Dylan's is not worth it but I adore Economy Candy. Chelsea Market is fantastic and I've been dying to hit up Eataly (as I am a foodie tourist who hits NYC from CT as often as possible).

Post back to let us know how you made out!!

Swedish meatballs. barf.

Excellent question.
I'm a huge fan of their prepared foods. That's mostly what I buy there. I'll hit the hot bar for lunch (or breakfast, which is quite good). Sometimes if I don't see something I want I'll hit the prepped food at the deli (there's always some sort of mac and cheese as an offering). Speaking of, a few weeks ago I picked up a premade vat of mac and cheese and it was EXCELLENT (I nuked it).

Lastly, I had the flu around New Years and was barely eating. Once I was back up and running I sent my wife out to WF to get me some pre made chicken soup. It was great. I love being able to bring that to a sick friend when needed.

One more thing: one of the best slices of pizza I've had was from WF. It was fig with proscuitto and balsamic. mmmmmm.

Excellent post (and a great read!)

1. Triple Layer Hummus (blows the doors off of Sabra that you can get in a regular grocery store)
2. Pita crackers
3. Sublime Ice Cream Sammies
4. Stilton cheese with apricots
5. risotto with mushrooms

special note, I love that you can make your own 6 pack of beer and that they have some microbrews under $8 for a 6 pack. (they mostly seem local to New England and my local store is in CT) Good, cheap beer.

It's just ok. I think for a chain burger, 5 guys is way better. Wayback has a few things going for them: they offer milkshakes and non-beef burgers.

I've been to the Wayback in my nabe once and won't be going back. Then again, I live in West Hartford where there's no shortage of great spots to get a good burger.

Holler! I'll be heading to your fine neck of the woods for the first week in May. Staying in Bal Harbour. I'm looking for cheap eats, food trucks, dive bars....whatever you've got to suggest. The town we're staying in doesn't seem to have much going on but a Chipolte and some fancier places....but I'll be on vacation so, fancy is out. I want to chill.

I'm planning on checking out:
Riverside Market, Georgia Pig, Betty's and maybe Nacho Bizness or Rocco's tacos.

We're coming from CT (if that helps you to guide us from things we're already used to).

thanks!

It would be a savory breakfast of eggs scrambled with cheese (herbed goat would be spectacular) and crispy corned beef hash, homefries with a biscuit and sausage gravy.

Awesome, now I'm starving and this greek yogurt with grapenuts in it isn't going to cut it.

I was just talking to someone about this place. Someone definitely bought it and is working on it to reopen later this year. I just tried to google it to get more info for you but that's all I've got.

I love this question.

My friends and family know that I'm all about food. For my 40th I ordered (takeout to be brought home for a party) a bucket of my favorite buffalo wings (they're called dirt wings because they're double fried and double sauced), a Fudgie The Whale Carvel Cake (which was AWESOME), two friends brought competing dozens of donuts and lastly we had some of my favorite takeout pizza. It was a fantastic birthday. I'd like to do it again this year.

FYI, I never called it light. It's not about calories to me it's about lower alcohol.

To everyone: thanks so much for the replies on this thread. My list of beers to try (or to find) is long.

I second the Harvest in Simsbury however it gets really busy and you may find yourself freezing in a little huddle outside.

If you like bagels, I adore Lox, Stock and Bagel in West Hartford but it's definitely more of a bagel joint without a waitress and a sit down feel.

thanks for the replies!! Super helpful and I too hope that 2013 will be the year of the light IPA. That would be fantastic!!

I love the triple layer hummus and the pita crackers (not the wheaty ones, they're gross).

I love the robust flavor of an IPA beer but most of them kick my butt (make me wasted, in 3 bottles).
Recently I discovered two beers that I'm loving that have the flavor of a nice IPA but I can enjoy more than 3 and still be standing (swaying a bit but standing).
Lagunitas Daytime IPA-this is (apparently) seasonal in the summer. I saw it disappear in my area (Connecticut) around October.
Otter Creek Hop Session-this is available year-round. It's described as part ale part IPA. It's way tasty and it has less than 5% ABV (as does the Lagunitas).

Does anyone know of others that fall into this boat?

I've had takeout (a platter that was a sampler) and eaten there as well. I like it. I'm particularly partial to fish tacos and in New England these are hard to come by. Bartaco has a decent menu and the place is rather large and inviting. The patio (when it's open again) looks fantastic too.

I like Agave in Hartford but Bartaco is closer to my house, larger and their fish tacos are really good and authentic in a SoCal style.

Ooooh!
Two small (like a tuna can) cans of clams with the juice
one and a half sticks of butter
one small onion
a little bit of garlic
(secret ingredient alert!! Introvignes Bread Crumbs...available at Stop and Shop)

Melt butter, toss in onions and garlic (in a skillet)
Add clams
Add breadcrumbs (slowly...as I'm not sure of the measurement)

When the mixture is still a bit wet--you should be good.
Put 'em in some shells (I have some scallop shells that I re-use even though it's confusing to have clams in them) and bake for about 10-15 minutes on 375. Broil for a minute or two if you like the tops crispy.

I'm drooling writing this because these are AWESOME and simple.

I second the nomination for Napi's.

Other suggestions: Flaggstead BBQ on Route 4 in Farmington (close to the museum). J. Timothy's in Plainville, Max a Mia on route 44 for italian.

enjoy!

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.

oooh, that really is my loss!! Enjoy!!

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/hart...

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.

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.

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.

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.

Links all the way. They crisp up in a way that patties do not. Plus patties have a weird texture to me.

Swedish meatballs. Beyond gross. The smell still sickens me.

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).

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".

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).

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.