Out to lunch on this very busy MLK day with my lunch partner-in-crime (and shopping!) Sheri. At 2pm, there was about a 15 minute wait and they held true to their timing. When seated, our waiter quickly came over and introduced himself, asked if we had ever been before--we both had not, and he proceeded to tell us about the specials for the day and also about some of their more popular menu choices. When drinks arrived, we placed an order for the calamari appetizer--it arrived nicely presented with two dipping sauces, marinara and a mustard-based sauce; the marinara was the clear winner for us. For our entrees, Sheri had the Shrimp and Scallop Linguine "Tossed with sauteed shrimp and Bay scallops, Shiitake mushrooms, garlic, pepper relish, black pepper cream sauce and fresh basil"--she commented that the pasta seemed very fresh but was very surprised by the spiciness of her dish and the asian influence the dish seemed to take on. I had the Pasta alla Vodka "Delicate handmade pasta filled with Ricotta cheese, tossed with crispy pancetta, garlic, basil and a Tomato Parmesan cream sauce"--pasta was cooked al dente and the sauce was very enjoyable and I loved the little bit of pancetta, though I wish there was more (it's given me inspiration on how to tweak my vodka sauce!).
Our waiter was attentive and pleasant and even shook our hands after dropping the check! Overall it was a nice experience and although I am not privy to dining at chain restaurants, I would return.
www.brioitalian.com
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
1/16/10-Thai Food Express, Wallingford, CT
I know--I feel like all we've had lately is Thai food too! It's like we've been on a quest to find the best Thai in our area. This little place is a stone's throw away from us, so we got takeout for lunch and were pleasantly surprised. It is in a very nondescript building on Rt. 5--if you blink, you'll pass it--and inside, there are about 3 tables, though I don't think I would sit down inside to eat. Also, they are somehow related to the owners of Som Siam East, which I've heard very good things about, just haven't been (yet).
The menu has all the basics, with a few different items we haven't seen before. We started with the shumai--small purses of chicken and shrimp with a ginger dipping sauce--nice and tender. For our lunches, I had the drunken noodles (it's my go-to dish, as well as my barometer as to how good a place is) and I found it to have a good level of heat without being overpowering. Tom had the pad see ew, which he very much enjoyed-to me, it was just like the drunken noodles, minus the heat. In our takeout bag, there were 2 small containers that had an opaque mixture with corn and beans in it, never seen anything like it--it sorta tasted sweet, kinda indescribable, not sure what it was--if you have any idea, let us know!
The prices were very reasonable--with chicken in both our meals, it was $6.95 each and the portions were excellent for the price. We would both be more than happy to return--hopefully to try many more dishes that we would otherwise be apprehensive to try at higher prices.
No website, located on Rt. 5 in Wallingford.
The menu has all the basics, with a few different items we haven't seen before. We started with the shumai--small purses of chicken and shrimp with a ginger dipping sauce--nice and tender. For our lunches, I had the drunken noodles (it's my go-to dish, as well as my barometer as to how good a place is) and I found it to have a good level of heat without being overpowering. Tom had the pad see ew, which he very much enjoyed-to me, it was just like the drunken noodles, minus the heat. In our takeout bag, there were 2 small containers that had an opaque mixture with corn and beans in it, never seen anything like it--it sorta tasted sweet, kinda indescribable, not sure what it was--if you have any idea, let us know!
The prices were very reasonable--with chicken in both our meals, it was $6.95 each and the portions were excellent for the price. We would both be more than happy to return--hopefully to try many more dishes that we would otherwise be apprehensive to try at higher prices.
No website, located on Rt. 5 in Wallingford.
Monday, January 4, 2010
1/2/10-Thai Gardens, Middletown, CT
Jill and Dan weren't thrilled with our last choice for Thai (Somewhere in Bangkok in Southington) so she suggested we try a place they usually go--Thai Gardens in Middletown. Although the food was ok, there was quite a few things that made it an undesirable experience.
First off, service seems a bit slow. It took a while for someone to come over and take our orders. For appetizers, Tom and I split the fried wontons, which were small but tasty. Jill and Dan split the crab rangoon, which they also enjoyed. Entree service was also slow and spotty-one dish at a time with a few minutes in between each one. Dan ordered the drunken noodles at a heat level of 3--it was unbelievably hot for a 3 and he sweat through the entire meal. Jill ordered the pad thai at a heat level of 2--while hers was not as hot as Dan's, it still seemed a bit more than is typical. Tom and I tried new dishes--Tom had the Basil Chicken, which he said took on an interesting flavor from the holy basil but overall he wasn't thrilled with the dish. I had the Oc Gai Dang-Deep fried chicken sliced and sautéed with hot and spicy sauce--I expected hot and got sweet with this dish--nearly no heat at all.
