Chez Ben

When: July 2013

Where: Center Street, Manchester, CT

This French Canadian diner is just down the street from us and we decided to try it for breakfast. We've been there before so it wasn't like it was new to us, but we decided to 'post' it this time.

Since it was so busy on this Sunday morning, we grabbed two seats at the counter. After a quick look at the menu, I knew I wanted to try the Almond Joy French toast (with some crisp bacon). After inspecting the french toast when it came, I think they must dip the toast in the egg wash, press it into the coconut, cook it, drizzle chocolate sauce over it, sprinkle it with chopped almonds, and a dollop of whipped cream....OMG!! This is IT!!! To die for. And the bacon with the right crispiness, too.

 

This is a gross photo of it, but I wanted you to see the coconut as it surrounded the bread. Just tasted devine!

Of course, my hubby had a Western Omelet (his usual) with homefries and hash. It was cooked PERFECTLY!

Good Job, Chez Ben!

The Tilted Kilt

When:Thurs, July 25, 2013

Where:  1151 Silas Deane Hwy
              Wethersfield, CT 6109
              860- 257-8458
Thursday wasn't a good day for my mom, who's 85 and me. My cousin had just died and although it was expected (he had ALS for 2 yrs), here we were, going to the wake. To avoid the highway traffic at 5pm during the week, we turned off I-91 and skirted down Silas Deane Highway....to Cromwell. I passed a restaurant called The Tilted Kilt and, being of Scottish descent, I thought we'd hit it on the way home for dinner.

Okay, so here's the deal.

I hadn't planned on going here for those of you who know what was in store for us... I kind of had an idea that maybe it was gonna be that kind of pub, if you know what I mean, when I saw the scantily clad girls (IN KILTS, mind you) painted on the doors. And hey, it's a pub. Didn't think it would be so noisy, but ... that's a pub!

Our hostess/waitress came up and offered to seat us. Yes, she had on a plaid kilt. Very short. Complete with a sporron. Yes, it matched the top, kind of...The top was really a plaid bathing suit top with a white short sleeved top over it, but not buttoned. It was tied, in just the right way to have her cleavage showing (some were showing more than others). They had kilt hose with garter flashes  and scottish dancing shoes. Great uniform!  But I must say, the waitresses were very good. It made me think of a Scottish "Hooters"... My mom was a little surprised and giggled, but was polite when they came to take our order.



 Okay.... now for the food. I was hoping to see more Scottish fare, but I did see fish and chips (which I ordered), and mom had a hot turkey club sandwich with sweet potato fries (very good). I only ordered it because I saw a bottle of Gourmet Malt Vinegar on the table. Can't have the chips without it!! I must say our waitress, Carrie AND our food was VERY good.
The cole slaw was 'ok', but not my favorite (I'm not sure I HAVE a favorite), and the fish was so flaky and tender. Done Excellently!




She even came and told us how nice it was to see some ladies in the establishment for a change. They get a few, but not many. She asked us if we knew it was gonna be "this kind of place", sweeping her hands across the short kilt. "No, not until we got to the doors, but we still came in"...

All and all, we had a nice dinner, except for the noise level. Hard to talk to each other, but hey,... they did have the Scottish flag up above us. Made me feel better.

Sweet Frog - Manchester

Where: Sweet Frog
1500 Pleasant Valley road
Manchester, CT
860-648-0616

When: This must be at least my 10th trip since they opened on Mother's day, 2013.


Okay, I must admit I call it Sweet FrogS (with an S), and it's wrong, but it's just me. I was first introduced to Sweet Frog on Facebook, by my family who went to another store in Tolland. THEY were the ones who said Manchester would soon have one coming and since it's closer, I'm in!

 

 I have to say I've never seen anyone in here without a smile, at least not once they have their cup of fabulousness! It's bright a cheery and 'fun' inside. FUN. That's the word. It's a place I'd love to work in. You make people happy with what you do. AND they donate back to the community, too! What more could you ask for?

