Bar Americain [CT]

I hosted a belated birthday dinner last night for a lovely lady and her husband at Bobby Flay's Bar Americain at Mohegan Sun Casino.

Everything was wonderful. The breads were varied and the spicy cornbread was great. The Onion Soup was declared the best ever, six clams from the raw bar were so very very fresh and my Lobster Avocado Cocktail was uniquely delicious. A glass of Rose Cava from Catalunya was a great accompaniment.

Entrées continued to please. The Red Snapper Florida Style was perfect on a bed of spinach and black bean purée; the Ribeye was tender beyond compare and cooked to order at medium well and the added goat cheese and green  onion Smashed Potatoes were very good. My Porterhouse Lamb Chops served medium rare with Sweet Potato Gratin along with the Fig and Pinot Chutney were meaty, juicy and tender.

We ended with the Pumpkin Bread Pudding with pumpkin cream and caramel sauce, famous from the cooking 'throwdown' between the Pioneer Woman and Bobby Flay, and the Green Apple Tart with Maple Walnut ice cream [a taste straight out of Paris!] and my decaf Latte.

bloginfo: Bar Americain is open for dinner only starting at five. Click for Menu here.

blognote: Bobby Flay was not in the house but was expected for New Year's Eve. Had he been there we would have complimented him profusely.

Hartford Baking Company [CT]

Heard a few good rumors about this place so stopped in today.

Unfortunately my freezer is filled with bread and won't be around to eat it anyway, so didn't buy any of the good looking bread. Did have a cup of Stumptown coffee [$1.50] and a Ginger Scone [$2.25]. We split the scone and it was decidedly the best ever!

Will definitely go back for some good bread.

bloginfo: check our their website here

blognote: easy to find on New Park Avenue close to the intersection of New Britain Avenue

Groupon Coupon [CT]

Try it out here!

This morning's coupon was $5 for $10 worth of food at New England Emporium on Main Street in Middletown.

I have used the one for Cora Cora and have two more for Saybrook Fish House and Pondhouse Café.

Big Apple Deli [FL]

Sleep in day after working the Holiday Party. Big breakfast and then some errands to do like returning the linens and dessert table. Right next door is one of the everpresent Big Apple Deli so we get some take out. I get the Brisket on an Onion Roll and the others had Corned Beef. Mine came with coleslaw [miniscule portion of excellent juicy coleslaw] and a great pickle. Life is good in deli land! 

Norman's Miami Beach [FL]

Late night dining after the holiday party. Had to get some 'regular food' after an evening of serving holiday buffet. Dropped in here and enjoyed. The best burgers in town; one order with fries, one with rice and beans, mine with sweet potato fries. Also had an ice cold Presidente [or two].

Shuckers [FL]

Best place in Miami for beer and wings. Stopped here on Saturday afternoon after decorating the restaurant for the holiday party. Also tried the new Chicken Salad Pita and that was awesome. The Spinach Dip was good too but after two pitchers of Amber Bock everything rocks.

The view here is awesome and the 'Christmas Tree' was a little minimalist but it lent an air of festivity to the otherwise transient charm.

bloginfo: located within the confines of a Best Western Hotel in Normandy Shores

Pond House Café [CT]

What a pleasure; delightful staff, good food, fab location. Ate here at the Pond House Café late afternoon [dinner menu] after the Theater Works production of 'God of Carnage' [fantastic show].

I had a glass of local Pinot Gris [Coventry] and the FIG, GORGANZOLA & CARAMELIZED PEAR FLATBREAD & SALAD [$11.59] Thin crust pizza, fig, caramelized pear, gorganzola, parmesan cheese, spinach salad, currants, walnuts, black currant vinaigrette. It was a super blend of sweet and savory on a terrific crust. Two others at the table had the same flatbread and of the other two, one Pond House Burger [those waffle fries look great] and one of the other flatbreads [too involved in my own meal to covet my neighbor]. Split the Irish Creme Chocolate Cake; rich, rich, rich [$7.65].

Cora Cora [CT]

Tried my first Groupon Coupon at Cora Cora in West Hartford.

Had eaten here before and liked it  and came back armed with my $20 for $10 coupon.

Had a good meal from the roasted corn 'amuse bouche' to the coffee to end the meal. We had two entrées and shared.

Ceviche Mixto: Octopus, mussels and clams marinated with freshly squeezed lime juice with onions and cilantro, and garnished with toasted Peruvian corn and sweet potato served over a bed of lettuce. [$13.50] and a Chicken/Potato Stew with a catchy name that didn't catch. This dish is not on their menu on the website. Check that out here. The menu in the restaurant has much more to choose from.

The ceviche, ordered mild, was great; fresh and tangy. The stew was a little bland but offset the ceviche which I would order a bit more spicy next time. The coffee was served in huge cups and good and strong. A very nice meal [especially with the $10 off.]

bloginfo: Restaurant is on Shield Street and the GPS tries to get you there the long way around. It is actually just off New Britain Avenue next to A Dong Market and Pho Boston.
blognote: I will research the name of the stew and update the blog even if it means eating there again soon!