Five Reasons to Dine at Fogo de Chão for the Holidays @fogorestaurants

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Disclaimer: Thanks to our friends at Fogo De Chão for hosting SobeSavvy.com. A gift card was provided to use towards facilitating this review and sharing my honest opinion with you!

Recently my family and I were visiting Atlanta,GA and we learned that one of our favorite restaurants, Fogo De Chão Brazilan Steakhouse  had a location in the area. We made a reservation on OpenTable.com and made plans to dine there for their amazing Brazilian Brunch, which I had the pleasure of trying for the first time at their DC location. That experience was so memorable that I knew dining with Fogo again would be a great choice especially for a special occasion such as Christmas and New Years. Here are my Five Reasons to Dine at Fogo De Chão for the Holidays:

1. Festive Decor and Atmosphere

First impressions are everything, even when dining out at a restaurant. Fogo offers a warm and festive atmosphere anytime but they really did a great job with their holiday decor. The restaurant was nicely decorated with wreaths at the door, a cozy fireplace and there was also a beautiful Christmas tree. We just had to take advantage of a holiday photo op!

2. Great Cocktails & Mocktails

What’s the holidays without having a drink to toast to the festivities?! In addition to a full bar which features an innovative and award winning wine list, Fogo De Chao has speciality Cocktails and Mocktails that the whole family can enjoy. Our daughter loves the Limeade, which is just one of the many drinks where they use fresh lime. No matter what you choose, their cocktails are expertly crafted with a smile!

3. Seasonal Market Table

The Market Table is much more than a salad bar. As described it features..”a colorful palate of fresh and flavorful ingredients inspired by Brazilan farmlands & recipes that are traditional & natural staples of Southern Brazilian cuisine.” That’s right you can have a taste of Brazil without even stamping your passport. How’s that for a holiday treat! My faves from the Market Table are the Butternut Kale Salad and the Autumn Lentil Soup, which is a great gluten free option. Everyone can find tasty, healthy and delicious options right at the Market Table which can be enjoyed as a meal itself or included with your full churrasco experience. For a look at the full Market Table menu, click here.

4. Conveniently Open on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day & New Years Eve/New Years Day

My fondest holiday moments are memories of having a good meal with family and friends. While I still plan to cook some of my family favorites to enjoy on Christmas Day, it is nice to have the option to dine out at Fogo De Chão. No need to carve the turkey, when you can sit back, relax and have fire roasted, well seasoned pork, lamb, chicken, steak carved for you right at the table. You flip your card red for stop and green for go. Everything was so good that I think we found a new holiday tradition..dining at Fogo for the holidays!

5. Shop for your favorite Foodie

If you are shopping for a Christmas gift or in need of a hostess gift to give to someone, a gift card from Fogo De Chao is a great idea! Maybe you want to surprise your neighbor or give a thank you gift to someone. Anyone would love to be treated to a gift card which can be sent by an egift card by email or easily mailed. Gift cards purchased can be redeemed at any of the locations in the United States or Puerto Rico.

SobeSavvy Tip: Need a gift idea for the foodie in your life? Purchase a Fogo De Chão gift card by Dec. 31 and receive a $25 Holiday Bonus Card for every $150 in gift card purchases! Buy at restaurant or at FOGO.com

Fogo De Chão also offers group and private dining. So no matter the size family, or if your gathering is big or small, this restaurant can surely accomodate all. We had another amazing dining experience with Fogo. I would definitely recommend anyone visiting Atlanta and looking for a place to dine to visit Fogo De Chão Brazilian Steakhouse for a unique and delicious weekend brunch,lunch or dinner!

Fogo De Chão Brazilian Steakhouse

3101 Piedmont Rd NE

Atlanta, GA 30305

@CarolinaBallet Presents The Nutcracker Review + Giveaway! Win 2 Tix 12/29 @DPAC #NC #FamilyFun #Arts

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On Sunday December 16, SobeSavvy.com celebrated the 18th annual performance of Carolina Ballet’s The Nutcracker presented by PNC with magic sponsored by WRAL-TV. This family friendly show, performed at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium has become a Mommy & Me tradition for us. We both love performing arts and enjoyed seeing magic combined with ballet in this wonderful show featuring Tchaikovsky’s incredible music. Choreographed by Robert Weiss, Carolina Ballet presents The Nutcracker is not only “Magical.Magnificent.Mysterious”, but Unique because it features grand illusions by world renowned magician Rick Thomas as well as a live music by the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle!

My daughter, fondly referred to as #outandaboutAva, first saw this perfomance in 2016 when she was 5 years old. Now that she is 7 and has read The Nutcracker story, seen the Disney movie: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, and learned the music in school, she was so excited to see this holiday classic! Carolina Ballet does an outstanding job working with the children from ballet schools across the Triangle as well as their own, The School of Carolina Ballet to perform this magical tale of holiday adventure based on a novel by E.T.A. Hoffman. The Nutcracker is one of the most recognizable scores in the ballet repertoire and definitely a performance the whole family should see because it appeals to the child in everyone!

