East Windsor Country Kitchen

Introducing one of my new favorite breakfast spots, East Windsor Country Kitchen, located at 75 S Main St across from the high school.  The restaurant has been open for 8 years and is open for breakfast and lunch.  The first time I went we sat at the counter right away.  The 2nd and 3rd time I went we had to wait for a table just like the locals/fans of the restaurant said we would but the wait was not long.  On both occasions I was able to take a mug of coffee outside with me while we waited for a table.  Yes, I have been there 3 times.  Three weeks in a row, actually.  I am seriously considering making it my post long run breakfast spot.  That's big for me to make a commitment like that. Some of the staff already knows my name and when you visit you will find that the whole staff is friendly and will not allow your drink to stay empty and  both of those things are very important to me.  The menu includes breakfast sandwiches, all kinds of pancakes, regular French toast and pound cake French toast and omelets.  Even though I don't eat carbs or gluten I give extra points for one of the side dishes being grits which are hard to find up north on a breakfast menu.  Extra points for 2 kinds of hot sauce also. On all 3 occasions I have ordered an egg white omelet without home fries or toast.  Being a cheese lover I asked for extra cheese in my omelet and unlike most places, I actually got extra cheese! 
I highly recommend trying this place out.  The food will not disappoint, but the staff and service will make you love it even more.

Marilyn's in Tolland, CT

Another hidden treasure of a restaurant, located on Merrow Rd in Tolland, CT,   Marilyn's serves breakfast and lunch Monday-Saturday.  Small setting, decorated in all things Marilyn Monroe, owned by Lisa MacClain and her daughter, Bryn.  I ordered an egg white omelet and chose my fillings which included brie.  Brie may be my new cheese of choice in an omelet except for the fact that it is not offered in many restaurants just like the goat cheese I could have had.  I had a fresh fruit cup with blueberries, strawberries, apples, pears, grapes and cherries.  The coffee flavor of the day was toasted coconut.  I love that Lisa serves local products such as coffee from Kevin's Coffee Roasters and soda from Hosmer Mountain Soda.  Desserts are amazing. We got to sample a chocolate layer cake and a lemon cake while we were visiting.  Based on the dessert samples friends my fiancée and I were having breakfast with  ordered 7 dozen cupcakes from Marilyn's for her wedding in October just a few miles away and the owner was gracious enough to agree to deliver them on a Sunday!   Great food, small down home feel, great accommodating service.  Definitely a keeper!!!


For photos click on this link
http://photogoddess.zenfolio.com/p448665610

The Red Cabin in South Windsor, CT

Today was my first visit to The Red Cabin in South Windsor, CT on Sullivan Avenue.  The first thing I noticed was the parking lot was full!  There were patrons dining inside and outside and once you have a meal there you know why they are so busy!  The Red Cabin has been in business for almost 8 years now and is owned by Todd and Laura Pineo.   The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch and is open 7 days a week.  Laura tells me they do a lot of catering which is what they did before opening their restaurant.  I had an egg white omelet and a fresh fruit cup with bananas, cantaloupe, blueberries and strawberries but one of the breakfast specials was very tempting.  How do you like the sound of S'mores pancakes?  Chocolate chip pancakes with marshmallow fluff topping, chocolate sauce and crushed graham crackers.  The restaurant was so busy today that Laura brought us some lemon cake to snack on while we waited for our breakfast to come.  Another local treasure my friends!!

Hilltop BBQ in Manchester, CT

This place has become one of my favorite restaurants, another gem in downtown Manchester.  The original Hilltop BBQ is in Moodus in case it sounds familiar to you.  Normally I have to be in the mood for barbecue which happens about twice a year, but I've been here three times since it opened already.   I haven't ordered anything I didn't like.  I'm gonna have to say it's the best barbecue I've ever had.  The meats aren't too smoky and overpowering and they are tender.  If you really want to treat yourself, get the macaroni and cheese as your dinner or as a side.  Amazing.  You know how I feel about French onion soup and that is good also.  If you don't try this place you're missing out!  Pictured from top to bottom are the half chicken with a side of onion rings, a pulled pork sandwich with a side of mac and cheese (the cornbread actually came with the chicken but I gave it to my fiancée) and if you want a dessert, try a cupcake, a brownie or a cookie! 

Hotcakes in East Windsor, CT

Found this little gem a few weekends ago on a Sunday.  The place was packed, there was a line of people waiting but my fiancée and I sat at the counter so we didn't have to wait.  This is absolutely my favorite breakfast place ever!  Here's some of my favorite things in no particular order:  homemade grits either plain or cheesy.  Where do you find homemade grits in the Northeast?  Yeah, A+ on that right there.  Homemade bread, all I can say is thick and yummy and you can have your French toast made with it.  Say yes to the French toast made with homemade cinnamon swirl bread.  Awesome options for pancakes including pancakes that would be considered seasonal in most other places.  A flavored coffee of the day is offered.  Today it was Kahlua and Cream.  I had that along with a very cheesy veggie omelet made with egg whites and a side of grits.  Shown below from top to bottom are a small side of grits, toasted homemade white bread with 3 sunny side up eggs and the back and front of the breakfast menu.  Hotcakes also serves lunch....stay tuned for the review!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sukothai in Manchester, CT

If you're looking for yummy Thai food, Sukothai in Manchester, CT is the place.  Another gem of a restaurant on Main St in old downtown Manchester.  Stay tuned for more blogs on the restaurants on Main St which seems to be getting revitalized. 
There are different categories of dishes offered at Sukothai all of which you can order as is or with chicken, pork, beef or tofu.  On my last visit I ordered the Tom Kha with chicken and the panang curry with tofu and I opted for brown rice intead of white.  My fiancée ordered the spring roll appetizer and the spicy noodle with beef.  Our water glasses were constantly refilled which is a must with spicy food!  We both agreed that we will go back again,
Pictured below from top to bottom are the Tom Kha soup with chicken, spring rolls, panang curry with tofu and brown rice and spicy noodles with beef. 

Brickley's Ice Cream

I know, this blog  is for the Greater Hartford Area, but my daughter currently lives in Rhode Island and swears by Brickley's Ice Cream so of course I had to try it.  Brickley's has two locations, one in Wakefield and one in Narragansett.  Their ice cream is homemade in Narragansett. I tried the ginger ice cream and the rum raisin, both excellent.  I've never found ginger ice cream anywhere else before.  The only odd thing is that you can't get more than two flavors at a time.  Don't you think that's a bit strange?  And it's cash only, but then again, so is Shady Glen.  Bottom line, it is really good and worth going again.