CONTEST - Win a Dinner for Two at Touro Brazilian Steakhouse & Bar (Valued at Over $100!)

If you read my last post below, you'll remember seeing the time I had a delicious tasting at a Brazilian Steak House, so today I have teamed up with Touro Brazilian Steakhouse & Bar to give one lucky winner a chance to win a free dinner for two (including one drink each)! It's basically the exact same thing that I experienced! This is a premium dining experience where you'll have access to all the best cuts of meats known to man. The best part is that it is also all-you-can-eat so make sure you bring your appetite with you. If you're afraid you won't get your veggie in-take don't you worry because they also have an amazing Appetizer/Salad Station stocked with all sorts of veggies, soups, various hot and cold appetizers, and even a nacho bar!

To have a better idea of what this dining experience is all about, read all about it in my last blog post below. The winner will be able to choose their own preferred date and time for dinner (pending availability of course). This prize is valued at over $100! Here is how to enter:

Rules:

1) Follow 3 Accounts - My new repost account @theeverydayfoodies, my original account @theeverydayfoodie and @tourochurrascaria on Instagram
2) Like this picture on Instagram
3) Tag at least one friend in the comments below (each tag is 1 additional entry)
4) Optional: Repost this picture for a bonus 5 entries (remember to tag me so I know you reposted)
5) Optional: Visit my website (congratulations, you're already here!) and comment on the post by leaving your Instagram handle and letting me know what your favourite cut of meat to eat is!

Deadline to enter is at 11:59PM EST on May 28th, 2017. 1 random winner will be selected and contacted by DM on Instagram the day after.

Touro Brazilian Steakhouse & Bar

If you're a meat lover like I am, an experience like visiting a Brazilian Steakhouse is like no other. It's table side service of an all-you-can-eat buffet that brings you an endless array of premium cuts of meats at your fingertips. Quite frankly, "bring your appetite" here is an understatement because no one leaves a Brazilian Steakhouse hungry no matter how little you ate beforehand. Trust me, I barely ate lunch prior to coming here for dinner and I only got through a few rounds of meat before my stomach could go no further. You'll soon see why.

If your interest has been piqued, Touro Brazilian Steakhouse & Bar in Richmond Hill is the place to go for an authentic Brazilian steakhouse experience. The servers (or Gauchos who are traditional cowboys from South America) are literally flown from Brazil to work here, where they walk around table to table with the various meats on skewers slicing it directly onto each diner's plate. There is a process on how to get these Gauchos to come to your table to serve you which you will learn in a little bit.

When you are first seated at your table inside you'll soon be enamoured at their interior design and ambiance. It is simply stunning! With high vaulted ceilings, dangling chandeliers, and even a mural on the wall of the "Christ The Redeemer Statue" in Brazil, it's a restaurant you'll be more than comfortable and happy to spend a few hours in.

You'll first get served their signature "Cheese Bread" which is basically to me just little blocks of pizza heaven, a great warm up to what lies ahead. Your host will then direct you to their Appetizers Station that is fully stocked with hot and cold starters. I've been to other Brazilian steakhouses in the past and this is by far the best Salad/Appetizers Station I've seen. They have various DIY salads, quiona, corn, and roasted red pepper salad, soup, pasta, mashed potatoes, meatballs, and even a nacho station! You know how I said earlier that even on an empty stomach I barely got through a few rounds of meat? Well it's most likely because I pigged out at the appetizer station before hand. The food was just so good! Maybe an amateur mistake, but I have no regrets! My plate of appetizers was absolutely delicious and a great start to my meal! Their mashed potatoes was definitely a favourite of mine.

Before you get up and leave your seat you should now know how the process of getting the table side meat service works. You are given one circular card per guest at the table when you get seated. One side is green, the other side is red. Think red light, green light. When you want the Gauchos to walk to your table to serve you a slice of meat make sure your card is flipped up to the green side. Once you need a little break from the meats (you're possibly doing the meat sweats already), or when you simply will be not at your table flip your card over to the red side and this will signal to the Gauchos to stop coming over. It's as simple as that! Now that you understand this process it's time to eat!

The most iconic cut of meat here is called Picanha, a very popular cut of beef in Brazil which is beef top sirloin with a thick cap of fat. This is a must try when you come here and another favourite of mine.  Other cuts of meat they serve is Chicken Leg, Top Sirloin, Leg of Lamb, BBQ Chicken Wings, Pork Ribs, Garlic Steak, Pork Sausage, Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breast, Beef Short Ribs, Parmasean Sirloin, and Flank Steak. And yes, if you're stomach can handle it all those cuts of meats are indeed all-you-can-eat! There is no limit as to how much you can have, so feel free to just indulge to your heart's content.

Another pro tip. You can't go to an authentic Brazilian steakhouse without ending the meal off with some Grilled Pineapple! After consuming all these cuts of meat your taste buds will be craving something a little different, a little sweet. I like to see it as dessert and it's probably one of the favorites for many people that come here. This is a MUST try! I will also admit I don't always necessarily eat this at the end of my meal. I've been known to start off with it as well. Cause ya know, there are no rules on how to eat here. Eat whatever and as much as you like!

For people who may be not as interested or have the stomach for an all-you-can-eat fare, they do also offer an A-La-Carte menu. Also on some special nights, a live Brazilian dance show performs at the restaurant giving guests some added entertainment throughout the night.

