#TravelTuesday ~See Why #CharlottesGotAlot of #FamilyFun #GoodFood in the #QueenCity @charlottgotalot

June 21, 2016SobeSavvy 2 Comments

I love to celebrate life, especially with my family. No holiday is too big or too small. So when it came time to celebrate Father’s Day, I thought why not treat Dad Like a King by traveling to the Queen City a.k.a Charlotte, NC !

Myself, my husband and our 4 year old daughter packed up our car for a road trip to Charlotte. I had 2 days of family fun planned for us. When researching for this trip, it became pretty clear that the Queen City has something for everyone!

In case you are planning a trip with your little ones in tow, I can assure you that Charlotte is family friendly and an awesome place to make memories. Take a look at our family fun travel guide and a snapshot of our itinerary during this past Father’s Day weekend!

STAY
Hyatt House Charlotte/City Center proved to be the perfect location for our stay as it was right in Uptown. It had everything required in a style forward setting. Full kitchens and comfy beds.Full breakfast in the lobby with made to order omelettes included. Nice small pool and paraben free bath products sealed the deal. It’s location made walking to city center attractions a breeze.

*Day 1
Late Afternoon/Evening :After a day of traveling , it was nice to arrive to comfortable accomodations. The sun was shining so we headed to the hotel’s outdoor pool, which also had a lounge area. Dinner options are available at the hotel ‘s restaurant known as H BAR which is opened daily 5pm-10pm offering delicious bites from a “menu of home-cooked comforts”. Needless to say, Day 1 was fun yet relaxing!

PLAY
Discovery Place
Trying to find a place that makes kids and adults equally happy is always a challenge when traveling. Lucky for us Discovery Place fits the bill. Calling this a childrens museum does not do it justice. It’s is all in one wonderland that is a delight for all! It has so many interactive and educational exhibits all under one roof. Science experiments in one room and an aquarium in the next. We learned about the power of air pressure and the wonders of the rain forest. My daughter loved the infrared machine outside that accurately measures your height by just standing underneath the beam ! It was just the perfect blend of all things amazing about our world. I highly recommend this for any family visits to Charlotte. It was filled with cool stuff to do and so much fun! No wonder it is one of Charlotte’s most visited attractions.

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

NASCAR Hall of Fame

“Start Your Engines”..Those are 3 of the most beloved words to racing fans. The Nascar Hall of Fame is a place to come and celebrate the history and heritage of the sport. Located in a beautiful building filled with memorabilia and exhibits, The Nascar Hall Of Fame did not dissapoint. They have classic racing cars and the realistic racing simulators where at the end you get a personalized stat sheet of how you performed. You can practice fast changing a tire at the pit crew challenge and even the little ones can be part of the pit crew in the kids zone. The gift shop was amazing. You can buy everything from mini replica cars to all sorts of racing clothing and gear. Check out our visit to the Nascar Hall of Fame where we spent the afternoon walking among legends!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BG690KCGhaW/

*Day 2
Morning: After a restful evening, we woke up ready to go sight seeing in the Queen City. The complimentary breakfast buffet at Hyatt House was enough to give us energy to walk to the nearby attractions. On the way to Discovery Place, we passed the Time Warner Cable Arena (which is next to hotel) where the Charlotte Hornets Play. While we opted to stroll ( Uptown is pedestrian friendly), we noticed other ways available to get around the Center City, like horse and carriage or bicycle.
Walking allowed us to see the beautiful skyline and amazing public art along the way, such as the four statues at Trade and Tryon streets.

*Day 2 continued..
Afternoon: Every foodie must have lunch at 7th Street Public Market. ( I will share more in the EAT section below). The Nascar Hall of Fame does have a cafe inside if you choose to eat there. Believe me, you will need fuel as we found out this attraction is a place you could spend your entire afternoon!
Evening: For dining,nightlife,entertainment, EPICENTRE has it all in one place. Just a couple of blocks from the hotel made this a perfect place to catch and early dinner with our little one. We ended our evening by hopping on the CityLynx Gold Line, a streetcar system that connects neighborhoods through 6 stations all for free! The 1st and last stop conveniently was across from the Hyatt House.

