Father’s Day Giveaway: Carrabba’s
When I say “Carrabba’s” my husband’s mouth begins salivating on the spot. Really. He is like Pavlov’s dogs with certain restaurants, that is one of them. So when I told him that Carrabba’s wanted to treat him to a special Father’s Day dinner he was in disbelief.
He couldn’t wait to go. We needed to schedule it before Father’s Day so that we could tell you all about it (and give you a chance to take your dad to dinner there). The day I had chosen I was actually sick most of the day with the normal pregnancy stuff and a nasty headache. It just so happened that right before dinner time I started to feel well enough that I thought that some food might hit the spot. When I announced we were still going he had everything packed and little man loaded in the car before I could blink an eye.
We had a great time as a family. Our server was more than helpful and, when asked, suggested some of her favorite dishes. Her suggestions were exactly what we needed to make up our minds. Ben got a chicken trio (so that he could tell you all about more than one entree) that included Chicken Bryan, Chicken Marsala, and Pollo Rosa Maria. I was still feeling like playing it safe and went with the Tagliarini Picchi Pacchiu (try saying that three times fast)! Everything was AMAZING.
Really. It was the perfect dinner for us. Little man even enjoyed it, he couldn’t get enough of my dish.
And you can’t complete a good meal without a great dessert. They have these great mini-desserts which I was tempted to get (all 6) but we eventually settled on this chocolate number (sorry, I forget it’s name). It was delicious. In fact, I might just have to go get one right now. . .
Here is what hubs had to say:
Carrabba’s is my favorite kind of restaurant, the kind where you don’t order food, you order an experience.
I ordered the Chicken Trio, which is not on the menu, but our server was kind enough to recommend. This entree comes with a smaller portion of each of the three main Chicken dishes. I figured Carrabba’s is an “Italian Grill”, so I might as well try something from the grill. I’ve always enjoyed Chicken Marsala, but hadn’t had the other two selections. While the Marsala and the Rosa Maria were quite tasty, neither of them really spoke to my palate that evening.
The Chicken Bryan is another story.
If you go to Carrabba’s for Father’s Day (and you certainly should) you MUST try this dish. The contrast of flavor and texture was quite amazing. Imagine deliciously tangy sun-dried tomatos drizzled with a subtle basil lemon butter sauce, perfectly placed on a healthy swath of taste-bud-popping, sinfully creamy goat cheese. All of this richness with the tender breast of chicken make for a delighful and filling treat. This is now one of my all-time favorite chicken dishes, I can’t recommend it highly enough!
And of course, “Italian food without wine is like a day without sunshine”, right? If you go with the Chicken Bryan, I’d recommend a heftier wine than you might typically pair with chicken. Something about that goat cheese really strengthens this entree. I tried an Argentinian red with mine, but Carrabba’s has a fairly wide selection. If you’re a beer drinker, you may not find your favorite on tap – mostly domestics, but they do offer a few bottled selections that might entice. I should also mention that Carrabba’s has a reputation for their wood-fired pizza’s, one of my favorite items to order. While I haven’t tried them yet, I do plan on making it a point to try one next time!
Overall, the food and the experience were delightful. I’d guess that most of the Dad’s out there would be more than willing to spend their Father’s Day dinner at this fine restaurant. And hey – it keeps you out of the kitchen, right?
Right now Carrabba’s is also having a Toasts to Dad giveaway. They are inviting you to write a brief toast to dad for the chance to win a four-night trip with your dad to Napa Valley, including a tour of the Rubicon Estate, a case of Coppola wine and dinner with Coppola’s winemaker. Ten runners up will celebrate with dad closer to home with dinner for four and Coppola wine at Carrabba’s. And, as another reason to say “salute” or “cheers” to dad, all contest entrants will receive a certificate for a free appetizer valid on a future Carrabba’s visit. Consumers can enter the “Toast to Dad” from June 1 to June 30, 2009 by posting their toast at www.carrabbas.com.
So if you are looking for a dining recommendation for Father’s Day, ours would be to consider Carrabba’s. And if you are looking for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate of your own, you have come to the right place! Here is how you can enter to win (you can enter up to 4 times using the different methods). Giveaway ends Saturday, June 20th at midnight. Winner will be announced on Father’s Day.
1. Comment below about why your dad or the father of your children deserves to be treated to Carrabba’s.
Additional ways to enter:
2. Tweet or Facebook this contest (if you look below the title of this post you will find a short url for easier posting).
3. Subscribe to the blog via RSS or email. Let us know that you have done so. Of course, if you are already subscriber make sure you leave that too.
