RESTAURANT REVIEW: Granite City Food & Brewery in the GM Renaissance Center in Downtown Detroit

There's a new restaurant in downtown Detroit, and it's pretty awesome...

Friday night my son and I attended a soft opening of Granite City restaurant inside of the GM Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit. The restaurant is on level one with windows that overlook Jefferson Ave, giving parsons a great view of downtown Detroit.

The space is beautiful with lots of dark woods and clean lines. There are also tons of television monitors in the long hallway leading to the main seating that showcase suggested food and beer pairing because Granite City is not just restaurant. It is also a brewery.

Our food was as wonderful as it looks in my photos. We had the Buffalo City Wings to start. They were tender with just the right amount of spice and great flavor.  My son devoured his "Big Show" Burger which consisted of a beef patty topped with pulled pork, BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese and onion strips on a pretzel bun. I had the Crispy Shrimp Tacos (heavenly) served with black bean and corn salsa.

My son and I had a wonderful time et Granite City.  My "bottomless pit, eating machine" son was happy and satisfied.  And I was stuffed and needed a nap. We will definitely be back.

Granite City in the GM Renaissance Center opens to the public this Wednesday February 10th, 2016 so be sure to check it out.

Granite City
100 Renaissance City, Suite 1101
Detroit, MI


Enjoy!


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REVIEW: Pie Five: Delicious Custom Hand-Crafted Pizza in only 5 minutes in Southfield, MI

Pie Five is now my son's favorite Pizza Joint...

Back in October my son and I were invited to attend a blogger preview event at a new pizza restaurant in Southfield, MI called Pie Five.  Until the night of the event, I did not know much about Pie Five and went to the event just hoping that my picky-eating son would find something on the menu worth eating.  Now five weeks after the event, Pie Five has become my son's favorite pizza joint which he tries to get me to take him to every chance he can.

The concept of Pie Five is very different from most pizza places. Pie Five makes custom hand crafted personal pizzas in just 5 minutes for $6.99 per pizza - think Subway but for pizza.

The dough is made fresh every day, throughout the day and the ingredients are all-natural, preservative free.  You can choose a pizza combo from the menu and customize it or concoct your own masterpiece from scratch.  And no matter what you choose to put on the pizza, and cost does not change.

You place your order and stand in line while the staff makes the pies and then puts them in the oven.  Five minutes later, your pizza is ready to eat.

There is a Pizza for Everyone...

The night of the blogger event, my son and I received complimentary samples (plus our own indivdual complimentary pizzas) of many of the menu items,  including:

Chicken Carbonara with Artisan Thin Crust
alfredo sauce / parmesan / grilled chicken / mushrooms / crushed red pepper / bacon

Pesto Chicken Alfredo with Artisan Thin Crust
alfredo sauce / grilled chicken / roasted tomatoes / caramelized onions / basil drizzle

Athenian with Artisan Thin Crust
olive oil / feta / grilled chicken / minced garlic / banana peppers / red onions / basil / kalamata olives / sun-dried tomato purée

Buffalo Chicken with Artisan Thin Crust
buffalo ranch sauce / cheddar / banana peppers / grilled chicken

High Five with Classic Pan Crust
tuscan marinara / cheddar / pepperoni / italian sausage / bacon / ham / beef

Margherita with Artisan Thin Crust
olive oil / roma tomatoes / minced garlic / basil

Pie Five also sells salads and for those with a sweet tooth, Pie Five also has cookie pies (part cookie, part pie) and brownies.

My son and I both loved the pizzas with the Artisan Thin Crust.  My favorite is the Chicken Carbonara.  I love the tender grilled chicken and bacon with the Alfredo sauce. My son's favorite is the Margherita which I could not believe since it has NO meat.

DON'T MISS HAPPY HOUR FROM 2-6PM

MONDAY-THURSDAY

I think everyone knows how much I love a bargain.  So I was very glad when I found out the Southfield Pie Five location has a HAPPY HOUR from 2-6pm, Monday thru Thursday where pies are only $5 each - HOLLA!!!!

Get 10% off Your Next Pie Five visit by taking a Survey...

Everyone can also save money by looking at the bottom of your receipt where you will find the opportunity to take an online survey which will get you 10% off your next visit if you go back to Pie Five within 30 days of taking the survey.

Join the CIRCLE OF CRUST and get a 

FREE PIZZA and more...

I love being part of rewards programs and the rewards program at Pie Five is called the "Circle of Crust". In the Circle, you’ll earn points for every pizza or large salad you purchase. You’ll also get invited to exclusive events and tastings, and surprise points offers. And on your HALF-birthday, you earn a FREE PIE!!!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE PIE FIVE CIRCLE OF CRUST TO GET YOUR FREE PIZZA

Over the last few weeks, Pie Five has become one of our favorite places to eat out in Southfield. Hopefully more locations will open in other cities in Metro Detroit.