EAT
7th Street Public Market is a foodie’s paradise! Variety is the spice of life and this place is so diverse in its dining options. For example: my daughter had pizza from Pure pizza, I wanted sushi,so Bonsai Fushion fit the bill and Local Loaf was my husband’s choice for a sandwich. The quality of the food and the variety of offerings can be enjoyed by all: families, locals, tourists, hipsters, just to name a few! The market also has retail shops great for picking up locally made items or imported goods. We ended our visit to the 7th Street Public Market on a sweet note by getting a cupcake for my cupcake and a very memorable creme brulee from Cloud 9 Confections!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BG7GJ6RmhTY/

Nan and Byron’s
It was a beautiful Sunday morning and we took a short drive to the South End neighborhood to have brunch at Nan And Byron’s restaurant. Their weekend brunch consists of an all you can eat buffet w/carving station, bloddy marys and mimosas. The buffet was attractively laid out in their bar area with various breakfast favorites and they even had a seafood raw bar of Snow Crab legs and oysters. The little one enjoyed the pancakes. We sat in the open dining room with huge windows that let in the beautiful natural light of the morning. Service was very good. If you ever on the South End or want a brunch with locals and not a huge amount of tourists, then this is your spot. Oh yea..their sweet rolls are decadently yummy !

*Day 3
Morning We checked out with ease and headed over to Nan and Byron’s for their special Father’s Day Brunch. The restaurant opened in November 2013 and its name originated from Grant Wood’s well-known 1930 American-Gothic painting of a man and woman (Nan and Byron) holding a pitchfork in front of a farm. The restaurant, which focuses on new-American cuisine, is a short drive from Uptown but well worth the trip! We discovered alot about Charlotte and all of its regal offerings. We left with many fond memories of The Queen City and something to tell all our friends and family: “Charlotte’s Got A Lot” !

#Baltimore ,Feast Your Eyes on FEASTIVAL~Photos of #Feastival4CF @FSBaltimore @CFF_Maryland

June 13, 2016SobeSavvy Leave a comment

On Saturday, June 11, 2016, SobeSavvy.com joined fellow foodies for an afternoon filled with food and fun at an event called FEASTIVAL – A Food Adventure for a Cure benefitting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation – Maryland Chapter.

The Waterfront Promenade at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore was the perfect setting for this unique culinary experience. Guests had the chance to feast on delectable bites by Baltimore’s hottest culinary talent, including Harbor East’s newest restaurant, Loch Bar, as well as Wit & Wisdom, Azumi, Colette, Encantada, and many more. Sunshine, blue skies and beautiful waterfront views were also on the menu while sipping stylish cocktails and craft brews! This epicurean adventure was held for a great cause allowing foodies, chefs, mixologists and philanthropists to join in the fight to finding a cure for CF.

AMBASSADOR KATHARINE SCRIVENER says “Advances continue to be made in finding a cure, but your help is needed now – more than ever – to help keep up the momentum.” The public’s continuing support are needed to help accelerate efforts to pursue a lifelong cure for this fatal disease, develop lifesaving new therapies and help all people with CF live full, productive lives.

See here to make a donation and be sure to follow on Facebook
and Instagram @Feastivalbaltimore @cff_Maryland to stay up to date.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BGmCepeCXL3/

Feast your eyes on these photos taken at Feastival ..as seen on the scene by SobeSavvy.com !

Riveting! @RIVERDANCE Celebrates 20 years @DPAC June 7-12 #onlyatDPAC #SunTrustBroadway

June 8, 2016SobeSavvy Leave a comment

Mesmerizing Movement and Music.….The No. 1 Dance Show of the World, RIVERDANCE opened last night at DPAC and runs through June 12.

