OT: Favorite CT restaurants

[8893]

I am pretty much above all, these days at least, an Indian afficionado. At least once a week. Im not enamored with that list. They are all decent to excellent .....but........... Ive been all over the state. Last Friday I had the best Ive had in CT.

Kumar's in Manchester.

I may be a little biased because my time in India was spent southeast on the bay of Bengal (Chennai) which is different than standard Indian because of locale. More coconut used in certain dishes and more fish offerings.

This place nailed it. Was recommended it by someone I know here from Chennai, and it is in a strip mall plaza. Walked in and we were the only people not from southern india in the place. All Indian families, tables packed. I can't sing its praises loud enough.

Haveli in Middletown should be on list. More standard, but real good.


Taste of India in Mystic nails punjabi.

I do like Sherkaan alot.

Have you tried House of Naan? Worth it? How compare to Sherkaan?

 

[August_West]

Have you tried House of Naan? Worth it? How compare to Sherkaan?

Haven’t been there yet. Want to try it.

One place that may or may not belong on best list but deserves honorable mention at least because of its uniqueness in Swad Tandoori in New London. Its REALLY good Northern Indian, but what makes it unique is its also Tibetan. I order Indian entree's there but we are hooked on a Tibetan appetizer called Momo.

Its exactly like a chinese dumping but filled with Tibetan/indian spiced ground chicken and served with this dipping sauce that doesnt adhere to any single regional flavor anywhere in the world that I can put my finger on. I want to drink it.

Incredibly good.

 

[methodology]

Best Restaurants 2020: Experts' Picks

The best places to eat in Connecticut, as chosen by our panel of foodies and food industry...

www.connecticutmag.com

They put Strega as one of the best overall excellence and Italian? I'm flabbergasted. I think Rosso Vino and Pasta Cosi are both better in Branford. @8893 agree about L'Orcio also. Adriana's is very good but wouldn't put it in the best category although you probably get more bang for your buck there than anywhere else but I probably group it with Tre Scalini and Portofino.

Adriana's opened a sister restaurant in North haven called La Lupa across from outback. They did a nice job in there with a large bar. Wasn't impressed with the food (especially the pizza) but went there first week they opened so might have to try again.

Love Luce in Hamden just don't get out that away enough

 

[methodology]

Ha.

I ate at Carlson's landing last night on way back from Airport. Had the lamb. It was killer.

I've heard good things but also heard it's tad pricey. Essex bar regulars are in a panic with the Black Seal being closed. Don't want to pay the prices at Carlson's

 

[August_West]

I've heard good things but also heard it's tad pricey. Essex bar regulars are in a panic with the Black Seal being closed. Don't want to pay the prices at Carlson's

Everything pricey in Essex these days. BlackJacks just opened too. Pricey.

The just opened a grill store, Swanky’s , sells grills and patio furniture. Really pricey.

The Essex/los charros pricey.


Don’t get me started on steam train

 

[methodology]

Talked to a restaurant owner said this list is rigged. If you advertise or pay they bump you up/ include you in the rankings

 

[methodology]

Everything pricey in Essex these days. BlackJacks just opened too. Pricey.

The just opened a grill store, Swanky’s , sells grills and patio furniture. Really pricey.

The Essex/los charros pricey.


Don’t get me started on steam train

Did work at swanky really nice people. Just don't know how they will make it. They plan on adding pizza ovens to sell this spring

 

[8893]

I haven't tried House of Naan, which is also on their list, but now I'm eyeing it for lunch...

Did House of Naan for lunch today because I had a hankering for spicy food to clear my head, and because it provided a nice opportunity for a good walk there and back on a day with decent temps.

Good not great. Savory wings and Mulligatawny soup were both very good. Great flavoring in both, and real nice kick to the Mulligatawny. Got the salmon with Vindaloo and it was not as good or as flavorful as hoped. Waitress warned me off getting it "hot" and I shouldn't have listened because the "medium" was way too tame and the salmon was just okay. Bonus points for a nice Indian Sauvignon Blanc by the glass though, and the naan was also very good.

Definitely think Sherkaan is better, and Tikkaway is probably better, too, overall--or at least Tikkaway is better at the "protein plus sauce" deal, which is what the House of Naan lunch menu is.

 

[Bezzz]

Had lunch at a new spot today, Five Corners Bistro opened last month in the old Stonewell in farmington after a lengthy renovation. The placed looked awesome and the food was very good.

They cook their chicken wings sous vide, then crisp and sauce them just before serving. They were great, tender, jucy, crispy!

Five Corners Bistro & Craft Bar

 

[storrsroars]

Not in CT and not fine dining but just wanted to throw this out there in case he didn't know there's a sandwich named for him (from a local wing chain named Big Shot Bob's):

 

[8893]

Not in CT and not fine dining but just wanted to throw this out there in case he didn't know there's a sandwich named for him (from a local wing chain named Big Shot Bob's):

View attachment 49836

Interesting that "freshly" grilled is the lead selling point, in contrast to the Grilled Chicken sandwich above it.

 

[Waquoit]

Kumar's in Manchester.

Interesting. I never heard of it and my current fave, Indygo is in Manchester.

 

[Dove]

I've heard good things but also heard it's tad pricey. Essex bar regulars are in a panic with the Black Seal being closed. Don't want to pay the prices at Carlson's

Then they should hit up the Blue Hound in Ivoryton.

