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.

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.

Grab some Gobi Mongolian Grill in Southington

December 20, 2012January 4, 2015 ~ ctsnapshot ~ Leave a comment

Life feels different in Connecticut lately. We feel different. People seem a little more on edge and for good reason. You might feel sad and you might be looking for a return to normalcy. We’ve found comfort in spending time with family and friends around the holiday season in an entertaining atmosphere. If you’re looking for some holiday cheer in the nutmeg state, why not try Gobi Mongolian Grill in Southington! We’ve visited twice and definitely enjoyed ourselves.

What is Mongolian Barbecue? Gobi Mongolian Grill in Southington serves a type of cuisine called Mongolian barbecue. Ironically, Mongolian barbecue relates to neither Mongolian cuisine nor barbecue. Taiwanese restaurants developed Mongolian barbecue during the 1970s. The restaurants’ chefs cooked diverse varieties of meats, vegetables and noodles on round, iron griddles. Imagine a hibachi dinner in which you CHOOSE the contents. Customers handed chefs the vegetables, noodles and sauces and they cooked them without hesitation. This type of tradition caught on in America and has maintained popularity into the 21st century.

Check our Mongolian barbecue adventure-

Gobi Mongolian Grill

Grade A-

Location: 855 Queen St, Southington, CT

Website Menu Drinks Facebook

Atmosphere: 9.5/10: Gobi Mongolian Grill has a spacious interior with an orange and brown color scheme that will likely contribute to your hunger. You will also notice the giant iron griddles that rest in the middle of the room. People wait at marble counters by the griddles with the dishes they selected. Before you visit the counter, go to the buffet area in the back of the room to choose from a variety of noodles, vegetables, meats and sauces for the chefs to cook. Remember-this is all you can eat so grab as many dishes as you desire. You can also choose dessert!

Service of chefs: 5/5-These chefs will cook any type of ingredients and quickly. I added pineapple and strawberries to my plate and they cooked it! I was greeted with a few laughs by the chefs and odd looks by Christina and our friend Brandon.

Service of waiters/waitresses: 3/5-On a busy night, you might have to wait a little while for refills of drinks. Your table could benefit from ordering a bottle of wine to prevent waiting or a large pitcher of water. When we visited a second time for Brandon’s going away party, we encountered much faster service.

Price/selection: 9.5/10-The picture shows only the vegetables you have to choose from! The meats, noodles and sauces boast the same type of variety! You can have as much of this as you want for $15.95. During lunch hours, you can have the same type of buffet for only $8.95. You’ll spend less than you would at a hibachi dinner! The drink prices are reasonable too.

Taste: 9/10-You can create a seemingly endless amount of tasty combinations. Unlike most buffets, the ingredients do not sit out to spoil. We encourage you to try new foods, but be careful of your choices. Pay attention to the spiciness warnings if you don’t like spicy foods. If you’re not a daring person, choose foods that you are familiar with. Otherwise, you’ll end up wasting a lot of ingredients.

In a nutshell-36/40-Whether you’re visiting at lunch or dinner, with friends or family, Gobi Mongolian grill is a “must try” place in the state of Connecticut. We encourage you to try this place as a date or with a large group of people. You’ll find good times and holiday cheer at this restaurant!

Did you know? We also tutor. Click here to check out NimbleFox, our tutoring website!

Hiking & Lunch in CT: Talcott Mountain & Apollo’s Pizza and Pasta in Simsbury

August 26, 2012January 4, 2015 ~ ctsnapshot ~ Leave a comment

With the summer winding down, we decided to explore the natural side of Connecticut. We took a week’s vacation to Delaware and discovered that we missed Connecticut’s nature most of all. To satisfy our longing, we hiked Talcott Mountain in Simsbury on Saturday and stumbled into Apollo’s Pizza and Pasta on our way home. Then it hit us-hiking and lunch is an ideal outing for friends, family and dates! If you choose a mountain with a great view and eat great local food nearby, you might make a tradition out of it! We knew Talcott mountain had a great view, but we had no idea about its historical significance. Here is how our afternoon panned out-

Talcott Mountain

Overall Grade: A-

Location: Talcott Mountain State Park, 560 Simsbury Road, Bloomfield, CT

Website

Parking fee: 10/10-There is no parking fee!. Your trip to Talcott Mountain is actually free fun! Please note that you must park on the grass on the side of the road that lies before the trail. Parking fills quickly. If you want to find a decent parking spot, your best bet is to go before noon. Talcott Mountain State Park closes at 5:00 P.M.

