Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

Enter TODAY ONLY to win FREE Chicken from El Pollo Loco for an entire year — Translated it means (52) 2-Piece Meal Certificates.  All you have to do is become a fan of El Pollo Loco on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.  And while you’re there, tell them why you think flame-grilled Chicken is better than oven “grilled” Chicken.  From all entries received on 10/26/09, El Pollo Loco will randomly draw the name of the lucky winner on 10/27/09.  It’s a one day Sweepstakes, which makes for better odds and a short wait for the tasty prize.  Enter now and good luck.

Or you can stand in line at KFC for one FREE piece of their oven-grilled Chicken today only — I’d rather win a years worth of flame-grilled Chicken from EPL without standing in line.  In fairness, I enjoy KFC’s Fried Chicken on occasion and their Apple Turnovers, Wedge Cut Fries and Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, but they can’t compete with EPL’s truly grilled Chicken.

UPDATE 10/27/09:  EPL announces the winner of the free Chicken — Congratulations to Theresa Wilson Goldman.

To become a “Bertolli Influencer” at the Foodbuzz Blogger Festival, it was required that applicants submit a MENU using Bertolli products — One Appetizer and One Entree.  Bertolli and Foodbuzz have teamed to offer a brand scholarship program to provide (10) Featured Publishers with free airfare and transportation to/from the festival, and accommodations for (2) nights in the heart of San Francisco.  Please pick me. 🙂

Pictured HERE is the 2nd Course of my Bertolli Tasting Menu.  As an entry, I proposed the following:

1st Course (Appetizer): Melt in your Mouth Meatballs with Bertolli’s Fire Roasted Tomato and Cabernet Sauvignon Sauce w/ a Garlic and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Crostini.

2nd Course (Entree): Roasted Asparagus and Red Peppers tossed with Penne Pasta and Bertolli’s Garlic Alfredo Sauce with Aged Parmesan Cheese and Pine Nuts.

Although I propose the use of Bertolli’s “Garlic” Alfredo Sauce, the original was substituted here, since the other wasn’t available at the store I shopped. Instead I roasted a bulb of Garlic in the oven and mixed in a few cloves.  All was a flavorful combination.  The (10) winners should be announced tomorrow, then Foodbuzz readers will vote for the top (3) menus to possibly be prepared at the festival — My fingers are crossed.

UPDATE 10/22/09:  Unfortunately I didn’t win this one, but you can review the winning menus here.  Thanks for the opportunity Foodbuzz and Bertolli.

If you’re going to eat out today and have kids, be sure to eat at one of these restaurants — They’re offering free meals to kids.  The options are great.  Enjoy.

Rumbi Island Grill is opening with a bang in California.  Its first restaurant here is in Mission Viejo and they’re having a Grand Opening Party to celebrate.  The first 100 guests in line will receive a free meal card.  And a drawing will be held to giveaway a free meal card for a year.  The festivities are detailed below and will be followed by music and fire dancers.

WHEN: Monday, September 21, 2009 (11 – 11:30AM).

WHERE: 24000 Alicia Parkway Boulevard, Mission Viejo — The Gateway Center, near Jeronimo and Via Fabricante.

WHAT & WHO: 
• Welcoming remarks from Ron Brown, Rumbi Franchise Owner.
• Welcoming remarks from Kat Vermelis, representing State Senator Mimi Walters.
• Welcoming remarks from Mission Viejo Council-member Trish Kelley.
• Welcoming remarks Chamber President Dennis O’Connor.
• Remarks from Margaret Pendleton, President of Saddleback Valley Educational Foundation.
• Ribbon cutting by Mission Viejo Chamber Ambassadors.

Nibbles of Tidbits was invited to attend a pre-grand opening cooking demonstration at Rumbi’s new Mission Viejo location — We sent guest blogger, Bonnie to cover the event.  She’s an OC Interior Designer, foodie, International Surfing Museum Board Member and friend, and always provides a unique perspective.  Unfortunately her camera didn’t deliver the food photos we were hoping for, but you can read her report below.

GO TRIBAL. EAT TROPIC.  That’s the tag line of the brand new Rumbi Island Grill, according to co-founder and Vice President of Operations Deven Moreno, who hosted the hour long event. Deven is passionate about this new restaurant and stated that Mission Viejo is the first of 8 planned “fast casual” Island cuisine restaurants for Orange County. It is the 25^th restaurant in the chain which started in Utah in 2000 and has since expanded to Colorado and Arizona.

