50 cents extra, for what?

Grandson, CF, was showing his invention, the Walking Shovel, at the UCONN Invention Convention, so we [BF and GC] went to see him.

After strolling through all the great inventions, we went to Dimitri's on Route 31 in [North] Coventry where I was treated to a very nice lunch. BF had the Southwestern Chili Soup and a Chef Salad with Peppercorn Dressing, GC had a Garden Salad and the Fried Clam Dinner. I ordered a Greek Salad with Oil and Vinegar and the Spinach Pie. Everything was very tasty.

Upon checking the bill GC noticed that they charge 50 cents for the Peppercorn Dressing [and the Bleu Cheese dressing also said the waitress]. We also noticed that there was no bread on the table: CHEAP!

The winner was the Soup and the Spinach Pie.
The loser was the extra charge for salad dressing.

$7 Lunch

Had eaten at Forbidden City in Middletown for dinner and found it excellent but a little expensive see other review]. Here is the up side: inexpensive lunches!

Of course I had to mess it up a bit and order from all parts of the menu: Mushroom Salad, Pearl and Chrysanthemum Tea and the $7 lunch. There is a long list of lunches [$7 and up], mine was the Eggplant in Garlic Sauce. This has a real good 'kick' to it. It came with a choice of three soups [I chose the Eggdrop Soup] and included a good sized portion of White Rice.

The winner was the Eggplant and the Tea.

bloginfo: www.forbiddencitybistro.com

Don't Hold the Onions

Ate at Soup's On! in Wallingford after the Y's Men meeting. Frank had given a great presentation on his trip to Italy. So we went to celebrate [any excuse, huh?].

There were six of us. The meals were: three Pasatrami Nightmare Sandwiches [one didn't get the sautéed yummy onions (not mine)], one Pulled Pork Sandwich, one cup of Broccoli Cheddar Soup and one Pineapple Stuffed French Toast with Kiwi Drizzle.

The winner was the Pastrami Nightmare and the Conversation!

MSG @Tuscany

The MSG met yesterday at Tuscany Grill in Middletown. This is the building where the Middlesex Opera House was located on College Street.

We had our 'usual' table in the 'back grotto'.

After some amiable conversation and little genealogical sharing we ordered from our friendly and efficient waitperson.

Some Corn Chowders, a Salad or two, a few Turkey Cordon Bleu Wraps and several Kelly Wraps [Pastrami, Swiss and Dijon with a Dijon Dip] were enjoyed. Several orders were mixed up but we all got to eat some Fries and Pasta Salad family style or such.

Time restraints made for a no dessert call. But I think some scurried next door to BrewBakers to indulge [same Pastry Chef anyway].

The winner [as always] was the conversation. The Wraps were pretty good and the Chowder was tasty.

bloginfo: www.tuscany-grill.com

Easter Ducky...

Went to the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum Café with NO, MER and their son, A[RO]. Our Hartford Stage subscription falls on Easter Sunday every year so I decided to go with them before the play instead of exchanging tickets.

Started with a bread basket with excellent Croissants [more please] and half-servings of Green Salad. ARO had the Eggs and Ham plate, NO had the Artic Char served over a Bean Purée and MER and I had the Duck Confit over hand rolled Tagliatelle.

The winner was the Croissant.

bloginfo: www.wadsworthatheneum.org

blognotes:
Skipped desserts and went to the RO residence for dessert after the play, 'A Lovely Sunday at Creve Coeur' which was indeed lovely. As was the Apple Dessert.

I joined the Atheneum so there will be more entries about the Museum Café as I now get a 10% discount there.

Need coffee, closed...

Went to First and Last Bakery and Café on Maple Street across from the original restaurant. But they were closed!

So we drove down Brown Street to Franklin Avenue to an old haunt: Mozzicato DePasquale Caffé. I was with the BLDs; JD had a decaf Latte and a Ricotta Gelato, BD just had a Pistachio Gelato and I had a decaf Latte and a Straciatella [Chocolate Chip] Gelato.

The winner was the fact that it was OPEN!

bloginfo: www.mozzicatobakery.com

raffle prize [not mine]

JD won a $25 Gift Certificate to either of the Fiore Restaurants [Middletown and Old Saybrook]. We went to the one in Old Saybrook. Haven't been to the Middletown one yet so can't compare the two.

Anyway, the meal was great. Hot Rolls and Bruschetta on the table. Salads with House Dressing [creamy]. JD had the ChickenParmigiana, BD had the Homemade Manicotti. I had the Chicken Fiore which is described as 'chicken sautéed with roasted peppers, olives in a lemon butter sauce.'

The winners were the Entrées and the loser was the use of canned Black Olives in the Salad and the Chicken Fiore.

For dessert we went to BrewBakers on Main Street in Middletown. BD had Carrot Cake, JD a Fudgy Chocolate Thing and I had a Grilled Cinnamon Raisin Bagel. We all had coffees.

Great Day

bloginfo: Fiore locations are 210 Main Street, Old Saybrook and 322 Main Street, Middletown.

Health Food, NOT!

Ate at Red Robin in Manchester on Monday with son, K. He is a 'bad' influence on me [or me on him].

I had the Royal Red Robin Burger; 1/2 pound hamburger, cheese, lettuce, tomato and a fried egg! This came with unlimited Steak Fries. At least the iced tea was calorie free.

K had the Blue Cheese Burger. We both enjoyed and really I didn't eat supper that evening.

The winner was the Fried Egg.

bloginfo: www.redrobin.com

Honorable Mention

My poem*: 'A Trukese Lament [redux]', received Honorable Mention this year at the Senior Poetry Contest.

Went to celebrate at Forbidden City Bistro on Main Street in Middletown. Great room and excellent service. Started with 2 Tsingtao [J&BD] and a Nest beer for me. Also ordered an appetizer of Baby Calamari which consisted of 5 whole calamari in chile oil. A little to bland for our taste.

Entrées were much more successful: JD had the Seafood Fried Rice, BD the Peking Duck and I had the Braised Shortribs with Purple Rice and Baby Bok Choy.

Desserts were good: Pecan Tart, Coconut Crepes and Key Lime Pie.

Winners were the Entrées!

bloginfo:* www.repositoryofpoetry.blogspot.com
website under construction www.forbiddencitybistro.com

blognote: The restaurant is a little pricey but well worth the money.

Crossing the Bridges of NYC

Went on a walking trip to New York City with the Adult Education group. Bus left at 8:30am and home at 11:00pm [and change the clocks to lose an hour's sleep]. We actually ran around the island instead of hiking.

Ate lunch at Junior's in the Dining Concourse in Grand Central Station. Pickles, Coleslaw and Beets on the table. I had two Mini-rolls with Chicken Salad, Lettuce, Tomato and Bacon. Couldn't take it 'To Go' as we had lots of walking to do. Other orders were a gigantic Deli Sandwich [Corned Beef/Pastrami?] and Grilled Chicken Sandwich on Toasted Challah Bread.
The side order of Fried Onion Rings was more batter than onion.

Dinner at Montague Street at La Traviata was a welcomed respite for three tired travelers [J&BD and Mofongoman] but the food left a little to be desired. When the water and the bread are the highpoints of the meal....

I had a Hot Antipasto of Eggplant Rollatini, Shrimp, Mussels, Stuffed Clam and Calamari. It was all unremarkable except for the super Red Sauce. BD had Penne with Meatballs and JD had Fettucini Alfredo.

blognotes: Tram to Roosevelt Island, walked the Pulaski Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, took the high speed catamaran [SeaStreak].