7/24/08-The New Mill, Southington, CT

Col and Dave's rehearsal dinner was booked here by Dave's parents and what a good choice! First time here for almost all of us. The evening was started with hot appetizers-fried calamari, thinly sliced steak on small toasted squares of bread, bruchetta, chicken satay with a sweet dipping sauce and cajun shrimp--everything was quite good! Then we were served salads--either house or caesar (Tom and I had caesar--good salad, peppery dressing!) followed by our choice of entree--Tom enjoyed the salmon while I had maple-glazed pork loin with sweet potato hash. The entrees we ordered were very good, although we both agreed that we should have gotten the NY Strip when the plate was placed on the table in front of Kelly's boyfriend Tom (smart man, ordered the steak!) The night would not have been complete without the warm molten chocolate cake that was placed before us, though we were so stuffed from dinner I don't think anyone finished it!

Although this menu was pre-planned, our choices were excellent. The decor? I'm a bit confused. Looks as if we're going for an African safari theme, but not quite sure--they should stick to the basics, let the old wood all around the restaurant give the place its charm, not the leopard print curtains.

www.newmillrestaurant.net

7/11/08-Guilford Mooring, Guilford, CT

Now, I'm not much for seafood, but this is a great restaurant. We've been here a few times, and never a bad experience. We were seated right away, and dinner began with a hunk of bread with melted honey butter over it--excellent. We ordered the special appetizer of the evening, which was swordfish bites--hunks of swordfish, breaded and fried on a bed of onion straws and with a citrus glaze--I don't even eat fish and I loved it! Then our salads came out before our entrees--Tom had the lazy man's stuffed lobster (must have been good--he polished the plate!) and I had the lasagna (next time, go for the chicken milanese-much better choice). And yessss, dessert was chocolate decadence, which is so sinful that I'm probably already on my way to hell for eating it! A great restaurant with a great view of the marina, this is never a bad choice.

www.guilfordmooring.com

6/28/08-Eli Canon's, Middletown, CT

Tom and I have been here a bunch of times and love the atmosphere and food (and for Tom, the beer!) at this restaurant. They specialize in non-commercial brews, which is excellent. Tom tried a blueberry beer and a beer called Circus, I believe, which was a hefeweizen--both he says were great. For dinner, we split cheese fries (had better) and buffalo wings and bbq quesadillas--appetizer night! The quesadilla was fantastic and the wings were good, but Archie's wings are better. The weather was lovely so we sat outside on the patio and had a wonderful evening :)

www.elicannons.com

6/27/08-Corey's Catsup and Mustard, Manchester, CT

Could not wait to try this place--been hearing great things about it--and they are all true! Excellent burger joint, both Tom and I absolutely loved it. Good size bar when you walk in the door and yellow tables with red seats around. Tom had the black n' blue burger (which is not on the menu anymore!!) with the garlic parmesan fries (and they come in a cute "fry basket" haha). I had the "turkey turkey gobble" (which also, is no longer on the menu! what the heck!) with the spicy cajun fries. Both were fresh and very very tasty. The fries are also served with three dipping sauces--blue cheese, honey mustard and kicked up catsup--all are excellent.

In all, loved this place and cannot wait to go back again to sample something off their new menu!

www.catsupandmustard.com