come dine with me...

Nutshell Café [for lunch]

2009-07-10T15:55:00.001-04:00

Came back for a full lunch today after a very successful light lunch at the bar a week or so ago. Have been waiting to order Bitoque since June 3rd!

So here we are, the four of us, to celebrate an anniversary. Started with Sagres beers [$3.50]. Then two orders each of Bitoque [$10]: Grilled Steak covered with ham and a fried egg with brown gravy. This came with two sides and both of us got the potato crisps; then my rice and his salad. This was declared a 'real man's meal by one of the ladies.'

The other two entrées were a Fish Stew [special of the day for $10]. We were all surprised that it came with no sides until it arrived. A huge dish filled to overflowing with succulent seafood: calamari, shrimp, clams, mussels and swordfish with a little potato for good measure. It was declared 'yummy' by both diners and will be good meals for tomorrow.

We split one Flan for dessert which was homemade, creamy and cinnamon inspired.

bloginfo: Nutshell Café is located at White Street [see June 3rd review for details]
blognote: The Bitoque is on the dinner menu for more money but I don't see how it could get any bigger.

Cora Cora

2009-07-08T17:17:00.003-04:00

Today's ACC Tour led us to Cora Cora. This is a Peruvian restaurant that I have been hearing about lately. My friends never steer me wrong; this was the right place to go to lunch.

We started out with the roasted corn and green sauce [sorry I don't know the name of it] that is used to spice up the roasted morsels. They make a good combination; salty, mealy and spicy. I added a Cuzqueña, Peruvian beer [$4], and we were off to a good start.

Both the entrées were delicious and of a size large enough to be tomorrow evening's dinner. My companion had the Cau Cau de Mariscos [$13] which is a mixture of seafood prepared in a stew of yellow peppers, diced potatoes, green peas and served with white rice. I also had a mixture of seafood; a Ceviche Mixto [$13.95]. This was a spicy [medio picoso] melange of the 'classical presentation of pieces of fish and seafood [shrimp, calamari, octopus and mussels] marinated with lemon and special Peruvian spice sauce'. All served with corn, boiled potato and sweet potato. Excellent!

bloginfo: Cora Cora is located at 162 Shield Street in West Hartford [just off New Britain Avenue], Telephone [free delivery] 860.953.2672
Their website is under construction.
blognote: I met two Peruvian friends there that I had not seen for a year or so. She approved of my order of Ceviche Mixto and said it was her favorite dish.

Pho 88

2009-07-01T15:32:00.005-04:00

Ended up at Pho 88 on Park Street today for my Wednesday lunch tour. I had the names of one Thai and two Vietnamese restaurants on my list. I couldn't find two of them; I think the Thai restaurant moved. The culinary gods were with me; this little place rocks.

I wanted a Vietnamese pancake but couldn't find it on the menu. The waitress pointed it out to me under the appetizer section translated as 'Vietnamese Crepe.' It is number 9 [$8.95] on the front page and says Vietnamese Crepe: a traditional mixture of shrimp, pork, bean sprouts and a delicate sauce folded into a rice powder pancake. It was crispy plateful with the above mentioned pork and shrimp with an array of cucumber and greens the only one of which I could identify was lettuce. There was an accompanying bowl of clear dressing and shredded carrot. That sauce and a couple of squirts of a brown paste spiced it up. I did not use the red chili paste labeled HOT!
After ordering and requesting just water to drink, I noticed the Smoothie list. There was a large variety of smoothies available [they even had Durian but that is another Filipino story!]. I ordered one made of mango but they were out and I substituted avocado. One of the best smoothies I have ever had [$4].

bloginfo: Pho 88 is located at 1999 Park Street, telephone 233.1928
blognote: the waitress I had spoke very good English so you won't have trouble with the menu

Butterfly Restaurant

2009-06-27T22:11:00.005-04:00

Celebration dinner here tonight with a party of eight relatives and friends.

Started with a bottle or two of Pinot Grigio and a double order of Peking Duck [for two]. The duck was wrapped tableside and the eight legs were devoured quickly. Everyone had one of the three offered soups: Egg Drop, Wonton and Hot Sour.

