International Cuisine Day @CVOC [CT]

Don't usually blog meals from private institutions but today's International Cuisine Day Brunch was spectacular.

The [annotated] menu:

Starters:
from India there were Vegetable Pakoras [spicy] and Samosas, Chicken and Vegetable

Main Entrées:
from Spain a Paella Station; a good serving with shrimp, mussels and clams, aioli available
from Greece [the best] Gyros, the meat blend of lamb and beef was remarkably tender; with feta cubes, olive oil and pepper on the side
from Poland [my second favorite of the day] an offering of Pierogi and Kielbasi with all the trimmings: peppers, sauerkraut, horseradish, bacon and sour cream

Dessert:
Greece offered Baklava [some had it with ice cream and chocolate sauce (mine was bare naked)] which was delicious
Italy served Cannoli [but that was the only thing I didn't try (wonder why?)]

bloginfo: CVOC is Covenant Village of Cromwell, the retirement community where I have lived for the past two years.
blognote: The chefs did an outstanding job of feeding so many people so well. The meals here are great but this International Brunch was exceptional!

Max's Oyster Bar [CT]

Three of us had brunch today at Max's Oyster Bar in West Hartford Center before the last performance of Hartford Stage's 'Sheila's Day' at the Kingswood Oxford Theater.

One Maxarita [$8.75] and my Pinot Gris [$9] to start.

Three entrées from the brunch menu:

a 'Greek Brunch' [$15.95] which was a wrap and spanakopita combined but someone forgot the feta

a Crab Benedict [$15.95] with runny eggs just as ordered

and my Seared Scallop Waldorf Salad [$14.95] an excellent blend of field greens, gorgonzola, candied walnuts, granny smith apples and delicious scallops in a light vinaigrette

for dessert we split an order of Chocolate filled Beignets [$8] six to an order, rich and filling

and a double espresso, a cappucino and a café latte.

bloginfo: brunch and lunch menus available; lunch a lot more expensive
blognote: my selection was the winner even though I was hoping for the Hangtown Fry from my last visit

The Katonah Restaurant [NY]

Soup and half-a-Sandwich [$5.99] today at The Katonah Restaurant in Katonah, NY after visiting the Cuban Show at the Katonah Art Museum [love to type that word].

We both had the same thing [isn't that against the 'law'?]: Split Pea soup [with lots of carrots and croutons] and Chicken Salad with lettuce and tomato on toasted rye bread. Good combo.

bloginfo: 63 Katonah Avenue, Katonah, NY‎ - (914) 232-9241‎

The Blue Oar [CT]

Got taken to lunch today at The Blue Oar in Haddam. Why have I never been here before?  What a great place. We both had the Turkey Sandwich [$6.95] with lettuce, tomato, cheese, bacon and avocado on a fresh bun. Very nice! Also brought some Barefoot Pinot Grigio so really enjoyed. Sat at a table outside with a river view. Beautiful day!

bloginfo: The Blue Oar is at 16 Snyder Road, Haddam, CT 06438
(860) 345-2994blognote: That is our table in the picture [but not us].

Carbone's [CT]

Three of us had wine [$8]: two Pinot Grigio and a Riesling. Two had cocktails in the bar [$10].


The salad course choices were:
Tomato Salad with Bermuda onions, fresh basil and a red wine vinaigrette
and
Carbone's Garden Salad, a typical side salad with balsamic vinaigrette


Good bread with dip and we ended up with these entrées:
Veal Marsala with a medley of roasted mushrooms
Salmon Senape, a Dijon and horseradish encrusted salmon fillet with a Pinot Grigio, lemon and butter sauce
Chicken Piccatta in a sherry wine and fresh lemon sauce
Penne Leone tossed with sweet Italian sausage and artichokes in a fresh tomato sauce with Prosciutto di Parma


Finally coffee and desserts:
Mixed Berry Shortcake or Lemon Cream Neapolitan with caramel sauce


bloginfo: website at Carbone's for their full menu
blognote: This was a very successful Taste of Hartford menu @$20.10; some are not.

Tommy's Restaurant [CT]

Pizza and beer, our usual 'date' lunch. Several times a year I take one of my old neighbors out for a pizza and beer lunch at Tommy's in Middletown. She can't drive and we have a blast getting caught up on 'hometown gossip.'

We split a small Buffalo Chicken Gourmet pizza [$9.95] loaded with chicken, mozzarella and just the right amount of heat. Tommy's makes the very best crust. For beers, she had a Bud Light and I had a Sam Adams Cherry Wheat [don't go there; like drinking dessert].