New Pei Wei in Laguna Niguel ~ Plus a Giveaway!

I love Pei Wei!  I love it because I can combine many of my favorite Asian dishes in one location so you are far more likely to find something for everyone in the family, including gluten free options!  Eat in or dine out, both are great options for families.

To celebrate the opening of the new Pei Wei in Laguna Niguel - 27321 La Paz Road, Suite B, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 and is open Sunday-Thursday from 11 a.m.–9 p.m. and Friday & Saturday from 11 a.m.–10:00 a.m..  I have a $10 gift card to giveaway to one lucky reader (no you don't need to use it at the Laguna Niguel location, it is good at any of the 173 locations across the country!).

I'm trying out the Rafflecopter application below to facilitate the giveaway, let me know what you think, it should guide you through the entry process so you can get as many entries as possible.  The giveaway will end at midnight on Friday October 5th and a winner will be drawn at random.  I reserve the right to pick another winner if I am unable to reach the winner within a reasonable amount of time.  Goodluck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Note:  I was provided a gift card to facilitate the review, but as always opinions are 100% my own!

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Get a Taste of the Top Restaurants in Orange County

How many times have you been in the mood to try a new restaurant but because were afraid it wouldn't be good and ended up just sticking to your normal places?  I've done that more times than I can count.  The Taste of OC is coming up and this is your chance to break that habit and get a taste of 50 of the top restaurants (and chefs!) in Orange County!

There will be chefs' demonstrations, special dinners, farm-to-table dinners, wine and tequila tasting seminars and more.  This two day event (June 16th and 17th) is being held at the Verizon Amphitheater in Irvine.

Click here for an AMAZING deal on tickets for the event through OCSaverTime.com running now through May 31st.  Be sure to grab this deal before it disappears!  For $44 you can get the $89 ticket value which includes the following:

·        40 tasting & drink credits
·         Preferred seats to the OC Star Chef Demos that's hosted by KFWB Talk Radio Host, Chef Jaime Gwen, and showcase demonstrations from Haven Gastropub's Chef Greg Daniels, 370 Common's Chef Ryan Adams, and more.
·         Plenty of live music and entertainment, restaurant tastings, cooking demonstrations, and more
·         Valid for admission on June 16^th (21 and older)   or June 17^th (all ages)
·         Mingle with and taste popular restaurants in Orange County, like 118 Degrees, Tamarind of London, Mastro's, and dozens more, and quench your thirst with great wines, craft beers, and classic cocktails served up by OC Mixologists.

Be sure to note these restrictions:

·         Voucher redeemable starting June 16th.
·         Includes 1-day admission for June 16th or 17th, 40 tasting and drink credits, and chef demo preferred seating.
·         Adults only (21 and over) on June 16th and all ages welcomed on June 17th.
·         Only valid on Saturday, June 16th, 12PM to 10PM or Sunday, June 17th, 12PM to 8PM.
·         Does not include $12 on-site parking fee.
·         Limit 3 vouchers per person.
·         Name on voucher must match photo ID.
·         Rain or shine event; no refunds.
·         Not valid with other offers.
·         Cannot be resold.
·         Valid only for location and date purchased.

* Note this post is part of a sponsored campaign - but all opinions as always are 100% my own.

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Amazing Sushi in Newport Beach - Wordless Wednesday

Two of the amazing and extraordinary dishes from Sam & Harry's AMAZING sushi bar (inside the Newport Beach Marriott).  I can promise you these dishes tasted even more amazing than they looked!

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Wendy's Pick 2 Salads are Delish!

Last week I had the chance to meet up with some of my favorite OC and LA bloggers at the Wendy's Pick 2 launch lunch.  As I know many Moms do, I try to order a salad most of the time when we are at a fast food restaurant for a number of reasons.  One reason is the reduced calorie count and the other is the nutritional benefit, but I think people are shocked when they realize that many of the salads at fast food restaurants are neither.  Many are loaded with inexpensive and nutrient deficient ice berg lettuce and are loaded with high calorie fillers to enhance the taste appeal.

I was more than thrilled to see and taste the new Wendy's salads because they are exactly what I've been looking for in a fast food salad!  They are made with nutritious items like cranberries, roasted pecans, apple slices and are accompanied by super yummy less calorie dense dressings like the pomegranate vinaigrette I had.  I had the Apple Pecan 1/2 size Salad with Vinaigrette Dressing and I must say it was SUPER delicious and totally filling.  Paired with a water bottle it was less than $6 and makes for a perfect salad on the go.   I also love the fact that the salad had less than 300 calories!

Other super yummy salad offerings are the new BLT Cobb salad (hearty mix of crisp Applewood Smoked Bacon, chopped egg, real blue cheese crumbles, grilled chicken and creamy Avocado Ranch dressing), the Baja Salad (rich and meaty chili with fresh pico de gallo, guacamole, tortilla strips and creamy Red Jalapeño dressing), or the Spicy Chicken Caesar Salad (Taste our warm spicy chicken with shaved Asiago cheese, grape tomatoes and Lemon Caesar dressing).  Wendy's new Pick 2 menu allows you to pick two items from their Pick 2 menu all for $4.99 and that give you 28 different combinations!  It makes a healthy lunch on the go affordable.

Sound delicious?  Be sure to head over to the OCMomActivities Facebook page for a fun Facebook only giveaway later today!

*Photos above are used with permission.  About the Photographer: Based in Long Beach, Kristin Eldridge photographs babies, children and their families in the OC and LA.  She loves making art out of the everyday moments of childhood.  Kristin's website features a variety of unique locations and her blog keeps you informed about special promotions and events.

** This post is part of a compensated campaign with Wendy's, but the opinions expressed are 100% genuine.

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Seasons 52 in Costa Mesa is a Must for Foodies

The evening began with this amazing Black Mission Fig and Chevre flatbread and I knew we were in for a treat.  Clifford Pleu has done a masterful job creating a seasonally inspired, healthy yet sophisticated menu.  Seasons 52 features wood-fire grilling, brick oven cooking and absolutely no fryers.

I also tasted the Goat Cheese Ravioli, Cedar Plank Roasted Salmon

 and stuffed artichoke... 

 It was all absolutely amazing!

Dessert was served in small shot glasses and was absolutely scrumptious.  I  would have thought the Mocha Macchiato would be my favorite, but the Key Lime Pie and Meyer Lemon Pound Cake ended up being my favorites if I had to name my favorites (but they were all delicious!!!).

Nestles next to Bloomingdales on the outside of South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, Seasons 52 Fresh Grill is is now open.  Serving up absolutely mouthwatering dishes (at less than 475 calories each!), you're sure to find something if not many dishes you'll fall in love with.  If you have food allergies or other diet restrictions you'll find the staff and menu to be refreshing and easy to still find something fantastic.  You'll also find that the prices are very reasonable with the entrees ranging in price from $12.75-$26.95.  Note that there is also complimentary valet parking.

Seasons 52 is perfect for a date night or girls night out.  There's nightly entertainment at the piano bar starting at 6:00 pm and you'll frequently find internationally known pianist/singer/songwriter Charlie Sleeth filling the bar with music.

You can also find other Seasons 52 locations in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and coming soon to Arizona, Texas, Florida (Coral Gables), Indiana and Maryland.  For more information you can go here.  I was treated to a media preview evening to sample the menu to facilitate the writing of this post.

Seasons 52 is located at 3333 Bristol Avenue Suite #2802, Costa Mesa, CA, 92626 and (714) 437-5252.  You can also find Seasons 52 on Facebook and Twitter.

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