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Restaurant Reviews

Islands Restaurant Now Open at The Shops at Mission Viejo + Giftcard Giveaway

October 2, 2016 / Food, Restaurant Reviews

Our family loves to dine at Islands Restaurant and when we heard a new location was now open at The Shops at Mission Viejo, we were excited because it’s literally a hop, skip, and a jump away from where we live! The newly opened location is beautiful and is the 11th location in Orange County! In addition to indoor seating and a full 600 square foot bar area, the location also features an outdoor, open air, wrap-around patio for outdoor dining. Amongst the surf-inspired décor, you have a grand view of the 14 huge wall-mounted TVs, from wherever you are seated and will feel like you’re on the beaches of Hawaii as surf videos play on some of the screens. Sports fans won’t miss a play during their favorite games as they dine, with some of the other screens showing “the game” when it’s on.Islands offers an extensive menu with a full bar so I decided to have a fun drink to start off with. I ordered The Islands Mai Tai. Made with a marriage of two exotic rums, tropical fruit & essence of the islands, this is literally “Paradise in a Glass”! Have you checked out Islands NFL Happy Hour yet? Right now, football fans can enjoy extended happy hour from 4 p.m. to close in the bar area, and all day happy hour on Sundays. All items on the happy hour menu are under $10, including think loaded nachos, sliders, wings, featured IPAs and mai tais. Islands Restaurants will be playing NFL Redzone and NFL Sunday Ticket.

Our favorite appetizer to start with at Islands is the Spinach and Artichoke Dip. Served with fresh chips, this dip is made with chopped spinach & artichoke hearts mixed with sautéed onion & garlic in a creamy alfredo sauce and is delivered to your table piping hot and is enough for your entire family.Kids dining at Islands have quite a few choices on the “Gremmie” menu. I appreciate that they can choose from applesauce, carrots and ranch, carrots, or fries. Kids like to be able to make choices on what they’re going to eat.I tend to be a creature of habit when I visit and usually end up ordering the Chicken Club Wrap which has grilled & chilled sliced chicken breast, Applewood smoked bacon, avocado, cheddar, jack, lettuce, tomato, ranch dressing & bbq sauce and is served in a flour tortilla. It’s so delicious that it’s difficult for me to want to order anything else. Mmm, BBQ sauce! I didn’t realize they had sweet potato fries on the menu so I had to try them and they were yummy!Bacon lovers dining at Islands will be happy to know Islands includes a BLT on the menu called “The Wedge“. It’s made with Applewood Bacon, cheddar, jack, lettuce, tomato & mayo, served on an Islands white or whole wheat bun. It’s also served with Fresh Cut Island Fries. Yum!Although we were pretty full at this point, there’s no denying dessert at Islands. It’s hard to choose between Kona Pie and the Fudge Brownie, so we splurged and ordered one of each. Islands’ Kona Pie is made with Mocha Almond Fudge, ice cream & cookie crust topped with chocolate fudge, whipped cream, roasted nuts, and a cherry. Their Fudge Brownie is made with a rich fudge brownie served warm and topped with vanilla ice cream. They’re both perfect for sharing. Have you had either? Oh goodness, they’re both delicious and I had to stop myself from finishing them all by mysefl!

You can also enter to win a $25 Islands Restaurants giftcard. Enter below on the Rafflecopter. Good luck everyone!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Connect with Islands Restaurant on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

This is not a sponsored post. We were invited to dine at Islands Restaurants in order to facilitate this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Fresh Brothers Pizza Opens 2 New Orange County Locations in Laguna Niguel & Newport Mesa

July 16, 2016 / Food, Restaurant Reviews

As fans of Fresh Brothers Pizza, our family couldn’t be happier about the opening of their two newest locations in Laguna Niguel and Newport-Mesa! With 14 locations already open in LA and Orange County, the 2 new stores make 16 total! Did I mention that one of the new stores is literally a hop, skip & a jump from our home? When it opened, it was like Christmas came early and we jumped for joy about it! My daughter actually did all he jumpiing as you can see at the end of this short video of our visit there:

