OT: Best Restaurants/Food or places to go in CT

[methodology]

Yes it is still around as far as I know.

 

[8893]

Tuscany has a great breakfast but that is the only meal I have eaten there.

Had dinner at Tuscany before the Who show there a few weeks ago. It was better than I expected but nothing I would go out of my way for. The wine list was good, with some surprising (relative) value finds on some great wines. The meatballs were very good. The Brussels sprouts were not as good as I expected from the menu description; I wouldn't get them again (and I am a huge fan of Brussels sprouts and Benton's bacon). For the life of me I can't recall my entree, but I think it was a special, and I know I ate it all happily--but also hurriedly because I was concerned about missing the start of the show (which we did, by around three minutes; pissed me off because I love the beginning of "The Real Me," and we came in during the middle of that song).

The most interesting aspect of the place for me was that it is modeled after the San Galgano Abbey. We stayed very close to there when we were in Italy a few summers ago, and it is a very cool spot.

 

[Excalibur]

I really only eat at MJs when I am at Mohegan. Have to get the blu cheese fondu garlic bread no matter what. And their steaks are amazing even if they are 60-70 a steak. I only use points so it doesn't bother me.

I also prefer johnny rockets to Bobby flays burger place for a burger. And Bar Americana I have been to about 5 times and everytime I leave I think to myself that really wanst all that great which is why I always end up back at MJs.

I'm not big on MJ's -- I think David Burke's at Foxwoods is much better as far as steakhouses go.

 

[husky91]

Wasn't thinking Casinos. I think MJ's is best steak place in country and have been to many on work trips.

I'm not big on MJ's -- I think David Burke's at Foxwoods is much better as far as steakhouses go.

 

[Excalibur]

Wasn't thinking Casinos. I think MJ's is best steak place in country and have been to many on work trips.

Fair enough, and it's certainly a matter of taste. I have eaten at steakhouses all over the country (and the world, for that matter) and for my money the best I've had was in North Little Rock, Arkansas of all places. MJ's doesn't even make my top 3 in CT.

 

[husky91]

What are 3 better in CT?

Fair enough, and it's certainly a matter of taste. I have eaten at steakhouses all over the country (and the world, for that matter) and for my money the best I've had was in North Little Rock, Arkansas of all places. MJ's doesn't even make my top 3 in CT.

 

[8893]

Best steakhouses I've been to were Bern's in Tampa (1999) and Grey Moss Inn in Helotes, TX (2004). But I *think* my frame of mind and fond memories my have something to do with it...

Similarly, best Mexican restaurant I've ever been to was Hugo's in Houston (2011).

As far as non-National Championship connected meals, Gorat's in Omaha is a great steakhouse where I enjoyed an excellent meal and experience.

 

[Excalibur]

What are 3 better in CT?

It's more about my opinion of MJ's (which I consider to be roughly equal to a Morton's or Ruth's Chris or Bobby Van's). So I'd take David Burke, Craftsteak and Gilbert's first.

 

[Waquoit]

My favorite steak dinner ever was at Pappas Bros. in Houston on April 3, 2011. It wasn't even ruined by the the jack-offs in the UK t-shirts sitting behind us with their "ef this" and "BS that" during the entire meal. In fact, I kind of enjoyed it.

 

[husky91]

Burke and Craftsteak are Foxwoods, correct?

Gilberts as in J. Gilbert's in Glastonbury? I wouldn't remotely put that in that category, but it's personal. Max Downtown is very good. Supposedly there is a place in bridgetport that is very good, an ex Peter Lugar chef or employee opened it.

It's more about my opinion of MJ's (which I consider to be roughly equal to a Morton's or Ruth's Chris or Bobby Van's). So I'd take David Burke, Craftsteak and Gilbert's first.

 

[8893]

My favorite steak dinner ever was at Pappas Bros. in Houston on April 3, 2011. It wasn't even ruined by the the jack-offs in the UK t-shirts sitting behind us with their "ef this" and "BS that" during the entire meal. In fact, I kind of enjoyed it.

A few friends went there too and enjoyed it. We met them there afterwards and helped finish their wine. I argued us away from having a steakhouse meal, because I was on a mission to have food that was a regional specialty, or something we can't get as easily here. We also had some outstanding Vietnamese food there, and some great BBQ at Goode.

But speaking of steaks, I'm finding less and less allure at steakhouses these days. The prices at the better ones seem really unwarranted, and I can do a pretty damned good job on my Weber with a great cut of beef, while enjoying my deck and my own wine cellar.

 

[huskyjawz]

Burke and Craftsteak are Foxwoods, correct?

Gilberts as in J. Gilbert's in Glastonbury? I wouldn't remotely put that in that category, but it's personal. Max Downtown is very good. Supposedly there is a place in bridgetport that is very good, an ex Peter Lugar chef or employee opened it.

Joseph's.

