Best Dishes in NE List

[chowmensch]

I thought it might be fun for everyone to chime in with a list of their favorite restaurant dishes in New England. It could be an entree, an side, an appetizer, a sandwich, fine dining, fast food, a cocktail....whatever has really left you a lasting impression in the last year or so. I'll get things started with my list:

1. Burger at Joe Pizza in Canton, CT

2. Tuna Tartare appetizer at Olio in Groton, CT

3. The house pate and cured meats appetizer at Brix in Pittsfield, MA

4. The zuppa de pesce entree at Tony D's in New London, CT

5. The turkey club at Somewhere in Time in Mystic, CT

6. The sweet pea risotto appetizer at Mayflower Inn and Spa in Washington Depot, CT

7. The Osso Bucco at Mama Maria's in Boston

8. The garlic mashed potatoes at Fore Street in Portland, ME

9. Scallops with risotto entree at Amelia's in Simsbury, CT

10. The fried calamari appetizer at Elizabeth's in Tariffville, CT

11. Lobster roll at Allison's in Kennebunkport, ME

[shaebones]

Broiled Haddock w double cole slaw, hold the starch @ Petey's in Rye, NH. I could eat it every day

[Trnrbrnr]

The 'Kamp Dog' hot dog at Kamp Dog in New London, CT - beats Spike's hot dogs like a rented mule.
Fried Oyster appetizer at 84 High Street, Westerly RI

[Passadumkeg]

Triple duck at The Arbor Vine in Blue Hill, Me. Confit, pate & crispy roast.
The six buck Lobster rolls at Tracy's in Sullivan, Me
The lamb burger at Cleonise in Ellsworth, Me.

[AikiLou]

Stuffies--Twin Oaks, Cranston, R.I.
Lobster Salad--Twin Oaks, Cranston, R.I.
Pollo Loco--Church Street Cafe, Lenox, Ma.
Linguine con Melanzani--Cafe Lucia, Lenox, Ma.
Lobster Salad--The Inn at Castle Hill, Newport, R.I.
Oyster Salad--John Andrews, Egremont, Ma.
Tuna Tataki Salad--Cheesecake Factory, Providence Place Mall, Providence, R.I.

[cseiden]

Everything served from the black taco truck at Long Wharf
Soup from Ivy Noodle in New Haven (the cheapest meal in town)
The I love Lucy sandwich or the Kovacs Special sandwich at Gaetanos in Stratford
Clam Pie (no cheese) Pepes, New Haven
Ted Steamed Cheeseburgers in Meriden
Soy Chicken with Broccoli Rabe Claires in New Haven
Breakfast (or dinner if you have a party large enough to convince them to open) at Seabreeze Cafe in West Haven (just don't go if you are in a hurry...)
lobster roll with onion rings at Stowes in West Haven

[wilko]

Whole wheat linguine and clams w/ red sauce- Paul's Pasta, Groton CT
Prime Rib Grinder- Carlos and Son's, E. Lyme CT
Duck Confit- Chez Pascals, Providence RI
Nachos- Brick Alley pub, Newport, RI
Lobster Bisque- Brick Alley Pub, Newport, RI
White Clam Pizza- Pepe's, New Haven(call for takeout and eat on the street)
Beef Ribs- Chester's BBQ, Groton, CT
Hazelnut Chicken- DPI, Mystic, CT(possibly one of the best things I've ever eaten)
Tongue Taco- Garibaldi's, Willimantic, CT(closed, but it was great)
Muscles in cream sauce- The Fisherman, Groton Long Point, CT
BBQ Swordfish w/ Linguine- Elizabeth;s Newport, RI

[mollydingle]

Lobster roll at Red's Eats
Bufala mozzarella at The Coliseum, Salem NH
Ribolitta soup at Antico Forno, Boston
Polcari's pizza
Buffalo shrimp and Lynchburg lemonade at Redbones
Two or three 'all the way' at Olneyville NY sysyem hot weiners
$1 Malpeque oysters and Guiness at Mc Cormick and Schmick ( yeah, I know)

I know there's more ( and better) food out there, but these stuck out in my mind. Great experiences, all.

