Ginza [CT] update...

Celebrated a son's 50th birthday today here at Ginza and had a great meal. Started with an order of Edamame [$4] and then had the Lobster Roll Sushi special of the day [$18]. This was a luscious combo of lobster tempura, asparagus, avocado with a sesame rice wrapper over two sauces and topped with a wonderful seafood arrangement.

There were two Hibachi entrées: Chicken/Scallop [$22] and my Salmon [$20]. These included soup, salad, vegetable rice, fried noodles and two grilled shrimp. What a great assortment of delicious food. The other entree was Teriyaki Chicken [$16] with white rice and vegetables [beautiful asparagus] and Miso soup.

blognote: Signed in with YELP and got a 10% discount!


4/2/11

My second visit tonight; this time for dinner. Started with a California Roll and a Shrimp Tempura Roll; both very good especially the shrimp. 

An entrée of Steak Teriyaki [$18] with a terrific piece of steak cooked to order at medium well and accompanied with fresh broccoli and asparagus. My choice of Yaki Soba [$14] with beef was tasty and just the right amount after the salad and sushi. 

bloginfo: Joined the Feng/Ginza VIP Club

blognote: Service by Fiona was charming!

3/23/11
Went to Ginza for a 'Christmas Lunch' today thanks to my lovely neighbor! This is the restaurant in Wethersfield, one of five under the Feng flag; three Feng restaurants and two Ginza. It was very successful for the four of us, each with a different meal.

Started with an appetizer order of Edamame [$4] and then the ordering went on: Two Ginza Lunch Boxes [bento box] which included a California Roll, Shrimp Shumai, Salad and Miso Soup. Then the main additions were: Chicken Teriyaki [$9] and my Sashimi [$12, guess I am an expensive date!]. Ginger salad dressing was very good as were the shumai. The miso soup was a lighter base than I am used to but delicious. My box with sashimi had four pieces: two Fluke, one Tuna and a fantastic Salmon. One order Woki Special for the hostess with Basil Chicken and Mushroom Soup [$9] and a Maki Special [$9] with salad, California Roll and Sweet Potato Tempura Roll. Two of us finished with cups of hot green tea.

bloginfo: beautiful simple dining room, good service

blognote: next to Fresh Pickings' [see their review] 

Noack's Market [CT]

The fresh Easter Kielbasa turned out wonderfully. I boiled it for 15 minutes [thanks Google] before frying up a piece with my fried eggs on Saturday. That was from the small link; the large link will be grilled for an addition to Easter dinner today in Marlborough with family. This is what it looked like on the grill; fifteen minutes later you couldn't find it. Everyone enjoyed it with none to spare.

April 20 2011

Just bought fresh Easter kielbasa here this morning. Waited in line but will be worth the wait. Will let you know how this all turned out.

The Corner Pug [CT] update...

Ended up here The Corner Pug after Theater Works' dramatic presentation of 'A Steady Rain' and needed some downtime. There were five of us and we started out at India Oven on Park Road but it wasn't open until five. AND we were hungry.

One Cobb Salad [$9.99], a BBQ and Port Wine Cheddar Bacon Burger [$10.59], French Dip [$8.99], special of mini Sliders and my Fish and Chips [$12.99] with a Smithwick Beer. This is the traditional beer battered cod with Pug [lattice] fries and a great tartar sauce. It was divine!

blognote: Our lovely server even gave us separate checks.

December 17, 2011

Met an old friend today [that's not him in the top picture] for lunch at The Corner Pug in West Hartford. Since it was MLK Day, everyone in the vicinity decided to go out to lunch. The parking lot was a disaster what with the crowd and the leftover snow. I found a place and then found another place more suitable to not being ticketed.

Had the Plowman's Lunch [$9.99] A Crock of Soup, a Pug Salad, a Wedge of Cheddar Cheese served with Hand Sliced Multi-Grain Bread. The soup was French Onion and very good, the salad was chopped with a house made vinaigrette and the two wedges of cheddar of cheese were good but small as were the two slices of dark bread.

Friend had the Mac's Big Burger [$7.99] Seasoned Char Broiled 1/2 Lb. Sirloin Burger Served on a Kaiser Roll [he had his bunless] with Lettuce, Tomato and Mushrooms. Came as the Zen Burger [vegetarian] but was quickly replaced by beef. Looked good and the waffle fries looked excellent but I didn't even swipe one.

blognote: might go back and order something more substantial when I am not on my 'diet'.

Arch Street Tavern [CT] update...

