Our Frugal Date Night with Wanchai Ferry - Review and Giveaway {Ends 9/1}

We had just been home from the bringing our little guy from the hospital 2 weeks when I knew that my husband and I needed some time by ourselves. How do you do that with 2 littles under two? I could not hire a babysitter for my two-week old and my 20 month old was wanting mommy and daddy around since life had changed so much. I decided to have a frugal date night with my husband. I did not tell him - all he knew was that I was waiting to have dinner with him as he would be at home around 8 that night.


Thanks to Wanchai Ferry and My Blog Spark, we were given the opportunity to not only try Wanchai Ferry's Orange Chicken but we were also sent a "Stay-At-Home" package which included Asian inspired rice bowls, chopsticks and bamboo place mats.

As I fed my daughter dinner that night, I prepared the dining room table for our "date". I put out our special tablecloth and laid out the mats and neat little bowls that My Blog Spark had sent us. I had no intention on using the chopsticks but laid them out also.

I then threw Gracie in the bathtub and began to dress up for our "date". I knew we weren't going anywhere but I wanted to make it as nice as possible for both of us. I got her quickly into bed, fed our 2 week old, started up some nice music for our "restaurant" and began to cook the Wanchai Ferry Orange Chicken.

I was very skeptical. I do not like Orange Chicken and I know my husband doesn't either but I thought we might as well give it a try. It was super easy to cook up. There are quite a few steps but it was simple and easy to follow. I normally cook everything from scratch so this was nice to make a meal in just 14 minutes.

I added a salad to our meal and it turned out looking really yummy. I still wasn't certain about the flavor of the Orange Chicken though. I was already preparing in my head for what to cook if we just didn't like it.

When my husband walked in, he was thrilled with the atmosphere - the candle on the table, the music in the background, and the kids were quiet and sleeping. He was thrilled that I had taken the time to not only make the house look nice but I had also taken the time to look nice for our date at home.

When he saw the chopsticks, he immediately got excited. My husband had lived in Korea for a year with the military - I knew that but I did not know he knew how to use chopsticks like the Koreans do. He had a great time teaching me not only how to eat with the chopsticks but sharing his stories of his time in Korea.

He did ask the flavor of the Wachai Ferry Chicken and when I said orange, he asked if I could leave the sauce off. I told him it was already on it so he decided to try it. We both loved it! Wanchai Ferry's Orange Chicken was some of the best we had ever tasted and it was out of bag!

We had a great date night sharing memories and creating many of our own. Yes, I ate my entire Orange Chicken with chopsticks! I wanted my fork so bad but I couldn't let my husband down. It was fun to take that time but it was something we desperately needed.

To all my readers out there, take that time to create a date night with your husband. Make your house beautiful, send your kids to bed or if they are older send them to family or a friend's house for a few hours, and take the time to share precious memories with your husband. Your family and your marriage will benefit from it.

Do you want to try Wanchai Ferry's Orange Chicken for yourself? Be sure to visit Wanchai Ferry's website for a $1.50/1 coupon. These run about $8.99 and serve two people. When you think of how expensive it is to go out to eat, this really isn't a bad price for a simple to fix date night meal.

Thanks to My Blog Spark, one of my readers will be able win the same "Stay At Home" prize package (pictured above) that we used for our date. The winner will also receive 2 coupons for a free Wanchai Ferry dinner.

THIS IS NOW CLOSED!




This giveaway ends September 1, 2009 and is open to US residents only. Make sure that you leave your email address in each comment. Leave a separate comment for every entry that you make so that these will count for you! Have fun and I look forward to announcing the winners of this great giveaway!


Thank you, Wanchai Ferry and My Blog Spark, for providing my husband and I such a fun date night. We greatly enjoyed Wanchai Ferry's Orange Chicken and will most certainly be purchasing this again for another fun date night.

60 comments:

Anonymous said...

As I'm single, my favorite date nights are with my girl friends. :-) I melt cheese on tortilla chips, prep the salsa, queso, and baked beans - as many dips and toppings as possible!! I've recently discovered that very lightly drizzling bbq sauce over the cheesy chips adds even more pizazz to my chips! Pop in a chick flick and get some sodas and girl's night is on its way!! :-)

Sarah
mx3girl@gra.midco.net

Lynette Van said...

