Sorry....

I will try to blog about food and travels again soon. It is not as though we stopped eating, it is just that I stopped writing about it. Be back soon!

Don Coqui, White Plains

The food was good, not great, but this place will certainly give Sofrito serious competition.  We left knowing we'd go back and that the lively, bustling vibe would make it a fun spot.

We started with empanadas, a staple for us.  We thought the filling was good and the mango sauce had a great taste!  The food flavors were all good, but the pork was dry.  I really enjoyed the steak mofongo, especially since it was juicy.  The steak was perfectly cooked.  The meal ended with a shot of their Coquito, a welcomed treat with any meal!

We've since returned for their great weekend drink happy hour deals.  The mojitos are flavorful and varied.  I personally felt the coconut was too creamy, but it is coconut.  Consistency is not their strong suit and even when ordering the same drink there is a bit of a variety.

Overall, the service was great, the food had really good flavor and the drinks were tasty....a nice addition to Mamaroneck Avenue!

Don Coqui 

White Plains, NY

The Week - April 8th

On Monday, we went to The Brazen Fox in White Plains.  We had the chance to chat with Declan, which was a nice treat.  I, almost without fail, loved my mai tai.  Chris had the Founder's Day IPA.  For food, we started with the chicken quesadilla.  It was well prepared and the accompanying dips are separated, not on, which is nice.  For meals, I had the buffalo chicken wrap (abandoning the wrap pretty early - eyes were bigger than I could handle) and he had the Ultimate Burger.  Both of us liked our food, as usual...given how often we are here, you'd sure hope. 

Service was fine, about what I expect from a Monday where people are certainly out and about when they wouldn't normally be.

On Tuesday, we cooked at home.  Blue Apron rarely leaves us this disappointed, but this evening was a fail! The failed attempt at Pho lead us to The Tapp for a few snacks.  We went for the charcuterie and a few beers.  The meats were all very good and the cheese was tasty.  I, however, am not a fan of bleu cheese and Chris took one for the team.  Piper was attentive and we left happy after our cooking fail.

On Wednesday, another Blue Apron meal, we had sea bream, black rice and beans.  The meal was okay, (like we didn't end up at The Tapp) but it's not something that I would need a repeat of.  The texture of the fish made me wary of potential bones.

On Thursday, we ate separate because I had a meeting in Manhattan.  I had a sandwich from Lenny's.  He had pizza from Capri....nothing much to be said here.

On Friday, we were at The Tapp...intentionally this time.  We started with the piada (yummy and on the five at five menu).  He had the special shrimp sliders that were great.  The texture was prefect and the flavor was right on.  I had the panini d umbria (for the third time) and I love it.  Chef Alexa does a great job feeding you.  We also had the chance to chat with Jeremy about some off the beers on the horizon - check back often!  For dessert, we headed to The Setback and had some goldfish.  Okay, maybe it wasn't a typical dessert, but it closed our meal.

On Saturday, we headed to The Brazen Fox.  This time our friends joined us so we had the way too glutinous sampler platter.  Declan passed through saying hi and remembered our last visit.  The food is consistently good and I highly recommend their salads.  The sangria was a little light for our tastes, but fit well with the meal.

Sunday started with a lunch trip for The Village Dog hotdogs at Captain Lawrence Brewery.  I don't regularly mention lunch, but theses dogs are so great.  Visit them at their regular location in Tarrytown, or at CLBC.

The week was a good one...hopefully more to follow!

La Bella Havana

A visit to this Yonkers spot is a great way to spend an evening.  For $34.95 you can split an appetizer, 2 entrees and a dessert on a Monday night for "date night".  If you're feeling thirsty, for another $10 per person you can add in unlimited mojitos until 9pm.

To start we went with the croquetas de jamon.  They were very tasty and the garlic accompanying sauce is great.  For our meals, he went with the pernil and I had the vaca frita.  Both were well cooked and worth a revisit.  The mojitos are well made and a nice way to welcome the spring season.  For dessert, we had the tres leches.  I am not a big desert eater, but the taste was good and we enjoyed it.

