Restaurants Archives - Page 5 of 7

GIVEAWAY: Enter to Win a $30 Yogurtland Gift Certificate in celebration of their new Candy Crush flavors!

Posted on July 9, 2015 | Filed Under: Giveaways, Restaurants | 24 Comments

Two of my most favorite things are coming together just in time for summer, Candy Crush and Yogurtland Frozen Yogurt!

I have been addicted to frozen yogurt ever since I was a kid. Frozen yogurt was all the rage back in 80’s. So very day after school like clock work, my mom would take my best friend Shawna and I to get some frozen yogurt at the local yogurt shop. I especially loved eating all the chewy toppings on top!

Through the years, my obsession with frozen yogurt continued, even when frozen yogurt was hard to come by! So you can imagine how happy I was when it made a comeback in the 2000’s! So much so, that I passed along my obsession with frozen yogurt to my children!

You see, while I was pregnant with my youngest child Bailey I suffered from horrible morning sickness. Frozen yogurt became my solace! I often sought comfort in frozen yogurt and a good game of King’s Candy Crush on my phone.

If you’ve never played Candy Crush, you should definitely join Tiffi and Mr. Toffee in their sweet adventure through the wonderful Candy Kingdom. You can switch and match your way through what seems like endless levels in this delicious puzzle adventure. Take on this deliciously sweet saga alone or play with friends to see who can get the highest score!

Last week, SoCal Field Trips was invited to Yogurtland’s Candy Crush flavors summer kick off party at their corporate headquarters in Irvine, California. My daughter Bailey and I were thrilled to try out all the new Candy Crush-inspired flavors and toppings that are being unveiled at Yogurtland locations starting this week!

At the party we played games, took pictures in the photo booth and recived some great gifts. We even got to meet Yogurtland’s chief Flavorologist. It is such a fun job, I wish I had become a chemist in college!

Bailey especially liked the new cotton candy flavored Candy Clouds covered with gummies!

I was in heaven with the new Maple Donut, Salted Caramel Gelato and Choctastic flavors! Sorbet with cookies and served with a donut on top.

Check out Yogurtland’s amazingly new flavors for yourself:

Orange Pop Soda: Swap your straw for a spoon and dip into this delicious flavor made with real oranges and packed with vitamin C for a Sugar Crush Flavor
Maple Donut: Combines the warm doughy magic of a maple donut into a creamy delicious treat
Blue Raspberry Sorbet: Found only in the Lollipop Meadow until now , Real Rasperries are swirled together for this flavorful gem.
Candy Clouds: Perfectly pink swirls of sweet and airy goodness blend to make this delicious cotton candy flavor
Lemonade Lake: A flavor so fresh and thirst quenching, you’ll want to dive into it. A delicious summertime mix of sweet and tart that goes swimmingly together
Cupcake Carnival: Bask in the creamy sweet goodness of the cupcake circus! This smooth, yellow cupcake batter flavor will make you crave the Big Top.
Butterscotch: Straight from the candy dish comes a flavor that combines real caramel and real butterscotch for a Stickylicious taste you can’t beat.
Minty Meadow: Real peppermint mixed with real cocoa will whisk you away to a refreshing jaunt past the Peppermint Palace down to the mint meadow.

Salted Caramel Gelato: The Caramel Cove is the birthplace of this richly perfect gelato made with real caramel
Chocotastic! Sorbet: We climbed the cliffs of the exotic Chocolate Mountains to find rich, real chocolate for our Chocotastic Sorbet

Yogurtland’s Candy Crush flavors kick off on July 6th and goes through September 13th. Be sure to look for their adorable Candy Crush collectible spoons and cups too! They are also featuring an instant win sweepstakes as part of this promotion.

Now enter for a chance to win a $30 Yogurtland Gift Certificate to try out the new flavors!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

US Residents Only. No purchase necessary to enter. One winner will be randomly selected via RaffleCopter and notified via email. Winner must respond within 48 hours to claim the prize or a new winner will be chosen via RaffleCopter. The prize will be fulfilled by the sponsor and arrive within one week after being selected.

Don’t miss the fun-filled celebration with Candy Crush at Yogurtland!

Disclosure: SoCal Field Trips was invited to a media event to help facilitate this post. All points of view are my own. This post has been written by Windi Eklund on behalf of SoCal Field Trips. #YogurtlandSweetTreats #YogurtlandCandyCrush

GIVEAWAY: Attend Color Me Mine and Elbow Mac n’ Cheese’s Family Fun Night on July 10!

Posted on June 27, 2015 | Filed Under: Family Outings in Orange County, Giveaways, Restaurants | 7 Comments

I am a huge proponent of family time, because it’s a chance to get out of the house and explore your local community. But family time is even better when the entertainment and food are provided and all you have to do is show up and have a good time! Now that’s my type of “family field trip”!

