brew bakers [CT]

Haven't been back here for years. Driving down Main Street in Middletown looking for a place to have an uncomplicated lunch; here it was. brew bakers was my old hangout back before 'widowerhood' days.

I had a coffee, Arugula Salad with chopped tomatoes and sautéed mushroom topped with some shaved parmigiano-reggiano cheese and dressed with a lemon truffle oil. This and a toasted/buttered cheddar bagel came to $12.12 [play that number] and certainly hit the spot. I will certainly return!

bloginfo: seems that the new owners have really turned this into a great little spot on Main Street

blognote; bought a half dozen assorted 'day-old' bagels for $2.29 and will see how that turns out

Udupi Bhavan [CT]

Studied the menu before I left today for lunch at Udupi Bhavan on Saybrook Road in Middletown. But when I got there they were having a Lunch Buffet for $9.99. This way I got to try everything and it was so good. First I had to wait for a table because the place was packed. There were very few non-Indians to be seen. Good sign!

The New York Times had done a review [see it here] a month or two ago raving about the Dosa there. So I was ready to get one. The buffet included one dosa, this time a Masala Dosa. It was similar to a rice crepe and was filled with potato curry. The restaurant is entirely vegetarian. 

A buffet was set up at the front of the restaurant and contained so many treasures: four different rices, three different breads, several stews, sauces and condiments and a delicious pumpkin dessert. I want back three times to the buffet as did many others. What a pleasure to indulge in such a great ethnic display of delicious food.

j gilbert's [CT]

Had a bottle of Saratoga sparkling water, a shrimp cocktail and a cappuccino for $2.12 [plus tip]! This was because the $100 gift card I bought someone for Christmas had an extra added $20 bonus. I do love those coupons.

bloginfo: j gilbert's website

Saybrook Fish House [CT]

Groupon Coupon strike again! The $59.36 check ended up $9.36 after the coupon which cost $25; anyway you figure it out. It was a bargain.

Glass of Pinot Grigio [$8] and then the served served family style with those great dressings: Champagne Vinaigrette and Creamy Caesar which you mix together. The basket of bread was a little skimpy but the whole grain wheat was super.

Entrées were Fried Shrimp with French Fries [$22] and my super super delicious Pecan Crusted Snapper with Maple Butter and Eggplant Fries [$26]. The fish had been fried to set the pecans and then baked to perfection. Vegetable were a combo of broccoli and corn on the cob.

Desert Fruit Basket was wrapped and is now sitting in my kitchen to be enjoyed at a later time.

bloginfo: website here

blognote: Rich was our server and he is excellent and can handle two rooms with ease

Marlborough Tavern [CT]

Celebrated a Birthday Brunch with four of us. Had to choose between brunch, lunch and dinner entrées. Three ordered brunch items and one from lunch menu [counting carbs].

The three brunch items came with an Apple Turnover that needed to be a bit warmer but it was sweet and got everyone into a very good mood.

I had the Sloppy Huevos [$10.99] which even though were two poached eggs didn't turn out too sloppy. The eggs were served over a bowl of spicy chili [sin carne] cheddar and onions [hold the sour cream]. The dish was spicy enough but lacked any panache. The Seafood Pot Pie [$16.99 Scallops, shrimp & scrod in a lobster sauce w/ puff pastry crust] was enjoyed and looked good especially the pink sauce. It had a decent amount of seafood but didn't need the potatoes. And there were fried potatoes served on the side. The Eggs Benedict turned out to be eggs benedict [$12.99 doh] and the crock French Onion Soup [$4.99] had so many onions you couldn't detect any broth. The Cajun Chicken [$8.99] sandwich with cheddar and roasted peppers got a good rating.

bloginfo: check website here

blognote: This is the second time we have had the same waitress and she is too much of a 'chatty Kathy' for our liking!

Pond House Café [CT]

Ate dinner here at Pond House Café this afternoon after a matinée at Theater Works.

They were fully booked but fit us in [called in but they didn't retrieve the message in their voice mail]. Next time will use Open Table as I always have luck with them.

Interesting wine list [local wines] and also bring your own with a corkage fee. We had a White Frost Chardonnay [$6.64], a Red Barn Red [$7.23] and two Imperial Porters [$6.15] for the four of us.

Biscuits with tarragon were brought to the table and were delicious. I and another had the Beef Brisket Sliders [$9.93]. Other entrées were the Crab Cake [$13.04] over a winter salad and a Vegetarian Tostada [$14.96] which came out cold, was sent back, was microwaved and ended up not the favorite at the table.

Two Cappuccinos [$2.35 each] and a Groupon Coupon of $21 [bought for $10] brought the total with a good tip to $20 a person.

bloginfo: Pond House Café is now in cahoots with Tango in Glastonbury. Will have to try the menu there.

blognote: Our server, Noemi, is great with the nicest smile.

Mondo [CT]

My last encounter with a gourmet egg was in Paris [11/20/09] at Jacques Cagna's La Rotísserie d'en Face. Had another encounter today at Mondo which does not have the panache of the Left Bank but is on Middletown's 'romantic' Main Street. It is new; bright, shiny and techno.

This time it was the Oozy Egg Pizza which was delightful: Fresh Mozzarella, Romano, Prosciutto di Parma, Egg & Truffle Oil. The artisan pizzas come only in one size: small. The small will definitely feed two so the rest is home waiting to be served for lunch tomorrow with a small salad. Delicious.

bloginfo: website click here! Passed up the lunch specials, give them a look
blognote: free parking in the rear, enter across from the Y at Union Street

Humphrey's Bar and Grille [CT]

Ended up at Humphrey's in Wethersfield; long story but we were hungry. This place has had so many names. Remember Abdow's Big Boy!

This is basically a sports bar with lots of atmosphere and little decor. But we did have some good food. A glass of Pinot Grigio and a glass of White Zin [$6.25/$6.50]. Ordered a Spinach Salad [$8], assembled in the usual order, that was very tasty. Two apps: Fried Calamari and Coconut Shrimp both came with a remoulade sauce. Both servings were a good size [$10 each]. All in all glad we made the stop. Would we return, probably not.

Leventi's [CT]

Lunch today at Leventi's in Columbia with family.

Ordered from Daily Lunch Specials. One Baked Scrod with baked potato and salad [$7.95]. Looked good and was enjoyed. Two Philly Cheese Steak Wraps with Steak Fries and salad. The portions were good sized and the mixture of steak, provolone cheese, onions and peppers was tasty. Have had better but for $5.95 this was a bargain.

bloginfo: Leventi's at 187 Route 66 in Columbia, CT
blognote: very good service