Hey #Raleigh, Want Tasty #Tacos and #MexicanFood at your #CincoDeMayo party? Check out @Cantina18 ‘s New Catering Menu!

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Raise your hand if you are in countdown mode for one of my favorite foodie holidays, Cinco De Mayo! Bring on the tacos, guacomole, nachos, margaritas because it is almost time to Fiesta! Needless to say I was very excited to receive an invite for SobeSavvy.com to join other media guests for an early Cinco de Mayo celebration at Cantina 18 in Cameron Village.

Described as a “festive setup featuring Mexican fusion dishes made with local meats & fish, plus craft margaritas“, this restaurant is one that I enjoy coming to with my family when we want fresh, flavorful Mexican food. Just listen to what my daughter, #outandboutAva had to say about their guacomole during a previous visit.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfUC-Q9hUWQ/

Last night’s exclusive event showcased the launch of Cantina 18‘s new catering menu and I am so excited to share the information with you! Take a look at the amazing eats you can have at your next Mexican themed party or any gathering:

Enjoy the convenience of letting someone else prepare delicious food for you to serve to your family and friends! No matter if you have vegetarians or meat lovers at the party, there will be something for everyone to enjoy!

My favorite bites from last night were the goat cheese guacomole, the house made salsas, the shrimp quesadilla and chicken tinga. Pretty much anything coming out of Chef Jason Smith’s kitchen is going to be AMAZING! Check out my video recap of last night’s event:

SobeSavvy Tip: Follow along on social media and read more about the dining experiences @Cantina18 on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

*Have you ever been to Cantina 18? 🌮 DO YOU PLAN TO CELEBRATE Cinco De Mayo?🎉 Let me know in the comments below!

Cantina 18

Cameron Village

433 Daniels St

Raleigh, NC 27605

Enter to Win 2 Tix @GreatGrapesFest on May 5 + @drinkeatrelax ‘s Beer & Bacon Fest May 19 @BoothAmp in #Cary #NC

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Springtime here in the Triangle means the beginning of outdoor festival season and there are two ‘drink.eat.relax‘ events coming up in May that you don’t want to miss! Koka Booth Amphitheatre in the Town of Cary is where all the fun is happening on May 5, 2018 at the GREAT GRAPES WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL and again on May 19, 2018 at the BEER & BACON FEST. Tickets to both of these fun festivals are ON SALE NOW and I have two tickets to giveaway for each event! Two lucky readers will have a chance to win a pair of tickets to enjoy the fun! Here are the details about both festivals:

TWEET THIS:

Follow @SobeSavvy and Enter to Win Tix to 2 @drinkeatrelax events happening in May @boothamp!🍷🍴🍺🥓 Details at https://www.SobeSavvy.com

Great Grapes Wine and Food Festival

Spring is Here and It is Wine Time! Join us for the largest and most fun casual NC wine festival in the Triangle with HUNDREDS of wines available from over 22 wineries. As you enter…take your souvenir tasting glass and stroll from tent to tent and table to table, tasting and sampling the rich heritage of North Carolina vines. As you sip and savor the afternoon, relax in the beautiful green setting of the Town of Cary’s Booth Amphitheatre.

•200+ Wines from 22+ Wineries
•Great Live Music
•Fun Festival Eats
•Arts and Crafts and Gourmet Items
•FREE Kids Area

Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the lawn. Bring the family, bring your friends and take a day to UNCORK THE FUN!

TICKETS

VIP SESSION TICKET: $49.00 IN ADVANCE: $55.00 ON THE DAY OF EVENT
VIP Session: 11am – 6pm.

REGULAR SESSION TICKET: $33.00 IN ADVANCE…..$35.00 ON THE DAY OF EVENT
Regular Session: 12-6pm.

Designated Driver Ticket: $20 ONLY AVAILABLE ONSITE! Includes admission into the event ONLY.

For more information go to www.boothamphitheatre.com.

PLEASE NOTE: Photo ID IS REQUIRED as proof of age & proof of identity.