The international Irish dance phenomenon is back by popular demand in Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour. Drawing on Irish traditions, the combined talents of the performers propel Irish dancing and music into the present day, capturing the imagination of audiences across all ages and cultures in an innovative and exciting blend of dance, music and song. Of all the performances to emerge from Ireland – in rock, music, theatre and film – nothing has carried the energy, the sensuality and the spectacle of Riverdance. Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour is composed by Bill Whelan, produced by Moya Doherty and directed by John McColgan, and comes directly to North America from a sold out run across Europe and Asia. To mark the eagerly awaited return of the show to North America, ending a four-year absence, Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour will feature new costumes, new lighting, new projections and the addition of a brand new number, “Anna Livia,” featuring the female members of the Irish dance troupe in an acapella hard-shoe number.

Last night at DPAC, the audience gave a standing ovation for the riveting performances of Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour. It was a celebration of an extraordinary milestone for an incredible show and guests gave an enthusiastic applause for the Riverdance Irish Dance Troupe and entire ensemble for making a stop at DPAC during the Encore Broadway 2015/2016 season.

The combination of the music and the movement was truly mesmerizing! I enjoyed the original irish dance choreography and was pleasantly surprised to see other genres of dance featured such as Argentine flamenco and the African American tap dancing tradition.The production masterfully succedded weaving in history lessons with entertainment. It told the story of many immigrant dance traditions that make up the art form.

For more information, please visit:

Website: http://www.riverdance.com
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/Riverdance
Twitter: @Riverdance

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DPACNC
Twitter: @DPAC https://twitter.com/dpac
Instagram: @DPACnc https://instagram.com/dpacnc/

Here are a few photos taken last night #onlyatDPAC !

*see page 38 in your playbill for ad/coupon for these delicious GIGi’s Cupcakes ! I highly reccomend the ‘wedding cake’ cupcake.

To see more photos from the event go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/dpacnc for more on the red carpet at DPAC !
*Download and/or Print Photos for Free, Courtesy of DPAC!

Happy #TastyTuesday @MyMasalaWrapNC @TriRestWeek #TriangleRestaurantWeek #masalawrap

June 7, 2016SobeSavvy Leave a comment

There’s a newly opened, unique and tasty, Indian-American restaurant called Masala Wrap in Morrisville, NC located on 9825 Chapel Hill Rd.

The uniqueness of Masala Wrap greets you immediately as its dining concept is much different than the typical Indian dining experience in the Triangle. Instead, Masala Wrap more mirrors the experience and offers foods as one would find in India – wraps or bowls sold in open markets. They offer wraps, salads and rice bowls using quality ingredients that include proteins, vegetables, spices and chutneys in a casual dining environment. Masala Wrap also caters events of all kinds and is a great place to stop on the way home from work for quick takeout or a wrap for lunch.

I was excited to learn they were participating in Triangle Restaurant Week (a celebration of culinary excellence thru out the Triangle and a chance for foodies to dine on 3 courses at a prix fixe price). So I made lunch plans to give this new restaurant a try!

As per their website, here’s how you order in 3 simple steps :
*1. Pick a Base

*2. Pick a Protein

*3. Pick a Flavor

Then customize to your liking with a variety of fresh veggies, homemade chutneys!

Finally, Masala Wrap also offers some non-traditional items like their Masala fries, which are a great accompaniment to any of their main dishes.

I found the food and the flavors to be quite enjoyable and authentic! The staff was friendly and ready to answer any questions. I was happy to learn that they have a kids menu and Anamika kindly suggested a potato rice bowl for my daughter which she loved! My husband, our daughter and I even had the pleasure of talking with the owner, Kunal who shared some insight on how the food is prepared: “All of our proteins have been marinated in different spices. We can customize any meal for a customers spicy tolerance preference and all sauces are made in house every day”. Be sure to follow Masala Wrap on their social media posts at:
Instagram @mymasalawrap
Twitter @mymasalawrapnc and
Facebook @masalawrap !