-----
Red's Eats
Main, Wiscasset, ME 04578

[bostongal]

Fish sandwich at Sea Swirl, Mystic, CT
Cheeseburger at Scarlett Oak Tavern, Hingham, MA
Crispy Pad Thai at Sweet Lemons, Weymouth, MA
Sausage pizza at Bacco's, Waterbury, CT
Grilled pork bahn mi at Pho Viet, Allston, MA
Crab rangoon, Quincy Dynasty, Quincy, MA

-----
Bacco's
1230 Thomaston Ave, Waterbury, CT 06704

[TopheFoodie]

Chicken and Golden Chanterelle (Summer Special) - American Flatbread - Burlington, VT
Peaches and Cream Stuffed French Toast - Sneakers Diner - Winooski, VT
The Choco-Monkey Crepe - Skinny Pancake - Burlington, VT

[rosemar]

Had a great Lobster Roll at Beach Plums Rye, NH on Route 1A. Loaded and fresh.

[MightyFrog]

Hmm, off the top of my head.

Chicken Statler: Sonoma Station, Richmond, VT
Roast pork egg noodle: Asiana Noodle House (Church St), Burlington, VT [can anyone confirm that they still carry this dish?]
Fried catfish: River Run, Plainfield, VT
Brisket sandwich: Sadie Katz Deli, Burlington, VT
Lemon ricotta pancakes, Magnolia Bistro, Burlington, VT
Rabbit tenderloin, Hen of the Wood, Waterbury, VT
Saltimbocca di Vitello, Trattoria Delia, Burlington, VT
any gnocchi dish, L'Amante, Burlington, VT
Dry fried green beans, A Single Pebble, Burlington, VT
French fries, the Alchemist, Waterbury, VT

[NE_Elaine]

Beef Brochette App @ Copper Mill Bistro in Granby CT
Scallop App @ Amelias Bistro in Simsbury CT
Mixed Grill @ The Cranwell Resort in Lenox MA
Harvest Grain Pancakes @ IHOP - I know, I can't help myself!
Fried Scallops @ Bloomfield Seafood - they are closed, but those scallops were the bomb!
Rack of Lamb @ Galatoires - NOLA - Emerils was a close second!
Osso Bucco @ Piccolo Arancio in Farmington CT
Palace Liver app @ Bombay Raj Mahal in Manchester CT
Grilled Shrimp @ PrimaVera Hartford CT
Beef Filet Salad @ O'Porto in Hartford CT

[mminmaine]

I concur with the Sicilian slice pizza at Miccuci's in Portland!

A couple other favorite eats:

meatloaf panini at Duckfat in Portland
bacon white pizza at Fifth Element, Newport, RI
Harissa rubbed ribs at Cleonice, Ellsworth, ME
hot dog with everything at Wasses, Rockland, ME
mahogany clams at Street and Company, Portland, ME

[im hungry]

2 ri greats..lemongrass chicken wings at any of the galaxie-family of restaurants,and saugy dogs-

[wongadon]

Fried olives / Mussels with Blue Cheese - Anneke Jans, Kittery ME
Curried Goat - Jamaican Jerk Center, Cape Neddick ME
Pork Belly Confit / Salad Nicoise - Blackfish, Truro MA
Spinach Falafel / *ANY* Dessert - Oleana, Cambridge MA
Biscuits and Herb Cream Gravy - Penny Cluse, Burlington VT
Pear Upside Down Cake - Chez Pascal, Providence RI
Sicillian Slice - Micucchi Grocery, Portland ME
Poutine - Duckfat, Portland ME
Som-Tum - Montien, Boston, MA
Corned Beef Hash - Wicked Oyster, Wellfleet MA

Yum! Hungry!!!

[JenJeninCT]

I started a thread about Corned Beef Hash because of the Wicked Oyster's version- love that place!

