Big Bubba's BBQ

Took a trip today to MGM/Foxwoods to see the new hotel and casino. Got a late start so stopped off at Mohegan Sun for a lunch of two orders of Smoked Chicken Wings [$9.95] and an order of BBQ Shrimp [$10.95]. There were four jumbo shrimp on a skewer with some great slaw. But ALERT ALERT ALERT ALERT: the wings are the best ever and make a real filling lunch and they are cheap for the amount of goodness you get [along with some kicking dip].

blognote: Not impressed with MGM Grand casino. The open restaurants were not impressive either. Tom Collicchio's CraftSteak doesn't open until 5 and $30 an OUNCE for a steak flown in from Japan won't be blogged here by me!

4/21/08
A 'spring break' outing took us to Mohegan Sun Casino.
We had so many choices of places to eat but ended up at an old standard: Big Bubba's BBQ.

Started with an appetizer of Smoked Chicken Wings which were just about the best ever. Huge platter full of delectable goodness with just the right amount of 'smoke.'

One Bodacious Pulled Pork Sandwich and two orders [one which was mine] of Trash Ribs. These are probably the best bargain on the menu. A plate full of the cut ends of full racks of ribs with a cup of coleslaw all for $9.95. Had a Pilsner Urquell [Czech] which went very well with the ribs.

bloginfo: Trash Ribs are found on the menu under Appetizers. They are not always available; you have to ask.
blognote: Lots of remodeling being done so the big Wheel of Fortune game was out of commission. Used the other smaller one in the Hall of Tribes but Vanna wasn't good to me.

O'Rourke's Diner

Ate here AGAIN today but didn't fare as well as usual. Black Forest Omelette and two specials: Raspberry Pancakes with Lavender Crème Brulée and the Breakfast Burrito which was very disappointing [aside from the lukewarm home fries which were sent back]. It definitely wasn't worth the $15. But every kitchen has an off day; so will try again.

7/7/08
Celebrated an anniversary breakfast here early this morning.
And what a meal it was!

One entrée of the Galway Special [$13] which consisted of two poached eggs on Irish brown bread, homefries and a slab of lox.
Two entrées [one of which was mine] of one of the two morning specials [$16]. It didn't have a name but could be called 'the smooth and the rough.' This was served in two parts: brisket hash [rough cut goodness] with summer squash, fingerling potato and greens; goat cheese and Irish sausage quiche [smooth, smooth] with greens/salsa on the side. It was also accompanied by a morning glory muffin which was really a pinwheel of dough stuffed with macerated fruit. 'Himself' delivered it with the warning that the roll had just come out of the oven and the fruit was very hot.
We added unlimited coffee [and I mean unlimited] to the above for a fabulous feast. O'Rourke's rules the roost!



March 24, 2008
Lunch today here with no trouble getting a table at 1:00.
Started with a cup of Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup [$3.50]; delicious in a cream base not broth as I would have expected. Then had the 'Irish Tribute' which turned out to be even better than described on the daily specials' list. It was Lamb Meatballs over Bangers and Turnip Mash AND Hamhock over Brown Rice all smothered in a Mint Pea Gravy! [$11] and for dessert the Bread Pudding special which had layers of pound cake, scones and coffee cake topped with real whipped cream and raspberry preserve [4.50]. Bernie kept giving us samples of bread, coffee cake and Irish Soda Bread so we were entirely stuffed by the time we waddled back to the car.

February 21, 2008
Ate at the newly renovated O'Rourke's Diner this morning. The lines have been long as everyone is celebrating the reopening; we got a table without too much wait.

Two of us had the 'Dubliner' omelet: corned beef and cheese encased in an eggy omelet. It came with roasted fingerling potatoes with a slice of Irish soda bread slathered with raspberry preserves. Another entrée was a 'Casino' omelet: crab and bacon with potatoes and toast. The last entrée was 'Texas French Toast' [you can guess what that was] and sausages.

GOOD COFFEE! with slices of Lemon Poppy Seed bread on the table to start.

Brian was busy cooking, taking Lemon Poppy Seed bread to those waiting in line, and passing around a huge paddle from an industrial mixer so everyone could 'lick the batter' [almond based something good].

Quiznos

Tried out the new Sammies at Quiznos this week.

They are only $2 a pop and are quite good. We tried the Alpine Chicken with bacon, swiss cheese and ranch dressing; and the Bistro Steak Melt with black angus sliced steak, mozzarella and a mild peppercorn sauce.

