Mitchell's on Main

Haven't been back here to Mitchell's on Main for so long a time and it's just down the street. Had a very early physical exam and needed some morning fortification so ended up here. Very good Breakfast Sandwich of egg and bacon on a hard roll. This was done just right and was just what I needed with lots of crispy bacon. Two cups of good coffee and I was out of there to take on the day. Nice friendly hometown service!

Update: This morning's Irish Benedict was one of the best ever! Everything was perfect: the Hollandaise sauce, the crispiness of the corned beef and potatoes, and the poached egg was cooked just the right way for me!

Picnic Basket

 Keep driving past the Picnic Basket but today I turned around a went in. Hadn't been here for a long while but remembered  some good food from here. Got the Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms to go and they are smashing especially when served with my added mashed potatoes and corn. It was very well prepared and so easy to heat up in the oven. Also got a good looking Beef Lasagne which I am looking forward to later this week. The chef in charge is so knowledgable and was helpful is showing me dinners that could be frozen. Close to home, delicious and well priced!

blognote: Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms and my added corn with mashed potatoes and Dixie coleslaw

Platinum Prep Meals

 Stopped in here at Platinum Prep for the first time and was pleasantly surprised. The selection was great and the front of the house was very knowledgable and helpful. I selected two dinners and used one tonight. The dinner was labeled Baked Mango Habanera Salmon & Roasted Red Beets with Rice. I microwaved it as indicated and found a very nice meal. The salmon was a little bit dry but the mango habanera sauce helped with a nice kick. The roasted red beets were quite tasty and the rice was just right. I jazzed it up a bit with salt/pepper and a drizzle of Ponzu on the rice. Will try the next meal of Argentine Steak soon. Easy to get to, friendly atmosphere, helpful assistance...so what could be better than this. I might become habit forming.

MIZZU ASIAN BISTRO

Had a great lunch here with a friend who really knows the menu. That was good as the menu is so involved I get hungrier just reading it. Settled on the Lunch [bento] Box with Teriyaki Salmon which was delicious but a bit over-done. I was given insight by my eating partner to order the Mushroom Soup instead of the Miso. This was super. I substituted brown rice for white but found it a bit dry. The Shrimp Shumai was delicious as was the Fried Spring Roll. The salad was fresh and tasty with the best Ginger dressing. The two pieces of sushi where fine. Finished with an order of Chocolate Ice Cream which turned out to be a great portion of ice decorated with strawberries and whipped cream along with two chocolate twirl cookies. 

Giulia's Pizza Restaurant

 Driving around town and hungry I passed a place I have wanted eat at. So Giulia's was it. Didn't realize the place was getting ready to close early on 4th of July eve. They took my order for eat in and produced a huge eggplant grinder. I decided to take it home to enjoy it at leisure and was very good. The bread looked overdone but was delicious and definitely made on site. The sauce was just right so I really enjoyed it. Will go back at noon one of  these days.

Tony's Flour Shop

 Tony's Flour Shop just opened yesterday and I have been there twice already. This is a great addition to Cromwell. Yesterday I bought Semolina Bread and two Lemon Meringue Tarts. The bread was amazing and can't wait to toast the last two slices! The tarts were today's dessert lunch [actually that's all I had with a cup of tea] as I get ready for Happy Hour elsewhere. The lemon is the real thing and I saw jars of lemon curd for sale there also. Today I needed a 'care package' for an ailing friend so picked up a Pepperoni Bread that looked and smelled delicious. Just read his blog entry and he is sold out for the day. This is small-batch baking at its finest! Welcome to town.

Cromwell Pizza and Pasta

 Beautiful sunny day when we started so sat under a big red umbrella for lunch at Cromwell Pizza and Pasta. Ordered a Katie's Favorite Panini to share and have had this one before with its grilled chicken, provolone, roasted red peppers with pesto and mayo. This is the best! Hungry so we also ordered a Margherita with its usual fresh basil, plum tomato and mozzarella...so good. By the time we finished, the rain had started and we were ready to go with full stomachs and happy earts!