So attend Color Me Mine and Elbows Mac n’ Cheese on Friday, July 10 in Brea for a family night of painting and mac ‘n cheese! Food and art always go hand in hand.

Family Fun Night costs $25 per person and includes the opportunity to paint a ceramic mug and get 15% off your total food order.

My family and I ate at Elbows Mac ‘n Cheese earlier this year and it was great. It is truly comfort good at it’s best! I highly recommend the Holy Cow Mac n’s Cheese made with their signature Angus beef, bacon, mushrooms, and two types of cheese. Delicious!

Now enter our giveaway to win one complimentary admittance to attend Family Fun Night at Elbows Mac ‘n Cheese on July 10!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

US Residents Only. No purchase necessary to enter. One winner will be randomly selected via RaffleCopter and notified via email. Winner must respond within 48 hours to claim the prize or a new winner will be chosen via RaffleCopter. The prize will be fulfilled by the sponsor and arrive within one week after being selected.

To register your family for Family Fun Night, please send email to elbows@boltpr.com.

Happy Dining!

Jilleen

Celebrate Father’s Day At Tamarind of London With Their Exclusive Menu!

Posted on June 14, 2015 | Filed Under: Restaurants | Leave a Comment

If you enjoy Indian cuisine, you must pay a visit to the best Indian restaurant I’ve been to in Orange County called Tamarind of London!

It’s been said that some of the best Indian restaurants are in London. Well, you’re in luck! We have in our own back yard, or more appropriately along Crystal Cove, a fine Indian restaurant that has made its way here from London.

As you enter Tamarind of London, you are welcomed by an array of dark woods accented with rich red accents, under which can be seen the creative engine behind the plated glass. The kitchen!

Tamarind of London is a place of respite from our crazy busy lives. A time to relax and enjoy life. The smells of wonderful spices mingled with the open air bar with that sea breeze coming in is truly a moment in time. Outside the bar area they accent the patio with fire bowls to add that extra touch of ambiance.

My father, sister and I graciously were able to give the Father’s Day menu a test drive.

We were blown away! To say the food was delicious would be an understatement. Mark the Chef is a mastermind and the service was nothing short of fantastic.

I started down the run way with the Aloo Tikki & Masala Aloo, which is a grilled potato cake mixed with various spices. The potato cakes came in a sauce made of cumin and ginger and were magnificent. It was hard not to devour this appetizer too quickly.

I also selected the house Cabernet Sauvignon to go with it which was a delicious pairing with the potato cakes.

My father ordered the Lassen Jhinga / Tandoori Grilled Prawns, which is served with a tasty garlic and nigelia seed marinade and basil salad. Fantastic!

Next, building upon the momentum down the tarmac, I ordered the Dakshini Macchi/Coconut Fish Curry, which came in a ginger and coconut milk sauce. The fish was sea bass served soft and flakey and cooked to perfection and had a wonderful blend of mild spiciness and sweetness from the coconut milk.

Of course with this dish came two kinds of their naan bread, with and without garlic. I couldn’t get enough of that garlic!

The main course came with Dal Makhni/black lentils along with Palak Paneer/spinach and cottage cheese. Lift off experience! Needless to say it was a naan dipping frenzy.

As my father and sister where attempting to attack my dish, I was after their equally amazing dishes – the Chicken Tikki Masala and the vegetarian dish, Subzi Kofta/Vegetable Dumplings.

My father and sister rounded out the evening by ordering the Lamb Seekh Kabob / Tandoori Lamb for all of us to share.

Upon completion of the main course, I was beyond full. The portions are large and in charge, but I wasn’t going to turn down the finale – a Chocolate Samosa. You will never have one this decadent and tasty, si magnafic!

For those that haven’t had a samosa before, this desert is a pastry triangle filled with warm white chocolate, dark chocolate and walnuts. Served with a trio of sauces, caramel, more chocolate and a berry jam, need I say more? The samosas come paired with a sweet Malai Lassi shot – a refreshing milk based drink, whipped with a hint of mint to it. Pair this with a cup of coffee and now you’re zooming through the clouds!

It’s now been a few days since my experience at Tamarind of London, and I’m still thinking of that three-course meal.

Tamarind of London is the best place in town to take your dad this Father’s Day!

To learn more about Tamarind of London visit www.tamarindoflondon.com.

Happy Father’s Day!

Mr. SoCal Field Trips

Disclosure: SoCal Field Trips was invited to dine at Tamarind of London to help facilitate this post. All points of view are our own.

Enjoy $5 Kid’s Meals on Toddler Tuesday at Five Crowns Restaurant in Newport Beach!

Posted on May 31, 2015 | Filed Under: Restaurants | 2 Comments

Last Tuesday, my family and I were invited to attend Toddler Tuesday at SideDoor in Newport Beach. SideDoor is the smaller restaurant located within the beautiful Five Crowns.