We then went on with a table full of Mango Shrimp [special that night], Sweet Sour Shrimp, Pork Egg Foo Young, House Fried Rice and House Lo Mein. Also, one of my favorites, the Dried Sautéed String Beans.

It was a wonderful meal with good friends and lots of fond memories.

bloginfo: Check out the menu here.
blognote: This graphic is very special; see the poem ['J'] it inspired under the May 10th date in my poetry blog.

J Restaurant|Bar

2009-06-24T15:36:00.001-04:00

J Restaurant|Bar is a great place for lunch; can't wait to try it for dinner. Ate here today on the 5th week of my 8 week lunch tour.

Saw the descriptions of the Salmon BLT and the Filet Panino on their excellent website. I opted for the BLT and what a good choice that was. Their wording was: SALMON BLT Grilled Atlantic salmon, bacon, roasted tomatoes and mixed greens served with an herb aioli on toast [$14 ]. My wording was: YES; just go order one! The salmon was perfectly grilled and and the aioli was a treat [it was served on a nice roll not toast]. It came with good fries.

bloginfo: They have a nice wine special on certain nights and they are open after matinée for Theater Works and Hartford Stage on Sundays and have a theater offer, too.
blognote: The restaurant is in the space where Pizza Plus was located.

Max Amore

2009-06-19T21:41:00.005-04:00

An invitation to help out with a gift card and my addition of a nice bottle of Montinore Pinot Gris made for a great evening out tonight. This was at Max Amore, my favorite restaurant in the Max Restaurant Group.

There was a $24.95 prix fixe menu that two of us couldn't pass up. A choice of two appetizers: Caprese Salad with yellow tomatoes [hers] and a Corn Chowder with Applewood Smoked Bacon [mine]. The other party had the Mussels Fra Diavolo [$9.95] and he shared them with us. All the appetizers were fine as was the wine [so poetic]. The bread basket was the usual good selection, the olives [my favorites] were delicious and the roasted garlic was lukewarm and not runny as I like.

The solo entrée [from the regular menu] was a special of Linguine with Clams and Sausage. We [of the prix fixe menu] both chose the Lobster Risotto which was rich and creamy with a good portion of lobster pieces.

Dessert choice was a Crème Brûlée [hers] and an Apricot Tart with Tahitian Vanilla Gelato. Three capuccinos ended a terrific meal.

el Comerío

2009-06-17T16:05:00.003-04:00

Here it is week 4 of the ACC Tour. I am halfway through the tour today!

Went to Comerío on Park Street. This used to be one of our favorite Puerto Rican restaurants but hadn't been back for a long while. Welcome Home, Tomás!

I had Carne Frita [fried chunks of pork] which had a great crust, rind and lots of delicious meat. The rice was Arroz Amarillo con Gandules [yellow rice with pigeon peas] and a bowl of habichuelas [the beans one expects on rice] which were very tasty with some good pork floating around.

The above [two pieces came home for the soup I made] and a Pepsi One came to $9.50. Money well spent!

bloginfo: el Comerío is at 158 Park on the corner of Hudson, one block down from Main
blognote: don't even think about parking on the corner in front and running in to pick up something para llevar [to go] as it is a bus stop and they were ticketing like mad.

Ruby Tuesday

2009-06-16T13:51:00.005-04:00

Had a nice 'business' lunch here today.

Avocado Turkey Burger with slices of fresh avocado, Havarti cheese, and applewood smoked bacon [$8.95] and a never-ending iced tea.

bloginfo: click here for menu

el Bajío

2009-06-10T16:15:00.008-04:00

Week three of the ACC Tour [after class culinary tour] in Hartford ended up at el Bajío. I had heard that the individually ordered tacos were good as was the torta.

So we tried to try a chorizo torta but had to substitute a biftec one due to a chorizo shortage. The torta [$6] was good and the biftec had a great smoky barbecue taste. It was not as large as I was used to. The three tacos [$2.50 each]: pollo asado [chicken], el pastor [spicy beef] and carnitas [roast pork] were all a little dry. Everything got a lot better with some red [hot] and green [smoother] salsa were added. We each [2 of us] had a refresco [$2]; his was orange soda and mine cidral [a favorite apple soda in Mexico].

