I’m a bit of a seafood snob.

I usually like to prepare it myself, finding that few people can achieve the proper flavour and texture that elevates the cuisine from ordinary to orgasmic. Instead, I’ve come across too many seafood blunders, including overcooking, overseasoning or – gasp – overthinking the dish. Tsk tsk.

And so I tend to order fruits de mer strictly from Michelin-starred restaurants, where paying $42.50 for an entrée is a surefire way to ascertain the food will arrive perfectly poached, pan-seared or Provençal.

I warned you. (Don’t worry, I can hardly stand myself.)

But for all my airs and expectations, I have a little secret… when it comes to enjoying seafood that is tasty, affordable and available without jetting off to London, I really, really love Red Lobster.

My first real date was at Red Lobster; my boyfriend at the time (it’s totally a high school romance when your “boyfriend” takes you on a first date after he’s your boyfriend) surprised me with a fine lobster dinner for my 17th birthday. At the time, I thought it was the most delicious meal I’d ever had in my entire life. And over the years, I popped in and out of Red Lobster, always for the mixed bag of seafood, and usually when there was an endless shrimp promo :)

But somewhere along the way, I lost touch with the brand and it had been many years since I indulged in their varied menu of surf and turf. So when contacted by Red Lobster to check out one of their new, redesigned restaurants, I figured it was time to decide once and for all if my palette – which had changed drastically since I was 17 – could indeed find room for a Red Lobster recommendation. (more…)

Hey, when you’ve got a new baby, a crazy toddler and two frazzled parents, even a visit to a local restaurant is a “trip.”

Our latest Chip Trips adventure took us to Boston Pizza, where we enjoyed a nice family meal (and I indulged in my craving for fresh, cheesy pizza). Our enjoyment was supplemented by a cool Lays Chip Trips discount voucher – for just 10 points, Ryder was treated to a FREE kid’s meal when we purchased a minimum of $14.

I love going out for pizza. It’s such a casual, care-free way to spend time together, especially since:

… IF your date doesn’t mind waiting in line about 45 minutes for a table… I’d recommend saving this deal for well established couples, NOT first dates :)

Tonight is Date Night at Milestones – when you order an appetizer or entree (or appetizer and entree), your date dines for FREE!

Milestones locations can be found in BC, Alberta and Ontario. This is their second annual Date Night – feedback from last year’s diners suggests that you should get there early (we’re talking 4:30pm seniors special early) to enjoy the first round of seating.

I had my first date with my husband at Milestones – it was a pseudo blind date since we met over the Internet. For a while, we visited Milestones around the time that we met as sort of an “anniversary” celebration… sadly, we haven’t been there in a while. Paging Dr. Romance!

Click here to find a Milestones restaurant near you.

I’m blogging this one for my husband, who just happens to be an alumni of Casey’s School for Dishwashers (his very first part-time job).

Casey’s restaurants can be found all over Ontario and Quebec, and let me tell you, they make a mean Butcher Block Burger. And until March 28th, to celebrate their 30th birthday, you can enjoy items on their Classic Menu for classic prices! (Although, truth be told, I’m having a little trouble believing that a burger plate was sold for $7.99 thirty years ago.)

Regardless, why not celebrate with an 18oz domestic draught (Blue, Budweiser or Coors Light) for just $4.99? Now that’s a dealio!

Click here to find a Casey’s near you.