HungryChris's Profile
Mystic/New London graduation dinner recommendations?
Have you given any thought to Tony D's? You can't get much more convenient and the food is worth a longer trip.
HC
Asian produce in New Haven or Norwich area?
The newly opened Panda Market at 16 Franklin St. in Norwich does a pretty good job and seems busy enough to hang around. They do have some decent produce. It is a welcome addition to the area.
Best of Eastern CT Shore? Trip 6/15-6/19
I realize I am late to the Prom, but nuff said about Cuckoos Nest (and I concur), I would substitute Johnny Ad's, The Place, Noah's or even the tavern at Captain Danial Packer Inn for a more meaningful taste of local color.
HC
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Cuckoos Nest
1712 Boston Post Rd, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
Mystic/Groton Aea Oysters, ethnic, etc....
I suggest the lower Tavern at the Danial Packer Inn in Mystic. While oysters are not listed on the lunch menu, they will usually open some for you if you ask. Try the roasted garlic app and stuffed portabella.
Fried Calamari in R.I.
I have not heard about the Mews in years. I didn't realize it was still there. They were famous for having many draft beers on tap as I recall. I'll have to check out their calamari.
clambake in CT.
You can contact Abbott's Lobster In the Rough and have them make up a clam bake for your group and take it back to (I'm guessing it's Beach Pond) and cook it there yourselves. It can be great fun and a great meal. There is also Seafood Etc. in Norwich who can hook you up with everything you need. Have a great time. Maybe I'll take a walk down and say hello.
HC
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Abbott's Lobster In the Rough
117 Pearl St, Groton, CT 06340
Best Ramen in Manhattan
I have had ramen at Ippudo a few times and agree that it is top notch. I love the shishito pepper appetizer with a little sea salt. If you use the restroom you go past a window where you can watch the ramen making. It is also a fun place.
Hole in The Walls in Rome
We happened upon Trattoria da Tito on via Venezia, 21 off of via Nazionale. It is a tiny place that opens at 7pm. On the night we were there, there was one chef and one waiter for a full house of locals and tourists. The chef actually hand delivered some of his dishes (along with a great smile on his face). There were a few tables outside, but we opted to eat inside. We had a litre of red wine, bread, water (no gas), one tortellini soup, one small ensalata, and 2 orders of agnolotti ragu followed by two limoncellos for 40 euros. Surprisingly, this meal ended up being one of the most enjoyable ones we had on our 10-day trip to Florence, Greve, Bologna and Rome.
BBQ in Griswold CT - Divine Swine?
I had a brisket sandwich there that was pretty good, but the place has been closed for a few nonths now.
Castello di Verrazzno
I implied that there was but one tour of the estate the day we went. Not true. We encountered a few others in the course of ours and I believe we all ended up in the same area for the meal. Based on everything I saw, Gino is the one you want.
HC
Castello di Verrazzno
The day we went, the tour was given by Gino Rosi and I cannot recommend him enough for his overall knowledge and respect for both the process and it's history. He was both charming and effective with people. He stayed with us for the meal and that was a great pleasure as well. He even offered his email to answer questions we might think of after the tour.
trader joes in warwick is open
Wow, what a madhouse that was! I had a free clementine but could not see waiting in the 30 deep checkout lines. I guess I am happy that they were so well received but could not face the crowd. We were just happy to get the heck out of there.
HC
trader joes in warwick is open
It is on my itinerary for today. If only they sold wine too.... we could avoid the trips to Framingham. And since Whole Foods is just up the road, well..........
HC
Apple Picking in New England
Maple Lane Farm in Preston does a good job and is a nice ride in the country.
HC
Charlestown Seafood Festival
I have gone to it many times. There are all of your basic fair foods plus some good selections of seafood. You pay to park, you pay admission then you pay for each selection. I would just pick a nice place in Boston and have a seafood feast. I used to go because is is kind of close, but would not go a great distance for it.
