Monday, January 16, 2012

Tree House - CLOSED

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Hubby and I decided to try a new place that opened up in our area called Tree House Mexican Baja Grill. We mainly went because we had a coupon, I hate paying full price on a place I’m not sure if it’ll be any good. We went a Monday night after getting back in town so it was a little slow. The hostess was sitting at a table with her laptop so we had to wait for her to save her work before she greeted us. The inside has lots to look at and the floors where really slippery even wearing tennis shoes I almost fell twice before getting to our table.
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Our waiter was also the bartender. I think they only had 2 guys on staff and they must have been helping in the kitchen too, because we didn’t see much of either one. We got chips and salsa while looking over the menu. Both of the dips where ok, nothing to wow about.
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The happy hour margarita was $3.50. I thought it was ok, but hubby wasn’t over the moon about it.
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For the entrée I ordered the Fajitas for 1 for $12.99. I really liked the beef better, but for the leftovers the beef had a meaty flavor and wasn’t as good. The chicken just had no flavor at all.
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D ordered the Enchiladas al Carbon $9.99 (Corn tortilla filled with beef, or chicken fajita meat, topped with gravy, melted cheese and chile con carne.) We didn’t care for this, there wasn’t much meat, and it didn’t have any flavor.
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I more than likely won’t be going back. The location is in a high turnover area so I don’t see this one lasting longer than the lease they signed anyway.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

T.G.I. Friday’s

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I honestly can’t remember the last time I had been to a T.G.I. Friday’s. I know it’s been at least 8 years, but could be longer. They’ve really tried to make a comeback in the last few years, updating their menu, look and specials. If you have been to Chili’s they are similar, except their menu is a little more all over the place. Personally I prefer Chili’s, but it’s worth giving T.G.I. Friday’s a chance if you haven’t been.

My favorite part of the meal was the Strawberry Lemonade Slush, it’s a little steep for $3.39, but you get free refills and I think I drank 3 glasses while we where there.

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As for the meal they have specials such as 2 for $10 or 3 for $12 and so on. We chose the 3 for $12, which overall I think was a really good deal. The waiter said the portions are full size which I agree with when I saw them.

 

Spinach Florentine Flatbread $7.19 (saved $3.49 with combo deal) (Oven-baked crispy flatbread topped with our creamy spinach & artichoke heart spread and bruschetta mix of diced tomatoes, garlic and freshly chopped basil). Wasn’t too bad, I think it could have used a little dipping sauce because it tasted dry.

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We also had the Crispy Green Bean Fries $6.59 (saved $2.49 with combo deal) (Crunchy green bean fries breaded and fried to a golden brown. Our cool and creamy Cucumber-Wasabi Ranch dip adds just a touch of spicy.) I really liked the wasabi ranch dip. The green beans where a little oily, but crispy non the less.

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For the entrees we ordered the Bruschetta Chicken Pasta $12.59 (saved 6.12 from combo)(Multi-grain angel hair pasta tossed in Bruschetta marinara – made with sliced garlic, basil and Roma tomatoes – topped with fire-grilled chicken breast. Drizzled with balsamic glaze and sprinkled with Parmesan shavings). Wasn’t bad, I would order again.

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We also got the Parmesan-Crusted Chicken $9.19 (saved $3.47 from combo) (A sautéed chicken breast basted with Caesar Vinaigrette dressing, then finished with a Parmesan crust topping. Served with three-cheese tortellini tossed in spinach Alfredo sauce and a side of our fresh tomato Mozzarella salad). I wish the chicken was a little bigger and the salad was just ehh it really needed more mozzarella and they only had 4 ravioli. The dish was just lacking something I can’t put my finger on it. 

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Desserts where really good! We shared the Vanilla Bean Cheesecake $5.49 (saved additional $2.67) (A delicious cheesecake made with real vanilla beans, layered with white chocolate mousse and baked in a vanilla graham cracker crust. Topped with white chocolate shavings and served with a fresh strawberry).

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I got the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie $5.09 (saved $1.92 from combo)to go to take home to my hubby because I was stuffed after everything we ate. (Chocolate ganache layered with peanut butter mousse in a peanut butter graham cracker crust. Topped with whipped cream and a peanut butter cup.) This was really rich, but if you’re sharing it’s just the right amount of sweetness.

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Couple of tips- Be sure to sign up for the Stripes Card on their website you get coupons for free items and to skip the wait line, each time you go you earn points towards free items. Also sign up for their email alerts and you get free coupons too.

Overall would I go back? Not unless it’s for one of the combo deals. Our original bill came to $52.92 and then knocked off $20.16 savings from doing 2 combo meals for a total of $35.46 for 2 people.