Feast your eyes on my foodie photos from my lunch at Masala Wrap!

Mango Lassi and Masala Fries

Up close and personal..Brown Rice Bowl with Potato and Veggies

Chutneys available are Cool Mint Yogurt, Savory Garlic, Sweet Dates, Spicy Mint

The Revolutionary @KirkFranklin comes to @DPAC ’20 Years in One Night World Tour’ ~#gospelmusic #concert #soNCSavvy

June 5, 2016SobeSavvy 1 Comment

KIRK FRANKLIN…20 Years in One Night World Tour..was truly an amazing show full of energy and testimony!

For nearly two decades, Kirk Franklin has been one of the most prominent voices in gospel music. His unique way of combining hip-hop, pop, R&B, and gospel has garnered him fans across multiple genres as well as critical acclaim. That’s why I could not miss the opportunity to see him when he came to DPAC on Saturday, June 4, 2016.

“Kirk Franklin has been at the forefront of modern gospel music for decades now,” said Candice Terrell, Assistant Director of Marketing, Concerts & Comedy. “His fans will get to experience Kirk in our intimate setting with DPAC’s amazing acoustics as part of The 20 Years in One Night Tour.”

Kirk Franklin has been a multi-platinum-selling purveyor of majestic fusions of gospel and contemporary music. His music has resulted in albums that consistently top both Billboard’s Gospel and Christian charts, as well as ascend into the Top 10 of the R&B/Hip Hop chart.

His unprecedented penetration into the mainstream has fortified him to also become a New York Times bestseller author for The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life’s Storms. Franklin is also the host and executive producer of the gospel talent show “Sunday Best,” the highest-rated gospel program in BET network history now heading into its fourth season.

To date, Kirk has garnered nine Grammy® Awards; an American Music Award; 39 Stellar Awards: 16 Dove Awards (CCM); eight NAACP Image Awards; two BET Music Awards, a Soul Train Award and numerous others.

Last night he told the sold out crowd that ever since he was a little boy he knew he wanted to make gospel music that would make people dance. He has made a career of successfully combining “the music he likes with the God he loves”! Tonight when the house lights came up , a gospel rockstar came on. Kirk Franklin has a spirit and energy that is unmatched. He danced and he pranced. Along with a wonderful band and background singing ensemble, Kirk did a plethora of his old and new hits.
He lead the audience in song and sometimes in prayer. This concert can only be described as an enjoyable experience. Part church, part concert… all love!
Here is a bit of what we experienced last night in Durham, NC!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGQWOAQiXHa/
Souvenirs and Smiles..

To see more photos from the event go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/dpacnc for more on the red carpet at DPAC !
*Download and/or Print Photos for Free, Courtesy of DPAC!

Be sure to check out your boy Kirk Franklin coming to a city near you!

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A post shared by Kirk Franklin (@kirkfranklin)

#FoodieFriday spotlight on @KamadoGrille ‘s New #HappyHour in #Raleigh ! #Cocktails #Appetizers

May 27, 2016SobeSavvy Leave a comment

Clay vessels have been used by humans to cook food for many thousands of years. Clay cooking pots have been found in every part of the world and some of the earliest dated by Archaeologists to be over 3000 years old have been found in China. It is believed that in these circular clay cooking vessels are the origins of the modern Kamado albeit the clay finally being superseded by ceramic materials

Now that the history lesson is over, I can tell you where you can go dine by food prepared using the above ancient method. That place is Kamado Grille in North Raleigh.

They already have a devout following for their dinner scene but now they want to do the same for their new Happy Hour.

Between the hours of 4-6pm, Monday thru Thursday, you can get specially priced drinks and half-off mouth watering appetizers. My family and I went there on Tuesday to enjoy their signature Backyard Cocktails, their great food, and their lawn games that sit out front of the restaurant. Since it was a gorgeous late afternoon we opted to sit at one of their attractive patio tables.

