Showing posts with label Kid Stuff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kid Stuff. Show all posts
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During vacation I was lucky enough to get asked to come into Ted's Montana Grill and try some of their new items and see what they had to offer.  First of all I was excited because....hello-no cooking for me!!!!  So we decided to make a day of it and bring the kiddos for lunch during their vacation week to Ted's in Evergreen Walk in South Windsor.  

First before I get to far I need to talk about the staff.  We first were greeted by an amazing hostess who was super sweet to my kids and not only covered the formalities but also chatted with us.  A great touch is when she noticed the kids in addition to getting our kid supplies-she also made sure to take the steak knives out of the utensil roll ups which is a huge plus!    What I loved was I noticed her doing this with every customer not just me-the blogger writing the review.  Next we got to meet Connor the Manager who was amazing.  Not only was he super nice-and funny-he had so much to share with us about the company. You could tell that he really loved his restaurant and took great pride in this location but the new location on Front Street in Hartford.  Our waiter was not only attentive but super knowledgeable about the menu and was also great to the kids.  This was a recurring pattern I noticed-Ted's was great from the kids.  I sort of had the impression that since it is in EvergreenWalk (which if you know it we can be honest it is an upscale outdoor shopping venue) that Ted's was not kid friendly-I couldn't have been more wrong.

This was not my first trip to Ted's but it was my first trip in a long time-Also it was the first time with both kids with me.  When looking at the menu I was pleasantly surprised.  Although my go to with them is always a burger they had a large selection of food that was not burgers.  There were a variety of sandwiches and meals.  There were tons of fresh lighter options if you wanted to lean towards a lighter lunch.  When selecting our meals we got to nosh on their amazing pickles-that are cut by hand.  I asked there is totally a dude who is in the back slicing up the pickles every day....there is totally some bad joke there!



These almost empty pickle bowl that our great waiter refilled three times-We have a thing for pickles.  Also note the wikki sticks-why cooler than crayons and more fun for the kids!

The menu-Smaller sandwiches, salads, and kid menu on the left-Burgers and larger meals to the right.  Also the kids meals were extensive and even included fresh vegetable options and grilled chicken 

Josie had chocolate milk and Dylan had lemonade.  No pre-made chocolate milk here-Fresh made it looked so good!  Of course Ted's is known for their fresh squeezed lemonade.  My father swore they had the best lemonade.  

Josie playing with those wiki sticks I mentioned 

So I don't know about the rest of my family but I had a hard time deciding what to get.  There was an amazing roasted chicken that was calling my name-but I figured.  Hey I am here to try new things...let me go outside my comfort zone.  Boy was I glad I did.  Below are the pictures of our meals!


Miss M had the sliders.  Which were three mini burgers that were AMAZING!  No seriously they were so good I almost stole one.  Too bad my girl put away all three and only gave me a bite.  

This is me outside of my comfort zone-A fish sandwich.  The waiter said I would like it and that it was super fresh fish (from City Fish) and lightly battered.  The batter was so light it almost tasted baked.  With amazing fries to boot!

The hubby had a meatloaf meal.  It came with mashed potatoes and a tasty baked squash casserole.  He almost licked the plate clean it was all so good.  I am not a huge meatloaf fan but the was really good flavored and that casserole could have been a meal on its own. 

Dylan had homemade macaroni and cheese.  With being lactose intolerant I did't have any but he ate a huge portion at lunch and finished it for dinner.   This was no kraft in a box-homemade cheese sauce!



While we finishing our dinner Connor the manager came over to chat and while discussing how great my fish was we chatted about how Ted's prides itself on the freshness of the food.  They do not get anything pre-made.  Everything is made from scratch.  The pickles and french fries are hand cut every day.  The meats and fish are delivered daily.  Desserts are baked from scratch.  Connor also told us this is why they are able to cater so well to those with allergies and sensitivities.  Thankfully I am only lactose intolerant but I know eating out is hard from those with food allergies.  He said that all meals are fresh made so if you are allergic they can easily work with you to create a meal that you will enjoy and feel good safe eating.  

I can't lie and say that my kids Mac and Cheese and fries is healthy-but there were healthy options.  Also when everything is fresh you know you are getting good food! 

Now lets talk price-because as a mom that is important.  I wouldn't say that Ted's is cheap-but it certainly isn't expensive.  Now if anyone has been to a certain ice cream peddling restaurant lately you all know unless you are going on Kids 1.99 day-that place can get pricey-and the food stinks.  It is gross and pre-made and the only good thing is the icecream.  Our meal would have been the same price as those "family friendly" places.  If you got full meals, with drinks, and appetizers you would be more than a typically family meal out but then again my days of three hour meals with drinks and apps is long gone people!


Also, lets talk about this-A friend at work has raved about this dessert and I know why.  Homemade strawberry shortcake!!!!  So stinking good!!! Of course I could not eat the ice cream-but the homemade biscuit and strawberry sauce.  This would be why I would go back-maybe with a lactaid in hand for next time!
Lets talk about the glory that is this dessert!!!

