ Kielbasa made with lean pork & cracked black pepper; scrambled egg and American cheese. Premium fixings such as avocado, grilled mushrooms, extra cheese or fresh salsa are an additional charge. Note: Salsa isn't on their regular menu. I predict it will migrate over soon enough.
They even include a few Kid's (12 and under) options for $1.99, but none contain a dog. Choose between a muffin & egg plate or egg & cheese burrito. A combo that includes home potatoes or fresh fruit cup & milk or juice is only fifty cents more.
When you're looking for that morning sustenance and Chick Fil-A isn't cutting it, support a local chain. Visit Jerry's.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Introducing Niyaz (aka Fat Dude On A Diet)
So in my earlier post today I mentioned my new friend Niyaz. We met recently at a group outing during Happy Hour Week. Over sliders at Marmalade and beer at JT Schmid's, I learned about his love for breakfast, the Giants, and his family. He also brought up a new project he'd been working on.
Fat Dude On A Diet is about Niyaz's (the self-proclaimed Fat Dude) journey to lose weight by cooking healthy. As someone who enjoys food about as much as he does, I understand where he's coming from. All the working out in the world isn't enough if I don't at least TRY to make healthy choices with my food. It's tough enough to find recipes that sound tasty enough. For them to be good for me is a bonus.
With the help of his friend, CIA NY graduate Brian Miller, Niyaz channels his inner chef and creates 3 new meals a week. His blog is inspiring, funny, and easy to follow if you are cooking along at home. Coincidentally, Niyaz's story occurs the same time as Christina's Story: 70 Pounds by Prom. A segment on the Rachael Ray Show, Christina is a high school senior looking to improve her lifestyle after receiving disturbing health news from her physician.
Week 2 of Fat Dude On A Diet just wrapped up. When I read Julie & Julia a couple of years ago, I thought how it would've been nice to follow Julie Powell's blog from its inception back in 2002. I suppose Niyaz can be my version of Julie, minus Meryl Streep.
Fat Dude On A Diet is about Niyaz's (the self-proclaimed Fat Dude) journey to lose weight by cooking healthy. As someone who enjoys food about as much as he does, I understand where he's coming from. All the working out in the world isn't enough if I don't at least TRY to make healthy choices with my food. It's tough enough to find recipes that sound tasty enough. For them to be good for me is a bonus.
With the help of his friend, CIA NY graduate Brian Miller, Niyaz channels his inner chef and creates 3 new meals a week. His blog is inspiring, funny, and easy to follow if you are cooking along at home. Coincidentally, Niyaz's story occurs the same time as Christina's Story: 70 Pounds by Prom. A segment on the Rachael Ray Show, Christina is a high school senior looking to improve her lifestyle after receiving disturbing health news from her physician.
Week 2 of Fat Dude On A Diet just wrapped up. When I read Julie & Julia a couple of years ago, I thought how it would've been nice to follow Julie Powell's blog from its inception back in 2002. I suppose Niyaz can be my version of Julie, minus Meryl Streep.
Chipotle + BOGO = No cooking today!
I love my Facebook family. Some friends notify me of cool deals. Others post it on their wall. My favorites might have to be the ones I just stumble upon, like this one. It was on the wall of my friend Niyaz (he'll get a proper introduction in another post). So thank you, Niyaz's friend.
Check in at Chipotle using Facebook Places Moblie on your smart phone on November 20-21, show your phone with the check-in offer on your screen, and get a BOGO (Buy One, Get One) burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos!
How to do it:
In order to qualify for the BOGO, you must be physically at the restaurant. Then, you'll need to check in at that restaurant either through the Facebook Places mobile app, or, if that is not possible for you, through touch.facebook.com on your smart phone's mobile browser, to qualify for the deal. This offer will pop up as a deal at the restaurant at which you check in. Show that deal to the cashier from your phone.
How NOT to do it:
Posting "checking in" on the wall of this particular event. Posting "checking in" on your or Chipotle's Facebook page wall, changing the status of your own Facebook profile to say "checking in at Chipotle," and other non-geo-locational check-ins. Unfortunately, these are not acceptable check-ins. Sorry.
They even included a helpful link if you have further questions.
http://blog.facebook.com/blog.php?post=4
I would've posted this yesterday, but I was enjoying my Saturday. Wouldn't you?
