Bertucci's celebrates 35 years of brick oven pizzas and pastas

A recent opportunity allowed me to celebrate Bertucci's 35th birthday with their CEO Brian K Wright and returning corporate chef, Rosario Del Nero at their Columbia, Maryland location – one of 85 locations. Did you know that their pizza dough is fermented and rests for two days, that all their vegetables are brick oven roasted daily in small batches, that the tomatoes they use in their sauces are grown exclusively for them in California and blended to their specifications.  CEO Wright showed me his video of the California tomato farm and the tomato production. He said, “I couldn’t believe how delicious and sweet the tomatoes were, I couldn’t stop eating them.”

What was very apparent upon my visit was their ability to work with small and large groups, working with menu items as well as build your own pizza capabilities.  The restaurant was packed for holiday celebrations and family dining.  Bertucci’s has combined full service dining with fast casual options staying abreast of current trends. 

Read the full story and watch the slideshow at my Baltimore Post Examiner Dara Cooks Blog 

What's new for spring at Bonefish Grill

It is always a treat to be asked back to Bonefish Grill, to taste and talk about their new menu offerings or special promotions. Not new to the menu, but always a treat, is the bang bang shrimp, stacked in a pyramid these spicy (not too spicy) shrimp have your mouth watering before you even unwrap the chopsticks. If you happen to be at a Bonefish Grill on any given Wednesday, enjoy the bang bang shrimp for just $6.

The Bonefish Grill’s spring menu is featuring simple preparations of these fresh wood-grilled fish as well as more creative offerings:

Read the full story and watch the slideshow at Examiner.com / dining

  

Bonefish Grill: Open for brunch on Black Friday

If you are out your door early a.m. on Black Friday for holiday gift saving deals you will need sustenance just about late morning. Bonefish Grill is open for brunch on Black Friday, November 28^th as well as Saturday and Sunday starting at 10 a.m. through to 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. depending on the location.  Whether Black Friday or not, Bonefish Grill serves brunch on Sundays making it an ideal stop off point during your holiday shopping or special family celebration get together.

With a gift card in hand, the husband and I set off to partake of the brunch offerings at Bonefish Grill.  The brunch menu in general has a lot of your favorite Bonefish Grill appetizers and desserts from Bang Bang Shrimp to house made Key Lime Pie.  The real brunch items are featured under the categories of omelets, brunch favorites, eggs Benedict and brunch cocktails and libations.  If you enjoy your mimosas, Bellinis and sangrias you can order the endless bubbles brunch for 19.90 with entrée  or your favorite brunch cocktails per glass. 

Read the full story and enjoy the slideshow HERE.