With just a few days left in Taste of Hartford’s summer promotion, it’s time to dish on where you’ve been eating for the past two weeks. Upload your Taste of Hartford food photos and share your experiences/recommendations over at A La Carte.
Here’s my own recommendation: Last week, I had the chance to visit VIVO Trattoria, the sophisticated and award-winning restaurant in Hartford’s Downtown Marriott. With a Mediterranean influence and Napa Valley style, VIVO has earned area esteem for its seasonally inspired menu boasting the best of fresh, local ingredients.
My first impression? Gorgeous interior, killer white sangria. So far so good.
And, as hoped, the food sang for itself. I even have photos to prove it this time.
My dining companions and I stuck to the Taste of Hartford menu and (between the few of us) were able to sample all of the dishes.
Both appetizer options were luscious– rich lobster bisque with sherry & creme fraiche, plus truffle scented wild mushroom risotto. A spoonful of the bisque was (as
Leeanne might put it), a shot of luxury.
Pistachio encrusted salmon
My entree made me realize how sadly unadventurous I am when it comes to cooking fish. Pistachio crusted salmon with beets and caramelized carrot vinaigrette. So tasty, fresh, and lovely- an all around win. Maybe it’ll inspire me to dress fish in something besides soy sauce in my own kitchen.
Affogatto
When first reading through the TOH menu, I was unimpressed by desserts. Do NOT follow my snotty, judgmental line of thought. The Affogatto was so dreamy that I ate mine and devoured all of my sister’s dish – vanilla ice cream with espresso, caramel drizzle and whipped cream. So simple but startlingly unbelievable.
If you’re as torn between the 29 Taste of Hartford restaurant participants as I’ve been for the past two weeks, I hope this helped narrow it down!
200 Columbus Blvd, Hartford CT
OH DELICIOUS. and thanks for the shoutouts :)