USA Restaurants

Our favorite restaurants in the US

Pasta Cosi, Branford

Boy was I wrong! The name Pasta Cosi had connoted a mediocre chain restaurant to me — it's anything but. I ended up there one Sunday recently on the spur of the moment with some friends as I was in Branford. I was quite impressed with the restaurant, especially the fresh pasta. We started by nibbling the crusty fresh bread, dipped into their rich flavorful imported EVOO and grated cheese.  Our app was the evening's special of  grilled longhorn green peppers with lots of crisp garlic, kalamata olives and Asiago cheese ($14), described as hot, yet quite mild and flavorful. Wines — compared to NYC — are quite reasonable at [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:40:21-04:00June 19th, 2013|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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McLoone’s Boathouse, West Orange

McLoone's Boathouse in West Orange, NJ offers families simple fare  — a fact which was obvious as we were handed a buzzer to let us know when our table was ready.  This was not to be gourmet fare. The restaurant is one of musician Tim McLoone many locations, the first being Rum Runner in Sea Bright New Jersey, that opened in 1987. The tomatoey Manhattan clam chowder ($7.95) was fine, although the server splashed it all over the rim when serving. The salads were huge — prepared for quantity not quality. The Apple-Walnut salad ($12.95) contained baby greens, some Gorgonzola cheese a couple grapes, lots of thinly sliced fennel and [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:24-04:00June 14th, 2013|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Prospect, San Francisco

Before heading to San Francisco after a family event in San Luis Obispo, I asked around as to what was new since I had last been. I learned that Nancy Oakes (Boulevard) had opened Prospect on Spear Street. The six of us stopped by for dinner. Knowing me, the management sent out lots of nibbles for us to try. Those included four deviled eggs, referred to as "green eggs & ham" with fine herbs mixed into the yolk, giving it a green hue, and pickled carrots and crisp prosciutto, also known as "ham" on top ($6). Our favorite was the crispy, amazingly flavorful braised rabbit-filled taquitos with crème fraîche and a Mayan-style [...]

By |2025-05-29T15:13:44-04:00June 11th, 2013|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|1 Comment
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Stone Hearth in Westville

I joined a friend for a bite to eat at Stone Hearth Restaurant in Westville,  a new venture from the folks that own Delaney’s Bar & Grille, another Westville staple. Our friendly waitress poured me a glass of Brunn Gruner Veltliner, one of their featured wines. We ordered the bottle, instead of  the glass ($7). On the table was complimentary bread,  a house made focaccia with whole roasted garlic, topped with sea salt, and served with oil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. The menu includes salads, personal pizzas and a kids menu. There is something for everyone, making the restaurant a nice choice for those dining with a group [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:40:21-04:00June 7th, 2013|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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El Coyote Restaurant, Brookfield

On our way back from our visit to Coach Farm in Pine Plains, New York, we got hungry as we were driving by the Danbury area. I used my AroundMe app to locate a non-chain restaurant which is how we ended up at El Coyote in a strip mall on Federal Drive in Brookfield. We began with their house made salsa and warm fresh chips while looking at the menu and chitchatting with the employees. We followed their suggestion for the tableside Guacamole al Molcajete ($8) served with warm fresh tortillas. What's not to like about freshly made guacamole! By this time we were a bit full, and so decided [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:24-04:00June 3rd, 2013|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Casimir & Co Now Open

Casimir & Co is a new French bistro on the Upper East Side The brainchild of restaurateur duo Mario Carta and Patrick Laurent, Casimir & Co will transport diners to a Parisian bistro clad as it's with rustic wood finishing on the walls, an open kitchen with tempting charcuterie hanging in the window, and daily menus listed on individual chalk boards. The street-level full service bar has few high-top tables, and the second-level L-shaped dining room is surrounded by large windows overlooking Lexington Avenue. Executive Chef Richard Krause, with years at  several two and three star kitchens (most recently at Café Luxembourg), prepares dishes rooted in simple and traditionally satisfying [...]

