The Buzz About BirdHouse Coffee

February 10, 2020March 17, 2020 ~ ctsnapshot ~ Leave a comment

BirdHouse Coffee

765 Sullivan Ave South Windsor, CT 06074

It is difficult to find a locally owned coffee place in Connecticut when the state is overrun by Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks. You have to know where to look. When we heard the owners of Connecticut Valley Brewery were opening a coffee shop on the premises, we knew we had to check it out. The concept of a locally owned coffee shop that brews on site is a rarity and an opportunity we knew we couldn’t pass up.

Atmosphere: 9/10-When we entered the coffee shop, we didn’t feel as if we were in a corporate coffee joint. The calm lighting and rustic tables made us feel immediately at ease. At times we felt like we could have been in someone’s home, especially with the large shelf lined with wooden signs, coffee mugs, books, coffee mugs, chocolate bars, birdhouses and other various memorabilia. We were reminded of my mother who has an affinity for birds. It was also nice to see customers interacting with each other and making conversation with the staff. This lent itself to a very friendly atmosphere.

Service: 10/10- The baristas at BirdHouse coffee are friendly and knowledgable. We asked them a variety of questions about how they started and how they brewed their coffee. They were able to answer our questions with ease. For years, Connecticut Valley Brewery had received high praise for their coffee stout and were inspired with the idea of opening a coffee shop on site. We could really tell the owners and employees cared about building a community the same way they did with the brewery.

Price/Selection: 9/10- Compared to Starbucks and Dunkin, prices for coffee, espressos and manual brewers are more than reasonable. I spent $4.50 for a 16 oz mocha and my wife spent $2.75 for a 12 oz drip coffee. Given that coffees and specialty drinks are brewed on site, the costs are more than affordable. The tasting notes on the menu also provide clarity for customers that are unfamiliar with their products. If you are going to purchase a bag, their decaf, espresso, house and Sumatra blend will cost $15.99. By comparison, Starbucks Pike Place and French Roast cost $17-$19 at your local Staples or Target.

Taste: 10/10-We visited the BirdHouse on two occasions and have both their Espresso and House blend at home. Smooth is the word that comes to mind when describing their coffee and signature drinks and the flavors are accented with each sip. We were also fortunate enough to visit them for a brunch special to try a warm waffle with housemade honey butter and oozing with raspberry compote along with their avocado toast drizzled with hot honey on sour dough. We only wish the brunch special was a stable part of their menu.

In a nutshell: 38/40-BirdHouse Coffee was so delicious that it reminded us not only about the unique coffee shops Connecticut has to offer but the charm and community a single business can create. We heartily recommend that you visit if you are in the South Windsor area or if you so happen to stop by Connecticut Valley Brewery and just need a coffee to sober up. We enjoyed our visit and look forward to coming back.

Looking Closely at Lotus Grill in Farmington

March 25, 2018March 26, 2018 ~ ctsnapshot ~ Leave a comment

Lotus Grill

B+

979 Farmington Ave, Farmington, CT 06032

Website Menu

Screen Shot 2018-03-25 at 2.55.08 PM Not too long ago, Connecticut had a limited selection of Asian restaurants to choose from other than Chinese and Indian. Even hibachi-style restaurants are a recent phenomenon. Within the past ten years, there have been an explosion of Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean restaurants on the dining scene. Fusion restaurants have started to gain popularity as well. When Lotus Grill opened in 2009, it was the first of its kind in the Farmington area. In the years since, Lotus Grill gained significant popularity for this reason. We decided to see what the hubbub was about.

Screen Shot 2018-03-25 at 2.55.27 PM

Atmosphere: 8.5/10-Lotus Grill embodies the definition of a hole in the wall. When we stepped inside, we noticed how small the interior was for customers to dine in. While the restaurant is largely a take-out one one, we prefer to eat there being from separate towns. We were charmed by the layout but felt a bit compacted.

Service: 9/10- While there are only a couple of employees on duty, the staff prepares the orders for take out and dining in in a timely fashion. We received our meals within 10-15 minutes of ordering on a busy Saturday night. The customers we saw picking up their food did not have to wait long at all for theirs. They also supply you with chopsticks without asking. At many Asian restaurants in Connecticut, a customer often receives chopsticks upon request only. This deviation from the norm speaks to the Lotus Grill’s authenticity.