Only the Freshest Ingredients
Fresh Brothers Pizza is way more than ordinary pizza though. I mean, their pizza is fabulous and differs from other places? Why? Well, the word “Fresh” is part of the name because they only use the freshest ingredients in their sauces, their dough, and the toppings on the pizzas. This actually holds true for their delicious salads and other food items on the menu. We want to feed our families the freshest and best foods, especially on occasions when it’s necessary to eat away from home or even when we bring in. Special Menu Offerings for Dietary Restrictions
Not only does Fresh Brothers Pizza offer the freshest foods but they’re also considerate of those with gluten sensitivities. Most people know usually think of pizza as an option on a gluten-free diet, but Fresh Brothers offers gluten-free options on their menu. That’s a win-win for a lot of families! They also offer vegan menu items. Some of My Favorite Menu Items
You probably got a peek at some of my favorite Fresh Brothers menu items if you saw me my Instagram during the grand opening week of the Laguna Niguel store. I will fully admit that I’m a creature of habit and find it necessary to order a couple of the same items on every visit. Obviously pizza, but I also can’t resist the Greek Town Special salad, Fresh Knots, and Meatball Sliders. When they recently added Sweet Knots to the menu I could (previously only get them in the terminal at LAX), my life was complete! Fresh Brothers Gives Back to the Community
It makes me happy when I see establishments, like Fresh Brother, that “give back” to the community. During the soft opening of the Laguna Niguel store, guests could choose one of three local schools to have 100% of their purchases go to. I don’t know an exact figure but Fresh Brothers donated over $10,000 to local schools after their Laguna Niguel soft opening. That’s amazing! They are big supporters of community events and schools all around. To read more about their community involvement, visit here. They Offer Birthday and Team Parties
Fresh Brothers offer birthday parties, team parties, and any kind of parties, that are super fun for kids! (and adults). We actually celebrated my daughter’s 10th birthday there and the girls loved getting to decorate their own pizza boxes, make their own pizzas, play with pizza dough, and hang out with their very own party host. Read about our pizza party here.

Let Them Cater Your Special Occasion
Fresh Brothers offers special packages and pricing on their menu for Family-Style Meals and catering. When we recently threw a party at our house, we ordered a bunch of pizzas, Fresh Knots, and salads from the menu to serve to guests. Our friends were raving about how delicious the food was! They were also pleased to learn that we now have a location close by. I can tell you first-hand that your guest of honor will be beyond ecstatic if you serve Fresh Brothers Pizza at your party. I know mine was!

Why I Love Fresh Brothers MOST
By this point, you already get how much I love Fresh Brothers’ food but there’s actually another reason that keeps us coming back again and again. It’s because there’s an amazing family behind the name. Nowadays, there aren’t a lot of companies run by families who actually still have a direct hand in the business. When you visit one of their locations, you’re likely to meet at least one of the “brothers” or other family members. Not only will you meet them but they will chat with you and they always make sure everything tastes just as it should because they care about what guests think. That’s somewhere I want to take my family. Don’t you agree?Have you visited a Fresh Brothers Pizza location yet? What was your favorite menu item? Share with me in the comments.

Connect with Fresh Brothers Pizza on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram too.

I was invited to a media menu tasting in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are 100% my own.

The Melt at the Shops at Mission Viejo

May 26, 2016 / Food, Restaurant Reviews

The Melt, newly opened inside of The Shops at Mission Viejo is a fun, casual eatery that boasts bright white and orange decor and a menu that caters to cheese lovers of all ages!

