lsnhc's Profile
Michael Gennaros Steakhouse - Fairfield, CT
WOW!!
Does Fairfield County really need another obscenely expensive steak house???
Rudy's in New Haven
yep...it's true. In a modernized facade building on the corner of Chapel and Howe (formerly a vegetarian restaurant). Nothing like the old place!
Far East Restaurant, New Haven, CT
As long as we're in the "jogging our memories" zone, I actually remembered going to the OLD Far East with my family in the late 50's. This was downtown - I think it was on Church St. They opened the restaurant on Chapel St. when downtown redevelopment went into full swing.
We actually preferred New China on Howe St. near Whalley, and when Amity Shopping Center was built, the Golden Inn became our local favorite. While in High School, I, too, got turned on by Blessings. It was absolutely unlike any other Chinese restaurants I had been to. It was there that I was introduced to their dumplings (which I loved!), Moo Shoo Pork, and who can forget their famous "Ants Crawling UP Trees!" They also made the absolute best sweet and sour sauce - it was actually brown and garlicky, not irridescent red!
Savin Rock Roasting Co - Stratford, CT: What's up?
As a summer resident of Southern Milford, those spots would seem to be ideal fo us, but I think there continues to be major issues with both of these spots:
1 - Wrong concept: While there was (and still is) no other Brazilian steakhouse in the area, the fact is that while the prices were generally acceptable for weekend dining, I don't know a whole lot of people (especially in this economy) that will go out on a weeknight and spend $150+ for dinner. If they had a more reasonably priced non-weekend menu, or offered ala carte, they might have had a chance to survive. Maintaining upmarket prices 7 nights a week just doesn't work in a shopping center location - waterview or not.
2 - In the case of Savin Rock Roasting, I do understand that the partners had a falling out that led to the demise, but at the end of the day, the food was, at best, okay. That would be the absolute best location for a fine dining establishment, something that obviously has not existed since the lamented Fagan's.
Where can one get brisket (raw) near Milford, CT
My pleasure! Glad I was able to help.
Where can one get brisket (raw) near Milford, CT
Costco always has briskets at a very good price.
Chops Steak and Fish Grill, West Haven - Worst service I have ever encountered in a restaurant.
One of the worst dining experiences ever (actually...never got a chance to dine!).
This is the old Chuck's Steak House and it was recently purchased by the owner of Jeffrey's in Milford, certainly one of the better restaurants in the New Haven area, On that basis, we had high hopes....but.......it was an unmitigated disaster!
We arrived at around 8 p.m. on a Wednesday night to a dining room that was about 2/3's empty. We were seated by one waitress, another came to "take our drink order" and we asked for a wine list. "Sure!" We had thought she went to get it, but no, the "hostess" brought it over with a distinctly pissed-off attitude. Another waitress then finally came over and we ordered a bottle of wine (Sauvignon Blanc) - $33). 20 minutes went by and we still hadn't gotten it ("it's coming now..it's coming now....he's going to get it...she's going to get it...etc"). It finally showed up....the bottle was in a wine bucket loaded to the top with crushed ice, not your usual wine service. Thew waitress opened it, and not only was it not cold not cold, it was actually warm!!!! Obviously, they knew that it wasn't ready to be served but did so anyway.....at that point, I told the waitress we were leaving and her response was "have a nice day." Nobody made any attempt to stop us from leaving.
I would expect that if the owners knew how poorly this place was being run, they'd have a stroke. I can't imagine them attaining any degree of success unless they get their house in order.
Need an Italian Reco in CT
The Log Cabin is in Clinton!
We have always enjoyed LoMonaco's in Branford. Delicious food and excellent, well priced wine list.
In the summer, one of our go to places is Aldario's in Milford. Large portions....reasonable prices.....excellent red sauce!
Savin Rock Roasting Co - Stratford, CT: What's up?
The restaurant was owned by the two brothers who own Gabrielle's in Orange and the owner of Lorenzo's in West Haven. It is my understanding that the two Gabrielle brothers have separated, so I can't help but wonder if that is the cause of this. Parenthetically, the Friday night Treehouse Comedy performances that were at SRRC are now at Lorenzo's.
The end of Bespoke and Sabor as we know it...
A corollary.....Bespoke in New Haven is now closed.....
The end of Bespoke and Sabor as we know it...
One new restaurant has already come and gone...Suburban closed several months ago. Franco has now moved on to an upscale taco "bar" and a wine bar next door, both on Main St. in Branford.