We started with two cocktails from their backyard cocktails menu. A Spiked Blueberry Lemonade and a Dirty Shirley( think Shirley Temple but the adult version). On such a warm afternoon they both were cold and refreshing.
*complete list of backyard cocktails as seen on their electronic menu

A Sips & Selfie moment =)

The appetizers menu offers a delicious variety of tasty options. Oysters Kamadofeller were first up. 4 Oysters on the half shell topped with Andouille Sausage and Spinach cream sauce. AWESOME !!

My little one (did I mention Kamado Grille is family friendly?!) was getting restless so we played a few rounds of bean bag throw on their lawn before our second appetizer arrived.

Grilled Shrimp Scampi arrived and promptly disappeared ! The garlic foccacia bread that accompanied it was mouth watering as well.

Tip: Order the Crab Cakes and Lamb Chops(which come with cheese grits) together, both offered on the appetizers menu, and have yourself a surf & turf meal at deal. The portion size is great and the taste even greater! All for 50% off during happy hour.

It was time for another backyard game (this time table tennis ) and a cocktail break. I ordered the KG Spiked Palmer at the suggestion of our server, who advised it was his favorite out of all the cocktails. It became my personal fave as well and I think helped me win the game !

We worked up a bit of an appetite after playing these games and ordered two entrees: Ribs {Which are slow cooked for 18 hrs} & Miso Salmon.

Needless to say this duo left us full and satisfied. No room for dessert, but plenty of memories of our early evening of foodie fun!

Sip,Sip Hooray …
Cheers to Kamado Grille, their new Happy Hour and always delicious food !
https://www.instagram.com/p/BF66kZJCXJP/

#RuPaulBOTS Make ‘Herstory’ @DPAC RuPaul’s Drag Race Battle of the Seasons:2016 #Extravaganza Tour @RuPaulBots

May 23, 2016SobeSavvy 2 Comments

As you may have seen in Huffington Post , the Queens made history (well HERstory) by coming to Durham, NC and facing the challenges of the discriminatory HB2 law.
They came, they slayed, they conquered… and performed an amazing show!

RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE” FAN FAVORITES are on the road FOR LARGEST “BATTLE OF THE SEASONS” TOUR YET, TRAVELING TO 57 GLOBAL MARKETS which included A STOP AT DPAC MAY 22, 2016 .

Producer Entertainment Group and Sidecar Management, in conjunction with World of Wonder and Logo TV, announced the return of the world’s biggest touring drag revue, based on international megahit TV franchise “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (RPDR). Seeing this extravaganza up close was an opportunity I could not miss! I especially liked seeing the unscripted, unexpected SNATCH GAME live!

The “Battle of the Seasons” tour, now in its third consecutive year of growth, was hosted by series judge Michelle Visage and included an allstar cast of past winners, runners up and fan favorites from each season of RPDR, including: *Adore Delano, *Alaska, BenDeLaCreme, *Courtney Act, *Ginger Minj, Ivy Winters, Jinkx Monsoon, Katya, Manila Luzon, *Miss Fame, Pandora Boxx, *Phi Phi O’hara, Sharon Needles, *Violet Chachki and Willam to name a few. (Lineup varies by city and is subject to change. Check local listings for expected performers. *These were the performers at DPAC) In addition, select cities will feature an opening DJ set by Pearl.

“Last year the world got merely a taste of RuPaul’s queens with the first global Battle of the Seasons Tour,” said Michelle Visage, host of the “Battle of the Seasons” tour and permanent judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race. “This year we are back, and these ladies are bigger and badder than before! Get ready for the ULTIMATE RuPaul’s Drag Race experience from the minute you walk through the doors. It is a once in a lifetime extravaganza that you will NOT want to miss!”

The “Extravaganza” tour began with a 14 city Europe cycle launching from Antwerp, Belgium on March 17, 2016. The second leg of the tour kicked off in Seattle, Washington on April 19, 2016 and is crossing the United States and Canada with 43 stops.
We got to witness the eleganza and gag on the shade of it all in a night of unforgettable music and madness with the world’s most talented drag performers!
• Ticket information for the 58 date “RuPaul’s Drag Race Battle of the Seasons: 2016 Extravaganza Tour” is available now at www.RuPaulBOTS.com.

