Thursday, August 25, 2005
from the cultural to the culinary...
Note: Three review for the price of one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
...which is just a fancy way of saying we went out to eat after the play!
The play was Hartford Stage's fabulous production of Tennessee Williams' "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." Great end to a great season.
The restaurant was Chalé Ipanema on 342 Franklin Avenue. Went with NO and MER [formerly known as M and then MR]. We started out with Caipirinhas with lots of lime and lots of Cachaca [my first and not my last]. Good bread, butter, olive oil, super olives and a appetizer order of Fried Plaintains started us off. MER had the Duck with a Chestnut Glaze, NO the Bouillabaisse [Brazilian sytle]and a House Salad. I had a cup of Clam and Cilantro Soup [lots of potatoes] and the Bacalhau [codfish] with Shoestring Potatoes and Scrambled Eggs.
We split one order of Key Lime Pie for dessert.
The menu has a varied offering of both Portuguese and Brazilian_cuisine . It was difficult to order as there were many entrées that looked very interesting.
The winners were all the entrées and my soup.
ANOTHER VISIT...
Came here again after getting through two weeks of Liz Lerman Dance Exchange workshop. Treated to dinner by DL-A a dancer from England.
We started with the Appetizer Platter which was enough for a meal; lots of goodies not recognizable but consisting of various types of pastries and fillings of chicken and codfish.
DL-A ordered the Chicken Stroganof and the Portguese version is delicious. I had the Feijoada
which consisted of a kettle of black beans and smoked sausage. There were also the additions of a spicy salsa, a brown gravy-type substance and chopped nuts. All in all it was a great meal; the national dish of Brazil.
We skipped dessert but the Capuccino was delicious.
The winner was the entire meal, the setting and the waitress.
ANTOHER VISIT...
This is the third time now. And since BD was driving there were no 'fire hydrant' mishaps [see Ain't Misbehavin' blog]
The BLDs and I started out with appetizers of Yuca Frita, Banana Frita and a Crabcake special served with a Corn and Avocado Relish.
Then onto the main dishes: BD had the Feijoada [which I had had before - see above], JD ordered the Brazilian Bouillabaise [which NO had ordered in an earlier blog] and I decided on the Churrasco do Fruto de Mar which was a huge helping of Shrimp, Calamari, Langoustine and Monkfish in a delicious lemony sauce.
We all split one order of Key Lime Pie which was very, very rich.
For the blogger who asked for an expense symbol, I would say it was $$$ but that is so misleading. Anyway it was worth a lot more than we paid for it.
The winner was probably the ambience and the freshness of the seafood.
...which is just a fancy way of saying we went out to eat after the play!
The play was Hartford Stage's fabulous production of Tennessee Williams' "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." Great end to a great season.
The restaurant was Chalé Ipanema on 342 Franklin Avenue. Went with NO and MER [formerly known as M and then MR]. We started out with Caipirinhas with lots of lime and lots of Cachaca [my first and not my last]. Good bread, butter, olive oil, super olives and a appetizer order of Fried Plaintains started us off. MER had the Duck with a Chestnut Glaze, NO the Bouillabaisse [Brazilian sytle]and a House Salad. I had a cup of Clam and Cilantro Soup [lots of potatoes] and the Bacalhau [codfish] with Shoestring Potatoes and Scrambled Eggs.
We split one order of Key Lime Pie for dessert.
The menu has a varied offering of both Portuguese and Brazilian_cuisine . It was difficult to order as there were many entrées that looked very interesting.
The winners were all the entrées and my soup.
ANOTHER VISIT...
Came here again after getting through two weeks of Liz Lerman Dance Exchange workshop. Treated to dinner by DL-A a dancer from England.
We started with the Appetizer Platter which was enough for a meal; lots of goodies not recognizable but consisting of various types of pastries and fillings of chicken and codfish.
DL-A ordered the Chicken Stroganof and the Portguese version is delicious. I had the Feijoada
which consisted of a kettle of black beans and smoked sausage. There were also the additions of a spicy salsa, a brown gravy-type substance and chopped nuts. All in all it was a great meal; the national dish of Brazil.
We skipped dessert but the Capuccino was delicious.
The winner was the entire meal, the setting and the waitress.
ANTOHER VISIT...