KIDS 12 & UNDER ARE FREE!

PARKING
GENERAL PARKING: Parking is free of charge in Amphitheatre owned lots. Some local businesses may charge a fee to parking in their lots. A limited number of PREFERRED parking space are available for $10.00 per car in advance or $15 on the day of event (cash only).

A limited number of accessible parking space are available on a first come first served basis with the proper hang tag or license plate. If using *Uber, I’m giving you $5 off each of your first 4 Uber rides. To accept, use code ‘2ackv’ to sign up. Enjoy! Details: https://www.uber.com/invite/2ackv

Please follow the signs & our Parking Staff to the pick up & drop off area.

ALL EVENTS WILL GO ON AS SCHEDULED RAIN OR SHINE, however in the event of severe weather please check website and social media for any updates or changes to the event.

ITEMS ALLOWED
•Lawn chairs
•Sealed Bottle of water (1 per person)
•Cameras
•All bags are subject to seach

PROHIBITED ITEMS
•Pets
•Drones
•Alcohol
•Weapons of any kind

For more information please visit www.uncorkthefun.com. Please drink responsibly.

BEER & BACON FEST

The BEER & BACON TASTING SESSION offers an exclusive tasting experience. Each guest will enjoy 15+ restaurant tasting stations (until 2pm) and fresh griddled bacon (until 3pm), a souvenir glass and boundless portions of over 75 craft beers and wines, plus 2 extra hours of alcohol sampling and all live entertainment. These tickets are limited and will SELL OUT!

Bottoms Up, Bacon Down
75 Craft Beers
15 Restaurants
10 Bacons From Across the US
LIVE MUSIC… and lots of Piggy Love

Cary’s Porkiest Playtime Returns and this time it will be even better. The ALL-YOU-CARE-TO-TASTE extravaganza comes complete with the best craft beers for your tasting pleasure… and of course the food of the Gods: BACON.

TICKETS
VIP Beer & Bacon Ticket Advanced Price: $59.00 Feb 9-March 18TH (midnight),
$69.00 March 19-May 18 (midnight), $79.00 DAY OF EVENT. Beer tasting session 12-6pm.

Regular Beer & Bacon Ticket Advanced Price: $39.00 Tickets are $45.00 DAY OF EVENT. Beer tasting session 2-6pm.

Designated Driver Ticket: $20 ONLY AVAILABLE ONSITE! Includes admission into the event ONLY.

For more information go to www.boothamphitheatre.com.

PLEASE NOTE: Photo ID IS REQUIRED as proof of age & proof of identity.

Kids 12 & under are FREE.

PARKING
GENERAL PARKING: Parking is free of charge in amphitheatre owned lots. Some local businesses may charge a fee to parking in their lots. A limited number of PREFERRED parking space are available for $10.00 per car in advance or $15 on the day of event (cash only).

A limited number of accessible parking space are available on a first come first served basis with the proper hang tag or license plate. If using *LYFT, Download LYFT app and you get 10$ off your first ride with code: BESAVVY1

Please follow the signs & our Parking Staff to the pick up & drop off area.

ALL EVENTS WILL GO ON AS SCHEDULED RAIN OR SHINE.

ITEMS ALLOWED
Lawn chairs
Sealed Bottle of water (1 per person)
Cameras
all bags are subject to seach

PROHIBITED ITEMS
Pets
Drones
Alcohol
Weapons of any kind

For more information please visit www.beerandbacon.com. Please drink responsibly.

Mandatory #SobeSavvyGiveaway Entry– Please answer the following question below in the comments:

Which festival would you like to attend:

a) Great Grapes Wine & Food Fest on May 5

or

b) Beer & Bacon Fest on May 19

**For more chances to win, click 👉a Rafflecopter giveaway to ENTER.

*One winner will be chosen to win 2 general adult admission tix for option a: Great Grapes Wine & Food Fest Valid Noon – 6pm. Includes a souvenir wine glass, unlimited wine samples, and all performances

*One winner will be chosen to win 2 Beer Only Tasting session admission tix for option b: Beer & Bacon Fest Valid 2pm – 6pm. Your admission includes a souvenir glass and boundless portions of over 75 craft beers and wines, and all live entertainment. Bacon/Food is a la carte.