Phở

 On a dark and dreary day I stopped in at Pho and Grill nearby in Cromwell. Their pho is quite good with a tasty broth and noodles. The add-ons arrive separately encased in plastic wrap; freshThai basil, bean sprouts, sliced jalapeño and a lemon wedge. I chose the meatball option but would probably add the rare flank steak next time. Added a touch of Hoisin sauce and sriracha for more depth. This made for a homey meal on a cold day. Brought the remainder of the broth home for another adventure here.

Their sanitary measures are excellent and seating is well distanced. The service is excellent and will definitely go back.

Pho and Grill

Had a traditional [they had two offerings] Bahn Mi at Pho & Grill in Cromwell. This little restaurant just opened for dining in and take out very near to me. I have been wanting some Vietnamese food in my neighborhood for a long while. This had the correct meat filling with the liver paste. The baguette was a bit crunchy for my taste but the vegetable were very fresh. Will be back to try Pho and other items from the menu.

blognote: no website yet

MIZZU

I have been waiting to try out this new Japanese restaurant, Mizzu, and was taken out to lunch here today. Very nice room and good service.

There were several lunch specials and I ended up having a mix of good tastes.

The ginger tea is very good and the hot water refills do not stop! An appetizer of Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Garlic Crumb, Peanuts, Shallots and Tamarind Dressing was delicious. I ordered the Sushi 2 piece special which came with Miso soup. My choice for the sushi was Eel Avocado and Spicy Tuna. The eel was full of taste and the spicy tuna could have been a lot spicier. The rice was not a typical rice that I am accustomed to but more of a moshi rice. There is the possibility of sushi without nori and using cucumber. The cucumber has a very delicate taste and needed to be sauced or with soya to complete the taste. A dish of chocolate ice cream ended the meal on a sweet note. One of the guests had the bento box lunch special and it looked very good. Next time!!!

Crispy Broccoli

Eel and Spicy Tuna Sushi

Cucumber Wrapped Sushi

Tuesday Lunch Special at Ruby Tuesday's

What's the Tuesday lunch special at Ruby Tuesday...that's an easy question to remember.  Today it was the Cheeseburger and Fries [or Tator Tots]. Quick, easy and inexpensive lunch. Not a gourmet treat but warm and inviting and sitting in the bar made it seem more people oriented. The addition of the onion, lettuce, tomato, pickle and American cheese 'beefed' up the product. The fries could have been a bit crispier but served the carb purpose. Unsweetened iced tea sweetened the meal and with a nice tip came to just over $10.

blognote: sign up for the emails on their website and get to know what the deal is for the next day's special Tuesday lunch

Ambrosia

Stopped in to the new Ambrosia just steps away from the old. What a disappointment! The food is as good as ever and maybe even better but the atmosphere [if one could call it that] is downright dreary. I hope there are plans for site improvement in the very near future. Two 4-tops and some high-top seats at the front window counter. The music is dreadful and loud. All the Greek charm has been lost.

That said the Lamb Gyro was delicious and the fries excellent. There is a mention on the menu that lettuce could be subbed for the fries. That should be mentioned as one did not want fries especially tucked into the excellent toasted pita bread. Extra tzatziki sauce hit the spot.  

Nardelli's Deli

Picked up some lunch at Nardelli's for an early Mothers' Day lunch with Mom on the hill in Andover. Got the Italian Combo grinder filled with a medley of good Italian cold cuts and the trimmings along with a container of vinegary coleslaw. Two cups of delicious and creamy Chocolate Mousse were the ending to a good meal. Nice service and a bargain!

Café Luna

Tried out the lunch menu at Café Luna. Everything tastes fresh! I asked for my favorite Eggplant Parmigiana even though it wasn't on the menu and no problem. The eggplant was lightly breaded, the sauce had been cooking all day and the spaghetti was al dente. Had a glass of their house red which is a cab/merlot blend and it went nicely with my meal. Bread would have been a good addition to the meal.

Chili's Bar and Grill

Drive past Chili's every week day morning on the way to the gym but never think to eat here. Mistake. Had lunch there with son and grandson and it was just fine. The Tortilla Soup is absolutely fantastic with a creamy base that really hits all the right spots. The Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadilla was very good and so filling that I ended up taking two thirds of it home. 

