Author: Francine Brokaw

The Tuscany Gardens is the place to dine in Las Vegas

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



While many visitors to Sin City spend most of their time on the Strip, it’s worth venturing a block away to The Tuscany Suites and Casino where you’ll find one of the best restaurants in the city. The Tuscany Gardens is not only a beautiful setting for a nice dinner, but the food is delicious and the presentation is perfection.

Chef Jose has created some of the most mouth-watering selections for guests, and the sommelier pairs the perfect wine with every dish, or of course, you can select your own.

So, what should you order? Honestly, everything looked delicious so it was hard to select. Our party started with a Hearts of Palm Salad, which included avocado, sweet onions, Mozzarella, capers, and vinaigrette. This combination is amazing. We also tried the Caprese with tomato, Burrata cheese, and fresh basil drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Tasty is not a strong enough word for these. I could have made an entire meal out of this delicious antipasto and the salad.

With three of us, we decided to each try a different entree: Veal Piccata, Halibut, and Eggplant “Lasagna.” The Eggplant “Lasagna” does not include any noodles, hence the quote marks. This is a delicious dish with layers and layers of thinly sliced eggplant with ricotta, parmigiano, and mozzarella. It’s basically carb-friendly. I highly recommend this to vegetarians. I am definitely going to order this again when I get back to Las Vegas. The Veal and Halibut also received rave reviews by my tablemates. Each of them included broccolini as a side dish.

For dessert lovers, there is a nice selection to finish your meal. Unfortunately, with only three of us we couldn’t order them all. Darn it! We had spumoni, lemon sorbet, and the Torta Al Cioccolato, which is a molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. How can you go wrong with any of these? Next time we’ll try the Nutella Cheesecake, the Tiramisu, the Crème Brulee, or the Cannoli. I’ll have to remember to leave room for dessert, but the eggplant was so wonderful I couldn’t stop eating it.

The staff is equal to the food. If you get a chance, request Hilda. She provides service and suggestions unequal to many others in the business. What a treat to enjoy a relaxing dinner undeterred by the haste of the goings-on on the strip.

The Tuscany has been named as a Top Dining Choice by “What’s On Magazine, won the Award of Excellence by “Wine Spectator,” and the #4 Most Romantic Restaurant in Las Vegas by “Open Table.”

Whether you want a romantic dinner or simply just good food in a relaxing environment, The Tuscany Gardens is one place I highly recommend. With Italian selections, fish, and meats, there’s something for everyone.
Note: Since this article was originally published, I went back to Las Vegas and while there I made a beeline to this restaurant. The eggplant lasagna was just as good as I remembered!

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

Family Guy’s 300th Episode

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


The adult animated FOX series Family Guy is about to hit a milestone. The 300th episode will air January 14, 2018.

The episode is titled “Dog Bites Bear” and centers around Stewie, the baby with a football-shaped head and a British accent. His faithful teddy bear, Rupert, has been his companion since, well, as long as he can remember. This little bear is his best friend.

Feeling a little jealous, Brian, the talking dog that walks on two legs, rips the bear apart like a chew toy. What happens next sets the groundwork for the relationship between Stewie and Brian. No spoilers here.

As a reviewer, I was sent a preview copy of the episode, along with a cute little Rupert for my own. Along with the items came a letter from little Stewie who applauds his performance in the episode. He says it is being hailed as his best performance to date. You can be the judge.

Family Guy began airing in 1998 and has a cult following. Created by Seth MacFarlane, the wackiness of this completely dysfunctional and very odd family has remained a staple on FOX Sunday nights. The show has won seven Emmy Awards.

Seth MacFarlane voices Pater Griffin (Stewie’s dad) as well as Stewie and Brian, Alex Borstein voices Stewie’s mom Lois, Seth Green is the voice for his brother, and Mila Kunis voices his sister. Besides Family Guy, MacFarlane created and stars in the FOX sci-fi series The Orville.

Family Guy is rated TV-14. It’s definitely not for young kids.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 20 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

‘DreamWorks Trolls: The Beat Goes On’ comes to Netflix

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



From DreamWorks Animation, Trolls: The Beat Goes On will engage viewers and immerse them in the world of the colorful and endearing characters. The series dives into life in the Troll village and their friends in Bergen Town. The series picks up where the feature film ended. The Bergens and the Trolls are now living peacefully because the Bergens no longer search out Trolls to eat! Whew. They have forged a fun and funny friendship.

Queen Poppy is filled with effervescence and wants everyone to have fun, fun, fun, while Branch is the outsider misfit of the group and supplies some grounding for the peppy Poppy.

Poppy and Bridget the Bergen are good friends. Combining life in the Troll Village with that in Bergen Town is part of the fun viewers will see throughout the series.

