A Few Reasons to Visit Seasons 52

I recently had the opportunity to visit Seasons 52 Restaurant to preview their summer menu. My partner in all things food (my daughter Bre) was my guest. It was all a delicious treat. You can expect fresh grilled menu items, wine bar with seasonal menus, artisan cocktails & craft beer. You’ll enjoy American Cuisine paired with a variety of wines including international choices in a chic and upscale setting. The restaurant is conveniently located at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh, North Carolina. Open daily for lunch and dinner while brunch is available on Sundays.

Seasons 52 offers more than 100 wines by the bottle and 52 wines by the glass. They have craft beer and local and regional liquors that are featured in their hand-crafted cocktails. The Seasons 52 seasonal Menu is inspired by fresh locally sourced ingredients. There are several menus available and even some that cater to dietary restrictions like gluten sensitivities, lactose intolerance, vegan and vegetarian menu options. I appreciate this since I have food allergies. Happy Hour is “Sunset at Seasons” Monday – Friday 4-6:30 pm.

When I walked into Seasons 52 I immediately liked the vibe and atmosphere. We were in the private dining area rather than the general dining area. They host private events in that space on occasion. I looked around the room to see all the different stations set up for our tasting pleasure. My eyes gravitated straight toward the dessert table, because the way my sweet tooth is set up… I just couldn’t resist! I did pull myself together and opted to sample the entrée options first since that’s the right thing to do. The Rack of Lamb with sautéed vegetables and Yukon Mash was a treat!

Next up was Caramelized Grilled Sea Scallops, sweet corn risotto, snap peas and toybox tomatoes. It was so flavorful and I loved every bit of it. I honestly went back for seconds, thirds… etc. They had Watermelon & Heirloom Tomato Salad with shaved red onion, feta and lemon vinaigrette. It’s such a refreshing treat. There was Roasted Prosciutto Wrapped Figs, Gorgonzola stuffed with 15-year aged balsamic. I was just trying to work my way over to the dessert table. Slowly but, surely I was getting there!

Furthermore I can’t forget to mention the Watermelon Fresca! It was such a refreshing treat. I had it with and without Vodka! I enjoyed them equally the same. Of course I went for the Belgian Chocolate S’more because you know… Chocolate! Chocolate Cake, Rocky Road Mousse, toasted marshmallow and chocolate dipped graham cracker. It was so rich and delicious! I also had the Key Lime Pie. That’s one of my favorite desserts as much as anything chocolate. Pecan crust, toasted meringue and delicious!

Disclosure: I was invited to sample the seasonal menu at Seasons 52 for a blogger preview event. All opinions expressed are 100% honest and completely my own. #Hosted

Have you been to Seasons 52?

Tijuana Flats Comes To Durham NC

The Tijuana Flats location in Durham, North Carolina invited local guests to be the first to visit and “Get Fresh for FREE” at their new location in the Shops at Erwin Mill located at 703 Ninth Street. We also had the task of testing their teams training skills in the process. I was with my sister and a group of her friends, there were at least ten of us. I will say that we were greeted and seated immediately, with a choice of indoor or patio seating. We opted to sit outside because it was such a nice day! Drink orders were taken and we started to browse the menu to see what we were going to try! This promotion was good for a drink and entree for two guests each, but we got so much more!

Get Fresh For Free Tijuana Flats

For starters we had chips and Queso! It was Sooooo GOOD! I did get slightly confused because our drink and appetizer orders were taken, but we had to go inside and order our entree at the counter. We gave them our name and whether we were seated inside or outside and our food would be brought to us shortly. I think Tijuana Flats should consider table tents with numbers to distinguish where to deliver orders vs. calling names throughout the restaurant until it’s delivered to the proper table. Just a thought… Everything was brought out to us and it not only looked good but, it tasted great! I ordered the Blackened Chicken Burrito, My sister had the Bangin’ Chicken Tostada, and one of her friends had the Beef Flautas and another friend had a Burrito Bowl.

Tia. S Tijuana Flats

Tijuana Flats Hot Bar

Norrito Bowl

One thing I can definitely say is that we always had drink refills and someone asking us if everything was okay and if there’s anything they can get us. The customer service was top notch through the chaos because they were slammed! Even when I was ordering my food Tria. S, who was assisting me was super patient giving me all available options and read everything back to me twice to make sure everything was perfect! I want to try every sauce at the “Hot Bar” and Tijuana Flats makes sure to tell you to try it at your own risk! The desserts are delicious, there were samples of Churros and Cookie Dough circulating the restaurant on platters and I enjoyed every bit of it. My overall experience at Tijuana Flats was great! I can’t wait to visit again. Enjoy the pictures, Ciao… Until Next Time!

Bangin' Chicken Tostadas

Steak Flautas

Blackened Chicken Burrito

My Experience with Ziosk at Applebee’s

I was totally surprised when I went to Applebee’s for an evening business meeting to see a Ziosk sitting at every table. I was immediately intrigued and wanted to know exactly what it did. At first sight I though you could just pay for your meal once you were finished ordering because of the card machine positioned at the right hand side of each Ziosk but, boy was I wrong… It does so much more! It’s a touch screen device that enables you to order your drinks, appetizer and dessert using the Ziosk. You still have a server greet you, check on you during your entire visit and they put in your entrée order. So the Ziosk DOES NOT take the place of your server.

