germay's Profile
Breakfast in Old Saybrook
For relatives in Old Saybrook, it is their go-to place for breakfast and lunch. If they have visitors and need a place for b'fast or lunch, it's off to J.A.M.S.S. My personal favorite is their meatloaf sandwich. Spoiler Alert, DonShirer: J.A.M.S.S are initials of family members.
Taste of Hartford - Morton's Steakhouse
That is a deal! My wife and I went there several years ago and I think $20.10 was the charge to sit down.
Vecchitto Italian Ice (Middletown, CT) is OPEN: Summertime is here!
Ditto all of the above. My favorite is Watermelon.
Jasmine Rice with Vanilla
Ok. When I googled it the other day all that came up were rice pudding recipes. It's looking like 1/2 tsp in the water with some sugar should do it. Thanks.
Help...I can't cook rice!!!
For jasmine or white long grain:
2 cups water
I cup rice
I tsp salt
Bring just to boil then turn down to simmer and cover for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, fluff with fork, let sit covered for 5 minutes and enjoy perfect rice every time. My recipe for 40 yrs. The only tricky part is determining the "simmer" setting on your stove. When I had gas, I mean when I had a gas range, it was a snap. Electric can be a little tricky to get just right. A fraction one way or the other and it doesn't simmer or it foams up and boils over.
Jasmine Rice with Vanilla
For two cups of cooked rice do you think a whole pod? I have no experience working with pods, so have no idea the amount of flavor they would impart. Maybe a large batch and quick-steam leftovers?
Jasmine Rice with Vanilla
I didn't see any dark bits, so I don't think it would be scraped beans. Nor creamy which might be the case with flavored dairy and no coconut flavor. Could be the rice stored with beans as vanilla isn't so much a flavor as an aroma. Never knew about the truffles. The restaurant was Teatro Goldoni on K street. Keep the ideas coming. I really want to make this. Maybe I'll buy some imitation vanilla and just dive in.
Jasmine Rice with Vanilla
I ate at a restaurant in DC last week and the side that came with my meal was jasmine rice mildly flavored with vanilla. Anyone have any idea how this was made? Vanilla in the water while the rice was cooking? Added after cooking? I imagine they would have to use something to sweeten to counteract the bitterness of the vanilla. It was delicious and something very different. Google only comes up with rice puddings. I'm hoping someone has some knowledge of this before I go and ruin a bunch of rice (not to mention expensive vanilla) experimenting. Thanks.
Any great breads in the Hartford area?
I used to go to the Great Harvest on Maple Ave in Hartford when I worked in Hartford, but they closed. I've had a hankerin for some of their bread recently and was wondering if the place in Manchester was still open. Thanks.
Cape highs and lows
Had a great meal at the Lobster Pot in P'town a couple weeks ago. Clam chowder was worthy of all the "Best Chowder" awards they've gotten. We all loved our entrees. Our waiter was terrific. Their front-of-house left something to be desired. I don't know if they were using a new computer system for taking names, but it was a train wreak. The two people were yelling at each other and making everyone waiting felt uncomfortable.
Opening Soon in Middletown, CT
Haven't been yet. My niece ended up not coming as her toddler came down with swine flu. There is some feed back at the blog post listed above.
West Yarmouth area - suggestions please
We have So. Yarnouth residents visiting us and they also recommend Albertos. For a great breakfast, Joe's Diner on Rt 28 in So Yarmouth. We go there when we visit them. Try the hash. For decent affordable fare with fantastic sunset view. Cap'n Cass in Orleans.
http://www.best-of-cape-cod.com/cape-cod-sunset.html
Any Middletown, CT suggestions?
I eat there about once a year when the weather is perfect and eat outside. Food is passable only, but worth it for the view.
Opening Soon in Middletown, CT
They had their opening last night for family, friends and guests. There is a review here:
http://middletowneyenews.blogspot.com/2009/06/esca-worth-getting-babysitter.html
Keep in mind it's a friendly review. My niece will be here from MN next week so plan to take her there and try it out.
Opening Soon in Middletown, CT
There is a new place opening soon in Middletown on Main Street at the corner of Washington Street called Esca's Wine Bar and Restaurant. It's been in the works for quite a while and now seems to be a reality. Stopped in the other day and looked around and talked to the owner(s). A young woman, the daughter of owners or she may be a co-owner as well, is going to run it. I have no idea of the menu, but assume it's going to be Italian themed by the decor-lots of stone, tile and marble. Supposed to have an opening with family and guests next Wednesday. I know they definitley will be open by the 25th as I'm doing entertainment at a United Way fundraiser there. I hope to check it out sooner, though. I'll let you know what I think or if someone gets there first let me know.
