Winter Fest is Coming to Orange County! #WinterFestOC

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Erin

Winter Fest is Coming to Orange County!

By Erin

*I will be attending Winter Fest as Media.*

It’s getting cold outside! Well, for Southern California standards it is, and it’s about to get colder! Winter is coming to the OC with an all-new holiday wonder, Winter Fest. Unfolding over the OC Fair & Event Center December 18 – January 3, a magical and whimsical getaway will be unveiled that features unlimited ice tubing, the world’s largest walk-through ornament, festive entertainment, ice skating, VIP rink-side cabanas, live reindeer, a nightly Christmas tree lighting ceremony with snowfall, seasonal-themed eateries, libations, a carnival and much more. Winter Fest offers such an unforgettable experience at an unbelievable value with tickets starting at only $10 online while they last. Many of Winter Fest’s attractions are within buildings, making the event as “El Nino-proof” as possible.

Entertainment for Winter Fest begins each morning with a snow-capped opening moment led by resident master magician, Jimmy H. The Chainsaw Chicks will also be here at Winter Fest, carving out fantastic ice sculptures while captivating the crowd with their unbridled charm. Local bands, strolling carolers, and performances by community organizations from around Orange County bring tons of live entertainment to Winter Fest.

The Winter Fest Promenade will be bustling with all of the sights and sounds of winter and with a variety of holiday food and beverage options. A 30-foot Christmas tree stands at the end of the Winter Fest Promenade, where guests will gather nightly at 5:30 p.m. for a heartwarming tree lighting ceremony complete with snowfall. Near the Christmas tree are two of Santa’s reindeer, available for viewing and feeding.

The Mistletoe Lounge is a hot spot at Winter Fest, that you will surely find me at! Offering holiday-themed cocktails, international craft beers, and comfortable seating amid the holiday décor and entertainment of the Winter Fest Promenade. The Slippery Slope Ski Lodge (known as Baja Blues Restaurant during the OC Fair) is another exciting Winter Fest destination. The family-friendly eatery will capture a ski-lodge vibe with holiday-themed cuisine and drinks, mountain décor, nightly live entertainment, and staff decked out in ski gear.

Thrill seekers can climb Snowflake Summit to take part in unlimited ice tubing down a 130-foot, six-lane ice slide, where guests 42 inches and taller can race down the slope and experience the exhilarating side of winter. Snowflake Summit also offers bleacher seating, allowing friends and family to cheer on loved ones while they zoom down the ice.

The Hangar building will be transformed into an ice-skating rink, where guests can enjoy skating around a 6,000 square foot ice rink for an additional fee of only $15 onsite. Holiday films will be projected onto a theater-sized screen in the background as skaters zip around the rink. Elegant rink-side VIP cabanas will be available for only $99 per session while they last, and accommodate 2 – 10 people but can adapt to fit parties of up to 100. The VIP cabanas offer exclusive menus with seasonally inspired food, cocktails, a private ice rink entrance and private servers. VIP cabanas are perfect for groups, parties, or a date with a loved one. Santa has transported several sleighs from his collection to the Hangar building, which will be on display for the first time ever at Winter Fest.

What’s Included in the price of your ticket?

All Winter Fest admission tickets, held December 18 – January 3 include remarkable value by providing not only access to Winter Fest but also the following attractions and entertainment:

Unlimited ice tubing down Snowflake Summit
One complimentary carnival ride
One complimentary carnival game
Entry to bounce houses for kids
Reindeer viewing and feeding
Access to the world’s largest walk-through ornament
Nightly Christmas tree lighting ceremony with snowfall
Craft making and games for kids
Daily & nightly entertainment

Ticket prices Monday through Friday start at only $10 online, $15 onsite for children age 4 – 11, and $20 online, $25 onsite for adults. Ticket Prices Saturday and Sunday are $15 online, $20 onsite for children age 4 – 11, and $25 online, $30 onsite for adults. Children 3 and under are free. Purchasing tickets online is highly encouraged to not only save money but also ensure the desired event date is not sold out.

Adult season passes for unlimited admission into to all 17 days and nights of Winter Fest are available for $45 advance and online (limited supply); children’s season passes (ages 4-11) are available for $25 advance and online (limited supply).

For more information on Winter Fest (#WinterFestOC) visit www.WinterFestOC.com

Come join in the winter fun at the OC Winter Fest!

Maro Wood Grill: Dining at its Finest! |@MaroWoodGrill #Gigasavvy #Marowoodgrill

Posted on October 14, 2015 by Erin

Maro Wood Grill: Dining at its Finest!

