Vito's Pizza To Go

Great to see Chef Rob Mafucci again in his new place near me, Zito's To Go. The Margarita Pizza was delicious and the crust was perfect. It brought back so many good memories. Now that I have found the place I will be a steady customer. Can't wait to hear about the new truck, The Rolling Stone. And by the way theTiramisu was out of this world.

Sorella

 and then we went to eat in a real restaurant after seeing a real play...What a day this was. We hadn't been back to Sorella for so long and found it again after seeing a great production of 'Lost in Yonkers' at Hartford Stage. Started to walk to Pratt Street to see what was open and walked into Sorella and greeted by the convivial hostess. After finding a table out of a draft we proceeded to order the Figgy Piggy Pizza for an appetizer [we were hungry] and found it amazingly fresh and delicious, the fresh baby figs lightening up the tangy prosciutto. The pour of Vermentino was super. The entrée was a Veal Saltimbocca over Rotini which is now in my refrigerator waiting to be served tomorrow as the pizza really filled us up but not so much as to avoid dessert. The Warm Olive Oil Cake with Lemon Curd and a good cup of coffee ended up this memorable meal!

 

Square Peg Pizzeria

 What a gathering...only wore my flower and Denim and Flower jacket but so many in formal attire that it was a special evening. Met some great people here at Square Peg Pizzeria and that's what YELP Hartford is all about. The food and drink offerings were so special especially the Bacon and Pesto Pizza. Wow! Great wings and that drink had me in a great mood. The service was so friendly and our table of three was supper. You never have to worry about showing up single at one of these events as you end up meeting some special people. What a great spot for pizza and wings, 'I shall return' as the old saying goes...

Harry's Pizza

Didn't want to brave the crowds and wanted a good lunch so went to Harry's Pizza. Ordered a large arugula and prosciutto with asiago cheese to go. It was ready on time and delicious and hot. The mound of greens made up for not having a salad while the combination of the meat and cheese ruled! It is the nicest place around and makes having a real good meal so easy.

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!

Specialty Pizza

 Specialty Pizza: Eggplant! Got a small fried eggplant, ricotta, basil pizza on our way home from First and Last Tavern in Torrington. Best idea of the day. Called it in on departure and picked it up hot and delicious and ate it at home. What a great combinations of flavors. Too bad it's so far from home. Guess I'll have to drive out there again [and again]!

TRINITY Restaurant

Delicious take-out from the Trinity Restaurant dinner menu on Saturday afternoon. Asked for a 4:30 pick-up and it was ready just on time. Ate the lamb dinner al fresco on the porch. We had Lamb 'Oso Buko' with  goat cheese polenta and broccoli grilled in pan juices with a half dozen garlic knots. The lamb shank was huge with loads of meat cooked to perfection and the accompaniments rounded out a great meal. This was accompanied by a bottle of Smith and Hook Cabernet Sauvignon from my stash. Love his restaurant and the people running it!

MONDO

Wanted to use up a Christmas gift card for Mondo so went for their lunch special today. Had a very successful free lunch of half order of Eggplant Fries and a half Chicken Pesto Panini. The fries were ginormous and delicious especially after dipping them into the accompanying sauce. The panini was filled with nicely cooked chicken and a very delicious pesto along with some tomatoes. This made for a great quick lunch with nice service.

blognote: The gift card was for $15 and the lunch special was $9.25. Success!

Trinity Restaurant

SECRET: Go to Trinity Restaurant for lunch and have the Lamb Sandwich. This is the ultimate culinary gift you can give to yourself. Actually it is not a secret as it is on the menu. The succulent slices of roast lamb on a toasted roll with a filling of wilted arugula is delicious. Had it today and will return and have it again [and again]! There are many other dishes on the menu that are so delicious especially the pizza so go and enjoy.

blognote: street parking

Whole Foods Pizza Bar

Was running around doing extra late minute type shopping in Glastonbury this afternoon and stopped at Whole Foods for a slice of pizza. It was a good-sized piece of White Pizza for $3.79 and it was delicious. There were at least eight types of pizza to choose from. This one caught my eye immediately with its glazed top of several types of cheese with the ricotta being the best. Ate it there at a window seat watching all other late shoppers coming and going.

blognote: This is a stock picture as I didn't remember to take a picture until I was about half-through the deliciousness.

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.  

Harry's Pizza at Bishop's Corner

Gotten pizza many times from Harry's at Bishop's Corner and usually it's pretty terrific. The seasonal offering this time was a whopper but a little too much 'whop'. It had potatoes, sausage, caramelized onions, broccoli rabe and gorgonzola cheese. Seemed more fitting for a cool autumn day but I did enjoy some of it. 'Shoud'a had a Margarita [Pizza]!' 

Trinity Restaurant

After an unsuccessful brunch we ate at Trinity Restaurant on our way back home. We were early for dinner but there were no other patrons. I don't know why this place is so often lacking diners. It is wonderful with a great menu and good service in a family run operation. We split a Greek Salad and an Eggplant Pizza. They were both great and inexpensive. The eggplant on the pizza had been fried and the crispy pieces were delicious. They serve the best Lamb Sandwich but it is only available for lunch...I will be back soon!

blognote: This place is just down the hill from Trinity College and Cinestudio so a great place to stop after a movie.

Savoy Pizzeria

Not as successful a trip this time to Savoy Pizzeria. The Beet Salad with burrata was good and the Pizza with arugula and prosciutto was interesting but the amount of arugula was overwhelming. The glasses on the table had not had a very bath before being set on the table. Asking for a clean glass got it 'washed' but not replaced and with a little attitude from the bartender. Oh well, we have all had a bad day!

