GATHER55 at Hands on Hartford

 Today's lunch at Gather 55, the latest Hands on Hartford food experience, offered up a truly wonderful meal. The place was packed but the front of the house rep found us a perfect table against the rear wall with a view of the dining room. The gentleman who fixed/adjusted our table did a super job; hate those wobbly tables I always manage to find. The menus were clear and the ordering was super easy. The end product went way above our expectations. My dining partner ordered the Chicken Salad plate with a pasta side included. The chicken was fresh, tender and delicious [I stole a piece] and the penne pasta was just right. I had the Salmon Wrap with spinach, avocado and ginger vinaigrette. The wrap was huge and the salmon perfectly cooked while the added ingredients made the dish even better. The crowd was lively and the atmosphere was full of love. We will return! Want to try the breakfast.

blognote1: There are various level of payment possibilities. Check the website for info.

blognote2: Tyler Anderson will partner with Connecticut chefs in a prix-fixe monthly dinner. This is planned to start in October. Can't wait for this to happen!

VAUGHAN'S PUBLIC HOUSE

Oh how many years has it been...but the place looks the same as then. Too hot to eat outside at Vaughan's Public House today so found a little niche for two inside. She had the Shepherd's Pie [beef not lamb] and declared it luscious. The Brown Bread detail was only a taste tempter. I had the Cod and Chips which were a little too fried but hot, crunchy and delicious with a huge side of Onion Rings with a honey mustard dip. Yummy! The Bloody Mary was strong and started off the meal on a bang. Need to go back and have the Lamb Stew which I should have ordered but didn't so just the right excuse to return. Good service and a nice crowd, reminds me of my time back HOME.

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!

Lenny and Joe's Fish Tale

 My scale is writing this review note me! Took some family and a friend to lunch here at Fish Tale. Friday noon but the place was deserted! They now have table service which is nice because you don't have to stand in a crowd and wait for your order.

We started with an order of Calamari and Fried Pickles as appetizers. The calamari was good but not enough tentacles for me and the fried pickles are definitely an acquired taste. One Scallop dinner that looked good and plenty, one cod dinner with two slabs of fish that looked fine and two orders of Fried Oysters [one of which mine] were very good and fresh. The oysters were not inundated with a coating so the full oyster taste was evident BUT there was a large piece of shell in mine. Another reviewer felt it was expensive but the cost of seafood now is very high. The service was excellent so the change to table service was a pleasure.

Max a Mia

 Couldn't get a table on the patio here at Max a Mia but got a great booth inside. We had the best server, Sherry, and she made the night a lot of fun with great food. To start, their bread basket was excellent with a happy dipping sauce [but I used the oil, salt and pepper]. There were four of us and we had just been to TWH for a great matinée so were starved! My special of the night, Brisket with Gnocchi was cooked to perfection and my dining partner had the Pomodoro Stone Pie which she thoroughly enjoyed [as did I with my stolen piece]. The Pork Chop and the Gamberi on the other side of the people looked very good but too far to snatch a taste. Her dessert was a special surprise of Strawberry and Rhubarb Crumble but my Afogato was the perfect ending to a perfect meal. They were packed but table was ready right on time and the service as mentioned before was the best. Also, kudos to the Chef.

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...

Saybrook Fish House

Hosted a luncheon party for a neighbor's 102nd birthday here at Saybrook Fish House. She truly enjoyed her meal as did I. It has been a  year or two since I have eaten here and most things have not changed. The Early Bird menu was available on Sunday, much to my surprise. The birthday guest had the Salmon with a seafood stuffing. The portion was a good size and she said it tasted great. The amount of wild rice was a bit much for her but she loved the fresh vegetables served family style. I had my old favorite the Petite Bouillabaisse with a lobster claw, mussels, shrimp, fish and bay scallops. It was a little too much involved with fennel, however. They still offer the bread service, the salad with the two dressings and the fruit bowl for dessert. There was a nice gift of ice cream, sauce and whipped cream with a candle for her at the end of the mea.. We had been requested not to sing...good thing! The whipped cream ended up in our nicely brewed coffees. Our server was excellent and made the meal a very nice experience for the birthday celebrant! 