Price/Selection: 9/10-Lotus Grill offers a wide variety of Vietnamese cuisine. While they are best known for their pho, they also serve spring rolls, sate, dumplings, crepes, vermicelli, lotus curry and various vegetarian dishes among other options The first time we visited Lotus Grill, we had trouble deciding what to try. The prices are more than reasonable, considering that the most expensive option on the menu is $14.99. Most of the Pho dishes cost around $8 or $9.

Taste: 8.5/10-For our appetizers, we particularly enjoyed the sate, which is a grilled meat on a skewer, and the summer rolls. They had plenty of flavor on their own and didn’t require any additives. We found their fried rice dishes, especially the pork and chicken ones, to be the most delicious and filling because of their massive portions and inclusion of egg, onion, peas and carrots. The pho, though tasty, left a bit to be desired. We received only a few pieces of beef in our rare and cooked beef rice noodle soups.

In a nutshell-35/40-Lotus Grill is a unique offering in the central Connecticut area. As a hole in the wall restaurant, it is quaint but could expand so that more customers from out of town could dine in. If you have never tried Vietnamese cuisine before, we recommend trying them because of the variety and authenticity of their dishes.

Searching for Great Wine at Southern Connecticut Wine Company

December 28, 2017March 31, 2018 ~ ctsnapshot ~ Leave a comment

Southern Connecticut Wine Company

A-

65 S Colony St, Wallingford, CT 06492

Website Wine selection Wine Making

Screen Shot 2017-12-28 at 6.17.41 PM Atmosphere: 9/10-While Southern Connecticut Wine Company might be a bit difficult to find, its rustic interior allows for a more comforting atmosphere. The main bar area is lined with wooden wine barrels and the wooden tables are candle-lit on most nights they are open. Sometimes, friendly animals tend to wander the location such as the owners’ big, black furry dog. The owners do their best to make the customers feel at home. We only wish the bathrooms, though they are clean, had the same rustic feel so that the mood is not lost anywhere within the experience.

Service: 9/10-The employees of Southern Connecticut Wine Co. are always hard at work crafting wines, catering and facilitating various events within the state. The winery is only open Thursday through Saturday, however, so be on the lookout for their hours. On Thursday and Friday, the winery is open until 8pm. On Saturday and Sunday, the winery is only open until 6pm and 4pm respectively. While they are not always open, the employees of the winery are friendly and accommodating. We had a party of 10 people about a year ago at the winery and they did their best to accommodate and even stayed open a bit later. On a typical day, you will be greeted with warm faces when you sample wine, ask questions about the business or just purchase a bottle to go.

Price/Selection: 9/10-Southern Connecticut Wine Co. has a unique selection of wine and standard pricing for bottles, individual glasses and tasting. Each of their wines have interesting names such as Dark and Dirty and She Devil Sweet. Some of them pay homage to the company’s New England Roots such as Bawstin Blend. They have more red wines than white or rosé but are rumored to be making more of those soon. For the casual wine taster, rosé has become more popular in recent years. They are in the works of creating Meritage, a blend of five different California grapes. This shows their willingness to keep up with the times. The pricing is pretty standard for a wine company in the Connecticut area and varies based on selection (see site for more details). Wine making, which is also offered through their website, is a bit more expensive and can run up to $540, but in turn you receive 3 large cases. A case of wine contains 12 bottles.

Taste: 9.5/10-We came in with varying tastes and left quite satisfied. Christina prefers more of a sweeter taste and found their rosé wine, aptly named Strawberry Infusion, to be quite refreshing on a warm spring and summer’s day. I found their Big House Red, which is a blend black pepper, plum and raspberry to be more my style because I prefer a dryer blend. Spicy McBrackett, which is a deep dark cherry blend, also delighted my taste buds for the same reason. On some days, the winery offers cheese and crackers, which pair quite well with their selections. By offering complimentary food to their customers, they stand out from other wineries, which require you to buy food from them or bring your own.

Overall: 36.5/40-Southern Connecticut Wine Company is a rare gem not only for the town of Wallingford but in comparison to other wineries in Connecticut because of its unique selection, hands-on experience and rustic interior with the occasional live music. If you are completing your passport for Connecticut wineries, we recommend you prioritize this particular winery. You will not be disappointed.

Inside Newington’s Rooster Co.

