If you're in Manchester, take a quick ride to Little Mark's in Vernon. I've never been disappointed there.

LOL, a mayo club--I'm in! I do this when I order a 4-pack of Duke's anyway. :)

I'll bet any money someone in your family wants you to write down how you make turkey stuffing. Why not do it sooner than later? :) They will surely thank you.

I now have both photos and video of my mom making apple pie. To be honest, she does it so great, I'm not sure I'll ever want to make it without her. But I now have the instructions step-by-step, accompanied by our usual banter back and forth.

Consider making little informal videos of anything that benefits from a demo--like rolling out dough and making a pie crust, e.g. Here is my mom giving me a hard time, just like in real life, HA HA:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ4aAp...

Definitely capture the stories behind the recipes. Pictures are priceless--and I don't mean of the food. The memories and traditions behind the food will make your family cookbook your own.

Some of my favorite recipes are "collaborations" with my grandmother. I lost her unexpectedly when I was 15, so I never did really get to spend time in the kitchen with her as I'd have liked. But I like to think, somewhere from the great beyond, Nanny gets a kick out of the fact her recipes live on through me. Might I tell you, she made killer oatmeal cookies with M&Ms in them, too!

Mission accomplished--still as good as ever and busy as ever, too!

One more compelling reason to get to West Hartford Center (if you arrive before 6 and it's not Sunday), you'll have a chance to sniff and shop at Penzey's. A real treat, especially if you've never been. Here's where you'll find it:
https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8...

I only went to the Pond House once for lunch, but really enjoyed it. This time of year, you can sit outside and the roses are quite beautiful!
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6293...

How about that? Love Nodine's--never knew they made pate, too. Definitely grab some bacon if you go!

I don't mean to make a food fight out of this, but do you really think of downtown Hartford as a neighborhood? Or a place you like to walk around at night after a meal? I worked there for several years and I don't.

West Hartford Center definitely sounds more like what the OP requested. Alternatively, Hartford's Little Italy (Franklin Ave.) is a real neighborhood with lots of food options, but I wouldn't want to walk around there before or after dinner, either.

Good food for thought--thanks!

How did I not know this? Can't possibly be so expensive to ship my Shun when its time comes.

On my wish list, I've wanted a mezzaluna for years. I now want THIS Shun mezzaluna with bowl I read about here.
http://kitchenarts.com/products/Shun-Mezzaluna-6-inch-Knife-with-Chopping-Board-Bowl-.html

Original thread--iyc_nyc, I hope you're proud of yourself! ;) ALL YOUR FAULT!
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/9049...

Flanders Fish Market in East Lyme?
http://flandersfish.com/

You should probably give them some sort of heads up! "ATTENTION GLENWOOD DRIVE-IN! INCOMING! INCOMING!" :)

Is that price correct? That sounds like one helluva deal--can't be!

Your post caught my eye--I've always wanted a mezzaluna, then you said Shun set and I had to google.

Do you have this?
http://kitchenarts.com/products/Shun-...

Do you love it? Ohmy. Just when I think "What else could possibly go on my wish list?!"

We usually go to Westbrook. That must be the diff.
http://pages.ljfishtale.com/menujpegs...

Me, I need to get down there and have myself a scallop roll.

When did they stop serving oysters at L&J's? I have no love for oysters, but my mom used to get them all the time.

Agree wholeheartedly, JenJen! I love the fried scallops at Lenny & Joe's, too. Haven't been to the new location, but stand by your recommendation. Here's a pic from a few years back, accompanied by the cole slaw I also love so much. :)
http://9liveskatseyes.shutterfly.com/...

HA HA, I do the chick thing/hip bump, too. Good observation re your last sentence! :D

Me, too, 'cept mine are 9"--one regular and one with coated tips for the nonstick pans. Love, love, LOVE ALL my Oxo kitchen toys!

P.S. My, what big tongs you have! HA HA! ;)

You must not be from CT! ;)

Thank you! That's the plan--in the not too distant future, I hope. :) Will report back when I do!

I totally want to go to Haywire! They were on Chaz & AJ a few weeks back and the descriptions made me wanna make tracks for the shore!

ETA: Any special recommendations there? Not Wayback. No interest there. :)

HA HA, who is that? :)

I call pish-poshery! They're "working on working on a boozy soft-serve ice cream." Sounds pretty real (and really delicious) to me!

I had to google:
http://www.pvpeteatery.com/

Nice concept. Poorly named, I'd say.

Thank you for saying "torpedo roll"--I asked for one last week and the guy behind me asked the girl at the counter, "How many people ask for those by their real name?" I was told it was a Portuguese roll...I pointed to what I know to be a Portuguese roll. It was then explained to me, they were both Portuguese rolls, but from different bakeries. But I digress...I'm with you, Clams--a lobster roll is on a New England style hot dog bun. It's not a lobster sandwich or grinder, fercryin'outloud! ;)

Truly! Better stick to these "ery" variations instead. ;)

Then there is cattery--an establishment for the breeding and boarding of cats! ;)

Agree with rbailin's assessment wholeheartedly. In West Hartford Center, I really like Bricco.
http://www.billygrant.com/data/menus/bricco%20dinner%20file%20with%20specials_1369151873.pdf

As to walking around, I recommend Elizabeth Park on the West Hartford line BEFORE you go to dinner--and bring your camera. Otherwise, you can stroll through WHC after dinner.

I also like Besito, but haven't been in a few years.
http://www.besitomexican.com/