Tea Shop in Hartford
Another one is The Herbery in Old Saybrook. She carries Harney and Sons. If you bring tins in for refills, you get a buck off. Here's the URL:
http://www.theherberyonline.com/index_files/Visit_The_Herbery.htm
10th anniversary in CT- need help with choices
I usually shy away from recommending a restaurant for special occasions, but I make an exception to recommend J Gilberts in Glasonbury. I have NEVER had a less than excellent experience there. You can go swankier. You can go pricier. But I don't think you can go better all things considered. You will need a reservation and mention it's a special occasion.
ALDI's [moved from New England]
I was there on Saturday. Nice and clean so far. All private label. I read they are the parent company of Trader Joe's, so they have similar products. The little produce they had was good. Prices are very good. $1.49 for butter. Not sure if that's regular price or sale. AA grade is AA grade. Doesn't matter if it's Land o' Lakes or Bob's Butter. It's only a couple miles from my house, so I'm sure I'll use it for some things. Right now we go through circulars for 3 supermarkets plus Price Rite and now will include Aldi.
Any Jewish/NY-Style Delis in Middletown, CT?
I thought the first place folks would tell you about is Rein's Deli in Vernon, about 30-40 minutes from Middletown. Purists say it's not true NY deli, but it's supposed to be pretty good. It's been years since I've been there, so I don't recall. Google Rein's Deli Vernon, CT Maybe others have been more recently and have comments??
Middletown, CT, Restaurant Suggestions?
For Italian, my choce is Amici's for it's food and more civilized atmosphere.
ANY good Chinese in CT?
My vote goes to Great Taste in New Britain. Excellent food. Excellent Service. Fair prices.
Is O'Rourke's in Middletown, CT worth it?
I'm ambivalent. They certainly have an extensive menu and everything I've ever had there pre and post fire has been very good. One good thing about the fire is that the place is now clean. Gave me the willies before.
You ask is it it worth it? I live in Middletown and don't go very often. I do think they are a bit pricey for a diner. Also, I hate to wait in line for anything. I wouldn't wait in line to witness the Second Coming. So I will only go during the week for breakfast, not a weekend, and not at any other busy time. Also, for lunch I will aim for before noon or after 2pm. BTW, waiting means you're outside on the sidewalk just a few feet away from noisy traffic. Weather can be a factor, too.
I would say, though, you definitely have to try it. It is an experience.
"Fresh" Seafood near Hartford, CT
Don't know if you'd consider Old Saybrook "near" Hartford, but they definitley have fresh seafood and they're nice people to boot. 45 minutes or so from Hartford. Takes a little longer if you hop off Route 9 at Exit 10 and take Route 154 down to Old Saybrook. Meanders down along the river passing through towns like Higganum, Deep River and Essex. Highly recommend it.
Atlantic Seafood..1410 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, Ct..(860)388-4527
Another Pepe's Apizza Coming
It'll be a while, though. From their website:
"There are more than 200 Uno Chicago Grill restaurants found in 31 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates.?
Marina dining on Connecticut coast?
I had been there several times and recommended it highly to friends. The last time I was there (must be about 2-3 yrs ago) they had expanded to the point they really can't handle the crowds they were getting. They have this policy of having you pay after you're done eating which didn't use to be a problem. When I went to pay, there was a line out the door of people waiting to place their orders and I was told to go to the end of the line. I was really po'ed that I would have to wait 10-15 minutes to pay the bill. I was going to leave without paying, but my wife wouldn't let me. She took care of it. I went out and looked at the boats to chill. Needless to say, I haven't been back and I've told many people since about my experience. So if you go, make sure they let you pay when you order your food unless they have changed their setup by now. I'll never go back. There's too many other places to go. It used to be an umpretentious riverside burger shack with to-die-for burgers. I think it's become the trendy "oh we ate at this cute little place right on the river!". Parking lot full of Beemers, Lexuses, SUVs, Benzs, many with NY plates.
Castle Restaurant in Leicester
I ate there once in 1970. I don't want to do the math. :) It was THE place in the area to take someone you wanted to impress. Have no recollection if the food was good or not. I was very, very, very, very, young at the time.
louie's lunch---yuck
Went there once about 5 years ago. Now I can say I've eaten at Louis' Lunch, the disputed home of the original hamburger. No need or desire to go back.
Corner Pug-W. Hartford, CT...sammiches
I haven't heard of this place before. I definitely will put it on my next-place-to-try list. Thanks for the heads up. Does it get crowded where you have to wait to be seated?
Another Pepe's Apizza Coming
Missed the coupon! My wife and I are spending the day in New Haven next Thursday to see the Van Goghs at Yale then over to Ikea and Pepe's. It will be our first visit to Pepe's. I have a week to decide what I will order.
Hartford Restaurant
Haven't been in a couple years, but No Fish Today has a nice subdued (meaning you can have a conversation without having to yell at the person across the table) atmosphere. Food was worth what they charge, IMO.