This is a nice, clean and colorful room. The telenovela in Spanish was raging and then the jukebox got going. So the air became colorful too.

bloginfo: el Bajío is located at 285 Franklin Avenue, Hartford, CT 860.296.2695
blognote: the tortas are much better at Iguanas Ranas in Middletown [check out that review]

Birthday Dinner @CVOC

2009-06-09T22:54:00.003-04:00

I now live at Covenant Village of Cromwell and don't usually blog private meals but the Birthday Dinner tonight was awesome so I would like to share it with everyone [the review not the dinner].

The Fireside Lounge was very attractively decorated with custom made place cards and vases of yellow and white roses at each table. There were only 21 celebrants this evening with two hosts [me and another resident] and the Recreation Manager.

The evening started with Grace and then a sparking cider toast. The Shrimp Cocktail were already at the table and the generous serving of jumbo shrimp was delicious.

Honored guests [those with birthdays in June] were escorted to the buffet table where the hosts served:
Baby gingered Carrots, Cauliflower with curried bread crumbs, Baked Potato, Scalloped Potato with Gruyère, Baked Salmon with a dill sauce and a Steamship Round Roast Beef with a garlic & thyme crust expertly sliced at the buffet table.

After a rousing 'Happy Birthday' from the serving staff, Carrot Cake and coffee were served. The Recreation Manger then regaled the crowd with a birthday repartée.

bloginfo: Call 860.635.2690 and ask for Marketing if interested in hearing more about CVOC.
blognote: Larry Batter entertained at the piano in the main dining room for the birthday celebrants and entire resident community.

with a little help...

2009-06-07T15:02:00.013-04:00

DIY entertaining came to my cottage last night. The five of us that went to Puket Café started off here for some pre-dinner food and chatter. I needed help, so Lauren from La Piastra [pix at left], a purchase from Hurst Farm and a quick buy at Stop and Shop produced some good munchies [with a little help from my friends].

A dozen Lump Crab and Goat Cheese empanadas with some Ginger Dressing both from La Piastra were excellent. I even managed to make my oven work and with Lauren's directions [and her parchment paper] they were toasty and delicious. A frozen bag of 'Nature's Promise' Vegetable and Pork Potstickers from Stop and Shop turned out great. Two minutes in the microwave oven and one side seared in a hot pan; voilá. Some Tutukane [Grandpa's Hawaiian Style Salsa] from Hurst Farm added a kick. Cashews were on sale last week or so and provided a nice crunch to the spread. Some Pinot Grigio [and some non-politically correct Cabernet Sauvignon for two of us] completed my 'do-it-yourself' beginning to a great Thai meal at Puket Café.

bloginfo: Hurst Farm Country Store, 746 East St., Andover, CT 860.646.6536

blognote: The stove/oven is brand new, so I guess I have to start using it.

Puket Café

2009-06-06T20:27:00.009-04:00

Wonderful meal here tonight at the Puket Café in Wethersfield. Great room and great service. The best thing about our visit [aside from the food] was that we were five adventurous diners.

So we had four main dishes:
Pad Thai with grilled shrimp [$14], Massaman Curry with crispy chicken [$15], Tamarind Duck [$16.95] and Shrimp Mango [$16.50] (pictured on the website menu). I can't choose which one I liked the most as everything was delicious and beautifully presented. But I guess my favorite for taste would be the Pad Thai and for taste/presentation the Shrimp Mango.

bloginfo: check out the website
blognote: This was a Filipino restaurant before but now is Thai. Park in rear.

Nutshell Café [@the bar]

2009-06-03T15:50:00.007-04:00

Second week of the ACC Tour found me at the Nutshell Café on White Street. Not too near my teaching site on Alden Street but worth the drive in the rain. I have been hearing good things about this place; the chef had been at the Bull Pen Cafe but she is here now.