December 17, 2017December 29, 2017 ~ ctsnapshot ~ Leave a comment

The Rooster Company

A-

1076 Main St, Newington, CT 06111

Brunch Menu, Lunch Menu, Dinner Menu, Drink Menu

A lot has changed since 2015 when we last updated our blog. Not only have our lives changed but the restaurant business in Connecticut has changed dramatically as well. When we started writing in 2012, people in Connecticut seemed to favor chain restaurants over local ones. In 2017, the opposite seems the rule with new fusion, ethnic, organic and local sourcing restaurants popping up all over the state. The same can be said of wineries and breweries as well. In our state’s tough economic times, people are looking for an escape when they go out. They are looking for something new and exciting. The Rooster Company in Newington has tried to be that something new for Newington residents.

Atmosphere: 9.5/10- Several restaurants have occupied the location prior to The Rooster Company’s opening. While the building has always maintained a rustic feel to it, the current owner has done much to authenticate the place. Local artist and chef Andres Montiel has adorned the restaurant with numerous appeasing paintings. Some parts of the restaurant are more privy to these paintings than others. The restaurant also offers comfortable seating for its customers and an open bar.

Service: 9/10-On weekends, the Rooster Company can be awfully busy and on one visit, we had to wait a little longer than expected for our food. The wait staff, however, has always maintained a cheerful and respectful disposition that makes one feel welcome, no matter how busy they are. The owners, Chef Kenneth Ward and his wife Jaime Ward, have worked in the restaurant industry for more than 40-years. One can tell they take pride in their business and customers. They also make a point to use local ingredients to create their cuisine.

Price/Selection: 8.5/10-This category caused us to have mixed feelings. One can have a filling meal by ordering a half rotisserie chicken and side. The main dishes, however, range from $17-29 dollars. If you plan on eating any of the main entrees, we recommend that you carry a few extra bucks with you. Their lunch menu is more affordable, ranging from $12 to $16 per entree. If you stop by for brunch, you can expect to pay no more than $14. Despite the high prices on some dinner menu items, the Rooster Co. compensates with a wide variety of dishes that range from seared salmon to arctic char. Their drink menu also has a wide variety of drafts, cocktails and wines. They also have specials such as TH’ACO THURSDAYS to keep frequent customers interested.

Taste: 9/10-This picture from The Rooster Company’s website captures the deliciousness of their rotisserie chicken, their signature menu item. The chicken is savory, especially when topped with its fire fire lemon, walnut herb, not so hot, ‘Tandoori’ yogurt or Cola BBQ sauce. The main dishes are equally savory, especially the risotto braised lamb. We only wish the sides carried as much mouth watering flavor.

In a nutshell: 36/40- We have enjoyed our experiences at The Rooster Company over the past couple of years, especially devouring the rotisserie chicken, experiencing the rustic feel and admiring the paintings from acclaimed local artist and chef Andres Montiel. While our bill sometimes runs a bit high, we always leave full and satisfied.

Recommendations: The name of the restaurant is The Rooster Company, but to our knowledge, rooster is not an option on the menu. With the collective expertise of the chef team, we believe they could cook up a delicious Coq au vin or capon!

Stopping by The Sloppy Waffle in Newington

January 9, 2015January 10, 2015 ~ ctsnapshot ~ Leave a comment

It always fascinates us to see restaurants develop a cult following. When people typically think of the phrase “cult following,” they apply it to movies, bands, television shows or occasionally novels. Restaurants develop cult followings when they offer something new and exciting to customers. When GoldBurgers opened in Newington, residents developed a love for their savory burgers, terrific staff and creative specials. The word spread fast and GoldBurgers quickly earned the reputation as one of the best burger places in Connecticut. Since its opening a couple of years ago, The Sloppy Waffle has started to earn a similar reputation as evidenced by almost 2000 likes on Facebook and an endorsement from Bob Kaufman, the founder of Bob’s Discount Furniture. Would The Sloppy Waffle develop the same “cult following” that GoldBurgers has? We had to find out for ourselves.

The Sloppy Waffle

B+

Location: 2551 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06111

Website Menu Facebook

Atmosphere-9/10: The Sloppy Waffle has a certain charm about it in both its interior and exterior. When we entered the restaurant, we noticed plenty of decorative pictures on the walls along with signs detailed with humorous sayings. Several restaurants down south decorate their interior in a similar fashion. During the spring and summer months, customers can sit outside and enjoy their waffles under quaint little tables with red umbrellas. On a sunny, Saturday morning, it’s a picturesque place to be.