[JaneRI]

Wow, I guess I've been offline a lot....I'm just seeing this now (and thanks katty for calling me out!).....I'll have to give this one some more thought, but off the top of my head I'll go with ....

Sweet potato vegetable lasagna w/pesto cream sauce at Vintage (Woonsocket, RI).

Fried risotto balls at d.carlo Trattoria in Smithfield RI.

Veal meatball "grinder" at Incontro, Franklin MA

Any pancake breakfast at Polly's Pancake Parlour in Sugar Hill, NH

Goat cheese tart w/bacon & fig jam at Cafe Noir in Providence

Rosette al Montasio Ed Olio di Tartufo (rosette pasta w/montasio cheese, prosciutto & white truffle oil - you know I had to look that one up on the restaurant's website) at Limoncello, in the north end of Boston.

[JaneRI]

......the butternut squash quesadillas at Garden Grille, Providence RI

[invinotheresverde]

Good call! Those quesadillas are awesome!

I add the blue cheese and spinach hash at Julian's and the pistachio and brown butter ravioli at Loie Fuller, both in Providence, RI.

Any pizza at Via, in Worcester.

[JaneRI]

ohhhhhhh......I forgot about Julian's hash. I vote for the broccoli, sweet potato & swiss.

[joaninmaine]

Lobster Pie, Joshua's Wells, Maine

[AGM_Cape_Cod]

Warm Lemon Tart at New Rivers, Providence

[mainemal]

A few new suggestions:
Fried calamari w/ lime dipping sauce, The Frog and Turtle, Westbrook, ME
The deep-fried oyster mushrooms at Caiola's, Portland
In season, the chile relleno stuffed w/ Hahn's End queso fresco, Brunswick, ME

[allieb2031]

Joe's Meatballs - Pasta Nostra, South Norwalk CT
Veal Milanese - Paci, Southport, CT
Crispy Spinach - Baang, Greenwich, CT
Salmon entree - Thomas Henkelmann, Greenwich CT
Hamburger - Both La Laiterie and New Rivers, Providence, RI
New England Family Farm Lamb - Pietra, Little Compton, RI
Revolution Flatbread - American Flatbread, Waitsfield
Spinach salad - Tully and Marie's, Middlebury, VT
Daily Scoop's Kahlua Fudge Brownie - Bristol, RI
Polenta frites - La Laiterie, PRovidence RI

http://earthlyepicurean.blogspot.com/

[foodieinct]

This is a great thread! Have already gotten some ideas for my next meals.... so here are some of my favorites:
Steak Frites- Martel, Fairfield, CT
Osso Buco- Match, South Norwalk, CT
Eggs Benedict- O'Rourke's, Middletown, CT
Meatball appetizer- Paci, Southport, CT
Mashed potato, bacon, onion pizza- Bar, New Haven, CT
Sandwiches ( lots to choose from) at Rosies- New Canaan, CT

[chowmensch]

I want to add to my list:

12. The brisket platter at Flaggstead's Barbecue in Farmington, CT

[MacshashRIP]

the last time I went to Flaggstead's, the brisket and the beans were not hot. I really like the food, so it's sort of a minor complaint , I guess, but for me it's kind of a red flag

[annl]

Coleslaw at Lenny and Joe's - Madison, CT. I don't care for seafood but I never mind a trip to Lenny and Joe's when the husband needs his whole belly clams. The coleslaw is my treat.

Lemon cake - HeritageTrails Vineyards, Lisbon CT. Thanks to the reviews here on chowhound we visited in July. Everything was wonderful but if I had to pick the best - it was that cake.

Any ice cream - Salem Valley, Salem, CT. I've decided I just need to start ordering alphabetically - that way I won't take 10 min deciding.

Hot caramel sundae - UConn Dairy bar. Of course the ice cream is great but to be able to get HOT caramel put it over the top.

