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.

Pond House Cafe

One of my favorite places to have lunch is the Pond House Café located in Elizabeth Park.  The food is nicely presented and tasty.  The service has always been good.  Outdoor seating is available where you can see the pond which is home to quite a few birds including mallards, Canada geese, a great blue heron and a kingfisher.  Instead of bread coming to your table when you arrive you get popcorn with Cajun seasoning which you can also get plain if you request it that way.  On my latest outing to the Pond House Café I had a cup of the tomato and mushroom bisque, very tasty with a little kick to it.  For my entrée I ordered the lunch special which was a house salad with a very light vinaigrette, eggplant parmigiana and a pound cake topped with peach compote and whipped cream.  The nice thing about the eggplant is that it was not breaded which is good for someone like me who tries to watch the carbs.  Below is the house salad and the eggplant parmigiana.  
PS, you really need to make reservations if you are planning on dining there!

Alfrescos Restaurant in East Hartford

Went to Alfrescos for lunch today.  You should know my "measuring stick" for a restaurant is French Onion Soup.  Excellent.  Ordered without bread and they were very accommodating.  Had the lunch portion of the eggplant parmigiana with a side of fresh mixed vegetables instead of pasta.  Very tasty, just the right portion for lunchtime.  A basket of bread came to the table accompanied by roasted garlic in olive oil.  Two of the people I was with ordered the baked cod, very nice presentation and they were very pleased.  Top picture is the French onion soup.  This restaurant is a keeper!

Corey's Catsup and Mustard in Manchester, CT

Hey guys!  I am just starting this blog at the suggestion of my aunt who knows I am passionate about good food.  Doesn't have to be expensive, just has to be good, restaurant has to be clean, and the service has to be good too.  I have to want to go back.  So here I am.
 Let's start with one of my favorite local places, +Corey's Catsup and Mustard.  Only drawback is it's kind of small and very popular, so you often have to wait for a table, but that being said, it's worth the wait.  The good stuff:  vegetarian options, low carb options, low fat options, presentation always good.  Had the corn and crab bisque yesterday and for sure will order that again, maybe every time I go there?  Desserts very nice, my favorite is the mud pie using local Royal Ice Cream.  Speaking of local, they serve local Hosmer Mountain Soda.  Tends to be a bit on the sweet side.  I haven't had anything there that wasn't really good.  Even the cole slaw is a nice light side without mayonnaise.  And if you're a  pickle person like I am, those are really good, too.  There are 2 tables outside also, which is nice weather permitting.  Kind of fun to sit outside and people watch.  Bottom line, go try it.  You will not be disappointed!!  Top picture is the cobb salad with blackened tuna, bottom picture is a turkey burger with turkey bacon and avocado, a nice little side salad of baby spinach with crumbled blue cheese, caramelized onions and balsamic vinaigrette and on the side is a pickle nestled on a bit of cole slaw.  Yum!