Sally's Apizza is obviously better than Pepe's and Modern
I agree...this post is absurd. I think that it depends what you're looking for. Nobody makes a better white clam and garlic pie than Pepe's (it's the freshly opened little necks, not canned or frozen like most other places). I would agree that Sally's classic red pies are absolutely terrific, but unless you're prepared to wait hours to get them (unless you have the private phone number and can come in through the back door), you can forget about even trying them!
I find Modern to be two restaurants under one roof: If you're eating in, the pies can be as good as anybody's - and better than most. The take outs are made in a different kitchen and for whatever reason, they just don't travel well. We live approximately 5 minutes away and invariably, by the time we get them home, they are limp, soggy approximations of what is served in the restaurant.
Stratford, CT- goodbye Assagio, 12 hours later- hello, Bossa Nova Churrascaria
I wouldn't be surprised. Firstly, that has been an absolutely cursed location from the start. I would imagine that being waterside, the rent was very high. Second, given the prix fixe only nature of the place, I can't imagine that they did any business except on weekends.
Fresh turkeys in New Haven Area?
Several stores carry Murray's organic fresh killed turkeys (including both P&M and Nica's on Orange St. We've been buying these for years and they are absolutely wonderful.
Scoozi's - what happened?
We returned from vacation to discover that Scoozi's in New Haven had closed. Given its longevity and the substantial remodeling they did last year, it was quite a surprise.
Anybody know the details?
lunch suggestions Milford, Fairfield, Monroe/Trumbull
If you're thinking about Milford, strongly recommend Bistro Basque over Rainbow Gardens
-----
Rainbow Gardens Restaurant & Bar
117 Broad St, Milford, CT 06460
Finding Steak Tartare in CT
I'm not a steak tartare afficionado, but I have tasted it as served at Bistro Mediterranean in East Haven and it was wonderful, both in taste and presentation.
New Haven : need recs for variety and a great seafood/raw bar?/lobsters
Not making it down to Norwalk very frequently, I hadn't heard about BJ Ryan's Banc House, but just having looked at the menu on line, all I can say is "holy cr*p!!!" Talk about raising the bar for prices!!!
Is it just me, or does it seem grossly overpriced?
Modern aPizza
Modern does not use coal as its fuel. Their brick ovens are gas fired, so the coal argument pretty much goes out the window.
Living relatively close to Modern, we used to regularly get take out pies from them. A few years ago, they built a second kitchen for take out only, and we have never been thrilled with the product. Invariably, by the time we get home (just a bit more than a 5 minute drive), the pies have become soggy to the point where you cannot successfully pick up a piece without the toppings sliding off.
If you can get into Modern without a ridiculously long wait, I have always found the pies served in-house to be top quality. If you're in the area of Modern and want a top notch takeout pizza, I highly recommend Amato's, just a few doors down. No brick oven, but a thin, crispy crust that travels very well.
Jake's Wayback Burgers, arriving in W. Hartford, CT
I tried the Jake's in Stratford and was very disappointed. Burgers were okay...fries were terrible - just frozen, "commercial" tasting fries. They have home made chips, but I did not try them, and I stay away from milkshakes.
For roughly the same dollars, 5 Guys is vastly superior (and I am not a big 5 Guys fan), and at the very least, 5 Guys fries are as good as it gets!
New Haven : need recs for variety and a great seafood/raw bar?/lobsters
The fact is that Nwe Haven really has become a destination for wonderful dining, but alas, there are simply not a lot of options for really great seafood, and to the best of my knowledge, there are no true "raw bars."
I know that Sage at City Point used to have one when the had the upstairs, but now that they've downsized, I don't know if that it still exists. That aside, the food was never the strong point.
One Nice Dinner in New Haven
Downtown New Haven has some wonderful choices. Highly recommended would be Zinc ("Modern American Food"), Ibiza (upscale Spanish....really fabulous), or Pacifico (Nuevo Latino). Another option would be Bespoke, but candidly, I don't think the food is as good as when Franco Camacho owned it.
-----
Pacifico Restaurant
220 College Street, New Haven, CT 06511
Is there a decent restaurant on the CT shore?
Mediocre...mediocre....mediocre
Had one of the worst crab cakes ever there...
IMO, another restaurant whose view is far better than the food.
The lazy lobster in milford CT
While I have never eaten there (our summer home is not far away), GloWha's comments are pretty typical of what we have heard from friends who have dined there. I heard good things about it when it first opened a few summers ago, but there seems to be an indication that it has seen a marked decline in the past couple of years.
