I was selected for the most fun Tastemaker Program yet! American Express has this new thing called Serve. Serve works like a pre-paid Debit Card. Once you set up your free account you receive a debit card that can be used anywhere American Express is accepted. As a bonus, when you sign up you receive $10 free! Serve makes it very easy to split the bill while out to dinner with friends, or send money to anyone who has a Serve account.
We went to a restaurant called Moot House in Fort Collins with some new friends. It was a fun night to get a babysitter and enjoy some adult conversation. My pictures are horrible – cell phone and dark light!
We started by ordering a couple appetizers to share, Crab Cakes topped with an Avocado Salad, and Pub Chips with Gorgonzola cheese, Bacon, Spinach and a Balsamic Reduction. I do not like crab, so I didn’t try those, but everyone said they were really good. The Pub Chips I did try, and they were crispy and delicious. The Balsamic Reduction was perfect on top of the crispy potato.
All of our meals came with a salad. They did have a large salad bar you could have gotten for an additional charge. I stuck with the regular dinner salad with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing (one of my favorites).
I ordered the Smothered Delmonico. It was topped with an Onion and Mushroom Ragout. I love mushrooms on steak, so it was an easy choice for me.
My husband got Beer Batter Shrimp, they were nice big shrimp, and he liked it a lot. Our friends ordered a Sirloin topped with Blue Cheese, and a Sirloin Salad. They both looked really good as well. We were short on time, so we skipped dessert. But the tray was loaded with yummy looking treats.
When the bill came we didn’t have to worry about who was going to pay, and getting change, or having the server split the bill. With Serve, you can just log into your account using your phone and immediately transfer money to your friends. Or you can use your computer when you get home. So there never is the worrying about when or how you are going to pay someone back. The funds appear in your account almost instantly. As soon as you confirm the receipt of funds, they are yours to use. I have also used my Serve account to pay back my Mom, rather than send a check in the mail.
I think Serve seems like a great service. It is very user friendly. The only problem I see is, in order to use it you have to have an account. So some friends may have it and some may not.
**As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program, I received a $250 stipend to try Serve from American Express. Sign up for Serve and recieve $10 credit towards your first use. Comment below within the next 7 days for your chance to win an extra $100 credit to your account! Official sweepstakes rules and regulations may be found here: http://www.foodbuzz.com/blogs/4622317-win-serve-dollars-giveaway-official-rule
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Never heard of Serve before. That sounds very interesting and yes, user friendly. Food sounded good also!!
Interesting concept… we’ve probably rec’d an insert in our AmEx statements about Serve, I wonder what fees are involved. Glad you were able to participate and enjoy a nice dinner out with friends, Erin. Happy Holidays
It is free – I guess I should have mentioned that. You get the debit card free, you just have to load it with money.
What an interesting concept. I signed up and hope I am the lucky recepient of the extra $100.
Thanks for the write up Erin!
Congrats Erin!! I’m glad you got selected for this Tastemaker Program Product!! It sounds like a great idea! How nice to have dinner out with friends.
I haven’t heard of it either, but it would be awesome to be selected for the Tastemaker!
Congrats on the card! I’d have gone with the delmonico as well. It looks way yummy.
Congrats on being selected for this tastemaker program. Sounds like fun.
Dinner out with the Newtons. That $100 would help to feed a family of six & to have a much needed dinner out!!
Glad you finally got some time for a restaurant outing. Those entress sure do sound and look delicious. I have been banned from snapping any pictures at a restaurant, unless I go by myself-which I never do. : (
Sounds like a fun tastemaker to be involved with. I like the idea of having a delmonico smothered in onions and mushrooms too!
I’m glad it worked easily for you – and dinner sounds delicious!
Serve seems pretty cool! Sounds like a fun night out!
It would be awesome to add $100 to my Serve account!
That sounds exciting..Congrats on top 9!!!
This sounds like something I need to get for my daughter at college. Thanks!
I was thinking it would be perfect for a college student!
What a neat idea!! It sounds like it should be complicated, but the way you describe it my interest in piqued and I’m guessing it’s a piece of cake. I can’t wait for society to go totally cashless!
i signed up for serve and it sounds amazing
Interesting…I love technology, especially when it makes everything so much easier. This is a great idea. Thanks!
I actually have a Serve card, but I haven’t had a chance to use it yet. It would help if I put some money on it.
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I signed up for a serve account!
Can’t wait! Sounds like fun thing!
I signed up with Serve.
I signed up for a Serve account!
purple_lover_04 at msn dot com
What a great blog!!
Serve is a great idea! I signed up through FB & my email address ~ mattspacherose@gmail.com.
Have a great Christmas & New Years!