Overall, we had a good time.  The crowd was fun and the food was well cooked.  And, most importantly, the mojitos were flowing and tasty!  Good service, food, and drinks make this trip worth it!

La Bella Havana

Yonkers, NY

Mima Vinoteca - March 30, 2013

A great way to spend a Saturday evening.

We started with the mozzarella special of the day which was very tasty.  The arugula and prosciutto balanced well with the cheese.  Also, of course, we indulged with the Mima olives, which were plentiful and well priced at four dollars.

For our mains, we both went with pasta as there are several excellent options.  Chris liked the wild boar ragu and whole wheat pappardelle.  I had my old favorite orecchiette with smoked bacon and a sunny side up egg.  The food is consistent and extremely tasty.  Everything is fresh and well-proportioned.

For dessert, we shared the blueberry panna cotta with fresh fruit and a honey peach sauce. The consistency was great, as was the taste. As for wine, Mima has a very accessible list and has something by the glass to meet most tastes.

Mima is always a great meal with fresh ingredients and well served. 

www.mimarestaurant.com

Irvington, NY

A Tale of Two Purveyors of Fine Alcohols and Spirits (a.k.a. Bars)

First stop...Thursday: Pour - Mount Kisco, NY

We are consistently pleased every time we're here.  The clientele is laid back, the music never disappoints, and both the food and drink leave you very happy.  Pour is always worth the trip!

Knowing that we were going to get a charcuterie board, building it is the challenge - there are several options that are often rotated; keeping it fresh.  If you're not sure what to get, you can ask for recommendations.  After narrowing down the options we went for three meats and two cheeses.  Although we didn't go for the goat cheese, it was getting rave reviews.  There are often specials, so you may want to inquire.  In addition to our meat and cheese feast, we had the meatball flatbread.  I cannot say enough how much I love it! We normally would have the excellent hummus, but decided to skip it this trip.

As far as drinks, I'd like to meet the person who cannot find the perfect glass of wine, beer, our cocktail here.  (And, then slap them, but that's just me.)  Everything is great and you can try a taste of many things before going all in.  If you need recommendations just ask, James, often found behind the bar, is a master at making something you will enjoy.  With the wine, they will not always have the particular grape you may be looking for, however they will always be able to give you something close that you will probably enjoy even more!   There is also an ever changing selection of beer by the bottle or can.  Nothing on tap here, and nothing that would not be considered craft beer.  

While it is a bit of a drive up to Mt. Kisco, it is always an wonderful time where you never know what you might have, but you always enjoy it.  The place is great and everyone here is welcoming, but know it can get a bit crowded on weekends. 

Second stop...Friday: The Tapp - Tarrytown, NY

The space is nice and provides a good location to drink and eat at when in Tarrytown.  Granted, if there is a show at the Music Hall, you're better off skipping local spots as the theater patrons take up most of the area's limited parking spots.

I'd like to point out that when we went it was Good Friday; therefore, we were not eating meat.  To start we had hummus to make up for the fact that we didn't have it the night before at Pour. The hummus tasted good, but was a bit grainy.  Chris had the lobster roll which was great while I had a grown-up grilled cheese (made with Halloumi).  The food was really good and the menu offers a decent variety of items.  The specials change regularly and the different dishes are normally well presented.

The waitress was nice and efficient, providing plenty of space when we were still indecisive.  The hostess seemed a little overwhelmed as it got crowded, but had to manage a limited seating area which can be a challenge. Chef Alexa does a good job with the menu and the beers on tap change often and normally have a local brew on tap.  There is also an extensive bottle and can menu that does not seem to rotate as frequently.  The wine selection is a bit limited, but a strong collection of spirits helps to balance out the offerings.  

It's a nice addition to Tarrytown, especially during the week with some good happy hour specials from 5 - 7.