I opted for a lunch special of a half-grinder of Chouriça for $7.95. This was pure and simple good food. The bread was a Portuguese roll and it was filled with grilled onions, peppers and some great chouriço [actually a good portion of it]. This was served with an order of 'home-made chip fries.' Yes! Portuguese cuisine sure has its bread and its potatoes down to perfection.

Will definitely go back for the Bitoque.

bloginfo: no website

Nutshell Café is located at 229 White Street, Hartford, CT 860.956.2836

blognote: ACC Tour is the after class cuisine tour and will continue for 6 more weeks

Forbidden City

2009-05-28T20:00:00.010-04:00

Forbidden City, one of my favorite restaurants, had a special lobster dinner this week. They are using Open Table for reservations and for a nudge to use them, they had this great offer. With an Open Table reservation and a Promo Code number, you got the three course prix fixe Lobster Dinner with wine pairings for $29.95 [full price was $39.95]. So since I wanted to entertain for a birthday party, that is where we went. The meal was exceptional! The service, as usual, was super.

First Course-Chef’s Favorite Dim Sum

Crystallized Har Gao

Steamed shrimp dumpling in a transparent dough with ginger vinaigrette.

Wine Pair: Banfi Pinot Grigio

Crab Shumai with Lobster Cream and Caviar
Seasoned crab meat with Chinese herbs in wonton wrapper.
Wine Pair: Laurent Miguel 100% Chardonnay

Second Course-Signature Cooking
Wok-Hei Maine Live Lobster (1.1/4Ibs)
Wok-seared with ginger and scallion with a touch of Chinese sake.
Served with shallot fried rice.
Wine Pair: Laurent MiguelChardonnay/Viogneer

Third Course-Hand Craft Dessert
Shangri-la Pandan Crème Brulée
Wine Pair: Moscato D’asti with Prosecco Style
Or
Toasted Hawaiian Pineapple Rice Pudding with Mandarin Orange Segment
Wine Pair: Banfi Rosé

*****

Andrea's Restaurante

2009-05-27T15:58:00.007-04:00

This is the first week of the ACC Tour. I am teaching English to refugees on Wednesday afternoons. So after each class I intend to visit a restaurant in the vicinity for a late lunch. Today is After Class Cuisine Tour #1 at Andrea's on Franklin Avenue.

I had the lunch special [$6.99] which is available from 11 to 3 and has loads of choices. My choice was the Pernil [roast pork] and Arroz con Habichuelas [rice (choice of white or yellow) and beans].
The pernil was a good sized portion, juicy and lean with just a bit of the crunchy exterior. The rice was good and the beans tasty but there were some little bits of al dente veggies hidden there.

All in all it is a good priced, well cooked lunch.

bloginfo: Andreas [in the former Sorrento building] is located at 371 Franklin Avenue
Hartford, CT 06114 (860) 296-2100
blognote: I ate at the bar and the dining room is a bit formal. They must have a good evening crowd.

Cavos Tavern & Pizzaria

2009-05-23T16:58:00.006-04:00

Just got back from eating lunch/dinner at Cavos. Heard a lot of foodie traffic about them and thought I would check it out. Anyway, good choice for a hungry afternoon.

It is Saturday and it was 3pm so I ordered from the Dinner menu. Don't know if there is a Lunch menu but will find out. You can too by going to their website [there was a slight problem with double images/double vision but I am sure they will fix it].

Ordered way too much food but had to do it for the blog!!! There is a huge menu.

Started with Saganaki [$8] from the Appetizer [Mezedes] menu. This is three large pieces of 'pan fried Greek imported aged cheese' and it is luscious. There also appeared a basket of great garlic bread.

Aegean Plates come with salad [my choice] of fresh greens, tomato, olives and feta with a smooth clear dressing OR soup [Avgolomeno for today] and a choice of rice or French fries.
So after much deliberation I ordered the Grilled Pork Chops [$16]. This platter contained two pork chops, a bed of delicious herbed rice, toasted pita and the best tzaziki sauce. I brought enough food home for Tuesday's dinner.