What is The Nutcracker about?

This enchanting tale, in which toys come to life and treats dance with delight, follows young Clara and her prince as they journey to the Land Of Sweets. It begins when young Clara receives a nutcracker from her godfather, a wizardly toymaker named Drosselmeyer. Sneaking downstairs to see the toy after everyone else has gone to bed, she suddenly finds herself caught in the middle of a pitched battle between the toys and an army of mice. After saving the nutcracker with a well-thrown shoe to the Mouse King’s head, Clara and her now-living prince venture into the Land of Snow and the Land of Sweets to celebrate. Throughout their adventures, Tchaikovsky’s dazzling inventiveness propels the dances of nimble flowers and regal fairy queens. The “Waltz of the Snowflakes” floats weightlessly whereas the “Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy” tiptoes to the haunting, music-box chimes of a celesta. A medley of exotic national dances—including a Spanish bolero and Russian Trepak—add to the phantasmagoric celebration before the whole dream ends, as all dreams must.

When and Where is it playing?

Dates: December 14, 2018 – December 23, 2018 at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Raleigh at 3401 Atlantic Ave., Raleigh, NC 27604

Dates: December 29, 2018 – December 30, 2018 at DPAC- Durham Performing Arts Center in Downtown Durham at 123 Vivian St., Durhan, NC 27701

*See website>> CarolinaBallet.com or call 919.719.0900 for dates/times/prices

SobeSavvy Tip: Before/After the show or during intermission, you can get some holiday shopping done at The Nutcracker Boutique. You’ll find a variety of things like ornaments, socks or even a nutcracker of your very home to take home to be apart of your family traditions for years to come!

Enter to WIN 2 Tickets !!

Carolina Ballet presents The Nutcracker and SobeSavvy.com have teamed up to share a #SobeSavvygiveaway with you and give one winner a holiday memory that you will never forget!

Enter for a chance to be awed by the magic and choreography of Carolina Ballet and win (2) tickets to Carolina Ballet: The Nutcracker at DPAC on Sat 12/29 at 7pm.

To Enter:

💥 Like this post

💥 Leave comment below why you’d like to go

💥💥 Bonus entry if you leave comment on the Instagram post below + Follow @SobeSavvy

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrLnEechNwa/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1woncstnowlax

Winner will be chosen by random.org on Dec.19, 2018 at noon.

Good Luck!

Update: Contest Closed. Congrats to Valerie Contreras, @hellominimama ! Have a wonderful time!

Things to do in #Raleigh | Visit @OURBODYRaleigh @TriangleTown Now Through Thru March 2019

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I think we all at one time or another have wondered, ” How exactly does my body function?”  Well now you have to wonder no more. There is currently an exhibit at the Triangle Town Center here in Raleigh called “Our Body, The Universe Within” https://ourbodyraleigh.com/

Last here a decade ago, it has returned bigger and better than ever. This unique exhibit displays actual preserved human corpses and fetuses. They use a technique called “polymer impregnation” ,which in essence preserves the bodies and internal organs EXACTLY as they are. Muscles ,tendons and even arteries are there to amaze  all who visit.

The exhibit is broken down into the different parts of the human anatomy. Brains, hearts and lungs are some of the few things to behold. I don’t want to give away too much but to see the ENTIRE human body in it’s natural state is amazing.

I think the area displaying a smokers lungs and heart may have to most impact on alot of people. After seeing that I cannot imagine someone not try to give up smoking or more importantly emcourage young folks to never take up the habit. The entire experience was eye opening to say the least. Humans are truly a unique self sustaining species.

Come take a DEEP look and see how. Our Bodies is open currently selling tickets until the end of February 2019.

5 Years of Holiday Cheer! Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical is here @DECRALEIGH #RudolphRaleigh #familyfun

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🎶You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all🎶 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer..

We all know and love the song that goes along with the animated television story of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”! Now is your chance to fall in love all over again with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical, in it’s 5th year is now playing at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts inside the A.J.Fletcher Opera Theater to see this all time favorite holiday classic brought to life on stage!

Before seeing the show, SobeSavvy.com was invited to a special Blogger Party to celebrate it’s 5th year anniversary! If you saw my IG instastories @SobeSavvy, then you saw how much fun we had prior to the show! If not, be sure to check out my you tube video below.

There is actually a chance for all guests to enjoy lobby festivities before seeing the show. I recommend arriving early so you can:

• SHOP for adorable gifts and plush toys for your little one or find the perfect Christmas gift!

• SNAP photos with the larger than life characters from the special including Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster and of course, Rudolph!

• POSE for the camera at the step and repeat and capture a picture from your memorable night out!

My husband and I grew up watching this all time favorite cartoon special every single year at Christmas time. So to experience it with our daughter and see it come live on stage is such a joy! We all had fun taking a trip to Christmas Town all the way to the North Pole to Santa’s workshop. We watched the story unfold and enjoyed seeing Rudolph grow from a young buck who went thru adversity to a deer who became a leader necause he never stopped believing in himself. So what his nose was different. You Glow Rudolph!

