Tonight we ate at The Lodge in Southbury. This is mainly a bar that usually serves quality sandwiches. The place is split in half. One side is the bar and one side is the tables and booths.
This was a rough night for service. We sat ourselves, found menus, and waited for awhile. They were all pleasant but we seemed to have three different waitresses. We also waited a long time for the dinners to come out. They served our daughter first, which was great, but we didn't get our food until she was done, 20 minutes later.
The food is good. The salads taste fresh, the sandwiches are on quality bread, and the meat is tender. Some food is a great deal. I had a salad and 1/2 sandwich for $5.95. However, 5 pieces of fried mozzarella out of a box is $6.95. A tossed salad with three pieces of beef rises from $6.95 to $11.95.
Usually the service is much better. So we recommend you check the menu for some deals and enjoy the food.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Oriental Gourmet
Last night we dined at the Oriental Gourmet which is a favorite of ours here in Southbury. Our daughter enjoys ordering (and eating) Lo Mein so it is fun to bring her here. The staff is very friendly and accomodating and they seem to enjoy it when she arrives.
I had the Thai Basil Chicken. This was good, but nearly as good as some others I have had. I expect a little more basil and a little more Thai punch to the dish. While some of the other Thai influenced dishes are good, this one falls a bit short. The Lo Mein was excellent and we also had Thai Garlic Beef which is a family favorite.
I had the Thai Basil Chicken. This was good, but nearly as good as some others I have had. I expect a little more basil and a little more Thai punch to the dish. While some of the other Thai influenced dishes are good, this one falls a bit short. The Lo Mein was excellent and we also had Thai Garlic Beef which is a family favorite.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Blue Colony Diner
Is the largest, most popular, most consistent restaurant in the area the Blue Colony Diner in Newtown? It has been there for at least thirty years (as long as I can remember) and recently got renovated inside and out, although the menu has remained the same for the duration.
The food is always good, typical Greek diner fare. We had the Spanikopita and Gyro Sandwich recently. Both were excellent. The Spanikopita had a rich spinach and feta taste, the dough was crispy and light and the only fault may be the piece was too big. The gyro had just the right amount of flavor that showed this meal did not come out of a bag or frozen box.
The place always has a family feel to the service and you always leave feeling good about the visit.
The food is always good, typical Greek diner fare. We had the Spanikopita and Gyro Sandwich recently. Both were excellent. The Spanikopita had a rich spinach and feta taste, the dough was crispy and light and the only fault may be the piece was too big. The gyro had just the right amount of flavor that showed this meal did not come out of a bag or frozen box.
The place always has a family feel to the service and you always leave feeling good about the visit.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Maggie McFly's
With family in town (and cranky toddler) we opted for Maggie McFly's again on the day after Christmas. We do think that the decor (upscale bar--dark wood--etc...) does not quite match the food. It is probably the same menu at the Middlebury branch which has a much more relaxed design.
The menu could be a lot smaller. Looking through the menu always feels a bit like an exam or chore. This time I settled on the Blackened Chicken Sandwich. Our otherwise friendly and efficient waitress didn't think it was on the menu. I showed her. This "blackened" sandwich was very spicy and had a bit of an industrial taste to it. For the price of the meal I am sure we could get a bit farther away from the prepackaged Sisco feel.
The rest of the party had the barbecue chicken pizza, the French/Beet salad, and the hamburger. The hamburger was the biggest hit.
The menu could be a lot smaller. Looking through the menu always feels a bit like an exam or chore. This time I settled on the Blackened Chicken Sandwich. Our otherwise friendly and efficient waitress didn't think it was on the menu. I showed her. This "blackened" sandwich was very spicy and had a bit of an industrial taste to it. For the price of the meal I am sure we could get a bit farther away from the prepackaged Sisco feel.