Finished with a Greek coffee made by Yaya [you will never go wrong if there is a Yaya in the kitchen] and it was sweet and strong.

bloginfo: Cavos is located at 2414 Berlin Turnpike in Newington. Telephone: 667-9200
blognote: You will recognize it with the walled-off patio with tables and umbrellas for al fresco dining.

Barça [after a long respite]

2009-05-20T19:22:00.001-04:00

My new delight is Coca [the Catalan bread not the other stuff!]. Just had an order of this with spinach, mushrooms and cheese. It was great [$9]. The funny thing was that I never got to order it any of the many times I was in Barcelona [Spain, the real place where it's a hit] but had it in Hartford. There were two other tapas [meat/cheese combination plate and the the piquillo peppers stuffed with a mushroom risotto. A glass of Malbec helped too.

7/11/08

Barça is definitely habit-forming! Ate here again this afternoon with Miami guests.
Started with a pitcher of Cava Sangria. Very Good. AND a bottle of vino blanco special Martin Cadoux. Excellent summer wine.
Some tapas: Combinación de Quesos [San Martín and Mahon] and some great meats with good warm bread; Chorizo Asado [why I have not tried this before, I do not know] a piece of chorizo with shrimp and marinated vegetables and excellent; Tres Emapanadas Gambas which blew me away!
Chef Jesús originally from Santiago de Compostela has turned the kitchen around. Service from Sarah [con 'h'] was superb. What better place to spend a tired summer afternoon.

As many of you know, I spent two weeks in Barcelona in September celebrating my birthday. I raved about the food and restaurants there. But if you don't have the time, inclination, or $$ for the €€, stay in Hartford and eat at Barça!
5/17/2008
Ate there this afternoon and it was a great pleasure; I don't even know where to start; the decor, the service, the room, the tableware, the great wine by the glass list and, of course, the food.

Started with a glass of red [$6 but compliments of the party at RealArtWays Creative Thursdays [another story].
Moved on to the Combinacíon de Dos [$9]: Pato al estilo de China [Confit Duck Spring Roll and Pickled Red Cabbage in a Spicy Plum Emulsion] and Ensalada de Coliflor: Fried Cauliflower, Asparagus and Grilled Apricots with Black Olive Vinaigrette. Both were excellent and complimented each other. Also had the Gazpacho Blanco [$5]: White Gazpacho, Cantolonian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Grapes and Crab Meat; this was so good it must be a sin to eat it!

Still ready to sample more, I ordered [on Nicole's suggestion] the Grelos con Gambas [$7] [Garlic Shrimp with Brocolli Rabe au Gratin with Pecorino Romano Cheese]. This very really very really good.

Finished with an espresso cortado [$2].

bloginfo: website Barça
1429 Park Street, Hartford, CT [in the Design Center]
phone: 724-4444
blognote: really great people and Nicole is a terrific waitperson [as is Sarah].

Forbidden City [after a long time]

2009-05-09T21:06:00.002-04:00

I have a new favorite!!! Royal Malacca Prawn [$19] is it. Wok-flashed prawn, asparagus and red onion with ginger, Thai basil and chili. Just the best after a Duck Spring Roll [$8] accompanied by a glass of Wakefield Estate Shiraz [$9] and finished off with a pot of Puerh and Chrysanthemum Tea [$3]. Couldn't ask for a better meal, better service or better ambience; this place still rocks.

11/28/08

Haven't blogged Forbidden City since last April. Went there tonight; party of five. Good meal!

We started with the Crispy Baby Calamari served with Hunan chili aioli dipping sauce [$11]. Excellent!

Entrées: Two orders of Seared Duck Confit with scallions over flat noodles [$18] a Special of the night. Very good, seasoned well and had just the right amount of greasiness to the noodles. This was my order and that of someone who spent time in Beijing.
Shao Xing Pork Chop: pan-roasted grass fed natural loin chop with caramelized Shao Xing Meichai and shallot fried rice [$21].
[note] The pork chop was ordered medium but came very, very rare inside. Redone quickly but tasted more like fresh ham than porkchop.
Tangerine Beef: crunchy Ny strip steak with a spicy tangerine glaze [$18]. A favorite, my choice next time.
Triple Delight: sauté shrimp, beef and chicken with seasonal vegetables [$17]. Good and safe choice for the newbie.