My husband and I have been to Five Crowns on numerous occasions to celebrate different milestones in our lives – anniversaries, birthdays, new jobs, and more. This time I even brought along my father-n-law to enjoy quality time together.

My youngest child outgrew her stroller days a long time ago, but that doesn’t matter for Toddler Tuesday. All families with a wide age of children, from newborn to teens, are invited to dine during Toddler Tuesday. Age is only a number in this case!

The new kids night on the patio and garden of Five Crowns and SideDoor provides parents the opportunity to skip making dinner and cleaning the dishes for a night. What parent doesn’t like that?!!

Five Crowns has the perfect $5 kid approved menu, complimentary stroller valet (for the little ones), special mom & dad cocktails and the full SideDoor dinner menu for your enjoyment.

First let’s talk about the atmosphere! The outdoor ambiance on the patio is very relaxing and spirit filled.

Children are free to color a cute menu provided by the restaurant or roam around on the patio and play quietly. No one was bothered by seeing children giggle and having fun. In fact, it was rather cute! The fresh outdoor air combined with a lovely ambience created for a wonderful family dining experience.

Five Crowns is known to have award-winning food and outstanding service. On Toddler Tuesday there is no exception!

For starters, we ordered a round of appetizers including the SideDoor Avocado Mash served pita chips, a Little Gem Salad (shaved carrot, radish, scallion, and green goddess dressing) and a bowl of Chicken & Kale Soup.

For dinner, Field Trip Girl enjoyed a classic hot dog and Field Trip Boy devoured a tasty plate of chicken strips and fries.

Both kid’s meals were throughly enjoyed and only costs $5. That’s less than the cost of a trip through the local drive thru!

My husband savored upon Five Crowns’ famous prime rib dinner, while I enjoyed their delicious prime rib sandwich. Whenever I go to a Lawry’s owned restaurant I always order the prime rib. It is 100% the best it the area.

One of the best parts about Toddler Tuesday are the pint size desserts! They are not too big and they are not too small. They are just the right size for little tummies. Our family shared a CC Brown’s Fudge Sundae and warm Lemon Steam Cake served with fresh champagne berries. Delicious!

So are you desperate for a night out with your family, but worried about getting looks from quieter diners? Then worry no more! Toddler Tuesday at SideDoor is the perfect dining option for families.

To learn more about Toddler Tuesday and all its perks visit www.sidedoorcdm.com.

Happy Field Tripping,

Jilleen

Disclosure: We were invited to dine during Toddler Tuesday to help facilitate this post. All points of view are my own.

REVIEW: Breakfast In The Barn at Manaserro Farms in Orange County!

Posted on May 11, 2015 | Filed Under: Family Outings in Orange County, Restaurants | 1 Comment

In April, my husband and I were invited by The Original Manaserro Farms to attend one of their unique culinary events called Breakfast in the Barn in Irvine. I have lived in Orange County for over twenty years and Manaserro Farms has been a staple in the community for as long as I can remember.

Officially Manaserro Farms has been a part of Orange County for over 39 years. Today they are one of the few remaining farms left after urbanization in the 1970s.

Manaserro Farms is best known for their bountiful strawberry stands across Orange County. However, they also grow a large variety of other fruits and vegetables that they are now famous for.

Anne, otherwise known as the Farmer’s Wife, hosts a series of fabulous monthly culinary events at their Irvine Marketplace location. These events include Breakfast in the Barn, Farm to Fork Cooking Classes, and Pick Your Own Farmtastic Night.

On this particular morning, we attended their Breakfast in the Barn event. We happily drank mimosas, ate a three course meal, and had lots of fun in the open air at the farm!

The morning featured three farm fresh dishes prepared by Chef Lindsay of Nirvana Grille in Laguna Beach, alongside resident Master Chef Pascal Olhats.

Chef Lindsay demonstrated a variety of cooking tips and explained how she incorporates farm fresh produce into her own restaurant’s dishes. She shared how Nirvana Grill only sources local ingredients from farms only within a 200 mile radius of her restaurant. This produces finer ingredients and has less of an impact on the environment.

The first course served was a beautiful beet salad mixed with kale, orange and red beets, celery, okra, pine nuts, avocado, and feta cheese.

Next was the main dish. Chef Lindsay created a delicious egg scramble with asparagus, onions and a tasty homemade pesto sauce. Everyone was asking for her recipe!

photo credit: The Original Manaserro Farms

For dessert, we were served a lovely fruit compote with fresh lemon creme, garnished with mint and a lavender cookie.

photo credit: The Original Manaserro Farms

Breakfast in the Barn is one of those events that everyone in Orange County should try at least at once. Popular local chefs, combined with fresh meals from the farm, set in a beautiful outdoor atmosphere, creates a very pleasant morning.

The next Breakfast in the Barn is on Saturday, June 6th at 10:00 am. The cost is $28.00 Adults / $15.00 Children 6-12. To make reservations, please click here.

Happy Field Tripping!

Jilleen