Check in at Chipotle using Facebook Places Moblie on your smart phone on November 20-21, show your phone with the check-in offer on your screen, and get a BOGO (Buy One, Get One) burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos!
How to do it:
In order to qualify for the BOGO, you must be physically at the restaurant. Then, you'll need to check in at that restaurant either through the Facebook Places mobile app, or, if that is not possible for you, through touch.facebook.com on your smart phone's mobile browser, to qualify for the deal. This offer will pop up as a deal at the restaurant at which you check in. Show that deal to the cashier from your phone.
How NOT to do it:
Posting "checking in" on the wall of this particular event. Posting "checking in" on your or Chipotle's Facebook page wall, changing the status of your own Facebook profile to say "checking in at Chipotle," and other non-geo-locational check-ins. Unfortunately, these are not acceptable check-ins. Sorry.
They even included a helpful link if you have further questions.
http://blog.facebook.com/blog.php?post=446183422130
I would've posted this yesterday, but I was enjoying my Saturday. Wouldn't you?
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Think pink this Saturday
Supporters of breast cancer awareness, fashionistas who look stunning in pink, and foodies can find a common ground this Saturday at the Eat. Drink. Pink! party in Fountain Valley.
It will be held at the event space known as Access Group Media. Start with a stiff drink. Linger in the Burnt or Chomp Chomp Truck lines. Sample some of the competition. Vote for your favorites. Dance until they kick you out.
This free event is for adults 18 and over. Parking is also free. If you RSVP, they'll even throw in a PINK food ticket good for a single sample. You can also purchase a full pass for $10.
Go catch Harry Potter Friday or Sunday. Spend Saturday at a yelp approved event.
It will be held at the event space known as Access Group Media. Start with a stiff drink. Linger in the Burnt or Chomp Chomp Truck lines. Sample some of the competition. Vote for your favorites. Dance until they kick you out.
This free event is for adults 18 and over. Parking is also free. If you RSVP, they'll even throw in a PINK food ticket good for a single sample. You can also purchase a full pass for $10.
Go catch Harry Potter Friday or Sunday. Spend Saturday at a yelp approved event.
Monday, November 15, 2010
How about something for free?
They say sharing is caring, so here I am bringing good tidings. 2 entries, 2 free items, 2morrow. (Tuesday, November 16).**
Jack in the Box - Offering 2 free beef tacos after 2pm. One offer per person. No coupon necessary. No purchase necessary. I used to date someone who just loved these. Are they still deep fried? I remember the crunchy shell and American cheese. The shredded lettuce and taco sauce were more like an afterthought.
Cold Stone Creamery - From 5-8pm, try a free sample of their new 8 layer cakes. Free = a 3oz portion. Either the Quilted Coffee Caramel or the Cake Batter Layers.
Quilted Coffee Caramel has coffee ice cream, devil's food cake, caramel & Heath toffee bar, coffee frosting, and caramel topping.
Cake Batter Layers contains cake batter ice cream, yellow cake, cookie dough, and chocolate shavings, wrapped in cake batter frosting and topped with fudge.
Find time for a mid-afternoon snack *or* dessert. Or both?
**Both offers are valid only at participating locations. While supplies last.
Jack in the Box - Offering 2 free beef tacos after 2pm. One offer per person. No coupon necessary. No purchase necessary. I used to date someone who just loved these. Are they still deep fried? I remember the crunchy shell and American cheese. The shredded lettuce and taco sauce were more like an afterthought.
Cold Stone Creamery - From 5-8pm, try a free sample of their new 8 layer cakes. Free = a 3oz portion. Either the Quilted Coffee Caramel or the Cake Batter Layers.
Quilted Coffee Caramel has coffee ice cream, devil's food cake, caramel & Heath toffee bar, coffee frosting, and caramel topping.
Cake Batter Layers contains cake batter ice cream, yellow cake, cookie dough, and chocolate shavings, wrapped in cake batter frosting and topped with fudge.
Find time for a mid-afternoon snack *or* dessert. Or both?
**Both offers are valid only at participating locations. While supplies last.
If you're already going to be at Starbucks or McDonald's...
...and you've got the Facebook application on your device, check-in on Places to make a donation.
Facebook has teamed up with both giants to make our community and environment a little better. For every check-in at Starbucks, they'll donate $1 to help protect forest land. A brand that continues to reduce their carbon footprint by reducing waste, recycling, and building greener stores, this provides an opportunity for the fans to be a part of a conservation effort.