Kids of all ages were in the audience to experience the wonder that this story truly is. My girl enjoyed this at 7 years old as much as she did when we went to see Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical in 2016, when she was age 5! There was plenty of dancing and singing. The audience was invited to sing-a-long with the lyrics to ‘Silver and Gold’. This musical truly brought the warm feelings of the holidays to our hearts. The last scene actually had REAL snow falling on the audience. The kids and adults alike were delighted!

Now thru Dec 24, grab your family, young and old to see the greatest Christmas tale ever told! Come dressed in your holiday pjs or wear a Santa’s hat to this family fun show filled with singing, dancing and great acting! Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and Rudolph are all ready to entertain you! Buy your tickets now to Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical. It is the absolute must do for this holiday season !!

Watch highlights from the Blogger Party celebrating the 5th Year Anniversary of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical!

Thanks again for inviting SobeSavvy.com to the event and performance. For more info on how you can get tickets to the show, go to dukeenergycenterraleigh.com.

Happy Holidays!🎄

#GiftIdeas|Giveaway @Root7products G & T Cocktail Set, Books from @DrinkLikeLadies @CherylCharming + @TopoDistillery Gin Recipes

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Tis the season of celebrations, traditions and holidays. Raise your hand, or glass if you enjoy a good cocktail to kick off the festivities? 🙋‍♀️ Well today I have something for you or the cocktail lover in your life!

I am hosting a #SobeSavvygiveaway for this really stunning gift set. It’s an amazing invention by leading drinkware brand Root7. It allows at home mixologists to make their own gin & tonic creations.

Root 7 G & Tea Cocktail Set | photo credit http://www.Root7.com

The Root 7 G & Tea set is a fun, stylish and uber-unique way to mix and serve a cocktail for two. With a spectacularly chic design it’s ideal for master mixologists and fashionistas.

Root 7 G & Tea Cocktail Set | photo credit http://www.Root7.com

The set is made of high-quality rainbow tinted borosilicate glass with a shimmering gold pattern, which enhances any table setting and balances beautifully with your lighting.

Root 7 G & Tea Cocktail Set | photo credit http://www.Root7.com

The teapot comes with a filter basket keeping fruity lumps and pips out of the tea cups. If gin isn’t your cup of tea, then it can be used with real tea, so little fingers up and drink in class. It’s also perfect for any other cocktail and certain to be the centerpiece of any gathering.

Root 7 G & Tea Cocktail Set | photo credit http://www.Root7.com

Available on Amazon.com, this is a wonderful gift idea for a cocktail/tea lover and makes a great hostess gift! Or maybe you want to keep for yourself to make a ‘hot toddy’ to keep you warm. Watch this YouTube video for more info about Root7’s G & Tea set:

If that doesn’t inspire the mixologist in you, then perhaps these next two items (that I am also including in this #SobeSavvygiveaway) will. Check out these cocktail books both written by women authors who are passionate about sharing their cocktail knowledge.

Drinking Like Ladies | website

What I like about this book is how it pays homage to the accomplishments of women in history while giving you creative cocktails crafted by female bartenders. Cheers to the authors, Kristen Amann and Misty Kalkofen who sought out to dismantle the patriarchy one cocktail at a time!

The Cocktail Companion |website

What I like about this book is the fun facts about each type of alcohol. For example did you know that Gin is just vodka after its first distilling? The herbs and botanicals are added during the second distilling. It is fair to say that gin is flavored vodka! The photography in this book is beautiful also.

We love to make cocktails at home using TOPO Organic Spirits, which is locally distilled in Chapel Hill,NC. Their award winning TOPO Piedmont Gin is made from 100% North Carolina wheat and well balanced, which makes it easy to drink.

Here are some G & Tea Time recipes from the website that I plan to make using TOPO Piedmont Gin :

Photo Credit Root7.com

GIN & TONIC
All you need to do is put the ice into the bottom of the teapot, fill with gin and tonic and then place ingredients into the filter compartment and leave to steep for 5 – 10 minutes depending on how strong you want the flavours to be.
Easy:
‘Gin’gle Bells
  • Earl Grey Tea – 1 bag (scoop)
  • Lemon Zest – 1/2 Lemon
  • Cinnamon Stick – 1 stick
  • Cloves – 6
  • Tonic- 500ml
  • Gin – 100ml
  • Orange Zest – 1/2 Orange
  • Ice – handful

Medium:

Gin & Apple Pie
  • Green Tea – 1 bag (scoop)
  • Tonka Beans – 5
  • Vanilla Pod – 1
  • Gin – 100ml
  • Apple – 1/2 cut into slices
  • Cinnamon – 1 Stick
  • Muscovado Sugar – 3 teaspoons
  • Tonic – 500ml
  • Ice – handful

Harder

Vesper Mar’tea’ni
  • Breakfast Tea – 1 bag (scoop)
  • Gin – 100ml
  • Lemon Grass – 1 stick
  • Lillet – 50ml
  • Hibiscus – 2 flowers
  • Lime Zest – 1/2 a lime
  • Tonic – 500ml
  • Ice – handful
    Follow @Root7products for more recipes and cocktail ideas.