Atmosphere of Mountain: 4/5-Talcott Mountain is located just 6 miles west of the city of Hartford, bordering Farmington, West Hartford, Bloomfield, Simsbury and Avon. It is comprised of many notable cliffs, including the 950 ft high point on which the historic Heublein tower stands. We enjoyed the variety of hikers, animals and vegetation. The mountain is suitable for all ages . We saw kids as young as three and adults well into their eighties walk to the top. If you’re looking for a longer hike, you might want to start at Penwood State Park, which located a short distance away from Talcott Mountain State Park.

Atmosphere of Tower: 5/5-The historic Heublein Tower has a lot of history. The setup is like a mini museum inside. Every room is a mini exhibit that tells a great deal about the tower’s history. We don’t want to spoil the rich history for you, so we’ve selected five interesting facts to share about the tower-

1. It served as Gilbert Heublein’s home and retreat from the 1914 until his death in the 1930s. He founded Heublein Inc, an American producer of beverages and food. He was most notably a manufacturer of Smirnoff Vodka and A1 steak sauce.

2, While hiking with his wife on Talcott Mountain, Gilbert promised her he would one day build her a tower.

3. Ronald Reagan, Prescott Bush and Dwight D. Eisenhower were guests at the tower during the 1950s. The staff threw an election party for Eisenhower during the 1950s.

4. The Hartford Times used the tower to operate its FM station from 1948 to 1950.

5. The State of Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection now manages the tower.

Trail: 8/10-The trail is short, considering Talcott Mountain spans only three miles at its widest point. The trail, however, offers a nice view of the Greater Hartford area a short distance from the top.

View from Tower and Mountain 9/10-From the top of the tower, you’ll get a great view of Farmington, West Hartford, Bloomfield, Simsbury and the Farmington River. The tower offers a panoramic view of the Hartford skyline, the Farmington River, the Farmington valley, Mt. Tom and four New England states. We were more than delighted to receive these incredible views for free. The view from the top of the tower was a perfect way to top off our hike.

In a nutshell: 36/40-We thoroughly enjoyed our hike and we recommend you visit for….

-The free parking

-The scenic trail

-The historic Heublein Tower

-The Snapple machine inside the tower. (This machine offers Snapple in a can. A rarity at most venues).

-The view from the top of the tower and the top of the mountain.

Apollo’s Pizza and Pasta

Overall Grade: B+

Location: 775 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT

Website Menu

Atmosphere: 9/10-Our hike inspired us to venture into Simsbury for lunch. We stumbled upon Apollo’s Pizza and Pasta on Hopmeadow street, a five minute drive from the mountain. When we entered the restaurant, we we noticed the small, classy interior. You’ll notice that the staff advertises Avery’s Soda at the front counter. Avery’s Soda is old fashioned soda that comes in a glass bottle. Avery’s boasts a variety of flavors from Black Cherry to odder flavors such as Bug Barf soda. No, we’re not kidding. The old fashioned sodas sparked us with a sense of wonder about the menu items.

Service: 9/10-We appreciated our service. We received our food in under 15 minutes and constant refills from our waitress.

Price/selection of lunch: 4.5/5-The lunch menu is noticeably cheaper than the dinner menu. Entrees average around $10 to $14. You’ll receive a considerable amount of food for the price you pay.

Price/selection of dinner: 3.5/5-Entrees ranges from $11.5o to $19.50. A large, traditional pizza costs only $11.25! This is considerably cheaper than the price for most large pizzas. If you want a large, gourmet pizza you will pay around $18. Apollo’s entrees are still considerably cheaper than many restaurants in Simsbury.

Taste: 8.5/10-We enjoyed our entrees but expected slightly more because of the flavorful composition of the dish. The portion size definitely matches the price. You won’t leave the restaurant hungry.

In a nutshell: 34.5/40-Apollo’s scores a solid B+ for its good food, good service and great lunch prices. We recommend you visit, especially if you’re looking for a nice hole in the wall restaurant after you hike Talcott Mountain. Check out our top four picks for the most creative items!

1. The Simsbury Burger (this may not be the name). Apollo’s does not have a lunch a menu online so we cannot double check.

2. Scallops Ala Vodka

3. Florentine Pizza

4. Eggplant Rollatini

Below you’ll find additional pics from our Simsbury adventure!

