What a week for the Tag Team! As a member of the Tag UR It! Inc. team, currently living 3000 miles away from the Tag Headquarters, I was so excited to have the opportunity to spend this week in Southern California.  I have spent the last few days with the Tag Team of Catheryn and Heidi, experiencing some of what Southern California has to offer and enjoying some much needed fun.

Day 1: Dinner at the Capital Grille

Lobster Mac-N-Cheese (via twincitiesrestaurantblog.com)

My first night in sunny California was completed with the best dinner I have ever had.  Catheryn and Heidi took me out to the Capital Grille in South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa.  I had no idea what a treat I was in for!  The Capital Grille’s elegant dining room provided an amazing, sophisticated atmosphere.  We were seated next to the wine room, able to admire the many varieties of bottled wines in their glassed in center room.  After being seated, our wonderful server came over and introduced himself.  Of course, we looked upon his name tag and learned his name was Lorn before he even had a chance to open his mouth.  Lorn could not have been a more perfect host during our dinner.  His recommendation of the Lobster Mac-N-Cheese was spot on! I am a Rhode Island girl and have had quite a bit of lobster in my life.  I can definitely say this was one of the best dishes I have ever had!  The dish is made of a baked Campanelle pasta and fresh Lobster meat, tossed in a Mascarpone, Havarti and Grana Padano cream sauce, topped with Panko bread crumbs and grated white cheddar. (www.thecapitalgrille.com)  It is listed as a side dish but we shared an order as an appetizer before our amazing main courses. Lorn was so helpful and friendly, making our dinner and experience one to remember.  It wasn’t until after our amazing meal that I realized that the Capital Grille has locations nationwide, including one in my home state of Rhode Island.  I will surely be visiting the Providence location upon my return home! I am already craving another serving of Lobster Mac-N-Cheese. 

Day 2: Disneyland!

Tag Team takes on Splash Mountain!

I have always been a princess at heart.  Yesterday was a truly magical day.  The Tag Team was in major need of a happy, excitement filled day.  Our day in Disneyland was picture perfect! The sun was shining and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky! Catheryn and Heidi picked me up bright and early to arrive at the park before it opened.  As the opening music filled the air and the gates opened to the firsts guests of the day, we rushed in and ran to our first ride! By 10am we had been on the 5 biggest rides and were eating breakfast! After enjoying a Mickey Mouse shaped pancake, we were in search of another new and exiting ride to check out.  I noticed the big yellow submarines of the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage and was intrigued.  There was a 75-90 minute wait so we decided to ask about obtaining a fast pass.  A very kind cast member named Robert came over to us and asked if he could answer our questions.  He asked me where I was from and Catheryn told him that I was visiting Disneyland for the first time.  He informed us that the Submarine Voyage did not accept fast pass and of course we were a little bummed out, which he could probably tell from my face.  I was having such a great day, I would have waited in the 90 minute line and have been thrilled to ride the submarine! But instead, Robert asked us if we had ever heard of a Magical Moment.  A Magical Moment can be granted by any member of the Disneyland cast.  Robert gave Catheryn, Heidi, and I each Disneyland badges and escorted us around the line of hundreds of park guests waiting to ride the submarine.  He granted us a Magical Moment as we skipped the line and had a great time with Nemo and his friends exploring deep under the ocean on our Submarine Voyage. What an amazing experience! Definitely a memory I will never forget!

A name tag creates a memory.  Two amazing memories were created with the help of two amazing staff members we encountered in the last two days.  It is because of the name tags each of those staff members wore that we were able to make a personal connection with Lorn and Robert and will remember the two staff members who made our dinner at the Capital Grille and our trip to Disneyland so very special this week.