Pie Five Pizza
24532 Twelve Mile Road
Southfield, MI 48034


Enjoy!


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FOOD: Buy $100 in Honeybaked Gift Cards and get a FREE $20 Honeybaked Gift Card - ENDS 10/31

If you love Honeybaked, jump on this gift card offer before it's over...

This past Easter Good Friday, I let Honeybaked cook the entire holiday meal for me. My decision to let HoneyBaked take care of the entire meal stemmed from checking out the HoneyBaked website and seeing all the great items that they had to offer.

I initially thought that Honeybaked only prepared Ham, but boy was I wrong. On the Honeybaked website I found not only the slow-smoked, fire-glazed Bone-in and Bone-less Ham choices, but also Roasted and Smoked Turkey, BBQ Ribs, Pork and Beef Roast, and BBQ Pulled Pork and Beef options - YUM!!!

In addition to the entree choices, HoneyBaked also sells a wide variety of side dishes and also gourmet desserts, including a Cheesecake Sampler, Carrot Cake, and New York Style Cheesecake - DOUBLE YUM!!!

My family loved the entire dinner and all I had to do was heat everything up 45 minutes before they arrived.  So for the upcoming holidays, I plan to let Honeybaked do the cooking again - and I found a way to do that and get even more for my money - and you know how much I love to save money.

Until October 31, 2014, Honeybaked is offering a $20 Honeybaked gift card with the purchase of $100 in Honeybaked gift cards.  And of course you can use Honeybaked coupons along with the gift cards when you use them to get the most food for your money. 

There is limit of 3 free gift cards per customer.

So if you love Honeybaked like I do, jump on this offer before it's over.


Enjoy!


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REVIEW: VIVO! Italian Kitchen at Universal Orlando CityWalk #FamilyForward #TastyTuesday

The Family Forward Blogger Retreat at Universal Orlando provides bloggers and their families with hotel, food, park passes, and unique experiences at a significantly reduced price. All opinions are my own.

Italian with a "Modern Twist" on the Universal Orlando CityWalk...

During last week's long Labor Day holiday weekend, I and my son attended the Family Forward Blogger Retreat hosted by Universal Orlando.  We had a wonderful time bonding over Harry Potter, roller coasters, and of course great food.

One of the restaurants that we visited as part of the conference was VIVO! Italian Kitchen, located on the Universal Orlando CityWalk, which just opened a few weeks ago. My son is a very picky eater so when I find a restaurant that even he loves, I have to mention it to everyone who loves vacationing in Orlando.

The recent opening of VIVO! Italian Kitchen is part of an expansion of the Universal Orlando's CityWalk which will open 8 new venues before the end of 2014.

What struck me first unto entering the restaurant was how beautiful the decor is.  It has a very clean and modern feel that is also very welcoming.  Even the bathrooms are beautiful and each individual stall has it's on commode and sink.

All the food at VIVO! is made from scratch to order including the very colorful pasta shown in the photo above which restaurant guests can see handmade by the culinary team daily.

We were served family style from a sampler menu of the restaurant's featured dishes including Chicken Parmesan, Lasagna, Grilled Pork Loin, Squid in Pasta with Seafood, and Capellini Pasta with Marinara Sauce.

Everything was delicious. My favorites dishes were the Lasagna and the Chicken Parmesan - both were wonderful.  My son loved the Tomato Mozzarella appetizer and the spaghetti.

And the really great thing about the wonderful food at VIVO! Italian Kitchen is that the menu prices are comparable to the prices for the fast food hamburger and hot dog meals that are served within the parks.

I was able to get a short interview with Meredith Bandy, a member of the Public Relations team for Universal, on what she feels makes VIVO! Italian Kitchen so unique.  Check out what Meredith has to say in my video below:

VIVO! Italian Kitchen is a great family restaurant that gets two thumbs up from our family and I would recommend you check it out when you are vacationing in the Orlando, FL area.  Just make sure to bring a big appetite.


Enjoy!


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FOOD: Einstein Bros. Bagel Dog is WINNER plus find out about their Foodie Freebies #TastyTuesday

Two Thumbs Up for the Einstein Bros. Bagel Dog...

I have worked around the corner from Einstein Bros. Bagels for years and yet for some reason I had never made it inside.  I knew that the interiors in the Michigan stores had been recently renovated to give them a modern look and that they had new menu items introduced just this summer, but I had never made the time to check out all the changes since I was usually running late for some work meeting as I was driving by.

So when I was offered a complimentary gift card to try out the new menu (thanks Einstein Bros.) I gladly accepted and decided to extend my daily lunchtime fitness routine to power walk around the corner and over to Einstein Bros. Bagels.

