Restaurant

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Cookie Marketing Plan Crumbles with Customers

RESTAURANT REVIEW - There is a new cookie shop in town where someone had the brilliant idea of sending everyone in Madera a coupon for a free cookie. This is the best way to market a new item to a public who might be skeptical of paying $4.50 for a single cookie or over $40 for a dozen. What is better than the company’s confidence saying, ‘the first hit is free’?

What could go wrong with such an idea? Maybe the marketing team at Crumbl Cookies did not anticipate a minimum wage employee deciding the free cookie needs to be limited to one or two selections from the company’s menu of cookies, even though every flavor is listed at the same $4.50 price point. The coupon does not indicate selection limitations other than offering only one free cookie.

Red Lobster® Invites Guests to Turn Up for Seafood Summerfest

ORLANDO, Fla. - Red Lobster^® is turning up the heat and bringing guests the hottest summer celebration of seafood with the launch of Seafood Summerfest. Starting today, and for a limited time, guests are invited to live it up during Seafood Summerfest and satisfy their seafood cravings with a variety of sizzling Red Lobster dishes and exciting new beverage offerings that are fire!

Joining the Seafood Summerfest lineup is NEW! BBQ Bacon Grilled Shrimp, which can be enjoyed as an entrée as part of 3 Courses for $18.99*, when paired with a soup or salad and individual-sized starter. Guests can also sink their teeth into the hottest summer duo, Steak and Lobster, or treat their tastebuds to a grilled trio of seafood with Grilled Lobster, Shrimp and Salmon.

World's Best Vodka Award Won By California Distillery

OXNARD - In news from the "I didn't see that coming" genre, comes the report that a vodka made in California has been named the World's Best. Hailing from the sleepy, seaside town of Oxnard, the top award in the varietal category was awarded to Silvergrin Vodka, beating out the top vodkas from 18 other countries. It is the first time that the World Vodka Awards highest honor has been won by a California brand.

Drawing on the history of vodka as a spirit with deep agricultural roots, Silvergrin is made with a triple-origin mash bill of farm grown Alturas potatoes, organic corn and Dark Red winter wheat. The vodka features a recipe developed by three-time James Beard nominated bartender, Josh Goldman and PhD biochemist, David Brandt.

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Tacos & Beer, with Some Weird Sushi? A Great Place For Friends to Hang Out

RESTAURANT REVIEW - A hidden gem in Madera that was devastated by Covid closures and staffing issues is making a comeback with incredible food as just a fun place for the community to hang out with friends and neighbors. I’m talking about Tacos and Beer on Avenue 17 near Country Club. About a year ago, I was in the process of writing a review on this place after we picked up a tray of what they call “sushi”, then the location closed for a while before I got a chance to try their tacos or beer. This week, I was able to get back and check out the rest of what they have to offer. I have to say I do not understand how this place is not packed every night.

The place has pool tables and dartboards with a state-of-the-art jukebox and televisions everywhere to watch whatever game is playing. I saw a plethora of beer taps, and their menu lists another dozen or so selections of bottled and canned beers. The food menu is filled with tacos and Mexican dishes made from traditional land-based meats (beef, chicken, and pork). Though it looks like they specialize in seafood tacos which is ironic considering what they call sushi does not seem to include anything close to seafood.

Lyons Magnus Announces Top 2022 Flavor & Trend Predictions

FRESNO - Lyons Magnus, a global food service and ingredient source, has released predictions for five emerging trends that will influence food and beverage menus in 2022 and beyond. "We use our proprietary research and analysis to support our partners with targeted trend insights to help them identify opportunities that will resonate with their customer base," says John Koch, Vice President National Accounts. "These trends are the cornerstone for innovative products and recipe creation."