Service: 8.5/10-The staff members at The Sloppy Waffle always have a cheerful disposition and try their best to satisfy customers. While the restaurant can be quite busy and sometimes understaffed, we were never dissatisfied by their attempts. One fact about The Sloppy Waffle that we found interesting and somewhat strange is that they do not accept credit cards. Instead, they have an ATM machine in the lobby to make up for the trouble. This works to both The Sloppy Waffle’s advantage and detriment. The cash only policy will remind some customers of a more innocent time when most restaurants were of this mindset. For younger customers, the historical resemblance will be lost upon them.

Price/Selection: 8.5/10-The Sloppy Waffle offers a unique selection in terms of their specialty waffles. When customers open up the menu, they are often taken by the variety and the creativity of the waffles. Some of the more unique selections include chicken and waffles, apple cobbler, chocolate lover and s’mores that are gluten free. The restaurant also offers eggs, burgers and an option that allows you to build your own waffles. In terms of the price to portion ratio, the waffles tend to be smaller than some customers would expect for what they pay. The waffles, however, are quite filling with a side of eggs, bacon or sausage.

Taste: 9/10-We have visited The Sloppy Waffle several times since their opening two years ago because we have been consistently satisfied by their entrees. While some Yelp and Facebook users would beg to differ, we consider their specialty waffles to be delicious in terms of their taste and texture. We were especially taken by their chicken and waffles dish along with their s’mores waffle. The chicken and waffles dish impressed us because of how well the staff succeeded in replicating a southern favorite in a New England Kitchen. The s’mores waffle was so delicious that it inspired us to go out to Price Chopper and buy ingredients to make the real thing.

In a nutshell: 35/40-Despite a few kinks, we wouldn’t be surprised if The Sloppy Waffle becomes a Newington classic and earns a cult following. The restaurant has improved since its humble beginnings and we expect it to continue to improve as long as it maintains its dedicated staff and has a presence in Newington. As the town of Newington continues to transform into a hot spot for hole in the wall restaurants, it’s nice to see The Sloppy Waffle contribute to that reputation.

Vetting the Venetian Restaurant in Torrington

December 31, 2014January 4, 2015 ~ ctsnapshot ~ Leave a comment

We believe reviewers have the responsibility of being both thorough and honest in their content. Long before we started CT Snapshot, Christina and I frequented websites such as Yelp and Urban Spoon to help us find the best places to eat in Connecticut. The reviewers who posted thorough and honest content proved the most helpful. As bloggers, we have the responsibility to do the same for our readers given our platform and reach. When we visited the Venetian restaurant in Torrington back in October we knew that we owed it to our readers to tell the truth about our experience.

The Venetian Restaurant is the only one of its kind in the state of Connecticut. It was started by Italian immigrants in 1960 and developed a reputation as a renowned restaurant since then. We respect and appreciate the legacy of this restaurant because of our adoration for history and our love for stories about the American Dream. Like the DilLullo family, our grandparents and great grandparents immigrated to this country to contribute something beautiful and meaningful. The original owners of this restaurant undoubtedly made this contribution to the town of Torrington. A place with such a great legacy, however, must be maintained by people who love and care for it throughout the years. Unfortunately, the Venetian restaurant failed to capture our hearts due to poor service and mediocre cuisine.

The Venetian Restaurant

Location: 52 East Main Street, Torrington, CT 06790

Grade: C

Website Menu Facebook

Atmosphere: 9/10-When we stepped inside the Venetian Restaurant, we noticed that the owners were making a considerable effort to immerse the customers in the culture of Venice. The paintings on wall were indicative of the city throughout the ages. The fancifully decorated tables showed a willingness to make customers believe that they were receiving a fine dining experience. The paintings on the wall spoke to my own experience in Venice. This particular painting (shown to the left) reminded me of my first gondola ride, minus the men in clothing of a different era. Others paintings reminded me of the beauty of Venice at any time of year.

Price/Selection: 8/10-The menu items are borderline expensive, but this is not out of the ordinary for Italian restaurants. Many Italian restaurants across the state of Connecticut tend to charge upwards of twenty dollars or more per menu item. While the restaurant’s seafood dishes average $20 or more, pasta dishes cost no more than $17. The Venetian Restaurant also offers a theatre menu for people attending a show at the Warner Theatre. This speaks to their awareness of their customers’ needs and makes them a viable option for theatre goers on a tight schedule.