Expresso Martini - Lupo, Chester, CT

[kattyeyes]

annl, I'll second your vote for coleslaw at Lenny & Joe's. I love their fried scallop roll, too--either location (Westbrook or Madison, CT). If you like their coleslaw and ever get to Rocky Hill, stop into West Side Market at the bottom of the hill that leads to Century Hills. It is right up there with L&J's! :)

And it's been years, but yes, Salem Valley Farms ice cream is wonderful. I used to make a road trip for it fairly regularly.

[aldente1]

I like your idea of ordering alphabetically. It's much to hard to decide which flavor to order there. I come home from Misquamicuit via route 85 so that I can stop there for ice cream. It's great.

-----
Salem Valley Farms Ice Cream Company
20 Darling Rd, Salem, CT 06420

[JenJeninCT]

What a great thread!

In no particular order:

Fried Scallops at Lenny & Joe's in Madison, CT- the best I've ever had, like candy

Shrimp Tempura Roll at Shell Station, Stratford, CT- delicious, and the only place that knows how to make it so you can fit it into your mouth as sushi is intended- in 1 bite

Cheeseburger with chopped salad and onions strings- Bridge House, Milford, CT- great burger, and the sides that come with are fab

Filet Mignon- Shell Station, Stratford, CT- 1 of the best I've ever had

Fried Oysters- Moby Dick's, Wellfleet, MA- my first meal every time I go to the Cape

Raw Oysters- Gov Bradford, Provincetown, MA- briny and delicious and only a buck a piece if the time is right

Fried Calamari- Surf Club, Provincetown, MA- perfect every time, with a sweet chili dipping sauce

Lobster Roll- Friendly Fisherman, Eastham, MA- gargantuan, buttery yumminess

Onion Rings- Arnold's, Eastham, MA- yum- thin, crispy, flaky

Lobster Club- Surf Club, Provincetown, MA- the classic club sandwich gone oh-so-right

Crispy Calamari Salad- Tengda, Westport, CT

Hot Dog w/ chili, cheese and fried onions- Rawley's, Fairfield, CT- hot dog perfection

Duck- Knapp's landing, Stratford, CT- Perfectly seared on the outside, succulent inside

Eggs Benedict- Waterview Diner, Milford, CT- the best benedict in 2 counties

White Clam Casino Pizza- Al Dente, Milford, CT -brick oven thin crust, delicious

White Pizza with mashed potato, garlic and bacon and the house salad - Bar, New Haven, CT- who'd've thunk it, mashed potatoes on pizza?

Dirty Little Pecan Ice cream- Walnut Beach Creamery, Milford, CT- inventive, decadent, delicious, and you don't have to mortgage the house for a scoop

[JenJeninCT]

How could I have forgotten?!?
Hot Roast Beef sandwich- S & S Dugout, Southport, CT- incomparable, and big as your head!

The "French Connection" sandwich at Sam's Deli, Eastham, MA- ooo la la

[TonyO]

In no particular order:

Drunken Noodle, Essex Jct., VT: Yellow Curry Noodles w/ Grilled Chicken
Lake Champlain Chocolates, Burlington, VT: Chocolate Shake
Asian Bistro, Williston, VT: Creaky Chicken
Martone's, Essex Jct., VT: Italian Grinder
Ramunto's, Willston, VT: Meat Calzone
Kitchen Table Bistro, Richmond, VT: Gnocchi dishes, desserts, anything w/ duck confit
Good Companion Bakery, Ferrisburgh, VT: baguette
Marco's, Shelburne, VT: Chicken Parm sandwich
Laughing Moon Chocolate, Stowe, VT: Salted Caramels
Trattoria Delia, Burlington, VT: Osso Bucco
Hen of the Wood, Waterbury, VT; Fried Oyster Appetizer (preparation varies)
Healthy Living Market, So Burlington, VT; Doe's Leap Goat Cheese

[jhberkley]

TonyO -- Tell me about Ramunto's; never heard of it. I'd also love to hear more about Drunken Noodle; are they good in general or just the dish you mention?