Fun Facts we learned about Ted's

1.  The paper straws that they use actually saved this American owned company from going out of business.  How great is that!  Even if you hate the straws (which I do) you sort of feel good using them.  Not only are they environmentally friendly they are American owned!

2.  They have a newer (its been open almost a year) Front Street Location in Hartford, CT.  Although some of you may be putting on a frowny face about Hartford it is within walking distance from the Convention Center and Science Center Parking Garages.  Also, lets be honest people.  Anyone who has been to Evergreen Walk know that parking there is a nightmare too-its probably easier in Hartford then in South Windsor!

3. Speaking of Science Center-Did you know that Science Center Members get 15% off at the Front Street Location. Hello-Kid friendly, good food, allergy friendly restaurant with 15% off!!  We are already so excited about that!

4.  They are beginning a partnership with local farms to bring in more local produce.  Since as I said above they pride themselves with the freshness of their ingredients-so why not have more local produce.  This is just in the beginning stages and I am so happy to hear that!

5.  Totally my most exciting of the list...well its tied with the 15% off from number 3.  You can get your burgers pre-made from the restaurant and pay per burger.  As I said I love the burgers now I can get them at home!  You just call ahead and let them know how many and they will have them fresh for you the day you need them-AWESOMENESS!!  


Overall I would highly recommend going to Ted's.  It is a great option for families and I was so pleasantly surprised to find out just how fresh their food was and how kid friendly they are.  In fact we already have plans to check out the front street location on our next visit to the science center!  
Check out their website here http://www.tedsmontanagrill.com/ 


**Please note the Ted's gave us a free meal in exchange for my honest review of their restaurant***
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As I have stated in previous posts I love, love to get children's books to review.  My children love to be read to and we are always looking for new books.  Recently I was asked by the people over at Candy Cane Press to take a look at two of their new religious themed children's books.  The books Rufus and Ryan go to Church and Rufus and Ryan say their prayers were two super cute books to bring up the topic of religion to children.  Master D is now in CCD and loves to go to church, but sometimes the concepts of church and prayer are hard to cover with kids so young.  Even harder is Miss J, who now also likes to go to church with us on Sundays.  What I liked about these books and why they are super fun is it is a typical little boy with his stuffed monkey Rufus.  In both books Ryan and Rufus navigate both how to say their prayers and what to do in church.  Not only do the two learn what and how to behave and church it shares what to love about a mass.  I also need to point out that it is fairly generic and as a Catholic there are only a few slight differences in terminology then what we use to describe certain things.  I also liked how the prayer book gives great examples and shows the child that there is no wrong way to pray.  The book portrays pray in a way I like for a child….as a simple conversation with God.  For anyone who is trying to introduce either prayer or going to church with a wee one these books would be a great addition.  Also, as we head into the holiday season we are firm believers in our house that other than Santa's presents and a few gifts from us we do books for the holidays  These would be a nice gift for under the Christmas tree.  Fun for the kids but with a deeper meaning to help celebrate the holiday season.  Stop by Amazon and check these two cute books out today!  I will leave you with a picture of Papa Hunt and Miss J enjoying the book



The funny part of this photo is my husband is in no way religious at all…so he asked Miss J to pick out a book and what did she pick-The religion book for Daddy to read.  






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Book's Cover
Reading Time
 I was recently contacted by the people at Anne Stone publishing about reviewing a new children's book.  I never turn down children's books because well my kids love to read and what is better than a free kids book right!  When I got the book in the mail even before reading it with my kids I was struck by the amazing graphics-The cover and the first pages had amazing drawings with bright bold colors.  The story itself was also well liked by both myself and the kids.  My son (6) who goes to a science school loved the details there were given about all the animals, my daughter (3) liked the pictures of the birdies.  For myself I liked the moral of the story, that you shouldn't judge people by their looks and that you  shouldn't try to be something that you are not.  Two very valuable lessons for kiddos (and adults) to learn.  But the craziest part about this book is that the author and illustrator is a young girl.  In fact in her author photo she even has braces-so cute.  I love that a young girl has followed her dream, was picked up by a publisher, and created such an impressive and beautiful work.  Kudos to her for putting together such a fantastic piece of art and literature.  You can find out more information about the author here.   I would say that that this is a great read for kids and if you are going to spend the money on a kids book, what better thing to support than a budding author.  Click here for link to amazon.  I would give it Five stars for a children's book 


Now, what else is everyone reading or reviewing this week.  Please link up your latest reviews (feel free to link more than one if you have it)so I can go check them out as well as the rest of my readers.  Have a great week and keep up those reviews.





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So I know some people get all mushy and gooshy on Valentines Day-That is not really how I am.  I am a firm believe that we should enjoy the day and celebrate by telling those we love-just that, that we love them.  So here a picture of my Valentines.  I hope you and your Valentine are enjoying the day!






My littlest Valentine




My Big Man Valentine




My OG (orginal Gangsta) Valentine