8/23/08-Olive Garden, West Hartford, CT

Staaaaarving after the John Mayer concert at the Meadows (it's still the Meadows, damn you Dodge), Tom and I decided to grab dinner at the Olive Garden (Tom's rationale-they actually have to cook pasta, its not frozen and I had a coupon--that helps too!) Since we arrived about 15 min before the kitchen was closing, we had the quickest service EVER! Started with their typical salad and breadsticks and Tom had the Zuppa Toscana soup. For entrees, I had the pasta bowl with the meat sauce & sausage over penne and Tom had the Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo pasta--everything was great (and super fast!)

www.olivegarden.com

8/22/08-A.C. Petersen's, West Hartford, CT

Kirstin and I headed out to dinner, originally to find a pizza joint in West Hartford, but after much driving around (where were our heads that night?!) we came upon A.C. Petersen's and decided to just stop here for dinner. It was such a lovely evening that we sat outside on the sidewalk cafe. Kirstin had the AC Petersen blue sliders and I had the AC Classic sliders--maybe it was just how I was feeling (I was def not feeling well!), but the food was ehhh. As for the ice cream--very different story. I had chocolate chip and it was rich, creamy and out of this world! Good quality ice cream-could have just eaten that for dinner!

No website, but located on Park Rd. in West Hartford.

8/12/08-Big Bubba's BBQ, Uncasville, CT

Took a drive out to Mohegan Sun to see Rod Stewart (GREAT concert--top 10, really) and me and my mother had dinner before the show at this bbq joint. Awesome atmosphere, a huge bar and towels instead of napkins on the table, I knew we were in for something good. Both mom and I ordered the same thing--the two-meat combo (we both chose the pulled pork and the ribs) and it came with two sides and cornbread. We both ate as much as we could-it was fantastic! I bought Tom a t-shirt cuz they were quite amusing (the one I got him says on the back "Put some South in your Mouth!"--tell me thats not funny!) We had a great time-I would definitely go back.

www.bigbubbasbbq.com

8/10/08-Abbott's Lobster in the Rough, Noank, CT

Went to the Mystic Arts Festival and stopped off at this popular joint for lunch on the way. I've heard that they have the best lobster roll in the country, so with that type of reputation, it has to be good. Located right on the water, you walk up to the window and order your food, then are given a number to pick it up. We headed outside to eat at a picnic table overlooking the harbor--what a beautiful day!! Both Tom and I had their famous lobster roll (see, I'm doing better about eating seafood!). It was described as "A quarter-pound of pure lobster meat (more than is found in a small lobster) with melted creamery butter, mounded on a toasted bun. Our hot-lobster roll has repeatedly earned Connecticut Magazines "Best of Connecticut" award!" Rightfully so. It was damn good. If you're headed for the shore, its worth the trip.

www.abbotts-lobster.com