Overall, I found this place to be inconsistent and undesirable. There are better Thai places in the area, Tom and I don't plan on returning.
No website, located on Main & College St., Middletown. You can view the menu here.
First off, service seems a bit slow. It took a while for someone to come over and take our orders. For appetizers, Tom and I split the fried wontons, which were small but tasty. Jill and Dan split the crab rangoon, which they also enjoyed. Entree service was also slow and spotty-one dish at a time with a few minutes in between each one. Dan ordered the drunken noodles at a heat level of 3--it was unbelievably hot for a 3 and he sweat through the entire meal. Jill ordered the pad thai at a heat level of 2--while hers was not as hot as Dan's, it still seemed a bit more than is typical. Tom and I tried new dishes--Tom had the Basil Chicken, which he said took on an interesting flavor from the holy basil but overall he wasn't thrilled with the dish. I had the Oc Gai Dang-Deep fried chicken sliced and sautéed with hot and spicy sauce--I expected hot and got sweet with this dish--nearly no heat at all.
Overall, I found this place to be inconsistent and undesirable. There are better Thai places in the area, Tom and I don't plan on returning.
No website, located on Main & College St., Middletown. You can view the menu here.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
1/1/10-Dish, Hartford, CT
No better way to start the new year than by having a new restaurant experience! Original plans were to go to Feng's--had a reservation and all--come to find out they were closed. I called the next day and found out that the hostess had screwed up and put it under New Year's eve. Although I was disappointed in their mistakes and how it was just brushed aside, we had a way better dinner at Dish!
Myself, Tom and his cousin Alicia and her husband Mike went down the street to eat here for dinner--Alicia and Mike have been here before and highly recommended it. We were quickly seated upon entering and Alicia and Mike ordered a bottle of Falling Star Merlot of the 20 bottles/$20 wine list--they didn't particularly care for it, noting that it was a tough bottle to drink. Mike suggested we place an order for the Dish Bread, with garlic herb oil and boursin cheese--it was hot and gooey when it arrived and was quickly devoured. Our server was also kind enough to bring over a complimentary loaf of the house bread with whipped butter, which was also delicious. For a starter, Alicia ordered the lobster bisque--although she thought it was good, she also found it strange that apple was incorporated in the bisque.
Onto the entrees: Alicia had the Surf n Turf--6oz filet mignon, butter poached lobster, carrot puree and a side of the loaded mashed potatoes (Tom took the remainder of her filet home, he said it was excellent); Mike had the special--Fulton Fish Market Cioppino, pasta full with fish, clams, baby octopus, etc.; Tom had the Long Island Duck Breast with the duck confit hash and I had the Crispy Pork Shank with the bacon apple risotto--Tom and I also split a side of the loaded mashed potatoes. Dinners were devoured all across the table, we all thought it was excellent. No dessert for us, as we all left stuffed! We had a great time and would not hesitate to return--the atmosphere, service and food were all desirable and exceeded our expectations.
www.dishbarandgrill.com
Myself, Tom and his cousin Alicia and her husband Mike went down the street to eat here for dinner--Alicia and Mike have been here before and highly recommended it. We were quickly seated upon entering and Alicia and Mike ordered a bottle of Falling Star Merlot of the 20 bottles/$20 wine list--they didn't particularly care for it, noting that it was a tough bottle to drink. Mike suggested we place an order for the Dish Bread, with garlic herb oil and boursin cheese--it was hot and gooey when it arrived and was quickly devoured. Our server was also kind enough to bring over a complimentary loaf of the house bread with whipped butter, which was also delicious. For a starter, Alicia ordered the lobster bisque--although she thought it was good, she also found it strange that apple was incorporated in the bisque.
Onto the entrees: Alicia had the Surf n Turf--6oz filet mignon, butter poached lobster, carrot puree and a side of the loaded mashed potatoes (Tom took the remainder of her filet home, he said it was excellent); Mike had the special--Fulton Fish Market Cioppino, pasta full with fish, clams, baby octopus, etc.; Tom had the Long Island Duck Breast with the duck confit hash and I had the Crispy Pork Shank with the bacon apple risotto--Tom and I also split a side of the loaded mashed potatoes. Dinners were devoured all across the table, we all thought it was excellent. No dessert for us, as we all left stuffed! We had a great time and would not hesitate to return--the atmosphere, service and food were all desirable and exceeded our expectations.
www.dishbarandgrill.com
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