Dinner and a Movie at Gilson Cafe Cinema in Winsted

March 18, 2012January 4, 2015 ~ ctsnapshot ~ 2 Comments

EVERYTHING about Gilson Cafe Cinema in Winsted excited us. When we learned a dinner and movie cinema existed in Connecticut, we felt elated. We thought once we visited old fashioned theaters and drive-ins, we were entrepreneurs of the “classic” movie-going experience. Boy were we naive! This cafe cinema has existed in the heart of Winsted for the past twenty-five years. Twenty-five years ago, Alan Nero, a former firefighter, converted this abandoned vaudeville theatre into a movie house complete with two screens and a built-in restaurant. Our hopes were high for Gilson Cafe Cinema. This is how our night panned out-

Gilson Cafe Cinema

Overall Grade: B

Location: 345 Main Street, Winsted, CT

Website Menu

Type of movies: Occasionally current

Atmosphere: 9/10-When we arrived in Winsted, we were immediately reminded of Northampton. No, Winsted center is not as big or flashy but it comes equipped with plenty of quaint shops, hole in the wall restaurants and historic buildings that somehow age with grace. Gilson scheduled a jazz band to perform after the movie but canceled at the last minute. This band might have echoed the building’s vaudeville days. The movie house provides a retro vibe with its retro wall colors, comfy seats and old fashioned movie screens. Our tables, however, stood no taller than a standard footstool. We had to hunch over to eat our food.

Service: 9/10-Service was fast. The waitress provided our meal within the first fifteen minutes of the movie. She also brought us our check before the movie ended. It was kind of distracting to see waiters/waitresses walking around the theatre during the movie. We thought this protocol make might work better if the servers brought the food BEFORE the movie started and left a large pitcher of water on the tables. Come to think of it, we would have liked it if our tables stood taller than foot stools.

Price of Food: 3.5/5 Don’t be fooled by the seemingly cheap prices on the menu! You don’t get a lot for your money. Our $6.50 meals came with small sandwiches and a handful of chips. If our meals came with larger portions, the price would match. Unfortunately, our meals were no more filling than a snack off the dollar menu at a fast food restaurant. We recommend you eat at one of the nearby hole in the walls before you are seated for your movie.

Taste: 7/10-The taste of our meals left much to be desired. By that phrase, we mean we took a bite out of mediocrity-it wasn’t particularly good or bad. The taste lacked complexity and failed to differentiate from a typical movie theatre snack. We failed to see why we shouldn’t be eating popcorn or candy. Perhaps we ordered the wrong items or caught the chefs on a rushed day. We are open to broadening our horizons and re-evaluating this category.

Price Of Movie: 5/5-Gilson Cinema Cafe charges $7.50 per movie ticket! Most movie theaters charge upwards of $10+ dollars. AMC Loews charges around that amount for college students… but only on Thursdays. Bowtie Cinemas charges $8.50 for students with a college ID. Gilson’s charges never waiver. You pay for great sound quality and a large screen with Cinema-quality graphics.

In a nutshell: 33.5/40-Gilson Cafe Cinema left us with mixed emotions. We valued Gilson’s historical significance, great movie ticket prices and fine staff. However, we strongly believe that if Gilson adds variety to its menu and larger portions for the price, it will find more success as a dinner + movie venue. We recommend you visit for the low ticket price, great sound quality and the historical experience. You might also want to check out the jazz band (and other musical performances) if you stop by on a Saturday night.

Did you know? We also tutor. Click here to check out NimbleFox, our tutoring website!

CT Snapshot Plus-Alive in Northampton Center

March 17, 2012January 4, 2015 ~ ctsnapshot ~ Leave a comment

Sometimes you want to get away from Connecticut but you don’t want to travel far. We totally understand. We love Connecticut. We love discovering new places. BUT it’s nice go on a road trip every once in awhile. Our CT Snapshot Plus reviews will take you just beyond Connecticut for some weekend fun. We recommend you experience Northampton, MA, a college town that never sleeps! Northampton Center is full of many restaurants, stores, museums, clubs, ect. You’ll never run out of things to do! While you’re there, you might want to check out Amanouz Cafe and The Roost.

Amanouz Cafe

Grade: A

Location: 44 Main Street, North Hampton, MA

Website, menu

Atmosphere: 9/10- Amanouz Cafe serves Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine (you probably deduced that from picture above). This cafe stands out because it rests in the sea of many Mexican and Asian hole in the walls on the strip. Don’t get us wrong, those places look amazing but we like taking chances with new, authentic foods. Amanouz’ interior looks cute on the inside with a few Moroccan paintings/sculptures mounted to the walls. But seating is limited and we were stuck in a table for two next to a fridge. Amanouz would benefit from more Moroccan decorations and another table or two outside.

