All Entries Tagged With: "Free Stuff"

Results of Draw — Vancouver 2010 Olympics Opening Ceremony Dress Rehearsal

The response was simply overwhelming.  When Arkensen and Nanzaro donated three of their precious Dress Rehearsal tickets to chowtime’s readers we did not think much about it. After all, we had too many tickets and the event is held on work and school hours.

Credit metronews.ca - stig nielsen/for metro vancouver

It was in the news yesterday that thousands of volunteers were lining around the block in downtown Vancouver to get hold of just one ticket (with the option to buy another one at $50). Between Nanzaro and Arkensen, they were given ten without having to line up for it.

You know …

I want to say a heartfelt thank you for all the unexpected kind words you had for Arkensen and Nanzaro. We even received a long moving email from a reader just thanking the boys for putting the tickets out there. Those words meant a lot to Suanne and I because this allows us to demonstrate to our boys what it means to share and how people out there who truly appreciates such unselfish act. I want to let you know they are pleased and are proud of what they had done even though they did not say it. I can see it in their eyes. :-)

Thanks a lot!

It goes without saying that particular post generated the most number of comments ever. We had recorded a total of 308 comments. As expected, there are some frivolous submissions (i.e. 24 comments coming from one IP within a space of 30 minutes) … sorry to say we removed the entire swath of these emails from the draw.

We ended up with 272 email addresses which we ran through the Randomizer.

Here are the results: More on following page. Click here to continue reading

McDonalds Mac Snack Wrap — Have One On Us!

Freebie time again!

McDonalds USA sent us another stack of “Be Our Guest” cards for give away to chowtimes’ readers.

This time it is for McDonalds latest addition to the new Snack Wrap Line — the Mac Snack Wrap.

Look at the picture above. What a beauty isn’t it? That is the official media picture of the product. They always look better than the real thing they sell in the restaurant.

I picked up the Mac Snack Wrap on the way home from work today. I just got to taste for myself how it is. Each one costs about $1.90 … or is it $1.60?

You know, I just can’t remember how much I paid for this. Suanne always says that I don’t check each time I use the credit card.

I must admit, I don’t. It’s a guy thing. Most guys never check these sort of things, don’t you think so?

Peeling open the warm flour tortilla, there is half of a normal beef patty. I think it is made with a normal quarter pound patty cut into half.

In it too are the same Big Mac sauce, shredded lettuce, some traces of cheese, a little bit of pickles, and chopped onions. It does not quite look like the official media picture.

I don’t know if you know this. The difference in the Big Mac from the other burgers is … More on following page. Click here to continue reading

New McDonalds Product – The Angus Third Pounders

Hi All:

Chowtimes were informed by McDonalds USA that they were launching a new burger nationwide yesterday. Please note that this is currently being launched in the US and not in Canada. Normally we would not be interested because it’s for the US but since they offered to provide us BOG (Be-Our-Guest) cards, we jumped on it and said yes.

The new products are called the Angus Third Pounders.  Obviously from the name itself it is large … a third larger than the quarter pounders.  As a matter of fact, this is the first new burger launch from McDonald’s since the Big N’ Tasty burger was added to the menu in 2001 … eight years ago.

The Angus Third Pounders are available in three offerings:  Deluxe, Bacon & Cheese and Mushroom & Swiss.  The big-big difference between this and the other McDonald’s burgers are the introduction of ingredients never seen before on a McDonald’s burger:

• Red onion rings
• Full slices of bacon
• Sauteed murshrooms
• Natural Swiss Cheese
• Bakery-Style sesame seed roll

It seems like McDonalds is upgrading their burgers to offer More on following page. Click here to continue reading

A Treat for Chowtimes Readers at Charm Modern Thai

Hi Chowtimes Readers:

Following our review of the dinner, Charm Modern Thai had very graciously agreed to offer Chowtimes Readers a chance to check out their restaurant at a discounted rate.  This is exclusively available only through chowtimes.com.

All you got to do is to read the terms and conditions carefully on the coupon below and bring a printout of the coupon to the restaurant.  For the “$5 off the $35 Set Menu”, please note that you need to call in advance to book your table.  Also note that you will get $5 off for EVERY person in your party if you order the “$35 Set Menu” — good, eh?

You guys will have it better because Suanne and I did not even have this discount when we dined at Charm.  So there you go … it’s not always that bloggers have a better deal then readers.  LOL!

Getting the $35 Set Menu for just $30 is like a special on top of a special considering that it is a four course dinner with house wine!  Their menu is below.  See that the “$35 Set Menu” below states that this is applicable for a minimum of 2 and maximum of 6 person.  I wanted to call that out so that you are not surprised if you so decide to dine alone or bring the entire hockey team.  If you have more than 6 people, perhaps you could sit at separate tables and make believe you don’t know each other?  You reckon?  LOL! More on following page. Click here to continue reading

Free Topping at Qoola

When I did a review of Qoola two months ago, I clearly remembered the Qool-Acai bowl that I enjoyed so much. I went to Qoola again yesterday to get a tasting. They have now a new and improved version of it. It used to be served soupy but is now thicker and more yogurty. I like it more this way.

OK, I know. The Qool-Acai is not exactly pretty looking but it is delicious. I can’t get enough of this.

Acai had been gaining popularity in Vancouver the past couple of months. Angie once told me that she was at Wholefood and the guy working there was telling her, “What’s up with this Acai? I’ve so many people asking for it!”. In fact, they had just stocked up because it was almost sold out during that weekend.

Even Google is showing the growing popularity of Acai in their searches. There is a little known feature called Google Insight which reports on the search trends of Google Search. Go ahead … filter it by Canada, Past 12 Months, and Food & Drink and you will find the results above. “Acai” is on #2 and #3 of rising searches.

If you had never tried Acai before, go to Qoola at 1116 Denman and try a bowl of it. Now, if you mention “Chowtimes Loves Qool-Acai“, you get a free topping of your choice. Try it with Mango. I think you will like it.

BTW, this offer is just for the month of April.