Ambrosia Pizza

Ate at Ambrosia Pizza in the old Mario's Pizza place on Main Street in Cromwell. Ordered the Spinach Brie pizza with artichoke hearts and it was super. They are being managed by Ambrosia, my favorite Greek restaurant, just a few steps away. 

blognote: Order out for now [860.635.2224] until they get the insides spruced up.

bloginfo: They do not have a website yet.

Café Luna

New restaurant in Cromwell where Franco's was years ago. Many happy family memories of pasta dinners there. The place has undergone a very nice redo and was inviting.

No Happy Hour so I tried out their appetizer menu with the Steakhouse Bruschetta and a glass of wine. As an appetizer it was appetizing. The bruschetta was well constructed and very tasty with an excellent coating of cheese. The underlying 'salad' was okay but was confused by the delicious dip/salad dressing in the middle. There was no need of anything extra on the bruschetta as it was complete in itself and the dip was too thick to be a dressing for the mixed greens below. I did use it on the greens and it was a garlicy goodness. The house Cabernet Sauvignon was very good with a healthy pour. Entrées seemed a little pricey but will be back to try it out.

bloginfo: There is no website yet as the place is quite new. The place next door which used to be part of Franco's is a separate business. Will blog that later.

blognote: plenty of parking out front

Ambrosia

New menu and there are so many choices. I tried the Lamb Melt and it was a super meal. The side Greek salad needed a little more dressing to live up to the fresh dish of lettuce and tomatoes amped up with olives, onions and a chunk of good feta cheese. The melt was delicious with perfectly cooked meat including cheese and tomatoes. Their pita is always the freshest and crunchy/crispy. The accompanying container of tzatziki sauce was creamy and garlicy and the salted and peppered french fries are best. What a way to fill the day!

December 30, 2017

Had a Lamb Gyro with the best fries and tried a small order of Felafel. I am really trying to like felafel but it is always a little too dry for me even with the cup of tzatziki sauce. By the time I get finished introducing my guest to this place I should become Greek ambassador to Cromwell.

December 18, 2017

Went back again and again. First for Champion's Crepe with lamb gyro meat and now for a Lamb Gyro grinder. Both were delicious and addictive.

Reblogging this from August 29, 2015 as they seem to be doing a great business.

Suggestion: Get to Ambrosia on Main Street in Cromwell, CT before it gets so popular the line is out the door! I had the Gyro Wrap [$7.50] made from pork chops broiled on a döner machine. This is served in the authentic Greek street food fashion with fries inside the pita. The tzatziki sauce was one of the best yet. 

Anyone who reads this blog knows my penchant for street food. My two favorites are currywurst and döner kebab done with lamb. I just have to add this to the mix and not even have to travel but a mile or so. The Greek coffee frappe was out of this world.

bloginfo: Website now functioning!

Jefferson Fry Co.

Now here's a niche market that really appeals to me. French Fry Heaven! There are five kinds of fries and twelve toppings to choose from. I had the straight fries with a pesto mayo and grated parmesan topping. It was super and the medium size order is plenty for a good lunch. Also tried the burger with a few additions but there piece de resistance [don't know how to say that in Gaelic] is the fries.

Mitchell's on Main

July 28, 2018

As you can see, it's been a long time since last visit but keeps getting better. A friend suggested meeting here so I indulged her. The Irish Benedict was perfect so the move was a good one. The corned beef hash and the hollandaise were just right so the breakfast was a success.

April 3, 2008

Well, the coffee was good.

Ate at Mitchell's on Main, replacing Mama Roux', in Cromwell. Had Corned Beef Hash with scrambled eggs and toast. Nothing to write home about though. The hash has too much clove and not enough texture. The eggs were cooked perfectly as ordered 'easy' and the toast was plain old white bread. Well, the coffee was good.

blognote: Boy, do I miss Mama Roux!!!!

July 28, 2015

breakfast special

Well, it's been a long time since I last visited Mitchell's on Main as you can see. Stopped in for brunch after a hiking trip. We had eight people and they handled it very well with separate checks. I had the 'breakfast special' of a bacon and egg breakfast sandwich [$5.99] with included unlimited coffee. It was good but not outstanding but much better than the last time.