[Passadumkeg]

George's Coney Island Dog, Wooostah, Mass.
O'Rourke's Diner, Middletown, Ma.
Speed's Dogs, Jamaca Plain
Spikes Junk Yard Dogs, Providence
Slates, Gardiner, Me
Fat Boy Drive In, Brunswick, Me.
Brunswick Diner
Martha's, Ellsworth, Me
The Riverside Cafe, Ellsworth, Me.
Moe's BBQ, Ellsworth

[Passadumkeg]

I've been emailed to include the dish twice, but I'm a poor typist. the above post is self-evident except for O'rourke's, the grav lox omelet, Slates, the crab crepe, Fat boy, the six buck lobster roll, Brunswick Diner 1/2 lb burger, Martha's the baked ham and eggs, riverside, the crab omelet.

[allieb2031]

Oh Fat Boy in Brunswick!

I'm headed to O'Rourke's in Middletown for a family thing in Oct. What dishes are people's faves? Salads? Sandwiches? It's for dinner....

http://earthlyepicurean.blogspot.com/

[MangiaMuse]

I just don't get it with Fat Boy. Even my kids think the food is too greasy and not very good.

[mainemal]

Hey, Mark, your brain must be losing cells after all that time on the water! O'Rourke's is in CT, not MA!

[foodwallguy]

Straight up tomato pie, peperoni or the white clam pizza, Frank Pepe, New Haven, CT
2 and a half pound lobster, The Oarweed, Perkins Cove Maine
Chili cheese dog, Johnny Ads, Old Saybrook, CT
Cheeseburger( NO KETCHUP!!!), Louis Lunch, New Haven, Ct
Calamari, Giacamos, North end, Boston
Chicago dog, Super Duper Weenie, Faiffield, Ct
Escargot Mushrooms, The Common Man, Lincoln, NH
Sausage Peppers and Onions, Sausage connection, Lansdown St, Boston.(GO SOX)
Lump Crab Cakes (Appetizer), J Gilberts, Glastonbury, CT
Steak and cheese with salami, Super Sub, Beverly, MA
Maine Baked Potato, BIG E, West Springfield, MA
Peperoni Pizza, Pizzaria Regina, North end, Boston
Clam Chowder, Captain Parkers, Yarmouth, MA
Filet Mignon, J Gilberts, Glastonbury, CT
Frien clams(whole belly of course) Clam Box, Ipswitch, MA
Cheeseburger with Fried Onions, White Hut, West Springfield, MA
Onion Rings, Cap-n Frosties, Dennis, MA
Peperoni Pizza, Vermont Flat Bread Co, Burlington, Vt
There's so many more. Outside New england would be fun too. I think I have a problem.

[kattyeyes]

<< I think I have a problem.>> Certainly not one the rest of us here DON'T have as well. ;) You're in great company.

Yours in chow,
kattyeyes

P.S. Great to "meet" another fan of J Gilberts crab cakes and filet. Will have to try the chili cheese dog at Johnny Ads--and you should try the same at Guida's in Middlefield!

[dleerl]

I second those onion rings at Captain Frosty's in Dennis on the Cape but I also add their whole belly clams to the list.

[Parsnipity]

The pizza of the day at Babba Louie's in Great Barrington, MA

[Passadumkeg]

Down east & Hancock Co. Maine
Ellsworth: Cleonise, Union River Lobster Pot, Finelli's NY style pizza, Jordan's Snack Bar, Moe's BBQ, Hill Fire Grill, Sunflower Cafe
Bar Harbor: Havana, Morning Glory Bakery, Thirsty Whale pub grub, Lompoc, good selection of local brews, CafeThis Way, Maggies, Side Street Cafe, Poor Boy's, Mache Cafe and The Looking Glass.
Southwest Hbr, Red Sky & Beales; And Thurston's in Bass Hbr.
Down east (east of Ellsworth): Ruth & Wimpies, The Crocker House, and Le Domaine in Hancock; Chester Pikes Galley and Tracey's for the cheapest lobster dinner ($7.95) and lobster rolls (2 fr $12, yes, two for twelve bucks!) in Sullivan.
Gouldsboro: Bartlett's Estate Winery
Winter Harbor: Fisherman's Friend
Orland: Duffey's
And more that I've forgotten.
Oh, yes, Maple Knoll Pizza and Tandor in Little Franklin, Me.