I decided to try out the new Einstein Bros. Bagel Dog combo which features an all-beef, 1/4lb, Hebrew National® hot dog wrapped up inside a fresh baked plain or Asiago cheese bagel bun (I choose the plain) along with potato salad (other choices are available) and a fountain drink.

As hot dogs go, the Einstein Bros. Bagel Dog was excellent.  I love all-beef hot dogs and the bagel bun was yummy, filling and a totally modern take on a traditional hot dog bun.  I also loved the potato salad which complemented the hot dog perfectly for a great summertime meal.  I was so full after eating (burp!) that all I wanted to do was close my eyes and rest - not that I did since I was still at work :)

How to get a FREE Coffee or Fountain Drink with your next Einstein Bros. purchase...

One thing I found out from reading my Einstein Bros. purchase receipt is that they give any customer willing to fill out a survey about their visit at www.bageltalk.com a FREE Regular Coffee or Medium size Fountain drink with their next purchase.

After entering the store number, order number and date of visit info from the receipt, a short 10 question survey will appear.  At the end of the survey, you will receive a PLU code and a Validation Code that you can write on your receipt.  Just give the receipt with the codes to your cashier on your next visit to Einstein Bros. to get your FREE drink - HOLLA!!

Even More FREEBIES from Einstein Bros...
If you are looking for even more Einstein Bros. foodie freebies, you are in the right place!!!

Just join the Einstein Bros. Bagel e-Club and you will get a coupon for a FREE Bagel and Shmear for joining and another coupon for a FREE Bagel and Shmear on your birthday - HOLLA to the FREE!!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE EINSTEIN BROS. BAGEL e-CLUB FOR YOUR FREE BAGEL AND SHMEAR

Einstein Bros. Bagels locations in Michigan include:

· Berkley – 27365 Woodward Avenue & Cambridge Road
· Birmingham – 176 South Old Woodward Road & East Merill Street
· Bloomfield Township – 4089 Maple Road & Maple Road Bypass
· Commerce Township – 8366 Richardson Road & Martin Road
· Dearborn – 5700 Mercury Drive & Lundy Parkway
· Dearborn II – 750 North Telegraph Road & Sheridan Street
· Farmington Hills – 27841 Orchard Lake Road & West Twelve Mile Road
· Grosse Pointe – 19341 Mack Avenue & Newcastle Road
· Grosse Pointe II – 16828 Kercheval Avenue & Cadieux Road
· Northville – 17101 Haggerty Road & Six Mile Road
· Plymouth Township – 640 West Ann Arbor Road & Rocker Avenue
· Plymouth/Sheldon – 15077 North Sheldon Road & Helm Street
· Southfield Commons – 29191 Southfield Road & West Nine Mile Road
· Troy – 3043 Crooks Road & Wilshire Drive
· Troy II – 1925 East Big Beaver Road & John R Road



Enjoy!


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GIVEAWAY: McDonald's has a new "Happy" Meal Ambassador and a Low-Fat Yogurt Side - ENDS 7/24 (CLOSED)

Special thanks to McDonald's for providing me with complementary FREE food coupons for Happy Meals to facilitate this review. McDonalds is sponsoring this giveaway. All opinions are my own...

McDonald's has added a new character named ‘Happy’ and Go-GURT® Low-Fat Strawberry Yogurt to the menu...

If you have not seen the new McDonald’s commercials or the new smiling face signs in the restaurants or while going through the drive thru lane, then you might not be one of the millions who know about the changes that McDonald's has made to their Happy Meal menu.

In addition to a new healthy Happy Meal yogurt side,  McDonlad's has introduced the USA to its Happy Meal brand ambassador, simply called "Happy."

“Happy” is a new animated Happy Meal character that brings a big smile to kids’ meals while also serving as an ambassador for balanced and wholesome eating. Happy was introduced nationwide on May 23rd of this year to encourage kids to enjoy fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy and wholesome beverages such as water or juice.

While fast food is not something that kids should eat often, it is nice to see McDonald's offering more healthy options on the Happy Meal menu like the new Go-GURT® Low-Fat Strawberry Yogurt.

This is some good yogurt...

The new Go-GURT Low-Fat Strawberry Yogurt option in Happy Meals is made exclusively for McDonald’s, contains 50 calories and is made with natural flavor.  And it tastes good.

So is is good to know that parents now have more options for sides in McDonald's Happy Meals now that we can choose either Go-GURT Low-Fat Strawberry Yogurt or apple slices, or choose both together as sides in place of a kid-size fry.