The Melt’s menu is built around a simple key principal: better comfort food for today’s kids (and adults). They feature a variety of our favorite All-American classics on the menu, but prepare them in a way that doesn’t leave you feeling with discomfort or heaviness you sometimes take away from a typical “comfort food” meal. The Melt uses only the freshest ingredients, including locally sourced produce for their menu items. They’re nostalgic about their no-artificial-flavors-necessary offerings like ooey, gooey grilled cheeses melted to order. They offer juicy burgers made with a custom blend of Angus and Wagyu beef, chicken sandwiches, comforting homemade soups, and mac n’ cheese with real aged cheese. Oh and did I mention their all-natural sodas and shakes? You won’t find any artificial color or sweeteners used in them. Their handmade shakes are delicious! The Melt offers a great kids menu. The portions are hearty and are served with sliced apples. We added a salad onto ours. I believe our most favorite item on their menu, hands down, was the Mac Daddy! It’s a grilled cheese sandwich made with an Aged Sharp & Mild Cheddar Cheese Blend, Macaroni, and Bacon, served on grilled Artisan White Bread! This sandwich is everything!

The Melt prides itself on the ability to create some real happy moments for its customers, using quality ingredients including everything from high fructose corn syrup free-ketchup to artisan-baked buns to the season’s peak produce. As a parent who’s trying to feed her family the best food choices, this makes me a “real happy mom“!

To find the closest location to you, visit their site here.

I was invited to a media menu tasting in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% my own.

My Culinary Adventure At Tempo Urban Kitchen in Brea

May 2, 2016 / Food, Restaurant Reviews

Tempo Urban Kitchen in Brea was the place to be the night I was invited to join an eclectic group of local foodies, for a special media menu tasting. The unique eatery, owned by Restaurateur Jorge Cueva, serves up Modern American Cuisine with an urban twist, that’s completely unique from anything else I’ve ever experienced.The Brea location is run by Head Chef Chris Tzorin. If Chris’ face looks familiar to you, it may be because he’s appeared on the Food Network several times, most recently winning on Guy Fieri’s show “Guy’s Groceries“!

Chris says “Food is his therapy“, but he isn’t referring to eating it, himself. He puts an immeasurable amount of passion into creating innovative culinary dishes in his kitchen and seems to gage his own success by others’ satisfaction and enjoyment of his food. If you have the chance to hang out with Chris, you’ll pick up on his frequent mentions of his children, Armani and “Little Chris”, and the immense love he has for them. He’s one of the proudest dads you’ll meet and he attributes his drive and success in the industry to how much his children have motivated him to strive for his dreams. On the evening of my great culinary adventure at Tempo Urban Kitchen, guests were treated to a meal collaboratively created by not 1 but 3 well-know chefs. Joining Chef Chris were also Chef Charly Urban and Chef Salvador Carrillo. The dishes they each prepared for us that night could be described as “campestre” or “farm-to-table” creations, incorporating the freshest ingredients and boldest combinations of flavors. Before the food even started to roll out, we were served these amazing handcrafted Mango Serrano-Infused Margaritas with Tajin on the rims. They were so smooth, mine didn’t last very long. Tempo has an extensive bar and I definitely recommend you visit it at some point, for some drinks and even happy hour one day during the week. The first dish of the night was a delicious Grilled Octopus with house-made Chipotle Aioli, plated on a wooden plank, and served on a bed of micro-greens. The tender pieces of octopus were so delightful and tender and it was obvious that the room was been filled with seafood lovers because it got really quiet during this course.Next, we were served a “Deconstructed Korean Taco“. This Asian-inspired dish was made with the most tender, pork belly I’ve ever tried. It was seared just enough to have a slightly crispy top and the soy-lime and Serrano flavors enhanced it even more. It practically melted on its own in my mouth. The plate was beautifully garnished with a real mango roll, which I devoured in about a second. The third course in our meal was a Slow-Cooked Short Rib topped with Vegan Caviar. (aka Mustard Seeds). The plate was so colorfully garnished with beet sauce and prosciutto. I definitely enjoy beef and this dish was outstanding!