Desserts: Two orders of Kalamansi [key lime] tart with mango glaze [$6] and my order of Pomegranate Sorbet [$6] which was outrageously delicious.
Tea: a Jasmine [$2] and a Puerh and Chrysantheum [$3]

Bloginfo: This is the best food of its kind anywhere outside of NYC or Boston; right here on Main Street in Middletown.
blognote: The New Year's Tasting Menu will be served on January 27th and I will be there.

Iguanas Ranas [repeat visits]

2009-05-05T14:13:00.005-04:00

Since today is cinco de mayo, I just had to visit the only authentic Mexican eatery around. There were banners and balloons at La Boca on Main Street but this is where it’s at!

Had a Gordita [$3.00]: a thick tortilla fried on the grill and filled with lettuce, onion, cheese and carnita [shredded pork]. It looked little but was very filling with some salsa verde dripped inside to give it that great bite. They are doing lots of business but everything is still made to order and very fresh [and the prices are good, too].

11/13/08 TORTA ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just had lunch here at Iguanas Ranas and it was great! Had a torta, sort of a gigantic sandwich [$6]. There were two of us; one had the Pollo Asado [chicken] and I had the Milanesa [beef]. They came on huge rolls with lettuce, tomato, onion, fresh cheese, refried breans and a chipotle mayo. Thought I could never finish it but rose to the occasion. This is the freshest, healthiest, budget lunch around. Meet me there!

11/04/08
So there is a new taquería in Middletown [not a cantina like in the picture (but I stole that from Google images)]. And it's on Main Street but I don't know the number but I will check that info out soon. And it was reviewed in the Advocate and I'm still looking for that. ¿So I am very informative, de verdad?

OKAY - I did my homework and here is the review from the Hartford Advocate.

I had a chicken taco [$2] to go and it was okay. A little dry but I didn't use the salsa verde as it was too hot for me. Lots of chicken and cilantro. The Tortas [$6?] looked fantastic. So I will do a little more research and get back to you.

bloginfo: 574 Main Street, Middletown
blognote: They are very bilingual; no trouble ordering if you don't speak Spanish

Trinity Restaurant [another visit]

2009-05-02T19:30:00.000-04:00

Ate here again today after Theater Works. We had originally intended to eat at Joey Garlic's new location in Newington on the Berlin Turnpike but decided we wanted a more intimate place after the intense theater presentation.

Each couple split a Greek Salad which was good and not overwhelmingly dressed. Then we ordered to small pizzas to share. I had had the Rucola Prosciutto pizza before and it was very good as was the Shrimp Scampi pizza. This was certainly just the right amount of food for four people. For dessert we all shared one portion of their version of Tiramisu. This was more like an Italian pastry but went well with their strong coffee.

blognote: The place was empty when we arrived but really started to fill up as we were leaving. That is so good as they run such a nice family place.

9/7/08
I think I ate at Timothy's restaurant once years ago. Ate here at same site tonight in its Trinity Restaurant rebirth. What a great place!

Started with an Antipasto with good bready rolls. Then on to two large pizzas: one of Proscuitto Rucola and the other Eggplant. The verdict was out; both were so good they came out as two winners.
Brought our own wine, a Spanish red Luzon, and they corked and provided stemware.

Read Hartford Courant review here.

bloginfo: 243 Zion St, Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 951-9747
blognote: There were four of us and this was after the Hartford Stage production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.'

Barcelona Wine Bar [revisited (again)]

2009-05-01T19:22:00.004-04:00

'You have go get back on the horse!' so that is why we are back here again tonight. Last time there was a broken wrist [read below] and this time a gift card. Had a really great meal especially since it was all covered with the gift card. Will have to go back on a Thursday for tapas and live flamenco music.