Contest ends April 26, 2018 at noon. Winners will be chosen at random and have until 4/27/18 to claim prize. Good luck!

Plan a #MommyandMe Lunch Date at @American_Girl Bistro + Enjoy Interactive Shopping Fun with American Girl App! #charactercounts

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I recently traveled to Atlanta to visit family and friends during my daughter’s Spring Break. It coincided with Easter as well, so there was a whole lot to celebrate! We enjoyed a fabulous Easter Brunch at the Mandarin Oriental, a fun dinner/show at Medieval Times, and a family-friendly dining experience at The Cowfish during our stay.

While all of these were amazing foodie fun experiences, I knew that planning a visit to the American Girl store would be just the place to make #outandaboutAva’s Spring Break extra special. I was happy to find out there was one in Alpharetta,GA that included a bistro and even happier that I could turn this into a double date with mom/blogger [Ashley of @MommyWeek], her daughter and of course the Girl of the Year doll, Luciana Vega!

Mommy and Me Lunch Date with Ashley of MommyWeek, Leslie of SobeSavvy, their daughters + American Girl dolls!

The Bistro

As soon as you walk into the bistro, you know you are in for a girly good time with all the pretty pink decor. From the pink table, pink menu, pink daisy centerpiece and pink napkin holder (which your child gets to take home as a pony tail holder keepsake), the American Girl Bistro is… “soooo cute” per my little girl. All are welcomed to have a seat at the table, including your doll! They will bring a pink dining chair (with a doll if you don’t have one) right to you for your little one to enjoy. Here is a fun pic from my Instagram instastories showing what the American Girl Dolls look like sitting at the table too!

The Menu

Memories are always on the menu at the American Girl Bistro. Expect to have a delicious dining experience that you can create all on your own! Lunch included an appetizer, entreé and choice of dessert. We ordered speciality Luciana Vega drinks and said a toast to new friends and new memories!

For starters, I had the mozzarella cheese sticks while both girls ordered the fruit fondue, which came with muffins, a fruit skewer and yogurt. We all thought the presentation of the yogurt served like a flower pot was so fun! Our main entreés came quickly and were cooked perfectly. I highly recommend the salmon dish if you are looking for a healthy seafood option. My daughter loved customizing her bowtie pasta by sprinkling as much parmesan cheese on it as her heart desires! Everyone became a member of the clean plate society since we finished every bite. It was that good.

Be sure to save room for the scrumptious sweets to enjoy at the end of your meal. The delicious desserts range from cookies, cupcakes, brownies, ice cream or if you really wanna go all in, get a brownie ice cream sundae!

SobeSavvy Tip: Wanna make your dining experience more fun? Play the the conversation starter game, which you can find at the center of the table. It’s a great way to learn about yourself and everyone else!

The Boutique

After our delicious lunch, we headed into the American Girl boutique store to explore what’s new. Did you know you can search for exciting augmented reality experiences throughout the store simply using your smartphone? That’s right, you can bring magic to life and unlock interactive experiences, stop-motion videos, behind-the-scenes content, and more!

SobeSavvy Tip: Download the American Girl app for FREE, scan the pages of the catalogue and look for special icons in the stores. Get ready to go beyond the stars with Luciana and discover all of the interactive ways to play at americangirl.com/luciana. Overall our Mommy and Me lunch date was more than just a girls day out, it was a day to remember and a trip we’ll never forget! Just watch this video and wait for the happy dance moves from my little one after all the fun:

Make plans to head to your nearest American Girl store and check out all the fun, new happy spring experiences to share. Check out MommyWeek’s blog post giving her perspective of this fun day! Be sure to stop in American Girl store soon and leave with your smiles in full bloom! Thanks again to our friends at American Girl for hosting us and giving all of us a Spring Break date we will cherish.

