Lombardis Part III Brunch - Restaurant Review/Recommend

I know I know; I've already posted about this wonderfully delicious and impressionable place but there's more! Yes, I've talked about their abilities during a girl's night out and a special occasion dinner! But to my wonderful surprise (well for my family and I) their weekend brunch is NO different!

When we ventured in though to enjoy their brunch it was an early afternoon and, on a Sunday. We lucked out because it was a Sunday with a lot of graduations, so we had a very peaceful setting where it almost felt like the entire restaurant was just catering to us-it was really nice :) They did not rush, the food was amazingly delicious AND as before, the service was phenomenal!

Above: the Lobster Roll Croissant

Above: Cotto Ham & Provolone Omelette

Below: told the waitress to give me a little chocolate flavor with whatever the bar wanted to add. Their recipe was delicious to the mouth buds!

Seriously if you haven't gone to enjoy their location-you REALLY need to!

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

Lombardi’s Part II Special Dinner - Restaurant Review/Recommend

I know, I've already written about Lombardi's but guess what, it was so delicious and too awesome to pass up on again! Although the second time was for a special celebration and not a girls night out. My sister organized a nice dinner for Mother's Day weekend for our mom, my girls, our dad, her, and myself. 

We got out seating underneath the beautifully lit and comfortable booths underneath the indoor large trees that take up the space in the middle of the main dining room area. The environment was as wonderful as the first time and the food was just as delicious if not more!

Appetizers and starters were ordered for the table, which is something that we didn't get to do for the girls night out. So not only were they delicious but they were well done as well; suggestions would be the calamari, meatballs, and their Italian chopped salad. The order that I labeled the dishes is the order that I'll expand on; calamari - nicely crispy but not overly so like many other restaurants where your basically biting into the batter of what was fried with very little calamari and the sauces they provide that compliment are just as delicious! Meatballs-are both tender and nicely sized, they also weren't stingy on the serving (like again some other restaurant) with their tomato marinara not overly acidic nor too tomato-y to provoke heartburn or this very tomato paste after flavoring. So my favorite chopped salad is usually ordered at Magliano's but when you're wanting a small portion and still refreshingly delicious, Lombardi's Italian Chopped Salas should be something that you order! 

Entrees of course were not a disappointment and even more delicious (I feel) this round. A twist for the evening was that our dad ordered their Surf and Turf equivalent and OH MY GOD was it mouth watering on so many levels! Not only was it worth EVERY bite but the plate itself was just colorful and so fresh. Vegetables nicely cooked, the mashed potatoes were nicely whipped and fluffy-to have potatoes created where they are light and though it's a starch! They didn't make you feel full and heavy after eating them. The lobster was divine and beyond delicious, while the meat-oh my Atlanta the meat...juicy, tender, thick, great portion, and addicting. That is something we highly suggest and recommend for anyone to order! Shoot even if it's the items as their own entrees.

What really has now set apart this specific restaurant to others is the nice touch they provide when you bring your own baked goods in celebratory means. They hold your cake for you in the back (their kitchen) but its their presentation of bringing that baked good to you-they have a nice little cart where they slice and serve; truly a nice touch. 

So take it from me, for your special occasion they know how its done too! 

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

Regions 117 - Restaurant Review/Recommend

If you're looking for a little sight seeing and pretty delicious American food, then you need to take a scenic drive to Lake Frederick, VA for some delicious grub at Regions 117!

The restaurant has a very cozy contemporary rustic feel to it, with massive windows and high ceilings, and one hell of a clean large open kitchen! The views that you had all around the main dining area were awesome! Their restrooms though a little dark were clean and still fresh. Their staff all pleasant and patiently knowledgeable of the menu and for their customers. 

Not going to lie, all the plates we ordered were delicious and I do apologize that I didn't take more pictures, but I was literally more worried about my kids taking me food! And not leaving me any! That I was more focused on eating and enjoying the food then making sure I had enough pictures for a post. 

Seriously, though don't take my word for it though-take a trip and have some deliciousness!

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

Lombardi’s Cucina Italiana @ Frisco, TX - Restaurant Review/Recommend

Before I begin this post, I will warn that it may be lengthy in some area, and I do apologize but I just didn't want to take away from the full impression and take-away that I also received from this specific establishment. I'm talking that though it's not a Bob's Steakhouse, I left highly impressed and just dumb founded about the entire experience itself!

If you haven't been to Lombardi's Cucina at the Star area in Frisco, TX you really need to go! From the moment you enter and from ceiling to the floor, this place truly gives an ambiance for every occasion; an intimate date night, watching a game, chilling at the bar solo or with others, girls' night out, family lunch/dinner, and even the family Sunday Brunch! The entry area provides a great setting for group or couple pictures/selfies. Beautifully decorated and just an inviting entrance overall.