This is the third time now. And since BD was driving there were no 'fire hydrant' mishaps [see Ain't Misbehavin' blog]
The BLDs and I started out with appetizers of Yuca Frita, Banana Frita and a Crabcake special served with a Corn and Avocado Relish.
Then onto the main dishes: BD had the Feijoada [which I had had before - see above], JD ordered the Brazilian Bouillabaise [which NO had ordered in an earlier blog] and I decided on the Churrasco do Fruto de Mar which was a huge helping of Shrimp, Calamari, Langoustine and Monkfish in a delicious lemony sauce.
We all split one order of Key Lime Pie which was very, very rich.
For the blogger who asked for an expense symbol, I would say it was $$$ but that is so misleading. Anyway it was worth a lot more than we paid for it.
The winner was probably the ambience and the freshness of the seafood.
Saturday, August 20, 2005
"Ain't Misbehavin'" but...
Saw "Ain't Misbehavin'" at Hartford Stage this afternoon. All the great songs of Fats Waller [I'm Going to Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter']. Would suggest not missing it but it ends tomorrow! What a great talented and energetic cast.
From there we went to Chale Ipanema as planned but they didn't open until 4:30 and we were a little early due to the fact that we had been at a matinee. Decided not to wait and pulled out of the restaurant into a fire hydrant. Yes, a fire hydrant! Where it came from or why I didn't see it; who knows. But anyway we were impaled by a fire hydrant and the only help I had was BD trying to guide me back up onto the curb and a Spanish speaking resident/onlooker giving his advice. With the help of both I managed to slip away from this piece of urban apparatus without setting it off to spray us all. Now I need a new back passenger side door. That was the only damage; only damage I say as it could have been a lot worse.
Still being hungry [will wonders never cease], we headed to j. gilbert's www.jgilberts.com in Glastonbury [with a real parking lot] and, of course, they weren't open yet. We finally got a table [waited ten minutes] and had a great meal.
Started with a little loaf of Sourdough Bread and then JD had the Top Sirloin Steak and BD had the 6 oz. Filet. Both came with the famous Salt Baked Potato and Asparagus. I ordered the 4 oz. Filet Combo with the Saint George's Scallops. This came with Cheddar Mashed Potatoes and Asparagus.
For dessert I had the Velvet Cake [Chocolate Cookie Crust, Chocolate Mousse and Chocolate Ganache] which I ate mostly by myself!
The winner was the entire meal, especially the beef.
The loser was the accident!
From there we went to Chale Ipanema as planned but they didn't open until 4:30 and we were a little early due to the fact that we had been at a matinee. Decided not to wait and pulled out of the restaurant into a fire hydrant. Yes, a fire hydrant! Where it came from or why I didn't see it; who knows. But anyway we were impaled by a fire hydrant and the only help I had was BD trying to guide me back up onto the curb and a Spanish speaking resident/onlooker giving his advice. With the help of both I managed to slip away from this piece of urban apparatus without setting it off to spray us all. Now I need a new back passenger side door. That was the only damage; only damage I say as it could have been a lot worse.
Still being hungry [will wonders never cease], we headed to j. gilbert's www.jgilberts.com in Glastonbury [with a real parking lot] and, of course, they weren't open yet. We finally got a table [waited ten minutes] and had a great meal.
Started with a little loaf of Sourdough Bread and then JD had the Top Sirloin Steak and BD had the 6 oz. Filet. Both came with the famous Salt Baked Potato and Asparagus. I ordered the 4 oz. Filet Combo with the Saint George's Scallops. This came with Cheddar Mashed Potatoes and Asparagus.
For dessert I had the Velvet Cake [Chocolate Cookie Crust, Chocolate Mousse and Chocolate Ganache] which I ate mostly by myself!
The winner was the entire meal, especially the beef.
The loser was the accident!
Thursday, August 18, 2005
fly down to guadalajara...
Actually we visited the New England Air Museum [http://www.neam.org/] at Bradley Airport in Windsor Locks. Very interesting and informative.
Then we drove to 9 Bank Street in Granby to eat at the Guadalajara Grill. BD and JD each had a Margarita. There were the prerequisite chips and salsa on the table. Nice place, well decorated, loud music, owner's child running around [just like a real Mexican family restaurant].
JD had an Enchilada in Mole. The Mole was described as 'a sweet yet spicy peanut butter based sauce with a hint of chocolate' and tasted not quite like the mole I was used to. BD had the Chicken Fajitas and I opted for the Carne Azada. The carne was a very tasty charred butterflied skirt steak. The Mexican Rice had a distinct citrus flavor; very fresh.