All smiles for #outandboutAva and her mom, Leslie, Founder of SobeSavvy.com during their visit to the American Girl Boutique and Bistro in Alpharetta,GA

American Girl Atlanta Bistro

1202 North Point Circle

Alpharetta, GA 30022

Enjoy Royal #FamilyFun at @MedievalTimes + Special #SpringBreak Savings now thru April 30th!

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Parents have you heard? Medieval Times is ready to entertain you and your little ones for Spring Break and I am excited to share some discounts and events that are going on at the castle!

Use this CODE: SB18 (Adults $38.95, Kids & Students $30.95) and get ready to have some Royal Family Fun during your Spring Break! *The kid and student pricing is open to all students including those in college. Ends April 30, 2018.

My #HeighPartyof3 were hosted to Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in Atlanta, located in Sugarloaf Mills mall and let me tell you our family date night was a “KNIGHT to remember”! It was the perfect place to celebrate and kickstart #outandaboutAva’s Spring Break week.

We have experienced the excitement of the live show at Medieval Times before but thought it would be fun to upgrade this visit to the Royalty Package (over $20 retail value). For only $12 additional per person, add this package and receive the following:

  • Priority Castle Access
  • VIP Seating
  • Priority Seating Access
  • Cheering Banner
  • VIP Lanyard

If you have never been to Medieval Times before, here is what you can expect:

* An 11th century-style castle complete with a King, his Princess, six armor-clad Knights on valiant horses and more!

* A live show on a “stage”, which is a custom made sunken equestrian course with sand.

* Amazing Knights who perform all sorts of competitions and games like pluck the ring and horse relay racing.

* A hollywood worthy showdown of what can only be called a “knight fight”. Swords and swinging hammers were everywhere while the actors played stuntmen with flips and falls.

* Entertainment provided by various acts. Our favorite is the Falcon!

* A feast to enjoy during the show. We were served a set menu of garlic bread, tomato soup, roasted chicken,potatoes and corn on the cobb. No forks or knives allowed. Eat like the knights of old. WITH YOUR HANDS! Dessert and select beverages are also included. A full-service bar is also available.

* Be prepared to be addressed as my Lady or my Lord from your server. Our server provided excellent customer service and addressed any special needs that we had.

* If you yell loud enough for the Knight, you may get a flower like my daughter did!

SobeSavvy Tip: Party like a Prince or Princess on your birthday for FREE when you sign up for the birthday club >>HERE !!

If you ever want to do something unique on your next visit to Atlanta, make sure you take the whole family to have dinner and a show at Medieval Times.

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 517 Lawrenceville,GA •30043

Recap of the #Easter Festivites at Mandarin Oriental Atlanta @MO_Atlanta #EventsbyMo #EasterBrunch #Atlanta

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Yesterday my family and I attended the Easter Festivites event at the fab Mandarin Oriental in Atlanta. Last week I wrote about what to expect there on Easter Sunday and as always, they delivered on their promises. It was a warm and beautiful spring day in Atlanta for Easter. Picture perfect for my family to spend the afternoon with Floppy the Bunny, who was a special guest at the Mandarin Oriental.

This luxury haven had so many special Easter events wrapped in a few hours. But first we ate. Ate very well actually. We were seated in their bright dining room looking out at their English Garden courtyard. They had every imaginable food choices at station after station. Omelette station, Assorted Pastries,Salads,Charcuterie & Cheeses, a Carving station and chilled Seafood Station featuring an Easter Egg Ice Sculpture in the center of jumbo shrimp, raw oysters, crab legs and claws.

An enormous ice Easter Egg along with a roaming Easter Bunny are just some of the whimsical touches that could be found everywhere. My 6 year old stated she wanted to eat fast so she could start on their incredible dessert station! When is the last time you’ve seen a macaron Ferris Wheel?