Bistro Mediterranean & Tapas Bar in East Haven
Lat night, with our Sat. night plans cancelled at the last minute, we decided to go to Bistro Mediterranean, especially after seeing Travfanct's review. We arrived at 8:30 and much to our surprise (more shock than surprise!!), we were greeted by our friend Leonardo, formerly maitre'd at Marbella in Stratford and Bistro Basque in Milford (coincidentally, we had lunch at BB yesterday!!). Several months ago, Leonardo had intimated that his goal was to eventually have his own restaurant, but we had no idea that this was it! He is partnered with his brother, Claudio, in the front of the house and another brother is the chef. I can say - unequivocally - that this was an absolutely wonderful dinner. The menu has a nice array of tapas and 3 salads for starters. There are a few Italian dishes in the entree selections, but most of the main dishes are Spanish. I started with a tapas of artichokes sauteed with capers, tomatoes and garlic in a white wine sauce - a very generous serving and delicious. My wife had the Mediterranean salad with homemade mozzarella, tomatoes, snow peas, black olives, artichoke hearts and red balsamic vinaigrette. While there was a little too much cheese for her (we're both lactose intolerant!!), it was nonetheless very satisfying.
For entrees, she had the churrasco - a very nice skirt steak and home made fries (awesome!!) with a delicious red wine sauce. The steak was ordered rare and it was right on the money.
I had one of the evening's specials - Branzino with shrimp and mussels, served with sauteed spinach with garlic and mashed potatoes. This was one of the best fish dishes I have had in recent memory!
While Sherry and I are very fond of Leonardo and it might seem that my review might not be completely objective, let me assure you that it is. This place is a true find! Prices are very reasonable ($16 for the churrasco and $22 for the branzino). Our total bill with a delicious txacoli Spanish white wine ($30) was $87.00 and would have easily been well over $100 at other comparable restaurants.
It is clear that the owners are working very hard to make sure that every one of their customers is satisfied (and everybody that we talked to last night shared our opinion of the experience) and I can only hope that a decidedly "non-East Havenish" restaurant succeeds in a town where Italian restaurants and pizzerias predominate.
Does anyone remember the Crown High Deli in downtown New Haven?
My drink of choice at Chuck's was a chocolate soda with ice - no milk ;-)
Does anyone remember the Crown High Deli in downtown New Haven?
Chucks's was definitely NOT kosher.....I literally grew up there and had countless pastrami specials (with cheese ON the sandwich!).
I often lament that of all of the restaurants that closed in New Haven over the years, I miss Chuck's the most. Not only were the sandwiches terrific, but you could always count on being entertained by Chuck's bellowing from the kitchen. What's left in New Haven for "deli" sahdwiches pales in comparison to what we enjoyed for more than 40 years at Chuck's.
Nardelli's to open in Middletown....
Along the same lines, last Friday I had a doctor's appointment in Branford and needed to grab lunch before I headed back to the office. As I was driving up Rt 1 I noticed that a Jersey Mike's had opened on Branford Hill. While we're definitely not dealing with gourmet fare, I was very pleasantly impressed. All of the meats and cheeses are sliced to order, the bread was really nice, and while a bit more expensive than Subway or Quizno's, the quality is light years ahead of both. The only real negative was that because everything is sliced and cooked to order, the sandwich making process is rather slow, but given the alternatives (pre-sliced and pre-cooked crap on Wonder Bread like rolls), I would definitely return.
Nardelli's to open in Middletown....
ahhh...Venice...if there is one restaurant that I really miss, it's Venice. It was close to our house (we live in the East Rock area of New Haven) and was our go-to spot for Sunday night dinners. Entering it was like going into a time warp....decor from 1950's (maybe earlier!)...prices to match! Order a glass of wine (you had your choice...red or white!)..and it was served in a juice glass!!! I think the most expensive entree was probably around $6 - $7 and you could never finish everything!!!!! It was truly one of the last "old school" neighborhood Italian restaurants.
Aldi in Milford, MA
I don't know if you're aware of this, but Aldi is owned by the same company that owns Trader Joe's. A few have opened in our area and it is clear that they are going after the "low end" shopper. Virtually all of the labels are unknown brands crafted to look very similar to name brands and as Kat has stated, virtually everything is prepackaged and in some cases (especially meats), the stuff looked downright scary!!!
If you're really that price conscious, you might find enough items to make a trip to Aldi worthwhile, but for us, there just weren't enough products that we would purchase.