January 1917
Quick visit to the new MAX' Savoy Pizzeria after Open Tech Rehearsal at HSC. Great welcome at the door and a booth was available!

Very pleased with the meal. Started with a Negroni Spaliato [$9 my favorite but with a splash of Prosecco. Then we split a Roasted Beet Burrata [$13] with pistachio,|beet vinaigrette and arugula. Then on to the Flower Power pizza [$13] with cauliflower, garlic oil, caramelized onions and fontina. Both were delicious.

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.

V's Trattoria

It's been a few months since I last visited V's Trattoria but it was a welcome meal to be back. We were across the street at Hartford Stage at a Technical Rehearsal for 'The Engagement Party' which seems like it will be a super play. We started, of course with their great bread, and then split a Pesca Salad. This was just as good as we had remembered and the pear was perfectly. A glass of Sauvigon Blanc Marlborough helped this all along. Then the pizza got waylaid by a group of corporate networkers who were having an after-work get together. They also had pizza on their menu. A half hour later our Spinach, Potato and Sausage pie arrived and it was delicious. Worth the wait...maybe!

August 28, 2018

As you can see, I haven't been here for a while and missed it. So when four of us were volunteering in the food kitchen next door we dropped in after. Since it was a Sunday, the small plates were only $6 each. We each had a salad [Panzanella for me} and then the entire list of six available plates: Homemade Burrata with Fig, Sausage and Peppers, Shrimp, Fried Artichokes, Meatballs, Ahi Tuna. All were delicious!

November 16, 2017

Here again on a Thursday night but too late for our oyster fest [only 6 left so we each got 3]. Awarded an amuse bouche [just put your V's card on the table]. Had the Panzanella salad and it was excellent. Ordered Calamari and good but I am getting to not like the cherry peppers fried into the order. Primavera Pizza ended up being dessert.

September 21, 2017

It's Thursday evening and I'm bored at my present gathering and I'm hungry. So I ended up at V's Trattoria again and it's Buck-a-Shuck! Yes!

We each ordered a dozen Blue Point oysters [$12] and a nice pour of Sauvignon Blanc [$12]. Followed this with the Pesca Salad [$9] with the grilled peaches and it was just the right ending to a successful evening meal. NOT! Got creative with a 'Craft Your Own' and split a small pizza with sausage, spinach, tomatoes and mushrooms [$18] and it was super. However, most of it took the ride home to be part of a meal on another day.

blognote: Got to talk with Rob the owner. Great service by Ian and will ask for him next time in.

First and Last Tavern

After the play the same three theater-goers went out for something to eat. Didn't have much luck until we remembered First and Last Tavern, the original, close by. What a great reunion as I had not been back here in years. What a Hartford original! I had a Rosé Sangria [$10] and Zuppa de Mussels [$14.95]. This made for a great debriefing after a truly hilarious play.

blognote: park in back or park on street

Mondo Pizza

On the way back from theater in New Haven we stopped off at Mondo for a quick supper. Haven't been here for years and didn't realize how popular it had become. Started with a splitting a Beet Salad. I opted for an app of Meatball Bruschetta for my entrée which was really a full meal. My dining partner had the Italian Sausage and Pistachio Pizza. This was on the specialty menu and was quite good but the thin crust was a bit burnt around the edges.

Georgina's Italian Restaurant

Haven't been back to Georgina's Restaurant for a while so tried lunch today. The salad was large and the house made creamy Italian dressing was plentiful. The garlic bread was the same delicious slabs of buttery goodness. My guest had the Chicken Marsala over a bed of spaghetti and she enjoyed it and took lots home. My veal/eggplant with ziti was plentiful and very tasty. I, too, had to take a portion of it home for another meal. All in all, it was a good luncheon focusing on the food. 

blognote: Even though I mentioned that it was my guest's 91st birthday and the reason we were there was her request because of past food and hospitality, there was no 'cupcake with a candle' or any other mention of the celebration. They did yell Happy Birthday as we exited. It would have made her day a little more special and brought me back!

April 15, 2008

Ate here previously [see 12/27/06 'Christmas at Bolton Notch' review] for lunch.

This time it was the dinner menu and the portions are 'gigondous' and the food is good.

The Garlic Bread is more like Rome meets Texas Toast but it is good and buttery and garlicy and herby [get the message, I liked it]. The dinner salad was forgettable especially the 'house' creamy Italian dressing. Why do restaurants serve such large pieces of greens?

Two entrées were Chicken Marsala and they looked quite good. I had the Chicken Française; it had a great egg wash with a nice lemon tang in the white wine sauce but mild on the garlic. It was served over about a pound of linguini cooked al dente which is perfect for me. The entrées were $14.95 each which was a bargain. My leftover pasta will feed me for a night or two.

Good service and the waitperson remembered my hosts from a previous visit. This is a nice friendly place to get a real good meal.

bloginfo: Georgina's is located at 275 Boston Turnpike [Routes 6 and 44], Bolton, CT [formerly Fiano's].

Telephone: 647.0345 or click Georgina's for the website.

blognote: My hosts knew George, the owner. He is very affable and truly proud of his restaurant and stopped by the table to see if everything was okay.

Barb's Pizza

Trying to finish up my Kitchen Quarterly with a column on places to eat in Cromwell. Stopped into Barb's Pizza after a rave review in a discussion at the gym today. Great surprise!

This piece of Chicago pizza [$3] was just about the best I have eaten in a very long time. There was a great selection of pieces to choose from and it was a truly difficult choice. Their lunch specials look great.

Will definitely be back there sampling some other items on their extensive menu! 

bloginfo: eat in or out...nice dining room with wifi and charging stations