We also loved the Champagne Cart making the rounds serving premium brunch cocktails tableside. The servers were on their “A” game. That is standard for the Mandarin Oriental but it allowed us to relax and simply be taken care of.

The English Garden was where the Easter Egg Hunt and Petting Zoo took place. All the kids seemed to have fun looking for the eggs as well as petting the adorabe sheep. It was a toss up deciding who had more fun, the kids or us parents watching!

There were so many awesome Easter memory made at this beautiful luxury hotel. Watch this video for more highlights of the Easter Festivities at Mandarin Hotel Atlanta and see why we are #MOFoodies + #FansofMo!

Thanks to our friends at Mandarin Oriental Atlanta for hosting my #HeighPartyof3 for Easter. It was truly an experience we will never forget!

MANDARIN ORIENTAL ATLANTA

3376 PEACHTREE RD. NE

ATLANTA, GA 30326

VLOG + Recap of Disney Social Media Moms Celebration “On The Road” MIAMI @DisneyMoms #DisneySMMC #WaltDisneyWednesdays

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Leslie H., Lifestyle Blogger-Founder, SobeSavvy.com

Last week, I was in Miami along with other Mom Bloggers/Social Media Mavens at a invite-only working conference called Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. In case you missed it, read my post about how elated I was to recieve ‘pixie dust’ and what this ‘On The Road’ series is all about.

I promised to come back and share with you on the blog all that I absorbed at the conference. Well, as a mom of a 6 year old, I returned and had some catching up with life to do! My inbox is still out of control and I find myself needing a vacation after my 48 hours in Miami. So I decided to not write a blog but instead do a vlog about my experience at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration.

One of the biggest take aways for me was the importance of creating video content and sharing with you guys because per Bob Hitchcock, one of the speakers at the conference, “85% of the US internet audience watches video online“!

Adding video allows you to connect with your audience. So, here is my first vlog ever! I promise to get the umms, and the pauses and the lip smacks in check as I strive to get in front of the camera more. Enjoy!

As you can see I learned a whole lot and had so much fun! Thanks again Disney for the invite.Check out my photo gallery here for more photos from the conference and be sure to join the conversation and Follow #DisneySMMC @DisneyMoms.

Mickey Ears, Pin Trading ,Networking mixed with Magic & Fun at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration On The Road Miami | SobeSavvy.com

#TRAVEL | My 48 Hours in South Beach #MIAMI 🌴 Beach, Bites, Sips & Sights ☉ #FoundInMiami

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Last week this time I was flying Delta airlines to make my way back to a city that I lived in for almost 19 years, Miami Beach. My reason for going was to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration ‘On the Road’ conference[stay tuned for my recap], however while there I made this trip into a mini Momcation. If you don’t know what that is, it’s when a Mom travels solo without kid(s) or husband in tow and goes away on a much needed break! As seen in my Miami Beach Family Travel Guide, South Beach with Kids can be done, but this time I was back to enjoy some solo fun. I saw some friends, got some sun and of course dined at some restaurants! With just 48 hours in the Magic City, I made sure to enjoy 4 things: BEACH..BITES..SIPS..& SIGHTS!

BEACH

I moved away from South Beach three years ago and the number one thing I miss is being able to walk to the beach. After meeting up with a friend/former neighbor at Beach Taco for lunch [I’ll tell you more about that in a bit], we walked over to the sand behind Nikki Beach, known for its day parties and Sunday Brunch. The temps of the water can be a bit cold in March, however don’t let that deter your from playing or taking selfies by the shore! Plus I had some new sunglasses from my friends at SunglassWarehouse.com to break in! 😎 I love these over-sized sunshades for great sun protection.

BITES

Since I arrived on a Tuesday, it was only right for my first bite to be tacos! Beach Taco Miami was the perfect place to celebrate #TacoTuesday while enjoying a variety of tacos for lunch. My fave were a tie between the shrimp tacos and korean bbq. Take a look at the yummy pics I took ….warning you may be dreaming of tacos after! 🌮

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgjWa4mHH3O/

SobeSavvy Tip: Every Tuesday, get an order of queso dip and handmade chips FREE with your order at Beach Taco Miami!