4. Wish Tricia a Happy Birthday (or feel free to send her a gift)!
My husband (and my father) loves good food, but will eat anything. He has put up with so many of my experiments (usully great, but not always) that he deserves something guaranteed to be delicious.
That chocolate dessert looks heavenly!
I already subscribe via yahoo reader
Happy Birthday Tricia! I hope you start feeling like your normal self soon!
My husband has proved himself to be a wonderful daddy this year. And we LOVE Carrabba’s. I need some Chicken Bryan. Please pick us!
And I’m a subscriber…of course.
Happy Birthday, darling cousin. May you get through the next 6 months with minimal discomfort and birth Libbie a darling baby GIRL cousin.
We are hoping for a girl too!!
My husband deserves to be treated because he is such a great dad to our 7 week old son and an amazing husband who never hesitates to help me out with him even after a long 12+ hour day at work.
Happy birthday Tricia!
My hubby and dad LOVE Carrabba’s. We don’t have one near us, so we visit the one near my brother’s house. This is great because it’s a whole family day out! We don’t all get together often enough, and this would be a great way to hang out together with some great food!
I already subscribe
I already subscribe to your feed via my Google reader…. and I LOVE it!
Happy birthday to you…. Happy birthday to you…. Happy birthday, dear Tricia…. Happy birthday to you!
Yum – I love Carrabba’s, too! Mark would loooove this for Father’s Day!
And also, I subscribe!
Last but NOT least – Have a GREAT birthday, Tricia!!!
The father of my children deserves a Carraba’s dinner because he is a GREAT, caring father. MY dad really, really deserves a Carraba’s dinner for being a great father AND grandfather. At 59 years old he retired to help care for my infant twins and runs the best graddaddy daycare you can imagine!
I’m a follower! THanks for all you do and for the giveaway!
Happy, happy, happy birthday Tricia!!!
We’ve never eaten at Carrabbas. But, since my husband is Italian, he LOVES Italian food! This would make a great Father’s Day trip on the motorcycle for dinner.
I subscribe using Google Reader.
My husband is always ready to treat me to a special meal on special days, so I’d like to do the same for him! He loves Carrabbas too!
BTW, does Ben have a side job writing for the New York Time Dining Review?
Happy Birthday Tricia!
I now am an official subscriber!
Happy Birthday Tricia. Hope it is great!!!
I wrote on facebbook about the giveaway!
I already subscribe!
My husband deserves the best we can give him and we have never been to Carrabba’s. What a nice gift to give him– the experience of a new restaurant.
I subscribe to your feed.
My husband is such a great dad. He is the one who gives my son a bath every night, and gets him ready for bed, giving me some much needed time alone! And he LOVES Carrabba’s!
I already subscribe via RSS
Happy Birthday Tricia!! Have a wonderful day!
My husband is a terrific Daddy to his little girl, and little one on the way – and he LOVES Carrabba’s!!
Happy Birthday, Tricia!
I subscribe to this blog!
My sweet husband loves carrabba’s. This would be a fantastic suprise.
Happy Birthday Tricia!!!
My hubs deserves it because as you know, I’m a cook in training…so unless Tricia is willing to talk me through a special Dad’s Day meal, it’s the risk of food poisoning or pizza.
So yeah, my hubs and daughter deserve a good, safe meal!
My husband is a devoted and loving Christian man. He works hard to provide for our family. With finances being so tight, we do not get the opportunity to eat out very often. It doesn’t quite seem fair to say why he deserves it more than someone else’s father/husband. He just is so deserving of having a little reward for all of the sacrifices that he makes for me and our two boys, Grant 4 and Cooper 14 months.
My husband stepped in to be a great step father to my son. He has stood by us through thick and thin. Many illnesses, behavior problems etc. I could not ask for a better dad to my son or a husband to me. He would deserve a great meal cooked by someone else.
I am an email subscriber.
Happy Birthday Tricia. Enjoy your day.
Happy Birthday to you and my hubby deserves a carrabas certificate for his fathers day because last weekend we lost power and we were in the dark for his 40th birthday – boohoo! so we want to celebrate better this weekend!
My husband is definitely a trooper when it comes to my cooking. Although he eats it with a smile in front of our children; he’d rather be eating something that has flavor. My cooking is healthful, but most times lack umph. I would love to honor my husband for all that he is and for all that he does by treating him to a night of flavor. Thank you for the opportunity to win a Carrabbas gift card. Shannon at stierney1@cfl.rr.com
My Hubby, the Father of our 2 beautiful Daughters, Deserves to be treated to Carrabba’s because the alternative is .. ahemmm his Grilling! YES.. in the summer.. the SELF PROCLAIMED Grill master LOVES to set up shop out on the deck and grill until the Frost of Autumn sets in!
