Carrabba's- restitution.

Where: 31 Redstone Road, Manchester, CT

It's been a while since we came here, because the last time was a disaster (mostly due to the waitress... no other reason). I think my husband and I never poo-poo-ed them, because we have been there before AND love it. We figured we could always use their drive up service and take it home (we've done that before and love it). I must say since it was such an awful last visit, they gave us $50 in comp cards and that paid for this meal! Kuddos for you Carrabba's!

This was Lee's meal... pork chops with mushroom sauce with garlic potatoes... So savory and delicious!

This is what I went for the last time I came (but they gave me the wrong meal-long story on why I didn't correct it. It was the icing on the cake). This is Shrimp and Sea Scallop Spiedino with steamed broccoli. Coated with Italian breadcrumbs, wood-grilled and topped with lemon butter sauce. The scallops were 'melt-in-your-mouth' tender and... oh, to die for....  No room for dessert, but thanks for a great evening, on time, and wonderful food.

Smashburger- Manchester CT

Where: Smashburger

440 Buckland Hills Drive

Manchester, CT

Lee and I have found our new favorite burger place. Not only is the burger juicey (!), but it's fast!! You would think that if the burgers are 'smashed' this thin, they'd be dried out. NOT! The juice was dripping.  This first photo is of the Big Huskey, which Lee always seems to get (although he says on his next trip he's trying the salads out next -me too).

I have had the Avocado Burger before, but decided to try the grilled chicken, since it wouldn't take as long to cook as the crispy chicken (not to mention that it's 'healthier'- ...I know). When I saw it come, it was so thin I thought, It surely will be dried out. Nope! It wasn't at all. Dripping juice, ... really. I may ask for the 'sauce (I think it was ranch) to be put on the side next time, as I'm not usually that heavy handed with sauces.

We also tried the Veggie Freites... fried green beans and carrots without the heavy batter. Very light, and good! This place gets 4 stars from us anytime!!

Mexicali in South Windsor CT

Okay, so I don't go to Mexican restaurants normally, so this review will be my 'virgin' opinion, but after listening to the ladies at work talk about how they LOVE this place (and that it's unique area of parking makes it look like it's not open), when my husband asked if I wanted to go to dinner ('someplace different"), I suggested this place.

 We started out the evening meal with Mexicali wings. boneless. with Blue cheese dressing. Now, understand I NEVER get wings as I consider them greasy and not much meat on them. However our waitress, Alicia, who was super pleasant and very helpful at suggesting several things, said their wings were the best ever. She was right! the sauce we had was mild, but it definitely had a bite!! (Which is good as I love spicy).

My choice was Shrimp and Mushroom in garlic butter (my brain started to think of Shrimp Scampi which I love). While the shrimp was generous (7 large shrimp) and lots of mushrooms, there wasn't much of garlic-y flavor. (I remember halfway home in the car, I realized there was no 'flavor' lingering in my mouth. It was the mildest flavor. I didn't expect that from Mexican food. Heating the leftovers on the next day, the 'butter' was more orange than yellow, so I know there was an oil of some kind used, but not butter as I know it.) I did have an oily feeling in my mouth for quite a while after dinner.

Steamed veggies consisted of zucchini, broccoli stalks, peppers, mushrooms, onion, and carrots were my choice since I'm watching what I eat. Some parts were cooked fine, and some were mushy (zucchini and squash), but it tasted good,.
Mexican rice also seemed healthier that white rice. Nice flavor. I wish I could say a more defined flavor was present, but I can't.

My husband had Mexicali Stir-Fry which he said tasted good. We aren't getting much more than that from him, but the amount served was enough for a full dinner the next day. For BOTH of us!

While we took some home, we decided to share the Dessert Burrito, which had caramel sauce and cinnamon sprinkled with a scoop of ice cream (which also had cinnamon dusted on it). It was filled with apple pie filling, rolled in a tortilla and fried. It made me think of a dessert I make with pie crust. I would have preferred it without the caramel sauce, as it was rather sweet.

It was a good value, but one a scale of 1-10 forks,... it may have gotten a 6.5 ( the wings would have gotten a 9.5!). We will try it again and have something more 'Mexican" and report that review. Our waitress could not have been nicer, or more helpful! Kudoos to her!