Overall, theses two places are solely being grouped because of when we went...it is not at all to indicate that they are the same type of place or the same level of experience.  The Tapp has a much more youthful vibe but could pick up a few pointers from Pour in regards to spirits and how to make the most of an odd floor plan, but both places will be visited often.  The new guy and the experienced guy!

www.pourmtkisco.com

Pour Cafe and Wine Bar, Mt. Kisco, NY

www.thetappny.com

The Tapp, Tarrytown, NY

Growlers, 3/14, Tuckahoe

This is our second trip to Growlers and it happened to be Peekskill Brewery night.  No one likes a suggestion quite like us; so, Chris got the Peekskill flight and I had a cider to start. 

As far as food, we had the pretzel bread, which is tasty and comes with a strong grain mustard.  The is a strong mustard and I loved the nice clear breath I could take after it! The hush puppies are very good and probably the thing that brings us back, outside if the beer selection and knowledgeable staff.

The burgers were good - nice flavor and just enough messy, juicy goodness.  I 'upgraded' to the Growlers fries, but I wouldn't bother with that in the future.  All the food we've had has been good and the optioned flight it's worth the trip alone.

Growlers is worth the trip!

Burrata, Eastchester

A calm evening when you forget to check if your destination is open led us to Burrata, and what a happy mishap. 

The location in Eastchester puts you right next to Pipers and Spillanes, but keep going down and stop in Burrata.  It is worth the visit.  Greeted quickly and seated next to the window, to begin our new restaurant adventure...

We were very happy with the beverage selection.  The cocktails, wine, and beer were both accessible and varied.  I, of course, went for the strawberry-based cocktail.  Mint, strawberry...it had me at rum. 

We were unsure as to what to have because the neighboring people were all getting a pizza per person.  After negotiations, we decided to go with crema di burrata, soppressata pizza, and the pasta al forno.  Let me start with saying everything was tasty; however, we'd probably go for pizzas on the return visit.  The starter was fantastic and the crostini was well oiled.  The pizza crust was perfect and there was good flavor.  The pasta was tasty, but the weak link in the excellent meal.  It is hard for it to stand up to the bold flavors featured in other courses.

Overall, we will definitely make a return visit.  Our server (Joseph?) was nice, humorous, and attentive without making us feel rushed.  Nice addition to our already saturated pizza rotation.

Yum, yum and highly recommended!

Burrata, Pizza and Baked Pasta

www.burratapizza.com
Eastchester, NY

Lola's Mexican Kitchen hits White Plains

The long awaited first visit to Lola's..

I have been desperate for a good food place to have equally good drinks.  I know, that seems odd, but there is so much good (tasty treats that are fantastic) food in Westchester that I've felt this is a void of a place where I can both love my food and drink.  The cocktail art should not be limited, it should thrive!

16 ounce Magarita 

As far as Mexican food is concerned, there are a few hit or miss places; or places that have good food or drink, but both is tough.  (Before you go crazy, bartaco is far from the Hudson for a quick weeknight place.)  So, I am on the hunt for a tasty margarita that comes with equally good food.  This search brings us to Lola's. 

The hostess was nice, as was the waiter.  Honestly, the bartender seemed disinterested with his job...certainly not the cocktail artist that one could hope for, but (if you can overlook the overly soda-ed drinks) it was mediocre. Honestly, watching him butcher the beverages was like torture. 

The food arrived hot, which is a huge step up from the Havana Central chain experience. For starters, the empanadas were fine. Certainly not the best I ever had, but they were presented nicely and hot upon arrival. As far as the main meal is concerned, the rice lacked flavor, but the beans rated pretty well. With the addition of tons of hot sauce, the taste was fine. The presentation of food was clean. We had the brisket chimichanga, carnitas burrito, and fried plaintains. Overall the food was fine, but only fine. It was not so much better than Guadalajara to drag myself west versus north (and they will light my lime on fire). The atmosphere is nice, somewhat understated. You can hear yourself think and see what's going on. (So if you're going and expecting Lolita Cocina, this is not it.) On the bright side, the waiter was attentive and nice. I will continue to hold out hope that with time and feedback, they will improve.