Service: 9/10-Amanouz is partially self-serve and partially traditional. You pay for your food upfront so you are not required to tip (if you love your meals, however, we recommend you do so!). You also handle your own silverware and can refill water via a dispenser. The tap water does not taste that great. The cooks will serve you your meals in wooden pots and tinfoil wrappers. We didn’t have to wait long for our meals!

Price/Selection: 10/10-Amanouz Cafe offers large portions at an incredibly affordable price. We’re not messing around here. The highest price on the menu is 11.95! The menu provides a wide variety of Moroccan and Mediterranean dishes.

Taste: 9.5/10- Three words: delicious, authentic, savory. You will likely enjoy both the quantity and the quality of your dishes. Your meals are filling, so filling in fact that you’ll have to walk a few blocks to work off those satisfying calories. Your taste buds will thank you for complimenting them with a diversity of spices and juices. We recommend you try the tagine, a traditional Moroccan dish and the honey battered crepes. “A tajine, or tagine (Berber: tajin), is a Berber dish from North Africa, that is named after the special earthenware pot in which it is cooked. A similar dish, known as tavvas, is found in the cuisine of Cyprus. The traditional tajine pot is formed entirely of a heavy clay, which is sometimes painted or glazed. It consists of two parts: a base unit that is flat and circular with low sides, and a large cone or dome-shaped cover that sits on the base during cooking. The cover is so designed to promote the return of all condensation to the bottom. With the cover removed, the base can be taken to the table for serving” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/tagine).

In a nutshell-37.5/40-Overall, Amanouz scores a 94% for its incredible price and bold taste. There aren’t too many Moroccan restaurants in New England so Amanouz also scores high for daring to be different in a town immersed by Asian and Mexican cuisine.

The Roost

Grade: A

Location: 1 Market, Northampton, MA

Facebook

The Roost is a very unique cafe and deserves a unique rating scale. Check our top four reasons why you should visit The Roost in Northampton, MA!

4. The Price/selection-9/10

The Roost boasts a competitive price compared to cafes in Connecticut like Starbucks and Gloria Jeans. We wouldn’t call it cheap, but it’s “cheaper” than its competitors. You get your money’s worth in proportion size. You can also choose from soups, salads and sandwiches. We didn’t get a chance to try those but you might want to if you stop by for lunch or an early dinner. From a glance, the prices appear to rival Panera Bread and Atlanta Bread in those categories.

Good for dates/friends-9.5/10

Whether you’re with friends or lover(s), The Roost is a great place to hang. The wooden interior projected a log cabin vibe that many stores in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont do. You never feel like you’re in an establishment restaurant. You can lose track of time sitting down, conversing or playing board games and still leave before it closes. Yes, unlike cafes Connecticut, the Roost stays open well into the night!

2. All nat-ural-9/10

The Roost offers an all-nat-ural feel to its cafe drinks. Our drinks tasted freshly brewed, blended with mouth watering mocha, vanilla or chocolate. These specialty drinks prove superior to the the powdery mixes you’ll overpay for at Dunkin Donuts.

1. The Games!-10/10

The Roost offers a variety of board games! You can pick one off the shelf and play for as long as you’d like. We played Scategories and noticed that the board and the game pieces, though slightly aged, were still in great shape! If you plan on staying for awhile, you might want to play a few. We recommend leaving your names on the scorecards…for historical purposes. Also, we think it’s part of the traveler’s code.

In a nutshell-37.5/40-The Roost scores an A for its great taste…in drinks, food and board games! If you’re looking for a place to lose track of time and not pay any attention to your weeknight schedule, we highly recommend you check this place out. Once you enter The Roost…you’re bound to stay for a drink…maybe two drinks…some food…a conversation…and a plethora of board games!

Did you know? We also tutor. Click here to check out NimbleFox, our tutoring website!

Farmington Mini Golf & Icecream Parlor

March 6, 2012January 4, 2015 ~ ctsnapshot ~ Leave a comment

The warmer weather reminds us that spring is right around the corner. This means it’s time to get organized, start exercising and have fun outside! But let’s be honest. You probably get organized for about a day, join the gym for about a week and claim you’re having “fun” by following the same routine you did during the winter. Or maybe, just maybe, you decide to go mini golfing with your friends, family or significant other. Over the course of spring and summer, CT will review Connecticut’s best and worst miniature golf courses.