The Rumbi concept centers on “gourmet” rice bowls. The bowls are combined with salad and then topped with chicken, steak, pork, veggies, tofu or shrimp.  A variety of signature sauces and dressings are then added for a unique, customized dining treat. For this special Media event, Moreno cooked two of Rumbi’s most favored dishes – the Aloha Chicken Salad and the Volcano Blackened Mahi. Both are grilled or fried in 7 minutes or less using a small amount of sesame oil, which makes them not only fresh but healthy too.

Moreno emphasized that this is “Island” food rather than Hawaiian, and this theme is carried over and translated very well in the interior design.  The interiors vary at each restaurant. At the new Mission Viejo store, there is a bit more emphasis on the surfing theme, with a picture of “Duke” Kahanamoku and other old time surfers in one corner. Other elements such as spears, arrows and palm trees are more universal, but the over-all look is both fun and family-friendly.

Whatever tropical island it invokes, the Rumbi concept is unique to Southern California and will surely catch on quickly. With all entrees priced under $10, their prices and attention to quality cannot be beat. It’s highly recommended that you mosey on over to Rumbi Island Grill to experience this brand new taste sensation!

Thanks  Bonnie and welcome to California Rumbi Island Grill.

Thanks to all who entered a comment to win a case of the new aluminum Coca-Cola bottles.  And congratulations to the Cupcake Activist — We picked your name fair and square.  So you may enjoy ’em at your Labor Day Party, they’ll be shipped right out.  Nibbles of Tidbits appreciated the opportunity to host this giveaway.  Be sure to check back for future food and drink prizes worthy of winning.

What to make with the PRIZE:  All-American Apple Pie Slushie (recipe below).

6 ounces of Diet Coke®
6 ounces of Applesauce
1 cup of Ice
Cinnamon

Combine first 3 ingredients in a blender and process until smooth — Pour into a 16-ounce glass and garnish with Cinnamon.  Enjoy!

Coca-Cola's New Aluminum Bottles

The answer to the above question is YES.  Enter a comment HERE on Nibbles of Tidbits to have a FREE case of the new aluminum Coca-Cola  bottles delivered just in time for your Labor Day Party.  Right now they’re only found in the hippest of places.  Could that be your party?

Coca-Cola announces the arrival of the new aluminum bottles.  The redesigned packaging incorporates the classic iconic Coca-Cola look in a stylish 8.5 oz bottle that serves to keep beverages cooler longer, while also offering the perfect taste and carbonation.  Varieties available include Coca-Cola Classic®, Coke Zero^TM and Diet Coke®.

The new aluminum bottles are currently available in select hotels and bars throughout Los Angeles, including SLS Hotel and a variety of bars on Sunset Boulevard.  In celebration of the upcoming holiday, we’d like to offer a mixed case (24) of these exclusive bottles to one lucky reader.

Anyone may enter to win by simply leaving a comment on this post.  On August 31st, we’ll randomly draw (1) winner from all who commented.  For better odds, you may enter/comment once a day.  GOOD LUCK.

The Single Day Pie Competition went down today at the Orange County Fair.  Approximately 20 Pies were entered and Ribbons were awarded for Best of Show, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place, plus 3 Honorable Mentions.  After the judging, FREE Pie was served to the public.  It’s best to be around at that time (2PM each Saturday and Sunday at the Promenade Stage).  During this Contest, I happily received an Honorable Mention for my Chocolate Mountain Orange Cream Pie.  It’s pretty good.  Here’s the RECIPE: Orange Cream Pie Recipe.  Enjoy!

More Orange County Fair Competition INFO:

• Culinary Arts Competition Results at the 2009 OC Fair
• Fine Tuning our Scone entry for the OC Fair
• More food related competitions at the OC Fair
• Baking contests at the OC Fair

Have you seen our Chili Cheese Fries Comparison post?  We just added these Chili Cheese Fries from SONIC Drive-In to the post.  The report is linked below.  ALSO, we still need an address from two SONIC Drive-In Gift Card Giveaway Winners.  Hurry and get back to us or we’ll need to draw two new winners on July 10th, 2009.  All prizes need a home.

