The Links are Fixed!

I didn't realize I coded all the links to the restaurants incorrectly, but they are working now! Enjoy!

1/24/09-Kumo Japanese Restaurant, Hamden, CT

My parents mentioned that they haven't been out to dinner with us in a while, so they told us to pick a place and off we would go. While doing a little investigating, I found that they have never been to a hibachi so we thought it would be fun to take them to Kumo. We had been there previously, so we knew what to expect. This is one place that is pretty busy! Upon arrival, the waiter took our orders (Mom had salmon and chicken, Dad had steak, Tom had steak and shrimp and I had steak and chicken) and we were brought clear soup and a small salad with ginger dressing to start. After, our chef arrived and the "show" began. He was very entertaining, from doing the japanese egg roll to the volcano of onions and attempting to throw veggies in our mouths ( I did not catch one!) and then shots of saki for all of us (go mom and dad! I didn't expect them to do the saki!) Dinner was done shortly thereafter and it was good. I think my parents had a good time and we did, as always.

www.kumojapaneserestaurant.com

1/23/08-Lenny and Joe's Fishtale, Westbrook, CT

I have lots of fond memories of this place--once a year, we would travel down to this restaurant with my grandfather because it was one of his favorite restaurants. Tom and I ended up here on our anniversary a few years ago and it was his first visit then-now he sees why my family loves it so much. When we are looking for good seafood, we'll now go here. Although this place is so packed in the summertime, at 8pm on a Friday night in the middle of winter, it wasn't bad at all! Tom chose their special of the evening-Baked Stuffed Shrimp with a ritz cracker/crab/monterey jack stuffing and fries and coleslaw. I had their hot buttered lobster roll with fries (In all the years that I have been coming to this restaurant, this is the first time I ordered a seafood item! My mom will be proud of me, I'm sure.) Service was quick and friendly and Tom and I enjoyed our evening and our dinner together. We'll be coming here every year for a long time, I'm sure of it.

www.ljfishtale.com

1/17/09-Hook & Ladder, Hartford, CT

I really do appreciate what this restaurant is doing for us emergency service workers by paying homage to what we do, but sad to say, they really need to work on the food! Tom and I grabbed dinner before heading out with friends and I started with the house special Ladder 54 martini, which was the best part of my meal! I then had the Sparky's Steak Special--6 oz. pepper encrusted steak served with mac & cheese--the steak was tiny, as stated, but good flavor but the mac & cheese was nothing remarkable. Tom had the Hoga Fish and Chips--Fresh beer battered cod, deep fried to a golden brown, served with fries & cole slaw--he cut into the piece of fish, then stated "Where's the fish?!" It was practically all fried batter! They also placed the fish on top of the fries, which then made them greasy and soggy. Overall, a big disappointment, from the taste to portion size and presentation, nothing was impressive. They were also out of key menu items such as hot dogs and the cornbread that was supposed to come with every dish--poor planning for a Saturday night service. The waitress was not very friendly or helpful (she got my order wrong and messed up the bill) and there were discontented patrons all around us--from an older couple who was seated before us and didn't get their burgers till after we were done with our meals to a party that had to keep getting the waitress to remind her of things that were wrong with their meals or forgotten. Skip this one, there's much better places to eat in Hartford.

www.hook-ladder.com

1/10/09-Dakota Steakhouse, Rocky Hill, CT

Took a short drive to have the best salad bar we've ever found. From the chilled salad plates, cleanliness and large selection of fresh salad accompaniments, this restaurant can't be beat. We both enjoyed the salad bar and Tom also had a cup of their Lobster Bisque, which he liked. We also split the Prime Rib sandwich which we found to be very flavorful, especially when dipped in the au jus or the horseradish sauce. Good chain restaurant with a log cabin like feel, deer heads on the walls and roaring fireplaces. We have been here for dinner in the past and have enjoyed their steaks as well. We've heard good things about their brunch but have yet to make it here to try it. Also picked up a jar of their signature Maple Pepper seasoning--very unique, but somewhat expensive at $7.95.

www.dakotarockyhill.com

1/3/09-The Corner Pug, West Hartford, CT

On our way to the Thomas Hooker Brewery in Bloomfield (which I highly recommend--tons of fun, informational and where else can you go on a Saturday afternoon, spend $5, get all the beer tasting you can handle and get to keep the glass?!) we stopped for lunch at the Corner Pug--very ladi back and chill restaurant with a bar you could definitely meet your friends at and feel totally at home. We decided to give this place a try after seeing a show on the Travel Channel having to do with nachos and there is a place that had Irish Nachos that looked fantastic and then Dan tells us that this place has them too! We definitely wanted to try them, so we did--" Crispy Cottage Fries with Beef Beer and Sausage chili, Cheddar Cheese, Tomatoes, Scallions and Cherry Peppers"--bring some friends to share these with! The chili is very good, with an almost sweet taste and the chips were just loaded with it! Tom then had the Philly Cheeseburger with caramelized onions and cheddar cheese sauce and I had the Pug House Salad-garden greens with tomatoes, red onion, granny smith apples, cucumber, croutons and english blue cheese crumbles tossed in their house dressing. We both needed take home boxes after that lunch! Overall, a nice stop for lunch and a great value.

www.cornerpug.com