After dinner, all 3 chefs created something extra special for our dessert. They utilized giant KitchenAid mixers. We waited as patiently as we possibly could while they combined fresh ingredients in the bowl. Then they wow-ed us as they brought out the Liquid Nitrogen and turned the mixture into fresh, delicious ice cream! I loved it! We were each served a generous scoop of ice cream served on a delicious waffle cone. I felt like a kid in a candy store. It was the perfect ending to our meal! I loved the subliminal message in the backround too. “La Familia es Todo!” (Family is everything!) As a guest at Tempo Urban Kitchen that evening, I was definitely made to feel like part of their family!

Tempo Urban Kitchen is located at:
1060 E Imperial Hwy
Brea, CA 92821

You should connect with Tempo Urban Kitchen on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

I was invited to a media dinner as a guest of Tempo Urban Kitchen in order to write about my experience. All opinions are 100% my own.

Celebrate Spring with Boudin Bakery’s Fabulous New Salads

April 6, 2016 / Food, Let's Eat!, Restaurant Reviews

It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of Boudin SF Bakery! Obviously, I love their famous Sourdough bread but I also love all of their delicious sandwiches, fresh salads and homemade soups! My daughter is also loves their kids menu.If you peeked at my Instagram recently, you may have noticed me posting pics of some of their latest Spring limited-time offerings a few weeks back. I was invited to a media tasting of the limited-time items at Boudin’s Huntington Beach location. I never pass up a chance to try their new items, especially with Boudin’s Corporate Chef Alan Skversky there to talk us through each one. He is so passionate about creating recipes that are trendy and healthy and that incorporate only the freshest ingredients in them. Starting March 23, Boudin gave all of us 4 more reasons to stop by and dine! First of all, they brought back a highly requested favorite, The Lemony Couscous! The Lemony Couscous is made with Israeli Couscous, garbanzo beans, diced cucumbers, grape tomatoes, Kalamata olives, roasted red bell pepper, feta cheese, and drizzled with creamy lemon dressing. It’s absolutely delicious and they brought it back because so many people were asking for it.

This Spring, Boudin added 3 new Limited-Time offerings to the menu and you’re going to love all three! Each of the salads is made fresh-to-order and served with some of Boudin’s freshly-baked sourdough bread. They are perfect for lunch or dinner and can be enjoyed in the restaurant or taken “to go”. Check these out:

Bacon, Blue & Beets – This salad is made with spring mix, all natural chicken, red onion, roasted golden and red beets, green beans, Applewood smoked bacon, blue cheese, spiced walnuts and tossed in ranch dressing.

Mango & Red Quinoa Salad – Made with crisp chiffonade romaine and spicy baby arugula lettuces, red quinoa, refreshing mango, red grapes, red onion, almonds and goat cheese, all tossed in house-made mango citrus vinaigrette. You have the option to add chicken for $2.29. Forbidden Rice & Chicken Sesame Salad – This salad is made with baby spinach, black rice, all natural chicken, Granny Smith apples, garbanzo beans, pickled red onion, goat cheese and house-made sesame dressing.

The timing of these additions to the menu, couldn’t be more perfect for me! I was just starting to get myself on a better daily routine and these delicious seasonal salads just made my own personal “Get Ready for Summer” meal plan even easier! These refreshing Spring salads are available at all 9 Boudin SF Southern California locations. To find a location nearest you, click here.

This is not a sponsored post. I was invited to a menu tasting in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% my own.