Burrito with rice and black beans

www.lolaswhiteplains.com
White Plains, NY

Site Announcement: Back at it!

So Dee has gone back to work, and the blogging died down a bit, but not to worry more is slated to come.  We are working on a new batch of reviews, please check out the updated recent eats to see some of the backlog.

In the meantime a few good links to check out:

• Westchester Magazine's Best New Restaurants 2012, by Julie Sexton
• Behind the scenes at Tarry Lodge, by Patrice Costa
• The weekly notes from the Captain Lawrence Tasting Room, by Michael Malone
• Recent review of our fav Bar Taco at westchesterfoodie.com

Hoping to get some new  reviews up soon.

Enjoy the Dee-licious Eats!

Italian Kitchen - August 13, 2012

Sometimes you are not sure what you want to eat, but you are clear that you want a new place. Chris and I decided to try Italian Kitchen. Be warned, that you have to be on the lookout for it, because the storefront itself is small; however, the restaurant is rather deep.

We were greeted and seated by the hostess even though we didn’t have reservations. I believe if I were going to go back, I would make reservations (easy enough – they’re on open table). The waiter made a wine recommendation to Chris and I appreciated that it wasn’t the most expensive wine on the list. It was a nice sign that the recommendation was on taste, not bill. The oil had a good, rich flavor and you were given a single piece of bread, as opposed to a basket.

Frito Misto

I liked that there were a variety of wine appropriate glasses being used, it added to the atmosphere. I did not see the back of the restaurant, but for a Monday night, there was a good crowd. We started off with the Frito Misto and I would not recommend it. Honestly, there was nothing necessarily wrong with the flavors, but it did not contribute to the enjoyment of the meal. The foods were well fried, but needed the sauces, which were very tasty. On a return trip, I would go with the Arancini instead.

Pasta and Pizza

We opted for the Robiola Cheese with Speck and Arugula pizza. It is a square pizza and could work as an appetizer. The cheese was very creamy and tasty. I would highly recommend this pizza. We both enjoyed it. Be warned that there are onions on it, so if you don’t care for onions, speak up. Next, we went for the Cavatelli con Amatriciania, which was a special for the evening. The pasta is home-made and was very flavorful. The sauce had a good amount of spice, as you would hope. Be warned that the menu online does not match the menu in the restaurant. I am not sure if this is because of a “soft opening”, so if the full line up is online and they pick and choose in the restaurant.

For dessert, we tried the panna cotta with blueberry compote. Since there were two of us, they served a “double” portion. I wish this had been explained on the frontend, because I am not a huge dessert eater and just a spoonful would have been a fine close to the meal.

Overall, the food was good and the Italian Kitchen is a great addition to Ardsley. The waiter (yes, only one) seemed a bit overwhelmed at points with eight tables going at once. The meal was a solid first experience and we would probably go again. The fact that you can do online reservations is probably the best part – the sheer ease of the experience.

www.ik-ny.com
Ardsley, NY

Quick Bites - Brazen Fox and Pour Mt. Kisco

Quick Bites (and Drinks)

Brazen Fox – Although a large part of the reason I was there were the mai tais, the food is pretty decent. We started with the Korean BBQ Tacos. Neither of us had ever had them and we did enjoy them thoroughly. Granted, there was a terribly long wait for them. The manager did come by and apologize, which was nice. Chris had the Chipotle Chicken wrap and I had the Buffalo Chicken wrap. They were tasty. They have many weekday specials and are worth the look.

Pour, Mt. Kisco – So, we stopped in for a quick nightcap. After a few glasses of well-chosen wine, James treated us to a taste of the Greenhook Ginsmiths Beach Plum gin. This stuff is absolutely fantastic. As I have said so many times before, do not get scared by the menu, just let them know what types of mainstream things you like and James will find what you want. I suggest getting a plum Collins, as I know I will when I return.

