masha bousha's Profile
What's good in Provincetown
For a snack I love the Portugese Bakery (that's what it's called) on C-Street. I dream about the linguisa and cheese croissant year round.
Tastease Donuts in Hartford, CT---closing
I am super sad to be adding this post but the other day the Hartford Courant reported that Tastease donuts on New Park Avenue is going to close on 6/30. I think this is the second time they were on the brink of closing but if you read the article, this one sounds like it's for good.
http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-hartford-tastease-0502-20120501,0,3636636.story
I've used Tastease for many a special occassion. They will be greatly missed. I'll have to make many a visit between now and 6/30 for some beautiful and tasty tiny donuts and get my cuban sammich fix.
Check 'em out before they're gone.
Glastonbury,CT- the "Burger Capitol of America?"
Great question. On Sunday, after my third trip to Goldburgers, I declared "I'm never going to 5 guys again".
I loved 5 Guys and while they didn't do anything wrong but Goldburgers has so many more options AND great fries too.
Define "Grinder"
Shots! me too. I grew up in W. Hartford...circa 1970. I was in Key West last spring ordering an ice cream cone "with shots" and the guy who waited on me knew exactly what I meant. Of course he was about my age and I discovered...he was from Vernon, CT.
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 1st quarter 2012 [old]
I just discovered the butter wafer cookies. I am in love. They taste like a cross between a good waffle and a good ice cream cone. These will surely be something I'll buy again.
Breakfast Sausage: Patties or Links?
Links all the way. They crisp up in a way that patties do not. Plus patties have a weird texture to me.
Did Your Mom Repeatedly Cook a Dish You Despised?
Swedish meatballs. Beyond gross. The smell still sickens me.
Best Bagged Tea Brands?
I am a huge tea drinker (black tea w/ caffeine) and though I've tried PG tips, Twinnings, etc my favorite is Tetley British Blend (tagless).
Condiments and Eggs
Eggcellent question!
I am a HUGE egg fan and if I'm having an egg sammich (rather than an omelet) I like mine with American Cheese and either Frank's buffalo sauce or tabasco. I used to just be a tabasco gal but in a pinch (at my office cafeteria) I nabbed some buffalo sauce (which I do love too) and now that's my "usual".
Black Bear Saloon in Hartford? Anyone been here?
Hi-I went there when it first opened and what I remember is that it wasn't memorable. Even with a groupon I wouldn't travel far to get there (and I live one town over from it).
5 Guys Fries
Me and two friends could split an order of fries there until some point last year when the size they would dump in the bag seemed to get smaller.
Flaggstead Smokehouse in Farmington, CT (a review)
I just hit this place for the first time yesterday.
I loved this place. The staff was super nice and chatty (about their food, the history of the food, etc.) and the food....was nummers. I can't say we tried everything on the menu as myself and my SO got the exact same thing: Poboy (shredded, saucy and lean brisket) sammies and sides of mac and cheese. The sammich was pretty big as was the side of mac and cheese. I love brisket and I appreciated that the cashier indicated to me that the Poboy was "leaner" brisket than the "brisket" sandwich. The mac and cheese....that's really easy to screw up and I think lots of BBQ joints don't try hard enough with their mac and cheese...but this was creamy, nummy and like something your mom would make. Lastly, the sweet tea was really good and not too sweet (as I generally find it). Though I didn't have a beer with my lunch I was happy that it was an option.
I will surely be back because this place hit the spot big time.
Squishing potato chips in your sandwich...anyone else do this?
I'm surprised no one has posted this: meatloaf sammich with ketchup, mayo and regular tater chips on white bread.
Also, I was reading this thread whilst eating a tuna wrap...and I really, really wish I had some chips to stick in there (I will have to try it with tuna cause everyone here seems to dig it).
fish and chips
Have you tried Vaughn's in Downtown Hartford on Pratt Street? Irish pub with the best fish & chips I've had. You can also get some curry sauce on the side for your chips, if that's your thing.
http://www.irishpublichouse.com/
where can I buy tamarind paste?
Try Cosmos International on Farmington Ave in W. Hartford, CT. That is if you were at all referring to CT in your post.
Jake's Wayback Burgers, arriving in W. Hartford, CT
Ok, against my better judgement (and your warnings) I tried this place myself last night because it was close and we were hungry.
First off...I'm shocked at the prices. The burger prices weren't terrible but we each got a burger (one w/ fries the other w/ rings). $1.99 for merely a suggestion of fries and $3.99 for 8 onion rings. Wow!
I didn't hate the burger. It was fresh and tasty as were the toppings. The bacon was limper than I like (I love that 5 Guys has SUPER crisp bacon). With so many other (good) burger joints in West Hartford (newly minted capital of Burger Joints...with a total of 5!) I will easily drive right past Jake's and get my burger fix elsewhere.
Anything good at Outback?
I just went to an Outback for the first time in years (it was between that, iHop and a Ruby Tuesdays--we just needed food STAT!) and it was AWFUL. I am not normally a chain-food eater and I wanted to give it another try. The waitress (who was great) suggested their new "wood fired" items so we each got the little steaks and I got grilled shrimp and my SO got the mahi. Salt City. I felt parched for days after this meal.
Coventry Farmer's market-CT....awesome
Ok. One of my friends who knows I'm a chowhound was holding out on me and just told me about the awesome Farmer's Market held Sundays in Coventry, CT. It's only open through the Month of October (I'll post a link to their site for more details). Here's the deal: it's from 11-2 on Sundays and there are produce vendors, a cheese vendor, maple products....well, lots of great stuff.
There was music, farm animals...it's super dog friendly and the food was great.
Things I ate included an Excellent Pulled Pork sammy, an OK samosa and maple cotton candy. The stand out however were the "little" frozen pot pies we got from a bakery there. The beef pie was outstanding. Tender beef, peas and other veggies in a nummy Sam Adams gravy. The other one we got was called (something like) Turkey Day pot pie (I tried a bite and it was good but I adored the beef one).
I honestly can't speak for the produce but it looked good.
Check this place out. I will definitely be back. It was well worth the drive from West Hartford.
Mini Empanadas (takeout) in Hartford, Ct area?
I just know you can help me with this... My mom has a neighbor/friend who brings mini beef and chicken empanadas to her cookouts. She says they're from "a restaurant in Hartford" and I've searched c-hound and yelp and I'm not sure where they come from.
The deal is, if I find out, my mom will bring them to my next gathering. Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
thanks!
Jake's Wayback Burgers, arriving in W. Hartford, CT
This place looks pretty good. I'm glad you noted the correction!
Beachland Tavern in Elmwood/W. Hartford, CT
I just hit the newish Beachland Tavern on New Britain Ave in Elmwood. It's taken up the space previously occupied by Elements Bistro. Myself and my dining companions by no means hit the menu really hard but we all enjoyed ourselves. The decor is pretty plain, the hostess (there seemed to be three of them, actually) were all very nice and our waitress was awesome. She was friendly, prompt and she gave us her personal menu recs (which was nice). The menu looks great...lots of things on there I'd like to try. It's not the largest menu but it offers a nice variety. The appetizers (which we did not order) were interesting. I'm dying to try the "Buffalo fried ribs...smoked ribs fried and tossed in mild or hot buffalo sauce, served with gorgonzola dressing". Fried Ribs? Sign me up please.
I thought the sandwiches all looked appetizing. One odd thing about the menu is that it doesn't say what kind of bread they come on. Mystery solved...we all got the same bread. I'm no bread expert but it was a buttery (a bit too much actually) white. The Bostonian (a steak sammy), the Brooklyn (a BBQ brisket sammy) and the Longhorn (a BBQ chicken sammy) were all declared tasty. I had the Brooklyn and it made my mouth sing. Good brisket, tasty sauce, nummy cole slaw, cheddar and garlic mayo. They all come with fries, which I also enjoyed. They're slim shoestrings (and cooked to a lovely brown).
We didn't try any desserts but we found the beer and draft listing to be sufficient.
I will be back to try other things..and will likely update this post with my findings.
What's the attraction/Olive Garden
I have one rule about OG...never, ever wait for a table. (well, I feel that way about a lot of places, mostly cause when I'm hungry I can get cranky). I do like OG a bit. I've only been there twice in the last 10 years and I have to say, I enjoy it. The mushroom ravioli...and the lemon crunch cake...they're both pretty good. I think people like OG because it's predictable and reliable. Cheap, not so much but people take comfort in the familiar.
Jake's Wayback Burgers, arriving in W. Hartford, CT
You guys! You never steer me wrong! All of your comments are duly noted and they will keep me from hitting this place. Bummer about the milkshakes though...they sounded good.
Jake's Wayback Burgers, arriving in W. Hartford, CT
Hello people! I was excited to see a sign up in West Hartford announcing the pending arrival of Jake's Wayback Burgers. I've perused the menu (looks like 5 guys with the addition of shakes, turkey burgers and veggie burgers). 5 guys is one of the few places where I actually get a beef burger to eat. I just dig 'em. I'm excited though that Jake's has a turkey and veggie burger.
So, has anyone been to one of these? They seem to be peppering our fine state (popping up in Avon soon too). Once complete, Jakes will be the 4th burger joint in town (almost as many Dunkin Donuts and CVS stores!).
Sonic is coming to Manchester CT
I recently hit the Wallingford location for my first time to Sonic. I had chili cheese tots (LOVED them), the NY dog, Chicago Dog and a strawberry lime slushie (or whatever they call them. Tots and drink were really good. That drink stayed slushie for about an hour too. I was pleasantly surprised to see a little piece of lime in my drink (who would've thunk, real fruit!). The flavor of the hot dogs themselves was pretty good but both of them didn't do a thing for me. They both seemed microwaved (in their little pouch) so the buns were a little mushy. If I were to get another dog there I'd probably do chili cheese (since it tasted good on the tots). My SO had a burger and declared it better than McD's but not as good as 5 guys (not that either of us expected it to be).
First visit to Trader Joe's...
Oh where do I start?? I adore TJ's and it's a constant topic of conversation amongst my local friends and family as to what we bought and loved. I'm currently loving the triple layer hummus, the pita crackers, the mushroom risotto (frozen) and the sublime ice cream sandwiches.
Lunch in eastern CT...considering Harvest in Pomfret or your recs..maybe even northwest RI
Hi-My In-laws live up there and I have been to the Harvest a number of times for brunch and dinner but never lunch. I've always had good food and service there.
Lunch Tomorrow in Northampton
I love Paul and Elizabeths and I've never had a bad meal at the Brewery.
Foods that unreasonably gross you out...
Swedish Meatballs. My mom made them once, my sister indicated that she'd throw up if she ate them and indeed she did. They are completely ruined for me now.
