Tag Archives: restaurant

McDonald’s Gilroy Garlic Fries

Thanks to McDonald’s of the Greater Bay Area for sponsoring this post/trip, opinions are 100% my own.

F2R GARLIC SELECTS-15-2

Garlic Fries are back at McDonald’s for the summer season…and only available in Northern California, so be sure to stop into a Bay Area McDonald’s to try them out (if you haven’t yet), before they’re all gone.

F2R GARLIC SELECTS-16-2

McDonald’s Gilroy Garlic Fries are carefully created by combining their legendary french fries with a special blend of garlic, olive oil, parmesan and parsley. When you place an order for these fries, you can rest assured, they’ll be made fresh and hand-tossed too… EVERY. SINGLE .TIME.

IMG_5835

A complete concoction of locally sourced ingredients, the garlic that makes these fries so good, comes from right here in the self-proclaimed garlic capitol of the world, Gilroy!

F2R GARLIC SELECTS-10-2

All the garlic used for McDonald’s Gilroy Garlic Fries originates from Christopher Ranch. I’m sure you know the name and/or you’ve surely tasted their garlic. So, let me be clear, that the garlic on their fries is authentic, and they took me to the source (literally) to tour the place that makes these mouth-watering fries possible!

IMG_5844

Press play below and watch the video for the highlights of my Gilroy garlic field trip from the field…all the way to the restaurant, courtesy of McDonald’s.

And, not to keep all your mouth’s watering… but it doesn’t look like Gilroy Garlic Fries are going national anytime soon, so if you want to get a taste, you’ll need to visit a restaurant in the Greater Bay Area before they’re all gone! Make sure to pack some mints for after consumption, and oh yes, I’m lovin’ it!

IMG_5861

***The following is a list of counties included in “McDonald’s of the Greater Bay Area,” where you can be sure to order up your very own Gilroy Garlic fries: Alameda, Contra Costa, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano and Sonoma.

Haute Mom: Olia Kedik

olia1Name: Olia Kedik
Child & Age: Yana Mirabell, 2.5 yrs
Hometown/Current Location: Moscow, Russia, currently living in Sacramento as well as San Francisco
Quick Bio: I am originally from Moscow, Russia. I moved to the U.S. in 2003 with one suitcase and many dreams. I worked in every aspect of hospitality as I earned my second degree in Advertising at AAU. While working in hospitality I met my husband, Andy, with whom I opened our first restaurant together, Skool San Francisco. We have been in business for six years and are a few weeks from opening our second location in downtown Sacramento – www.skoolonkstreet.com. My desire for fashion has always been present and influenced by my European background and worldly travels. My passion and entrepreneurial background led to the creation of my fashion blog, Oliamoda which is rapidly gaining steam. On this blog I share my outfits, current trends and hopefully inspire other women. Two and half years ago, I received the biggest gift of all, I became a mommy to little miss Yana. She is beautiful, funny and loud. It has been the most challenging and rewarding job so far. With everything my husband and I have going on, parenthood comes at a challenge sometimes, especially now that we are in the lovely terrible two era, but I would not trade it for anything. Among everything going on, I am hoping for another baby some time soon:)

Q: What is your favorite piece of advice to new Moms?
A: My favorite piece of advice to a new Mom, is do not worry! Women are born to be moms, so no matter how many horror stories you will hear from other moms about parenting or childbirth, you are going to have your own experience. If you go with it with a positive mind, it will be the most perfect experience any one has had. I work in restaurants and I remember having to filter all the advice everyone off the streets had for me, my pregnancy, my delivery, my baby. It is only your journey and a positive mindset makes anything a smooth sail. 🙂

Processed with VSCOcam with n1 preset

Q: How do you incorporate fitness into your daily routine?
A: I am an athlete at heart, but being a young mom, you do not find much time to keep up your hard workout routine. When Yana was very little I made sure I worked out at least five times a week for no more then 15 minutes during her morning nap. Very light and minimal excerise. I followed the bodyrock.tv you tube videos. They are great, they really helped me get the jumpstart. Then I joined a boxing gym and committed to three times a week. Now I am so busy that if I do a set of sit ups or what ever I can when ever I can, I am happy. Anything counts in my book. I am unhappy if I go too long without any exercise, so I make sure to do something whenever possible. I even bought Yana one pound weights so she can join my 15 minute routine at home.

Q: Share something you have learned about yourself since you became a Mom.
A: My husband and many of my friends consider me a very strong personality, I learned the opposite. I learned my love and my patience for my child has no boundaries and a much higher tolerance then anywhere else. I have learned a different level of love, love for your own child. It is so beautiful.

Q: Describe your “Haute Mom” (fashion) style!
A: I am fashionista, I always have been. My fashion blog
www.oliamoda.com is a reflection my style. My style is edgy. Maybe one can call me a risk taker? I have always been the one to wear a hair style no one else dares to or pull off very bright and loud clothing items. Motherhood has only taught me that I need more time getting ready. I love dressing up and making sure everyone in my house hold leaves the house put together. It brings me joy.

Kid’s Eat FREE at Olive Garden on April 24

Olive Garden Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation

Olive Garden invites families to celebrate and enjoy a special meal together on Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day on Thursday, April 24, and is offering one free children’s menu item (children under 12) for every adult entree purchased that day.

This year, more than 37 million youth and adults are expected to participate in Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day at more than 3.5 million workplaces. Olive Garden has partnered with the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation since 2012, and last year more than 7,000 Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day participants visited Olive Garden restaurants nationwide.

DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC. OLIVE GARDEN USO UNITED THROUGH READING“Olive Garden is proud to support the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day Foundation and all it does to create enriching educational experiences for children around the world,” said Jay Spenchian, Olive Garden’s executive vice president of marketing. “By offering free kids meals we hope to make the day a little more special for parents and their children, and encourage everyone to join us for a family meal together.”

The Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day free kid’s meal coupon will be available at OliveGarden.com. The coupon is valid for lunch and dinner with the purchase of any adult entree, including more than 20 new menu items recently introduced on Olive Garden’s menu as part of the most comprehensive update in the restaurant’s history.

I love that Olive Garden is so family-friendly, like when they did the “Parents’s Night Out” event with My Gym no too long ago! Make sure to print a coupon for this FREE offer.

To find the nearest Olive Garden restaurant, visit OliveGarden.com. Connect with them at Facebook.com/OliveGarden, Twitter.com/OliveGarden and Instagram.com/OfficialOliveGarden.