Breakfast was provided at the conference and since I was staying with a friend, I enjoyed the comforts of home and eating in. However, I was able to enjoy a lovely dinner on my final night at Barceloneta. Located in Sunset Harbor [which is where locals dine away from Ocean Drive], this place is known for its amazing Spanish tapas and flavorful mediterranean dishes. I used to dine here for brunch often, but this was my first time coming for dinner. Feast your eyes on these tasty bites:

SobeSavvy Tip: Enjoy Happy Hour specials every day from 5-8pm and also late night Sun- Thurs, 11 pm-12 pm & weekend happy hour 12 am-1 am Fri & Sat in the bar/lounge area at Barceloneta Miami Beach.

SIPS

As formentioned, Barceloneta is a great spot to enjoy some sips. They have an extensive wine, beer,and cocktail list. I highly recommend getting a pitcher of their ‘Verdajo Al Sol’ Sangria[pictured above]. It’s made with sparkling wine, verdajo, gin and passionfruit.

Every tourist must check out Wet Willie’s on Ocean Drive/South Beach for their infamous frozen drinks! Mix and match your flavors and head upstairs to enjoy the view. SobeSavvy Tip: Not sure which flavor you want? Just ask the bartender to give you tasting samples before making your choice. Keep in mind there are more flavors located on the second level.

My favorite sip is a cocktail that I enjoy during Happy Hour at Doraku. It’s a ‘Lychee Martini’ and I try to have one or two each time I visit. It’s that good! This restaurant is popular for its sushi and their happy hour is the perfect time to try a variety of things from their menu at a great price. I don’t know about you, but I’ll drink to that! CHEERS!🍸

SIGHTS

No matter where you look there are always sights to see in Miami. From the beautiful beaches to the palm trees, the best place to take it all in when you have a short amount of time is Ocean Drive on South Beach.

With the right shoes, sunscreen and cold beverage in hand, you can walk and take in so much scenery on the 15 blocks that make up Ocean Drive. My friend took me to the newly renovated Muscle Beach area where men [and women too] and their muscles are on display during workout sessions on the sand at 9th/Ocean, Lummus Park.

Have you been watching the FX TV series: The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story? This crime happened in 1997 and we had just moved to Miami Beach in 1996. Can you imagine how sad/scary that was to say the least! The Versace mansion which is located on Ocean Drive, is now a hotel & restaurant. It’s worth stopping by just to see the beautiful villa adorned with the iconic Versace symbol on the outside.

SobeSavvy Tip: Take the opportunity to get off the beach [via a short bus ride, taxi, or use UBER and get $5 off each of your first 4 Uber rides. To accept, use code ‘2ackv’ to sign up. Enjoy!]. Head to Downtown Miami to see views by the water at Bayside Marketplace. Also check out the Wynwood Walls to see some amazing street art. Find a mural and get your pose on!

Thanks for reading all about my fun-filled 48 hours in South Beach Miami. Special thanks to Beach Taco Miami and Barceloneta for hosting me. I enjoyed trying items from your menu and sharing about my experiences. I hope you all plan to check them out as well as my other suggestions your next visit to South Beach- Miami Beach, Florida! See more beach,bites, sips and sounds on my youtube recap video. Enjoy!

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO MIAMI BEACH? WHAT WERE YOUR FAVORITE BEACH BITES, SIPS & SITES? SHARE BELOW😎🌴🍸☉

Top 4 Reasons Why @Kankirestaurant in #Durham #NC is the “Best Tasting Show In Town” #kankirestaurant #SobeSavvyEats

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Hey guys! I hope you had a fantastic weekend. Mine was filled with foodie fun because I had an exciting opportunity to try a restaurant and share about my experience with you! SobeSavvy.com recently was invited to a tasting experience at Kanki Sushi and Japanese Steakhouse Durham, which just happened to coincide with my mom’s visit to the Triangle to celebrate her 64th birthday. I decided to combine some work with pleasure and treat the whole family!