    #DrinkDifferently

    Enter my #SobeSavvyGiveaway for your chance to win:

    • a G&Tea cocktail set from Root7

    • ‘Drinking Like Ladies’ book

    • ‘The Cocktail Companion’ book

    Comment below your favorite cocktail or tea! BONUS entry- Follow @SobeSavvy on IG. Winner will be chosen randomnly Dec.6, 2018 at noon. Good Luck!

    #FamilyTravel | Where to Play, Eat, Stay for the Holidays in Charlotte, NC #CLT

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    Thanksgiving Weekend 2018 has ended but not without making memories in Charlotte,NC. Me and my #HeighPartyof3 drove 2.5 hours to kick off our holiday season in the Queen City and had such a great time! I wanted to share some of the highlights from our visit to inspire other families who may be traveling there soon. Check out my Family Travel Guide|Where to Play,Eat,Stay for the Holidays in Charlotte,NC.

    PLAY

    Discovery Place & IMAX| website

    Discovery Place, located in Charlotte’s Uptown area, is a wonderful hands on learning complex about technology, nature and science. Spread out over 3 floors, families can spend the day here exploring and having fun. Watch an IMAX feature, Touch a Starfish, Create Art with a hot glue gun, and Dance while learning how the muscles move in your body! There is plenty to see and do like looking at our skin cells under a microscope, crossing a rope bridge in the rainforest, playing the secret scents game and so much more! Discovery Place lets kids of all ages experience learning thru play. It is a great way to spend a fun day! To see more, watch youtube video>>here.

    Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway | website

    Charlotte Speedway is the annual home to “Speedway Christmas”. Every year thousands and thousands of lights takeover the infield and stands at this iconic racing venue. We got a chance to actually drive on the racetrack which my husband loved! Tune in to their own radio station and listen to Christmas tunes as you take a slow drive for a few miles. We enjoyed partaking in the tradition of seeing the unique sights and creativity used for the dozens of displays. Guests can stop at their Christmas Village for snacks, rides and shopping. Speedway Christmas is a seasonal, holiday event held at Charlotte Speedway. So pack the family up in the car and have your chance to drive on the speedway to see holiday lights! Pay one price per vehicle and sit back, sing Christmas Carols and Enjoy! Take a look at my youtube video and enjoy some of light displays at Speedway Christmas!

    SobeSavvy Tip: It is recommended that visitors come in early in the season as the lines tend to get longer the closer they get to Christmas. Also going on a Thursday or Sunday night is best as the Village is open and movies are shown on the Speedway TV. On Dec.9 bring 5 Food Lion brand non-perishable food items and get $10 off admission!

    EAT

    Piedmont Social House | website

    Looking for a place that has great food, a tap room, games and a 12 lane bowling alley? Then head to Piedmont Social House, located in the popular Ayrsley neighborhood of Charlotte. It is a one stop destination for an afternoon or evening of food,drinks and fun! The atmosphere here is energetic and lively. It is a great spot for groups or a fun date night. There is something for everyone in the family. The service was good and so were their Chicken and Waffles! Just feast your eyes on it here:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BqizgDGgT4W/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1mg5zcykag84e

    SobeSavvy Tip: Now through December 31 they have a special Gift Card Promotion. Buy a $50 Gift Card and receive a $10 Bonus Card! Just ake a look at my photos featuring good food and good vibes from our dining experience at Piedmont Social House >>here and you’ll want to give or get a gift card to this restaurant!

    THE COWFISH Sushi•Burger•Bar | website

    With so many restaurant choices around Southpark Mall in Charlotte, it can be hard to find something that is actually different. One in particular that stands out from the rest is The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar. Creative cocktails, innovative sushi rolls and awesome burgers is what ypu can find here. My daughter loves their kids menu choices, which comes with a Cowfish tattoo! Service is excellent and if you can, save room for dessert. See more drool worthy photos from our visit >>here and be sure to dine at The Cowfish when visiting Charlotte.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BqoDnUInvYT/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=4no3mfkkohe9

    American Girl Bistro | website

    SPECIAL..MAGICAL..MEMORABLE, Those are three words I would use to describe our visit to the American Girl Store/ Bistro. On Sunday, my #Heighpartyof3 enjoyed ‘Holiday Tea’ and each other during this event. Our #outandaboutAva and Luciana got all dolled up in their matching red velvet dresses for the special occasion! It was so darling! Girls got to visit the hot chocolate bar, play with a paper doll craft and we all had a chance to eat savory bites/sweet treats. Check out more photos from the Holiday Tea event>>here to see some of the holiday memories we made at this special in-store experience. With all the attention to the little details for girls and their dolls, it was a visit our daughter will never forget!