Service: 5/10-The service is what soured our experience. We fully realize that one waiter or waitress is not representative of every staff member at a restaurant. One waiter or waitress, nonetheless, can leave a lasting impression on any customer. Our waitress first showed us an awareness of our needs. We asked for the show menu and she informed us that she would serve our food in a timely fashion. From there on, our waitress berated us with rude comments such as “make up your mind” and “I’m going to bring you a vase of water because you’re drinking a lot” instead of asking us if we wanted one. She also scoffed at us when we thanked her for bringing us our check. We were saddened that we treated our waitress with the utmost respect and she showed us none in return.

Taste: 7.5/10-We wanted to enjoy our fish and pasta cuisines, but they left much to be desired. These dishes were nicely decorated and assembled in a way that speaks to the chef’s culinary talent. We were excited to try our dishes because we read numerous reviews that described them as “savory” and “delicious.” While the dishes offered a palatable texture, they lacked the savory quality we had expected. They satisfied our hunger, but left us wondering about the delicious Venetian cuisine that oh so many customers have spoken of over the years.

In a nutshell-29.5/40-In our experience, The Venetian Restaurant fell short of its established legacy. We are open minded people and would be willing to give it a second chance, but unfortunately the service and food soured our first impression of the restaurant. We hope that if any staff members from the restaurant ever read this review, they will remember to value their customers and honor the restaurant’s great legacy. We encourage you to experience The Venetian Restaurant for yourselves and tell us if it measures up to your expectations of it.

Venturing to Pho Viet in Newington

December 31, 2014January 4, 2015 ~ ctsnapshot ~ Leave a comment

We’ve placed some entries on the back burner in 2014 to attend to life’s rigor and routine. But alas, here they are! Back in July, we visited Pho Viet, Newington’s first Vietnamese restaurant out of curiosity and our love for Vietnamese cuisine. Personally, I fell in love with Vietnamese cuisine back in college when I visited a cute, hole in the wall restaurant in Farmington. The fresh meats and vegetables lifted my taste buds to a level of flavor they had not experienced before. In the coming years, I visited other Vietnamese restaurants with Christina, but none quite compared. I wondered if Pho Viet could capture my heart and hers in the same fashion.

Pho Viet

Location: 36 Fenn Road, Newington, CT 06111

Website Menu Facebook

Atmosphere: 10/10-The word “beautiful” isn’t one we use lightly, especially when it comes to describing the atmosphere of a restaurant, but it perfectly describes the interior of Pho Viet. We’re not using the word in a conventional sense either, but in terms of owners’ craftsmanship. Most restaurants owners will go through the trouble of decorating their restaurant by utilizing the wall space with pictures and signs, but few care to paint the interior in a way that is truly artistic. The brightly colored walls of Pho Viet remind visitors how deeply the owners care about how their restaurant looks and inviting visitors to experience their culture.

Service: 9.5/10-Knowing how much the owners care about the ambiance of the restaurant, we expected the service to be equally great and we were not disappointed. Pho Viet offers the option of dining in or ordering out. As such, the staff members are always busy attending to multiple different tasks. While it’s commonplace for restaurants to face these challenges, Pho Viet has the edge in that most of the staff members are related. The familial bond makes it easier for them to work as a team and satisfy customers.

Price/Selection: 9/10-Pho Viet offers great prices in terms of its entrees and appetizers. Neither the appetizers nor the entrees exceed $12, giving this restaurant a competitive edge when comparing it to other Vietnamese restaurants across the state. Pho Viet offers a limited number of menu items and this works both to their advantage and disadvantage. Having a limited number of items makes it easier for customers to choose, especially those who have never tried Pho before. It is also an indication that the staff specializes in creating these items. A limited number of vegetarian items, on the other hand, could leave some customers wanting more.

Taste: 9/10-Pho Viet’s pho proved to be the most satisfying item on its menu. The restaurant offers a number of unique items such as crispy spring rolls, rice vermicelli and Vietnamese rice dishes and soups, but none proved more delicious than the pho. Pho is a traditional Vietnamese soup consisting of rice noodles, basil, bean sprouts, lime and cilantro in a seasoned beef or chicken broth. We recommend trying the Pho Ga (rice noodles with chicken) or for those more daring, the Bun Bo Hue, a spicy beef soup with Hue style vermicelli.