HC
Fish & Chips (mostly fish) in Connecticut
We had to bring a car to Old Saybrook for service just last week and based on our experience there, I would start with Johnny Ads on the Post Road (RT 1) right there in OS. We had the absolute best fried clams there! We have gone to Essex, MA
(Woodmans, the Clam Box and the Village) and Johnny Ads fried clams were over the top and a tank of gas cheaper. We had tunnel vision for the fried clams, but their menu is much broader and I would give it a try.
HC
Breakfast en route to Mohegan Sun
Charlene's diner in Jewett City (395 exit 84) is a pretty good bet and no more than a mile out of your way. Just take a right on rt 12 and watch for it on the right.
Brimfield Antiques Show
We got so frustrated by the lack of good food in the area at a reasonable price that we started packing a picnic lunch. Now we pay for a spot under a shade tree (if you ask nice they usually don't object). After a few years, we now bring the portable gas grill and I have great fun planning out the meal and cooking on site. Having a good sit down in the middle of the day makes for a more enjoyable experience. A little pasta salad, some grilled asparagus and a spatchcocked cornish game hen with a bit of zesty lime marinade makes for a great mid day meal and a bit of rest in the shade. Have fun and find those treasures!
HC
New 2nd Avenue Deli
I was there last Saturday. A table for two was about a five minute wait. We each got the half sandwich and soup. Matzah ball and mushroom barley soups were quite good. The corned beef on rye was excellent. My chopped liver on rye was pretty poor, dense and mealy. I took one bite and left it. The waitstaff acted like they see that all the time and didn't say a word about it. I would go back, but not for the chopped liver. I wish I had tried the hot beef brisket instead. We shared a glass of Isreali Cabernet, Barkan Classic
that was memorable.
HC
Must Eats - West Hartford, CT - 24-Hour Stay
Tapas (1150 New Britan Ave) has a Greek salad that is outrageously good. Their lamburger platter will do it for you!
HC
EASTER BRUNCH SUGGESTIONS - SE CT
Sunday champagne brunch at Foxwoods is pricey (around $50), but really the best in the area. Sunday champagne brunch at Mohegan Sun ($38.95 the last time we went) was smaller, but solid as well. Both have raw clams and oysters. If you are a raw bar fan , handled much better at Foxwoods and more like an after thought at MS. Never been, but have heard good things about Waters Edge Sunday brunch ($31).
HC
Providence food shopping.
You can also take 395 up to the Mass Pike and head east. Get off at exit 12 and take a short ride on Rt 9 to Trader Joes and whole Foods in Framinham. That TJ's sells wine and has some great deals. It is not a bad ride from Putnam.
HC
Lunch and Dinner in West Hartford
I second Tapas! We go to West Hartford to visit Trader Joe's and Whole Foods on a regular basis. We were so happy to discover Tapas that we go there every time now. Everything we have had has always been (like you were making it for yourself) fresh and great great.
Grand Central Oyster Bar
I agree that it is not worth the time or money. The last few times I have been the oysters have been shucked before I sat down and just not as good as they are when freshly opened.
HC
Tuscany at Mohegan Sun?
You might consider the Sunday Champagne Brunch at Caesar Pompeii at MS. It is a surprisingly good value and there is a great variety with something to please everyone.
HC
Hartford/East Hartford
Added links.
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Tapas Restaurant
1150 New Britain Ave, West Hartford, CT 06110
Mystic Market
63 Williams St, Mystic, CT 06355
Hartford/East Hartford
Try having lunch at Mystic Market for a great sandwich or salad after the aquarium. I want to add my enthusiasm for Tapas if you are looking for great gyro or Greek salad and the like at a very reasonable price. Try not to miss that before you leave. There is also a Trader Joe's a little farther down New Britian Ave (headed away from downtown) Have a great time!
HC
Death of Orsini's
They closed in January, I believe. The most recent owners are in litigation with the previous owner because he was selling sausages to local supermarkets in apparent violation of his sales contract with them.
