9/26/08-The Playwright Irish Pub, Hamden, CT

Kirstin got a bonus (yay!) so out to dinner to celebrate we go! Kirstin said she wanted a place that she could "sink her teeth into" so knowing how much she likes all things Irish, I suggested the Playwright. Deciding to split our dishes since we were debating between the same things--typical indecisive Libras we are!--we got the Cheese Chips to start (steak fries covered in cheese, scallions and bacon with a side of sour cream and ranch) followed by the Irish Whiskey BBQ burger (bacon, cheddar cheese and house BBQ sauce) and the Limerick chicken salad (chopped chicken fingers over a mixed greens salad with tomatoes, pecans, onion, bacon and cheese with honey mustard dressing) and Elizabeth (her lil sis) also had the same burger. The cheese chips and burger were very good but I thought the lettuce in the salad tasted funny. Big big portions, which Tom appreciated since he devoured the leftovers :) Nice Irish pub feel, good place to go hang out--maybe we'll go when there's a band playing on the weekend next time!

www.playwrightirishpub.com

9/20/08-Taqueria Mexico, Wallingford, CT

Had an Entertainment book coupon for this place, so decided to give it a shot. Really, no ambiance here, its pretty much a hole-in-the-wall, but this is the most authentic Mexican food I've had since....well, since Mexico. Cheap prices and big portions, gotta love it. Mostly frequented by the spanish-speaking population, Tom and I did feel out of place for a few minutes, but got over it quickly when we got our lunch--we tried their tacos, burritos and quesadillas--all excellent. If you want Mexican food that is not Americanized, give this place a shot.

Rt. 5, Wallingford, near Chef's supply store.

9/14/08-99 Restaurant, Wallingford, CT

There had to be hope--this weekend's dinner outing was a bad experience, lunch on Sunday had to be better......right??

We went to 99 for a quick lunch before the list of Sunday errands that had to be done and wouldn't you know, it wasn't the best lunch around?! I know--we have been going to quite a few chain restaurants lately! Tom says we've spoiled ourselves--probably true. At any rate, we started with potato skins, which were quite tasty. Then I had the pick-a-pair lunch combo of 1/2 caesar salad and 1/2 roast beef & cheddar dip--salad was fine but the sandwich? there was literally one piece of roast beef (I looked). While I'm not looking for the meat to be falling off of the plate, I shouldn't have to open the bread to be sure that there is actually meat in between! Tom had the broiled sirloin tips, which were a much better choice.

Next weekend will be better.....right?

www.99restaurants.com

9/13/08-Finn McCool's Pub, Newington, CT

I don't even know how to describe the eating experience there but to say.....the food was good (but very very very greasy) going down....Tom and I are still sick the next day from it. Maybe since we've been making an attempt at eating better for quite some time now, our stomachs can't handle all the grease? That's our theory. Dan, Jill, Tom and I went to dinner here and I don't ever want to eat here again.

No website.....Market St., Newington, behind Steve's Place (which has waaaaay better food.)

9/5/08-Chili's, Southington, CT

If we could get my sister to go anywhere else for her birthday, it would have been a miracle. She only comes here every week as it is. But alas, here we are. She wouldn't let us embarrass her at dinner about her birthday, so it was a relatively uneventful dinner. Started with chips and salsa and nachos for the table, then onto entrees--Lauren had the chicken club tacos, her boyfriend Justin had the chicken fingers (how original lol), Dad had the big mouth bites, Mom had the chicken fajita pita and I had the margarita grilled chicken. Lovely dinner, with a side of bickering as usual :)

www.chilis.com

8/31/08-Outback Steakhouse, North Haven, CT

After a long afternoon on the Farmington River, my sis and her boyfriend joined us for dinner. While it took us a while to decide on a place we all liked (who has never tried like Mexican food, honestly?!), we had an excellent time. Lauren had her usual--chicken caesar salad, Justin had the special--Teryaki sirloin with asparagus and Aussie chips, Tom had the Outback-style prime rib (16 oz.--holy crap!) with Aussie chips and steamed broccoli and I had the Alice Springs chicken with Aussie chips. Good times were had by all.

www.outback.com

8/30/08-Prime 16, New Haven, CT

This new joint in New Haven has been getting good reviews, so in the mood for burgers, we took a short drive to check it out. Although the menu was impressive with many different burger creations, we felt that it still could not top the burgers at Catsup and Mustard. We started with the homemade pretzels with a beer-infused mustard--the pretzel was excellent! I had the Maui burger--ground sirloin marinated in teryaki with lettuce, cheese and grilled pineapple on top with a side of fries and Tom had the lamb burger with a hint of mint and a side of sweet potato fries. The verdict? My burger was better :) but his fries were better. Although we may return here just for the beer list (20-ish beers on tap, 60-ish bottled brews at any given point--Tom tried only two!) I'd say for burgers, we'll be back in Manchester.

No website--located on Temple St. in New Haven.