My husband and I don't usually stay home for our date night as we have Grandma next door and she usually babysits for us. Our favorite meal/restaurant to go to is Pizza Hut. We love their pizza and breadsticks and just really enjoy that together.
coleman@invisimax.com

Lynette Van said...

I am a follower of this blog. :)
coleman@invisimax.com

Lynette Van said...

I subscribe to this blog by email. coleman@invisimax.com

Lynette Van said...

Just posted this on my status on facebook. Thought of one other thing too Rachael. One of our favorite things to do at home together is make homemade bacon/cheese fries. My huband absolutely loves them (better than in a restaurant he says). We put the kids to bed early (usually Sat. night) and watch a movie together. We don't officially call it "date night" but I guess it's the same thing. Still making precious memories. :)
coleman@invisimax.com

Nessa said...

Muaaahaahaa! Sarah does make the best girls night with her ROCKIN CHIPS! :oD

When I have someone over, I like to cook whatever I can for them. I do have to say, I make the best mac and cheese EVER. If they love the stuff, I make that. Add some chicken (hot dogs are soo fifteen years ago) and voila!

If they don't like mac and cheese than I make a mean omelet with EVERYTHING in it. :o) Its a fun thing to make together too!

Ice cream is ALWAYS for dessert.

Nessa said...

I posted this as my status on FB.

Angela R. said...

I love a date night when my husband and I order take out and just sit around and talk and eat :)

Nessa said...

hee hee..and my email is bran_ismyman@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

We love being at home. It's our favorite place to eat and have special meals.
Almost all of our "date" nights are at home.
This would be alot of fun to try out.

Dianne said...

I am a follower of this blog.

Dianne said...

P.S. I am also the anonymous person above Dianne. I have a hard time figuring this stuff out.

throuthehaze said...

I love to make stuffed shells, garlic bread, and salad for date night!
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Kim said...

Okay...here's the person that's been married for 18 years and hasn't had a date night so to speak at home in eons!

But one thing hubby and I like to do when the kid is away is to get a gourmet pizza and enjoy it while watching a movie.

Kim said...

I am a follower on your blog.

Kim said...

I subscribe to this blog. That's how I found out about this giveaway! :)

Chrissyb said...

Our favorite date night meal is making a home made pizza with all the toppings, popcorn, and watching a DVD.

transamws602(at)yahoo(dot)com

Chrissyb said...

I'm a blog follower.

transamws602(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kim said...

I'm following you on twitter now and I just tweeted your giveaway.

Kim said...

I've "applied" to be your friend on Facebook and have posted your giveaway there too.

Kim said...

Oh...just realized that I didn't leave my name and email. It's all on my blogger profile. Just in case here it is:

Kim
kimmorrow@tx.rr.com
http://themisplacedmidwesterner.blogspot.com
http://nakedfootwear.blogspot.com ~ currently hosting a giveaway!

Tamara B. said...

My favorite date night dinner is wings,chicken fried rice,brocolli,Asian dumplings and Lo Mein.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com

Tamara B. said...

I am a subscriber to your blog.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com

Tamara B. said...

I befriended you on Facebook and post this on my wall.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com

Kelly Williams said...

My husband and I love to test out new restaurants. I always get something new that I have not had before and he always gets the club sandwich. I am not always satisfied with my choice and he is always satisfied. I get more joy out of the banter that goes back and forth between us- it is nothing but laughs. We never seem to run out of things to talk and laugh about. We average a date night about three times a month. Thanks for the orange chicken idea. I just printed my coupon and we are having it tonight.

kelly w said...

forgot to leave my email address
seventyx7@roadrunner.com

stephanie said...

Our favorite date night meal is pasta! I'd love to try these though. Thanks scg00387 at yahoo.com

Julie VW said...

Favorite Date Night Dinner is Homemade soup and bread (if I'm cooking) or Spaghetti (if My Beloved is cooking!) And I REALLY like it when he cooks!