By Erin

I was recently invited to a Media Tasting event with Gigasavvy at Maro Wood Grill in Laguna Beach. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Laguna Beach has a very well kept secret, which thanks to Gigasavvy’s Social Club, I can now say I have experienced this delicious hidden gem. Maro Wood Grill is an Argentinean inspired restaurant, located in beautiful Laguna Beach. Owner Mariano Molteni (“Maro”) and Executive Chef Debra Sims appreciate pure simplicity over the lost art of cooking over open fire. Think of a wood grilled rustic method combined with modern, bold and uncommon Argentinean meat cuts, and mesquite charcoal fireworks to bring out the best flavors of the meats. It is a total sensory overload of Argentinean love, and I cannot wait to come back and try it all again. Maro Wood Grill is a fusion of modern and rustic, blending native californian and argentinean design in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. I love all the succulent plants that cover the patio walls and tables.

The focus is on sustainability and fresh ingredients. Their fresh, organic cuisine showcases Argentinean dishes with Chef Sims revolving rustic menu from sourcing local produce, using grass-fed beef and making everything from scratch. Chef Sims put it simply, “Everything is kissed with the wood grill, organic, and grass-fed.” Be prepared to enjoy their hand crafted menu designed around available and unique products and then indulge in the award-winning desserts. Ready for some major deliciousness? I hope you aren’t too hungry…. 😉 First we cooled off with some refreshing Sangria, which kept on flowing throughout this luxurious and adventurous meal.

We then started out on our Argentinean adventure with Wood Grilled Green Beans, warm Mushroom & Spinach Empanadas and Mesquite-Grilled Edamame with rock salt. The wood grill added some extra flavor to these otherwise common dishes by giving the beans a nice char for the ultimate taste and flare.

The empanadas are baked, not fried which gives them a nice doughy texture. Loaded with a delicious filling of organic mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, and onions I could have easily eaten this whole tray of empanadas. I only had one though.

The Mushroom Ceviche and Grilled Sourdough was next. There was a bit of heat packed into this one. I loved how tender and flavorful the mushrooms were.

Onto the Grilled Fennel and Fig Salad, this was loaded with different flavors and I love how the fig brought some sweetness to the dish.

Ricotta Noquis and Grilled Tomatoes was our next stop on this culinary adventure. This dish is extra special as it has a lot of history behind it. Each month on the 29th day in Argentina is Dia de Noquis – the day of Gnocchi. This is the day that everyone gets together to eat noquis in Argentina and other parts of South America. People got paid on the first of every month in South America and money was always tight by the end of the month. Since there was little money available, Ñoquis became a good way to enjoy a hearty, inexpensive meal on a meager budget. Ñoquis are not expensive to make since all you really need are potatoes and flour and hence it is a good way of dealing with low funds to eat at the end of every month. This became a tradition; that’s right, people all over certain parts of South America get together on the same day every month (29th) just to eat Ñoquis. They also would put a coin under each persons plate for good luck and prosperity. This was a very tasty dish and the ricotta and grilled tomatoes just added to the flavor explosion.

Wood Grilled “Oysters Rockerfeller” with burnt lemon wedge. Another great addition to our meal. The grilled oysters were absolutely delicious.

Mesquite Lamb & Baba Ghanouj from Australia. O.M.G. Heaven on a bone. Total and complete perfection with how tender and juicy this lamb came out. Fall off the bone, melt in your mouth goodness! I actually had two of these I loved it so much as another social club member did not want theirs. Say WHAT? I get it. It’s a baby lamb, but it’s just SO GOOD!!

The Flat Iron and Chimichurri and Short Rib with Vegetables were our last entrees for the evening before heading for dessert. So tender and juicy, I could not get enough, but at the same time I was starting to get full.

For Dessert, Chef Debra Sims crafted a delightful Grilled Fruit with Passion Fruit Curd to satisfy our pallet before serving us her award-winning Banana Bread Pudding Bites dish that won “Most Delicious Dessert” in 2013, 2014 and 2015 for the Golden Foodie Awards! The grilled fruit with passion fruit curd was just perfect and refreshing.

The grand-finale; the Golden Foodie award winner, the Banana Bread Pudding Bites. One bite and you’ll be hooked too. I wanted to take a whole bucket of this stuff home to have for breakfast the next morning. Not too sweet, it was also creamy, smooth and melt in your mouth perfection, it’s no wonder this special treat has been voted the best dessert for the past three years straight! It was the perfect way to end a perfect meal.