Follow the “RuPaul’s Drag Race: Battle of the Seasons” tour on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @RuPaulBOTS and join the conversation by using #RuPaulBOTS #Extravaganza. For more information visit: http://rupaulbots.com/.

Here is my photo montage featuring a few photos taken of the fans, the fun and the fierceness seen on the scene by SobeSavvy.com ! Enjoy!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFwDF3SiXN3/

#TravelTuesday Tips: #MyrtleBeach in May ~Where to Stay,Shop,Play @MyMyrtleBeach #FamilyVacation

May 17, 2016SobeSavvy 2 Comments

Myrtle Beach, SC. is well known as being Number One for Family Fun ! It is one of America’s favorite destinations to Stay, Shop and Play because of the variety of attractions all located in Myrtle Beach. There is truly something for everyone to enjoy and because of its popularity that is why the month of May seemed the ideal time to visit with my 4 yr old daughter and husband. TIP #1 : Go off season. Preferably in May. The weather is warm and it is prior to the very busy summer season.

STAY

We arrived on a Friday for a 2 night stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites Oceanfront Resort.
The hotel has two large towers with amenities befitting a resort. Full service spa. A pool complex with various indoor/outdoor pools and two mini lazy river rides. Their famous breakfast buffet is presented every morning in the expansive breakfast lounge area. We had a room with two double beds and an awesome view of the Atlantic Ocean. Hi speed Wi Fi was excellent as I had some work to do when we arrived on Friday. TIP #2: If you are traveling with kids choose this hotel, it’s a short drive to all the action on Ocean Boulevard and the boardwalk, yet quiet enough for a good night’s sleep. It was the perfect base camp for our visit.

SHOP

You can shop til you drop in Myrtle Beach! There are outlets as well as many other shopping options. My favorite area is this urban shopping, dining, entertainment village known as The Market Common. Barnes and Noble , a favorite bookstore of ours , is there along with the movies and more than 30 of the nation’s most popular stores and restaurants. TIP #3: Wear your athletic shoes, pack a ball or frisbee and head to the Grand Park (across the bridge, connected to The Market Common) where there are open fields, swinging chairs to watch ducks/turtles, and playgrounds.
The Market Common ‘s motto is “Where Fashion Meets Fun” and I could not agree more!

PLAY

The following are some of the activities, sports, entertainment and attractions we enjoyed during our stay.
BROADWAY AT THE BEACH is one of those one stop shop places that offers a wide range of activities. Here are a few we enjoyed while there:

*The Palace Theatre
located at 1420 Celebrity Circle at Broadway at the Beach. We saw the thrilling “Cirque Extreme” show. Its a spectacle filled show that the whole family can enjoy!

*RIPLEY’S AQUARIUM of Myrtle Beach located at Broadway at the Beach offers alot of interactive,hands on exhibits that my kid loved. We touched a real jellyfish in their newest expansion exhibit called Planet Jellies! There is also a cove where you can touch a stingray. Our favorite was the shark tunnel, where we could view big sharks, rays, sea turtles, fish and more in a reef all while riding a moving conveyor belt.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFZB_u0iXAC/
Ripley’s have several attractions thru out Myrtle Beach. We also checked out Ripley’s Moving Theater located on the boardwalk. This attraction was too intense for my 4 yr old but we could still enjoy the 5D inaging, surround sound and special effects from non-moving seats.

*Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center gave us an opportunity to play dress-up with some of our favorite stars! They have props available to use and pose in the spotlight alongside your fave celeb. We had a ball here! TIP #4 : This attraction is open 365 days a year and closed at 10pm. We prefer to go late as it allowed us to get more camera time and gave the feeling of having our favorite star all to ourselves!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFexwknCXC9/

MINI-GOLF
If you like mini-golf, there are alot of options. We went to Captain Hook’s because my little one loves Tinkerbell. This golf course really stayed true to theme and even had facts along the course about Captain Hook, the Lost Boys and Tinkerbell. TIP #5 Grab a coupon book. They are almost everywhere..inside of hotels and restaurants. They are filled with discounts for attractions, especially mini golf!