El Mirasol Mexican Restaurant in Palm Springs

February 12, 2016 / Food, Restaurant Reviews

During a recent stay in Palm Springs at the Los Arboles Hotel, I discovered that the property was also home to one of the desert’s best Mexican eateries….El Mirasol! The restaurant is actually one of two family-run locations in Palm Springs and promises nothing short of delicious and authentic Mexican food. Not only did we eat there on the first night of our stay, it was so delicious that we dined there again on the following night as well! Why did I think it was so great? I won’t say that it was a single determining factor. There were many reasons! First of all, the casual atmosphere of the restaurant offers guests seating indoors, in the bar area, or outdoors on a patio that’s outlined with colorful strands of lights. El Mirasol is the place to be on weekend nights which was apparent with the packed house on both nights! Imagine my surprise when I glanced over the drink menu to find fresh, homemade margaritas being offered at very reasonable prices. This was surprising, especially considering that the restaurant is an on-property restaurant for the hotel. I ordered myself up a grande Cadillac margarita right away, after I spotted someone else’s. It was fun to watch the bartender make my drink as I sat nearby. I watched him finish it off with squeezes of halved fresh limes on top. Yum! The order of guacamole that they served to our table as a starter, complimented the fresh chips and homemade salsa incredibly. It was a giant portion of guacamole, too, so we didn’t have to fight over one person dipping more than the others. I appreciated the offerings on the children’s menu which included typical kids’ Mexican favorites and even chicken nuggets for the kid who won’t eat much. (We can all relate to that situation). It seemed like taquitos were a hit with my daughter! She ordered both chicken and beef ones. (with more guacamole, of course) The adult menu was extensive and it was a bit difficult to narrow it down to just one entree. Luckily I ate there two nights in a row. The cheese enchiladas were delicious and made with a sauce that was so full of flavor. Everything we tried was so good and the entire staff went above and beyond. Even one of the owners came over to our table to see how our experience was. El Mirasol is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They were also happy to put drinks into cups we could take by the pool during the day. It’s a great place to dine if you’re visiting Palm Springs. We can’t wait to go back again on our next trip!

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Enjoy Cuisine With a Oaxacan Flare at KayNDaves Cantina

February 2, 2016 / Food, Restaurant Reviews

I was invited super excited to join a fun group of my friends for Sunday brunch at KayNDaves Cantina in Culver City! It’s of their 3 locations and is situated in a super fun little area of the city, right off Culver Blvd. After parking, I strolled through the hip downtown area until I reached the location and joined everyone on the outdoor patio. We were seated at a high, round table with a lit fire pit in the middle. Southern California already has amazing winter weather but it also felt nice to have that fire going as we dined outdoors and started off with Fresh Muddled Watermelon Shots! Kayndave’s head chef, Alejo Grijalva, was raised in Oaxaca on his great-grandmother’s farm. She too, loved to cook and taught Alejjo and his brothers a lot about life, food, and cooking. The recipes featured on the menu boast flavors and combinations of fresh ingredients that are straight from his great-grandmother’s recipes that he brought to the United States all the way from Mexico. Alejo runs the kitchens at Kayndaves, along with his two brothers, Ruben and Roberto. If you ever meet them in person, you’ll most likely question whether they are triplets! They look so much alike! Together, they’re know as “Los Tres Hermanos” (The Three Brothers). The brunch that came out of that kitchen that day, was beyond amazing! The miniature versions of the “Starters” were beautifully plated together and my mouth was watering the moment they were placed in front of me alongside a Tamarindo Margarita, made with Xicaru Mezcal and served in a chili-rimmed glass! The “starters” included:

Mini Pibil Sope – A Cochinita Pork Pibil Oven-Roasted in Banana and Agave Leaves

Squash Blossom Relleno – Fresh Blossoms, Jack Cheese, Mexican Herbs, Crema, and Pico de Gallo.

Ceviche Tostada – Sole marinated in fresh lime juice.

Mini Chicken Mole Taco – Mole Negro made from scratch

Please don’t ask me which of the starters was my favorite because they were all amazing! If I didn’t have to save room for the rest of the meal, I would’ve had seconds of each of these! After our starters, we were served Blackberry Margaritas. They had muddled blackberries and mint in them which made them not only look beautiful but taste that way as well! Next, our first entree arrived and it was Chiliquiles Verdes. This traditional Mexican breakfast/brunch dish was served in a skillet and topped with a spicy tomatillo salsa, Cotija cheese, and fresh herbs. I loved the presentation of the entire dish! Next, they placed a bubbling hot Molcajete Azteca down in front of me that smelled amazing! It had grilled steak, shrimp, and chicken in it that had been slow-cooked with a relleno in Guajillo sauce.

