What’s more festive than a Christmas ornament shaped like a taco?
A pierogi!
Check this stuff out. And if you’re looking for a Christmas gift for me, you’re lookin’ at it right here :)
Here’s a link to the whole gallery on epicurious. May your tree make you hungry this year.
So now that you know what to buy me, you can wrap it all up in this!
beautiful, juicy burger wrapping paper.
Oh goodness. Lately, my inbox has been crowded with some all too appealing options for specialty prix fixe dinners at local restaurants. I’m highlighting the top three. Here’s whats on the radar for next week.
Sunday, November 13th:
6 Course Game and Beer Dinner at The Half Door.
I’ve already bought my ticket for this one. Sometimes a gal just needs to sit down and unwind with a brew and plateful of grilled emu, ya know?
I’m so amped for this outrageously carnivorous meal. It’s $75 which includes tax and gratuity. Here’s the menu:
Course #1:
Venison Pastrami Wrapped Rabbit Loin with Wine Braised Endive, Caraway Pancake and Whole Grain Mustard Jus. Paired with Nøgne Ø IPA.
Course #2:
Consommé of Quail. Paired with Het Alternatief’s Bitter Truth.
Course #3:
Grilled Emu with a Salad of Rocket, Red Onion, Sharp Cheddar and Charred Shallot Vinaigrette. Paired with ‘t Gaverhopke Extra.
Who me?
Course #4:
Wild Boar Saltimbocca with Sherry Pan Sauce, Butternut Squash Polenta and English Peas. Paired with Boon Oude Geuze.
Course #5:
Sika Venison Loin Stuffed with Herbed Wild Mushrooms and Maytag Bleu Cheese with Rosemary Scented Venison Demi Glace and Poached Red Potatoes. Paired with Rodenbach Vintage ’07 Oak Aged.
Course #6:
Burnt Sugar Crusted Rum Raisin Scone, Sage Infused Whipped Crème, Salted Pumpkin Apple Caramel. Paired with Dupont Cidre Reserve.
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Monday, November 14th
If wild game isn’t your thang, class it up at Burton’s Grill‘s Fall Harvest Chef’s Dinner with Cassidy Hill Vineyard (Coventry) for a night of showcasing 4 courses of fall flavors and local artisan wines. I love Burton’s AND Cassidy Hill so this oughta be a meal to look forward to.
6:30 PM SEATING
$65/person (not including tax/gratuity)
Reservations Required, Call for reservations at: 860.432.4575
Course #1: Fall Greens, Great Hill Blue Cheese, Candied Walnuts, Pickled Onions, Pink Grapefruit & Walnut-Cranberry Vinaigrette.
Course #2: Pumpkin Ravioli, Brown Butter Sage Hollandaise Sauce, Bordeaux-Cherry Balsamic Drizzle, Fried Sage.
Course #3: Pan-Seared House-cured Center Cut Pork Chops, Calvados Cream Reduction, Apple Pecan Farro Pilaf, Pan-Roasted Broccoli Rabe.
Course #4: Gingerbread Crème Brule, Candied Ginger, fresh Whipped Cream.
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If you’re a bit further away from the Hartford area, and happen to be closer to, say Woodbury, Carmen Anthony Fishhouse is hosting their last wine dinner of the year on Monday the 14th at 6pm, featuring the wines of Duckhorn Vineyards in Napa Valley.
Here’s a peek at their offerings:
Course #1: Lobster Ravioli: Homemade ravioli with fresh picked lobster and topped with delicious Newburgh sauce
Paired with: Duckhorn Decoy Chardonnay
Course #2: Hearts of Palm Salad: Marinated hearts of palm wrapped in prosciutto and served over baby spinach.
Tossed with a honey and roasted pepper balsamic vinaigrette.
Paired with: Duckhorn Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc
Course #3: Pine Nut-Encrusted Escolar: Grilled escolar topped with a roasted tomato and shallot compote.
Paired with: Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet
Finale: German Chocolate Trifle
Rich German chocolate cake layered with creamy caramel and toasted coconut.
Paired with: Noval Black Port
Call 203-266-0011 to make your reservation.
$75/person plus tax & gratuity
Check the websites for more details. Make reservations and eat up, kids!
For the folks suffering from Connecticut’s brutal power outage:
Leeanne Griffin from A La Carte just posted a list of CT restaurants that are open & serving meals.
Check it out and go warm up with some tasty bites!
Thanks Leeanne!
Corey Wry’s new(ish) restaurant, Chops n Catch is hosting a 4 course wine dinner on November 7th and it looks spectacular.
Scope out the menu below & make reservations ASAP! 860.783.5545
How good does that look? Can I get an OMNOM?
706 Hartford Road
Manchester, CT 06040
info@chopsandcatch.com
It’s Connecticut Restaurant Week! 90 restaurants participating across the state, offering 3 course menus for $20.11 all week long. Some spots even have $20.11 wine bottle specials.
For all the details (and menus) scope out the website. http://www.connecticutrestaurantweek.com/
You’ll find me at Bricco Trattoria in Glastonbury tonight!
Now get out there and eat.
La Petite France is at it again- and just in time for fall.
As a way to welcome the Fall season, La Petite France Bakery is hosting an Open House on Thursday October 20th from 5:00-7:00 PM.
Image from La Petite France
I’ve only been to La Petite France few times for breakfast and coffee (the quiche and chocolate croissants are to die for– they also make a mean espresso) and I love the cafe’s atmosphere. Books, great furniture, lovely decor. Here’s a bit of background if you’ve never been: La Petite France opened its West Hartford shop in 2009 and boasts a wide selection of pastries, French breads, fruit tartlets, sweet & savory croissants, and a variety of sandwiches served on the bakery’s homemade baguettes. LPF also serves organic, fair trade coffee from Bean & Leaf in New London.
And now, it’s time to bring on the cakes.
Here’s part of their event description:
“The bakery has recently added a new member to their culinary team, a very talented cake baker. She makes incredible cakes for all occasions and will be having a sampling of her work to view and taste that evening. In addition to the cakes, La Petite France will be serving a variety of their authentic French delicatessens.”
The event is free and open to the public. Hope to see you there!
La Petite France, 967 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06107