The color schemes throughout the restaurant provide a relaxing comfortable environment for either a date night or a single person just out on the town. They have a seafood station (more for prepping for the kitchen) at the far back left hand corner, then in the middle of the restaurant are these beautifully set up trees with lighting and intimate booths surrounding the tree area. They have a nicely rounded bar to provide ample views of every corner of the restaurant, whether you're people watching or just enjoying the space and crowd. The back side of the bar faces this nice little nook area for what feels like a more private dining experience and of course! The far right side of the restaurant has these huge floor to almost ceiling windows, that lead to a luscious and refreshingly green patio seating. I haven't personally sat in the patio yet but it is on my to do list!

Their staff all seem friendly, courteous, knowledgeable, and most of all cater to the needs of your table which is in my opinion intoxicating to experience. Their restrooms are nicely laid out with nice privacy stalls for the needs of the women. Clean and light colors, which I always appreciate because then I don't go getting the germaphobe thought process (and no for the records I'm not a germaphobe!) With all that being said, now we enter into the best part of the restaurant, it's food!

If you aren't a foodie I feel that after eating here you will most certainly become one! Everything is made in house FRESH, from farm to table in addition to all of their ingredients being made daily and as you order. They provide fresh variety versions of "bread" in a wooded box with two sauces, which helps as you're trying to figure out what you want to eat/order. Their wine menu is adequate and their mixed drinks are varied enough for the palettes of the many. 

First time in attendance and it was a girls night out so for dinner on a Friday night (where they have the live music and singers, that are both tasteful and have a nice blend of old and New Age music) so many things were ordered and many flavors were passed around the table (entrees that is). 

The one thing I have to say, is that if you love whiskey you NEED to make sure you save space for dessert and order their "Monte Cristo"! That dessert is truly for the lovers of both whiskey, chocolate, and that Italian feel! You won't be disappointed!

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

The Ranch @ Las Colinas - Recommend/Restaurant Review

The Ranch

If you're traveling to Dallas and flying in via DFW International Airport this is a must stop for you or perhaps even suggest it for your company lunch! This restaurant has the tasteful masculine taste, flair, and colors while still providing a rustic lodge feel (but without that awful dark coloring or style). There are plenty of windows and different sitting areas to accommodate for the business lunch, business formal discussions, etc.

If you live in the DFW area then you need to put this on your to do list, because its both satisfying to all the senses - taste buds, coloring for the eyes (whether you sit in the bar area, the main seating area, the nicely fashioned enclosed patio, patio area, or the front larger party seating where these large enough windows are laid out to allow enough light for the area but not too bright where you feel the Texas Summer Heat); ears because no matter how full it is you can still carry an actual conversation, touch because their seating is leathers and wood and smooth to the touch, and the nose because the aromas coming from their kitchen are DELICIOUS! As always can’t forget the restrooms-no worries there because their tastefully done and not gloomy dark like other places like to style their restrooms AND I know it sounds silly, but the sink is pretty smartly done!

The layout of the restaurant is both intriguing yet extremely functional and works well no matter the size of the attendees. The flavors, styles, textures, lights, coloring, and staff really just make the accommodations an experience. Their staff from Hostess to the buss boys are all amiable, smiling, and have kind eyes. So having attended as my first time experience with my kids, let me tell you both a relief and an experience to really enjoy-EVEN WITH KIDS. After being seated, drinks were taken in a timely manner and of course spirits were also ordered! ;) So the two that were ordered was the "Hibiscus Haze" (floral, fresh, a smooth affect/hit, and deliciously addicting) and now one of my personal favorites, the "Bourbon Smash" (personally better then their old fashioned if you ask me). Thats the image below by the way ;)

My suggestions for their appetizers would be the "Lump Crab Dip" (which is true to the statement by the way) satisfying the need for seafood as well as that creamy texture that isn't overpowering and a delicious mixture of flavors with the cheese thats melted. For the table, their "Chef's Favorite 4" is definitely one for all and has great flavors as well as sauces mixed in. Actually if you've been to Haywire at the Legacy West in Plano, TX then this will be something similar and just as delicious. 

I did attend for lunch SO their menu is different than dinner time (don't worry I'm working on rectifying that ;) so stay tuned for the dinner experience). With that being said, I ordered two plates (yes that's right I did order two) and the main reasoning being that I WAS hungry, but also because I wanted items that I could get the best of all worlds in; so what did I order you ask? I ordered the "Butchers Cut Steak Salad" which is anything but small but all flavor, the steak beautifully cooked at medium, and truly satisfying. Don't worry fulfilling enough for sure but my stomach and appetite is different SO yes I still ate my second plate ;) My second plate that I ordered was the "Chicken Fried Chicken" that comes with their potatoes and green beans.

