triggs73's Profile
brewbakers middletown ct.
Love it there. Only problem there is that the table/booths don't fit waist challenged individuals.
Best raw bar in New Haven area?
Most of the oyster guys that farm in New Haven ship their stuff overseas.
Fairfield CT - Great Cheese
Artisan cheese is expensive. She's right on target with every other shop. Plus service counts!
Anyone been to Nini's Bistro in New haven?
Parking is terrible in New haven. I don't know how the city would like to encourage people to come down when they ticket everyone.
In need of crash course in wine
Total Wines has this book that they put out. Nothing fancy, but quick, straight to the point and informative. It's easy to read with many good examples, nothing too technical. My first book was Windows to the World.
Best raw bar in New Haven area?
116 Crown in New Haven has some of the best oysters in the area. Always fresh. Not a full blown raw bar, but for what they have it is excellent.
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116 Crown
116 Crown St, New Haven, CT 06510
New BBQ/Tex-Mex in Milford, CT
Neither am I. That's why I ask "the Boss" her opinion having been born and grew up in Texas. I enjoy going there for their "burnt ends" plate.
New BBQ/Tex-Mex in Milford, CT
Has anyone ever tried uncle Willie's off I-95 in West Haven? I've been a few times and thought it was pretty good. My SO is from Texas and she said it's pretty close to what she had back home.
What are the best New Haven restaurants for 2010???????
If you want to jump out of New Haven to Hamden then try Ibiza Tapas on Dixwell. Similar food to Ibiza on High St. half the price, plenty of free parking!
Martin's on the River, new owner!
Just got the word last night that someone is taking over this spot on the Quinnipiac River. Word is that the owners of Norwalk's Meigas(sp) are working things out with the State Liquor Commission and the City of new haven. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope he brings some life back into this town.
Red Lobster, North Haven, CT
I eat all over New haven and for the price i paid the food was right up to par with some of the best in CT. Hard to believe from a corporate restaurant, but I was very impressed with the entire experience. Salmon was right on the money. This review is coming off a wine dinner at leon's earlier in the week. I would not put the 2 in the same category but i have to be honest when I say I was very impressed especially on a Friday night. Maybe it's a management change, but what ever it was great. I sent an email to corporate. When service is this good, people need to know. They were sincere which is more than I can say about other restaurants of better quality. When I go again, I would like to hope that the service and food will be the same. Who else in North Haven is worth going to on a Friday night with kids?
Red Lobster, North Haven, CT
My SO,son and I ran into Red Lobster for a quick bite Friday night before going to Target. I haven't been to a red Lobster in probably 20 years or so. Considering that it was already 7:30 on a friday night our options were limited to Ruby's, Wendy's, Friendly's, McD's or Olive Garden. Line was out the door as usual at the OG. Red Lobster was very busy, but they seated us quickly without a wait. Food was actually pretty darn good with all considering. I had wood fired Salmon, SO had tenderloin with shrimp skewers, my son had what else but chicken fingers. Desserts were very good.
Only issue was that my SO found a hair underneath her steak....totally forgivable, these things happen. Not a huge issue, just send it back and get another one no problem right? This establishment goes above and beyond what was necessary. They comp'd my SO's meal and 2 desserts. Manager was at our table within seconds of hearing about the hair and apologizing. Totaly professional and polite and we truly felt that they appreciated our business which is something a lot of restaurants have fogotten, customer service. Had it been any other place, I'm sure that they would have comp'd the meal but the 2 young men that handled this issue went well above what I would have expected from any restaurant. Would I go back again even if this situation didn't happen, def yes. Food was good, service exceptional, price vs. portion size was great. My son even got to pet a lobster from the tank on the way out. Kudos to whoever is running this branch out in North Haven! You and your staff are doing a great job. Grant was a tremendous server and please forgive me for forgetting the floor manager's name for the evening, but he was highly professional for a young man. The 2 of them took a good evening and made it better.
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Red Lobster Restaurants
34 Backus Ave, Danbury, CT 06810
Six Flags New England. THE FOOD STINKS! Any tips or suggestions?
Go to Lake Compounce in Bristol....at least the pizza is better.
Quark in Connecticut?
