CLOSED: A Seafood Haven...Red Lobster (+ Gift Card Giveaway)

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* Click here to view the name(s) of the winner(s)*

The Buzz:

If seafood is your personal fetish, then I'm sure each time you drive past Red Lobster you hear those doors calling out your name!



Red Lobster is definitely a seafood Haven for seafood lovers especially since every dish brought to the table is fresh and that has just been the way things have been from the time they first opened in 1968.

The heat is on this time of the year as Lobsterfest is on top of the menus again.



This year's menu includes new specials like the Grilled Maine Lobster & Shrimp and Bar Harbor Lobster & Shrimp Trio.



If you aren't a big lobster fan, you can also choose something from the Chef's Selection of Fresh Fish with the Wood Fire Grill Entrees



and if it's a quick bite you're looking for while out on your lunch break, stay focused on the Quick Catches segment in your menu.



There's something for everybody!


E.B. Mommy's Report:

We made our first "lunch date" at Red Lobster during the Spring Break after finishing up half our list of errands. We were hungry and the children were getting really tired.

Ambiance-

I was relieved that, though the restaurant was elegantly themed in a style reminiscent of the seaside village of Bar Harbor, Maine, creating a place for a relaxing, seaside dining experience, the ambiance was casual. A relief especially when you have two young ones in tow.

The live lobster tank placed strategically outside the dining area provided great entertainment while we waited to be seated at our table. (and also when Bunny Boo got a little fidgety halfway through the meal)



As soon as we were seated, our server brought Bunny girl an activity sheet with crayons that distracted her while we placed our orders and waited for the food to arrive.



Thankfully the delicious, signature Cheddar bay biscuits and refreshing pink lemonade help tide over the initial pinnacled hunger pangs!



Food-

I ordered a new introduction to the Quick Catches menu- Fish and Chips.



I have to admit that I'm not a seafood person at all and honestly thought I'd pick one of those life saving chicken dishes but when I saw Fish and Chips on the menu I was reminded of my childhood and picked the same. The fish was well battered, crisp and not at all greasy. The chips were on the greasy side but once paired with the scrumptious tartar sauce, can be forgiven.

Hubby ordered the fresh Cedar Plank Salmon.



This came roasted and lightly seasoned along with some wild rice pilaf and a boiled potato with a shrimp gravy topping.



Hubby loves fish, so he was in "fishy bliss" as he gorged on the salmon!

Now this is something else I loved about Red Lobster....their kids meal options are truly kiddie oriented.


So yes, my Bunny girl picked the generous serving of Chicken Fingers with fries and chocolate milk even though she'd talked about ordering shrimp all the way through the drive to the restaurant!

We topped off our meals by sharing a plate of incredibly rich but yummy Warm Chocolate Chip Lava Cookie.



If you ever have a chocolate and ice cream craving, this is one dish you just have to order.



I'm telling you nothing speaks utter tummy satisfaction than a plate of icecream, a cookie and oozing melted chocolate!!


Value for Money-

Price-wise the restaurant's menu offers something for every budget. A seafood lunch meal starts as low as 6.99 US$ and if you keep your eyes open on the weekends, you can find coupons in your local coupon booklets to slash a few dollars off two lunch or dinner entrees.


After dining at our local Red Lobster I can totally see why the Parents Magazine voted them as one of the Top 10 Family Restaurants for 2011....great food, a family environment and friendly servers!

Like I said, I'm no seafood foodie but I honestly can't wait to order my next plate of Fish and Chips there!


Win it:

One reader will have the opportunity to win a 20$ Red Lobster Gift Card


Here's how you can win it:

1. Mandatory entry (without this, all other entries will be disqualified)-

Look through the Red Lobster menu and tell me something you'd love to try.


2. Love on the Sponsor-

- Follow Red Lobster on Twitter

- Like Red Lobster on Facebook

- Follow me on Twitter and tweet once daily...

RT @ebmommy #Win a Red Lobster Gift Card at EBMR's #Seafood #Giveaway http://bit.ly/eF3y9Y (4/9) @redlobster #fish #dining #family



3. Seven additional entries: (1 entry each)-

- Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect

- "Like" me on Facebook.

- Follow me on Networked Blogs

- Follow my feed via RSS

- Subscribe via email to receive EBMR's blog updates

-Snag my Blog button

-Blog about this giveaway (leave a comment with a link to your blog post)


* Please ensure your Blogger Profile holds your email address. If it's set to private or your email address does not show, please add the same in your comments*


This giveaway is open to US Residents only, 18 years and above. 1 winner will be chosen with the random.org generator on April 9, 2011 at 10 pm Central time.





