‘food reviews’

Media Dinner At OUTBACK Steakhouse

Friday, November 4th, 2011

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I was delighted when I looked in my inbox and had an invite to come out to OUTBACK Steakhouse to try their new Wood-Fire Grill menu! Its not every day that I go to a good steakhouse, my husband likes them more than I but I had never been there and was curious to try it. They have won numerous awards so I knew it was going to be a great treat.

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Dave Ellis Research & Development

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Chefs Brian & Jeff

The event took place at Outback Steakhouse off Lavista Road in Atlanta. I met some great foodies while there and learned that they had been in business for over 23 years. As I found my way to my seat, the aroma from the kitchen was smelling divine. We were first given a Margarita Trio of cocktails to sip on as we all introduced ourselves.

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Oak Logs & Secret Seasoning

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Margarita Trio

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Crystal Collins(Thrifty Mama) smelling the secret spices

Dave Ellis then introduced him self as the Vice President of Research & Development and lead us on a guided tasting of steaks,chicken and seafood dishes. Oh my, they were all so good to taste! My favorites were the chicken, ribs and ribeye steak, so juicy,tender and flavorful! Their side dishes were awesome too and those garlic potatoes…so yummy! I have a bad sweet tooth and the cheesecake and carrot cake was delicious!

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Baby Back Ribs

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Wood Fire Prime Rib

The steaks were lightly seasoned and grilled over a burning oak log. They also use 17 secret spices that is seared to seal in flavorful juices! I was very impressed with the presentation and plan on bringing the hubster back to try it out. I would like to thank Outback Steakhouse and MSLGROUP for the personal invite, I had a Pinkalicious time! We all parted with an Outback backpack filled with goodies and a $50 gift card, fab! xoxo

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www.outback.com

Parker’s on Ponce

Sunday, September 19th, 2010

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Mmm goood, thats what I remember saying as I rode home from Parker’s on Ponce the other afternoon. I had the pleasure of experiencing this great restaurant in downtown Decatur, the other day and my, oh my it was quite tasty!

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I usually don’t like to eat heavy food, so I like to opt out for more lunch trips so that I can be home with my kids for dinner. So I find great places to eat for lunch like this place. During lunch,I have more time to sit and chat with the owners, relax and really get the full experience of the place.

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Co-Owner Christopher and I

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It was a nice crowd as I pulled up in the Ford Fiesta for lunch and it was a beautiful sunny day. Me and my friend(who’s camera shy) stepped inside this cozy place and we smelled a great aroma from the kitchen. We were greeted by a pretty hostess and she sat us in the bar area.

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Christopher who’s the co-owner of the restaurant, came out and sat with me for a quick interview. I asked him how long they’d been open and he said, since November of 08. He co-owns it with his brother J.T. who always dreamed of owning his very own restaurant. The location had been another establishment and when it closed, Chris said,” it was now or never”.

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Blackened Grilled Flat iron Steak over Pancetta Mac & Cheese

It wasnt Christopher’s dream of owning a restaurant because he told me you have to really be sure this is something you want to do. He did however, want to support his brother and went into business with him. “It’s long hours and a lot of sacrifice, so make sure this is it”, said Christopher. He is right about that!  Both brothers enjoy it and they love the atmosphere and their repeat customers. Parker’s on Ponce is known for their fab steaks and their lunch crowd is doing very well too. The reuben sandwiches are good and the bbq salmon. They have a mixed menu to surfice any customer. They also have Wind down Wednesdays, where the wine is half off thats a big hit.

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Grilled Atlantic Salmon with mash potatoes

I remembered Chris telling me that the Bbq Salmon was good, so I ordered that which was grilled with pomegranate bbq sauce,scallions with mash potatoes and baby carrots.My friend had the blackened grill flat iron steak, over pancetta mac& cheese. My friend got the Bananas foster cheesecake with rum-glazed sauteed bananas and I swooned over the white chocolate and cranberry bread pudding with makers’s mark caramel sauce.

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White chocolate and cranberry bread pudding

When the food came out it was so good and the presentation was superb! I demolished everything on sight lol. I had nothing left on my plate and felt so shame lol. Yes, nothing was left, not even the bbq sauce from my Salmon lol. The mashed potatoes were very good and I was about to ask my waiter Christopher, where was the nearest hotel, so I could check in and get a quick nap. I was not sure I could make it home because it was so satisfying and it felt like I had just dined on the most  ultimate comfort food.

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Banana Foster Cheesecake

I only took two bites out of my bread pudding and that was it for me because I was just that stuffed but that was good too! My friend enjoyed his food and I didn’t hear two peeps out of him either lol. His eyes did start to look heavy though lol.

Yes you guys must try it, it’s not very pricey, they have great choices on the menu, romantic rooms for private dinner parties, patio dining, extensive bar area and more! When we were walking out , I observed  a group of ladies from the red hat society in a smaller room looking like they were having a great time. This place makes you feel right at home with great food and spirits, If you’re visiting Atlanta or plan on stopping by, I recommend you give Parker’s at Ponce a shot! Tell em Tami sent yah!

www.parkersonponce.com

Red Sky Neighborhood Grill

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

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A friend of mine asked me to meet her for lunch today. I was too excited to go to this cute lil spot tucked away in Buford, Ga called, Red Sky Neighborhood Grill. When I walked in it kinda reminded me of a great neighborhood place that you could take your family, with a southwestern feel.

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I was greeted by a tall handsome young fella by the name of Jason Languasco. He was part owner of this cool place! I asked him what was the most popular item on his menu and he told me that the Cathy’s Chicken Salad was a big hit.So I ordered that! It was simply delicious! In the chicken salad it had grapes and toasted pecans on wheat bread,yum! It came with veggie chips too because I told him I was trying to diet lol,priced at 6.99

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My friend had the Sante Fe’ Wrap and she said that was tasty. This sandwich consisted of chicken, wrapped in a sun dried tomato wrap with bell peppers,onions and cheddar cheese and their secret ranchero sauce. She was in heaven lol, that came with chips as well, priced at 6.79

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Jason then told us we had to try just a lil bit of his Lynn’s Roasted Pimento Cheese sandwich with strawberry jelly.OMG I had one bite and fell in love! I told him I cant Im really trying to eat good but it was very yummy!

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Bryan and Jason Languasco are brothers who have been in the restaurant business for over 40 years combined. Their dream was to own their own restaurant that focused on customer service and awesome food! Their advice for entrepreneurs that are seeking to get into the restaurant business is to take care of people and location! They also chuckled and said, “find somebody good in the kitchen or you will be stuck in the kitchen”.

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Both brothers have sets of twins and all of their kids work in the family business, time to time. They said its a great feeling to have family around them. Jason said he is the idea man and Bryan makes it happen, they compliment each other well. I loved meeting them and will be back! If you’re in the Buford,Ga area please stop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner. They also have trivia nights,teen idol,karoke and more!

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www.redskyneighborhoodgrill.com