The winner was the Carne Azada.
Then we drove to 9 Bank Street in Granby to eat at the Guadalajara Grill. BD and JD each had a Margarita. There were the prerequisite chips and salsa on the table. Nice place, well decorated, loud music, owner's child running around [just like a real Mexican family restaurant].
JD had an Enchilada in Mole. The Mole was described as 'a sweet yet spicy peanut butter based sauce with a hint of chocolate' and tasted not quite like the mole I was used to. BD had the Chicken Fajitas and I opted for the Carne Azada. The carne was a very tasty charred butterflied skirt steak. The Mexican Rice had a distinct citrus flavor; very fresh.
The winner was the Carne Azada.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
a nice day in newport...
Spent the day in Newport [RI] with the BLDs. Nice weather, nice time.
Started the day with lunch at The Sea Fare's American Café at Brick Market Place. We had the Clams Casino [6] for appetizer and they were quite different from the usual fare. They were stuffed with a Ritz cracker stuffing over the bacon and clam. Very tasty!
BD had the Pan Fried Clams [supposedly over Focaccio] served over Mashed Potatoes and swimming in a Seafood Sauce with Onions and Chorice. They found an order of toasted Portuguese Bread to accompany it [and sop up the sauce]. JD and I each had the Seafood Casserole which held a large portion of Scallops, a Jumbo Shrimp and Lobster covered with the same Ritz cracker stuffing. Very rich with a touch of Sherry. Each entreé was plated with Mashed Potatoes [delicious] and Summer Vegetables.
We window shopped at the Brick Market Place and I bought some cards at OrientalArtsLtd.com
where they have a great selection not only of cards but unique Orientalia. We then took the prerequisite drive around to see the start of the CliffWalk and then around Ocean Avenue to peek at mansions, see the water and then back to town to find some dessert.
We found the Newport Creamery and did we enjoy! JD had a Hot Fudge Sundae with Batter Up [a peanut butter concoction] and Chocolate Fantasy [with cherries] ice cream. BD had just an Ice Cream Cone: Cookies 'n Cream ice cream rolled in chocolate sauce, chocolate flakes and nuts. I had a simple [!] Coffee Awful Awful [like a Friendly's Fribble] with Oreo cookie crumbles mixed in.
We then window shopped some more and ended up at Katrina's for Muffins and Scones to take home. We ended the evening at their house watching 'My Left Foot' with Daniel Day Lewis.
The winner was a nice day in Newport!
Started the day with lunch at The Sea Fare's American Café at Brick Market Place. We had the Clams Casino [6] for appetizer and they were quite different from the usual fare. They were stuffed with a Ritz cracker stuffing over the bacon and clam. Very tasty!
BD had the Pan Fried Clams [supposedly over Focaccio] served over Mashed Potatoes and swimming in a Seafood Sauce with Onions and Chorice. They found an order of toasted Portuguese Bread to accompany it [and sop up the sauce]. JD and I each had the Seafood Casserole which held a large portion of Scallops, a Jumbo Shrimp and Lobster covered with the same Ritz cracker stuffing. Very rich with a touch of Sherry. Each entreé was plated with Mashed Potatoes [delicious] and Summer Vegetables.
We window shopped at the Brick Market Place and I bought some cards at OrientalArtsLtd.com
where they have a great selection not only of cards but unique Orientalia. We then took the prerequisite drive around to see the start of the CliffWalk and then around Ocean Avenue to peek at mansions, see the water and then back to town to find some dessert.
We found the Newport Creamery and did we enjoy! JD had a Hot Fudge Sundae with Batter Up [a peanut butter concoction] and Chocolate Fantasy [with cherries] ice cream. BD had just an Ice Cream Cone: Cookies 'n Cream ice cream rolled in chocolate sauce, chocolate flakes and nuts. I had a simple [!] Coffee Awful Awful [like a Friendly's Fribble] with Oreo cookie crumbles mixed in.
We then window shopped some more and ended up at Katrina's for Muffins and Scones to take home. We ended the evening at their house watching 'My Left Foot' with Daniel Day Lewis.
The winner was a nice day in Newport!
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Spaetzle is seasonal?
