Hartford Stage Fund Raiser @Walter Wick Studio

Went to a faaaaaabulous fund raiser tonight. This was for the Education Section of Hartford Stage. I never knew they did so much. Saw some break-dancing Shakespeare the other year but they are seriously into helping students get involved. The site for the festivities was the Walter Wick studio on John Street.

You probably recognize the artwork which is so detailed. He has many books out there; great for the holidays.

Tallulah's did the catering and the food was great especially the shrimp. There was a wine tasting by South Side Wine & Spirit Shoppe. I tried the three whites and even bought three bottles of a sparkling Moscato [full name to be entered here when I pick them up].

bloginfo: website for Tallulah's and website for South Side and website for Walter Wick.

blognote: Why, when the nametag says Thomas, do people call me Tom?

On 20

I have heard so much about this restaurant I knew I needed to add it to my special meals blog. Here goes:

In a word this place is awesome; from the view [outstanding from the 20th floor] to the decor [earth tones, tortoise shell chargers, brown/yellow orchids on the tables] to the service [Danielle] and to the food [read and weep]. No need to search further for that special place to dine. I will return and often. This is a Hartford gem!

Went for the $35 prix fixe luncheon and enjoyed one of the best meals ever. It could be the fact that the chef kept sending out more and more food to taste. The deal is one starter, one entrée and one dessert. This is what I had:

bread: Sea Salt Focaccia and warm Whole Wheat

amuse bouche: Rock Shrimp Fritter in a Coconut Cream Cilantro Sauce

starters:
Seared Ahi Tuna with poached Quail Egg over frisée and tapenade
Grilled Baby Octopus over caponata
Seared Diver Scallop with bitter red cabbage and Crispy Pork Belly

entrée:
Maine Lobster and Tasmanian Crab Ragu over chef made/chef cut pappardelle pasta with lobster cream foam

dessserts:
Taste of Apple Tatín Ice Cream
Passion Fruit 'Tart' over pomegranate syrup and pomegranate sorbet
Assortment of mini cookies and truffles

beverages: Sparkling water [$7] and coffee [$2.50]

bloginfo: website
blognote: parking [$6]
tip was added to bill by establishment [22%]

DIY @cottage#2

No this is not my place, it's La Piastra where Lauren helps me out when I want to entertain [diy].

Served a nice bottle of Pouilly Fumé with gifted cashews just in from Vietnam and macadamias just in from Hawai'i. It sure helps to have friends with connections.

Dinner for four was Wild Mushroom ravioli with a Portabella and carmelized Onion overlay. I grilled Sundried Tomato Chicken Sausage on my electric George Foreman. A bit of gifted Pepper Cabbage from Amish country finished it off.

Dessert was one David Glass chocolate truffle from my hidden stash. Don't ask, don't tell!

bloginfo: Go to website and sign up for email at La Piastra.

Rein's Deli

We were starving after viewing 'Aida' live from the Met in Manchester but weren't really interested in Egyptian food. So we headed for Rein's Deli in Vernon. Only one couple ahead of us in line so got a table very quickly.

Of course there were pickles. And then an order of Potato Pancakes with applesauce for starters. One Chopped Liver sandwich with onions on rye and a Vernon: Chicken Salad, Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato on toasted whole wheat [they were out of pumpernickel]. Ended with two coffees and a Chocolate Layer cake with chocolate cream cheese frosting.

What a meal, what a day, what a life!

bloginfo: website here

Forbidden City

I usually come here for dinner but what a great luncheon menu.

We started with an order of Crisp Vegetable Spring Rolls with Chili Aioli [$7].

For entrées we had Volcanco Flank Steak: wok seared flank steak, jalapeño, onion with chili paste [$10] and my Amoy Grilled Salmon: herbs and hot spice rubbed sides with chili paste [$12] with scallion fried rice. Love that chili paste!

Chrysanthemum Tea [$2] and Pomegranate Sorbet [$6] for dessert.

bloginfo: website
blognote: Mario is a great server!

King and I Thai Kitchen

Best Pad Thai yet! Ate here for lunch today. Had looked for it before and couldn't find it but with 'expert guidance' found the parking lot. Not so hidden and good parking.