    SobeSavvy Tip: Save 25% on matching dresses for girls and dolls thru 12/24/18! Find something special to make their season memorable and magical at americangirl.com

    STAY


    Hampton Inn & Suites Charlotte/SouthPark at Phillips Place| website

    The Hampton Inn & Suites was a wonderful place to stay during our Charlotte visit. It is located at The Phillips Place Shops area and is within walking distance to many restaurants and even has a Whole Foods next door. The immense Southpark mall is right down the street. It has a stately lobby and public areas. Large modern and stylish suites awaits visitors. I loved the built in TV vanity mirror feature of our suite. There is complimentary Valet Parking and of course the Hampton Inn breakfast gets you ready for another day tackling the Queen City. Make this your property of choice on your next visit to Charlotte!

    Here is an inside look at the Hampton Inn & Suites Charlotte/ SouthPark at Phillips Place:

    As you can see, Charlotte is one of those cities in North Carolina that no matter the length or purpose of your visit, there are so many options for families. You can play, eat, stay and have fun along the way!

    Planning to visit Charlotte this season? Which one of these places would be on your list?

    Orlando 3 Day Vacation-Day 3|Best Lunch in Disney Springs with a View @PaddlefishORL #Seafood

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    To celebrate our last and final day 3 in Orlando [in case you missed it, read Day 1 >here and Day 2 > here + here], we made plans to have a special lunch in Disney Springs at Paddlefish. We consider ourselves ‘seafoodies’ because it is our favorite cuisine and since Paddlefish was voted ‘Best Seafood Restaurant’ we had to check it out!

    VIEWS …ask for a window seat

    Located directly on Lake Buena Vista, Paddlefish, takes the shape of a classic steam paddleboat and simply can’t be missed! It has huge windows which leads to wonderful natural light in every room.

    This restaurant also has an expansive rooftop lounge/bar with great panoramic views of Disney Springs, which is the outdoor shopping, dining, entertainment area formerly known as Downtown Disney. After a few rain showers, I was able to go up on the rooftop and video the gorgeous views. Check it out!⤵️

    DRINKS…try a mocktail

    Paddlefish has a wonderful cocktail and wine menu, however I wanted something with no alcohol. I was glad to see they have mocktails which allows me to have a craft cocktail minus the liquor and extra calories. I got the Cucumber Sipper and it was love at first sip! It was refreshing and very good. I loved the use of fresh ingredients like cucumber and rosemary in a drink!

    KIDS MENU…looked as good as ours

    I must admit after seeing what was on the kids menu, I could not wait to try my daughter’s food. Her menu had some great seafood choices! My girl chose the cup of soup/clam chowder, shrimp pasta and warm cookies +milk for dessert. I did manage to taste it all before she ate it all, which means she liked it!

    LUNCH MENU..give me all the seafood

    For starters, we split an order of crab fries. I have never had loaded fries with a seafood topping before. It was so yummy! The skin on fries come with lump crab on top and with Louie Dressing. I still added ketchup and enjoyed this dish nonetheless.

    We also tried an order of their Fish Tacos. They used salmon and a whitefish in their tacos. It came with a papaya mango salsa which I loved and I enjoyed the flavors. Although my personal preference is for a fried fish taco, this was pretty good.

    SobeSavvy Tip: Be sure to order one of Buzz Pop Cocktails and see what all the buzz is about! These popular adult beverage frozen treats are now available at Paddlefish.

    After dining at Paddlefish, we enjoyed the rest of our day exploring Disney Springs. If you are there between now and Jan. 6, 2019, it’s the most wonderful time of the year to see the Christmas Tree Trail, which is what we did to walk off all that delicious food! Watch video: here.

    Our dining experience at Paddlefish was the perfect way to end our awesome Orlando vacay. Being able to enjoy delicious seafood with great service made for a memorable lunch. Looking for the Best Place In Disney Springs To Enjoy Lunch (and brunch/dinner too) With A View? Make plans to dine at Paddlefish!

    PADDLEFISH

    1670 Buena Vista Drive

    Orlando, FL 32830

    paddlefishrestaurant.com

    Orlando 3 Day Vacation- Day 2, part 2 | Food,Wine,Good Times at @CHWinery Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants

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    Family and Good Times go together like Food & Wine. All of these things come together at a restaurant in Orlando named COOPER’S HAWK Winery and Restaurants. After a great start to our Day 2 at SEALIFE Orlando and Madame Tussauds, my #HeighPartyof3 met up with 2 friends to enjoy dinner at Cooper’s Hawk after hearing so many good things about this place, plus it was a convenient 5 min drive from our hotel on I-Drive. It was such a wonderful dining experience that we were there for 3 hours! I mean when was the last time you had a three hour dinner? Between the stories shared, chef-crafted food, and award winning wines, we simply lost track of time.

    We had a 5:30p reservation on a Sunday night. I highly recommend that you make a reservation before you go because this place is popular! Described as a modern, casual dining experience with warm hospitality in an inviting upscale setting, Cooper’s Hawk felt welcoming. With a wine tasting room, gift shop, wine bar and even a place to purchase wine to go, theres was so much to take in and I was quite impressed at first sight!