[kattyeyes]

I am so glad you chimed in, bud. But dish to us about your favorite DISHES in these places! ;) Of course, that's quite a list, it should keep you out of trouble for a while. HA HA!

[mollydingle]

We saw the sign for the Tandoor resto in Franklin. Any good?

-----
Tandoor Restaurant
88 Exchange St, Portland, ME 04101

[Passadumkeg]

Yes very good, but you must order ahead. Check out their web site. the owner is a researcher at the Jackson Labs in BH. Might be the most educated food you'll ever eat.

[Morganna]

Samosas from Samosaman in Montpelier, VT (all of them, really)
Lamb fetatastic at Skinny Pancake in Montpelier, VT
Ham and eggs in a crepe (can't remember the name of it), Skinny Pancake, Montpelier, VT
Burritos from Mountain Burrito, Waterbury, VT
Queen Roll from Stebu Sushi, Waterbury, VT
Breakfast from Juniper's Fare, Waterbury, VT
Baked Ravioli, Junior's, Essex Junction, VT
Pulled Pork sandwich with murder one sauce, Ed's Barrrbq, Barre, VT
Everything I've had at Royal Orchid Thai, Montpelier, VT

Hmmmmmm That's off the top of my head. :)

[chuck s]

Steamers at Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster in Freeport , ME

Fried clams at Menemsha Bites, Martha's Vineyard

Arancini at Galleria Umberto, North End, Boston

Hot dog with everything at Speed Dog, Boston

Clam pizza at Frank Pepe's, New Haven, CT

Chopped pork sandwich, Pit Stop Barbecue, Mattapan, MA

[philbkr]

Green gazpacho at Metro Bis, Simsbury
Chicken pot pie (original) & cinnamon donut bread pudding, Dottie's Diner, Woodbury
Black raspberry hot fudge sundae at The Big Dipper, Prospect

[linguist]

New Haven and around:
1. Crispy fried oysters at Cafe Routier, Westbrook
2. Hamachi & Jalapeño carpaccio, Live scallop sashimi (& other sashimi) at Wild Ginger, Orange
3. Black dragon roll at Wasabi, Orange
4. Concan Crab, Thali, New Haven
5. Gnocchi at Skappo, New Haven
6. Marinated crabmeat sauce on linguini (family recipe) at Assaggio, Branford
7. Fried shrimp and onion rings at Lennie's, Branford
8. Filet Mignon at Bentara, New Haven
9. Five spices duck breast at Le petit cafe, Branford
10.Anything Alba Estenoz is making for dessert at Zinc, new Haven

And to drink, a junmai ginzo sake from the incredible list at Yooki Yama, Branford, the specialty beer of the moment from Brü Room at Bar, or wine from the list at Central Steakhouse.

[linguist]

Somehow I left off

5.5 Croquetas de foie gras (or any of a dozen other small plates) at Ibiza, New Haven

But I can't bear to displace anything else on the list...

[RIRN2008]

Here's a couple of my fav's...I'll try to add more when I think of them!!

Clear chowda and clamcakes at Champlin's, Galillee, RI
Cannellini bean and spinach bruschetta at Reali's in Johnston, RI

[kattyeyes]

I was so bummed more folks didn't chime in on this topic. C'mon, regulars--I know you have "bests" to share--Scargod, Passadumkeg, rbailin, joan mar, JaneRI and more names than I can think of this particular moment...the whole New England crew. Let's hear from ya!

[rbailin]

Two I was reminded of after a long absence:

Mustard-Crusted BBQ Salmon w/mashed potatoes @ Bricco, W. Hartford
(easily my favorite salmon preparation anywhere, and the spuds are my idea of perfect)

White Clam Pizza (w/garlic, no mozz) @ Pepe's The Spot, New Haven
(I really don't like clams, with very few exceptions, this being a major one. And life's too short to wait on line for the regular Pepe's next door.)