Busy parents, college students and fast food diners can also make a difference the next time they grab a meal from the familiar golden arches. A dollar (with a maximum of $50,000) will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities for each check-in made on Facebook. I only found out about it this morning, but it started earlier this month.
Just another way to give back by doing something you would normally do anyway - go out to eat.
Facebook has teamed up with both giants to make our community and environment a little better. For every check-in at Starbucks, they'll donate $1 to help protect forest land. A brand that continues to reduce their carbon footprint by reducing waste, recycling, and building greener stores, this provides an opportunity for the fans to be a part of a conservation effort.
Busy parents, college students and fast food diners can also make a difference the next time they grab a meal from the familiar golden arches. A dollar (with a maximum of $50,000) will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities for each check-in made on Facebook. I only found out about it this morning, but it started earlier this month.
Just another way to give back by doing something you would normally do anyway - go out to eat.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
1:02 am on a Sunday, on the rocks.
Not the time to be inspired to write, right? Unless you've found some Jason Bourne, mainstream programming has gone to bed. I didn't think there was anything worth watching after SNL (Scarlet Johansson has some range!). And then I left the TV on....
Life/Style Television (LX/TV) airs around this time. It's reminiscent of those 'city guide' channels that come on when you power up the TV in a hotel room. Viewers get the scoop on where to go for entertainment, shopping and dining. Out-of-towners (and curious locals) may get some useful information. I use it to zone out and fall asleep on the couch. These last few weeks, however, have been some amusing reality television.
They are currently airing Season 3 of ON THE ROCKS: The Search for America's Top Bartender. Think Top Chef + (insert singing/dancing competition here) - quality lighting. Hundreds auditioned, but they feature the final 8. For the winner (using my best Padma voice), $100,000 - sponsored by Absolut Vodka, and the title of America's Top Bartender!
Shot on location in trendy/iconic bars around Los Angeles, contestants are put through challenges that test their ability to think creatively and act professionally while under a time constraint. On their most recent episode, bartenders had 10 minutes to create a cocktail using only the ingredients and tools in front of them. The catch. No glassware or stirring utensils to be found. Inventive use of pineapples and ice picks helped an otherwise daunting task.
For me, what stood out about this competition was the fact that judging occurs throughout every challenge. Each contestant works alone and in front of the three experts. Their stage presence is factored into determining the winner. Most competitions only focus on the end product. That is, unless you don't follow the rules and get penalized on The Amazing Race! A good example of this is the feedback judges provided on this "Deserted Island" challenge. Milos was commended on being the only one that used the provided hand sanitizer before starting the task. Kind of a big deal, if you're a foodservice employee.
My money is on Jason from Los Angeles. You can view this season, last season, and profiles of everyone participating by clicking on the show title above.
Cheers!
Life/Style Television (LX/TV) airs around this time. It's reminiscent of those 'city guide' channels that come on when you power up the TV in a hotel room. Viewers get the scoop on where to go for entertainment, shopping and dining. Out-of-towners (and curious locals) may get some useful information. I use it to zone out and fall asleep on the couch. These last few weeks, however, have been some amusing reality television.
They are currently airing Season 3 of ON THE ROCKS: The Search for America's Top Bartender. Think Top Chef + (insert singing/dancing competition here) - quality lighting. Hundreds auditioned, but they feature the final 8. For the winner (using my best Padma voice), $100,000 - sponsored by Absolut Vodka, and the title of America's Top Bartender!
Shot on location in trendy/iconic bars around Los Angeles, contestants are put through challenges that test their ability to think creatively and act professionally while under a time constraint. On their most recent episode, bartenders had 10 minutes to create a cocktail using only the ingredients and tools in front of them. The catch. No glassware or stirring utensils to be found. Inventive use of pineapples and ice picks helped an otherwise daunting task.
For me, what stood out about this competition was the fact that judging occurs throughout every challenge. Each contestant works alone and in front of the three experts. Their stage presence is factored into determining the winner. Most competitions only focus on the end product. That is, unless you don't follow the rules and get penalized on The Amazing Race! A good example of this is the feedback judges provided on this "Deserted Island" challenge. Milos was commended on being the only one that used the provided hand sanitizer before starting the task. Kind of a big deal, if you're a foodservice employee.
My money is on Jason from Los Angeles. You can view this season, last season, and profiles of everyone participating by clicking on the show title above.
Cheers!
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