It would be an easy order for them. They are great people. I wish I was still up that end of the state for a trust worthy cheese person. Quick story, I've been in the cheese buying biz also, but went to there now defunct West hartford store to check things out. Jill blew absolutely no smoke up my arse. Would not sell me anything that was not ready. Great palate, honest and good pricing. Great people.
The Coming Carnage?
The same with Costco. They're buying better juice and pumping into to bottles with great price tags in order to move mass amounts. Not saying that all of the wines at TJ and Costco are a home run, but good values all around.
The Coming Carnage?
I can't speak for every state, but here in CT I am very friendly with my local shop and we often chat about what is going on in the industry. As a customer, I am seeing more $100 California bottles being discounted down big. More wines that were normally reserved exclusively for restaurant biz are now being offered to the consumer. When was the last time you were able to walk into your local shop and pick up some Shafer Hillside or Lewis. Another issue in CT is that the wine distributors are so backed up on vintages that they can't get the more current ones which results in the deep discounts. The restaurants here are not moving the wines. The exclusive wine clubs are decreasing their allocations to their members. On the bright side, I have seen more "negociant" ,sorry for the spelling, wines come into the market. Juice being sourced from a well known vineyard being sold under another label for less.
I received an email from K&L wines about the new release of the Affinity. I called my local guy, he in turn calls the distributor they said to him that the new vintage of Affinity is not on the market yet and won't be until CT sells all of the vintages that they are holding in the warehouse. How do you move all of this wine that is not selling? It's liked a clogged artery. Backs up at the distribution points because retailers and restaurants can't sell it. Brokers are not moving the allocations from state to state. Wineries are backed up with new juice to go to market. What do you do? It has to burst somewhere. Again this is just CT, but I'm sure it is happening in other areas as well.
Quark in Connecticut?
I would check your local Stop & Shop also. I can remember seeing it there years ago. Are you close to Cromwell? Wild Raspberry in the plaza, ask for Jill. If they do not carry it then they can def order it for ya. WF would def hav the VBC.
Anyone been to Nini's Bistro in New haven?
food was excellent. Portion size was very good. I was full when I left, always a good sign. Service very attentive. Down point, if there had to be one, would be that who ever takes the reservations over the phone should be more customer friendly. Just a note for ya, this is the first impression that the customer has. I think they also do some off premise catering. If I'm wrong then correct me. I attended a wedding last summer and someone said that they catered the event.
Where to buy chicory coffee in New Haven, CT area?
There is a coffee & tea shop out in Madison. Did anyone contact them yet?
Wine and food at Barcelona in Stamford.
the portions were not bad when I went last. The only negative thing I can say about the New Haven one is that parking plain out sucks. I would never return on a Friday or Saturday night when the streets are swamped with college drunks. The last time I went, no joke, some one threw a rock out the window of a car and it would just have to hit me. Not the restaurants fault but what a shitty start to the night.
Wine and food at Barcelona in Stamford.
That's awsome that she is so approachable and humble. You run into a small group of these wine people and they are so high on themselves that it takes the fun out of it.
Wine and food at Barcelona in Stamford.
That is a great price for a wine dinner. I've heard many great things about Gretchen. I attend many wine dinners in and around New Haven and for $60 bones that was a sure treat. I especially liked the fact that you said she spoke to everyone individually which is an added bonus. I attended a wine dinner at Carmen Anthony's in New Haven about 3 years ago sponsered by Hess Wines. The speaker was an arrogant jack ass. The food was just ok. The wines were just ok. When the chef came out to take his bow I spoke to him and said that it must be nice to have a night when you can be creative and match things up with the wine. His responce, "Nehh, this was easy. Just get rid of the left overs." Honest to God. At least lie to me and tell me how long you slaved over the stove to create. But, I would love to attend one of Gretchen's wine dinners. Does she post them somewhere?
Best Places in Connecticut to eat outdoors --> April 2010 version
Cafe Grounded in Guilford, CT is very nice once they open the outside.
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Cafe Grounded
20 Church St, Guilford, CT 06437
Simcoe Hops
GUBBNER FROM OSKAR BLUE? aNYONE TRY THIS YET? I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS ALSO SIMCOE BASED.
Simcoe Hops
I need help on this one. Theme beer night is different styles of hops and I pulled Simcoe. Aside from Weyerbacher's double Simcoe, what other brewer's use Simcoe exclusively??