Chili Cheese Fries Comparison Post:
http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/2008/11/06/orange-county-chili-cheese-fries-comparison/

SONIC Drive-In Gift Card Giveaway:
http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/2009/06/25/congratulations-sonic-drive-in-gift-card-winners/

First, thanks to ALL who entered.  I wish I could give each of you a $25 Gift Card to SONIC Drive-In.  It was my pleasure hosting this contest and I hope to present more great FOOD Giveaways in the future on Nibbles of Tidbits — Keep checking back.  Until then, this time the (10) lucky WINNERS are…

 
1.)  Katie D. (Reno, Nevada)
2.)  Shannon C. (Bondville, Illinois)
3.)  J (Bakersfield, California)
4.)  JC (Norwalk, California)
5.)  E-Dawg (Cypress, California)
6.)  Kristen (Gilbert, Arizona)
7.)  Erin DiCarolis (Melbourne, Florida)
8.)  Pam (Rancho Cucamunga, California)
9.)  Richard Halvorson (Graham, Washington)
10.) Andrea Bohn (San Clemente, California)

We’ll be contacting you to learn where to send your Gift Card.  It’s time to eat.  Thanks to all participants and sponsors.  It’s been fun.

Related Link: http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/2009/06/18/win-a-25-gift-card-to-sonic-drive-in/

I Need Text Company, Nibbles of Tidbits’ main site is being overhauled.  It’s basically getting a new look and we’re hopefully making it easier for clients to obtain the information they desire.  The change will happen overnight during the first week in July.  Until then, we remain open for business.  Thanks for your inquiries.

Two more announcements, Happy Father’s Day today — And don’t forget to ENTER a comment on the SONIC post to win a $25 Gift Certificate to SONIC Drive-In.  We’ll be drawing the winners from the commenters and mailing out (10) Gift Cards in 4 days.

Nibbles of Tidbits is giving away (10) $25 Gift Cards to SONIC Drive-In.  Have you ever been to one?  If you haven’t, we’re giving you a few reasons why you should — If you have (and many would say of course), we would like to give you a $25 Gift Card to enjoy your next meal there.  All can enter to win by simply leaving a comment on this post.  On June 25th, we will randomly draw (10) winners from all who commented.  For better odds, you may enter/comment once a day, but you can only win once.  GOOD LUCK!

SONIC Drive-In is now in South Orange County looking a little different after passing a few stepford regulations imposed by the City of Mission Viejo.  Although the exterior isn’t traditional, they’re serving the same food by carhops on roller skates.  I LOVE that about SONIC — It’s nostalgic and fun.

Although SONIC has been around for more than 50 years and has over 3,500 locations, I had yet to pass one during my travels, until its appearance in Mission Viejo just over two weeks ago.  This was my first visit.  You can consider the items below as potential prizes in the $25 on the 25th SONIC Gift Card Giveaway.

These days all fast food restaurants are working to serve healthy choices.  SONIC is serving a Grilled Chicken Sandwich on a Wheat Bun — It was one of the better ones I’ve tried.  We also appreciated the Fresh Apples with the Low Fat Caramel Dipping Sauce and a Banana as a Side option.  On their website is an itemized calorie meal builder, which can be helpful too.

A few of us gathered to try a lot of food and were happy to learn that Breakfast is served all day long.  The Texas Toast options are different — We chose the Bacon Cheeseburger Toaster, which comes with an Onion Ring.

And we had to get the Tots, since that’s one of the Sides they’re appreciated for.  The Tots were perfectly crispy, but we really liked the Onion Rings that are freshly battered each day.  They’re not frozen — That’s a good thing. 

We were completely stuffed after the Sausage Biscuit Dippers & Gravy, Frito Chili Cheese Pie Wrap, Turtle Pecan & Caramel Bundt Cake and famous Cherry Limeade (aka giant Shirley Temple).  In addition to what’s pictured here, there was more and we particularly loved the Banana Cream Pie Shake.  SONIC’s Drink options are crazy good.  How can you pick one?  We all left with three each, HA.  It appears many will drive for miles to eat at a SONIC.  One pictured below drove all the way from Connecticut.  Okay, she didn’t drive to California just for it, but she did pass many along the way.

Overall, I found SONIC Drive-In to be more than just a fast food restaurant.  It’s a fun experience.  You can sit on the patio or stay in your car parked in one of the Drive-In stalls, to be served by a skating carhop — Or just drive through.  They have a Happy Hour (2-4 PM), $1 Menu and more, but you’ll need to learn the rest from them.

FYI:  The SONIC Drive-In $25 Gift Card Giveaway closes at 11:59 PM (Pacific) on June 24th, 2009.  Enter a comment on this post NOW for a chance to win.  The lucky winners will be notified via e-mail on June 25th and we’ll mail out the Gift Cards the same day, or as soon as an address is provided.