From the moment we stepped inside of Kanki Durham, I could tell by the crowd that this was a popular place. They do not take reservations or hold seats, so make sure your whole party is there if requesting to sit at a hibachi table for dinner. If you’re not familiar with hibachi,it’s where the chef prepares your meal right before your eyes. After dining at Kanki Durham on Saturday, I liked to share with you my Top 4 Reasons Why Kanki Durham is The “Best Tasting Show in Town”:

1. Cozy & Beautiful Decor

If you’ve ever been to Kanki at Crabtree and Kanki off of Wake Forest Road, then you are familiar with the delicious menu. This location offers same menu but has a different feel than the other locations. From the beautiful stain glass decor, the aquarium, the lovely bar area and their cozy dining room, this restaurant is the perfect spot for dinner and a show.

2. Entertaining & Fun

#outandaboutAva is amazed by the hibachi Chef at Kanki Durham, the “Best Tasting Show in Town” | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

Our hibachi chef, Ricky was entertaining and showed special attention to my 6 yr old. She loved the food “show”. Chef Ricky did a myriad of delightful tricks that kept a smile on her face. She loved the “egg roll” the best! Watch this video to see a bit more of the action. It was so fun and entertaining to everyone young and old!

3. Flavorful & Fresh

If you like Japanese cuisine that’s flavorful and fresh, Kanki Durham‘s menu offers a great variety. The delicious menu is full of fresh sushi options, yummy appetizers and of course their well-known hibachi. Hibachi is what we wanted and hibachi is what we got. We started with a few appetizers of Gyoza pork steamed dumplings and also their lamb chops, which I plan to get everytime I visit. The lamb chops were so good they disappeared quickly before I could get a food pic! However, check out the Gyoza appetizer which comes 6 to an order and is perfect for sharing!

SobeSavvy Tip: Dine at Kanki Durham and enjoy a FREE appetizer per party with the purchase of an entree! Use coupon code: SOBESAVVY .Offer expires May 14, 2018

In addition to hibachi, Kanki Durham also has superb sushi choices. I ordered the sashimi sampler. It was fresh and delicious. My family ordered a classic chicken and steak, Ribeye and scallop and a Emperor‘s delight. Most hibachi entrees come with soup, salad and grilled shrimp prior to the main meal. Also there are a choice of two sauces to enjoy with your dishes. You’ll want to put the WHITE SAUCE on everything by the time you leave Kanki Durham! They have a great kids menu as well.

4. Family Friendly

When planning a family dinner, there are very few places as memorable as Kanki Durham. If you are looking for place to handle a big party, Kanki’s hibachi tables seat 9 people. We were a party of 5 so it was a communal affair with our other friendly table guests who were also celebrating a birthday! Our waitress made sure to ask if anyone was celebrating a special occassion. At the end of the meal, a traditional Japanese drummer appeared. He banged out their version of happy birthday to my mom’s delight. They gave her a sherbet with a candle. A sweet ending to a memorable night!

Thank you Kanki Durham for the invite and gift card for dinner for 2 to use towards my meal. In my opinion, your motto of being the “Best Tasting Show in Town” fits this restaurant well! The next time you are in Durham, make sure you dine here. Per my mom, it was “the best meal she has had all year”!

HAVE YOU EVER DINED AT KANKI BEFORE OR ANY OTHER HIBACHI STYLE RESTAURANT? HOW DID YOU ENJOY YOUR EXPERIENCE? SHARE IN THE COMMENTS BELOW⤵

Kanki Durham
3504 Mt. Moriah Road

Facebook: @KankiOfficialPage

Instagram/Twitter: @kankirestaurant

Hey #Atlanta, Looking for fabulous foodie fun with your little ones this #Easter ? Check out #EasterSundayBrunch at Mandarin Oriental Atlanta @MO_Atlanta #MOFoodies #pettingzoo #EasterBrunch #egghunt #EventsbyMO #SundayBrunch

12 Comments

Every year at Easter many families like to celebrate this holiday with a special brunch. Although there are a myriad of brunch choices in the great city of Atlanta, there is only one that stands above them all. That my friends would be the Easter Brunch event at the Mandarin Oriental Atlanta.