By this point in our meal, although I’d been pacing myself, I was starting to slow down. Everything was so delicious though that it was hard to do so. However, I knew there would be dessert too and I ALWAYS have room for dessert, don’t you? I had a huge smile on my face when they handed me an iced Mexican Mocha in a Mason Jar! 2 shots of espresso was just what I needed as an afternoon pick-me-up! Topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with some “Abuelita”, it tasted as good as it looked! It also paired well with the trio of desserts we were served: Tres Leche Cake, Banana Flautas, and Coconut Crusted Fried Ice Cream!

I had such a wonderful afternoon out at KayNDaves for Sunday brunch with my friends! I don’t think I can ever get enough of authentic Mexican food made with such fresh ingredients like that and I hope to make it back there again to try their Happy Hour because I heard it’s all the rage!

Visit KayNDaves on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

NFL Happy Hour Specials at Islands Restaurants + Enter to Win a $25 Gift Card

January 2, 2016 / Food, Let's Eat!, Restaurant Reviews

Have you dined at Islands Restaurants lately? It’s the perfect place to go with the whole family and always has something on the menu for everyone in our group! On a recent rainy day, our family ventured out to our local Islands to grab some lunch. I’m addicted to their Passion Fruit Iced Tea and it’s my “thing” to order some right away along with an order of their Chips & Salsa with Fresh Made Guacamole! I’m kind of a creature of habit, so I usually order their Yaki Tacos. The combination of the grilled chicken, teriyaki sauce, pineapple salsa, jack cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes is the best! They’re usually served with Ranchero Beans but I felt like substituting for some other their famous fries. I love sprinkling some of Islands’ “Secret Seasoning” on them and dipping each one in ranch dressing! My daughter usually orders the Jr. Tiki Tenders from their Gremmie Menu with applesauce and carrots and ranch. As a mom, I’m pleased that Islands also offers healthy choices for their sides.

A slice of their Kona Pie for dessert, which has Mocha almond fudge ice cream & cookie crust topped w/chocolate fudge, whipped cream, roasted almonds & a cherry. didn’t last very long at our table. It was a delicious way to end our lunch! Right now, Islands Restaurants has NFL Happy Hour going on, that offers football fans ice cold beer, tropical drinks and tasty game day fare all season long. Monday and Thursday happy hour deals are extended from 4 p.m. to close in the bar, with specials available all day long on Sundays. Those looking for the full viewing experience can catch all the action with NFL Sunday Ticket and won’t miss a single touchdown or interception with NFL Redzone playing on big screen TVs at every Islands location.
Hungry fans can blitz brand new menu items including the Nalu Nalu Dog – garnished with a roasted garlic aioli and topped with sautéed onion, red and green bell peppers, deli pepper rings and melted Swiss cheese – and the Pipeline Dog covered with chili, onions and American cheese, which will be available in the bar area.
Additional Sunday NFL specials will run all day and night in the bar, and include the following:

Coors Light for $2.99
Featured IPA for $4.59
Bloody Marys for $3.99
Island Nachos for $7.95

Football lovers can stay hydrated and satisfied while cheering on their favorite team with these signature tropical drinks and food specials every game day:

the Mai Tai ($4.39)
the Hand Shaken Strawberry Daiquiri ($5.59)
Hawaiian Sliders ($5.99)
Quesadillas ($3.79)
Cheddar Fries ($4.85)

No matter the score, guests will celebrate Islands NFL Happy Hour with a touchdown victory dance and unique promotions at each store location. The game day experience will vary by location with bartender-call-it discounted drinks, giveaways and games.
For more information, please visit http://www.islandsrestaurants.com.

note: during playoffs, Islands will only be doing specials for NFL playoff games on Saturdays and Sundays, including the Super Bowl.