By |2017-08-31T14:11:00-04:00June 1st, 2013|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Burritt Room + Tavern, San Francisco

Talk about eating and running! When I was indulging in a Sunday Supper on a Wednesday afternoon recently, Charlie Palmer mentioned his San Francisco-based tavern. He suggested I stop by when on the west coast the following week. We did so. We stopped in to the Burritt Room + Tavern on our way to the airport. Literally. We told executive chef Lucas Knox that we just wanted to experience a small sampling of his cooking in the hour we had before needing to SFO to catch our plane east. The table was soon filled with appetizers and salads. The lobster risotto ($22) with spring peas, pea tendrils and huge chunks [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:21:59-04:00May 28th, 2013|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Palm Springs Restaurant Week May-June 2013

Palm Springs Restaurant Week runs from Friday, May 31 to Sunday, June 16, 2013,  featuring participating restaurants that offer three-course meals priced at $26 or $38. For additional information, click here.  -guest contributor

By |2017-09-01T15:00:01-04:00May 27th, 2013|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Sage American Grill & Oyster Bar

Lucky us, who live in Connecticut, to be able to sit and dine by the water. For one there's Sage American Grill & Oyster Bar on the water in New Haven harbor.  It's one of my favorite Sunday summer places to go as they have live Reggae music on the deck starting on Sunday, May 26, Memorial Day weekend, with the reggae band INITY from 3-6 pm and the following week will be JAH Movement. Those bands will alternate every other week, weather permitting, of course. This time, though, I went with a friend for dinner, arriving early enough for the sun to still be reflecting off the water. We [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:40:21-04:00May 26th, 2013|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Market St, Rhinebeck, NY

After our visit to Coach Farm, we headed to Rhinebeck just for lunch (and to, of course, shop in all the small privately owned stores!) As I walked through the door of Market St, I inhaled the smoky aroma from the wood oven and decided right then that we had to order one of their pizzas. We sipped the crisp, citrus-scented Gavi di Gavi (Cortese), Tenuta Olim Bauda, Piemonte, 2011 ($44)  while perusing the menu, deciding which pizza to order. Since one of our group is a vegetarian, we chose the margherita ($12)— mozzarella, oregano and basil atop a fresh tomato sauce on a crisp crust. The kitchen sent us [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:25-04:00May 23rd, 2013|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Henry’s at the Farm, Milton, New York

I traveled recently to the Hudson Valley to visit Coach Farm and decided to stop by Henry's at the Farm, where I had been invited to dine. This destination restaurant (previously Henry's Farm to Table) named after the owner's young son — is at Buttermilk Falls Inn + Spa on the 75-acre estate along with a Millstone Farm a 40-acre working organic farm. The farm provides the restaurant with vegetables, berries fruit, herbs, honey and eggs. I can only comment on the restaurant as they had no one to show me around the facilities. We started with warm salt-topped brioche-like rolls and crusty slices bread with a fruity olive oil [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:25-04:00May 20th, 2013|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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ordinary…far from it!

Caseus-owner Jason Sobocinski is also one of the owners of ordinary, in the former Richter’s spot on Chapel Street. Jason’s one of this community’s favorite sons — he could have opened up a McDonald’s franchise, and people would have applauded. Luckily he didn’t. He teamed up a couple of other nice guys and opened ordinary. So, here's the quick and dirt …not because it doesn’t deserve more…but because the place itself is simple and direct but yet far from… ordinary. Think colonial, dark wood, beef and meat pies. Same layout as Richters – bar in front and seating in back — but woodwork has been completely cleaned and re-finished with [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:40:21-04:00May 19th, 2013|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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briq, New Haven

Early this year, special correspondent Robbin Seipold reported the opening of briq in the former bespoke location on College Street. I decided to try a nibble there on my way to opening night of "Clybourne Park" at Long Wharf. I enjoyed a glass of Felsner Gruner Veltliner (available both by glass $8, and bottle $34) while deciding what to order. Our server raved about the "burrata pasta pillow," a vegetarian option of fresh-baked semolina pasta stuffed with a Wisconsin BelGioioso burrata and grana padano, and topped with a fresh tomato sauce. Sounded like such a good idea, but not. It's a truly ordinary dish, consisting of a thin crepe-like pasta [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:40:21-04:00May 18th, 2013|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Village Pizzaria Bayside

I was amenable when a friend suggested we stop by the Village Pizzaria on the bay on Coronado island for a light lunch.  I realized I was in trouble when I ordered the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc listed on their menu and they served a California one without mentioning it. (Yes... the waitress did just poured the wine, never showing us the bottle nor giving us a taste!) At least the anemic Greek salad was edible with crisp lettuce, red onion, a couple of kalamata olives, some banana peppers and cucumber chunks all sprinkled with feta cheese in an ordinary Greek vinaigrette ($10.99).  The chicken parmigiana sub sandwich was so overcooked [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:25-04:00May 14th, 2013|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Miguel’s Cocina, Coronado