Split a Spinach Salad: Portabella Mushrooms, Applewood Bacon,Herb Goat Cheese, Balsamic Glaze Dressing [$8.50] and a tapa of House-Cured Olives, Thyme, Citrus, Garlic [$3.50]

Both had the same entrée: Churrasco Grilled Skirt Steak, Garlic Spinach, Sweet Potato Fries, Chimichurri Sauce [$23.50]

For dessert we had Churros con chocolate: Fried dough tubes dipped in sugar and cinnamon with a cup of chocolate pudding for dipping; yum!

Saturday, December 13

Ate here again tonight after seeing 'The Seafarer' at Theater Works. From Irish boozing to Spanish tapas!

Five of us and each ordered a different tapa: Chorizo with figs, Blue Cod with parsnips, Gambas, Venison osso bucco [a racíon] and spicy Lamb with eggplant, also sneaked in an order of olives. The bread was still good but stingy with the olive oil. Service was very good. The Gambas and the Venison were the winners. The Chorizo is excellent also but was the winner last time.
I had an Argentine Malbec red and it was excellent [$7.50]. Ended with an order of Churros con chocolate to share: four piping hot 'crullers' coated with sugar and a cup of hot chocolate [pudding consistency] but topped with cream [lose the cream and stick to the chocolate]. Delicious.

blognote: The evening ended on a very bad note: the banquette seating in the bar is very DANGEROUS! My companion stepped off the riser, fell and shattered her left wrist. I drove her to the emergency room [she will undergo surgery next week to have a plate put in her wrist] while the manager drove the rest of the West Hartfordites home; a nice gesture but thought he would at least eat the check. The story will continue!

10/25/09
Had heard lots of good things about Barcelona and finally had a chance to stop in here last night. My shopping buddy is a West Hartford restaurant expert! Good room, good service, good food.

We started with a glass of white wine each. The winelist on the website is not up to date [according to staff] but it was the Viura/Verdejo [$6.50] and possibly not the bottle listed. Great bread; a big pail of sections [not wimpy slices] of warm crusty bread to sop up the olive oil and sauces and gravies. And Ian [our server] made sure we had plenty of this great bread.

Three tapas: Olives [$3.50] for a large amount of mixed excellent olive combination, Garlic bulbs [$3.50] two fat beautifully roasted steaming hot bulbs, Sweet sour figs with chorizo [$7.50] in a little cazuela [cazuelita?] of roasted figs and sliced chorizo.

Ración: one ración [larger than tapa serving] of Duck confit [$14] over goat cheese and spinach and a slew of baby concord grapes. This dish needs no explanation and was devoured with great gusto as it was delicious.

bloginfo: check website above for address [Farmington Avenue rear] and menu
blognote; restaurant has a late night menu ['til 2am on weekend] and rumor is is that they have Churros con Chocolate for dessert. Also offer a Tapas Sampler special on Sunday thru Thursday.

York Street Noodle House

2009-04-30T15:14:00.005-04:00

Visited the Yale Art Gallery today to see the 'Picasso and the Written Word' exhibit. Had a late lunch at the York Street Noodle House which had just been reviewed that morning in the Hartford Courant. The restaurant lived up to and even exceeded the great review.

We each ordered a Green Salad [$2.75] with Avocado Dressing : one with baked snow pea crisp [S1] and the other with crispy noodle [S2]. Both were delicious!

Then we shared a [D12] Assorted Steamed Dim Sum Sampler [$5] with 8 pieces of shumai, har kaw and dumplings - veggie/shrimp/chicken served in a bamboo steamer on a bed of edamame. A great taste sensation.

To drink there was a cast iron pot of green tea [$1.75] and a Thai Iced Tea with Bubble [$2.75] which you just have to try!!!

bloginfo: check out the website

blognote: The review does a good job describing the bubble tea: 'Bubble tea isn't only fun to say, it's fun to drink as well. Tiny pearls of tapioca sit in the bottom of a flavored tea - served hot, cold or slushy - waiting to be sucked up through a colorful, oversized straw'.

Feng Asian Bistro

2009-04-26T20:04:00.010-04:00

Ate here tonight after the Hartford Stage production of 'Noises Off!' [great show].

The wine was a half-off bottle promotion so we ordered a nice Argentine Malbec $34 [$17].

