Millwright's on the Bridge

 If this is to be the last dinner of the outside season, it is the best! We sat overlooking  the waterfall and had a marvelous meal at Millwrights. This was the exact same meal we had last time here but at the Tavern. That is something I rarely do...order the same meal as last time and also rarely ever order what my dining partner has chosen. All things can change and this change turned out to be the best.

We started with Biscuits and Honey, Pinot Noir and a Cosmo. What a lead in to what lay ahead. The Berkshire Pork Chop was perfectly cooked; juicy and seasoned. The Pork Belly was crispy, the Parsnip Purée was heaven, the Brussel Sprouts were done the way I love them and the Apple Jus rounded out all the flavors. What a plate! With a shared French Press coffee and the Brown Sugar Chess Pie with Toasted Meringue atop, the meal ended with a fanfare climax. Thank you Chef, you are the best.

Millwright's Tavern

 Having been to Millwright's many times in the past, the announcement to try out the Tavern without reservations was enough of an excuse to go out and eat. We arrived at one minute to five and were seated as the first patrons Thursday night. What a great choice. The menu was remarkable [remarkably frustrating as there were so many choices to make]. We both settled on the same entrée which is completely against all of my 'rules'. But no wonder as the Salt and Pepper Pork Duo sounded amazing and it was. One of the best meals I have had eating out in months!

The plate consisted of a perfectly cooked pork chop and a luscious piece of grilled pork belly resting on delicious asparagus adorned with the best BBQ gigante beans and sprinkled with toasted cornbread!!! Beat that and tell me where to find it. NOT.

Millwrights

Another after theater adventure to Millwrights to eat in the 1680 Tavern. We had reservations for their opening time of 5pm and the place really filled up in the next half-hour.

I had the Tavern Burger which was one of the best burgers yet. This beauty had bearnaise sauce, caramelized shallots, pickles and terrific fries [$14]. We also were 'talked into' an order Johnny Cake biscuits [5 for $7] with honey sesame  butter. They were delicious but we probably should have abstained and had some dessert instead. Sundays are half-price on bottles of wine. So we ordered a 2013 Weingut Friedrich Becker Estate, Pfalz, Germany [$50 but $25] and it was perfect with the meal.

blognote: several tables of families with children at this time 

Firebox Restaurant

Another successful after CCH@RAW, we headed for Firebox, a favorite of ours for late night eating. Again a dozen Oysters [$36] to split. Same goodness, freshness and terrific mignonette. Wanted to pare down our eating for a day or two we decided to split a salad and an entrée. What a good suggestion that was! The Caprese Salad [$14] was the freshest 'farm to table' yet and the homemade mozzarella was divine. Had never seen the entrée labeled The Plate [$24] but settled on this. This season it is spicy tempura Cauliflower, Lentil & Quinoa “fried rice”, charred Carrots, Marcona almonds and kimchi aioli. What an amazing plate of food. Sharing both the salad and the 'plate' gave us just the right amount of food and the best combination of flavors. Could not pick the favorite item offered as each was perfect.



bloginfo: we ate outside but there can be noise interference from passers-by

April 21, 2016
After a rousing Creative Cocktail Hour at RAW, we headed off to Firebox to find a little something to eat. Well that ended up well!

Started with a dozen #3 Nantucket Oysters [$36] which were superb. I always forget how much I love oysters until something like this happens. Then we split a Kale Salad [$12] olive, bread crumb, red onion, feta vinaigrette, parmesan. Shall I go on? Then a small plate order of Grilled Asparagus [$12] covered with crumbled duck confit and a poached duck egg. Also [yes, the beat goes on] there was another small plate order of Roasted Brussel Sprouts [$8] with apple, bacon, malt vinegar, garlic aioli. And for dessert a Butternut Squash Bread Pudding [$9] pear-ginger compote, chocolate, espresso whipped cream, pistachio.

Two glasses of Sancerre [$13 per] and a coffee ended a wonderful meal that had us there until closing. I love Hartford!

Birch Hill Tavern

Finally, finally got to Birch Hill Tavern [from the 2 Hopewell crowd along with the new Sayulitas] and it was very good. It may have been the company I was with but the food was banging as was the crowd in the bar.

Scallops over Risotto

Rex Burger

Berry Cobbler

There was an order of Lobster Mac and Cheese [$11] and a Salmon over Caesar Salad [$7+$8]. I did not order either of these but the Mac and Cheese was pronounced excellent and the Cobbler ice cream was better than the rest.

I can speak to the Scallops/Risotto [$12] [excellent appetizer] and the Rex Burger [$12+$3] which was one of the best burgers I have had in a loooooong time. It came medium rare as ordered and contained a fried egg, avocado, lettuce/tomato, cole slaw, pickle and extra for onion rings].

Will definitely go back and eat my way around the menu!