OC Kitchen

 Haven't been here at OC Kitchen Bar in so long decided to give it a try. Sunday early evening just one other couple here. Started by splitting a Beet Salad which turned out well but needed a sprinkle of olive oil and some salt to moist it up a bit. The olive oil on the table was good but the bread was better. Need salt and pepper on the table. My dining partner had a special of night: Shortribs over mashed potatoes and carrots. The piece of meat was huge and cooked properly proved by falling off the bone. It was declared very good. My Tagliatelle Bolognese was good and filling. The Pinot Noir was a good pour. Homemade Tiramisu was def homemade and huge. Good service. Will go back for Happy Hour.

The Rockin' Chicken

 Stopped here at The Rockin' Chicken for lunch to plan for my senior outing in two weeks to experience excellent Peruvian cuisine. The toasted corn kernels with sauce started the meal off with a bang. My dining partner had the quarter rotisserie breast of chicken with platanos maduros and fried rice [chaufa]. She truly enjoyed this treat. I had an old favorite, the Seviche Bowl, with Peruvian corn, sweet potato, avocado over quinoa. Mixing in a little of the Huancaina sauce made for a delicious repast. Service was, as usual, extra friendly. 

blognote: The outing referred to above was a big success. There were eleven of us and almost the orders were different but the waitstaff was wonderful especially dealing with separate check. Hardly anything ended up going home because it was all gobbled up!

FOWL PLAY

 Was looking for something small and quick to eat while shepherding my group of seniors on our month Tour Hartford trip. So I picked the sliders/solo at Fowl Play in Parkville Market. What a big surprise from a little bite. These were delicious; the best, sweetest and juiciest chicken breast pieces ever. I picked 3/medium for the spiciness level but could have gone with the 2/mild. These two super treats came with creamy slaw, fresh pickles and comeback sauce. AND comeback I will!

blognote: Love this place for all its variety and just super food...

Jersey Mike's Subs

 Split a Roast Beef and Provolone sub here at Jersey Mikes in Glastonbury today to be involved with their Special Olympics fundraiser. 100% of all sales to be donated! The place was mobbed and the local police were directing traffic inside to help with the crowd. The service was amazing and the food is good and the funding is special.

Irish Session @Parkville Market

 The every other Monday in Spring the Irish Session here is terrific. There were a ton of players last night with all levels of musicality but the core of the night was Irish. It was just like sitting in someone's home there in my old sod. The Local [the bar upstairs] was filled with happy people. We ate from the Meltdown on Park conveniently located downstairs among the many places to purchase food. There is no entrance fee to the Session and food is definitely welcomed in the bar. I had a Thomas Hooker Irish Red Ale.

Shell and Bones Oyster Bar and Grill

A table for two on the deck overlooking the harbor here at Shell and Bones, what could be nicer? Having lunch here evidently! We hadn't been back to this gem for a while but were welcomed back with good service [Taylor] and delicious food. We both opted for a Mojito which was amazingly fresh with a boatload of lime. Great bread and real butter. A shared Pear Salad was a highlight of the day...Watercress, Shaved Fennel, Candied Walnuts, Pomegranate, Lemon Poppy Seed Vinaigrette. For our entrées we both had the AWESOME Baja Style Fish Tacos...Green Cabbage, Tomatillo, Crema, Pico de Gallo, Baja Sauce, Organic Corn Tortillas. The only let down was the shared dessert of Ricotta Doughnuts with Mexican Chocolate and Créme Fraíche. They were slightly overdone so their pillowy centers were a little bit hard. Finished them though!  

