I was thrilled when I was contacted by a representative of the Outback Steakhouse to do a giveaway for an Outback dinner. I have always loved the Outback, even from when it first opened. I remember marvelling about the beauty of the Bloomin' Onion, both in appearance and taste, and I don't even eat onions on a regular basis! Also since I am on a low carb diet right now, the complimentary steak dinner that comes with this post will be most welcome! Of course I am always interested in promoting a product that I believe is good, and there is no question that Outback is a quality meal and is family friendly as well.
My three daughters have been to countless dinners out with us in the eleven years we have been parents. For the most part they are pretty darned patient while waiting for their food at the restaurant. There are a couple of meals that stand out in my head as over the top in one way or another. The first was at a restaraunt called the Sugar Shack in Thornton, New Hampshire. This is truly one of the best breakfast places I have ever attended. If you are lucky enough to make a trip to the Sugar Shack when maple syrup season is going on, you are able to watch the boiling maple sap while eating your breakfast. My kids loved reading the placemats on the table that explain the whole process of maple syrup production. Also the place is basically a "sugaring" museum with all kinds of old photos, and artifacts on the walls pertaining to maple syrup season. Watching the steam billowing out of a 500 gallon vat of boiling maple syrup is bound to make any kids chocolate chip pancakes taste a little bit better, even when they are loaded up with fresh maple syrup!
I also remember a time when we only had 1 daughter, Abigail. She is our first born and was always a little tentative with fire and loud noise and the like, still is actually, eleven years later. Well one night we decided to go out to a local hibachi style Japanese grill where they cook the food right in front of you. We never thought about the repercussions of bringing our fearful little Abby to a place like this. Of course everything was fine when we sat down. They sat a couple of young couples next to us, God bless them! Everything was fine until the chef came out and started winging kifes around, spraying fire on the grill, and the whole nine yards. Abigail was horrified. That kid was howling with fear, and the young and hip couples sitting beside us got a true lesson in birth control! I think we ended up letting the cook finish up and we ate our meals at home much to Abby's delight!
Also something I remember from my own childhood at meals was the fighting over the bill. In an Italian family it is basically tradition for the patriarch of the family to pay for the meal, but it is also tradition for the son to fight like hell about paying the bill. This was our tradition anyway, not to stereotype or anything. As a kid I was always a bit of a wiseguy. I used to sit patiently waiting for the bill to come so I could watch the battle royale that was going to take place. I remember some real beauties when my grandfather said he would never eat with us again, etc, unless he was allowed to pay the bill. Of course in the end he almost always won, since he used to make such a scene that the police would have been called if my father hadn't acquiesced. I silently delighted in this ritual, and still enjoy doing it today. Now my father is the one making the noise, and I am the one trying to pay my fair share. I love it! The great thing about this giveaway is there doesn' have to be a brawl over the bill. Outback is willing to give you a $45 gift card to Outback Steakhouse for a night out with the family. Why not give this contest a shot and make some new memories Outback style!
Here are the rules:
1. To win the gift card you must share your wacky, fun, whatever, dinner moment as a comment on this blog. I reward people with the wackiest story as a rule so make it a good one!
2. Every tweet you make about this contest will help you win the prize. More tweets = more chances to win. You can cut and paste the following tweet the following.
Visit Wacky Dad to Win a $45 gift card from @Outback & @Wackydad http://goo.gl/nc2Jt #DinnerWithDad #dadstalking #giveaway
3. The contest ends on July 7th at midnight and the certificate will be awarded within 24 hours of the contest closing.
***Please note that this gift card does not cover alcohol, gratuity, or, tax.
Good Luck!
Wacky Dad