I used the Best of list by the critics. We went to TexiKo in Hamden and we really liked it. The BBQ TexMex place is where Jackrabbit Slims and Mikro were, on Rt 10 in Hamden. Mikro moved one or two spaces over and in came this place. On Saturday night there was a poutine burrito as a special. I had brisket in mine. it was tasty.

 

[storrsroars]

On Saturday night there was a poutine burrito as a special. I had brisket in mine. it was tasty.

OMG, the Primanti's ethos has invaded CT.

 

[Dove]

OMG, the Primanti's ethos has invaded CT.

A little cup of gravy was offered to keep the bites as sinful as possible.

 

[John]

Anyone tried Carmine Di Vega in New Haven? I drive by it a lot and keep wondering if it's worth a visit.

 

[Deepster]

Went to Zohara in West Hartford Center last weekend. Mediterranean food. Super overhyped. The Yelp reviews were overwhelmingly positive and I was overwhelming underwhelmed.

Maybe it's the fact I have middle eastern (lebanese) blood and am used to homecooked dishes. I found it to be really bland and there was nothing me or my girflriend ordered that we'd run back to get again.

Like most spots in WeHa Center, it's a cool looking location, filled with WeHa moms and their designer purses and I'm sure they all "loved" it. For me, I'd rather have really good food without the splash.

 

[8893]

Went to Zohara in West Hartford Center last weekend. Mediterranean food. Super overhyped. The Yelp reviews were overwhelmingly positive and I was overwhelming underwhelmed.

Maybe it's the fact I have middle eastern (lebanese) blood and am used to homecooked dishes. I found it to be really bland and there was nothing me or my girflriend ordered that we'd run back to get again.

Like most spots in WeHa Center, it's a cool looking location, filled with WeHa moms and their designer purses and I'm sure they all "loved" it. For me, I'd rather have really good food without the splash.

Agreed. Had lunch there last year based on the reviews and was underwhelmed. I eat Middle Eastern food at least once a week, often twice. Mediterranea in New Haven and Baab Al Salaam in Orange are my go-tos and everything I've had at each tastes homemade and very flavorful. Zohora costs a lot more and is not nearly as good imo.

 

[Excalibur]

Agreed. Had lunch there last year based on the reviews and was underwhelmed. I eat Middle Eastern food at least once a week, often twice. Mediterranea in New Haven and Baab Al Salaam in Orange are my go-tos and everything I've had at each tastes homemade and very flavorful. Zohora costs a lot more and is not nearly as good imo.

We did a wine dinner there about 18 months ago and the menu had been specially prepared for the event. It was outstanding, so I returned for a department lunch a few months later and found it decent but not great. I find the appetizers to be much better than the meals. At this point I prefer Sultan's in Waterbury, which is more Turkish than Lebanese/Syrian but consistently good.

I married into the cuisine (wife's family is Lebanese and they own a Lebanese bakery in Fall River). I'm yet to find a place in CT that makes a proper za'atar seasoning.

 

[Deepster]

We did a wine dinner there about 18 months ago and the menu had been specially prepared for the event. It was outstanding, so I returned for a department lunch a few months later and found it decent but not great. I find the appetizers to be much better than the meals. At this point I prefer Sultan's in Waterbury, which is more Turkish than Lebanese/Syrian but consistently good.

I married into the cuisine (wife's family is Lebanese and they own a Lebanese bakery in Fall River). I'm yet to find a place in CT that makes a proper za'atar seasoning.

Za'atar is one of my secret weapons. Not many people use it or know of it and I'll use it on roasted red potatoes, chicken, fish and it's killer.

 

[Excalibur]

Za'atar is one of my secret weapons. Not many people use it or know of it and I'll use it on roasted red potatoes, chicken, fish and it's killer.

It's like the Frank's Red Hot Commercial -- "I put that #&!+ on everything!" The sumac is the key ingredient, and I incorporate that into a lot of my rubs and seasonings.

Not that there's ever any reason to go to Fall River, but if you happen to be doing so, check out Sam's Bakery on Flint St. Get the meat pie or the spinach/feta pie.

 

[storrsroars]

Za'atar is one of my secret weapons. Not many people use it or know of it and I'll use it on roasted red potatoes, chicken, fish and it's killer.

What brand do you favor? There are numerous regional variations over the wild thyme/sumac/sesame seed basic version, some with hyssop instead of thyme (Lebanon), some with cumin (Egypt) and others with garlic or oregano or added salt. I haven't tried each one, but am partial to Egyptian since I'm a fan of toasted cumin and coriander and it also has a kick from Aleppo peppers.

 

[Deepster]

What brand do you favor? There are numerous regional variations over the wild thyme/sumac/sesame seed basic version, some with hyssop instead of thyme (Lebanon), some with cumin (Egypt) and others with garlic or oregano or added salt. I haven't tried each one, but am partial to Egyptian since I'm a fan of toasted cumin and coriander and it also has a kick from Aleppo peppers.

I got a bag the size of a pound of coffee from a lebanese bakery and i don't have the ingredients or label anymore. When it runs out, I'll be devastated.

 

[8893]

I seem to like the Syrian places best as among the Middle Eastern places.

We still get Blue Apron a couple weeks a month and their recipes with Za'atar are always a hit with us, and we cherish whatever spice is left over and find ways to use it in other stuff.

I'll have to look for a Middle Eastern bakery to find some.