One entrée of Lemon Pepper Roasted Duck with a Japanese peach and plum chutney [$20] which was good except for the small leg portion.

Two Special Rolls [$18 each]: Ultimate Lobster Roll with tempura lobster, lobster, mango, avocado with mango, kiwi and strawberry sauces; and a Surf and Turf with lobster salad, asparagus and topped with seared filet mignon and a cilantro jalapeño sauce.

One dessert of Green Tea Cheesecake [$8] which was lightly flavored and creamy.

bloginfo: 93 Asylum Street, Hartford, CT; phone 549-FENG (3364)
checkout the website here
blognote: This was where Song Hays was located [shows my age!]

Perk on Main [revisited]

2009-04-02T13:05:00.007-04:00

Charming and delicious; both words describe Perk on Main in Durham, CT on Main Street [where else with a name like that].

Today's visit wasn't so successful. We both ordered the Cashew Curry Chicken Salad Wrap [$6.95] which was according to the menu: 'Our Crunchy Sweet All White Meat Chicken Salad with Lettuce & Tomato in a Sundried Tomato Wrap' [and cashews!]. The chicken salad was a little bland [even with the curry] but very fresh tasting; the wrap was a bit dry. The iced tea [unsweetened] was excellent. We sat out on the balcony and while it was a bit windy it was 'springtime outdoors.'

4/2/2009
I have been trying to get here for a while and have heard lots of good things about this crêpe eatery. Well everyone was correct; the food is great.

We ordered two crêpes from the Lunch/Dinner menu: the 'Popeye' with Chicken, Spinach, Garlic, Onions and Cheddar [$6.95] and the 'Provence D'Lite' with Spinach, Tomato, Mushrooms and Brie [$6.50].
Both were excellent and then we got a double order of 'Simple Jen' with butter and Cinnamon sugar [$5.50]. That was simple and sweet and yummy [great word for a review].Two coffees [$1.41 small and $1.70 medium] and Poland Spring water [free] added to the meal.

bloginfo: look at their website
blognote: everyone is very friendly and helpful; the menu has so many choices that you might need some help to figure out what to order [or go back again and again]

Barton G's

2009-03-29T10:56:00.007-04:00

There is dinner theater and now there is theater dinner! That's my impression of over-the-top Barton G.

The website is sophisticated, the room is subtle, the clientele [at least on this Sunday evening] is family-oriented and very casual. The food is good [not excellent] but the props are very disconcerting and this makes the food difficult to eat. Not what I expected.

One of their specialties is the mixed drink; double portioned liquid nitrogen foamy creations. We opted for wine: Tour de Pez, St. Estephe [$82].

Appetizers: Lobster Pop Tart served in a toaster [$27] with three dipping sauces, Tour Eiffel Foie Gras [$26] served in the freaking Eiffel Tower with a blue light on top but prop removed for eating and my Sashimi Cones [$18] of Tuna and Salmon sushi-grade fish draped over two snow cones with caviar on one and wasabi on the other and accompanied by two sorbet, blood orange and wasabi.

Salad: we split a Burrata and Heirloom Tomato salad with onion tart [$24]

Entrees: Chinese Duck [$29] served in a guess what? a big duck decoy holding a plate of duck two ways, Southern Fried Chicken [$24] served in a big holder shaped like a chicken with mashed potato and creamed corn. We also shared a side of sauteed Spinach [$9] which was perfectly done. My entree was the least theatrical: Twisted Lamb Chop Tajine [$42] served in a tajine over spiced greens and figs. This came with toasted flatbread, cucumber raita [excellent] and tabbouleh.

Dessert: shared an order of Beignets [$18]; chocolate, vanilla and plain with chocolate sauce, raspberry preserves and whipped cream. Two coffee and a Lemon Ginger Tea [for me]

The check came in a little envelope with 'The Damage' [so too cute!] printed on it.

bloginfo: check out this cool website Barton G. Weiss is the Chef and runs a high end catering service. Maybe that is why there were so many children in the place celebrating birthdays.
blognote: My brother-in-law, the chef, picked up the check for the wine. Thank you.