Now for the exciting part! Islands Restaurants will provide 1 of my lucky readers with a $25 Islands gift card. Enter to win on the Rafflecopter below. Good luck everyone! Happy New Year!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

This is not a sponsored post. We were invited to lunch at Islands Restaurant in order to write this post. All opinions are 100% my own. Some images property of Islands Restaurants

Savannah Chop House: You Can Taste The Passion Behind The Cooking! #SavannahIsBack

September 19, 2015 / Food, Let's Eat!, Restaurant Reviews

The opinions in this article are my own. I do not work for, or with, any brand mentioned in this article, nor do I have any official relationship with them. I have a relationship with Gigasavvy, for whom I create original editorial content.Up on a hilltop in Laguna Niguel, sits an eatery called Savannah Chop House. Offering breathtaking, ocen views and an menu that makes a foodie’s heart happy, Savannah Chop House is the perfect location for any occasion whether it’s a date night, a girls’ night out, or a special family dinner.

I was invited to a media tasting as a guest of Savannah Chop House and Giga Savvy, featuring an eclectic collection of dishes prepared by their Executive Chef, Chris Tzorin. Let me just tell you now, I could literally taste the passion behind his cooking every time I took a bite.

Chef Tzorin shared a little bit of his personal story with us and I already felt like we were getting a peek into his world where perhaps, many people aren’t invited. One of the first statements out of his mouth was “Food is my therapy“, about which he was referring to his craft of cooking! Chris has had a series of personal challenges that he’s managed to hurdle over and move forward from. He also shared with us that the way he handles the reality of these things is to cook for others and make people happy with his amazing culinary creations! It’s obvious he’s been blessed with crazy cooking skills! (That means he’s an amazing chef)

Let’s take a look at some of the menu that our group got to enjoy. I apologize if the pictures and descriptions make you hungry. (Actually I don’t). However, you too, can visit Savannah Chop House and get some of your own!

We were treated to some tray passed appetizers upon arrival, which included Savannah’s Signature Recipe Bruschetta, Grilled Proscuitto Wrapped Shrimp, and Smoked Salmon on a Toasted Point. We nibbled on our appetizers as the sun continued to set over the ocean.

The first course was a delicious Tempura Stuffed Zuccini surrounded by Herb Goat Cheese & Sundried Tomatoes and served atop Baby Mixed Greens. The presentation was beautiful and I loved the flower garnish. If there weren’t other courses to follow, I would’ve asked for a few more of these.

The second course was a choice between 2 light, refreshing salads. The Caesar Salad is made with croutons, fried capers, Parmesan and topped with their House Caesar Dressing. The other salad, a Watermelon Beet Salad, is made with a mixed blend, candied pecans, and Goat Cheese and topped with an Herbal Vinaigrette.

The third course, which was the main course, was Surf and Turf! When I looked down and saw a Filet Medallion with Shrimp Scampi with Mashed Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, and a Cabernet Reduction on my plate, my heart was happy!

Regardless of how full I think I am, I ALWAYS have room for dessert! Although we had a choice between 2 different desserts, I opted to try both the Warm Flourless Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Berries & Chocolate Sauce and Strawberry Shortcake made with Vanilla Cake, Fresh Strawberries, and Whipped Cream!

Every dish that was placed in front of me was delicious and I’ve dreamt about returning for another meal since I left there that night! After dessert, when the guests started to leave, I stuck around for a special tour in the kitchen, led by the Executive Chef, Chris Tzorin. He showed us behind-the-scenes and talked about all of the preparation that went into the night’s menu. (I don’t think he sleeps!)

Chris’ father is also an amazing chef who is mostly retired now but came out to oversee what Chris was up to in the kitchen. I actually teared up when I took this picture. I see a man who is so passionate about his “craft” that it translates into every bite of the food he’s dishing up for his guests and I see another man who is an incredibly proud papa and looks content knowing that he’s raised an amazingly talented son! I love this picture!