Farmington Mini Golf & Ice Cream Parlor

Overall Grade: A-

Location: 1048 Farmington Ave. Farmington, CT

Open: late March, early April

Course: 10/10- Since 1962, Connecticutians have flocked to this establishment for traditional miniature golf and an old time ice cream parlor in a “beautiful park like setting.” The course spans through a windmill, a castle, a well, a church, a small pond and several winding holes. This fifty-year-old course has aged well, as the Guglielmo family and their staff spend a considerable amount of time maintaining it. Although the course boasts a challenging par of 48, you’ll have a lot of fun trying to conquer it. If you master this course, you might want to sign up for their tournament in late August. The top five finishers win a cash price of $15-$100. If you have children under the age of 10, you can visit their annual Easter tournament. During the month of October, customers of all ages can enjoy Haunted Mini Golf. The staff revamps the course with spooky decorations.

Service: 10/10-I worked at Farmington Mini Golf from 2009-2010 so I know how dedicated the staff are to their customers. To work at this establishment, you must be fast and efficient. I worked as a server in the ice cream parlor and the place was always buzzing with customers. I couldn’t keep up with the weekend crowd so I decided my time was better suited a customer. The current employees are fast and dependable.

Price of Course: 9/10 $6 before 6 PM, $8 after 6 PM. $3.00 repeat games before 6 PM. We recommend you play before 6 PM so you can take advantage of the $9 for two game deal. Think about it. That’s only a dollar more than you would pay for a night game.

Price of Ice Cream Parlor: 2.5/5- The ice cream parlor loses points on price because the price you have to pay for a scoop of ice cream is dependent on the amount it weighs. Generally, a small cup of ice cream (one tennis ball sized scoop) costs around $3.25! An two additional scoops are the size of golf balls (they’re added to the tennis ball scoop) and run from $4-$5! To give you an idea of how ridiculous this is, you can buy a pint of Haagen-Dazs ice cream for $4.75 at your local price chopper. Haagen-Dazs price ranks up there with Ben & Jerry’s. Yet, you will find more than one tennis ball sized scoop inside! If you want toppings, you’ll have to spend an additional $0.25 to $0.50. At Friendly’s, you can have a dinner, and medium sized Sunday for drink $9.99. If ordered ice cream with toppings for just you and a friend, you would actually spend more than that amount.

Selection/Taste: 4.5/5- If you happen to have a considerable amount of money and you’re really craving ice cream, you can choose from a wide selection of ice cream that actually tastes pretty delicious. Our top five flavors include: Kahlua chocolate chunk, cherry moose tracks, cowabunga crunch, extreme chocolate and black raspberry. If you win Farmington Mini Golf’s August tournament, you can afford to buy the ice cream for all of your friends!

In a nutshell: 36/40- We recommend you visit Farmington Mini Golf & Ice Cream Parlor for their traditional style mini golf, great service and fun special events. Since 1962, Farmington Mini Golf & Ice Cream has provided the residents of Farmington, and the Greater Hartford area, with enough Spring and Summer fun to keep you coming back again and again. We recommend you visit this establishment during the day to take advantage of their $9 deal for two games and only buy their ice cream if you have a surplus of money.

Cook It Yourself!-Asian edition. Chef Chris Prosperi’s Pad Thai recipe

March 4, 2012January 4, 2015 ~ ctsnapshot ~ Leave a comment

You don’t feel like going out to eat but you still want to try something delicious and exotic. We’ve been there before and we recommend you cook it yourself! If you’re one for experimentation, we recommend you visit A Dong supermarket on 160 Shield Street in West Hartford. This is Connecticut’s best Asian supermarket. But what should you buy? In November 2008, Chef Chris Prosperi of Metro Bis in Simsbury visited Newington’s Lucy Robbins Welles library and shared some of his tastiest recipes. His Pad Thai recipe proved to be the tastiest. You can buy all of these ingredients at A Dong Supermarket.

Pad Thai by Chef Chris Prosperi (makes 2 servings)

Pad Thai Sauce

Pad Thai by Chef Chris Prosperi (makes 2 servings)

Pad Thai Sauce

1 bottle Mae Ploy chili sauce for chicken
2 ½ cups sugar
3 cups water
½ cup fish sauce
3 cups white vinegar

Combine all ingredients in a saucepot over medium heat and bring to a simmer for two minutes. Let cool and store in the refrigerator.

Pad Thai

1 package medium rice noodles
1 pound chicken thinly sliced
4 eggs
1 cup Pad Thai Sauce
1 12-ounce package mung bean sprouts
1-bunch scallions chopped
½ cup chopped dry roasted peanuts
1 lime cut into quarters

How to Cook it: Soak the noodles in warm water for 30 minutes and then drain. Heat the oil in a wok or large sauté pan and then add chicken and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes. Crack the eggs into the pan and stir-fry until they are cooked and scrambled. Add 6 ounces of pad Thai sauce and bring it to a vigorous boil. Add a good hand full of noodles and cook until the pant starts to dry. Fold in the bean sprouts and scallions. Serve with sliced lime and toasted chopped peanuts.