Now I love Grilled Veggie burgers, and grilled Veggies, but once in a while, a Delish Italian Meal is Wonderful!! And Besides.. Does everything have to be BURNT beyond recognition and blackened to the UPMTH degree! yes it is WELL done!!
HUBBY deserves Carrabbas and a break from the Grill!!
Thanks for a a GREAT Giveaway!
Leslie
mmmm mezza luna…We love Carrabba’s, and that would be a great Father’s Day gift for my husband who is a great Father!
LeslieVeg left a Tweet
http://twitter.com/LeslieVeg/status/2209779347
Happy Birthday, Tricia!
I subscribe and enjoy your updates!
My husband works long days to provide for us and then comes home and puts in long hours helping out around the house and with the kids. Carrabba’s is his favorite restaurant and it would be a wonderful treat for him to win.
I subscribe!
Leslie Mayorga shared this on her Facebook profile
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513273983&ref=profile#/profile.php?id=513273983&v=wall
Leslie
Happy Birthday Tricia!
I am an email subscriber!!
Leslie
Happy Birthday Tricia!!
I wish you a LIFE time of Happiness and Joy and LOVE!
Leslie
It’s been awhile since my husband and I have gotten out with our little one and celebrated! My husband would love this treat for Father’s Day!!
I tweeted about this giveaway.
Happy Birthday Tricia!
I already subscribe through the reader.
And I have tweeted !
Yummy. Carrabas is wonderful!Love the chicken trio as well. My father is Italian and loves this place and I would love to treat him to dinner there. Oh and Happy birthday Tricia. Hope I win!!!
My husband would love this treat for Father’s Day. He’s been super busy with work and in grad school…we barely have time for “family”. This would be a great treat.
Carrabba’s is the ONLY place where my husband and I go out to eat without our boys. We love this restaraunt and we would be honored to win this giveaway – we haven’t been there together since May 2008 (and now you know the last time we went out to eat just the two of us!…sad!)
We’re on a tight budget & haven’t been out to eat in FOREVER! He would love this
I’m a subscriber.
I would love to win this. My husband is a wonderful friend and father to our 3 children. I would love to be able to take him out for some awesome italian.
Thank you for the chance
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
I subscribe
Thank you
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
I’ve been dying to try Carrabba’s! Would love to treat my hubby and father of our two wonderful children to a great meal. He’s such a patient man, and put’s up with a lot of good-natured teasing from all of us. We’d love to rteat him on his special day!
I tweeted!
merng
Happy Birthday Tricia!
Yeah! New subscriber!
We LOVE Carrabba’s. Great food, great service…it’s easily the most reliably good dining experiences out there. I would love to take my hubby for Father’s Day!
I subscribe!!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Triiiiiicia!
Happy Birthday to you!
Just entered to receive your feeds! Love your site and I have been wanting to try this Restaurant!
My husband, and father to our 4 wonderful girls, has been in Iraq for almost a year now. He is due home shortly after the 4th of July and so we think he deserves a little pampering…. dinner at Carrabas would certainly be a good start!
I’m a subscriber.
Happy birthday Tricia!!
My husband just love Italian food but I can’t cook it the way Carrabba’s can so this would be such a wonderful treat for him.
My hubby deserves Carrabbas because he is a wonderful hubby and a devoted dad.
I am a subscriber.
I subscribe in Google Reader.
Tricia,
Happy Birthday and may your day be filled with lots of love,laughter and happiness!
Happy Birthday Tricia!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRICIA! May your day be bright, your year filled with peace & your life filled with joy!
I already subscribe
)
I fb’s this: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/MommyMare?ref=profile
Last, but not least….
I would love this for my hubby! He works 6 days a week, 12-14 hours on night-shift & has been at the same company for 23 years!! A few years ago he gave me my dream of becoming a homemaker and homeschooler. Because he did this money has been very tight! We have not been out to eat, w/ family or alone, for over 3 years!
Everytime he sees their commercial he always makes a comment!
I love my hubby and salute his many sacrifices for the good of our family!
My husband loves Italian food and Carraba’s is close by so it would be possible to eat lunch out on Father’s Day.
Yum! Love Carrabba’s!
I’m already a subscriber!
Happy Birthday Tricia!