In a nutshell: 37.5/40-Pho Viet created a totally new experience from the Vietnamese restaurant we dined at in Farmington long ago. It reminded us that no matter how many of the same types of restaurants exist across the state with similar sounding names, it is still worth it to stop by one at your own convenience. You never know when you’re going to be surprised by the owners’ craftsmanship, competitively low prices or quality service that can only come from a true familial bond.

Munching on Mecha Noodle

June 28, 2014January 4, 2015 ~ ctsnapshot ~ Leave a comment

We remember the college days in which we were so broke that Maruchan ramen noodles proved to be a cheap, practical meal. We’re not alone. Our friends also recall binge eating Maruchan ramen noodles because they were easy to buy and effortless to make. We failed to realize that eating Maruchan’s version was a disservice to our taste buds. Some of us went on to try real ramen in cities such as Boston. Others neglected to try it and failed to realize that restaurants exist in Connecticut that serve real ramen noodles. It wasn’t until after graduating college that Christina and I decided to venture to Fairfield to try Mecha Noodle Bar. Knowing that “mecha” means “mom and pop” in Vietnamese, we were in high hopes for a home cooked, ramen dinner.

Mecha Noodle Bar

Grade: B+

Location: 1215 Post Rd, Fairfield, CT

Website Menu Facebook

Atmosphere: 9/10-We were disappointed to discover that the image we captured of Mecha Noodle Bar’s interior was too blurry and used an image from Yelp instead. We’re pleased to report, however, that Mecha Noodle’s interior is one of intrigue. Immediately upon walking inside, we saw a plethora of decoratively hung and placed wooden pieces that reminded us of a bamboo village or forest. The music did not add to the atmosphere though.

Service: 8.5/10-Mecha Noodle Bar seemed short staffed that night and it took longer than we expected to receive our meals. A restaurant that attracts many customers per night needs a number of staff members to keep up with the demand. Nonetheless, we received competent, friendly service. We found our waitress to be both personal and knowledgable. Without hesitation, she answered our questions about the menu and the restaurant itself.

Price/Selection: 9/10-The restaurant’s menu offers a wide selection of items, including ramen, pho, dumplings, cocktails, wines and beers. We were particularly impressed by their beer selection, as Dogfish Head is our favorite IPA. We were also surprised by the number of ramen items on the menu versus the number of pho items because of the reputation the restaurant carries for its ramen. We figured that Mecha Noodle Bar also has a reputation for their affordable entrees that range from only $10-19!

Taste: 9/10-When you try ramen or pho from Mecha Noodle House, you probably won’t want to settle for the store brand again. While the entrees varied in terms of taste, our taste buds were pleased with what we tried, especially with the ramen and dumplings. If you have never treated real ramen before, we recommend the miso ramen because we are especially fond of the red miso/chili oil combination. If you’re a seafood lover, we recommend the mazemen dish for its variety of shellfish.

In a nutshell: 35.5/40-We recommend that you stop by Mecha Noodle Bar for its admirable selection of ramen, pho and alcohol along with its decorated interior. If you have never tried real ramen before, you might not revert back to your store brand ramen days!

Trying Taíno Smokehouse

June 27, 2014January 4, 2015 ~ ctsnapshot ~ Leave a comment

To kick off season 3 of CT Snapshot, we decided to review Taíno Smokehouse in Middletown. While several smokehouses exist in Connecticut, Taíno Smokehouse stood out to us because of the history behind its name. According to the description on the restaurant’s website, barbecue originated with indigenous peoples of the Caribbean such as the Taíno. Today, barbecue is very much part of American culture, but many Americans don’t know where the cooking method started. By simply visiting the restaurant’s website, we knew that the owners want to remind people of barbecue’s Taíno roots and serve delicious cuisine to customers from all over. We couldn’t wait to check the place out and chow down.

Taino Smokehouse

Grade: B+

Location: 482 South Main Street, Middletown, CT

Website Facebook Menu

Atmosphere: 9/10-When you enter Taíno Smokehouse, you’ll likely notice the design of a Taíno chief on the floor. The design reminds people of the restaurant’s logo and barbecue’s Taíno origins. Even if customers did not know about the history behind the restaurant’s name, the design and logo create a sense of wonder and intrigue. Likewise, the logo, name and design differentiate Taíno Smokehouse from other barbecue restaurants in the state. With a few more Taíno-related decorations, the restaurant could really stand out.