A. Combine all ingredients in a saucepot over medium heat

B. bring to a simmer for two minutes.

C. Let cool and store in the refrigerator.

Pad Thai

Pad Thai by Chef Chris Prosperi (makes 2 servings)

Pad Thai Sauce

1 bottle Mae Ploy chili sauce for chicken
2 ½ cups sugar
3 cups water
½ cup fish sauce
3 cups white vinegar

Combine all ingredients in a saucepot over medium heat and bring to a simmer for two minutes. Let cool and store in the refrigerator.

Pad Thai

How to Cook it:

A. Soak the noodles in warm water for 30 minutes and then drain.

B. Heat the oil in a wok or large sauté pan and then add chicken and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.

C. Crack the eggs into the pan and stir-fry until they are cooked and scrambled.

D. Add 6 ounces of pad Thai sauce and bring it to a vigorous boil.

E. Add a good hand full of noodles and cook until the pant starts to dry.

F. Fold in the bean sprouts and scallions.

G. Serve with sliced lime and toasted chopped peanuts.

Look for our review of Metro Bis in the near future. If you want to beat us to it, Chef Prosperi’s restaurant is located at 928 Hopmeadow St. #7B in Simsbury, CT.

Once you get familiar with the Pad Thai recipe, you can change it up and make your own rendition. Check out my version-Lemon Berry Pad Thai. I kept the noodles, the sauce and the eggs and supplemented the other portions with tilapia, strawberries, raspberries, and lemons.

Dinner And Dessert in the Middle of Nowhere: Haveli India Restaurant and Vida Doce Cafe & Pastry Shop

March 3, 2012January 4, 2015 ~ ctsnapshot ~ Leave a comment

Think about your last dinner date. How did you go about selecting the restaurant? Did a friend or family member recommend it? Did you choose based on the plethora of good reviews? Or did you choose a restaurant based on familiarity? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you fell victim to the dinner date routine! We can sympathize. We’ve been there before and while routine is not necessarily a bad thing, it can get a little boring after awhile. Tonight, we ventured into an Indian restaurant that masquerades as a small hotel and quaint little bakery/cafe that hides across from a Citco gas station on the Berlin Turnpike.

Haveli India Restaurant

Overall Grade: B+

Links: Website, Menu

Location: 1300 South Main St., Middletown, CT

Atmosphere: 8.5/10-Haveli India Restaurant rests just off the highway in the middle of nowhere. There are no other restaurants nearby. This is why Haveli India Restaurant qualifies as a M.O.N.E (Middle of Nowhere Establishment) instead of a hole in the wall. This intrigued and confused us. If we hadn’t been looking for Haveli, we would have dismissed it as a modest hotel. When we first entered Haveli, we were reminded of the Stanley Hotel from the 1980 horror flick The Shining. We noticed the same, creepy rug pattern and to add to horror-esq vibe, were the only ones there! Fortunately, an older couple and a family arrived shortly after us and the creepiness wore off. We found the Indian paintings pleasing and dug the authentic music as well. The track repeated after 15 minutes or so. Authentic music enhances any restaurant environment. We would have loved more variety.

Service: 9/10- Service is a “make it or break it” deal for restaurants. Bella Anthony’s cracked under pressure with only four small groups of people. Haveli’s served about the same amount with ease. They handed out the menus as soon as we sat down, delivered the food in a short amount of time (while it was still hot and fresh) and constantly refilled the drinks at every table. We never needed to ask for “more” of anything and we didn’t have to wait long for a check. The waiters weren’t too personable but they compensated with their dependability.

Price/Selection: 8/10- The price is fair but it is somewhat disproportionate to the amount of food you receive. We expected larger portions but that can be a petty American bias. Haveli’s offers a wide selection in terms of hot/cold appetizers, vegetarians specialties, seafood specialties, chicken and lamb specialties, Indian bread, Kebab’s, rice, and desserts. Haveli only offers a small amount of Indian drinks such as Lassi, a salted or unsalted yogurt drink that is flavored with sugar, rose water, or crushed cumin seeds. The American/Euro-centric amount of drinks could pertain to general pickiness.

Taste: 9.5/10- We ate “seafood” that tasted like a TV dinner at Red Lobster earlier today so we welcomed the savory taste of Haveli’s dishes. Highlights include- the extra doughy bread that soaked up flavor residue like a sponge, the coconut flavored white rice and the curry that complimented our taste buds and cleared our sinuses. We strongly recommend the chicken or vegetarian curry if you are losing your Indian-cuisine virginity or if you long to revisit your first taste of Indian cuisine with an enlightened perspective.

