Now that 2010 is under way restaurant chains already have kicked off the New Year with fresh deals, promotions and new menu items. Don't forget to check out part 1.
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants is bringing new flavors to its menu from New Zealand from January 6 through February 27 with seafood dishes and hearty grass-fed filet to dessert and cocktails. Some new menu items included: Mussel Fritters served with a Cilantro-Roasted Garlic Pesto, New Zealand Shellfish Stew featuring Mussels, Scallops, Shrimp and Clams in a Riesling Cream Broth and served in a Sourdough Bread Bowl, King Salmon from Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand, prepared simply grilled and topped with a Caramelized Apple-Sauvignon Blanc Reduction, New Zealand Grass-Fed Filet Mignon served Wellington Style with a Kiwi Blue Cheese-Onion Tart and Traditional Pavlova, New Zealand’s national dessert of a light, sweet meringue with Meyer Lemon Curd and Kiwi Puree. It is also featuring two food-friendly wines from New Zealand. The sauvignon blanc pairs well with the Mussel Fritters and Shellfish Stew, while the pinot noir is a great complement to the King Salmon and Grass-Fed Filet Mignon. Two New Zeeland inspired cocktails are the Kiwi Meringue Pie is a light cocktail that includes fresh kiwi muddled with vanilla vodka, kiwi syrup, simple syrup and fresh-squeezed lemon juice, topped with a delicious handmade kiwi whipped cream and the Kiwi Quencher pairs fresh kiwi and strawberries with aged rum, kiwi syrup and fresh-squeezed lemon juice topped with lemon-lime soda served over ice.
Ruby Tuesday has a giveaway and plans to offer bar guests a free Ruby Mini, or miniature burger, with fries, when a customer orders his or her first drink priced at $3 or more. The giveaway will take place all day Jan. 1 and will continue for the rest of the year for customers visiting the bar after 9 p.m.
Applebee's announces the launch of its new menu featuring five entrees, all fewer than 550 calories. This "Unbelievably Great Tasting & Under 550 Calories" menu is a first for casual dining chains, offering lower-calorie options with the same flavors and generous portions diners count on. "Unbelievably Great Tasting & Under 550 Calories" items include: Grilled Shrimp and Island Rice, Asian Crunch Salad, Grilled Dijon Chicken and Portobellos, Asiago Peppercorn Steak, and Spicy Shrimp Diavolo.
Burger King released a Gluten-Sensitive List: foods and ingredients on the restaurant menu that do not contain wheat, barley, oats or rye. Some examples of menu items in the U.S. that do not contain wheat, barley, oats or rye include BK Fresh Apple Fries with low-fat caramel dipping sauce, beef patties, egg omelets, French fries, side salad (no croutons) with Honey Mustard, Light Italian or Ranch dressing and the Tendergrill Chicken Breast Filet. Burger King also introduced Funnel Cake Sticks, a new dessert-snack. They come in a pack of nine for a suggested $1.79. Funnel Cake Sticks are fried, sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with icing for dipping.
Wendy’s is offering new spicy chicken nuggets that are breaded, fried white meat and flavored with three types of peppers at five for 99 cents.
Hardee’s is bringing back its Blueberry Biscuits for the winter season. These made-from-scratch buttermilk biscuits are covered with warm blueberry topping and drizzled with icing. You can find them at participating restaurants in packages of one, two or six for a suggested 99 cents, $1.59 or $3.59.
Dunkin' Donuts now offers customers the option to order any breakfast sandwich or Wake-up Wrap made with egg whites instead of eggs which reduces calories by at least 25%.
Don't forget to check out part 1.
Plus don't forget our local Baltimore Winter Restaurant Week for a good deal- At select restaurants, you can enjoy a variety of three-course dinners for only $35.10! Or try three-course lunches at select restaurants for just $20.10.