** EBMR Disclaimer: Red Lobster sent me a gift card to try out their menu. This post has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.**

Labels: E.B. Mommy Dines, More giveaways, Red Lobster, Reviews / Giveaways, Seafood

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 11:47 AM 781 Comments

CLOSED: Nothin' fishy about Gorton's...Mmm Mmm Good!! (+Giveaway- 5 winners)

* Click here to view the name(s) of the winner(s)*

We've seen the Fisherman and yes he is like an acquaintance to many. Familiar face vouching for an established brand since our great grandparents time!
Gorton's is more than just any household name, to many households its the only name we trust to provide us with crispy, mouthwatering seafood dishes that are not only healthy for our families but also safe for our tummies!

The product line is no longer to a regular fish finger or a breaded shrimp. Quite the contrary actually! Gorton's product line is a rich diner's haven that will satisfy any seafood enthusiast's palette with over 25 seafood yummies!


Not one product is cheated upon. Each pack is 100% seafood dominated and not all bread crumbs or mainly batter stuffing. (And no prices are not expensive. They're definitely worth the money you spend especially when you couple your purchase with coupons)

Hubby and Bunny girl love fish and shrimp irrespective of how it is served to them. Me....well I'm another story! I need to have my fish mild tasting, with no fishy fragrance at all and my piece has to be well seasoned to mask whatever potential fish flavor I may get once I take the first bite! (I know, I know...totally defeats any purpose of having seafood at all!) So winning over my taste buds is quite the task, thus I decided we'd try Gorton's Tilapia Fish Fillets first.


Yum!
I loved the subtle fish taste, the crisped breaded exterior and the easy way the fillet flaked off when my fork pierced into the body.


Apparently each Tilapia is handpicked and specifically chosen for its place on our platter, thereby heralding it to the rank of a 'Five Star Tilapia' in Gorton's eyes. The aroma was so inviting that I managed to gobble up my piece without waiting for us to serve it with fries or any other sides. I happily ate the entire piece greedily with my lunch that afternoon. (Think I shocked my mother as she knows what a struggle t has been to stuff a morsel of fish down my throat as a child!)

Other family favorites from Gorton's that we recommend trying are


The Grilled Lemon Pepper Fish Fillets (If you prefer going grilled),


The Popcorn Shrimp- a lovely Crunchy Snack that goes great with Ketchup or a Mayonnaise Dip
and


The Original Batter Tenders with Chunky Golden Fries and some Tartar sauce.

You can even get a little adventurous and try out some of the recipes featured on the Gorton's Recipe Bank .There are some great ways you can incorporate Gorton's products into your dinner menu and mask them in a way that will have your little ones asking for more!

If you haven't tried any of Gorton's products I, a very hesitant seafood lover, can boldly affirm that you ARE missing out on some Mmm Mmm Good food!!


Win it:

Five readers will have the opportunity to win 2 full value product coupons that can be used to buy any 2 of Gorton's delicious product packs, each.


Here's how you can win it:

1. Mandatory entry (without this, all other entries will be disqualified)-

Look through the Gorton's site and tell me one product you'd love to relish!


2. Love on the Sponsor-

- Fan/Like Gorton's on Facebook

- Sign up for Gorton's e-newsletter for information on promotions, recipes, coupons and more!

- Follow me on Twitter and tweet once daily...

RT @ebmommy Win the chance to eat 2 great Gorton's packs with EBMR's Gorton's Seafood Giveaway(6/19)http://bit.ly/dAjEC0 - 5 winners!


3. Four additional entries: (1 entry each)-

-Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect, RSS feeds, email updates

- Fan me on Facebook.

-Snag my Blog button

-Blog about this giveaway (leave a comment with a link to your blog post)


* Please ensure your Blogger Profile holds your email address. If it's set to private or your email address does not show, please add the same in your comments*


This giveaway is open to US Residents only, 18 years and above. 5 winners will be chosen with the random.org generator on June 19 2010 at 10 pm Central time.





** EBMR Disclaimer: Gorton's sent me product coupons for review purposes only. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.**

Labels: Gorton's, More giveaways, Reviews / Giveaways, Seafood

posted by Marina@EBMR @ 7:32 PM 312 Comments