Agreed. But why would you have expected anything more?

I can't stand the way they use two pistols in place of the "L"s in their Goodfellas logo. So stupid. Makes me not want to go there.

I believe that Jean-Louis has closed.

Lobster rolls at the top of the list are separated by very little. I go for the view, preferably of salt water. The lobster roll tends to take care of itself.

Our forceful dedicated foodie of course steamrolled us all and swung the debate in her direction. We are going to Florida Cookery for our Christmas Eve dinner. Will report back here with impressions. Thanks anyway for your feedback.

Christmas Eve in Miami, two parents, three kids in their 20s, including one incredibly dedicated foodie girl and two meat-and-potatoes boys. Where to go?

If you'll settle for good food instead of great, I'd recommend Curtis House in Woodbury. It's a very old inn, much beloved by plder couples who like roast turkey, beef, pork and lamb but can't really handle a whole roast all by themselves. Could be fun for a family get-together. The fireplace casts a lot of heat.

We ordered an apple and a pumpkin pie from The Bakery in Southbury last year and thought they were very good (it was torture having to leave the leftovers at our in-law's house). We are getting them again this year. The bakery is located right off Exit 15 of I-84. I love all their stuff, actually.

If you can drive a little out of your way, I'd highly recommend the prime rib at David Burke Prime at Foxwoods/MGM Grand. It leads the menu there, and with good reason.

This restaurant changed hands several years ago, from very capable hands to so-so. Don't go expecting the exceptional service and food of that earlier time.

There is no such thing as a legitimate TV restaurant critic. Never has been, and probably never will be. Anonymity is essential for a reviewer to do a good, honest job, and once you bring TV cameras and lighting and sound equipment in, all semblance of anonymity is lost. It's a TV show.

LItchfield is only a few miles west of Rte. 8. On the green there, you'll find The Village Restaurant, a great neighborhood-type place where the crowd is lively and the food from a varied menu is quite good. Down the block is higher-end West Street Grill, with excellent, imaginative fare.

City Hall Cafe is probably your best bet, although it's not especially trendy. Good food and bar and friendly people.

This seems dishonest. It's like saying a certain comedian is going to appear and then having a stand-in doing the comedian's jokes. Not quite the same.

It's a step above typical country inn fare but a step (or two) below Inn at Little Washington, which is one of the best restaurants in the country. If you are watching every little detail, I suppose the Mayflower dining room could turn out to be a little disappointing, given the room rates. If you can relax, it's perfectly fine.

Dining at the Mayflower is part of the experience of staying there. The last time we went for dinner, both the food and service were very good.

I bought a dozen at Dottie's a few weeks ago and they were just as they always have been - a delightful bit of crunch on the outside, silky on the inside, loaded with cinnamon or frosting or powdered sugar, depending upon the variety. I brought them to some very picky eaters (professionals, actually) who tore into them with complete happiness and words of the highest praise. I have been eating doughnuts at Dottie's and the former Philips since the 1970s, and I return there with complete confidence. I still don't know of better doughnuts anywhere.

I haven't been there in quite a while, but The Olive Tree in Southbury I think is a very nice lunch place. Quiet, pleasant setting. Menu tends to favor the local old folks as Heritage Village, but was well prepared.

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Olive Tree Restaurant
418 Heritage Vlg # D, Southbury, CT 06488

Burger, fries and shake were $18.50 at Citi Field and, I think, $14.50 in NYC. This whole thing is SO Westport.

You might say that the relish tray was the old school amuse bouche. Served just after you sat down, it consisted of one or two kinds of relish, cottage cheese, maybe a cranberry sauce thing and an assortment of crackers. Last time I was at Curtis House, quite a while ago, they still served the relish tray. They also had fruit cocktail on the menu, another throwback to an earlier day. They probably don't have either now, but I thought I'd mention it. (They also have lots of Buicks in the parking lot.)

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Curtis House
506 Main St S, Woodbury, CT 06798

Meaning? This person is looking for a turkey dinner, not a nightclub or tapas or sourced beets. Places like the Curtis House are good for roasts (beef, turkey, lamb, pork) precisely because they serve older couples who can't handle a whole roast at home. And the relish tray is just a bonus.

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Curtis House
506 Main St S, Woodbury, CT 06798

You might try the Curtis House in Woodbury, Conn. They have long offered a "fresh turkey dinner" on their menu. It used to be from a whole roasted bird - not sure if that's still the case or if they just do breasts.

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Curtis House
506 Main St S, Woodbury, CT 06798

We were in the same situation and stopped at The Dressing Room in Westport. It was very, very good and perfect for our needs. It's got a wide-ranging menu, impeccably fresh food exhaustively sourced and creatively prepared and served. Great meats, lots of vegetable dishes, and lots of small plates, too. Just keep your eye on the prices as your order. They can add up. (The vibe was only slightly holier-than-thou - not bad for Westport.)

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Dressing Room
27 Powers Court, Westport, CT 06880

Breakfast spots in Connecticut? Here are some to consider.
http://www.connecticutmag.com/Connect...

DB Prime is the best restaurant at Foxwoods/MGM, in my opinion - and I have been to most of them. Cedars and Shrine are close behind.

It is true that Bridgeport, even with its extensive waterfront, has long defied any efforts at revitalization (mostly because of incompetent leadership), but restaurants do not honor town borders. There are very good restaurants in the Park City (Joseph's is certainly one of them), but where or not they constitute a scene, I don't know. I'm not a scene-maker, just a humble diner. I think a scene requires a certain self-awareness that Bridgeport just doesn't possess right now.

If you're in Norwalk and crave a burger, go to Burger Bar & Bistro. It's the best burger in the state. Five Guys is where you go if your other choice is McDonald's.

In your general neighborhood are a Nardelli's Grinder Shop on Plank Road, which might be good for your Sunday night, and Blackie's Hot Dogs, just up the road in Cheshire, which seems right for lunch Monday. Breakfast is a little trickier, but the hotel might have something okay.

For a birthday dinner this week, I wonder if there's anything especially good in Torrington or nearby (two parties traveling from Simsbury and Waterbury and hoping to meet in the middle). We've done The Venetian. Thanks.

The Waterbury Uncle Willie's has shut down, soon to be replaced by a diner. It's in such a terrible location (half hidden by a retaining wall), I don't understand why anyone would go in there. Doogie's was in the same spot and went under, too.