If you're looking for a night out with your friends or want to find a special place to spend a birthday or anniversary, Touro Brazilian Steakhouse & Bar is the place to be. It's sophisticated, it's delicious, and it's loads of fun. You will not be leaving hungry after your meal here. You'll be leaving satisfied. Make your reservation now by visiting here to start your Touro experience! Happy eating!

New Spring Menu At Aroma Espresso Bar & Contest Details

You read that word right. Spring. It means that winter is now behind us. The snow has melted. T-shirt weather is on the horizon, and a brand new spring menu is now at Aroma Espresso Bar! Aroma Espresso Bar is spicing things up a little this year with the launch of brand new menu items and making some tweaks on some old favourites. With the launch a few days ago on April 18th, the new spring menu features a Harissa Tuna Sandwich and an option to add Spirulina (a natural algae powder) to a variety of drinks.

Harissa Tuna Sandwich

My personal favourite off of this spring menu is the new Harissa Tuna Sandwich which packs the heat but nothing that is too overbearing on your taste buds. Harissa is a North African hot chili pepper paste and used here as a hearty spread and foundation for this sandwich. It's stuffed with albacore tuna, hard-boiled egg, tomato, red onion and pickle, and served on a hearth-baked soft sesame and semolina bun, with a side of Kalamata olives.

Warm Grilled Chicken Salad

Aroma has always made some very delicious salads and I can definitely thank them for getting me into quinoa these days, because I got obsessed with it only after having their Quinoa Salad here. A popular choice among customers before, their new Warm Grilled Chicken Salad now comes with roasted garlic, eggplant, and roasted red pepper. A fantastic upgrade to an already great salad.

Beverages are of course what many go to Aroma for primarily, so it wouldn't be a new spring menu without some great new and innovative drinks. Spirulina shots are available for a limited time and you can add them to an Ice Lemon Mint or any other fruit smoothies or juices. Spirulina is rich in natural nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, and a great source of iron. Instead of taking an espresso shot, next time change it up at Aroma and take a healthy dose of Spriulina in your drink instead. And yes, it will indeed turn your drink green!

An Aroma signature, the Ice Lemon Mint is also featured on their spring menu and of course you will find all their other beverages and food you have already come to love including those addictive chocolates!

To celebrate the launch of their new spring menu, I want to give you all an opportunity to win a $50 gift card at Aroma! Don't just take my word for it, have a taste yourself. Head on over to my Instagram page HERE and enter! The deadline to enter is this Sunday, April 23rd, 2017 at 11:59PM EST. A winner will be randomly chosen and contacted the day after.

For 5 bonus entries to the contest, leave a comment and your Instagram handle below and let me know what your favourite thing to get at Aroma is! Good luck everyone!

CONTEST - Win a $100 VISA Gift Card with Meridian Credit Union

I have teamed up with Meridian Credit Union, an Ontario financial institution to help 1 lucky winner get a kick start on their savings goals and win a $100 VISA gift card! We all know you work hard everyday to earn those dollars, all to have it disappear on your next meal out. To help you save on your next meal or to even put aside the extra $100 in an investment, follow the rules to enter below. Note this giveaway is only open to Ontario residents.

Rules:

1) Follow me @theeverydayfoodie and @MeridianCreditUnion on Instagram
2) Like this picture on Instagram
3) Tag at least one friend in the comments on Instagram (each tag is 1 additional entry)
4) Optional: Repost this picture on Instagram for a bonus 5 entries (remember to tag me so I know you reposted) 
5) Optional: Visit my website (congratulations, you're already here!) and comment on the post below by leaving your Instagram handle and saying what you would use the $100 for to get a bonus 5 entries

Deadline to enter is at 11:59PM EST on March 12th, 2017. 1 random winner will be selected and announced the day after!

Winter Warmers - New Ramen Noodle Soup Bowl at Teriyaki Experience (Buy 1 Get 1 Free!)

Hate to say it but winter is still here and it seems like it is going to be staying a little while longer. As I write this now one of the biggest snow storms is happening outside my window, so it is of perfect timing that Teriyaki Experience is launching their Winter Warmers campaign to keep our mind, body, soul, and most importantly belly warm all winter long.

A brand new menu item is being offered at Teriyaki Experience where you can now order their new Ramen Noodle Soup Bowl with your choice of chicken, beef, tofu, or shrimp for the protein with a choice of a spicy or mild soup. They are also now permanently offering Miso Soup on the menu which is a favourite for many and a welcome addition. Like all their offerings at Teriyaki Experience you are still going to get the experience of watching your food come to life in front of your very eyes on their teppanyaki grill. Once your protein is cooked for your ramen, top it off with your choice of flavourful Asian-inspired secret sauces, vegetables, a hard boiled egg, and some nori.

There is currently also a "Share & Save" incentive going on right now where you can get $1 off any soup, or even get a coupon to a Buy 1 Get 1 Free ramen noodle soup bowl that will be perfect for you and a friend to enjoy!

All you have to do is visit HERE to register your name, email, and phone number to get that $1 off any soup savings. Also, once you share about the offer on your social media you'll then get that coupon for a free bowl of ramen noodle soup redeemable in store (printed coupon). These offers are only available for a limited time from February 13th to March 12th, 2017 so make sure you take advantage of this now. There's no easier or better way to stay warm!