Can't say enough about their desserts either SO guess you'll just have to go to and try them yourself!

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

Rocker Recliner - Amazon Product Review

NEWBULIG Rocker Recliner Chair for Adults, Swivel Glider Sofa for Living Room, Adjustable Modern Single Couch with High Back Footrest, Massage, Grey

I don't know about you but I'm a huge dan of chairs that can both rock and recline but it's the best bonus when it can also swivel completely! I'm also the typer of person who likes to get the most for her buck and also a logical purchaser. So what does it mean to be a logical purchaser, at least to me anyway? Well that means that whatever I'm purchasing serves a purpose in my home and isn't just about purchasing something I like or want. It's both functional and comfortable/useful! 

Contrary to belief (at least from my family who knows I purchase a lot from Amazon anyway) I actually do a lot of shopping around before settling on a specific purchase especially if it's an online purchase. So for the chair I'm describing above made no difference to my methods of research. I looked in the stores, then online because sometimes the online options for the same furniture stores are a little more extensive. Then there's just the straight online shopping like on sites such as Wayfair or Amazon. I've made some big purchases on Amazon and have trusted a good bit of their specific manufacturers/distributors so if you want something from there but are a little timid about the purchase send me the info and I can look intent for you...you'll see what I mean as I go through more of my product reviews ;) anyway!

So after looking at the store prices who had products similar but were either too big/bulky or also costed more of an arm and a leg! Yea no thanks! There I went to my reliable Amazon shopping techniques! I settled on my top five choices then literally research and looked at all of the details of the product before settling on the one I purchased-which is what this post is about! Also on a side note-great packaging and easy setup!

Whether you're wanting is as a focus piece for a reading nook area or just a complimentary seating area for a living or an entertaining area for guests, this is definitely a good one! Though the product only has three color options they are almost on point to the real color when purchased and delivered to you. So what you see in the picture isn't what I like to call "false advertisement" and you know what color you're actually getting. 

Now about the product itself! It's just the right size I feel for the needs of what it provides, meaning: 1) that comfortable cushiony feeling of a chair you're seating in that doesn't swallow you up but molds to you nicely and you can sit there for a while 2) the rocking feature I know isn't for everyone but when you dont have that rocker feel outside in your patio and just want a few moments of peace to rock to your thoughts or perhaps to a soothing rhythm you have playing on speakers somewhere; even just to relax for a while with that rocking motion calming you and soothing you-yea it's nice to have indoors not just in a patio or outdoor seating area 3) the swivel part might not seem like something important for someone but for me and liking to make most of the space of an area without bothering other guests in the area that they're seating, yea it's important for me and it helps to keep personal spaces separated 4) the reclining capability of this piece of course is awesome, whether just wanted to have your feet up while sitting up, or you're wanting to fully recline and be comfortable for a nap or a long movie, this product provides! 5)the best part or at least the part I didn't realize I needed and have with this particular product is the reclined feature that still allows you to swivel! So if the recliner is in an area that someone perhaps needs to pass through, NO WORRIES! you can swivel the chair and allow someone to  pass through. An awesome feature I think not thought of by many but like I said it's been awesome since I purchased the chair! 

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

The Navy Blue Angels - General/Recommend/Family

This one goes out to all of my military men and women…I’ve always had a fascination with the military and no JUST because of the men in uniform, its more so because of what the military stands for or what the “codes of honor” are within each branch of the military. It stands for something and is something honorable as well as virtuous in its own way. 

That being said, if you want to feel close to the military yet not really be a part of the military, watching the Air Force Thunderbirds and/or the Navy Blue Angels in action is the best way. And guess what!?! It’s family friendly a well! Though both are great shows I personally enjoy more the Blue Angels air show. I think it's more because of the technique and the display of techniques that they do that makes it more enjoyable. 

As for the family friendly bit, it’s usually everything and then some. The accessibility or extra things to do at the event itself is dependent upon where the air show is being held and then you will know what specifically is open for your kids to also enjoy, not just the air show itself with the planes on display on the ground as well as in the air. 

The best part I think in general of the air show is that if you want to make an adventure of it close to where you live, you can look up either one of their schedules for the year and see where they will be at and obviously if its in your town then you don't have to go anywhere but to the event; if not however, then you can easily make a quick family road trip of it and enjoy the air show in a town close to you! 

The sonic boom is awesome and its just an all out, Top Gun feeling as a whole; so I dont know about you, but there’s nothing really not to like about it! Unless you really don’t like the military, or perhaps don’t like/approve of the loudness of the jets overall…Seriously you need to go! Its awesome! 

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman