moskey's Profile
PLEASE help with a birthday dinner restuarant
Max Downtown is one of my favorites. It's the flagship of the Max Restaurant Group, and as such, is the most elegant of all of the Max options. You would also do well at Trumbull Kitchen, which is part of the Max Group. I haven't been to Max's Oyster Bar, but it's in West Hartford Center, and you'll have a bit of a commute to downtown Hartford. It might be wiser and more expeditious to just park in the city, dine at Max's and then walk to City Steam after.
Mustard Fruit
I've never heard of mustard fruit, but a search brought me to this recipe, which doesn't seem too complicated. If all else fails, you might try your hand at making your own.
http://recipes.epicurean.com/recipe/22858/mostarda-di-frutta-%28fruit-mustard%29.html
Two More Restaurants Closing in Manchester, CT
The Buckland area is choked with chain restaurants. Aside from the sad fact that the employees are now out of work, it doesn't seem like any great culinary loss.
Arancini in Hartford Area?
When I was a kid living on Franklin Ave, we used to walk a couple of blocks to the old DePasquale's Bakery and get great arancini there. This was eons ago, when DePasquale's was primarily a bread and Sicilian pizza by the slice bakery, way before Mozzicato's got involved and pastry became their forte. You might want to check out what is now Mozzicato - DePasquale's to see if they still carry them.
Rutland VT bars and restaurants?
Countryman's Pleasure offers an early bird menu that includes many regular menu items at a reduced price, as long as you're seated before 6 PM. Each entree includes at least two nicely prepared veggies, and a bowl of spaetzle. Fine dining seems to be rare in Rutland, and Countryman's Pleasure is about the closest you'll get. Of note - beverages can be rather expensive. My sister, who lives in town and dines there often, tells me that she's been charged $4.50 for just a soda.
Mexican/Mayan in brattleboro
Haven't been to 3 Stones yet, but I've stayed at the Latchis Hotel a few times, and have been happy there. It's a fairly simple and older place with history. It doesn't have the amenities of the Holiday Inn Express or other chains in Brattleboro, but it's downtown, and you can walk almost anywhere from there. The rates aren't super cheap, but there are some attractive packages that are well worth the price. Robin, the manager, is always very helpful.
http://www.latchis.com/
New to the Adirondacks/Vermont border Area
Congrats on your new home! We live in northern CT, and have a cabin in the woods in Granville. We've been going up there since the late 80s. All is not necessarily lost, gastronomically speaking, but you may have to travel a bit for decent dining. I can't remember the last time we dined out in the vicinity, (we tend to cook a lot at the cabin) except for breakfast, when we go up to Perry's Main St. Eatery in Poultney (lots of cheddar in the omelets, and the coffee just keeps flowing). For fine dining, you might want to head east out of town on 149 and take route 30 towards Manchester. The Barn in Pawlet has decent food, and a pub on the lower level. It's not fine dining, but the last time we were there, it was better than anything available in Granville. If you continue south on route 30, there's the Dorset Inn and Barrows House in Dorset, and as you approach Manchester, you'll see the Adams Kitchen Store, which hosts a year round farmers' market on Sundays. The market is in Dorset, next to Williams' store, in the summer, and everyone moves indoors for the winter. I've gotten some great produce there in season, along with terrific cheese, meats and breads. Links are below.
I almost forgot to mention the Red Brick Cucina, in Poultney. We haven't been there yet, but it looks like it might fit the bill - real food, and they have decent reviews. Plus, Poultney is a bit closer than Dorset.
I don't know much about Glens Falls or Hudson Falls, but you might want to check the NY boards for more info.
http://barnrestaurant.com/
http://www.dorsetinn.com/
http://www.barrowshouse.com/
http://www.dorsetfarmersmarket.com/
http://www.redbrickgrillvt.com/
Jake's Hamburgers, CT---anyone been?
I've been to the one in East Windsor a couple of times. It's okay, but nothing really special. Their claim to fame is that they don't cook your food until you place the order, and dress it with the condiments you want. I don't eat ground beef, so I can't attest to the quality of the burgers. A friend tried the junior cheeseburger, and said it was okay, but not spectacular. The grilled cheese is okay, as long as you don't mind it being cooked on the same grille as the burgers, where it picks up the flavor of the beef fat. Fries aren't cooked to order, so they're good if you happen to get them while they're still fresh and hot. Ditto for the home cooked potato chips, which were warm on wonderful on my first visit, not so warm or wonderful on my second stop. The shakes are mixed to order, and served in those metal cups I haven't seen offered to the customer since I was much younger than I am now. I do have to say that the staff was very accommodating and cheerful.
Matthew's, Unionville (Farmington), CT
Here's a review from this week's Courant.
http://www.courant.com/entertainment/dining/hc-alacarte1126.artnov26,0,6728651.story
Trattoria de Lepri (Ellington, CT) Why do you tease us so?
I know how you feel. I've gone twice, both for special occasions, and in order to insure a table, have had to be there when the doors open. That being said, it's no wonder, considering the food, service, and atmosphere.
Lunch and Dinner Spot Near Bradley Airport - Windsor Locks CT
Maine Fish Market in the Warehouse Point section of East Windsor is okay, but not really outstanding. It would probably do fine for lunch. If you like upscale Italian, you might find Tosca, on Bridge St. in Suffield, of interest for dinner. It's north of Bradley, about a ten minute drive from the airport if you head north on Rt 75. I suggest reservations, since it's a fairly small place. You can check them out here:
http://www.toscact.com/
kielbasa survey
Even though I'm a Connecticut resident, I have to say that my favorite is Blue Seal out of Chicopee, MA. If that doesn't work for you, Martin Rosol and Grote and Weigel both produce a good product.
Suggestions for the Quabbin Area in MA?
I'm heading out for a few days in the Quabbin area, staying in Hadley, MA. I'm familiar with the restaurants in the general Hadley/Amherst area, but I'm also looking for places around the Quabbin that might be good dining options. I'm not fussy, but my hiking partner isn't quite as adventurous, and is more of the meat and potatoes type. We enjoy off the beaten path places, both elegant (but not pretentious) and hole-in-the-wall, as long as the food is good. I expect we'll spend a lot of time in the towns surrounding the reservoir - Pelham, Shutesbury, New Salem, Orange, Petersham, Belchertown, Ware, etc. Any suggestions for breakfast, lunch, or dinner would be welcome. Thanks.
North of Hartford, South of Springfield?
You might consider the Nutmeg Restaurant in East Windsor. It's on route 5, about 2 and a half miles south of Jonathan Pasco's. It's not the best there is, but like La Notte and Pasco's, it's satisfactory and will probably fit the bill. They're closed on Monday, and offer a $20 prix fixe dinner Tuesday through Friday that includes an appetizer, salad, entree and dessert. It's a good value. Here's a link:
http://www.nutmegrestaurant.com/
Looking for Hartford area restaurant specials
It probably helps to get onto the Max Group mailing list. I get periodic email messages about the $24.95 dinners as well as other interesting offers like the new MaxVantage plan, which allows you to accumulate points toward dining and/or gifts. I can't remember how I got on the list (probably made an online reservation). You can also go to the Max Group site www.maxrestaurantgroup.com , click on any of the locations, and then click on the link to sign up to be on their mailing list. From that point, you can choose to get info on any or all of their restaurants.
Where can I find Fresh Bratwurst in CT
You might try the Country Butcher. They used to be on route 83 in Ellington, but moved to Tolland a couple of years ago. I haven't been there since they moved, but the owner used to make his own sausages, including kielbasa, brats, nitrate-free hot dogs, and others. You might give them a call to see if they still offer those items.
Check out the site: http://www.acountrycatering.com/tcb_home.php
Dinner in Ogunquit
It's been a while since I've been up that way, but I've had a couple of memorable dinners at Clay Hill Farm. It's not on the water, and consequently doesn't get as much press, but there are beautiful views of the gardens and birdhouses and feeders from many of the dining areas. We found this purely by chance when a dinner was included as part of a hotel weekend package, and were pleasantly surprised. I've sent others who have been pleased. As I recall, it's about a five minute drive from beautiful downtown Ogunquit.
Check out the site: http://www.clayhillfarm.com/
Baker's Ammonia in CT?
I found this post on the Boston board. Looks like you can try a local bakery or King Arthur Flour's site. I checked that, and they sell 2.7 oz. containers online.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/337921
Where are you going for a good steak in CT?
The link you posted doesn't work. Orange St. in what city or town?
Frozen pudding ice cream in West. Mass.?
I remember loving frozen pudding as a kid. We had a couple of local dairies in the Hartford, CT area that would make it, and it was terrific.
This won't help with your upcoming visit, but Brigham's has frozen pudding available in quarts at selected New England grocers from September through December. Click below for more info.
http://www.brighams.com/flavors/default.asp?flavor=12
Top Hartford kitchens
For local chow groups, check out and consider a dining group at www.meetups.com
Signup is free, and you can connect with like-minded souls for everything from kayaking to fine dining. I believe there's a dining group in the greater Hartford area that meets with some frequency. You can do a search for "dining" in the Hartford area that should produce some viable options.
Chow-ish Places near Trinity College and Loomis Chaffee?
If you're into vegetarian options, you might try the Alchemy Juice Bar on New Britain Avenue, just around the corner from Trinity. Here's a link to their site: http://www.alchemyjuicebar.com/page.cfm?page=main1&CFID=2108060&CFTOKEN=38784189
And a Review (keep in mind that it's from 2005): http://www.ctnow.com/dining/129202,0,7697892.venue
In Windsor, you can't go wrong with Dom's Eatery for breakfast. They have weekend specials that are generally fabulous, and you'll never have to hunt for a coffee refill. They're on Broad St. just across from the road that leads to Loomis-Chaffee.
Also in Windsor is Union Street Tavern, on Union St. (duh!), just down the street from Loomis-Chaffee. I've only been there once, and while the food wasn't outstanding, it was adequate enough. There are lots of pizza places in town, Jim's on Poquonock Ave. (route 75) being among the better of theml. For Asian, China Sea at 700 Poquonock Ave. always seems to get good reviews.
Lactose Free Cheddar in CT
Thanks for all the replies. I think there's something other than lactose intolerance going on with this person, because he can't eat the regular cheddars, Cabot included. His search is for a particular brand that, as far as he knows, his mom got in NYC.
Lactose Free Cheddar in CT
A friend who is lactose-intolerant was reminiscing the other day about the mac and cheese his late mom used to make for him years ago. She used a lactose free cheddar that he thinks she may have ordered from some place in New York City (I'll be posting on the NY board, too). This was before Smart Beat and other lactose free cheeses became popular, and he can't remember the name brand of the product his mom used, but he said it tasted real, and didn't have the plastic taste that many lactose free products seem to have. Any ideas out there as to what the name of the product might be? Barring that, is there actually a lactose-free cheddar out there that really tastes like a cheddar should? Thanks.
Visitor needs upscale "thank you" dinner; Enfield/Springfield
Ditto on the Federal. It's easily one of my favorites. Great food and service. Max's Tavern has good food, but it tends to get busy and noisy. Any time I've been there, the bar is crowded with happy hour customers, and the noise carries over to the dining section. I don't think you'll find it as "cozy" as the Federal, which has a bar section that's well separated from the dining room.
Looking for Kozy Shack pudding....
I've seen Kozy Shack at my local Whole Foods market. You might also want to consider Echo Farms pudding. Whole Foods carries the brand, and all of the products are kosher and gluten free. I have yet to try this brand, but they seem to have a nice variety of flavors, including Indian pudding and spiced pumpkin. They also offer home delivery in certain areas, and if that's not available where you live, you can order online. Here's the site: http://www.echofarmpuddings.com/
Fairground food - the Big E
Check out this article from a link in the Hartford Courant.
http://connecticut.metromix.com/restaurants/photogallery/eating-your-way-through/611370/content