During a recent press visit to the studio, members of the media were introduced to all aspects of this adorable new series. The series is geared toward kids, but adults will undoubtedly enjoy it as well. After all, we have all grown up with the Trolls.

The attention to detail in the animation is amazing. As the animators discussed, the texture of the scenes and specific features (grass between feet, etc.), plus the lush backgrounds add warmth to this 2D show. There are plenty of visual jokes to look for and the music adds an important element to the episodes. As writer Matthew Beans explained, “Music has created an identity for the show.”
One additional specific detail that was pointed out is the fact that there are no lines delineating the Trolls’ hair and ears. This was a creative decision to add a little more refinement to the characters and they blend in better with the backgrounds, giving the scenes a seamless look of scenery and characters.

The biggest pressure the team had when creating the series was maintaining the quality. And, having seen what the finished product is, they have done an excellent job. This is definitely a well-crafted and entertaining show for all ages, even though the target age is 3-10. While kids will enjoy watching the series, there is an added sophistication for adults.

Amanda Leighton supplies the perky voice for Queen Poppy and Skylar Astin voices Branch. There is plenty of merchandise to go along with the delightful characters and the soundtrack is also available.

With the vast assortment of toys and products as well as this new series, Trolls are taking over – in a good way. And on those cold, wintry nights or after an afternoon sledding down the hill, warm up your kids with some hot chocolate in a colorful DreamWorks Trolls mug. And tuck them into bed with their very own soft and cozy DreamWorks Trolls blanket. Send your smaller kids off to dreamland with the delightful DreamWorks Trolls Little Golden Book. And who says Trolls are only for kids? There’s a fun DreamWorks Trolls “It’s Color Time” Adult Coloring Book.

DreamWorks Trolls: The Beat Goes On premieres January 19, 2018 on Netflix.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 20 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

‘The Lion Guard: The Rise of Scar’ on DVD

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Join Kion and the rest of The Lion Guard in five music-filled and exciting episodes on this new DVD. Kion, Bunga, Beshte, Fuli, and Ono look out for all creatures in the Pride Lands, and even in the Outlands, as viewers see.

“The Rise of Scar” has the group out to save Kira who has been taken by Janja and his group of hyenas. They want to stir up the anger within Kion so he will use his roar that will ultimately summon Scar. But can his roar be used to talk to evil lions or just to connect with his grandfather Mufasa and the good lions who came before? Unfortunately, Rafiki’s new and young, not to mention overly enthusiastic apprentice Makini is a bit too talkative and gets everyone into some trouble.

In another episode, “The Trouble with Galagos”, a leopard who has left the Back Lands, is taught to stand up for himself by Kion and the guard. He had been kicked out of his home and willing to share the Galagos’ tree with them, but they want their tree back so it is up to Kion and The Lion Guard to escort him back to his rightful home and teach him how to be tough and stand his ground.

Then in “Janja’s New Crew” Kion and his team again are on guard to maintain the Circle of Life. In “Baboons!” The Lion Guard helps a baby baboon while avoiding some pitfalls along the way.

“Lions of the Outlands” once again summons up the past with Scar. Although he is not part of this story, his evil history is. Scar’s girlfriend Zira and her mangy family and friends are living outside of the Pride Lands. Zira is the Queen of this area. They are the Outsiders who were banished by Simba years before. As cohorts of Scar, they are evil lions and not willing to maintain the Circle of Life. Zira attempts to win Kion over to her point of view, but that isn’t going to happen. Good wins over evil.

With plenty of music and all the fun of The Lion Guard, there is a lot of viewing in this new DVD. The movie, aka an extended episode, The Lion Guard: The Rise of Scar is filled with characters, color, and conflict as danger looms all around The Pride Lands. But with Kion, Bunga, Beshte, Fuli, and Ono, there’s no need to fear. “’Till the Pride Lands’ end, Lion Guard defend!”

The DVD is rated TV Y for everyone. It’s a “must have” for fans of the TV series.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 20 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

‘Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! Season 1 Part 2’ DVD GIVEAWAY

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


In Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! Season 1 Part 2, high school ends and summer vacation begins for the Scooby-Doo gang. Shaggy, Velma, Daphne, Fred and Scooby-Doo set out on a road trip in search of fun and adventure. Along the way, they share plenty of laughs and good times but that’s not all! Scooby-Doo and his pals tackle some of the biggest and most baffling mysteries they’ve ever come across.

As their excursion continues, the Mystery Inc. gang stop at several spooky destinations. The teens visit an old prison known as “The Vault,” which is haunted by the ghost of a man who once tried to escape from its confines. They board a flight on Air Gigantica, a plane that’s tormented by a gremlin. The hijinks continue in the bayous of New Orleans, where the gang encounters a swamp monster. Next on the route is a visit to a ski resort where Scooby-Doo and his pals confront a snow monster. These and several other escapades are featured on this fun-filled release. It’s a memorable journey the Mystery Inc. gang won’t soon forget and fans won’t want to miss!

