come dine with me...

Had Veal and Eggplant Parm at Angie's Pizza Restaurant in Hebron, CT last night. One of the very best renditions of this dish I have had. The sauce is great and there was a good amount of crunchy veal. It came with the usual salad [with lots of onion] with creamy garlic dressing [Ken's in a foil envelope] and garlic bread. I had my order over shells [cooked as usual with no salt].

bloginfo: Angie's Pizza Restaurant is located on 127 Main Street [Route 66] in Hebron, CT is a strip mall.
phone is 860.228.1018

blognote: the murals on the wall are very well done and quite whimsical

Labels: Connecticut, Italian, Pizza

Had lunch today at the Inn at the Armory in the Inn at Middletown on Main Street.

The daily special had changed from Meatloaf for $9.95 [had that last night] to a Seafood over Penne for $11.95. It had some lobster but the two entrées served had very varying portions of it.
One entrée was the 'Shaved Roast Beef Sandwich' which was gigantic and the roast beef was definitely not shaved.
The other two entrées [and one was my order] were the Tavern Omelette. This was excellent. It was filled with big chunks of Lobster, Havarti Cheese and Portabella Mushrooms. The omelette was served over sautéed squash and carrot.

Two desserts were ordered: Brioche Bread Pudding and Creme Brulée [the crust was not crisped].

All in all, a successful luncheon.

bloginfo: www.innatmiddletown.com for info and menus.
blognotes: waitstaff needs more training; precarious tray handling and reaching across patrons to serve
parking sux: use the free lot in down from the old Peltons in front of Destina; they ticket mercilessly on Main Street so feed the meter until it is full!

Labels: Connecticut, Gourmet, Middletown

Try the MEATLOAF! Last night we had the dinner for three: Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Garlicky Green Beans, Puréed Squash and Cornbread. Yummy!

I usually get the whole chicken but tried this for a change. It was very good.

bloginfo: www.bostonmarket.com for locations and coupons
blognotes: went to the one in Glastonbury on Main Street, nice people working there
had a Salad Capresce with the meal: tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil from my garden

Labels: Comfort Food, Connecticut, TakeOut

After the great meal at Oliva, we got two desserts to go at Grants in West Hartford Center.

The two desserts for the three of us were Mini Chocolate Mousse Cake and a Mini Lemon Cheesecake. These are the dessert-size portions they also serve from the menu in the dining room [and alfresco café]. Which one is my favorite? Hmmm, I guess the chocolate but it sure is a great contest.

bloginfo: Grants is located at 977 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT
phone: 860.236.1930
www.billygrant.com [they also own Bricco around the corner]

bloginfo: we had the $6 size
The chocolate also comes in a $10 and $25 size while the cheesecake also comes in a $25 size.

Labels: Connecticut, Dessert, Gourmet

After the matinée performance by Lynn Redgrave in 'Nightingale' we drove up to Oliva in New Preston, CT. It was a long drive but worth it. The afternoon was sunny and cool and the traffic was light. We arrived a half hour early for our 5:30 reservation [and the restaurant opens at 5:30] but there are several nice shops just across the street.

The bread was very good as was the olive oil and the olives. The menu was quite varied but we had the May 24, 2007 Hartford Courant review with us and had decided on two of the main courses. We skipped any starters and that turned out to be a very good decision.

The surprise order entrée was the Eggplant in Bolognese Sauce. This was hearty but not the huge size of the other two orders. The two choices from the review were the Roast Chicken and the Morrocan Lamb Shank. The chicken is described as: 'rubbed with Morrocan spices, roasted and set atop a mélange of prunes, caramelized pear, pine nuts and pomegranate sauce.' The lamb shank was 'Flintstonian in girth and drenched in a luscious sauce of rosemary, prunes and almond.' Both were served with a mash of orange and white turnip. We also ordered two side vegetables: Fresh Spring Peas with Prosciutto and Garlic; and White Beans with chopped tomato in a garlic butter sauce.

Our wine was a bottle of Cote du Rhone Louis Jadeau Beaujolais for a mere $20. The wine has many, many good inexpensive bottles of wine.

bloginfo: Oliva is found at 18 East Shore Road [Route 45] in New Preston, CT
860.868.1787
Lunch on Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 2:30
Dinner on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 5:30 to 9:30 and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 10
Reservations strongly recommended
MasterCard and Visa only

blognotes: very nicely decorated room but tables a little close
outdoor dining under the canopy

Labels: Connecticut, Gourmet, Middle Eastern

'Authentic Texas Barbecue - the best in New England'






We went to Danny's Little Taste of Texas in South Windsor because we had not been there for a long time and had a hankering for a huge plate of good food.

I had the Ribs Combo with both beef and pork ribs and a choice of two sides: Baked Beans with Pork and Coleslaw.

The other two entrées were a Combo Platter with choice of Ribs [pork], smoked chicken and smoked sausage and two sides: Chili and Cornbread. Second entrée was the Buffalo Chili in a Tortilla Shell.

Started out with the free Chips [chili rubbed] and Salsa. Also the two guys had a Lone Trail Beer.

Lots of food; lots of flavor. Good prices!

bloginfo: Danny's Little Taste of Texas is at 19 Oakland Road, South Windsor [just down the road and around the corner from Evergreen Mall].
Telephone: 860.436.1232
www.dannyslittletasteoftexas.com
Monday to Saturday: 11 to 9
Sunday: 12 to 9

Labels: BBQ, Connecticut