Sharky’s Woodfired Mexican Grill: Feel Good About Eating @SharkysSocial

Posted on September 7, 2015 by Erin

Sharky’s Woodfired Mexican Grill: Feel Good About Eating

By Erin

Have you been to Sharky’s yet? Sharky’s Woodfired Mexican Grill recently opened its 22nd restaurant in Northridge. At Sharky’s they are all about using innovative and creative recipes and using local, natural and organic ingredients. Their passion for the variety of flavors of Mexico and using organic and natural foods is evident in every bite. I was invited to attend a media lunch sponsored by Sharky’s Woodfired Mexican Grill in Northridge. I made the trek up the 405 to come here from Long Beach, that’s how good it is.

Sharky’s is a fresh & modern, fast casual restaurant that serves Mexican cuisine that wants to make you “feel good about eating” again. The visual appearance is also appealing and welcoming. With a sky-high, sloping roofline and outdoor patio with comfortable seating and a communal firepit that is perfect for people watching or to spend time with family and friends.

The second you step into Sharky’s, you will notice the open and welcoming space. With 20-foot ceilings, cozy booths, a dining bar with prime TV viewing, or a community table, you have many seating options depending on your needs on any particular visit. The Northridge location is at the corner of Nordhoff & Reseda Blvd and is within walking distance from Cal State Northridge. I can totally see this place being packed by students either waiting for classes to start, taking a lunch or dinner break, or after classes to relax and hang-out. I know I would be making this my go-to spot if I were a student at CSUN or worked super close by!

A couple other things you will notice; the fresh salsa bar and the beautiful bar which serves craft beers, Sangria & kombucha. I loved the Sangria, look at all of the fruit inside!

Who would of thought that kombucha would be served at a bar at a Mexican restaurant? The Kombucha has been a successful addition according to David Goldstein, who is Sharky’s COO. I chose to stick with my fruity sangria though. 😛

Emporium Thai Cuisine in Westwood

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Erin

Emporium Thai Cuisine in Westwood

By Erin

One of my favorite kinds of foods to eat is Thai Food. When I received the invite for a media dinner here, I couldn’t resist as I am always on the lookout for great places to have Thai food at. If you also have a love for Thai food or are an adventurous foodie wanting to try something new, then you have to check out Emporium Thai Cuisine in Westwood.

Emporium Thai Cuisine has been serving families and the surrounding community for 14 years and they specialize in Southern Thai food with a very large menu that is sure to have something to please everyone in your party. One unique aspect on their menu is the “spicy scale” which allows you to choose how hot or mild you want your food on a scale of 1-10. I don’t like my food terribly spicy, the majority of our dishes were at a “3” on the spicy scale. This worked well for me. It wasn’t too hot or spicy for me at this level.

Another quality that I love about this place is that it is family owned and run. Dining here truly is a family affair and I love being able to help out and eat at a family run restaurant. While you are here, you will be treated like one of the family.

Now onto the food! Here is what was on the menu for us for the night. 🙂

Coco Mango Salad with Fried Tofu (Southern Thai Specialty dish) and Thai Iced Tea

Shredded raw mango mixed with dried coconut fresh chili, lime juice and fried tofu. A Southern Thai Specialty dish, it was really light and refreshing. Perfect for these hot summer days. A great way to start out any meal.

Crying Tiger Beef (Southern Thai Specialty dish)

Thai-style marinated beef, served with their homemade chili sauce. I really enjoyed this one as the meat was very tender and flavorful.

For a Limited Time! IT’S BACK! Shredded Pork Carnitas @DelTaco #DelTaco #Ad #Giveaway #Coupon ends 7/11

Posted on June 29, 2013 by Erin

For a Limited Time! IT’S BACK! Shredded Pork Carnitas at Del Taco!

By: Erin

Disclosure: I was provided a gift card on behalf of this post. Sponsor will be sending out the giftcard to the winner.

Summer is now officially here, which means beautiful weather and many super fun-filled days outdoors. Maybe you spent the day soaking in the sun at the beach; splashing in the waves, coaching little league, or driving the family around to various activities resulting in big appetites! Our schedules get extremely busy with the long summer days and it’s hard to find time to create that perfect homemade meal with such little time. Del Taco is here to help make dinner easy while satisfying the most hungriest of eaters with Del Taco’s pork carnitas. The Carnitas give the taste of tender, slow braised pork that is simmered in small batch kettles.

Del Taco brings back its hugely popular Shredded Pork Carnitas just in time for the summer menu for a limited time beginning June 26. Tender, slow braised and full of flavor, the carnitas line include Carnitas Taco al Carbon, Carnitas Combo Burrito and – new this summer – Carnitas Loaded Fries.

“With a great taste at a great value, these delicious carnitas menu items are unlike anything available in the quick-service category and they are a perfect fit with Del Taco’s strategy of emphasizing the lengths that we go to deliver quality on our menu,” said John Cappasola, Chief Brand Officer at Del Taco.

Be sure to head over and check out Del Taco’s facebook page for a coupon for a FREE Carnitas Taco al Carbon with any beverage purchase. Limited Time Only.

Helpful Tip:

The Macho Carnitas Burrito, Primo Carnitas Burrito and Carnitas Macho Nachos will be available off menu by guest request.

I don’t know about you, but now I’m hungry, and maybe you are too, so how about trying it for FREE? Then enter the cool giveaway below for a chance to win a $10 Giftcard to Del Taco to check it out and try it for yourself? 😉

TIP: The Macho Carnitas Burrito, Primo Carnitas Burrito and Carnitas Macho Nachos will be available off menu by guest request. – See more at: http://www.letsplayoc.com/2013/06/giveaway-del-taco-shredded-pork-carnitas.html#more

Now for the FUN part! One of my lucky readers will get to win this!! Will it be YOU? GOOD-LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

No purchase necessary, void where prohibited. Must be 18 years or older and reside in the US. Giveaway ends at 12am PST on 07/11/2013. All other rules can be found here. Winner will be chosen through rafflecopter and notified through email.Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be selected the same way. Prize to be fulfilled by the sponsor, not Horsing Around In LA.

You can also connect with Del Taco here:

Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be selected the same way – See more at: http://www.letsplayoc.com/2013/06/giveaway-del-taco-shredded-pork-carnitas.html#more

Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be selected the same way – See more at: http://www.letsplayoc.com/2013/06/giveaway-del-taco-shredded-pork-carnitas.html#moreGiveaway ends at 12am PST on 07/05/2013. All other rules can be found here.

Disclosure: I was provided a gift card on behalf of this post. Sponsor will send out the giftcard to the winner.