Edible Adventures: A Sneak Peak of Johnny Garlic's

I don't know about you, but I get excited about new restaurants and stores opening up. I am sure you can imagine our excitement when during our latest travels to-and-from San José, we noticed they were putting in a Johnny Garlic's at very nearby shopping center called The Plant. Johnny Garlic's is a chain restaurant started by Food Network star Guy Fieri. Needless to say, we were super stoked about it opening.

As we walked up there was a sign saying that it was a "friends and family" event, "please have invitations ready." Bummed about the lack of invitation, but excited of the promise of this new place, we decided to look at the menu and inquire about the opening.

As we looked over the menu, a wonderfully nice lady walked up to us:

Nice Lady: "Are you hungry?"
(Kristina and Aaron look at each other, unsure of the proper response.)
Kristina: "Sure, but we don't have an invitation."
Nice Lady: "I'll tell you what. You buy drinks, and lunch is on us."
Kristina: "Honey, go lock the car."

And that, my friends, is how we got free food at the new Johnny Garlic's.

Yeah, yeah, I know. We were at the right place, at the right time. I don't care, I was still über-excited.

The décor was very nice in charcoal grays and reds. It looked exactly like a Guy Fieri restaurant looked in my head. Clean. Modern. Yet, a little spunky. All of the wait staff were friendly and helpful. I did my best to ask them lots of questions so they had plenty of practice talking about the menu.

We were handed a specialty menu for the event. We were given the option of four appetizers, nearly a dozen entrées and a dessert to boot!

To start we ordered the "Maui Onion Straws," which arrived with a bourbon BBQ dipping sauce that I could serve with every meal. Oh, and did I mention this place has Pepsi products? (Kristina does a happy dance.)

After taking a look at the drink menu, I decided to try their specialty beverage called a Gorgeous Peach, which was quite delicious. :)

 For lunch, Aaron ordered the Wild Mushroom Chicken, and I had the Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza.

For dessert, we were gifted an order of the Margarita Lime Tarte.

We walked out of the restaurant with very happy tummies, a heavy wallet (since the food was free), and the distinct desire to go back very soon!