BAREFOOT LANDING is on the waterway offered two unique attractions in one!
*Alligator Adventure was voted the best outdoor adventure by The Travel Channel and I couldn’t agree more. Not only are there literally dozens and dozens of gators in various habitat settings, but one crocodile in particular stood out. His name is Utan. Born in Thailand in 1964, he weighs in at over 2000 LBS and over 18 feet long. He is the largest crocodile in the United States. We witnessed an afternoon feeding of the gators having their raw chicken lunch and we also enjoyed the Lemur house and snake wildlife show in the outdoor theatre. It has much more than just gators. My little one loved seeing the pink flamingos and various tropical birds and HUGE Euroasian Owls. Great place and a lot of fun!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFZTpRSCXE6/

TIP #6 At the back of Alligator Adventure you will receive a bracelet for free wine tastings to the adjacent Duplin Winery complex.
*Duplin Winery is the world’s largest Muscadine winery. The main winery and vineyards are in Rose Hill, NC but the Myrtle Beach location also does some hand bottling. They produce over 4.6 million bottles of wine a year. We enjoyed a deluxe tasting of various popular and special reserve wines. Our bartender, Bruce was both affable and informative. He advised at this tasting we will learn the PDR wine tasting method~ Pour,Drink, Repeat! The building is bright and airy with a delightful outdoor patio which has live music throughout the summer. Duplin wines can be found locally stores in 13 states but some wines can only be purchased at the winery. Took home two bottles to enjoy later and reflect upon how special this place is.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFfrSlFiXGH/

Medieval Times is the ultimate ‘knight’ time attraction because it includes dinner and a show or shall I say tournament! Once you walk thru the drawbridge into the castle, you are transported to a place and time where lords, ladies, princesses, kings come together to feast and enjoy the pageantry and thrills of an authentic medieval tournament!

We ended our vacation at the 35th Annual World Famous Blue Crab Festival: A Little River, SC tradition featuring over 300 vendors, entertainment and a children’s area. Located just 20 miles north of Myrtle Beach, we thought it would be nice to stop thru on the way back home. Since children under 12 are free, I was able to giveaway a pair of tickets as a surprise to some festival goers. Here are some pictures from our “Sunday Funday” :

I look forward to making future memories in Myrtle Beach! For current event info, dining, entertainment options, maps and more, go to visitmyrtlebeach.com and plan your family vacation TODAY!

#FoodieFriday spotlight: @ToriiNoodleBar #ToriiNoodleBar #NationalShrimpDay #Mochi

May 13, 2016SobeSavvy 2 Comments

National Shrimp Day is an annual food holiday celebrating the jewel of the sea: SHRIMP ! On Tuesday May 10, 2016, we decided to celebrate at Torii Noodle Bar By Kanki which is upstairs from their sister Habachi Restaurant Kanki located at Crabtree Valley Mall.

On their website they describe themselves as- Kanki’s freshest new concept, the Torii Noodle Bar offers a Japanese dining experience made with love, spirit and harmony. Traditional Japanese fair, as well as to-go sushi to enjoy alongside great sake, and carefully selected wines and beer.
I really agree with their self description. Inside the decor is what I call Japanese chic. Lots of light wood and natural sunlight streams in the intimate dining area. On such a delightful day we opted to eat alfresco on their patio.