GIVEAWAY
Five (5) FREEISMYLIFE readers will WIN FREE Product Coupons to buy four (4) McDonald's Happy Meals of your choice so you can try out the Go-Gurt Low-Fat Strawberry Yogurt for yourself - HOLLA to the FREE!!!

TO ENTER

- Fill out the information in the form below.

- One entry form per person please. Duplicate entry forms will be removed.

- USA addresses only.

- The contest ends on Thursday, July 24, 2014 at 11:59 am EST.

- Five (5) winners will be selected by random number generation.

- Prizes will be fulfilled to the winners via USPS, UPS, or FedEx by McDonald's or their PR company.  FREEISMYLIFE is not responsible for lost or stolen mail.

(5) EXTRA GIVEAWAY ENTRIES

- You can get 1 extra giveaway entry for following FREEISMYLIFE on Facebook.
.

- You can get 1 extra giveaway entry for following FREEISMYLIFE on Twitter.
.

- You can get 1 extra giveaway entry for following my "And the Winning is Easy" board on Pinterest.

- You can get 1 extra giveaway entry for following FREEISMLIFE on Instagram.

- You can get 1 extra giveaway entry for tweeting the following message on Twitter "I entered to WIN 4 @McDonalds HAPPY MEAL free product coupons on @freeismylife http://ow.ly/zik8v "

Random.org has spoken!!! Out of 200 entries, the following 5 individuals have each won 4 FREE Happy Meals of their choice:

- G. Brewster of Clinton Twp, MI
- M. Thill of Allen Park, MI
- J.Montgomery of Detroit, MI
- T. Maas of Farmington Hills, MI
- P. O'Connor of West Memphis, AR


Enjoy!

FOOD REVIEW + COUPON: Michael Angelo's all Natural Meat Lasagna is Good to the Last Bite

I am in love with the Michael Angelo's Lasagna...

Michael Angelo's New Party Size All-Natural Italian Meals taste great and can feed a hungry group for less than $10....

Everyday it seems that I get an email from some food company asking me to try out a complementary sample of their product - and I say NO a whole lot more than I say YES since I am very picky about what I eat.  But I was intrigued by an email that I received about trying out Michael Angelo's New Party size All-Natural Italian Meals for the following reasons:

1. I love Italian Food

2. I am always looking for meals that I can cook and then take the leftovers to work for lunch the next day to save money instead of having to go out  all the time for lunch.

3. I love when products are made with all-natural ingredients, without any additives or fillers

4. I can buy the meals at the Walmart right across from where I work

5. I found they have a money off coupon on their website :)

So even though I had never heard of the Michael Angelo's brand, I decided to give their Meat Lasagna a try, I am am so glad that I did.

I found out as part of my review that Michael Angelo’s Gourmet Foods makes authentic and all-natural Italian favorites.  “Classic meals like our Meat Lasagna and Eggplant Parmesan have been some of our most loved products, and we’ve heard from consumers a resounding desire to serve their friends and family the natural, real taste they know they can only get from us,” said founder and CEO Michael Angelo Renna, who started the company over 30 years ago from his mother’s pizzeria in San Diego.

So now in addition to the regular sizes, Michael Angelo's has launched five new large sizes of 100 percent natural meals that are available at Walmart stores. The new sizes of brand favorites includes Meat Lasagna in 46 ounces and 80 ounces, Baked Ziti with Meatballs in 44 ounces and Eggplant Parmesan in 44 and 80 ounces

So customers can let Michael Angelo’s take care of the cooking for a party of any size.  But the important question of the hour is - How Does the Food Taste?  And I am happy to report that the Michael Angelo's Meat Lasagna that I tried was some of the best lasagna that I have ever eaten.

In short, this food is wonderful!!!

Cooking was super easy, I just removed the container of lasagna from the packaging and placed it in the oven. An hour later, my home was filled with a wonderful aroma that had me impatient to find out if the lasagna tasted as good as it smelled.  Everything was great and I shamelessly wolfed down not one but two servings before I could stop myself.

It was just as good the next day for lunch...

As I said earlier, I love taking leftovers to work for lunch and the Michael Angelo's Meat Lasagna tasted just as good the next day as it did right after it was cooked.

The Meat Lasagna, now available in 46 or 80 ounces, is a Michael Angelo’s best-seller made with Pecorino Romano cheese, imported from Italy. Fresh beef, vine-ripened tomatoes and a secret blend of herbs are sautéed in imported olive oil and layered with al dente, 100 percent semolina lasagna noodles and premium cheeses to make the best pre-made lasagna dish available.

So now that I know about the Michael Angelo's brand of Italian Frozen foods, I will be back for more, especially since the 46oz size sells at Walmart for less than $10 and they have a $1 off coupon available on the Michael Angelo's website at  www.michaelangelos.com.


Enjoy!


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