Went to Tanglewood with the BDs and heard a great all Mozart concert. James Galway was soloist in Concerto in C for Flute and Harp. Program opened with Overture to the Impresario and after intermission the Prague Symphony, No. 38. The weather was not cooperating but we had seats in the shed so made out fine. It cooled off after intermission and then started to rain during the last movement of the last symphony.
Stopped for dinner at the Student Prince in Springfield, Massachusetts on the way home. Had heard a lot about the restaurant but had never eaten there. JD had Wiener Schnitzel, Mashed Potatoes and Sauerkraut, BD had the Lamb Shanks, Salad with Roguefort Dressing [prepared tableside] and Red Cabbage. I had Sauerbraten, Dumpling and Buttered Noodles. I really wanted Spaetzle but the waitress said it was seasonal and come back in the Fall.
JD didn't have dessert [such control!] but BD had the Fresh Peach Shortcake [with ice cream] and I had the Chocolate Crepe a la Mode.
The winners were probably the Lamb Shanks, Roguefort Dressing, the Sauerbraten sauce and the Peach Shortcake.
Stopped for dinner at the Student Prince in Springfield, Massachusetts on the way home. Had heard a lot about the restaurant but had never eaten there. JD had Wiener Schnitzel, Mashed Potatoes and Sauerkraut, BD had the Lamb Shanks, Salad with Roguefort Dressing [prepared tableside] and Red Cabbage. I had Sauerbraten, Dumpling and Buttered Noodles. I really wanted Spaetzle but the waitress said it was seasonal and come back in the Fall.
JD didn't have dessert [such control!] but BD had the Fresh Peach Shortcake [with ice cream] and I had the Chocolate Crepe a la Mode.
The winners were probably the Lamb Shanks, Roguefort Dressing, the Sauerbraten sauce and the Peach Shortcake.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Cody @Wooster Street Pizza
Tonight the three guys [three generations] went out to eat. Mofongoman, younger son and grandson [CF] went to Wooster Street Pizza just down the street in Cromwell.
I had the Pastitsio special, layers of macaraoni, chopped beef and bechamel and a touch of tomato sauce. And it was good. KF had the Pasta Combo [lasagne, ravioli and cannolini] and Salad with Blue Cheeese dressing. Great bread on the table and we even got a second basket.
Little CF had the Kid's Special of Meatball and Linguine with Sauce on the side. He ate my salad [no dressing] as that is still a no-no for me. He had a great time with it turning the Romaine ribs into 'celery'.
There was a lot of food to take home for lunches.
The winner was the Pastitsio and the company.
I had the Pastitsio special, layers of macaraoni, chopped beef and bechamel and a touch of tomato sauce. And it was good. KF had the Pasta Combo [lasagne, ravioli and cannolini] and Salad with Blue Cheeese dressing. Great bread on the table and we even got a second basket.
Little CF had the Kid's Special of Meatball and Linguine with Sauce on the side. He ate my salad [no dressing] as that is still a no-no for me. He had a great time with it turning the Romaine ribs into 'celery'.
There was a lot of food to take home for lunches.
The winner was the Pastitsio and the company.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Ruby Tuesday on a Thursday
Being on this low residue diet caused by my blown intestine and surgery in Montréal three weeks ago [see details @ www.foransolo.blogspot.com ], I was craving a real restaurant meal.
Went to Ruby Tuesday [RubyTuesday] in Cromwell with younger son, KF, and had some red meat. I ordered the ribeye steak with a baked potato and puréed cauliflower. It came with garlic toast and a steak dipping sauce. He had the petite sirloin with two crabcakes, baked potato and broccoli and two different dipping sauces.
Hadn't been here for a while and didn't have great memories of the place. But the service was fine [Tiffany], the food was hot and the price was decent. And my longing for a restaurant meal was accomplished.
The winner was the ribeye steak done medium rare.
Went to Ruby Tuesday [RubyTuesday] in Cromwell with younger son, KF, and had some red meat. I ordered the ribeye steak with a baked potato and puréed cauliflower. It came with garlic toast and a steak dipping sauce. He had the petite sirloin with two crabcakes, baked potato and broccoli and two different dipping sauces.
Hadn't been here for a while and didn't have great memories of the place. But the service was fine [Tiffany], the food was hot and the price was decent. And my longing for a restaurant meal was accomplished.
The winner was the ribeye steak done medium rare.