Service: 10/10-Taíno Smokehouse is not spacious, but seating indoors and outside fills quickly. The waiters, waitresses, cashiers and cooks can handle the demands of their customers. They also treat customers with a friendly attitude and constantly check up on them. These qualities speak volumes about Taíno Smokehouse in terms of their care for quality, customer service. We also didn’t have too long for a check.

Price/Selection 8/10-Taíno Smokehouse offers a wide selection for their menu in terms of their appetizers, wings/chicken pops/shrimp, BBQ sandwiches and BBQ dinners. We expected a bigger portion size for the amount we paid for our dinners, but we found the portion size for our appetizers to be more than suitable.

Taste: 8/10-We had mixed feelings on the taste of our entrees. Make no mistake; we enjoyed our entrees, but some proved more savory than others. We found the BBQ pulled pork dinner to be fantastic along with the sweet potato fries. The BBQ chicken dinner proved satisfying as well, but not quite on the same level. Nonetheless, we enjoyed our entrees and left zero scraps behind.

In a nutshell: 35/40-In a nutshell, we enjoyed the history, service and entrees of Taíno smokehouse and encourage our readers to visit. We plan to stop by Taíno Smokehouse in the future, but we must venture on to other restaurants in the state before doing so.

The Authentic Abyssinian (Ethiopian Cuisine in Hartford)

June 10, 2013January 4, 2015 ~ ctsnapshot ~ Leave a comment

After another long winter-spring break, we’re back! While the break lasted a little too long, it allowed us to visit a few places that we plan to write about in the near future and research new places to visit. Hartford’s Abyssinian Ethiopian Restaurant intrigued us because it exists as one of the few known African restaurants in Connecticut. When only a few restaurants of a certain cuisine exist in Connecticut, they tend to be expensive. This rule generally applies to French restaurants and Russian restaurants in the state. We saw the $12 for $24 deal on Groupon and hoped Abyssinian would prove to be the exception. Here’s how our night panned out.

Abyssinian Ethiopian Restaurant

Grade: B+

Location: 535 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT

Website Menu Groupon

Atmosphere: 8.5/10-When we walked into Abyssinian, we were drawn to the African paintings on the wall, the miniature statues that were placed above the cashier’s counter and the music that played in the background. These three factors intrigued us. These factors let us know that the owner(s) wanted to distinguish this restaurant as uniquely Ethiopian. We also noticed the dim lighting in the restaurant and unlit candles that sat atop our tables. If the staff altered the lighting or lit the candles on the tables, they would be more likely to attract customers from the outside.

Service: 9/10-We found the staff to be pleasant and quick-handed. We received our meals in a timely fashion. We wondered how the staff would fare on a busy night because we were only one of few groups of people in the restaurant that night. If Abyssinian finds that they are understaffed on those nights, the management should consider hiring more employees to help, especially when the Groupon deal results in an increase of customers.

Price/Selection: 8.5/10-The prices are reasonable and affordable. Appetizers range from $6.95 to $7.95. Entrees range from $11.95 to $16.95. You won’t make a dent in your wallet here and with the Groupon deal, you can get much more for your money! Abyssinian also offers a diverse selection of Ethiopian cuisine with plenty to choose from.

Composition/Taste: 9.5/10-If you have never tried Ethiopian cuisine, we strongly recommend you do so. Ethiopian cuisine typically consists of a variety of vegetables and spicy meats that are served atop injera, a sourdough flatbread that is so large you might mistake it for a napkin! Ethiopians eat this cuisine with their right hands. They use pieces of the injera to pick up the various meats and vegetables. Don’t make the mistake we did. We used our spoon to pick up the ingredients. When the ingredients entered our mouths, we found ourselves immensely enjoying the flavors that touched our taste buds, especially the flavors absorbed by the injera. We recommend you try any of the chicken, lamb, beef, seafood, vegetarian or rice dishes to taste what we’re talking about.

In a nutshell: 35.5/40-Abyssinian has the look, the taste and the staff, but they need the extra “wow” factor to make their restaurant stand out. In other words, they need something from the outside to draw the customers from this busy street in, something that says “look at us.” Abyssinian is restaurant worth stopping by. The management needs to find “something” to let Connecticut know this.