 Tracy, the manager in Manchester, has always been so pleasant and helpful. If you've never been in and want to sample one of the 16 flavors, ask. They have those small paper cups (the kind you get ketchup and tartar sauce squirted into at the beach) that you can use to just release a dab and taste. Not your flavor? Try another. They really only want to see you happy. (How is that for a concept?)

This is one of their new flavors (which can change every week). Orange Burst and Strawberry lemonade. Push the lever on the left, get one flavor. Push the one on the right, get the other. Push the one in the middle....you get a TWIST of both! Yummy....

 Okay, so I have my choices...cocnut on the very bottom (you can't really see it), a twist of orange burst and strawberry lemonade, and a plop of mint and coffee (yeah, know... but that what makes it really unique! YOU get to choose the conbinations--or be a purist-- and figure out it your 'combo' works or doesn't). I must admit I may not do the mint again (I don't even like mint ice cream, so I'm not sure why I chose that one).

 Anyway, here are the toppings.... over 50 of them (actually, Manchester has 60). All are labeled on the spoons and, yes if you want to try one of the more unsual ones, ask (poppers were my test--they passed!)

 There are so many choices of fruit (think of it as healthy)....

 and the 'textured' section... crushed up candy bars, nuts, granolas. All the stuff that will add texture to ice cream.

 And then there is the 'sauce' area....and the sprinkles (for fun)

 

And what place that serves anything this cold and yummy doesn't have hot fudge and caramel? Oh, yeah.....Be careful, though. You pay by the ounce. Mine cost $5.47. But well worth it.

 I must say I don't add too much, no whipped cream.....but doesn't it look yummy????
It WAS! oh. And that card? It's called a loyalty card. When you purchase 10 cupfuls, you get one free. And yes, mine is almost ready for another free one (you can use it on the heaviest one, since you pay by the ounce). My SECOND loyalty card, mind you....

Oh, this place is heaven. Really.......

Catsup & Mustard- Unintended Yumminess!!

Where: Catsup & Mustard, 623 Main St, Manchester, CT
                 860.432.7755

When: July 2, 2013

The title of this post is, because we had intended to go have lunch at a new restaurant on Main St in Manchester, CT. (I'm not naming it, because it has nothing to do with this review), which was closed on Tuesday.

We've eaten at Catsup & Mustard before, but I really was looking for something new. I decided that Lee and I would try something new on the menu instead.

I love to look at what other people are eating, especially if it's just delivered to the table. I inquired about a few tables that we passed and two looked especially good!!

I had the C&W Burger Lettuce Wraps from the "Appies" menu. Four mini burgers (grilled to perfection!), served beautifully with four slices of tomato, four large lettuce leaves, crisp fried onion rings (thin!), shredded cheddar cheese and Whiskey steak sauce and blue cheese dressing ($9.75) on a large rectangle plate. We had side plates so we could 'share', I suppose (I used mine to 'build' my lettuce wrap on).




After tasting the whiskey sauce, which was a sweet, smokey deliciousness, I dabbed the slightest amount of the whiskey sauce on my creation and a small amount of blue cheese dressing. I had a hard time, after the first bite, not to slide into oblivion...no, ...heaven. I think it was heaven I entered...OMG! It was amazing!! I must admit it was also a tad messy (no bun, you see). Yes, I could have cut mine with a knife and eaten it with a fork, but sometimes you need to immerse yourself into the atmosphere, and isn't a wrap supposed to be picked up and eaten?

 

 

My 'date' (dear hubby) had the Chopped Brisket Cheese Waffle Fries ($8), also from the Appetizers list. I must say it looks like a heart attack on a plate. Although, pretty darn delicious! Waffle fries, topped with BBQ chopped brisket, covered in melted cheddar cheese, sprinkled with chopped scallions with a light drizzle of sour cream...Almost looked like dessert! The fries were crisp and delicious and the BBQ sauce that the brisket was luxuriating in, tasted like the Whiskey steak sauce that I had. So yummy! REALLY yummy! REALLY....

Neither one of us could finish what we had, which is a plus. For the price we paid, we had lunch and now have dinner for tonight (these are my leftovers). I must say I've never been disappointed in this pub. If I can say anything to the owner, Corey Wry.... don't change a thing! You've really got a treasure here.