The Gathering

When: Aug 23, 2012

Where: 465 Hartford Rd,  Manchester, CT

Okay.... we'd seen this restaurant reviewed on "Feast tv" (local NBC station) and it was praised for their breakfast. But you know how that goes... TV camera, sound man, local tv star. You can guarantee that their service and food should be great and look nice.

But then there is 'us'.... Those regular customers that come in, unannounced, that sneak a photo or two of our meals and jot down the notes that fall onto this page. My cohort and I decided to get up one weekday morning and head on over, just as they started their day. There wasn't many people inside, but it seemed that since you could seat yourself, we all chose the booths. (They were comfortable, as booths go).

Now, I'm particular. Outspoken. Really honest. So here goes...


We were greeted very nicely with menus and the usual offer of coffee (I requested tea) and while that came very nicely, my date showed me-- after-the-fact-- that on the back of the menu, they had the choice of "Specialty teas" where I could have chosen my favorite, Earl Grey (for another 10 cents). Guess I'll have it next time. Looking over the menus, the prices seemed very reasonable; omelets (what we both chose) were priced between $7.50 and $9.00, although building your own, seemed to feel like it could get rather expensive. AND plate sharing (I'd thought of having my date get the hash and we'd share) would cost you an additional $3.00! I decided it would be better to have my own and take home the leftovers (I often do).

We both had omelets, mine the "California" and his the "New Yorker" (does this give the hint we are opposites or what?) and I added the side of hash to mine. His had hash (along with onions, peppers and American cheese), but it was stuffed inside the omelet. Mine was 'stuffed (and I do mean stuffed) with broccoli, sausage, tomatoes and cheddar (both for $7.95).

I loved the fact that the choices of bread included pumpernickel and English muffin! They did have a cutely named Omelet called "The Mess", but I didn't think there was enough stuff in there to be much of a 'mess'. Add about four more things that could make it really sloppy and I'd agree with the name. The food was very good... The hash was nice and crispy (sometimes a restaurant can really make a limp hash). However, I couldn't finish mine, so I planned it to be able to take half of it home for another meal. My 'date' didn't even finish his (THAT'S a shocker!!) and I was so full from breakfast, I didn't even think of eating lunch until 2pm or so... (Here are my leftovers)

I would like to go back and try their pancakes, especially the "Harvest Grain and Nut". That looked good! Or the fresh Cranberry Walnut Belgium Waffle. I like places to have different things to try. (I experiment all the time with my food at home). I did check out the lunch menu and their melts and salads look 'road trip' worthy!! Check out their website below.... I didn't post it above, because then you wouldn't have read all the way to see OUR review of it.Enjoy the menu section, it will make your mouth water.

We will be back again,... maybe even with some friends! Thanks for a great start to our day.

Their website: http://www.thegatheringct.com/

Chicken and Waffles!

WHATTT???!! 

 Yes, I said that right.... "Chicken and Waffles" is what the menu said at Corey's Catsup & Mustard, Main St., Manchester, CT.

I asked the waitress if it was any good and she smiled, "Yes, really good!" I'm always game to try something new, and the description sounded appetizing, so that's what I ordered.

Crispy Chicken breast (although I must say, pounded pretty flat), with Jack cheese on each side of it, maple mayo (that' is their great combination of maple syrup and mayonaise--they do it really well, and usually put it with sweet potato fries-- which we shared), then sandwich all that in-between two belgian waffles! Sound gross?? NOT!
 It was really good, although I couldn't finish it (doggybag), so I'll have to figure a way to reheat it (toaster oven?) tomorrow for lunch.

Hubby had his usual "Whiskey Run Burger".... it always looks good, but I haven't had more than a bite of it (sharing).
The sweet potato fries are always good....

As we trotted across the street to get to my car, I never realized how 'modern' our town is..... These are our new (not even sure how long we've had these) 'solar' trash compactors. I wished I had some trash to see if it 'did' anything. (My husband thinks they wouldn't work as it was at night. I think it might, since it must 'store' the energy in itself at night. )

I guess I won't know...tonight.

CW's- Chops and Catch

CWs, Chops & Catch Restaurant  *****

                                         Rating system... 2 out of 5 forks...

Where: Hartford Road, Manchester, CT
When: Jan 2011- within a month of opening...

Now, I must admit I didn't remember to bring my camera, so this photo is one taken of my leftovers when I got home. Nulli's Style Baked Haddock with Crabmeat stuffing.

We decided to check out this place, since it was

1. around the corner from our house (maybe a mile or so- very long walk)

2. and we love the owner's other restaurants, Corey's Catsup & Mustard, and Pastrami on Wry (last name of the owner).

The first impression was nice, although it's hard to not see pieces of the last restaurant that was there. The decor was ocean blue and soft browns. Nice placemats (kind of a open-weave, woods-y look to it), however the tables are really too small to have nice heavy silverware and large plates (mine came on a rectangle plate that I almost had to place cock-eyed on my 'space'. But, ... I'm getting ahead of myself.

Staff was very friendly... thanks, Dominique. You were soooo attentive, along with a woman, whom I'm assuming was upper management. Prices were more than I was expecting, but probably not out of bounds for 'fine dining'... anywhere from 17.00-29.00 per entree. Dinners come with one 'side', but I notice that the sides were $3.50 each or three for $10.

My tea was served in a VERY wide mouthed cup... so much so that the tea cooled off VERY quickly ( after three sips) and I kept having to ask for more hot water - that was irritating for me, so I only asked for one refill. I like HOT tea.

House Salad was a very 'fluffy' bowl of greens....baby spinach, chicory, escarole... And the lightest dressing I could have ordered was oil & vinegar or a 'creamy' (not very light in my book) balsamic (and I love balsamic dressing, just not anything creamy). With this day of people trying to eat on the light side, you would have thought they'd offer more vinegarette dressings than -creamy. I opted out for lemon wedges. As disappointed as I was in the salad 'greens', I wish I'd known that there was a (1) slice of tomato, one (1!) slice of cucumber and some shredded cheese at the bottom of the bowl! I noticed it after I'd eaten more than half of it. (btw, if you want to know why a restaurant can charge a lot for a salad, have the chef serve the thin tomato slice with no skin on it.- people will pay more for that tomato (?)--not me). I like my salads to look colorful, not 'fluffy'. Much more appealing AND looks like you took time to make it look nice.

It seemed like a long wait for our food, but when it came, it looked delicious!! I had a Baked Haddock with Crabmeat stuffing and penne pasta, with lemon butter sauce and grated parmesan. Unfortunately, the pasta wasn't all that hot...kinda warm. Almost cool... Sorry, but I like my food hot or very warm when I get it. My husband had Kansas City steak and loaded baked potato (hmm...maybe that's where they went to get the dinner). It was 'okay', but for $24, it should have been wonderful or even exciting!)

No room for dessert, but I figured I'd spent more than I wanted to already.... Not planning to go back anytime soon. Sorry, Corey, ... this one wasn't for us.

ps.... while talking to a fellow parishioner at church, they said they had a awful time there, too.... Hey, Corey, pay attention, please. We LOVE Catsup & Mustard and Patrami on Wrye... We've converted from Shady Glen people.