Shaking It Up at the Hard Rock Cafe

Shaking It Up at the Hard Rock Cafe

*I was unable to attend this awesome event over at the Hard Rock Cafe as I was on a media trip, so my girl Mary over at Along Comes Mary, graciously was able to cover it and report back to us! Thanks Mary!*

By Mary Lansing

(*Disclosure: I was The Hard Rock Cafe’s guest in place of Erin Miller. All opinions are my own & thanks to HRC & Erin for having me!)

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Have you ever been to The Hard Rock Cafe? As someone who is both a LA native & self-proclaimed music lover, I am a little surprised that I have only recently begun going to this awesome restaurant. Each location has its own special touch; whether its Michael Jackson’s fedora at Hollywood Boulevard, a dress worn by Courtney Love in Las Vegas, or a famous ZZ Top car smack in the middle of the bar at Universal City Walk’s, they give each spot its own flavor!

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Thanks to Erin, I headed out recently to The Hard Rock at Universal Studios City Walk for an amazing night showcasing their new, eclectic SHAKE IT UP private bartending classes. Perfect for a birthday party, bachelorette or bachelor night, or simply a fun way to gather up all your friends, these private group classes invite you & your guests to be one on one with some of HRC’s best bartenders, literally teaching you how to make your own concoctions…& oh yeah, keep ’em to drink following! 😉

Hard Rock Cafe

For your soiree, you’re reserved the entire upstairs loft overlooking the hustle & bustle below your eyes at The City Walk’s location. Outside, you can relax & people watch all visiting the outdoor promenade. We were shortly after introduced to “Moose” & Rob. 2 of HRC’s star bartenders, who couldn’t have been more fun to show us the ropes as we attempted to make a Gin Martini, Vodka Martini, Margarita & HRC’s infamous “Hurricane” drink.

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How did I do? Well, lets just say that I won’t be applying to work at Hard Rock anytime soon! But, it was extremely fun to learn just what goes into your favorite drinks; while my vodka martini was much too strong, the guys do step in to make ones to show you how they should taste; so, you’re guaranteed to have a well made drink if you’re not a pro yet 😉 As a margarita lover, it was interesting to learn just how true & pure HRC makes theirs; I had some in Las Vegas & thought they were the best I’d had in a long time, now I understand why. It’s all about a good quality mix, fresh lime juice & the best tequila they have.

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Del Taco’s Fresh New Fresca Bowls & Giveaway! Ends 10/30/14

Del Taco’s Fresh New Fresca Bowls & Giveaway!

By Erin

*Disclosure: I received a gift card to try the items mentioned below.  All thoughts and opinions are my own. *Prize will be fulfilled by sponsor*

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It’s times like these that I really can use something that’s quick and easy for lunch or dinner. When anything and everything is trying to get in my way and slow me down, and I don’t have any time to cook a meal for myself.  A sore throat and getting sick. A jury duty notice that I have to get switched to another date when school is not in session, car insurance issues that shouldn’t be happening but are because the new guy in charge just isn’t very nice (and I have a VERY OLD car too, no reason for a +$200 price hike! GRRR) that is ending up being very time-consuming to get straightened out. Then you have Del Taco who is ready to step in and help save the day! The answer to what’s for dinner or lunch when I don’t have the time or energy to make something for myself. The perfect escape to take a short break from all the stress that’s going on around me. Wether you are busy with work, life, carting the kids all around town to their activities, or anything else, Del Taco can help you answer the age-old question of what’s for dinner when you just don’t have the time, or you just don’t feel like cooking and want a break.

Then you just have the decision to make on what to order. 😉 I have the perfect answer to that part! Fresca Bowls!

Del Taco recently launched three new Fresca Bowls: premium, made-to-order bowls loaded with fresh ingredients. Fresca Bowls are the latest addition to the Del Taco menu, and are packed to the rim with fresh, flavorful, high-quality ingredients and are the ideal choice when looking for an alternative to the standard tortilla.

Del Taco Fresca Bowls

Perfectly priced at just $4 each, Del Taco’s Fresca Bowls are served on a refreshing bed of fresca lime rice and seasoned black beans, and are offered in the following three varieties:

  • Southwest Grilled Chicken & Veggie Bowl combines fresh-grilled chicken and a blend of fire-roasted, red and green bell peppers, caramelized onions and flavorful Poblano pepper
  • Pollo Asado Grilled Chicken Bowl is made with marinated, fresh-grilled chicken, hand-chopped pico de gallo salsa, onions and cilantro
  • Fire Roasted Veggie Bowl features Del Taco’s tangy green chile sauce, freshly-chopped pico de gallo salsa, and a blend of roasted vegetables

Fresca Bowls

The Pollo Asado Grilled Chicken Bowl (500 calories) and Southwest Grilled Chicken & Veggie Bowl (530 calories) are each loaded with 4.5 ounces of fresh-grilled chicken per serving, significantly exceeding the amount of protein included in bowls offered by Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) and fast-casual competitors. The Fire Roasted Veggie Bowl (450 calories) is an ideal meatless option.

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Last Call For Marie Callender’s #BackYardBBQ! Ends 9/14!

Last Call For Marie Callender’s Backyard BBQ!

By Erin

Disclosure: I received a gift card to sample Marie Callender’s Backyard BBQ Menu, but we ended up spending way more than that since my family loves to go here anyways.  All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Even though it may seem like fall with all the decorations, fall drinks, and with school being back in session, but it is still technically summer! The weather here still screams summer as it has and looks like it will be unbearably hot out for a while yet. Why not take advantage of what is left of summer and have some good old-fashioned BBQ? Nothing beats a good BBQ in the summer time and at Marie Callender’s you can still enjoy a great BBQ meal with their Backyard BBQ Menu! Come and get it while you still can! It’s only here until Sunday, September 14th!! After this weekend it will be gone. 🙁

Always a family favorite that I grew up with, with the salad bar that you can get with your meal and meals that come with a piece of pie, a great deal can always be found at Marie Callender’s, including their BBQ meals!

Marie Callenders

You can enjoy some delicious BBQ entrees starting at $9.99 plus tax AND it comes with a free slice of Marie’s legendary pie (excludes cheesecakes, seasonal fresh fruit pies and promotional pies).

Now, lets bring on the BBQ! Here are a few of the mouth-watering goodies you will find at your local Marie Callender’s on the Backyard BBQ Menu!

Entrees (starting at $9.99) includes:

St.Louis BBQ Ribs, Grilled BBQ Shrimp Skewers, BBQ Turkey Sliders, Grilled BBQ Chicken, Tri-Tip Sandwich, BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, Tri Tip & Wedge Salad, and more! Don’t forget!! Each combo is served with a FREE slice of Marie Callender’s pie! 😉

First, they brought out their warm cornbread with honey butter!

Warm Cornbread!

Marie Calendars Bread

Of course I needed something cool and refreshing to go with the cornbread, so I ordered an Arnold Palmer; YUM!!

Marie Callenders Strawberry Lem

Then it was time to order, I went for the build your own BBQ Platter.

Build Your Own BBQ Platter!

Marie Callender's BBQ Combo

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