JulieVW
jvsapm*AT*yahoo*DOT*com

Julie VW said...

I subsscribe
jvwspam*AT*yahoo*DOT*com

Anonymous said...

Hmm..favorite date night meal...I love chicken with tortellini in pasta sauce. It has the dining out feel but is very easy to make.
Thanks for doing the giveaway!
-Leslie
carykhepburn@yahoo.com

Young in TX said...

pizza delivered. fave but expensive.
Laura in TX
123yes456@gmail.com

Kimberly said...

Date night? What's that? :-)
We do try to go to a Twins game at least once without the kids. That's the best!

lovelycrazylife@gmail.com

Kimberly said...

I'm an email subscriber.

lovelycrazylife@gmail.com

rebecca said...

Wow... I know that my favourite dessert on a date night is Applebees molten lava cake! Love it! We frequently stay home, put the kid in the bed, and then grill steak and potatoes. Love that, too!

gitrecca at gmail dot com

Heather said...

My favorite date night meal is homemade pizza - it's easy, customizable, and makes my husband very very happy. :D
augustgirl01 (at) hotmail (dot) com

JC said...

Chinese food to go is my fave date night meal! Quick, easy and yum!

Liz said...

My husband makes the best baked ziti. That's by far my favorite date night meal!

teedlmac862003 at yahoo dot com

Liz said...

I subscribe via e-mail.

teedlemac862003 at yahoo dot com

Sandy S said...

My favorite date night meal is steak. I buy it on sale and then my husband grills it. It tastes great without the expense of eating out! Thanks for the chance to win!

skstigger@hotmail.com

Sandy S said...

I am a follower. thanks!

skstigger@hotmail.com

Sandy S said...

I am a new email subscriber. Thanks!

skstigger@hotmail.com

Shelley said...

Date night?? What's that? We do love ribs together. Year's ago we would go to Tony Roma's--we loved that.
Mrspoofa(at)aol.com

Libby's Library said...

We love pizza and Chinese take out.

Thanks for the giveaway!

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Dianne said...

I forgot to leave my email address.
diannecobb@q.com
I left a comment a few days ago.

JC said...

Email subscriber!

JC said...

I'm a follower!

JC said...

Twitter follower and tweet -http://twitter.com/tcarolinep

JC said...

Friend on facebook and status updated as requested!

Aubrie Williams said...

I love your idea! It's so cool to have music playing, candles burning, and a nice meal on the table when my husband gets home. Now we carpool to work and home so I never get the chance to get a nice meal prepared with all the pretty "restaurant environment." This meal sounds pretty easy and maybe I could kick him out of the house to work on one of his project cars while I get the date night ready. I'd love to try it. Thanks again for your story!
Aubrie Williams / aubrie.jo.williams@hotmail.com

Julie said...

We like to go out and get pizza with chicken wings and Pepsi

aunteegem@yahoo.com

Julie said...

email subscriber

aunteegem@yahoo.com

Julie said...

follow blog

aunteegem@yahoo.com

Chadzgirl said...

My hubby and I don't really care for any restrants in our area, and i absolutely love to cook!!!!
so our favorite date night food is Grilled T bone steak, a salad, cornbread, and his favorite dessert... cherry cheesecake!
ashley turner
chadzgirlz@yahoo.com

Chadzgirl said...

I am a follower of this blog
chadzgirlz@yahoo.com
ashley t

Chadzgirl said...

I am an email subscriber
ashley t
chadzgirlz@yahoo.com

Chadzgirl said...

I follow on twitter and i tweet your stmt
chadzgirlz@yahoo.com
ashley t

Krissie said...

My favorite date night meal is Steak & Lobster!
AllMyCrazyCats @ AOL.com

Krissie said...

I am a blog follower
AllMyCrazyCats @ AOL.com

Anonymous said...

Ooo, our favorite date night meal?? Ah, we have sooo many!!! Sushi, is definitely up there on the list and yes I make that at home! ;-)

Lauren
seannlauren@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I'm an email subscriber too!

Lauren
seannlauren@hotmail.com