I partially recant, crawfish and back-peddle! Today SO and I had the buffet at Coromandel, in Orange. We were there within five minutes of them opening at noon. $10! Equal to Thali in New Haven? Perhaps not, but really excellent for a buffet. Only the eggplant dish was spicy. Battered and fried spinach was crunchy and well-seasoned. The lamb curry was tender and tasty. The white meat chicken tikka masala was a little tough. The tandoori chicken, which came to the table sizzling on a cast-iron plate was very juicy, tender and delicious. Along with it came fresh nan. Other veggie dishes were very good and fresh. Beets cooked in milk was the dessert and it was very good and sweet.
All in all, a very enjoyable lunch!

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Coromandel
25 Old Kings Hwy N Ste 11, Darien, CT 06820

It's Bangalore. While searching I came across a recommendation for Bombay Bar and Grill in Westport. I see it is mentioned above. Been there? Both easy to get to if you are travelling I-95 (an important quality for me).

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Bombay Bar & Grill
616 Post Rd E, Westport, CT 06880

Bangalore Restaurant & Bar
1342 Kings Highway Cutoff, Fairfield, CT 06824

Kattyeyes mentioned it: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6953...
Vegetarian only and very "casual". I updated the restaurant info. They have a website.

Thanks for this suggestion. It is not too far for us and easily accessible from I-91. There are lots of Indian words I don't know yet, but I see they are all translated when you go to their menu page. I might even consider the buffets...

I had a horrible experience (OK, not quite horrible), in Vegas (http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6482..., for those that love or contemplate casino food).
I haven't found a "good" buffet in the four-six tries in the New Haven area and I have decided not to try any more since they are not a CHOW-worthy, Chowhound destination, IMHO.
In this thread "Very good/really good" is mentioned 2-1/2 times, "good" 20 times,"decent" four times, "pricey" and "overcooked" twice, "dry", "garbage", "forgettable" "ugh", "passable", "way down", "average" "amazing" once each . I tried not to pile on from a single negative/positive post. Food for thought?

I believe you mean India House Restaurant, at 45 State Street, which is just off Main? Does it look like it is in a house? I added to the restaurant info. Interesting that everything is gluten-free.
There is another called India Palace on Main...
They are only 20-30 minutes from Bradley International, depending on how you drive.

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India House Restaurant
45 State St, Northampton, MA 01060

Archie Moore's Bar & Restaurant on Willow Street.

Balducci's also has a Westport location and five others besides the Riverside/Greenwich one.
Interesting selection of meats, including buffalo.

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Balducci's
1050 E Putnam Ave, Riverside, CT 06878

I tried to add Zaha Tandoori Restaurant,
222 Post Road
Fairfield, CT 06824-6245
PH:(203) 255-1970
It (the name/address box that pops up when you select "add a restaurant"), would never accept what I put in (and I tried everything!).
It kept telling me, "The address fields needs to include address, city and state. Try to be more precise or check the spelling."
I don't know how to be more precise.
EDIT: It worked for Balducci's when I created/added a restaurant as a link in a post.

You didn't mention the subterranean Mole's Eye Cafe...for a burger and beer in Bratt. A dive?

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Mole's Eye Cafe
Brooks House, Brattleboro, VT 05301

I tried emailing Sally's a week ago (through their website), to see if reservations were possible for a group of six. I quote:
"Can you tell me how many you can normally seat together or at one table or booth? I would like to make reservations for six. Is that possible?
What number do I call and when is the best time to call? When is your least busy or least crowded time during the week?"
They have yet to reply.

Because I live near New Haven I tend to focus on what is within thirty minutes of me and up the I-91 corridor to Hartford.
I feel I have been spoiled by Thali (and Thali II), in New Haven and may unfairly judge all restaurants by them. I also don't know the regional differences in Indian food. All I know is I love it and I love to cook simple dishes that are Indian style/flavored. I just don't want oil-soaked, not so fresh, mediocre/dull experiences. I'm not interested in take-out places or those that specialize in lunch buffets. Quantity/cheapness is not our goal.

Besides Thali I have enjoyed Darbar. Star of India was ho-hum. Tandoor is typically too oily and ordinary. Kohinoor in Meriden disappointed us and I understand it is now Roti Boti (Pakistani-Indian). I intend to try Coromandel, in Orange. I've not tried Kashmir or anything else in Hartford.

What is your favorite and why? Where is the spicy Indian?
I'd always consider restaurants in other areas if I'm in the vicinity. Garmins/nav's are great for that.

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Coromandel
25 Old Kings Hwy N Ste 11, Darien, CT 06820

Thali
4 Orange Street, New Haven, CT 06510

I'm wanting to try it out. I found five, all very positive reviews, off Chowhound.

Pray tell, where on Broad Street? Broad Street is a long street!

Are you saying that Ixtapa is owned by the same people that own Puerto Vallarta?

It has been three years since I have been in Hamden to Ixtapa. Funny, I read (above), that Masha Bousha was offended by the Espanol greeting. They do that at Ixtapa, too.
My memory of Ixtapa is as if it were yesterday: A smallish place. At prime-time it was crazy with families and small kids. They served salsa cold (right out of the fridge), and the food was unpredictable. I don't miss it.

Mantra is the only Indian restaurant in Boston I know of that is highly rated.
52 Temple Pl
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 542-8111

Kashmir in Hartford (or perhaps the Taste of India, but I dislike buffets), is the only thing I know of that seems worth investigating. Ambassador of India has closed all its locations.
As far as good stuff between Hartford and Boston, I made this map specifically for that: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&...

Because I am a skier I have another perspective. I "save" or collect restaurants in the area of Mt. Snow. My map indicates that there are more dining opportunities in Vermont than in New Hampshire. From Brattleboro to Wilmington is the same distance as from Brattleboro to Keene. By my map, there are lots of dining opportunities in Wilmington and West Dover. Not so with areas beyond Keene. You have to come back towards Brattleboro. This is purely subjective, but I have been paying attention to recommendations for the area around Brattleboro since I started skiing at Mt. Snow, some five years ago.
There's also good stuff in the Greenfield, MA area. Farther if you're coming from Keene.
Personally, I have always enjoyed the college town vibe, but since I'm older I don't care so much.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=106324921966915789140.00044efe8fa0b23a18027&t=h&z=7
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&...

Especially at Union League Cafe.

This sounds like very good advice.
I wonder if you have the "special" phone number I have heard of or can Joe Smuck really make a reservation by calling their listed numbers? I found two numbers: (203) 787-3466 and (203) 624-5271‎. I haven't tried either yet. Which do you use and have you actually made a reservation by phone?

This may help you:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ved=0CB0Q2wU&ei=9ZudS5TTCZeeM-OOuL0D&ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=106324921966915789140.00044a96c7a994f455333&z=9
http://maps.google.com/maps?ved=0CB0Q.... Alphabetically arranged and general type/ethnicity is color-coded.
I have other maps (like Hartford to Boston), under Scargo. There may be some slight overlap. These are places that my SO and I recommend or that numerous Chowhounds have recommended. There is lots of Mexican (green) on there and some very good ones not much off your Hartford-Bridgeport path. Enjoy!

I saw 'Spanish" rice at one of my Stop & Shops just a few days ago. I'd never seen it before...
As I recall, short and fat, looking a little like Arborio.

Photos from Leon's. Moderators can move to post above if they wish.

I just found this on my phone. It's from a little while back. It speaks to what is wrong with Leon's. They just don't seem to care very much about details. Besides the food is the restaurant environment. This shows the filthy windows and tied up dirty, frayed, old curtains.
I go to Leon's for the view. You'd think they would keep their windows clean with such a premium view. And who thought of the classy treatment of the curtains? I didn't enjoy looking at them while I dined. They're still there.
The photos didn't upload. I'll try again.

I ate here recently and must say that it is similar to Tandoor, in New Haven, and others that serve very standard and ordinary Indian food. Not bad (and I ordered unusual food), but also no big deal. Service was accaptable, but again, ordinary. I will keep looking for something that even comes close to Thali or Darbar in Branford.
Next is Coromandel...
Note: not many pictures as it was hard to take them and not raise suspicion. They seemed curious and I was only one of two customers for lunch!

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Star of India
157 Boston Post Rd, Orange, CT 06477

This may not be new, but it's new to me. Recently I've eaten at Thali and then Pacifico for lunch and ordered from a prix fixe lunch menu. At Thali they change it weekly. At Pacifico, my meal of "Ceviche de Camaron Estilo Ecutoriano", shrimp with tomatoes and avocados, "fish tacos" and sorbet was delightful, at $16.95.

Images of Thali lunch from my Blackberry. Again, I have eaten into my dishes before photographing them; how shameful. The five (four showing) crispy shrimp were fabulous as was the surprise piece of tikka tuna (half of it's missing). They did not say what kind of fish it was on the menu, so I was very pleasantly surprised. Service was fantastic, as usual.

Additionally, these two restaurants are open on Saturdays, which is a rarity, downtown.
I really like this concept and wonder who else is doing it?

I did not know whether to vouch for The Cookhouse or not since it has been at least five years since I've been there. I remember the food at the Cookhouse as good, but not often great. As a Texan, with high expectations for BBQ, I found it acceptable. The steaks were OK. Sometimes the service sucked. This was from at least six experiences there, but a while back...
It would be a good choice if the OP knows, going in, the atmosphere and style of the place. Rustic, restaurant in a barn theme, with concrete floor. In the summer, a big biker's stop.

It would probably help if you expanded your area and suggest what you like.
You've looked in the archives? There is not a lot in New Milford. It was years ago that I lived there briefly. River Bistro might be worth a shot.
11 miles north of the green is upscale Boulders Inn and Hopkins Inn of Lake Waramaug. I've been meaning to try them.

I'm curious about the place on 7 with the horse... I tried El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant years ago and it was mediocre Tex-Mexish fare.

The River Restaurant really needs some PR work. It is a restaurant stuck in the corner of a shopping center with no suggestion of what is inside. This is to the left of Wal-Mart! The place next to it is vacant...
You enter a nondescript strip-mall door and step into a amazingly nice entryway and on into a well decorated, colorful, upscale looking restaurant. one of the first things you see is the bar. It's not Tre Scalini, but it's nice inside (and Tre Scalini's carpet was atrocious the last time I was there). Now, here's the oddity that may make or break it for some: there are no windows in the dining room! There aren't many windows at all...

Someone suggested it's "old school". I'd say the sauce with pasta and the clams is old school, but a fish special was nice and the restaurant was a pleasant surprise. I had zuppa di clams, fra diavoli, and then the special which sounded like "solar bass", whatever that is. It tasted a lot like sea bass. Perhaps it was cellar bass? It was a nice-sized fresh piece of fish in a light lemon sauce (but was under-salted).
The warm bread was very tasty. Service was good and professional.
I was told the chef was from Roseland, in Derby, but Mike has moved on and Eddie and his kin run the kitchen.
I spent $5 a glass for wine and $36 before tip. The only negative was I didn't get a fresh fork with my fish entree and a spoon would have been nice with the clams so I could have scooped up the tomato sauce more easily.
I think you should try this place. It may not be really exotic food, but it has the standard suspects on the menu. I intend to go back and give it a try for dinner though Mickey's, in Hamden is a minute or two closer and downtown New Haven is not much more time for us.
Photos: I ate almost half my fish before photographing it and I ate two clams. Always in a hurry to eat!

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River Restaurant
656 New Haven Ave Ste 11, Derby, CT 06418