The Cookery - Brunch, August 12, 2012

I am not sure if there are any more positive words I can express towards The Cookery, but the word “food-gasm” was used several times during brunch.  For $24 per person, you can enjoy a 3 course brunch with a complimentary mimosa, bellini or bloody mary. 

Upon entering the restaurant, we were told we could sit where we wanted.  We opted for a two-person table in the dining room.  We had our water and bread with oil in a timely manner.  The restaurant was not crowded, but we were certainly a little early, since it got progressively more crowded as our brunch lingered. 

I started with the mozzarella because, even though there are several things I would like to try, I cannot resist.  The grilled bread was very tasty and complemented the fresh mozzarella and oil well.  Chris went for the buttery, salty potatoes and they were piping hot and flavorful.  The cheese balanced well with the salt. 

Cookery Mozzarella

Buttery Potatoes

For the entrée course, I went with the eggs in purgatory.  I am not a huge pomodoro fan, but this sauce was excellent.  The garlic truly came through, but not in an over-powering way.  The polenta served as a perfect base, absorbing the flavors of the provolone and the pomodoro.  Chris had the crisp heritage pork.  As with my meal, the polenta was a great base and the meal went well.  Everything was very tasty.

For dessert, I had the chocolate polenta (I am such a creature of habit) and Chris had the bread pudding.  Both of us had a taste and Chris had a cup of coffee.  The service was top notch, as always.  The meal was solid and extremely well-paced.  I highly recommend The Cookery, whether you are going to go for dinner or brunch.    

www.thecookeryrestaurant.com

Dobbs Ferry, NY

La Bella Havana, August 3, 2012

Two Words – Unlimited Mojitos!  

La Bella Havana has a fantastic offer on Fridays and it is worth it.  I know, I know, as thought we needed another reason to celebrate a Friday?!?  Keep in mind that I would recommend reservations.  The restaurant may not seem super busy, but they do their best to maximize their small space and it is a very popular place with the popularity only growing.  From 4-6pm, you can get unlimited mojitos, an appetizer and an entrée for only $25.  (Yes, you read that correctly.)

You are greeted by a hostess who seated us quickly.  The waiter came to our table and was very nice.  The back-staff was prompt with water refills (and I appreciate that with how great the mojitos are.)  We both started with classic mojitos that tasted great.  The black bean spread and the plantain chips are a nice starter while looking at the limited Friday menu.  We've eaten here before and the quality was not lessened for the deal, neither were the portions.  For our appetizers, I had the Chorizo Salteado and Chris had the Empanadas.  They both arrived hot and were very flavorful.  The chorizo comes with a wooden utensil to eat it.  For our meals, I went with the Ropa Vieja and Chris had the Vaca Frita.  We were both very happy with our meals.  The shredded skirt steak was perfectly cooked (juicy, hot).  The vaca frita was very tasty and the mojo onions were the perfect accompaniment.  The rice and beans are very tasty.  I want to stress that all the food was hot when it arrived to the table and the flavors were fantastic.  

The mojitos are very tasty.  What I enjoyed was that I was allowed to try a variety of the flavors.  Sometimes places commit you to your first choice, but not LBH.  They also have a variety of contests and deals, so you should check their website for details.  Finally, if you’re just looking for a drink, happy hour is from 4 – 7pm and includes ½ price drink deals.

Overall, this is my number one choice for Cuban fare in Westchester.  Plus, it is easy to find.  A drawback is the parking situation, but be patient, Yonkers will eventually end the construction making this concern a moot point.

www.labellahavana.com

Yonkers, NY

Quick Bites - Havana Central - July 26, 2012

Pros – The empanadas are very tasty (I highly recommend the beef). The happy hour deals are honored in the restaurant. The mojitos are tasty; however, they can be inconsistent.

Cons – The food, even when good, is served warm, not hot. Everything could use a better heating (or possibly re-heating).