We had a coupon for a free Sammie [get on their website and sign up for email news and you get a coupon]. Anyway, it worked out fine.

blognote: the raspberry diet stuff is real good

Tommy's Restaurant

Found the perfect pizza crust!

Ate here at Tommy's again and had the exact same thing: Buffalo Chicken pizza and Sam's Summer Ale. But this time I forgot to order the extra sauce.

Also ate here in between these two dates [but didn't blog] and had the Chicken Tuscan [?] pizza or something like that. It was good but the buffalo version rocks!

August 3, 2007
Lunch at Tommy's Restaurant in Middletown up on the hill overlooking the city. Had a Sam's Summer Ale and a Buffalo Chicken Pizza with a side of Marinara Sauce. What a delicious way to spend a hot and muggy afternoon; we sat in the well air-conditioned bar. There is a patio and a dining room but we were all alone tucked into a cool island of pizza bliss.

blognotes: Tommy's Restaurant is located at 825 Saybrook Road in Middletown, CT
860.346.8686

Baci Grill

After the wedding today, three of us went to Baci Grill to unwind.
We split a Lobster Bisque [$9] as they are still having their Lobster Mania.
Three entrées all the same: Cold Lobster Roll [$14] served with red cabbage slaw and fries.
Three beers: Bass, Sam Adams and a Sam Adams Summer.
This did the trick and we left feeling revived.

Jun18, 2008
Baci Grill was having their Lobster Festival when we arrived tonight so we took advantage of it.

Had the Lobster Tempura [$10] for an appetizer. This consisted of two lobster tempura lollipops with a wasabi sweet/sour dip. Very good.

The other lobster entrée was the Lazy Man Lobster [$29] which turned out to be a very different and pleasing preparation. The stuffing looked like a pancake covering the pieces of lobster. Very rich and well seasoned. The vegetable was Haricots Verts.
One other entrée was the Guinness Skirt Steak [$18.50]; I have had this before and it is always a good choice. It was accompanied with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Broccoli.

My entrée was Veal Florentine over Capellini [$22]. The veal was excellent and the spinach very fresh. The sauce, however, lacked any special taste even though its creaminess blended well with the veal.

Click here for website

bloginfo: Baci Grill is located 134 Berlin Road on Route 372 in Cromwell, CT
Telephone 860.613.2224
blognote: Baci is sister restaurant to Tuscany Grill in downtown Middletown

EH: Day of Discovery

Attended a 5 hour workshop on Cheese, Wine and Chocolate. This was held at ElderHostel Headquarters in Boston.

Each session had its own presenter; some more successful than others.

CHEESE: David from South End Formaggio gave a very informative talk which included details of cheese production, types of cheese and preparing a cheese platter. We tasted 4 cheeses: Buche Maitre Seguin [Goat's Milk from Poitou, France (***)], Brie de Nangis [Cow's Milk from Isle-de-France, France (0)], Lull's Brook [Cow's Mild from Hartland, Vermont (*)] and Bianco Sardo [Sheep's Milk from Sardinia, Italy (**)].

WINE: This presentation was given by Joyce from Divas Uncorked. This was the least successful presentation. We learned about Wine Varietals, Navigating a Wine List, How to Read a Wine Label, Common Wine Terms. We tasted 5 wines: an Astoria Prosecco [Carpene Malvoti Prosecco de Conegliano (*)], Ku De Ta [Riesling Mosel (too sweet for me)], Divas Uncorked [2005 Chardonnay Mendocino County (0, too metallic)], Rosemount Estate [Shiraz (**)], Delicato [Cabernet Sauvignon (**)].

DINNER: This was not the high point of the evening. The advanced menu had stated Teriyaki Chicken but we had Chicken Kabos, Field Green Salad with Balsamic dressing, very good Carrots and Summer Squash, and a tasty Broccoli Quiche.

CHOCOLATE: This WAS the high point of the event because of its professionalism. Nina was an energetic, enthusiastic and well-informed presenter. Her Power Point presentation and handout were both excellent. We tasted 10 very high quality chocolates. They were Castelain Tradition, Valrhona Chuao [*], Jamieson Robust Dark [one * for texture], Scharffen Berger, Guittard Colombian Varietal Couverture, Balrhona Gran Couva [*], Scharffen Berger Milk Chocolate, Bonnat Surabaya [*], Slitti Lattenero, and my favorite El Rey Icoa White Chocolate [**].