    KIDS MENU

    As you know our family enjoys dining out and being introduced to new flavors as well as tasting foods we are familiar with. My young foodie was very happy to see lots of her favorites on their kids menu like flatbread cheese pizza, mac & cheese but for the first time on a kid’s menu we saw chicken potstickers amd that is what she ordered. While we waited some warm pretzel bread and butter came to the table. It was so good, my daughter really wanted it all to herself!

    The Kid’s Menu, which is for kids 12 and under, shows what options are vegetarian or gluten free. Since the kitchen is a scratch kitchen, any menu items can be customized if any allergy or dietary restrictions. All entrees include a drink (they offer organic chocolate milk) and served with a side of fresh fruit plus one additional side from a list. My daughter ate everything on her plate and was entertained [and occupied] by the fun games/graphics to color on the menu. The cherry, or shall I say the strawberry on top of her whole dining experience came at the end of her meal. All kid’s menu entrees include a chocolate covered strawberry! Now that’s fancy!

    WINE

    There is a reason Cooper Hawk’s puts the word “winery” before restaurant in their name. Wine is such an integral part of their experience. You enter the restaurant through the wine store/sampling room, which features high ceilings, beautiful decor and wine gifts. Here you can stand at the bar and sample wines prior to purchase. You can buy by the bottle or the case right on the premises.

    Not sure what wine will pair well with your meal? No worries. They have a no risk policy that allows you to ask for a taste before ordering a glass to challenge yourself to try something new! All items on the menu are paired with a wine that is labeled on the menu by bin number as suggested by the winemaker. This takes alot of the guess work out of the “what wine goes with this” scenario we all have faced!

    The servers here also operate as your own personal sommelier. They are knowledgeable in recommending all sorts of wines depending on your likes and dislikes. What makes dining here even more special is the ability to have a wine tasting of up to 3 wines complimentary right at the table for you to try before you order. In addition to wine, they also serve beer, a variety of cocktails and other beverages.

    DINNER MENU

    The menu is described as contemporary American-fusion and contains dishes that incorporates peak of season ingredients and flavors from around the world. With 110 items on the menu, there is truly something for everyone on the menu.

    Appetizers***

    Just looking at these photos of Mexican Drunken Shrimp and Asian Ahi Tuna Sashimi is making my mouthwater. At the suggestion of our server, I got the Mexican Drunken Shrimp, which is bacon-wrapped shrimp with a tequila lime butter sauce and fresh guacomole. Need I say more? It was as good as described and I would get it again! Soups, salads, flatbreads and other amazing appetizer choices are on the menu as an option to share and enjoy before your meal.

    Entrées***

    No matter if you want Beef, Pork, Seafood, Pasta, Chicken, Vegetarian, or Vegan, Cooper’s Hawk has something on the menu for you! I appreciate when a restaurant cares about accomodating guests regardless of what type of food is desired. We all loved the taste and presentation of our food, plus the quality,fresh ingredients used. My husband was in the mood for seafood and got the Pan-Roasted Barramundi and my dish, Red Wine Braised Short Ribs was identified on the menu as a Cooper’s Hawk Favorites. As seen below, it comes with oven-roasted vegetables, mustard sauce, Mary’s Potatoes (which are mashed potatoes whipped to perfection)and topped with Crispy Onion Strings. My short ribs were tender and absolutely delicious!

    Desserts***

    We saved room for something sweet to end our amazing meal! After seeing on the menu that all desserts were vegetarian and made in-house daily, we just had to try something. My family ordered the Key Lime Pie and our friends got the S‘more Budino as seen below. It’s the perfect combination of caramel custard,chocolate mousse and brown butter toasted graham cracker.

    SobeSavvy Tip: This is the perfect restaurant for celebrating special occasions, like birthdays or just life in general! When you sign up for the exclusive Wine Club , for one low price you get the wine of the month delivered and also 10% off case discounts, birthday specials and invites to special member only events.

    If you follow my SobeSavvy.com Food and Wine experiences, you know that I enjoy dining out and having lots of foodie fun. This was my first experience at Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurants and I can’t stop thinking about how good everything was. The attention to detail, handcrafted wine selections, amazing dishes and their belief that food and wine hold the power to forge lasting connections is why this restaurant is one of the most memorable dining experiences we have had in awhile. Thanks Cooper’s Hawk for taking us on an unforgettable wine and food journey! For more info, go to chwinery.com

    COOPER’S HAWK Winery & Restaurants
    8005 International Drive
    Orlando, FL 32819

    Orlando 3 Day Vacation- Day 2|Enjoy #FamilyFun at @SEALIFEOrlando @TussaudsOrlando

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    After a fun filled DAY 1 in Orlando at LEGOLAND and a good dinner/rest at Embassy Suites, it was time to get my #HeighPartyof3 crew ready for DAY 2. When we travel as a family, we love attractions that are located all under one roof. Saves time and just makes traveling with a young child more manageable. Within walking distance from our hotel was the ICON Orlando 360, which has 3 awesome attractions in one complex! Sea Life Orlando Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and the huge observation wheel, ICON Orlando are all located at this outdoor entertainment complex. We could actually see the 400 ft tall wheel from our hotel balcony!