Atmosphere – We find the chairs a bit uncomfortable when sitting in the front area. We were able to sit at a booth and that was fine. The chairs on the inside are different and that is a potential positive.

havanacentral.com
Yonkers, NY

Barcelona - Muddled Drink Class - July 24, 2012

Before I even begin to write about our fantastic experience in the “Cocktail Classroom,” I want to send a shout out to Summer Street in Stamford, CT. This little stretch of road is home to so many restaurants that are worth a look. Fortunately, to entertain ourselves before class, we could grab gorditas and mojitos at bartaco right next door.

The class was held in a private room. Gretchen Thomas was her usual great combination of charisma and knowledge. The first cocktail demo was Caipirinha (made in the classic style). The class was interactive – having three volunteers work on each drink. The Aye Cukarumba was very crisp tasting, as long as you like the taste of cucumber. It was a refreshing second drink. We closed with the Hot Dahlia. The habanero-infused tequila added so much spice that it was an interesting close to the night. The drink was spicy and flavorful.

Aye Cukarumba

Chef Scott Quis took us on a tour of Brazil/Portugal with the food accompaniments. The Conch Ceviche was very tasty. Honestly, I added a bit of salt, but that was my personal preference. The Marinated Shrimp was excellent. I liked the flavor, since I like cilantro. The Churrasquinho was extremely tender and flavorful. The Tapioca Olinda was an amazing surprise. I was not expecting a chorizo/cheese final course. This was fantastic. The cough was very tasty and the filling was cooked perfectly. It also paired well with the spicy Hot Dahlia! It is important to note that some of the courses are shared with your neighbors.

Overall, I would highly recommend the class. Gretchen is extremely knowledgeable and gives the class an opportunity to ask questions. The bar staff (at the actual bar and Olivia in the room) were helpful and exhibited skill. The food was very tasty and the cocktails gave us an opportunity to explore flavors that we wouldn't normally opt for at the restaurant.

www.barcelonawinebar.com/stamford.htm

Stamford, CT

MP Taverna, July 18, 2012

So, it was a Wednesday and we wanted a place with a good vibe to grab a good meal. None of us had ever eaten at MP Taverna, but we had heard good things and decided to try it. It has a convenient location near the Irvington train station on the river side. The exterior has a clean, crisp appearance. The outside seating area was not being used because of the weather.

Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted with a gush of cold air and a pleasant hostess. She seemed a bit bombarded at the time we came in (about 7:30). Several groups came in at once and the area became crowded. We were seated within five minutes of arrival and managed to get a booth. The restaurant area itself has very high, wood ceilings. The booth was very comfortable – enough room, good seats. Our waiter, Roger, introduced himself and was very friendly. The décor was understated while being unified.

For starters, we were with the Spicy Pork Ribs and the Combination Dips. The ribs were well cooked and had a great flavor but were not very spicy. The accompanying smashed fries were perfect. The yogurt and chick pea dips were great. The eggplant could have used a bit more flavor – maybe a spice?

We were a party of four this particular evening and, for entrees, our companions had the Lamb Shank and the Gray Sole with MP salad. They were both happy with their meals. The lamb was extremely tender and fell off the bone. The sole was lightly seasoned, but well done. Chris had the Hanger Steak (medium rare) and Greek Sausage. The sausage was fantastic and the steak was perfectly cooked. And, yes, the smashed fries made their reappearance. I had the Roasted Lemon Chicken, which was well cooked, as were the fingerling potatoes. I wasn’t expecting the whole cloves of garlic. Since I love garlic, this was good for me, but I can see how other people wouldn’t be as pleasantly surprised.

Left column - Lamb, Steak, Sole | Right - Chicken

For dessert, we had the brownie with sesame ice cream. The two flavors really complimented each other and the brownie’s cake was moist and not too dense. It was a nice closing to a very flavorful meal.

