Foxwoods, CraftSteak, et al

[jerryc123]

Business is taking me to the Foxwoods resort in CT,
(the brand-spankin-new MGM Grand at Foxwoods to be exact,)
and I was looking for some thoughts on the restaurants there.

Colicchio's new CraftSteak is at the top of my list, but I was wondering about my other choices...
Alta Strada
Junior's
Shrine

And then at Foxwoods...
Cedars
Paragon
Al Dente
Golden Dragon
The Grill at Two Trees
Stadium Sports Bar
any others?

Any one have any comments on the new or existing restaurants?
Thanks in Advance
Jerry

[govo]

I just got back from a weekend at MGM. We ate at Alta Strada and the whole group thought it was amazing. Highlights for just about everybody were the ricotta cheese spread for appetizer (or first course as they're calling it these days), mushroom ravioli for the pasta course, and a special steak dish they were offering. As I said, though, everything was really good.

We did Junior's for breakfast and it was decent but I didn't like the hashbrowns. It was more than I wanted to pay but so is everything.

[theferlyone]

I haven't been to a few of these restaurants in a couple years, but here's what I remember:
Cedars - excellent, but make sure you get your reservation in as soon as you can, unless you feel like eating dinner at 9:00. Might want to ask around about this one, though, as I've heard it's gone downhill lately. (Management changes...I got all the gory details 'cause my neighbor used to work there.)

Al Dente - probably my favorite restaurant at Foxwoods proper (not much experience with MGM yet...I'm waiting for the fuss to die down). I don't remember exactly what I had, but my husband and I were both very pleased. Decent wine list, too.

Golden Dragon - you could go up the road a few miles and get Chinese food that's just as good for half the price. The atmosphere is interesting, and there are a couple highlights in their imported beer selection, but nothing to write home about.

Burke In The Box - the only new restaurant I've eaten at so far. If you're looking for something quick, but interesting, this is it. Upscale ingredients, simple food. The lobster bisque is fantastic...it's got apple in it, which was surprisingly tasty, and you don't feel like someone just handed you a bowl of lobster-flavored cream. The sliders were tasty, but a little tough to eat because there wasn't so much of a patty as a ball in the middle. They also have salads, paninis, and kobe hot dogs. There's also some chicken thing called the angry hen that I'm going to have to try next time...if nothing else, I just want to know what makes chicken angry. :) Well, hope this helps...safe travels.

[catsmeow]

I've been to Cedars at least 15-20(if not more) times over the years. I use to really like it but was very disappointed the last 2 times(within the last 4 months). I always get the rib eye steak. It was so fatty and greasy, I didn't even take the rest home. I had Sunday brunch at Paragon which was very good They started us off with some wonderfully fresh breakfast pastries. I had salmon tartare biinis with crem fresh and my friend had eggs benedict with artichoke hearts. The artichokes were huge and very fresh. Everything was done to perfection. I haven't eaten at any of the better MGM restaurants although I did partake in the samplings at the grand opening(I was lucky enough to be invited). Everything was good. This past weekend, I had chicken and matzoh ball soup at Juniors. The matzoh balls were the best I've ever had. The soup was good but a bit salty for my taste, I brought home a oiece of cheesecake which is still in the fridge waiting for me.