    Just seeing the ICON Orlando from our hotel room had us ready to explore!

    Located on International Drive, ICON Orlando 360 is also home to numerous restaurants and shops in the immediate vicinity. Although we walked there, parking is free inside the garage. It was a great idea to spend our #SundayFunday there and check out the following attractions during our visit:

    SEALIFE Orlando Aquarium

    SEA LIFE is a unique aquatic attraction in Orlando, Fl. Their mission statement includes their goal to “Rescue, Breed and Protect“. They take in injured sea animals and nurse them back to health to be released if possible. If not, they care for them or find a suitable home at other facilities.

    This aquarium is what I like to call “friendly size”. Not too large or two small. Most viewing areas are made into “immersive” experiences. For example, plexiglass is built INWARDS into the tanks where guests can literally almost feel like they are in the water with them. SEA LIFE also has periscope type viewing areas where you crawl under and pop your head up into the middle of the tanks. That was so much fun to do!

    Seahorses, Sea Turtles, Sharks..oh my! There was so much to see, discover and learn. Did you know that turtles can live for 50 years or more and take an average of 30 years to reach maturity? Being able to see one up close was amazing! My daughter’s favorite thing was being able to touch a starfish.

    I really appreciated reading the educational notes that were found throughout the aquarium. All the major oceans and the Florida Everglades had their own dedicated areas highlighting the sea life in those specific places. We learned about simple ways in which we all can get involved in protecting out oceans. SEA LIFE raises awareness and supports their partner charities in their efforts to protect marine wildlife and habitats across the world. For more info, visit sealifetrust.org.

    Watch video of our visit to SEALIFE here:

    WHERE TO EAT | We took a meal break between attractions. Lucky for us, both SEA LIFE and Madame Tussauds are just steps away from many restaurant choices. We decided to stroll across the lawn and dine outside on the patio at Uncle Julio’s Mexican.

    My family loves mexican food and had our fingers crossed that this was a good decision. BOY WAS IT! Great service, great food and great atmosphere. They make their tortillas on the premise. You can order fresh guacamole tableside. The chips and salsa are homemade. We ordered fajitas and everything was so flavorful,fresh and tasty!

    SobeSavvy Tip: Save room for their signature dessert..a chocolate lovers pinata! It is unique and so good. Check it out⤵️

    MADAME TUSSAUDS Orlando

    Madame Tussauds wax figures are known around the world. My family and I have been to quite a few of their museums. There is always something/someone new to see so we loved getting a chance to go to their location at ICON Orlando 360. Since we are in Florida, welcoming us was Mr. 305 himself, Pitbull!

    The figures are so life like that you will want to take a #MTSelfie with these famous entertainers, politicians and heros in the flesh! My daughter got a kick out of posing with her favorite stars like Serena Williams, Taylor Swift, and Michael Jackson.

    My husband enjoyed challenging sporting legends like Tiger Woods, Shaq and Ali.

    Madame Tussauds Orlando has a new “Heroes Unite” section featuring some of the most popular Justice League characters. We loved Wonder Woman and Batman. All 3 of us had a chance to join Superman and actually “lift” a helicopter from crashing!

    We accepted the fun challenge of taking the #BestSelfieEver with President Obama, MLK, Beyonce and even danced with Justin Beiber before exiting this wonderful museum. Adults love it, kids love it, EVERYONE loves Madame Tussauds! Here’s an inside look from our visit to this must see attraction⤵️

    After a full day at ICON Orlando 360, we walked back to the hotel where our daughter enjoyed both the indoor/outdoor pool before going to our 5:30p dinner reservation. More about our Orlando Day 2, part 2 coming soon!

    Thanks to SEA LIFE Orlando and Madame Tussauds Orlando for providing complimentary tickets to review both attractions and share my honest opinion with you.

    Orlando 3 Day Vacation-Day 1 |Recap @LEGOLANDFlorida + @KidzBop #KBweekend #KBLegoland

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    Disclaimer: Thanks to LEGOLAND Florida for providing complimentary park passes to facilitate my recap and provide insight to my readers of a day at LEGOLAND Florida!

    Long weekends are a great opportunity for families to travel. We decided to get out of town for Veteran’s Day weekend and explore Orlando “minus the Mouse”. That is what my husband called our non-Disney amusement park vacation, but seriously can you visit Orlando with a child and have fun without going to Disney? The answer is YES.

    I knew just the theme park to visit to kick off our three day vacation. LEGOLAND Florida! Lucky for us our visit coincided with their “Kidz Bop Weekend”. The very popular tween music band sing and dance to popular hits and our daughter is a big fan!

    #outandaboutAva at the Kidz Bop Meet & Greet at LEGOLAND Florida #KBWeekend #KBLegoland

    During the Kidz Bop Weekend there were lots of awesome events like a scavenger hunt for music notes, a chance to meet/greet the band and attend their live concert all with the price of admission to Legoland! But before we got started on jamming out with the Kidz Bop Kids at their 5pm show, we got started on our LEGOLAND Florida adventure!

