sbxstr's Profile
Lunch--Westbound from Windsor Locks, CT
Pastorale right on 44 in Lakeville, Conn. They're open on Sundays for what they call brunch, but the menu is more than a traditional brunch. Excellent food, reasonably priced and good service. Pastoralebistro.com. Adjacent is Le Laurentis. I've never been there but they have been reviewed favorably in the NY Times. lelaurentis.com
Pepe's in Manchester
When first opened, I thought there was no real difference between Manchester and New Haven. But the last few times we've been there, over say the last 3 or 4 months, they seem to have slipped a bit. Still good, but not NH great. We went yesterday for lunch and ordered our usual: medium with mootz, pepperoni, and 1/2 sausage. When delivered to out table, it looked different. Looked like the build order was sauce, pepperoni, mootz, and sausage. Almost no pepperoni slices were evident under the cheese. Also, the crust was underdone, kind of soggy in the middle. Have any others had similar observations recently? Current favorite in central Conn is Mondo's in Middletown.
Glastonbury,CT- the "Burger Capitol of America?"
My Goldburger opinion is at least a year old, but at that time it couldn't hold a candle to 5G, IMHO. The Burger Co in Gbury is a cut above the fast foods, and I wish them good luck, but the counter guy at lunch is creepy and the fries are not what they could be. One thing I do like about Max Burger in W Htfd is they have a smaller option. That's about all I like about any W Htfd location. Too much like New Yorkers.
Glastonbury,CT- the "Burger Capitol of America?"
Goldburgers is a decent fast food burger, but the "end all" -- pullease! 5 Guys wins hands down and among the independents, Harry's in Colchester can't be beat. (Although 3 trips trips this year seem to suggest they are doing a little bit too much squashing the burgers.) IMHO, the best burger in the Hartford area is at Apricots. My biggest complaint is the 8 oz size of most offerings. When I was younger, that was fine. But how about a 5 or 6 oz version for us capacity challenged?
Mondo (Middletown, CT) - you've gotta try a pizza here!
We've been twice to Mondo, most recently yesterday for lunch. Initially, a few weeks ago with the same $15 for $30 deal. Have to agree wholeheartedly about the pizza. We had our benchmark: pepperoni and half sausage, half hot peppers (which were!!). Delicious: thin crust spot on with a bit of char, as described above. Could have used a little more char yesterday though. House salad with balsamic vinaigrette was split - perfect size for 2 and a nice mix of field greens and shredded romaine, along with mozzarella, grape tomatoes, olives, and cucumber slices. Could have used some red onion though. We very highly recommend Mondo. On a par with NH we think.
Modern Apizza...Seriously? That's the best you can do?
It would be interesting to hear your definition of what abuse of the private number is. I would define it as using it at any time to avoid waiting in line. It is one thing to treat regulars with some deference, perhaps a comped drink or pizza, but is is another thing to let them jump the line. They are obviously free to run their business as they see fit, but I would never patronize an establishment that practiced what they do. If they didn't have a reserved notation on a table when they opened the doors, and then evicted someone who took an open table, someone should be visiting the public accommodations lawyers.
Hot Tomato's - disappointing
Anyone remember the original Hot Tomato's -- it was a little hole in the wall on Ann Street around the corner from the Civic Center. First had Giobatto there I'm guessing in the late '70's.My wife did a pretty good job of re-engineering the recipe and has made it since then. Had it last night in fact.
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Hot Tomato's
1 Union Pl, Hartford, CT 06103
Update on Hanafin's in Glastonbury
We've been there 4 or 5 times since they opened. In general, they are good, but we see uneveness from visit to visit. Today I had the Gaelic Steak Wrap which was pretty yummy. Mrs SBXSTR had the fish and chips: fish was good. She likes big time the corned beef. Our biggest gripe is the chips. The menu says hand-cut but lately they've been serving frozen steak fries. Not good. The first few times we went there, the hand-cut fires were pretty good. Going to ask to substitute a small salad if they are serving frozen fires the next time we go. Our server said you never knew what kind of fries would come out. They also need to pay attention to the grounds outside the building. We parked on the right side of the place and used those steps to enter. Broken beer bottles and hundreds of cigarette butts were around. Not enticing. It seems a little attention to detail would help this place succeed. On the positive side, love the Guinness and Smithwicks. But we can get these nearby.
Jake's Wayback Burgers, arriving in W. Hartford, CT
Would that 5 Guys was peppering the state. Been to Jake's in Rocky Hill 3 or 4 times. It is a clear rip off of 5 Guys business model but fails miserably. IMHO, avoid Jake's at all costs. As to LorenV, I don't suffer from guilt about my lifestyle, I'd rather leave an order of great tasting 5 Guys fries 1/2 eaten then suffer through Jake's frozen garbage.
Hanafin's Pub in Glastonbury CT
I wasn't seated at the bar, so I didn't see it made. But it includes muddles cucumber and jalapeno, Hendricks gin, and a foamer including raw eggs. Maybe this weekend I'll go and request watching it being made. Yummy.
Hanafin's Pub in Glastonbury CT
Hanafin's might be a contender, but our winner is Max Fish. Try the Green Hornet cocktail ...
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Max Fish
110 Glastonbury Blvd, Glastonbury, CT 06033
Hanafin's Pub in Glastonbury CT
Tried Hanafin's for lunch yesterday and came away very satisfied with the new addition to the town's casual dining scene. We ate at the bar and was happy to see there was(were) no television(s). This was a good start We think they did a good job on the bar design -- it is roomy, pubby, comfortable and clearly distinguishes itself from the Max, Plan B, Bricco and J Gilbert's bars. A plus for me was Smithwicks on draft. Was very disappointed when it disappeared from Max Fish and then Bricco. On to the food. We started sharing a simple garden salad -- a bargain at $6. My wife had corned beef and cabbage and declared dthe alrge serving very yummy. I had the Hanafin's melt, their version of a patty melt with white bread instead of rye. The hamburger was loosely packed and cooked to medium as requested and was delicious. Hand cut fries were the best I've had recently. Since the food police have mandated "healthier" frying oils, fries have lost most of their allure for me. They usually taste chemically (to coin a word). Not the case at Hanafin's, clearly fresh cut and done just about perfectly. A little crispy on the exterior and creamy on the inside. We wish them well.
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Plan B
4 Railroad St, Simsbury, CT 06070
Max Fish
110 Glastonbury Blvd, Glastonbury, CT 06033
Carole Peck to open Zee Burger, a new burger and sandwich shop in CT.
So, anybody have any updates from mid-May? Going to be passing through the area Friday and might be interested in giving this place a try, but the posts here are not encouraging. I've been to their website and for the life of me, I can't find their hours. And the fact that they seem to serve wine should be also indicated in the site. Seems pretty amateurish for a supposedly accomplished operation. But a good burger is a major draw,
Rooftop 120, Glastonbury, CT
Glastonbury, corner of New London Tpke and Hebron Ave. Mixed use development: restaurants, retail, businesses.
Gutt Family Farm in Glastonbury
We've heard some rumors that they are not going to open this year. We drove by today and they are closed up tight but its still early. The field around the stand were planted though. Anybody have any news. They always had great corn throughout the summer.
Hartford help please
Second dthe Firebox, but you'll need a cab to get there. We've had some excellent meals there recently. Try the house Margerita -- it is made with jalapena-infused tequila and is great.
More Glastonbury Restaurants?
I'll give the place another try (or 2, or 3) because I want this place to be a success. It's convenient to my office and my house for lunches and it could be a good midpoint between fast food and, say, Plan B. I hope they had a revelation in frying, but what I ate Sunday was pretty much 180° from excellent. Would that it had become a 5 Guys!
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Plan B
4 Railroad St, Simsbury, CT 06070
More Glastonbury Restaurants?
Tried the Burger Co for lunch today and they have a ways to go. Basically, they are copying the 5 Guys model but with frozen fries and maybe a liquor license in the future. The interior of the place was pretty spartan, again like 5G. They claim to use Niman Ranch beef: the burger was acceptable but far from great and at $5.29 for a cheeseburger. Not cheap. The turkey cheeseburger for my wife was $6.29. Fries were no good. I know they use frozen fries because we found and uncooked one in our order. Hope they can get their act together.
Great lunch at Hartford's Firebox
We had a great lunch today at the Firebox on Broad St. Haven't been since shortly after they opened, but will definitely be going back soon. Started with a margarita made with jalapeno infused tequila that was unique and zingy. They infuse their own tequila and gave me the recipe but I won't disclose it here since it is theirs. I just started a batch I liked the drink so much. My wife had the soup de jour, which was potato leek and yummy. She had salmon with fingerling potatoes, asparagus, and bacon bits -- perfectly cooked ($15). I had steak frites ($17), The steak, though small (it was like a baseball cut strip), ordered medium rare and cooked so, was as good as any I've had at steakhouses. But the real treat was hand-cut frites, perfectly prepared with a little cruch but creamy on the inside. They were served with, think, mayo made from scratch. Also a salad on the plate with an excellent vinaigrette. A must visit place. It is in an old brick factory building -- not pretty original, but all-in-all, very comfortable and nice execution of the exposed brick school of restaurant design. Friendly and attentive staff. There is some off-street parking.
Bricco in Glastonbury
Seems as though some of the bloom may be off the rose after a year. We last had dinner there in June 2010 on a Friday night and it was fully energized. The bar was SRO with no room to move. Very loud which we found a bit much. I know restaurants are designed acoustically this way to display "energy,' but we agree with thos ... noise is annoying. haven't been back for dinner, but we frequent the bar for Saturday lunch. Last Saturday we were the only ones there at 12:30 and the rest of the place was maybe 30% full. Still good food though. Hope they can pay the bills.
More Glastonbury Restaurants?
Does anyone have any info on either the Irish pub that is going to open in a few months in the old Parma on Rankin Rd. Saw something in the Courant recentlly. Also, in the little strip mall on New London Tpke where CVS used to be has an empty store front that has sprouted a sign saying something to the effect The Burger Co is coming?
Our dinner at Max's Oyster Bar
People in the Hartford area either love Max restaurants or hate them. We're in the former camp, being great fans. Max Fish is our favorite restaurant. We have never observed any semblance of "attitude" from the staff, rather, they, bartenders, wait staff, and managers have been open, friendly, and approachable. Last Friday, enjoying the 70+ weather we had -- it's mid-30's today -- we ate at the Fish outside. The manager went to every table, introducing himself and inquiring about the quality of the lunches. I thnk the "attitude" some report is an inferred "attitude." Max places are higher end, and have a price model consistent with that. I thnk the "attitude" comes from those that find themselves uncomfortable with the environment and perhaps a little taken aback at the $$s. They are somewhat embarrased and react by dissing the restaurants. ANyway, I'm an engineer, so what do I know about psychology. We've never had a bad experience there. Cheers.
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Max Fish
110 Glastonbury Blvd, Glastonbury, CT 06033
Plan B Burger Bar/Milford? - Ct.
Much as I want to like Plan B, and want to support businesses in Glastonbury so I'm glad hear they seem to be doing well. But, I have to say the burger is so-so at best. I just don't like the loose pack of 'natural' beef. It is not particularly flavorful. I suspect the fat content is just too low. Plus, and this isn't really a negative, the burgers are ample -- I just can't eat the whole thing anymore. I wish they would offer a 5 or 6 oz alternate. I like their fries and house salad. The best burger in the area: Apricots in Farmington.
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Plan B
120 Hebron Ave, Glastonbury, CT 06033
Great lunch at Alta
I wasn't served sweet potato fries, thankfully, because I hate them. Looking for an excuse to go back, though.
Great lunch at Alta
We were up in the southern Berkshires recently to get away a little from the everlasting winter here in central CT: a trip to the outlets in Lee, overnight at the Red Lion, a vist to the Norman Rockwell museum. We selected Alta for lunch. It was a great selection! Alta bills itself as a wine bar and it does have a nice selection of wines by the glass. Since it was lunch, I didn't pay much attention to the list of bottles. While I pretty much know what I want when I walk into a restaurant - it needed to moo in a former life - my wife is much more adventurous. We split a mesclan salad with a balsamic vingrette, it was perfectly balanced and delicious. I had a medium rare burger with cheddar and bacon and hand cut fries. Excellent, right up there with my burger benchmark, Apricots in Farmington CT. I'd say it was about 6 oz (perfect in my book) with a good brioche roll which held up to the task. The fries were the best I've had in a long time. A crunchy crust and hearty, cooked potato interior. They appeared overdone but were not. Delicious. My wife had one of the specials, the salmon stew. On that cold, raw Friday in the rain and snow in Lenox, it was an outstanding comfort food.--
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Alta Restaurants & Wine Bar
34 Church St, Lenox, MA 01240
Smoking Bacon [split from New England]
Okay, now can we perhaps get back on message with some retail source suggestions? I'd love to try smoking my own, but I've never been successful at maintaining low smoking temps for extended periods in my kettle, and $300 for a small WSM isn't really in the cards. If anyone had any specific suggestions for smoking with a kettle, like top and bottom vent settings, i would be grateful for any advice. I've also had problems with wood chunks -- I like mesquite but whether I buy it from Home Depot or a local hardware store or over the net, it is always musty smelling. Like it was stored in a damp basement for some time. Actually, grill questions are moot for the time being, I haven't seen either my kettle or my Summit since early January. Cheers
Bacon Sources
I've bought from North Country Smokehouse, New Branfels, Nueskes, Harringtons, the place in Goshen, CT. Just looking for new sources. Any suggestions?
Stockbridge area places for lunch
Any recommendations for lunch around Stockbridge MA (~15 mile radius or so) for lunch on a Saturday. I'm interested in a good burger but my wife's palate is much more refined, leans toward sea food. Price no object. Atmosphere important.