Just a short walk from our concert, we visited Arch Street Tavern again. The Quiche of the Day was Crab [$9.95] served with a side salad. Sounded good so four of us ordered it. BUT there was only one slice left; Genoa Salami and Roasted Red Pepper Quiche was the other offer. Oh well, that's OK. Well it sure worked out well for me as it was delicious; tasty, hot and creamy. Had a delicious cup of clear Seafood Chowder but the $4.95 price was a bit steep as the Split Pea was $3.95. Other nonconformist had a Reuben [$8.95] as this is his all-time tavern special sandwich.

April 15, 2011

Ate here for lunch again today; always can find something good to eat. They are very consistent!

Five of us: 2 Philly Cheese Steaks [$9.95 each], a Reuben [$8.95 (he always orders the Reuben!)], a Roast Beef Sandwich [$8.95 and fries $1.75] and my special sandwich of the day, Gorgonzola Bacon Burger [$8.95]. Everything was great, the bread/rolls are sensational, the fries terrific and fantastic service. This is the first time I have seen the roast beef and Philly cheese steak sandwiches; may even order one in the [near?] future.

April 2, 2010

Lunch today here at Arch Street Tavern which was very crowded. Members of the Robotics Convention were in full display, logo'd Tshirts and all.

Two had the famous Reuben sandwich [$8.95], one the Vegetable Quiche of the Day with a side salad [$9.95]. I ordered the special sandwich of the day[$8.95]: Pastrami on rye with grilled onions and pepper mayo [$]. All the sandwiches came with chips and a pickle.

blognote: Our server was new but seemed to be handling the crowd well. The kitchen was slow but the food was worth waiting for.

Wang Chinese Restaurant [CT]

Coming soon... and looking good...

In the old Diamond Trio site at 30 Berlin Road at entrance of Cromwell Hills, there will be this new place for Chinese food. Had thought it was to be another Ming Palace but could be under another name. We will see!

La Piastra [update]

Check out the new website at La Piastra. Check out the new offerings too. Just bought Grilled Vegetable Risotto [$9.95] and Black Bean Corn Salsa [$5.95] both look [and smell] great. BUT tried a sample of the new Stuffed Breads and WOW they are delicious. Will be back to get a few soon.

September 27th
TASTE OF CROMWELL

The Corn Chowder at tonight's food splurge was definitely the 'best of show' and it just wasn't me extolling its virtues!

September 12th

GLUTEN FREE *** GLUTEN FREE *** GLUTEN FREE

Just visited La Piastra to get some of their Asian Cabbage Salad [$5.95] to add to my tomorrow's 'after theater wine and ...' menu.

Saw their new line of gluten free cookies. They looked really good but I don't usually buy the 'good for you' stuff so ended up with a dozen gorgeous chocolate chip cookies!

THANK YOU FOR LINKING MY BLOG TO YOUR WEBSITE!!! Will be back soon to get some great food as soon as I get moved to my new address. Have been sending people over though and am waiting for their pleased reactions.

June 17th

Second trip to La Piastra today. Got the Curried Chicken Salad [$5.95] and it is very good. The chicken breast meat is quite moist and the amount of curry is good. The addition of currants jazzes it up also.

Also got the Broccoli Rabe with Roasted Garlic [$4.25] and I sizzled it in some lemon infused olive oil and finished it with a splash of white balsamic vinegar. Made me a good lunch!

blognote: They all wear black and for those of you who know me realize this is a good thing.

June 12th - Bought some super 'gourmet to go' takeout at La Piastra in Cromwell.

The Goin' Nutz Over Chicken Salad ~ boneless chicken thighs with toasted walnuts, grapes, celery and our house made tarragon mayo was excellent. It has served as lunch on several occasions. Just add a scoop of this salad and a little hummus and crackers and you have a nice plateful.

Also got the Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad ~ sun-dried tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and feta cheese

tossed in an aioli to take with me as an addition to a dinner out. We all enjoyed it and thought it very fresh. Both were $4.95 for a one pound container.

Read the review from the Hartford Courant here.

Their website is here also. The monthly specials are announced here.

bloginfo: La Piastra is located next to Mortenson's Ice Cream which is behind the Cromwell Stop and Shop. A little hard to find the first time but worth the effort. This is where Cromwell Kitchen was located.

blognote: I intend to try a few more items so keep tuned in!

Zerio's [CT]

Dropped in to Zerio's in the Willowbrook Plaza in Cromwell for lunch. Running around town with lots to do so took the path of least resistance.

This is a nice little deli/restaurant that I have missed in the past. Ordered an Eggplant Wrap [$6.50]; whole wheat wrap, roasted peppers and cheese. It could have been hotter but I was fussing with my iphone camera which could have been the reason. Large amount of eggplant but a little bland. Filling though!

Also had a Strawberry Melon FUZE with only 15 calories, not bad. Have to try this place again as the paninis look very good; meatball/ricotta seems to be the specialty.

bloginfo: Open every day 10:30am until 8pm [Sunday Noon to 8pm]
blognote: They cater.