In a nutshell-35/40- Haveli India Restaurant scores a solid B+ in total and an A in taste. We cannot emphasize this enough. This is one of the more authentic Indian restaurants in Connecticut. We recommend you stop by for the exquisite taste, the fast service, and of course, the Shining vibe.

Vida Doce Cafe & Pastry Shop

Overall Grade: B

Links: Facebook, Website

Location: 262 Brockett Street, Newington, CT

Disclaimer: We base this grade off of only the dessert/cafe experience. Vida Doce Cafe & Pastry Shop also offers a wide variety of specialty cakes. If you’re looking for potential catering, we strongly recommend you contact Vida Doce and schedule an appointment. You should also look for personal reviews from previous customers who used Vida Doce’s catering services. We can say that the cakes look creative and simply stunning.

Atmosphere: 9/10-Vida Doce’s interior looks adorable. It has plenty of tables for two, which is an unspoken welcoming for couples to sit, sip some cafe drinks and socialize. I secretly longed for some mellow music for my girlfriend and I to chill out to. There was something special about sitting right next to window while the snow fell (even though I normally hate snow after December). The vibe is inherently New England and somewhat reminiscent of the cafes I visited in Paris. I longed to share that experience with her so it was nice finding a place that hinted of French tranquility.

Service 10/10: Vida Doce’s staff is very personable and very organized. We appreciated their pleasant demeanor and the fact that they refrigerated our take-home food while we ate and talked. The staff also keeps the place very clean without a single crumbs in sight! If you’ve visit enough cafes, you’ll notice that is not always the case. Finding a cafe in which the staff doesn’t need to wipe down the tables before you sit is a rarity. The length of time the customers spent in Vida Doce also speaks to their excellent service.

Price/Selection: 7/10 Vida Doce loses a few points on its price and selection. The pastries average $3-5 per portion. This wouldn’t be a problem if Vida Doce provided larger portions. We finished our pastries in very little time and we were already pretty stuffed from Haveli. The pastry selection lacks some variety. The desserts on display looked appetizing but they left us wanting more to choose from. One can probably attribute the lack of variety to the fact that Vida Doce specializes in its special event cakes. We surveyed plenty of variety in this category! Vida Doce is also a fairly new establishment. You’ll notice that the pastry portion of their website is “under construction.” They do not list their pastry at the counter so you need to ask. They are probably still in the experimental phase with these categories.

Taste: 8/10-We felt satisfied with the taste of our pastries. We could easily differentiate these pastries from the pre-made imitations that other restaurants attempt to market as gourmet food. Their cafe selection wins in the taste category, however. We recommend you try the cappuccino or some mocha. The succulent flavor rivals that of Starbucks or Dunkin Doughnuts. Best of all, they serve it in a large cup and fill it to the top. Chain restaurants that supposedly specialize in cafe drinks will often fill it only three-quarters full. *Cough McDonalds*

In a nutshell-34/40– Vida Doce Cafe & Pastry Shop scores a high B in our book. They are new and promising so this grade is definitely subject to change for the better. We recommend you visit for the cafe, the friendly service, the adorable tables for two and make your own judgement on the size-portion ratio of the pastries. If you’re interested in specialty cakes, please visit their social network sites or stop in for a visit.

More Hole In The Walls

February 28, 2012January 9, 2015 ~ ctsnapshot ~ Leave a comment

Imagine that you’re with your friends, family or significant other on a weekend afternoon or night. You’re looking for place to eat where you don’t have to wait long. You’re starving and.want instant gratification. You can opt for fast food. Most people do. But why settle for greasy mediocrity when you can have great local taste? This week, we’ll take a look at two Newington Hole In The Walls that offer just that.

GoldBurgers

Overall Grade: A

Links: Website, Facebook, Menu

Location: 1096 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111

Atmosphere: 9/10- When you enter this brightly colored restaurant, you’ll be immersed by creativity. You might first notice some local faces hanging in picture frames on the wall. These are the winners of GoldBurgers’ food challenges. The “Big Dog” and “Trinity” challenges require contestants to finish a large amount of food in less than 45 minutes. You will also notice a specials board and a suggestion box. If you have a creative idea for a new menu item, you can submit it to the suggestion box. The GoldBurgers staff considers new items all the time. They could choose your idea and add it to the specials board!

Service: 10/10- We’ve visited GoldBurgers several times since its opening in 2009 and we’ve always encountered friendly and fast service. The staff tries their best to make you feel at home and will often inquire about your day, local events and how your food tastes. This “hometown personality” cannot be replicated by a chain restaurant or some fast food joint.