    Upon arriving to LEGOLAND Florida, be sure to get a family photo at the entrance!

    LEGOLAND ….What is it?

    Believe it or not some people have never heard of LEGOLAND. It is a popular vacation destination with 145 acres dedicated to everything LEGO, which is derived from the Danish phrase leg godt, which means “play well“. This amusement park is #BuiltForKids under age 12 and has over 50 rides, shows and attractions. With locations throughout Europe, the Middle East, Japan and in California, the theme park that is located west of Orlando in Lakeland, Florida is closest to us. Although we have visited the Legoland Discovery Center attraction in Atlanta, this was our first trip to the amusement park. We grabbed a map and was on our way to a fun -filled day!

    SobeSavvy Tip: In addition to having a map, we downloaded the LEGOLAND FLORIDA official app which proved to be a helpful tool because it saved us time in trying to figure out where something was and when shows started!

    LEGOLAND Eats

    We came straight from the Orlando’s airport [about 45 mins to an hour drive] to the theme park, so needless to say we were hungry. We decided to fuel up for a fun day at LEGOLAND at Pepper and Roni’s Pizza Stop. You can’t miss it because the pizzamaker made of Lego’s invites you in for some pizza in a semi-authentic Italian accent. My daughter is always in the mood for pizza,but even if you weren’t this guy is so convincing!

    #outandaboutAva ‘Say Cheese’ at Pepper and Roni’s Pizza Stop

    As for me, I got a turkey and cheese panini kids meal from Panini Grill. The panini sandwiches are made fresh to order and was so yummy. For a sweet cool treat, I recommend Kingdom Cones. Both Panini Grill and Kingdom Cones are near play areas so that we parents can eat while the kids play!

    Walking into the Imagination Zone ,where kids can enjoy creative play and families can eat at Panini Grill

    LEGOLAND Explore

    With so many fun things to do and places to explore like Duplo Valley,

    The DUPLO Valley is where kids ages 2-5 yrs old can enjoy the DUPLO Farm,Tractor,Train and Tot Spot. My daughter said she enjoyed reliving her childhood 😂

    LEGO Ninjago World,

    Great place to hone your Ninja skills!

    Miniland USA,

    New York,New York, San Francisco,California, Washington DC, Miami Beach,Florida..visit your favorite cities all at once at MINILAND USA

    STAR WARS Miniland,

    If you are a STAR WARS fan, this is a must see! My hubby loved it!

    Heartlake City,

    #outandaboutAva loved posing with her favorite characters from Lego friends

    Needless to say our 7 yr old daughter was elated to be at this unique amusement park and so were we!

    LEGOLAND Events

    For the second year in a row, The KIDZ BOP Kids brought their national concert tour to the place #BuiltForKids during KIDZ BOP Weekend, a music-filled event set for Nov. 10-12 at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort.“KIDZ BOP Live 2018” is the ultimate family concert experience, “sung by kids for kids.” The KIDZ BOP Kids – Billboard Magazine’s No. 1 Kids’ Artist for eight consecutive years (2010-2017) – will headline the new show, performing some of today’s biggest hit songs. After seeing the all-new North American Tour, KIDZ BOP Live 2018, in Raleigh,NC it was such a special treat to be here during the three-day KIDZ BOP Weekend! The KIDZ BOP Kids performed two live concerts each day at LEGOLAND Florida’s KIDZ BOP Stadium, an outdoor venue on the picturesque shore of Lake Eloise.

    All activities during KIDZ BOP Weekend, including the concerts and exclusive meet-and-greets with the performers, were included with all forms of theme park admission. No extra ticket required!

    Awesome Awaits at LEGOLAND! The Kidz Bop weekend is one she will never forget!

    Watch more of our LEGOLAND Florida /Kidz Bop Weekend experience here⤵️

    Sometimes we as parents rush along with our daily kids lives and don’t take enough time to just celebrate them being a kid. LEGOLAND is THE place to celebrate your kids and embrace your inner child too! Make plans to visit LEGOLAND Florida because the memories are priceless!

    My #HeighPartyof3 at Legoland Florida

    WHERE TO STAY |While LEGOLAND does have a resort/hotel accomodations as part of its amusement park, it was sold out for our travel dates. At the end of our long day of travel and play, it was great to check into Embassy Suites by Hilton International Drive-Convention Center. Reasons to stay at Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando International Drive Convention Center /Convention Center when traveling to Orlando: ✔Two-Room Newly Renovated Suites ✔Complimentary Drinks/Snacks at Evening Reception ✔Free Made To Order Breakfast ✔Walking Distance to Dining, Shopping and Entertainment ✔Onsite Full Service Dining at Bar Meets Grill.

    My family and I enjoyed the convenience of having a delicious dinner at Bar Meets Grill At Embassy Suites after a full day at the amusement park. This restaurant offers an extensive list of craft beers, cocktails, shareable plates and more! It was all very good and definitely a place I would recommend even if you were not staying at hotel! Just feast your eyes on these pics from our stay.

    Thanks again to Legoland and Bar Meets Grill restaurant for hosting us!