The Ziosk also allows you to play games and they are in categories like Popular, Arcade & Action, Casual, Puzzles, Kids and Preschool. This is a family’s dream to keep the kiddos occupied in addition to their crayons and activity menus. The cost to play games is $.99 per visit. You can play as many games as you’d like during your visit and it’s added to your bill at the end of your stay. You can also call your server, reorder drinks, join the Applebee’s e-club or view specials, and pay your bill. It even has a tip calculator allowing you to add your tip and you have the option to choose not to get a receipt, have one emailed to you or printed out right from the Ziosk.

The tech in me played with the Ziosk throughout my dinner at Applebee’s. I found myself apologizing to my business colleague for being so taken with it. I had to reassure them I was listening to every word and they weren’t being ignored. I was taking pictures and figuring out everything it did the entire time. I think this is another step towards awesome futuristic technology. I love that most Applebee’s offer free wi-fi and that’s why I love having business meetings and regular casual dinners there with friend and family. They have an awesome menu and these bonuses make visiting super convenient and a pleasure each time. Take a look at the Ziosk and how cool it is…

Appplebee's Spinach & Artichoke Dip

Applebee's Parmesan Sirloin & Shrimp

Ziosk First Page

Appetizer Sampler Option

Ziosk Drink Options

Ziosk Order Screen

Games Option

Aplpha Tots on Ziosk

My Sister Is My Ultimate Boo, We Have The Best Dates!

Guest posting today is my sister O_Laing and she’s giving you the dish on our social life and how I’m the bomb dot com sister to have! My heart is full! Read On…

So my kids think I’m gross because when it comes to love and marriage I would marry my sister! If she was a dude she would get it! (Yes it’s gross because if she was a dude that would make her my brother but, you get what I’m saying…)

I have had such bad luck with men and marriage that I view my sister as my ultimate mate. She takes me on the best dates. She’s the ultimate courter. If there was a dowry involved she would have my family’s money, a goat, plus three cows because she knows how to show a girl a good time (sexual undertones not intended).

When I relocated to North Carolina from New York in April 2011, I thought nothing could be worse than leaving my city of lights and 24 hour hot spots for the country, but life happens and things have to change. I was so depressed but then *theme music* Jen to the rescue took me out and showed me that the Bull City and the surrounding areas have a lot more to offer a city girl than green pastures.

Some of our big moments were when the Hurricanes played the NY Rangers at the RBC Center in Raleigh. She took me to the Ledge Lounge (VIP baby) where we ate bbq and drank red wine. Now that’s how hockey should be done! More women would be interested in hockey if they knew it came with wine. Who told her to invite my NY prideful ass to that hockey game; I was so excited and screaming for NY! The gentleman next to me moved to another section.

My New Year’s Eve was scheduled to be a dud because for the first time I would not see the ball drop (now a big ol’ screen countdown) in Time Square but again to sweep me off my feet *theme music* Jen came up with two VIP tickets to the New Year’s Eve Extravaganza put on by BD Entertainment, SEVEN Productions & K97.5. We were in VIP drinking and dancing on plush carpet eating buffalo chicken wings and woo…flash backs…I had a ball! That was definitely a second or third base date night if she were a dude. Yeah I had that much of a good time!

We also have these mini dates in between big events to keep me interested; we’ve gone to Dame’s Chicken & Waffles, Applebee’s, Foster’s Market and on our last date night she took me where you ask?….to Red Lobster! (You have to say lobster in your best ghetto girl drawl) Lobbbbbssssta!

Over the years we have had our beefs but I would give my right & left leg, two kidneys, and a spleen for her. I love my sister she is always there for me. Reciprocity is a must and I have my own ways of showing her my appreciation (once again sexual undertones not intended) but nothing as grand as our dates!

As you can read I have a great sister aka boo love, she’s mine and no you cannot have her nor do I share.

Note to self: Next time, we’ll go Dutch!

Scenario: 15 individuals get together for a Birthday celebration at Maggiano’s Little Italy; we do the Family Style Dinner “Chef’s Choice” which is about $36.00 per person. It’s great because it’s all you can eat and the food is delicious. You get to choose two to three choices from each food category. For appetizers we did Fried Mozzarella and Muscles. We had a choice of Caesar Salad and House Salad before the entrees started to arrive. For our entrees we chose Garlic Shrimp Linguine, Chicken Parmesan, and Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo. For dessert we had Cheesecake & Apple Crisp. There were several Alcoholic beverages ordered at $8.75 a glass and non alcoholic beverages were $2.75 with endless refills. The meal was beyond great and the service was excellent!

After socializing for over an hour and singing Happy Birthday it’s time to eat dessert, settle the bill and call it a night! Some people began to leave and gave the designated person money for their meals only. Everything was great until we got the bill and started to put all the money together. Now that being said, some people gave exact money for their meal without including their drink charges or the 18% gratuity that’s automatically added in for parties of eight or more. To come and think of it they probably didn’t include the tax either…

Okay here’s the Check Breakdown:
Soda $2.75
4 Premium Mix $30.00
13 Adult Entrees $415.35
4 Rasp Lemonade $13.00
Iced Tea $2.75
5 Long Island Tea $43.75
Subtotal: $507.60
Sales Tax: $39.34
Total: $546.94
18% Gratuity $91.37
Total w/ Tip: $638.31

After we received the bill we started putting the money together and we’re short by over a hundred bucks. We start counting all the money everyone gave us and came to the conclusion that certain people didn’t factor in the waiters gratuity, the drinks or tax. So in between three people, we made up the difference. Let’s just say for the next time I attend a dinner party it will be determined before we start ordering that there will be separate checks.

error: Ask And You Shall Receive!!