MyBlogSpark Dinner

A few weeks ago, just as I was taking off for Greece, I got an invitation to join the MyBlogSpark network. Affiliated with General Mills, this company reaches out to bloggers to review the latest in new products. I figure, any chance I have to share a fun new item with my readers is worth taking!

My first real experience with MyBlogSpark took place last week, when I was invited a dinner held at Myers & Chang in Boston. I was allowed to bring a guest, which for me is an extra incentive when driving into Boston on a weeknight, since I don’t exactly live close. My friend Jen (Beantown Baker!) was also invited, so we were very much looking forward to a fun weeknight double date with our hubbies!

Upon our arrival we were presented with a prix fixe menu. I was glad to see there were plenty of choices!

I started with the hot and sour soup, which made perfect sense since I was seated under a vent blowing cold air (I didn’t feel like asking to move – we had already done that once!). But I would have chose it regardless, and I’m glad I did because it was my favorite part of the meal. Full of large fresh mushrooms, chunks of tofu and delicate pork meatballs, it was heartier and more flavorful than a typical hot and sour soup.

Ben chose the potstickers, which were also quite tasty. Especially the sauce.

One of our friends went with the crispy spring rolls. I think this was the most surprising among the appetizers, as I didn’t expect them to be so chock-full of fresh, colorful vegetables.

And since it was being offered… why not a scorpion bowl for the table?!

For our next course Ben chose the mussels, prepared with a lemongrass broth. The serving was substantial, though a few of the mussels were inedible (they hadn’t opened up, and should have been removed before serving, in my opinion.)

I chose the ginger chicken salad. I was very impressed by the amount of chicken – it was a lot! I’m not sure if it is normally on the menu as a first course or a main dish. I liked the strong ginger flavor and the mix of crunchy textures.

After a bit of a wait, it was finally time for the main course. And, the revelation as to why we were really invited. As it turns out, our first two courses were straight from the Myers & Chang menu, but the entrees were from the new line of frozen Asian meals by Wanchai Ferry. And suddenly it also made sense as to why we had to sign a video camera waiver! If you’ve ever wondered how they made that Pizza Hut commercial where the diners are shocked to learn that they’re eating pasta from Pizza Hut, I think I’ve got your answer!

We chose four different items for the table: kung pao chicken (pictured below), beef & broccoli, orange chicken, and shrimp lomein.

So, how were the entrees? Well, in fairness, I will say they were tasty, but not my favorite part of the meal. But then again, after eating the first two courses, my expectations for the entree were pretty high. I doubt there is any frozen meal out there so stellar that it could hold it’s own in a line-up of carefully and freshly-prepared restuarant items.That being said, if one were to enjoy one of these meals on it’s own as a quick, simple dinner at home, it wouldn’t be a bad meal at all. And also in fairness, I can’t draw a comparison between Wanchai Ferry and a typical Chinese take-out meal, since it’s been ages since I’ve ordered that.

I told you that my favorite part of the meal was the hot and sour soup, but that might have changed when dessert was served. With the choices of a chocolate terrine and a coconut custard tart (each prepared by Flour Bakery), Ben and I got one of each.

Another episode in my ongoing love affair with chocolate, this did not disappoint – bite after bite after bite. I thought I might be able to have just a taste – who was I kidding! Same goes for the coconut tart!

Overall, it was a fun evening out and I thank MyBlogSpark for so generously hosting!

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32 Responses to “MyBlogSpark Dinner”

  1. 1

    melslatt — July 30, 2010 @ 1:02 pm Reply

    How cool, looks like fun! So will we see you on a commercial soon?

  2. 2

    Elina — July 30, 2010 @ 1:16 pm Reply

    How fun! I wonder if I could tell the difference between a frozen meal and real Myers and Chang fare. I'd like to think I would. Love that place. How do I get on that list? hehe

  3. 3

    newlywed — July 30, 2010 @ 1:31 pm Reply

    That is too fun about the entree swap! My husband and I have been meaning to try Myers and Chang forever — we went to a demo class that they did at BU and the food was amazing. But I am especially excited for the Flour cookbook to come out later this fall.

  4. 4

    Chelsey — July 30, 2010 @ 5:06 pm Reply

    I can imagine it would be hard to rate a from entree as stellar (even if you hadn't known that it was to begin with). What a fun night out.

  5. 5

    Chelsey — July 30, 2010 @ 5:07 pm Reply

    I mean frozen!

  6. 6

    Joanne — July 30, 2010 @ 5:52 pm Reply

    Wow! How very very cool. I always wanted to go to Myers+ Chang when I was in boston but it was too expensive! That chocolate terrine has me drooling!

  7. 7

    Bridget — July 30, 2010 @ 6:33 pm Reply

    It doesn't seem like they tried very hard on the menu to disguise the fact that the entrees were frozen. All of the other courses have tempting descriptions, and the entrees are just a list of classic take-out options. Odd.

  8. 8

    Shannon — July 30, 2010 @ 7:44 pm Reply

    ha. i don't know if i'd like that!