And two that I have trouble not ordering whenever I visit:

Crab & avocado salad @ Mickey's, Hamden
(not on the menu, but a frequent special (and it is, especially in summer) )

Duck à l'orange @ La Brétagne, Stamford
(THE classic presentation, expertly & deftly carved tableside by a gentleman who presumably can do it in his sleep. Really old school (vielle école), and I fear for how much longer it may be around.)

[Morganna]

These are all in CT, right?

[kattyeyes]

Yes, all in CT.

[chowmensch]

Gee, I thought this would be a fun, popular topic that everyone could contribute to. C'mon Hounds! What are some of your favorites??

[Sean]

Rhode Island

Duck Confit...Chez Pascal, Providence
Prime Rib...Trio, Narragansett
Gaggas...Coney Island System, East Providence
Flame Broiled cheeseburger...Starboard Galley, Charlestown
Souvlaki...Estia's, Wakefield
Pizza (NY style)...Junction Trattoria & Bistro...North Kingstown
Pizza (other)...Casserta Pizzeria, Providence

[kattyeyes]

I love this idea! Thanks for kicking it off. Here's my list:

HOMETOWN FAVORITES--DOWNTOWN (MAIN ST.) MIDDLETOWN, CT:

"Drunken Concubine" martini at Forbidden City
(lychee blossom, Svedka vodka and lychee fruit)

Shogan Roll at Mikado
(shrimp & spicy Alaskan king crab w/avo and cucumber rolled in soybean paper sheet)

(BREAKFAST) Hash, Egg and Cheese on a Housemade Hard Roll at O'Rourke's

(LUNCH) Broccoli and Cheddar Soup with a Steamed Cheeseburger at O'Rourke's

#39 (Chicken with Lemongrass, Peppers and Onions) at Pho Mai, Middletown

Beef & Cheese Jamaican patty w/a Ting at Pattie Palace

OTHER CT FAVORITES:

Housemade Asparagus Ravioli at La Tavola Ristorante, Waterbury

Tiramisu with Mascarpone Gelato at La Tavola Ristorante, Waterbury

Maryland Crab Bisque & Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes at J Gilbert's, Glastonbury

Hot and Sour Soup & Szechuan Dumplings in Hot Chili Oil at Lao Sze Chuan, Milford

Roast Beef Sandwich on Toasted Ciabatta at Tastings, Mystic

Cheese Plate Appetizer with Wine Tasting at Heritage Trail Vineyards, Lisbon

Chocolate-Dipped Almond Macaroon at Patisserie du Glace, Deep River
(so hard to choose--I have absolutely LOVED each and every treat I've had here)

Fried Sea Scallops at Maine Fish Market Restaurant, Warehouse Point, East Windsor
(skip all sides here and focus on the seafood, which is EXCELLENT)

Chicken in Black Bean Sauce at Samurai, Old Saybrook

Tuna Tower (sushi bar appetizer) at Bond Grill Hibachi & Asian Bistro, Norwalk

Chocopologie's eponymous signature drink at Chocopologie, Norwalk
(Espresso and Dark Hot Chocolate topped with Lavender Foam)

MASS. FAVORITE

Cannoli in Chocolate-Covered Shells at La Fiorentina
(two locations: Springfield and Northampton)

[Alica]

Calamari, Up River Cafe, Westerly RI

[kattyeyes]

Steak tartare at Brasserie Pip, Ivoryton

[kattyeyes]

Seared scallops with golden raisins and almonds over cauliflower gratin, Brasserie Pip, Ivoryton

WOW!

[kattyeyes]

Katty's got another HOMETOWN FAVORITE:
Polenta Dusted Diver Scallops & Exotic Porcini Mushroom Ravioli at Luce, Middletown

[kattyeyes]

Creamy onion soup "in the old Normandy Style" at duGlace Bistro in Deep River, CT.

Never had anything like it EVER (have you?)--you must try this soup. It is EXCEPTIONAL.