Some folks I met on Coronado said that I must go to Miguel's Cocina as it had the best Mexican food in the country. Hyperbole for sure, but since I was so close to Mexico, I thought the food might be decided. I decided to try it. I discovered Miguel's is part of the Brigantine family of restaurants that also includes Brigantine Seafood next door in Coronado and The Steakhouse at Azul in La Jolla. While looking over the menu the waitress brought out fresh made tortilla chips and two salsas - a creamy fresh hot cheese one and the typical tomato-based one, the salsa fresca. Both amazingly good. So [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:25-04:00May 6th, 2013|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Madden’s Gastropub to Open, New Haven

Madden’s Gastropub is opening soon at 175 Humphrey Street.  A location that has seen many bar/restaurant incarnations come and go in the past several years, it will always be known to long standing locals as Humphrey’s  - the original.  Back in its heyday of the 80’s and 90’s – it was THE place to gather for burgers, beers and fun. Norbert Ponte, owner of Madi & Mia’s sandwich shop on Orange Street, will be opening the location as Madden’s Gastropub featuring American food. They have done extensive renovation work to both the front and back areas room – as well as adding a new awning out front. They have a [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:40:21-04:00May 4th, 2013|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|1 Comment
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Bodega Taco Bar Celebrates Cinco de Mayo

Bodega Taco Bar gears up for a Cinco de Mayo celebration weekend at their two Connecticut locations, 1700 Post Road, Fairfield and 980 Post Road, Darien. On Saturday May 4, from 12pm-12am and continuing Sunday May 5, 12pm to 8pm, the indoor / outdoor festivities include Bodega’s signature fare, tequila tastings, cocktail specials, live music and dancing. Sunday afternoon offers a mariachi band and a “guacamole slapping” demonstration that the whole family will enjoy. In addition, you can enjoy many of Bodega’s signature dishes, as well as a Pig Roast, and their first ever taco eating contest! - guest contributor

By |2017-09-01T15:00:41-04:00May 1st, 2013|USA, USA Restaurants, xyz misc|1 Comment
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10,000 Acts of Kindess Earn Locals Free Cheeseboy

In honor of National Grilled Cheese Month, Cheeseboy: Grilled Cheese To Go – America’s first quick-service grilled cheese franchise concept – is identifying and rewarding 10,000 individuals demonstrating acts of kindness throughout the Northeast in April. During the month, Cheeseboy will surprise individuals or groups doing something kind for others or their communities with free grilled cheese sandwich vouchers. Each person caught in an act of kindness will receive one voucher to keep and one to pay it forward to someone else engaged in a selfless act. In addition to surprising groups and individuals in the Northeast through various volunteer events and programs, Cheeseboy has empowered each employee within the [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:26-04:00April 24th, 2013|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Mikro Beer Bar, Hamden, CT

Mikro, features craft beer, many on tap plus a large bottle list. The beer-centric menu of this  gastropub — a small space in a tiny strip mall on Whitney Avenue in Hamden — highlights foods that pair well with beer. One night my dining companion  devoured the plump PEI Mussels with shallots, chili flakes, oranges and herbs steamed in white ale along with fries ($15). I tried the pan-roasted Atlantic salmon ($20) with a truffled parsnip puree, spinach, roasted golden beets  a balsamic glaze. Although it was a tad overcooked, it was still tasty and impressive. On my next visit one friend had the grilled cheese sandwich on whole grain brioche, [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:40:21-04:00April 22nd, 2013|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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New Haven Restaurant Week

Once again showcasing the city’s array of remarkable culinary talents, New Haven will host the 10th installment of the popular bi-annual New Haven Restaurant Week presented by Bank of America from April 21 – 26, 2013. Patrons can whet their palates with a variety of mouth-watering menu options from 29 of the city’s most sought-after restaurants. Participating restaurants will offer three-course prix fixe menus for both lunch ($18) and dinner ($32) comprised of an appetizer, entrée and dessert. Prices do not include beverage, tax or gratuity (some restrictions apply). Advance reservations are recommended. Park New Haven is offering parking at the Temple Street Garage or Crown Street Garage for a [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:40:21-04:00April 17th, 2013|USA Restaurants, USA Travel, xyz misc|0 Comments
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