Having stayed at quite a few of their properties (including our luxury family travel stay at their Atlanta location last Spring), what brings me back time and time again is their consistency of a high level of service. Somehow this brand excels at anticipating needs, sometimes before I even realize a need exists. Last visit to this property we were heading out to the mall and the valet suggested he get their house car to take us instead of walking in the summer heat. See what I mean? Their restaurant is no different. Mouth watering farm fresh dishes of every type and a wine list to envy. Located in the upscale Buckhead area, this world renowned luxury hotel pulls out all the stops Easter Brunch on Sunday April 1, 2018.

Besides incredible food and service, we are looking forward to seeing our little one and all the children enjoy their special Easter Egg Hunts. They have one at 12:30pm and another at 2pm. From 3-5pm there will be a visit from Floppy the Easter Bunny! If that is not enough, they will be having an actual petting zoo too from 3pm to 5pm. Our daughter loves animals and will be so surprised to see the petting zoo on Easter Sunday!

This Easter Brunch event is from 11am to 3pm. For one price, guests enjoy a buffet of appetizers, entrées and scrumptious desserts. Prices are $75 per adult and $38 per child up to age 12. To make your reservations, call (404) 995 7500 or you can email to moatl-restaurants@mohg.com. We plan to hop over to the Mandarin Oriental Atlanta and share with you some highlights from this event. Stay tuned for more and hope you are there to make some great family memories this Easter at Mandarin Oriental Atlanta.

MANDARIN ORIENTAL ATLANTA

3376 PEACHTREE RD. NE

ATLANTA, GA 30326

Introduce your child to #stemlearning fun with Botley the Coding Robot from @learninghandson #learningresources

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Disclaimer: I received this product from Learning Resources for review, however the opinions are 100% my own (along with my kid’s two cents)

Various studies have shown that kids younger than 9 spend an average of two hours a day watching or playing
a device with a backlit screen. I am one parent who is constantly seeking ways for my daughter to disconnect and spend less time with tablets and more time in “real life”. I enjoy finding ways for her to expand her S.T.E.M. knowledge and I recently learned of a company whose mission is to help kids build educational skills!

#outandaboutAva unboxing the latest stem learning toy from Learning Resources, meet Botley the Coding Robot! | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

Learning Resources has been the leader in educational toys and for over 30 years, they have made learning fun for girls and boys! You can have any of their products conveniently delivered to your door as they are available to buy on Amazon. We recently got the chance to meet

Botley the Coding Robot for my 6 year year old, fondly referred to as #outandaboutAva on the blog, to learn more about coding in a fun, friendly way

.

Her first reaction was..”look at Botley, it’s so cute”. She loved the name and its design. Her and her Dad got right to reading the instructions, which was very easy to follow. This toy is ready to use right out the box.

No screen, app or download is needed. This colorful and charming little brains on wheels is programmed solely via a remote control programming transmitter.

My daughter can input various directions in various order commands. Once she finalizes his route, she hits transmit and Botley starts rolling per her pre input commands.
Botley has sensors that can avoid and stop prior to objects
or walls. Botley also makes quite a few delightful sounds and robotic laughs. Whether looping commands or one steps, Botley makes coding so much fun! If you are looking for the perfect entry to coding for your child starting at age 5, consider making Botley the Coding Robot the newest member of your child’s toy family

!

#outandaboutAva gives Botley the Coding Robot from Learning Resources a BIG Thumbs Up! | Photo Credit: SobeSavvy.com

For more information, go to http://www.learningresources.com