Ah, my husband is WONDERFUL with our kiddos; they run to the door thrilled to ‘rough house’ with Dad as soon as he gets home … and even when he’s exhausted, he does just that! My hubby LOVES Carrabas, it would be a huge treat for him!
I am also a subscriber, even though I haven’t attempted the big meal day yet … Maybe I will get up the nerve soon.
My hubby really needs this yummy treat for Fathers Day!
Happy Birthday, Tricia!!
We hardly ever get to go out to eat, so it would be such a treat!
I would love to be able to take my husband and the father of my children out for a nice dinner at Carrabas. They are a nice restaurant with fabulous food to die for. To be able to treat him and let him know how special he is would be a dream come true. Thank you for this giveaway that is going to really bless a special father.
God bless
I am also a subscriber to your blog! Your doing a great job, keep up the good work!
“Happy Birthday Tricia”
May the Lord bless you with many special blessings on your day!
We rarely go out to eat, and when we do we usually pick something cheap (aka fast food). It would be nice to take my husband out for a NICE meal.
I subscribe to the feeds.
Happy Birthday, Tricia!
He deserves to be treated to Carraba’s, because he LOVED our date night when I got to eat free there last month!
After reading everyones entries you realize everyone has great reasons for you to pick their husband or father for this giveaway. Its so great to see so many wives and daughters loving the men in their lives so much to try and win a prize for them. Or maybe its just the prize itself…just kidding. I thought I would enter just because I felt like bragging about my hubby. He is a great man. We just became parents two and a half years ago to a little boy and are about to have a little girl here any day. (I am due the 24th, which is also our 8th anniversary) Lots going on!! Anyway, as soon as we found out we were pregnant with our first my husband started to work out all details for me to be able to be a stay at home mom so that we could fulfill our dreams as how we wanted to parent. He knows he is not perfect by any means but he also knows the Lord has blessed and entrusted him with these two precious gifts to raise and love and he does exactly that. He does certainly work alot he is a supervisor and at the moment he is on 2nd shift. It does make it a little difficult for us but he would do anything to provide and nurture his family. All of his other spare time is completly dedicated to us. We never question or even wonder about his love or dedication to us. We have never even been to Carraba’s and I did only enter this contest. One my husband would enjoy a home depot gift card but I feel like that is a nicer way to hand over a honey do list.:) and two like I said I really just wanted to brag about him. So thanks for the opportunity and have a great Fathers Day! And Happy Birthday!
My husband deserves this meal out as he works so hard to provide for our family, and money is really tight for us right now so eating out would be such a nice thing for him! He is also an excellent, loving father and husband! I just found your blog and love it!
Happy Birthday Tricia:)
I just subscribed too to the feed:)
My hubby definitely deserves a dinner out. I am such a tightwad and on such a strict budget that we VERRRY rarely go out, and by “out” I mean McDonald’s! Lol
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Tricia, Happy Birthday to you!!
I subscribe via Google Reader and cannot get enough of your site!
My husband is a wonderful daddy to our 2 year old son. He has taken over many parenting responsibilies as I work on my Ph.D.- I think a good Italian meal would be a perfect way to say thanks for being such a special daddy!
I subscribe via email
Happy Birthday Tricia! Hope it is fabulous!
My husband deserves to win this because he wants his wonderful wife to have a night off cooking!
Thanks for the great give away ladies!
I subscribe via Google Reader!
Happy Birthday Tricia! I hope the next BIRTH DAY you experience is terrific!
Happy Birthday Tricia! I am already subscriber. I hope I win! I love Carrabba’s. I am actually going there on Friday for dinner.
I subscribe!
Happy Birthday, Tricia! I hope you have a wonderful day!
My husband deserves to be treated to Carrabba’s because he is just the most wonderful father! He has such love in his heart for our children that it amazes me every day!
There are so many reasons my husband deserves this, but most of all because he gently & lovingly puts up with me!
DH works really hard in a dangerous environment out of this country to provide for us. He returns TODAY…YAY…this would be a great treat for him.
So happy for you and his return!
I shared this contest on Facebook with all of my friends (with fabulous dads and husbands!)
Thanks for the chance to win! My fabulous husband deserves a trip to Carraba’s because he is so good to me and our children. (Even telling me to call him last night if I needed a ride home (going out with friends, after a bad day with the kiddos and I was the designated driver)) That is just one of the many ways he is wonderful!
We love Carraba’s! My husband works hard to provide for our family and loves any spare time to spend with the kids. What a great treat this would be!