Popeye's

 After a futile attempt to find parking at the Hartford Convention Center for the Flower and Garden Show, we ended up in Wethersfield at Popeye's. I had seen their ad for the Flounder Filet Sandwich and it looked good. It sure tasted good; I had the spicy and my dining partner had the regular. The spicy was def spicy and it made the whole sandwich sing. I had coleslaw with it as I do love their slaw. The piece of fish was large and tasted fresh.She had the fries and I stole quite a few. The roll on the sandwich was sure fresh and with the pickles I had a much better day than I had started off. Love the staff there as they are always in a good mood and know how guide you through their menu. Going back soon for that real good chicken!

O'Rourke's Diner

 On a freezing morning we needed the warmth of good diner food so headed to O'Rourke's Diner in Middletown. They were supposed to open at 7:30 but when we arrived at 7:15 the OPEN sign was on! Parking before 10am is free so all was well and the coffee that was immediately offered upped our spirits. Hate those iPhone menus but I found the Irish Delight to be my morning gift. Corned beef hash, two poached eggs and pratie oaten [a griddled ball of mashed potatoes and oatmeal] along with  a slice of griddled soda bread completed my plate. I did a good job of completing devouring it also. The morning was still freezing when we left but our hearts were warmed and our stomachs full.

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.

Bulla Gastrobar

Needs another star!

The restaurant had booked three large parties and was booming but that did not hinder service even though a tapas meal could be considered easier to serve. My guests had been with me in Barcelona a few years back and this was like a reunion but much closer!

Started with marinated Olives, Pimientos de Padron [shishitos] and Chorizo stuffed Dates while we perused the menu with a bottle of Raimat Albariño. Perfection so far. Next was the Pan con Tomate with Jamon Iberico and Manchego cheese. Added to that service was Fried Artichokes [the best ever], Curry Shrimp and Garlic Shrimp [related but so deliciously different] and the Lentil Soup. 

Finished with Torrija and Natillas for dessert. I had the Bombon coffee which was like another dessert. Then, of course, to finish it all of a Lustau Vermut!

This restaurant needs to come to Hartford. The Manager was evident of the floor the entire meal and she was definitely in charge of a popular gem of a restaurant.

blognote: Jacob was a great server and cool, calm and collected

Reyes Mezcalería

After walking around Lake Eola to see the Christmas decorations and visit the food and craft fair, we strolled over to Reyes Mezcaleria for brunch. They were closing the kitchen to set up for a large private party. They let us in to order by 2:55 and all was well after that...

What a treat that was. Service was great and the food excellent. I had my first Michelada with Tecate beer. I am now a convert to that drink. I, of course, mispronounced it with a French accent but nevertheless that was overlooked by our great server. Two of us had the Steak Chilaquiles with the best piece of steak cooked perfectly medium rare. The chilaquiles were super hot but the queso fresco and crema cooled them down. The egg of top was the crowning glory. The other order of Chicken Mollete was deemed excellent also.

Thanksgiving Dinner at Millwrights

It started in the parking lot...a welcome by Chef Tyler Anderson! We were in a long line of cars waiting to pick up their Thanksgiving dinners but we two were the lucky ones with a dinner reservation. Sitting at my 'usual' table on the bridge overlooking the waterfall, we enjoyed one of the best Thanksgiving dinners of all times. Both of us were not able to eat with families this year so went to another family, Millwrights. The salad was perfect but the Sunchoke and Apple Soup was a highlight of the meal with its green curry tang. We both, of course, ordered the Roast Turkey with sliced breast meat and confit dark meat which was so moist they must have cooked only one, ours! The family style sides of Brussels Sprouts, Winter Squash, Cornbread Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, and on and on...were amazing. I hid the Brussels Sprouts and they are now ensconced in my refrigerator for tomorrow. Mini Holiday Desserts might be called mini but were maxi in flavor, texture, quality and quantity. There are a few also hidden in my kitchen and will go well with a turkey sandwich or two later this week.

blognote: excellent service, as usual, by Lincoln