 

[Dove]

My wife and I were in Providence this summer and cruised the main drag through Sekonk, RI looking for chow. There was a chain restaurant we never heard of called Not Your Average Joe's Kitchen and Bar so we stopped there. There was a 45 minute wait and a line out the door. Had to be good, right? They passed out apps to those in line. The servers were amazingly friendly and helpful with the menu. We are big fans of Bertucci's and this place kicked their ass. I am so hoping they creep down to CT.

 

[Excalibur]

Burke and Craftsteak are Foxwoods, correct? Yes.

Gilberts as in J. Gilbert's in Glastonbury? I wouldn't remotely put that in that category, but it's personal. This is all very personal. Everyone has their preference as to how they like a steak prepared. Max Downtown is very good. Supposedly there is a place in bridgetport that is very good, an ex Peter Lugar chef or employee opened it.

 

[sanchez42885]

Was not impressed at all by Hash House a Go Go... I went the first day it was open as I was in Mohegan and saw it was new. Got the chicken pot pie and it was HUGE as with every other plate I saw people getting. Ate about half of it and was mightly unimpressed took the rest home and my brother tried it and said it wasnt that great either.

Might have just been the one dish I got. Maybe you can verify but is their whole thing that the meat/poultry they use are free range grass/grain fed?.

I think the breakfast is great but haven't tried the chicken pot pie. I'd recommend the andys sage chicken benedict and the meatloaf hash was also good. I believe everything is supposed to be 'free-range' as well

 

[UCweCONN]

The Cookhouse in New Milford and Carmen Anthony Fishhouse in Woodbury.

 

[Rico444]

I'll second the cookhouse. Terrific barbecue.

 

[UConnKev]

Here's another little gem.

El Sarape on Broad St in Hartford. Just up a block from Firebox. It's the definition of a "hole in the wall" with the best Mexican food you're going to get around here. AMAZING and authentic. They don't even have a website, but some spots have their menu online.

I went to New Mexico State and know Mexican food. This is one of the better options in the state. I do like Coyote Flacco in Hartford and Mansfield. Geronimo in New Haven is pretty good too.

Plaza Azteca is awful.

 

[Dove]

I went to New Mexico State and know Mexican food. This is one of the better options in the state. I do like Coyote Flacco in Hartford and Mansfield. Geronimo in New Haven is pretty good too.

Plaza Azteca is awful.

I may have hit Plaza Azteca (Manchester) on a good day recently. It was pretty decent.

 

[Huskies320]

Damn man, that sucks. I'm from Newington and was there that night. I played 3B on the 2007 Newington team that lost to Amity in the LL Championship at Muzzy so I share some of the sentiment

 

[UConner]

almost forgot

Kitchen Little in Mystic looks like a hole in the wall, it's about the size of a hole in the wall, and it serves some of the best breakfast I've ever had

KL has moved to a marina in Mystic. Went there for breakfast today. Always great food.

 

[FrostyNuggets]

Eli Cannon's: Love this place. Artisan trailer trash beer bar.

I like everything about Eli's except for the beer. Beer tastes like they don't clean out their taps.

 

[storrsroars]

Wish we had one of these in CT

CT 3 favorite dog stands- Sahadi's Hotties New Britain, kind of like Strand sauce chili, Blackies and their relish Waterbury, and Berlin Pizza foot longs. Never was a fan of Capitol Lunch. Their chili is Unique and an aquired taste, but famous non the less.

Of all the things I can think of to put on a hot dog, industrial Bolognese sauce has never come to mind.

 

[Hoophound]

Of all the things I can think of to put on a hot dog, industrial Bolognese sauce has never come to mind.

Skyline Chili is like heroin. You may not think its that great, but once you try it, you can't stop going back. Delicious. I resisted it at first but after I had it once I began to crave it. As I introduce new people to it, they follow suit. "That wasn't anything special" they say as we drive away. A week later I'm getting texts, "I gotta get some Skyline today, you in?"

 

[storrsroars]

Skyline Chili is like heroin. You may not think its that great, but once you try it, you can't stop going back. Delicious. I resisted it at first but after I had it once I began to crave it. As I introduce new people to it, they follow suit. "That wasn't anything special" they say as we drive away. A week later I'm getting texts, "I gotta get some Skyline today, you in?"

I can absolutely stop going back. Had it once and never had the desire again. It's an insult to "chili".

I went to New Mexico State and know Mexican food. This is one of the better options in the state. I do like Coyote Flacco in Hartford and Mansfield. Geronimo in New Haven is pretty good too.

I lived in Mexico. Most of the stuff on those menus isn't eaten anywhere in Mexico except very close to the US border (e.g. fajitas, burritos). Although some of the stuff at Geronimo looks more legit than Coyote. The old Forest Cafe (now closed) in Cambridge used to be the best true Mexican in New England. I do like Maya in NYC though.