The rest of the party had the barbecue chicken pizza, the French/Beet salad, and the hamburger. The hamburger was the biggest hit.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Bertucci's
Last night we ate at Bertucci's in Shelton. The chain restaurants certainly seem to be thriving lately. Shelton has a whole row of them on Bridgeport Avenue. It does seem that every Bertucci's experience is the same, the specials are the same, the uniforms are the same, and the food is the same. I am not sure why we have moved in this direction.
The food was fine. I had a chicken and pesto pizza. I think it could have used more pesto, and the chicken was right out of the Sisco bag, but the crust was tasty and it had a nice cheezy texture. I think the "chain cost" adds about $1 to this pizza, but I am not sure. There are A LOT of people working at this restaurant. The ravioli was another order and received praise. The rolls are always a favorite although the dipping sauce seems a bit odd (is it just butter?). The service was great, although we were placed next to the cold door. They should really leave that booth empty on cold night.
The food was fine. I had a chicken and pesto pizza. I think it could have used more pesto, and the chicken was right out of the Sisco bag, but the crust was tasty and it had a nice cheezy texture. I think the "chain cost" adds about $1 to this pizza, but I am not sure. There are A LOT of people working at this restaurant. The ravioli was another order and received praise. The rolls are always a favorite although the dipping sauce seems a bit odd (is it just butter?). The service was great, although we were placed next to the cold door. They should really leave that booth empty on cold night.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Dreschers
We had a very nice meal at Dreschers Restaurant in Waterbury last night. We were heading to the Palace to see a concert. There was plenty of parking nearby and the restaurant was easy to find.
We shared a Fried Mozzarella appetizer which tasted just a little overcooked. This is an appetizer that can be a real hit when done fresh and light. The tomato sauce was very nice. I followed with a Chicken Gorgonzola which was a blackened chicken breast over a bed of pasta with Gorgonzola sauce. At first this combination put me off, but it grew on me. The sauce was not overwhelming as some cheese sauces can be.
We had a very nice server and we served promptly and efficiently although a table near us seemed to wait a little long for a check. A large party in the back seemed to start as we arrived which through the schedules off a bit. Overall, a very nice night.
We shared a Fried Mozzarella appetizer which tasted just a little overcooked. This is an appetizer that can be a real hit when done fresh and light. The tomato sauce was very nice. I followed with a Chicken Gorgonzola which was a blackened chicken breast over a bed of pasta with Gorgonzola sauce. At first this combination put me off, but it grew on me. The sauce was not overwhelming as some cheese sauces can be.
We had a very nice server and we served promptly and efficiently although a table near us seemed to wait a little long for a check. A large party in the back seemed to start as we arrived which through the schedules off a bit. Overall, a very nice night.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Maggie McFly's
Last night we headed to Maggie McFly's in Southbury. This was our fourth visit. I have never really been happy with the food here. It is always OK, but almost never tastes really fresh. It has a hotel/airport/mall feel to it.
I tried the Coconut Chicken Satay which came with a pineapple dipping sauce and cellophane noodles as a garnish. My two year old daughter loved the noodles. This appetizer is fairly strong, you can't really taste the chicken over the coconut. This probably requires a stronger accompaniment (a good ale?).
Next I had the pizza/salad combo which is a pretty good deal at $8.47. The pizza crust is kind of soft (they probably dont have that hot of an oven) but satisfying. They have a variety of typical bar pizzas (barbeque chicken, thai, etc..). All are OK.
Overall, a pretty good bar, and an OK restaurant. Nice place to bring the family, but the meal will not "wow" you.
I tried the Coconut Chicken Satay which came with a pineapple dipping sauce and cellophane noodles as a garnish. My two year old daughter loved the noodles. This appetizer is fairly strong, you can't really taste the chicken over the coconut. This probably requires a stronger accompaniment (a good ale?).
Next I had the pizza/salad combo which is a pretty good deal at $8.47. The pizza crust is kind of soft (they probably dont have that hot of an oven) but satisfying. They have a variety of typical bar pizzas (barbeque chicken, thai, etc..). All are OK.
Overall, a pretty good bar, and an OK restaurant. Nice place to bring the family, but the meal will not "wow" you.
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