  9. 9

    Kelly — July 30, 2010 @ 8:14 pm Reply

    I agree with Bridget – That was the first thing I noticed on the menu! Too funny though. In a way the recipe choice was odd, I could absolutely see it being as good as takeout (I think the Trader Joe's entrees, for example, are) but Myers & Chang is another story. I'm surprised they would want to host it because if you did think they made it, what would that say about the quality of their food. Just saying. 🙂

  10. 10

    carascravings — July 30, 2010 @ 11:14 pm Reply

    What a fun opportunity!The food looks great.

  11. 11

    Dawn — August 2, 2010 @ 6:16 pm Reply

    That sounds like it was such a fun event but yes, not sure about them switching out the entrees. At least the first courses looked really delish!

  12. 12

    Kerstin — August 3, 2010 @ 4:16 am Reply

    I think it's pretty funny they tried to "trick" a bunch of foodies! Sounds like you guys had a great time 🙂

  13. 13

    Dawn — March 28, 2011 @ 8:42 pm Reply

    That sounds like it was such a fun event but yes, not sure about them switching out the entrees. At least the first courses looked really delish!

  14. 14

    carascravings — March 28, 2011 @ 8:42 pm Reply

    What a fun opportunity!The food looks great.

  15. 15

    Kelly — March 28, 2011 @ 8:42 pm Reply

    I agree with Bridget – That was the first thing I noticed on the menu! Too funny though. In a way the recipe choice was odd, I could absolutely see it being as good as takeout (I think the Trader Joe's entrees, for example, are) but Myers & Chang is another story. I'm surprised they would want to host it because if you did think they made it, what would that say about the quality of their food. Just saying. 🙂

  16. 16

    Shannon — March 28, 2011 @ 8:42 pm Reply

    ha. i don't know if i'd like that!

  17. 17

    Bridget — March 28, 2011 @ 8:42 pm Reply

    It doesn't seem like they tried very hard on the menu to disguise the fact that the entrees were frozen. All of the other courses have tempting descriptions, and the entrees are just a list of classic take-out options. Odd.

  18. 18

    Joanne — March 28, 2011 @ 8:42 pm Reply

    Wow! How very very cool. I always wanted to go to Myers+ Chang when I was in boston but it was too expensive! That chocolate terrine has me drooling!

  19. 19

    Joanne — March 28, 2011 @ 8:42 pm Reply

    Wow! How very very cool. I always wanted to go to Myers+ Chang when I was in boston but it was too expensive! That chocolate terrine has me drooling!

  20. 20

    Chelsey — March 28, 2011 @ 8:42 pm Reply

    I mean frozen!

  21. 21

    Chelsey — March 28, 2011 @ 8:42 pm Reply

    I can imagine it would be hard to rate a from entree as stellar (even if you hadn't known that it was to begin with). What a fun night out.

  22. 22

    newlywed — March 28, 2011 @ 8:42 pm Reply

    That is too fun about the entree swap! My husband and I have been meaning to try Myers and Chang forever — we went to a demo class that they did at BU and the food was amazing. But I am especially excited for the Flour cookbook to come out later this fall.

  23. 23

    Elina — March 28, 2011 @ 8:42 pm Reply

    How fun! I wonder if I could tell the difference between a frozen meal and real Myers and Chang fare. I'd like to think I would. Love that place. How do I get on that list? hehe

  24. 24

    Elina — March 28, 2011 @ 8:42 pm Reply

    How fun! I wonder if I could tell the difference between a frozen meal and real Myers and Chang fare. I'd like to think I would. Love that place. How do I get on that list? hehe

  25. 25

    melslatt — March 28, 2011 @ 8:42 pm Reply

    How cool, looks like fun! So will we see you on a commercial soon?

  26. 26

    Kerstin — March 29, 2011 @ 2:03 am Reply

    I think it's pretty funny they tried to "trick" a bunch of foodies! Sounds like you guys had a great time 🙂

  27. 27

    carascravings — March 29, 2011 @ 2:03 am Reply

    What a fun opportunity!The food looks great.

  28. 28

    Shannon — March 29, 2011 @ 2:03 am Reply

    ha. i don't know if i'd like that!

  29. 29

    Bridget — March 29, 2011 @ 2:03 am Reply

    It doesn't seem like they tried very hard on the menu to disguise the fact that the entrees were frozen. All of the other courses have tempting descriptions, and the entrees are just a list of classic take-out options. Odd.

  30. 30

    Joanne — March 29, 2011 @ 2:03 am Reply

    Wow! How very very cool. I always wanted to go to Myers+ Chang when I was in boston but it was too expensive! That chocolate terrine has me drooling!

  31. 31

    newlywed — March 29, 2011 @ 2:03 am Reply

    That is too fun about the entree swap! My husband and I have been meaning to try Myers and Chang forever — we went to a demo class that they did at BU and the food was amazing. But I am especially excited for the Flour cookbook to come out later this fall.

  32. 32

    newlywed — April 5, 2011 @ 1:11 am Reply

    That is too fun about the entree swap! My husband and I have been meaning to try Myers and Chang forever — we went to a demo class that they did at BU and the food was amazing. But I am especially excited for the Flour cookbook to come out later this fall.

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