come dine with me...

After Hartford Stage's production of 'Chick, the Great Osram' we ate at Bamboo Grill in Canton, CT.

Two apps: Summer Roll [see pix] and Fried Roll; both delicious with different dipping sauces.
Soup: Lobster and Asparagus
Entrées: Banh Xeo Tom #46 Shrimp Rice Pancake, Banh Xeo Heo #45 Pork Rice Pancake and Bun Bo Xao #41 Sautéed Beef with Onions over Rice Noodles
Dessert: Banana Dumplings made with Sticky Rice, Bananas, Red Beans and Ice Cream
Shared a bottle of White Wine [BYOB]

bloginfo: Bamboo Grille is located 50 Albany Turnpike, Route 44, Canton, CT
telephone: 693-4144
blognote: CPTV coupon really helps!

Labels: Asian, Connecticut, Vietnamese

Another birthday party! But tonight it was for brother-in-law.
Ate at Joey Garlic's Pizzeria in Farmington. Had to find out what all the buzz was about in the Hartford Courant.

Two beers: Long Trail and a Stone Mill [$3.75 each] and a Chocolate Strawberry/Cherry soda [$2.25]]. Then a large Clams Casino Pie [$19.95]. The beers were fine and the soda was enjoyed by the person who ordered it [I thought it was gross!] The pizza was good but not great; the tomatoes and basil were fresh, the bacon was good and the clams were very few. The crust was thin and well flavored. If this place were in my neighborhood, I would eat there again but wouldn't drive that distance for the pizza.

bloginfo: Located at 372 Scott Swamp Road in Farmington, CT. Telephone is 678,7231
blognotes: they bus and turn the tables very quickly, we had a 20 mintue wait but I could see that it might take longer on busy nights, the parking lot was filled and difficult to find a space

Labels: Pizza

Another birthday celebration!
This time it was a dual party: me and brother-in-law. Had a great dinner at O'Porto on Park Street in Hartford. Have eaten there many times and it is always good. We had a $20 discount card [Hartford Symphony/CT Opera] but couldn't use it as we ordered from the Park on Park Special $20.07 menu.

There were three different appetizers and we each had one: Camarão Alhinho [sautéed Brazilian shrimp in a garlic butter sauce], Sopa de Vegetals [carrot and pumpkin purée with collard greens] and House Salad [me, on a diet!].

We then had the Paelha for three. It was overflowing with clams, mussesls, chicken and linguiça. Ample flavoring of saffron and the seafood gave it a sweet taste with the smoked sausage highlighting it all. Very successful.

They shared two half pitchers of White Sangría [long story] and I had a glass of Vino Verde.

Two Flanes and a Arroz con Dulce for dessert followed by three Capuccinos.

bloginfo: O'Porto is located at 2074 Park Street in Hartford.
Phone: 233.3184
blognote: we had reservations and the place was mobbed; no tables without reservations tonight

Labels: Hartford, Portuguese

Ate tonight at Forbidden City on Main Street in Middletown. Another great meal here.

Started with those fried rolls and flavored butter. And a nice bottle of white Spanish wine [I think it was Tres Rayas].

Four entrées:
Fried Shrimp with Melon Balls [I have had it before] enjoyed and finished.
Duck on Puffy Buns [I have had it before] and it was great [just remember to put the scallion in when you make those great little 'sandwiches'
Short Ribs with Baby Bok Choy [I haven't had that one yet!] looked good and nothing left at the end of the meal
I had the Pork Cutlet in Green Curry Noodles [special of the night] exquisite, my compliments to the chef. Just the right amount of kick and there is enough left over for another meal this week

No desserts but I had a pot of Chrysantheum Tea [from the Tea menu no less].

blognote: Mario was our waiter and he is really good.

Labels: Asian, Gourmet, Middletown

Celebrated [again] my birthday tonight and was taken to dinner at GLAS in Glastonbury. Great room; enough glass sculptures to make even Dale Chihuly jealous.


We both ordered exactly the same things from the menu [how cool is that?]:

A glass of Shiraz and a Greek Salad [just like I had in Mykonos with no lettuce, just all the other goodies].

Entrées were Steak 'Bambo' which is a Cuban hanging tenderloin/potato and manchego lasagne/wild mushroom mojo/red wine reduction [delicious].

Capuccinos and we split a Tiramisu.

Fantastic meal, good service and wonderful company. What a way to celebrate a birthday!

bloginfo: GLAS is located at 2935 Main Street in Glastonbury, CT
telephone: 860.657.GLAS

blognote: room can get a little noisy with the boomer mating calls in the bar but it makes a formal room more enjoyable

Labels: Connecticut, Gourmet