Very nice place [one of Parkville's many treasures] with excellent food and great service. I will definitely come back for dinner. I hear the mussels are a signature dish!

blogingo: website here

blognote: Thanks Will and Brandy for taking me out to lunch.

Cavos Tavern and Pizzaria

I have eaten here several times before but what always impresses me [aside from the great food and good service] is the cleanliness of the place. You would swear you were eating on some Greek island and not on the Berlin Turnpike.

I had the Gyro platter [$8] which had the famous lamb, toasted pita, tzatziki sauce and french fries [or rice]. The lamb was grilled and delicious, the pita fresh, the sauce flavorful and the fries excellent. This came with a super salad and lots of dressing.

I finished with a cup of Greek coffee with two sugars and a hit of milk [$4] made especially for me by Yaya who ruled the takeout counter.

bloginfo: Cavos is located at 2414 Berlin Turnpike in Newington. Telephone: 667-9200

blognote: There are other reviews of Cavos; just search them out.

Barcelona Wine Bar

Made a dessert stop here after the Connecticut Opera 'Lakmé'. This was a birthday celebration [who's 70 now?].

The place was packed and getting ready for the 11:00 dj; oh, to be young again. Anyway we sat in the greenhouse room away from the madding [and loud] crowd.

Ordered two desserts for the four of us. There was the pictured Churros con Chocolate, 4 to an order with the requisite chocolate sauce/pudding/dip and an order of Dulce de Leche Crepas filled with ice cream and more chocolate sauce on top. Both were good and just enough to satisfy our late night cravings.

bloginfo: catch the website/menu here

Barça

Barça tonight before an airport trip. Hawai'i visitors going back home [via Clearwater]!

Ordered three tapas for the three of us and this was just the perfect amount. They were each $9. Coca: flatbread with chicken and cheese and a side of sweet potato fries, Setas: wild mushrooms sautéed in garlic and butter served with crusty bread and Calamares: fried calamari with a remoulade sauce.

One decaf Latte and a Hot Chocolate Cake with Ice Cream [$5] with three spoons.

bloginfo: Try out their website, it has the menu and some good music.

blognote: There was a private birthday party and the music was VERY loud.

IKEA Café

Oh, those wonderful Swedish Meatballs. A plate of meatballs, mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam [$4.29] makes a wonderful and inexpensive meal. Here at the Café at IKEA in New Haven we had a great lunch.

After shopping we stopped back at the café and had dessert; four for the three of us! Chocolate Overload Cake [$2.29], Swedish Apple Cake [$2.29], Almond Cake [$1.29] and a new Princess Cake [$1.29]. Then the two Coffees and a Tea were free. What a day!

blognote: My visitors from Hawaii had never been to an IKEA store before.

Tuscan Table

Behind the waterfall at Mohegan Sun Casino you find the Tuscan Table [at lunchtime] for a wonderful and 'civilized' buffet. The cost is $19.95 plus tax, tip and beverage. The selections are wonderful. First the great appetizer/salad table. The highpoint here was the cranberry orzo salad. Next the entrées which today included turkey in gravy, salmon in a mornay sauce, two pastas, four flatbreads and much more. The highlight here were the Mussels Fra Diavolo. And then the dessert table filled with many caloric goodies. The Panna Cotta in individual brandy snifters and the Capuccino Crème Brûlée.

We celebrated someone's birthday [not mine for once] and had a wonderful time!

bloginfo: This is a Todd English venture and very well run.

El Kiosko

After my Karen class today in Hartford I stopped here at El Kiosko. Had seen this place many times and always wanted to stop in. Glad I did. Thought it was just a convenience store but found out it is a cute little café with take out and catering.

Bought an alcapurria and a meat/cheese empanadilla [$1.50 each]. Both were fresh, hot and tasty. I heated them up at home a little in the toaster oven. Good lunch with lots of memories.

bloginfo: 570 Wethersfield Avenue, Hartford, phone 296-2510

blognote: I picked up a free copy of Park Road/Parkville News which is a great little paper with lots of restaurant ads. As if I need more excuses to eat out!

new blog...

Check out my new blog: 'meet me for lunch in...' which will immortalize some special meals.