The variety of shrimp ,shrimp and more shrimp items on the menu would make Forest Gump proud. We dined on the following:
*Appetizers: Shrimp Tempura ( batter-dipped,lightly seasoned,served with tempura dipping sauce)
Ebi (shrimp sushi), Hot Rockin’ Lava Shrimp (tender large shrimp, fried to a golden brown and tossed in a not too spicy but tasty lava sauce)

*Entrees: Lunch bento box (served with fresh tossed salad with ginger dressing, west coast roll, steamed rice, Tempura shrimp and vegetables with homemade dipping sauce and stir fried shrimp teriyaki style and Shrimp Tempura Udon Noodles. The buckwheat noodles were delicious and I loved the hon tsuyu broth! The lunch was served quickly and reminded me that healthier options can be served fast and for a better quality and value.

My little girl loved the Japanese soda and the more than personable Director of Operations, Gee Dararouksa was happy to show my daughter how to recycle the chopsticks paper into a holder !

They have a great cocktail and sake menu. Their sake flight was amazing and it complemented the cuisine perfectly. Instead of a fast food lunch, you can come here and get REAL food for roughly the same price and in a efficient ,timely manner.

Enjoy these photos from our wonderful dining experience at Torii Noodle Bar!

*Pictured here : Gee Dararouksa, Director of Operations ~ Reuben Rodillas, General Manager ~ Alex Cordova, Corporate Executive Chef

For a sweet ending , try the Japanese Ice Cream known as Mochi Ice Cream. Available in Vanilla, Chocolate, Green Tea, Red Bean, Strawberry, and Mango, my personal favorite !

We enjoyed lunch and had fun dining at Torii Noodle Bar! Its definitely my family’s favorite place for japanese food in Raleigh, NC ! Next time in Crabtree and want a Asian cuisine fix ? Go to Torii Noodle Bar. They will take good care of you and your tastebuds!

#TastyThursday: Best #Sushi & #FriedChicken @BlueRibbon_west @theGroveLA #blueribbonsushi

May 12, 2016SobeSavvy Leave a comment

California. People think of many things when conjuring up images of the golden state. Beautiful beaches. Movie Stars. Mountains and huge Sequoia trees.

When I hear that word, only one thing comes to mind. Sushi. Not just any sushi mind you, but world class sushi. California {besides Hawaii} is the closest an American can get to the Asian origin of sushi while still being on the mainland. Los Angeles has a plethora of sushi places, but only one caught our eye on this swing out to the left coast: Blue Ribbon Sushi !

Located in the The Grove shopping area adjacent to the famous Los Angeles Farmers Market , Blue Ribbon Sushi did not dissapoint. With hubby and 4 yr old in tow, we were promptly seated inside their attractive dining room. In addition to a classic sushi bar, they also have a full liquor/Sake bar area in the rear of the restaurant.

Usually restaurants kids’ menu leaves a lot to be desired but not here. Tiger shrimp, black vinegar glazed ribs just to name a few of their sophisticated, yet kid friendly choices.

My little one choose the filet of beef. It came with a side of sticky rice. High quality tender filet literally disappeared from her chop sticks in no time at all.

We decided to start with a bowl of miso soup (miso served on the side so that one can add as much or little paste as they want) and hamachi yellowtail w/Jalepeno & Ponzu Sauce. It was fresh and the jalepeno gave it the perfect “kick”.

Next up was a unique small plate of grilled avocado. It melted in our mouths with various salts and spices. It was warm to the touch. Pure heaven.

Crispy Rice Shrimp Toast w/Spicy Wasabi Mayo was also scrumptious.

Next up was their famous fried chicken. Yup, you read that right. They are known to have a unique type of fried chicken. The batter is hard to describe ,other than to just say it is a MUST have when dining here. It was a Bucket O’ Wings with delectable Wasabi Honey and House Chili Sauce. INCREDIBLY GOOD !!

We finished our incredible meal with their version of a Key Lime Pie a la mode. It tasted as good as it looks !

Next time you are in the City Of Angels make plans to dine here! We chose to sit inside but they do have outside seating, perfect for people watching or catching the musical fountain show. With locations in New York and Vegas, I am sure to dine here again and suggest you treat your tastebuds to their delicious cuisine!

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