My husband is an awesome guy – right now he is being a stay-at-home dad to our three kids (5,3,&1). He also cleans house while I’m at work. He needs a night out to celebrate the awesome job he does as a dad!
We loved a great bite to eat. I hope we win!
My husband is clearly our boys’ favorite parent. He’s the softie. He’s the one they ask when they want to hear a yes. He balances me, and that’s good.
BTW, Happy Birthday Tricia!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRICIA!!!!
…and, I retweeted your Tweet: http://twitter.com/megster67/statuses/2223619897
My husband loves going out to eat, and we rarely have the money for it in our budget. Additionally, we’ve never been to Carraba’s, and I know we’d both love it!
My husband loves to eat. So Carraba’s is the perfect place because there is a lot to eat and the food is tasty! Oh, and he is a new father, so anytime he can get a delicious, hot meal is good for him!
And happy birthday Tricia! Here’s to another year!
Happy Birthday Tricia!
And, my husband deserves to be treated because he has had such a trying few years. Not only has he lost his mom, but he lost a job, moved, and found a job. Just when we thought life would slow down he lost his dad a few months ago. I just want him to have the best father’s day ever since it will be the 1st one without his own dad. He is the most hardworking, selfless person I know. With everything that has happened, I’d just like him to have a great day! Thanks for letting me enter!
I subscribed and I’m off to Facebook!
My husband is a wonderful father to our son and a wonderful “step-father” to my daughter. I hate the term as he never treats her as a step. He loves Carrabba’s and would love a dinner for HIM!!!
Happy Birthday Tricia!!
Truly – I think my husband simply deserves the night out at the good restourant. He’s been working so much lately (12-16 hour days), every single minute he has he is taking care of our baby girl (espesially when I have to work myself), me and our two dogs. He is a busy guy with great hart, who doesn’t do much for himself!
I did subscribe already
Happy Birthday Tricia!
My Dad has worked hard all his life and because of my brother’s drug addiction has had to stay tight and is not able to enjoy his retirement. He even had to sell our childhood home. He started delivering papers at age 8 and has worked ever since. He is now getting ready to find a job bagging groceries or something because his new prescription plan doesn’t cover medications during a four or so month period (donut hole period) and he can’t afford them. As he is diabetic and has glaucoma some of these meds are expensive. He has always been there for me, always took part in my activities, and has always showed me how much he loved me. I think a trip to Carrabas would be a nice little celebration for him on Father’s Day.
I hope you had a wonderful birthday! I definitely need to try that dessert!!
My husband deserves this because he is so supportive and loving. I would love to take him out and celebrate him!!
Thanks!
Amanda
amandaj@cinci.rr.com
Happy Birthday Tricia!!
Amanda
amandaj@cinci.rr.com
New subscriber!!
Amanda
amandaj@cinci.rr.com
I already subscribe!
My husband deserves to win because he has agreed to move into a house with my Uncle and parents so that as they get older and need more help, we can assist them.
I’ve only been there once, but I remember thinking it was a special occassion kind of place! And we REALLY need a night out.
Thanks!
And I’ve been subscribing for a month or so…
Happy Birthday Tricia!!
Happy Birthday Tricia!
My husband is a new father this year, as we just adopted our first child. I would LOVE for him to win this.
Happy bday
He deserves it because he’s been working so hard for us! Since we’ve been married he’s been in undergrad and grad school. Recently he graduated and opened his own chiropractic office! In the mean time we’ve had one daughter with one more on the way. With all this going on, he certainly doesn’t get to eat out at nice places very often!
happy late birthday
He deserves it because he is overworked and extremely busy. It would be nice for us both to sit down to a relaxing meal together.
Happy Birthday Tricia! (Today is our daughter’s first birthday.)
My husband deserves a Carrabba’s gift certificate for being such an amazing dad to my twin daughters. Right from the start, he has been an active participant in their little lives…from giving baths, reading books, changing diapers, etc. I love to watch the way he looks at my girls…with eyes filled with such awe, amazement, and LOVE!
I just subscribed!
Happy, happy birthday Tricia!
My dad totally deserves this! When my parents divorced in the 70s he got custody which was practically unheard of. He got 3 girls, ages 13,9,and 6. Poor guy! We put him through a lot!
I subscribe
Happy Birthday Tricia!
I tweeted
My husband deserves to win – he works a full-time job and a second job delivering office supplies. He got up this morning to take kids to sports while I slept in. He truly embodies the principle of loving me sacrificially!
my husband is a wonderful father to our twins, and will be again in December! During those early weeks with the twins, he took bath duty, and had great fun bonding with his babes!
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