Price: 4/5- Revision 12/28/12: We did an inventory of burger places in Connecticut and discovered that GoldBurgers prices DO NOT border on the high side. In fact, Goldburger’s prices are pretty competitive. This is why we changed the score to 4/5. You can buy a solid meal (a burger, fries and a drink) for around $10.

If you’re looking for an economical route, we suggest the “Build Your Own Burger” option. For $3.49 you can build a single patty burger with choice of a number of free toppings. You can even choose potato chips and banana peppers! For $4.99, you can build a double patty burger.

Selection: 5/5-GoldBurgers oozes with creativity and variety! In addition to the menu, the specials board features even more creative items that were brainstormed by the staff and customers. Check out our five picks for GoldBurger’s most creative items. For more information, check out the menu:

1. The GoldBurger: 2 beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, onions, GoldBurger sauce topped off with potato chips. $5.99

2. The “Boss” Burger: 2 beef patties layered with cheddar cheese sauce and jalapenos topped with pepper jack cheese and spicy mustard. $5.99

3. Chicken Hummus Burger: Chicken burger topped with grilled onions, lettuce, tomato and roasted red pepper hummus. $5.39

4. Build Your Own Burger: See menu. $3.49- $4.99 +

5. Fully Loaded Fries: Your choice of fresh cut fries or waffle fries topped with nacho cheese sauce, crumbled bacon, sour cream & jalapenos. $5.99. Add Chili for $1.00.

Taste 9/10: Yes, GoldBurgers’ menu items taste as delicious as they sound. They’re juicy, freshly made and packed with plenty of flavor.

In a nutshell: 37/40-GoldBurgers stands as one of the best burger joints in Connecticut because of its creative atmosphere, diverse menu and dishes that drip with flavor. We strongly recommend you stop by for a bite if you live in Hartford county or if you’re willing to make the trip.

Tokyo Café

Overall Grade: B+

Links: Facebook, Menu

Location: 451 New Britain Avenue, Newington, CT 06111

Atmosphere: 9/10- Located on the border of Newington and New Britain, Tokyo Café exists as an anomaly in this part of town. When Tokyo Café opened in the Summer of 2010, we thought it would be doomed to close early, knowing the history of several ill-fated restaurants that attempted to survive the slow business of New Britain Ave. Tokyo Café has since beaten the odds (knock on wood) and we can’t be surprised. The restaurant seats only a handful of people but one will overlook this because of the charming Japanese decorations and relaxing music. Tokyo Café omits an aroma of authenticity, one that is hard to come by in other Japanese restaurants. Few things about Tokyo Café scream “Americanized.”

Service: 9/10– You’ll find humble and pleasant service at Tokyo Café. The staff greets and serves you with a quiet kindness. You won’t need to wait long for your meals or for a check. You can also order take-out style.

Selection/price: 8/10- Tokyo Café has a diverse selection of items. When you scan the menu, you will find a unique selection of items that don’t exist at other local Japanese restaurants (i.e. Philadelphia Roll, Peanut Avocado Roll, Sweet Potato Roll). You can also order a select number of hibachi items. Tokyo Café is fairly priced for a sushi and hibachi restaurant. It could, however, benefit from an “all you can eat-sushi” option. Check out our five picks for Tokyo Café’s most creative menu items. For more information, check out the entire menu.

1. Philadelphia Roll: smoked salmon, cucumber and cream cheese. $4.50

2. French Dragon Roll: Spicy crunch shrimp and avocado inside topped with crab meat and finished with eel sauce, spicy mayo and boney wasabi sauce. $8.95

3. Dinosaur Roll: Salmon tempura inside topped with salmon and avocado. $9.95

4. Bento Box Lunch: Your choice of vegetable, shrimp, chicken, beef, salmon, chicken or steak teriyaki, tempura or negimaki with California rolls, Shumai, White Rice, Miso Soup & Salad. $7.50-8.50

5. Authentic Japanese sodas: Flavors include-strawberry, orange, kiwi and mango.

Taste: 9/10-Tokyo Café serves a fresh and delicious taste. Tokyo Café’s sushi dishes are not all together filling. If you are looking for a filling meal, we suggest you order one of the bento box options or the hibachi dishes.

In a nutshell: 35/40-Tokyo Café scores a solid B+ in our books. You can expect authenticity and quality when you visit this restaurant. We recommend you stop by with a couple of friends or a significant other. Tokyo Café is not big enough to hold a large group of people. We hope it stays this way =)