We have some copies to giveaway.

To be eligible to win a copy of Be Cool, Scooby Doo! Season 1 Part 2, email us at [email protected] with “Scooby Doo Giveaway” in the title. Please supply your name, address, phone number and email address (so we can let you know if you are a winner).

The deadline for this giveaway is January 15, 2018.

New animated shows from DreamWorks and Netflix in 2018

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


DreamWorks and Netflix have several new animated series that will begin airing in 2018. Recently some members of the media – including myself – were given a sneak peek at the new shows. Hang onto your hats…they’re going to be a lot of fun.

First, Trolls: The Beat Goes On is a colorful and musical look inside Troll Village and Bergen Town. The series picks up where the first film left off, and leads viewers into the upcoming second feature film that is scheduled for release in 2020. In the meantime, viewers have plenty of great troll antics to keep them entertained.

Poppy and Branch (Amanda Leighton and Skylar Astin) are the perfect stars for this fun new show. From what I saw, this is an extraordinary new series for both boys and girls. The series is set to premier January 19, 2018.

The Boss Baby: Back in Business continues with the fun and humor of the little baby and his big brother. From the short clip I saw, I cannot wait for this one to start. It is simply adorable. After all, who doesn’t like a cute baby? And this one is in charge.

She-Ra is a look at ‘80s girl power. This is definitely geared for girls and will delight viewers with the strength of courage and character of the stars. This fun fantasy series is sure to be a favorite among many viewers.

Harvey Street Kids is another girl-powered series. Audrey, Lotta, and Dot are best buddies and team up to keep their street safe. They are the self-appointed guardians of Harvey Street.

The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants continues with the adventures of George Beard and Harold Hutchins. They are quite a pair, no pun intended, as their creation, Captain Underpants, provides wacky adventures for everyone.

DreamWorks Trollhunters Part 2: Tales of Arcadia has already been airing on Netflix. This highly acclaimed series follows a group of human kids who undertake the challenge of keeping the world safe. They must do this in the hidden world of the trolls. These aren’t the trolls with the colorful long hair. These trolls are different. This is an entertaining series for all ages.

With the collaboration of DreamWorks, Netflix has quickly become the place for young viewers. With their new animated lineup, it looks like another great year for kids TV.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 20 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

The TCM Wine Club is a nice way to enhance your movie-watching experience

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Do you like sampling wines from around the world? Do you like good old movies? If you answered yes to both of these questions then you will be interested in the TCM Wine Club. TCM (Turner Classic Movies) is known for going the extra mile when it comes to showing their films. With introductions filled with background information about the movies and great interviews with actors, TCM is the viewing destination for movie lovers.

The TCM Wine Club is one of the unique offerings from the network. Enrolling in the club is easy and it’s also easy to personalize your selections. If you want to receive only red wines, there is that option. The same goes for white wines. And if you prefer a mixture of wines, then there’s that too.

The TCM Wine Club lets members experience wines from around the world. But not only that, they include movie pairings that are selected to go along with specific films. Of course you don’t have to only drink the specific wine with the paired film, but the pairing was created to enhance viewing pleasure.


Included in each case are background information about the wines and the winemakers, food-pairing tips, and plenty more. Plus, each case includes a movie-themed wine.

Every quarter a new case will be delivered to your door. You have the option of postponing a delivery or cancelling at any time.

For more information about the TCM Wine Club, go to their website. The website includes plenty of party ideas, recipes, and much more.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 20 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

‘Pillowland’ by Laurie Berkner – Book Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Pillowland is a fun bedtime book for parents to read to their children at night, and for kids (4-8) to read to/with their parents. It’s filled with imaginative illustrations by Camille Garoche and takes kids on a wonderful journey to a land made of pillows. Author Laurie Berkner is a celebrated children’s songwriter and now her beloved song “Pillowland” can be experienced in this delightful book.

Who wouldn’t want to visit a land where all is soft and fluffy and people wear their PJs all the time? It sounds heavenly to me.

This magical kingdom is a peaceful land where everything is made of pillows, even the dinnerware for the pillow bread and pillow jam. Together with all the pillow trains and pillow cars, this place is the perfect locale to visit before going to dreamland. And, it just might find its way into dreams.

Kids will definitely enjoy experiencing the song through this book. It’s a nice way to end the day. Imagine leaving this world of loud noises and daily troubles and heading to a soft, magical world before drifting off to sleep. That’s what this book is for and will be a favorite bedtime book for preschoolers. It’s a nighttime lullaby with sweet illustrations.

Hardcover: 32 pages
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (November 7, 2017)
ISBN-10: 1481464671
ISBN-13: 978-1481464673

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter