I've been to Beachland Tavern on New Britain Ave. in West Hartford three times. Each time I ordered the seared salmon sandwich with a side of garlic mashed potatoes--really delish.

The problem is the music. They have a radio blaring, and I mean blaring (including obnoxious radio-commericals). The first two times I was there my dining partner and I asked them to turn the radio down. On the second occasion we had to ask them a second time before they turned it down a notch.

On all three visits, we were either the only ones in the dining room (the bar area was a tad busier) or there was only one other booth occupied. What are they thinking blaring the radio and then ignoring requests to turn it down? It was so loud that it was difficult to have a conversation.

Today I again enjoyed the food, but decided to not even ask them to turn the radio down as it's such a drag on the dining experience to have to constantly complain. (again today an empty dining room)

It's a shame because the food is really good and the wait staff seem nice, but the crazy noise in that cavernous and always empty dining room is so unpleasant I don't think I'll be going back soon.

that's it, thanks!

I should look up the menu so I can find the Greek name of the soup, but it's the only soup listed on their menu--I heard someone on Faith Middleton's NPR "Food Schmooze" raving about this soup,found at Cavos in Newington on Berln Turnpike (tucked in a very unappealing-looking building next to the A&P liquor)

So after several weeks of being homebound with cold, went out with husband to try soup--oh my God. Dare I say--Life changing? (Or was I still a tad whoozy from illness?) For four dollars: hot, creamy, lemony, healing. Came with garlic bread. Added a glass of white wine.

Restorative!

Maybe too late for suggestion, but First and Last Bakery at 920 Maple Ave, Hartford, can be great--good food (order at counter, delivered to table) okay coffee with help yourself refills, but great lattes--long tables that i think could accomodate 6--only prob is that it can get crowded so you might need to wait for a table and then pounce.

I'm pretty sure Carmine's is long gone. Where is Elmwood Pizza? The only good pizza in the area that I can think of is First and Last in Southend and Stretch's in Newington. I do wish some good businesses would inch there way down New Britain Ave and into Hartford as we in Hartford could use some businesses other than check cashing and liquor stores and auto parts!

I go to the BJ's in West Hartford, Ct

Thanks for all the suggestions--I think i'm just going to have to go shopping when i'm well rested and in a good mood, and not let the warehouse vibe overwhelm!
ps--scubadoo--I don't feel good AT ALL about spending a ton of money at WF; that seems like a kind of weird thing to say...feel like i'm always struggling to have healthy good food for self and family but believe me, I've been at the register of WF and when the total rang up my heart sank...

Against my wishes, my husband got us a membership at a Ct. BJ's.

the place just overwhelms/exhausts me. Other than picking up 6 packs of Goya canned beans, I just haven't really explored.
We're empty nesters, but often have adult children/small grandchildren for extended visits.

Any suggestions? We eat mostly vegetarian, with some meat (try for grassfed beef, pastured eggs milk, etc, wild salmon)

Basically my husband got the BJ's membership because the Whole Foods bills were outrageous.

The atmosphere of BJ's is so weirdly depressing though...help?

sake, what did you think of Piolin?

nice, def NOT fancy--family place--big TV going--i've only been there a few times--very good chicken with a nothing special salad (iceburg) some kind of really addictive popcorn/nut thing in bowls on table--i think they serve beer and wine.

tiny, congested parking lot, really feels like a hole in the wall but once inside feels clean, nice people--if only speak english (as i do :-( ) language can be a tad of prob in ordering but no big deal really. very neighborhood

i think there are two piolin peruvian rests in Hartford--one that's been around for many years, on New Britain Ave, across from the little strip of stores that includes Roma Bakery--i recently drove down Franklin Ave and saw sign for another just opening Piolin Peruvian--looks like it might be same owners? Do you know which one you're going to?

haven't been but after reading review my husband and I thought we'd try it for anniversary dinner. (well, given the state of our finances, might hit it up for the happy hour specials at least!)

ah, now i see a list of discussions about this subject running below my question, so i'll read through --great!

thanks gordeaux--rare to med-rare i think, cooked either on charcoal grill outside or inside in cast iron skillet,

I've eaten very little meat most of my adult life. some years strict vegetarian, some not but still very little meat (and what I do eat is usually consumed in restaurants)

Just read "Why we get fat" by Gary Taubs and so am trying to change diet--low carb, more protein.

I'm so ignorant about beef--what cuts of beef should I look for? I'm thinking of trying to pan-fry in cast iron smallish amounts for lunch a few times a week.

Sirloin? Skirt? I stand there in meat dept and have no idea. Flavorful and not too fatty?

many thanks!

hysterectomy two weeks ago and all i want is chocolate milkshakes (just milk and icecream in blender) Don't think I've had one in what, 20 years? i'm sure the sugar can't be good for me, but it's all i seem able to stomach

For years (30-plus) I never considered using bottled/minced garlic. However, now that my hands are limited by arthritis I recently gave in and bought a jar of minced garlic from Trader Joes. I'm still finding myself feeling a tad uneasy as I scoop some out for soups, stews etc. but honestly I haven't noticed a huge difference. Just a little reminder that what some young, able-bodied people might consider an "abomination" (hi LauraGrace) is for some of us the best we can do.

we had a really nice meal at Carbone's from the Taste of Hartford menu--started with barley salad app, husband had eggplant parm (although he was disappointed with small serving--but said very good) and I had salmon--wonderful. we each had the chocolate dessert. As part of the "Taste" they were offering a bottle of red or white wine for 20.00--We ordered the red. We had very early reservations (5:45)--by the time we left the bar and lobby were packed with people waiting for tables.
Parking can be a little dicey, but as we were so early we were able to park in the small rest. lot.
Overall a lovely evening--service was friendly (but not intrusive), not snooty at all. Given that our finances are generally a tad too tight for dinners at Carbone's, the Taste menu allowed us to enjoy a rare romantic meal out.

Hartford Baking Company on New park Ave in West Hartford--easy to miss, in little strip of stores (next to nail salon) but fabulous coffee, bread, baked goods, sandwiches and free wi-fi--A real (new) gem for the Hartford area. Not tons of seating, but have never not been able to get a table. Great atmosphere--very clean, bright, music not too loud (one of my pet peeves in coffee shops--restaurants in general--blaring music)

Just wondering what restaurants are good bets this year. We're going to Carbone's tonight. will report back!

have been there several times and really happy with food--the chicken with garlic sauce was really good, and we've also enjoyed the vegan dishes (made from seitan? not sure). A plus is that they deliver, even though we live in southwest part of Hartford, although there is a 2 dollar delivery charge--they didn't tell us that upfront, only found out when we asked. Def. worth the 2 dollar delivery charge, but would be better if they'd let you know upfront.
Re eating in-unlike some other Chinese take-outs with small eat-in areas, BB felt clean, with nice quiet atmosphere (no blaring TV!) Wish stools had backs though, for those of us with bad backs!

Looks like it might be kind of retro and fun from outside--brick and those funny '70's kind of bevelled glass windows--It's close to the old Caldour/Ames plaza (what is that now, Shoprite?) Anyone have any info? Don't think it's open yet but i'm waiting.

we ended up at atlas restaurant on temple street, right across from Critterion theater--it was perfect in that we could park right in front (metered) and found a quiet round table that accomdated family--food was basic omelets, home fries, good, nothing to write home about (vegan son was able to get veggie burger and fries)--parents could hear and participate in conversation, wait staff was helpful but not intrusive--just what we were hoping for! (right next to it was red lentil which my son likes--for vegan and vegetarian, but it wasn't open--plan to try that next time)

thanks all--i'll let you know where we go!

yes bagelman, the hearing aids/ambient noise is a problem. did you come up with an alternative? my college-age son, who will be joining us (and is vegan) suggested Red Lentil but i see they don't open until 11 and we're meeting at 9:30--it would be great to accomodate vegan son but I'm more concerned about exhausted and frail parents just being able to sit comfortably, and hear....

picking parents up at new haven train station at 9:30 tomorrow. We'll have a car, but I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for an easy breakfast spot with easy parking, or parking drop-off, and also a quiet atmosphere as parents' hard of hearing. Honestly food isn't much of an issue--mostly just a calm place with either an attached parking lot or easy drop off! thanks!!

whole foods brand frozen greens--they're all good for putting in soups, mixing in with hot pasta, etc--curly kale, spinach, collards--unlike the trader joe's frozen greens, these aren't all stems--sure is easier than buying fresh kale etc and going through all that work of rinsing and trimming etc to end up with tiny portion cooked greens!

Does anyone know where I could buy Minor's chick base? I've tried local Stop and Shop and Whole Foods, no luck. Thanks!

as , a migraine sufferer, the thought of anything strong smelling (mac and cheese, red beans and rice, even eggs) is, for me, a problem--do you have a blender? a smoothie of kefir (or yougurt) mixed with oj and some frozen fruit (or even just a banana) can be good. oh, just thought of the sound of the blender....Carnation Instant Breakfast? just mix in milk. good luck!

okay a long drive but I would do it for these macaroons--Crown grocery in West Hartford, from their bakery. the ones with chocolate on top could make you weep :-)