Starbucks Serves Booze?!

According to the NY Post, one of the Seattle stores next week will offer bottled beer and glasses of wine. Starbucks says they hope to expand their stores to a version of European-style coffeehouses, with live music, poetry readings, manual machines, and beer and wine.

No word whether Starbucks will come out with their own line of alcohol, but they will be testing the new stuff in three different Seattle stores and decide to expand based on how well they do.

It's not like I ever hang out at a Starbucks except when I was in college and tried to study there. I usually do the drive-thru if the line is not too long or I grab and go. But if there is beer and wine, maybe it'll be nice to have some place nice and quiet to hang out and enjoy a glass of wine without having to go into a bar.

Update:
Speaking of Starbucks, N just sent me this link for a free Starbucks pastry tomorrow with a purchase of a beverage: http://www.starbucks.com/retail/free_pastry.html

Are You Eligible For A Free Olive Garden Appetizer?

Last week, the Orlando Sentinel reported that if you paid with a credit/debit card at any of the Olive Garden chain restaurants from December 4, 2006 to August 10, 2007, you are eligible for a free $9 appetizer voucher.

This stems from a 2007 civil lawsuit against the restaurant in which they were accused of printing the last six digit of the customers' credit card numbers on receipts. Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction act, you are required to truncate the credit card numbers, but Olive Garden had not complied.

The final hearing will not happen until July, but Olive Garden is already offering the voucher. If you are an eligible customer, you can fill out a form at www.attorneyzim.com requesting a voucher. The PDF form is available under the heading "Class Action Notices." You can also call 1-866-890-4862. You don't have to provide proof of purchase but do have to sign a document certifying, under penalty of perjury, that you made the purchase. The voucher forms must be postmarked by June 4.

[image via olivegarden.com]

Food Deals

I see on blogs or my friends email me free food deals all the time. I rarely use them, but I appreciate people sharing the wealth just in case I want to some day. Here are a few of the new ones:

-PF Changs: Free Lettuce Wraps with a purchase of an entree. Go to the link and register your email. They will email you a coupon immediately. http://www.pfchangs.com/briny/

-Ruby Tuesdays: Buy one, Get one entree free. Valid May 21-June 2. Click on the image below or click here to get the coupon.


-Krispy Kreme Donuts: May 23 (this Saturday) only, one dozen original glazed donuts for $.99.

Aj's Fine Food Steak Lovers' Sale

For all you steak lovers out there, Aj's Fine Food, is having a major sale on things in their Butcher's Corner. From what I heard on the radio, all meats are 50% off. I've confirmed the sale on their site. The sale started yesterday and will end this Sunday, April 26.