Chef Debra Sims with her Golden Foodie Award for Maro Wood Grill’s “Most Delicious Dessert,” which is that amazing banana bread pudding shown above.

A wonderful evening spent with friends, eating the most delicious food made by Chef Debra Sims at Maro Wood Grill made for the perfect night out. If you are looking for a special night out for dinner, a date night spot, birthday dinner, girls night out, or if you just want a good piece of lamb or an amazing dessert, then make sure to head on over to Maro Wood Grill for the most delightful and delicious dining experience!

Maro Wood Grill is located at 1915 South Coast Highway in Laguna Beach, California. For more information, please call (949) 793-4044 or visit their website at Maro Wood Grill.

Savannah’s Chophouse: A Night of Food & Fun For All @SavChopHouse

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Erin

Savannah’s Chophouse: A Night of Food & Fun For All

By Erin

I love a good night of food and fun with friends. Last month I hopped into the car with a couple of good friends and we traveled a little farther South into the OC to try out a steakhouse that was new to all of us called Savannah Steak & Chop House that is in Laguna Niguel. Gigasavvy has a Social Club now and this was to be their first gathering and we had all been invited to join in on this special night! Savannah’s made it a truly special night to remember, and a lovely date night for those attending with their spouses or significant others.

We were greeted by a very welcoming staff, as well as these cute guys below… uhhh lobster anyone? You really can’t get it fresher than that! The decor is very elegant, classy and refined. A special occasion or date night place for sure!

Outside on the patio where we would be spending our evening at, we were greeted by a gorgeous view and a sunset setting over the ocean. How romantic!! Uh, well it would be if I had a special someone like that to share it with! If you DO have romance in mind though, be sure to ask for Table #1! Table #1 has the best view on the outdoor patio which is perfect for romance and to wine and dine your honey at. Many engagements have occurred here at this special spot! The General Manager Phil Roberson and Executive Chef Chris Tzorin spoke to us and went out of their way to make sure we all had a wonderful time and that the food was superb. Savannah’s has an amazingly accommodating and attentive team.

We started off with appetizers and drinks that gave us a preview what the rock star chef Chris Tzorin had in store for us. The tray passed appetizers included: Smoked Salmon on a Toasted Point, Bruschetta, and Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp.

Cheers to a night of amazing food and company!

The delicious Tray Passed Appetizers.

After we had a little bit of time to mingle with everyone, we were seated and the first course was served: Tempura Stuffed Zucchini! Stuffed with herd goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes on top of a bed of mixed baby greens and a Ponzu sauce. It was the perfect way to start off our meal together.

Next up for the second course was either a Watermelon Beet Salad with a mixed blend of lettuce, candied pecans, goat cheese, and a herbal vinaigrette. This was the salad that I had and it was a very refreshing choice for a hot summer day. The other choice was a Caesar Salad with croutons, Fried Capers, Parmesan, and a House Caesar Dressing.

The main course was next! It was none other than a superb Surf and Turf plate! A Filet Medallion with Shrimp Scampi, mashed potatoes, Brussel Sprouts, and a nice Cabernet Reduction. I love steak and shrimp, so I was in heaven with this meal!

No meal would be complete without a dessert or TWO! 😉 The choices to share were a warm flourless molten chocolate cake with vanilla bean ice cream, berries, and a chocolate sauce. THIS one was amazing. I could have easily eaten a second one of these all on my own!! The other choice was a Strawberry Short Cake, which consisted of a warm vanilla cake, fresh strawberries and whipped cream. This one was also very yummy, but the Chocolate Cake stole my heart.

Other things offered here at Savannah’s includes: live entertainment, childrens’ cooking classes, magician dinners, wine-pairing dinners and other fantastic events that are all excellent reasons to come eat Chef Tzorin’s fabulous food and have a good time with good company. You really can’t go wrong here. It doesn’t matter if you are seated inside by the huge cozy rock fireplace near the bar, in the main dining room, the veranda or out in the patio, you are in for a special treat and a ton of fun! So go on out and start making your own special memories at this delicious restaurant in the heart of Laguna Niguel.

Savannah Chop House

32441 Golden Lantern

Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

949-493-7107

Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

A very special THANK YOU goes out to Savannah Chop House and Gigasavvy for a wonderful night out at Gigasavvy’s 1st Social Club Gathering! I hope to be a part of many more to come!

Horsing Around In LA

Tag Archives: Orange County

Winter Fest is Coming to Orange County! #WinterFestOC

Winter Fest is Coming to Orange County!

By Erin

What’s Included in the price of your ticket?

Come join in the winter fun at the OC Winter Fest!