Carraba's Itailian Grill -by Accident

 

When: March 2013

 

Where: Carrabba's Italian Grill, (Buckland Cinema's) Manchester, CT

 

 

Okay, as much as we weren't planning to come to Carrabba's, the restaurant we chose was too long of a wait (45 mins). Yes, I know it's a Sat night, but really? And no, we didn't make a reservation, so that could be our faux pas. But it turned out to be our luck. After seating us, I realized we could have sat at the 'counter' overlooking the grill and been able to 'see' our food being cooked. Talk about quality assurance.

 

I haven't had this brand of Earl grey before, so I took the wrapper home to google it and find out where I can get some. It was the smoothest I've ever had. Just lovely....

 The dipping spices come to the table crushed and ready to have the waiter swirl the olive oil over the dish. Good combination.

 I must say the bread it so delicious (sourdough), that we asked for another basket of it. Soft, smelled warm and cozy.

 The salad could use more color. I love to eat my dinners with my eyes before it touches my lips. This salad failed...

I ordered the fish chowder and was really disappointed with the amount of fish that 'got away'... At least they didn't swim towards MY bowl. While I rarely complain, I did show the only fish I found in the bowl and asked for another bowl that contained fish.

 

 They did well on the second bowl. I wish I could have shown them a bowl of fish chowder from Moody's Diner in Maine! Now THAT's FISH chowdah!

(Moody's Fish Chowder) 

 

My husband decided on the Pork Chops Marsala... He was VERY pleased with it (and for someone who doesn't like mushrooms, that's saying something).

I even tried it and it WAS....so tender, so sweet, so wonderful.

 

 I had the Tilapia Nocciola...Lightly breaded tilapia with hazelnuts, topped with roma tomatoes and delicious basil lemon butter sauce. This was sooo...'close your eyes and slap the table' ..good! OMG! To die for....

 

 The fish was so flaky and tender...melt in your mouth.

So good, in fact, that I made sure I took some leftovers home with us, so I could love this tomorrow.

From the man who hates mushrooms, this was what was left.... 

 And ten to come out and see such a great sunset.....what a nice topping to the evening.

The Gathering

Where:
The Gathering
471 Hartford Road
Manchester, CT 06040

When: March 1, 2013

Circumstance:

My aunt and I always take my mom out for her birthday (today) and this year we decided to go someplace different. She wouldn't decide so I made the decision, unfortunately. My hubby and I have had breakfast at this place and it was good, but I was almost embarrassed by the price for what we got for this luncheon.

Mom and Auntie N both got the Patty Melt ($8.95), but on different breads. I got the Chicken Cheddar melt ($8.95) and although the portion was good on my sandwich (Portuguese roll), the cheese didn't look cheddar. AND we didn't even get French fries with it, just a slight handful of chips and a limp pickle.

The other disappointment was they carry NO DESSERT!! Since we went there for her birthday, I thought we'd get a luscious dessert, but they didn't have ANYTHING!

I've reviewed this place for their breakfast and they apparently didn't heed anything I said about their great TV going in the corner of the ceiling. It has a great station on (COZI- old 1940-50's style shows), but they have it muted. I said they should have the subtitles ON so someone who was eating by themselves that wanted to enjoy it, could actually figure out what was going on. Otherwise, why have it on at all!

Breakfast was fine, but lunch? ... not so much.