Overall, the food is well prepared and presented. I would recommend this place to friends, as long as they check out the menu first. This is not your typical Greek with common options. It is more upscale than the typical gyro joint.


michaelpsilakis.com/mp-taverna/
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Sharpe Hill Vineyard, July 6, 2012

Wine at lunch

So, we had some time to kill and figured that this would be our only opportunity to head to Pomfret (and we were glad that we did).

Upon driving up to the property, you are greeted with a very interesting fence that would clearly ward off intruders. The property is stunning and really makes a perfect backdrop for a lovely day if wining.  Entering the tasting area, we were told that we had lucked into a lunch seating and could split our tasting around the meal. The staff was knowledgeable and the outside bar/tasting set-up was nice.  They watched the time for us (helpful) and we made our 12:30 seating.

Shrimp Creole at Sharpe Hill Vineyard

For lunch, Chris had the Shrimp Creole and I had the Chicken with Herbs de Provence. Chris enjoyed his shrimp and they had a bit of heat to them, which is nice. The chicken was beautifully seasoned and all of the herbs (including some flowers) that were on the plate are edible. Our waitress was attentive and nice. Her engagement level was fine by certainly paled in comparison to out taster/bartender. To complement our meal, we opted for a bottle of Ballet of Angels, which was lovely. The temperature was perfect and we ended up buying two bottles for home.

After the meal, we continued our tasting. The whole place was nicely appointed. The bathroom was very kitschy and shouldn’t be missed. Reservations are highly recommended and often require a deposit. This is a nice place to go for a quiet meal or an afternoon out with friends. The seatings are timed by the restaurant, so you never feel rushed out. Overall, the food and wine are both tasty. You can easily make a day out of the trip.

Melon snack at Sharpe Hill Vineyards

sharpehill.com

Pomfret, CT

Part of the CT Wine Trail

Heritage Trail Vineyards, July 5, 2012

Heritage Trail Wine

“Why is everything here called Heritage?”….wait, that was last time.

Okay, the wine is satisfactory. I am never compelled to buy (or drink) a bottle but the trip is still worthwhile. I enjoy the full pairing where I get to enjoy a variety of cheeses and accoutrements, as well as a taste of the wines. The pizza is very tasty and the staff is always enjoyable.

I believe that we come here just as much for the snacks as we do the wine, which is fine. It is a casual eatery that also serves wine – enjoy it for what it is!

Heritage Trail Vineyards, Dining Room

www.heritagetrail.com

Lisbon, CT

Part of the CT Wine Trail

Ballo, July 5, 2012

While in the casino area, there are many options for dinner. We wanted to try something new and were looking for a nice restaurant. We ended up choosing Ballo at Mohegan Sun. because of pleasant aesthetic and accessible menu.

We were greeted by a nice hostess who gave us options on whether we wanted to sit on the inside or on the “patio”. We opted to go inside. There were some crumbs on my chair, but one quick brush of my hand remedied the situation. Our waitress greeted us pretty quickly and took our drink orders. I had the Toscarita, while Chris had the Sangiovese(s). The waitress was very nice and was able to provide a knowledgeable assessment of both Sangiovese options.

Tagliatelle with Lobster at Ballo

There were several appetizer type foods that interested us and we went with the arancini. There was some good flavor, but they had a bit of a fishy undertone that I didn’t like. We opted for pizza and pasta. For the pizza, we had the carne (and wow, it was carne). There was zero skimping on the meat and (not as though I can believe I am saying it) it was almost too much. The flavors were almost competing with each other. I would suggest a little less meat to make a clean layer as opposed to a pile. For pasta, we went with the tagliatelle with a lobster tail on top.   The fra diavolo had a nice heat to it and the lobster was perfectly cooked, if a bit scary looking.

Overall, the meal went well. The ambience was very nice. The wait staff was knowledgeable and pleasant.

Carne Pizza at Ballo

Arancini at Ballo

www.balloitalian.com

Mohegan Sun Casino

Uncasville, CT

NY Times Review