BYOB from Milford to Guilford & north to Middletown?

[wudz]

Nini's is once every two weeks. Same for Saray. Too wet for The Place. Need good quality food with BYOB.

[debvil]

Guilford Bistro - Cozy space, good Italian BYOB right down the road from the place @ corner of 77/rt. 1

Cafe Grounded: Guilford Rt/77 south of route 1 right before the green. BYOB I haven't had it personally but many around here say it's solid.

[wudz]

Thank you both - gosh it's been a dacade or more since my last calzone. G Bistro was not bad, and have enjoyed Grounded several times; thanks for the reminder. Looks like it's time to give Tata in Wallingford a try as well. Wish there were more choices.

[linguist]

A more complete review of Cafe Grounded would be welcome -- it gets mentioned from time to time, but no one has yet posted enough of a description to make it clear what's good and what isn't.
Thanks in advance...

[triggs73]

I used to go for breakfast on Sundays and they were always great except this 1 bad experience when the owner/chef was not in. Who ever he had "covering" for him had no business running a restaurant, total mayhem. My friend goes very frequently for their dinners and rec's them highly. prices vs quality are supposed to be good.

[wudz]

Big no to Tata. Not all that bad, but less than clean little wine glasses coupled with greasy empanadas did not offset nice peasant food main courses nor make it a BYOB haven.

[triggs73]

As long as the chef is in house, I would second cafe Grounded.

[wudz]

Damn. Should have.

[kattyeyes]

Udupi Bhavan (hyper-casual, order at the counter, vegetarian Indian) is BYOB any day of the week. Try a dosa or pongal for something different.

Also in Middletown (but closed right now till August--please check their outgoing phone message for specifics) is Pho Mai--a little Vietnamese mom & pop hole in the wall that I LOVE. My favorite dish there is #39--chicken with peppers, onions and lemongrass. Their summer rolls are fab as is their pho. I don't even think they have wine glasses, but you are welcome to BYOB and there's a packy just a few doors down from them should you need to pick something up.

Also on the casual side, Napoli Pizza in Meriden is BYOB. If you don't mind drinking out of wine glasses with Christmas trees on them, you will enjoy both your wine AND their calzone. They make my favorite calzone ANYWHERE and their sauce is great!

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Pho Mai
570 Main ST, Middletown, CT 06457

Udupi Bhavan
749 Saybrook Rd, Middletown, CT 06457

Napoli Pizza
311 W Main St Ste 1, Meriden, CT 06451

[kattyeyes]

Pho Mai is OPEN again!!! And today I tried something new (finally!): #36 - Sauteed shrimp and chicken breast with curry, green peppers,carrots and five spice sauce. I should've ordered #35 (same thing, but just chicken), but IT IS EXCELLENT, HOT and maybe my new favorite.

My dining companion had #30 - Slices of chicken marinated with lemon grass, served on a bed or rice noodles with lettuce, bean sprouts, fried onions, peanuts and sweet sauce. While we were there, we heard another "regular" walk in and say "FINALLY!"

We love this place and probably eat out here more than any other place in Middletown, so am glad they are back in biz.

[wudz]

Try to get there this weekend. Udupi Bhavan plastic utensils are outside my comfort zone, but Pho Mai is on the list . . .

[kattyeyes]

HA HA! You can have both metal utensils and plastic chopsticks at Pho Mai. I hope you love it. It is not at all fancy, but I am a HUGE FAN of their food.

As to Udupi, if you're local, why not try it as takeout?

[DonShirer]

Finally was able to detour through Middletown on a weekday and found Pho Mai open! And yes, Katty, I tried #35. Tasted good, a little spicier than the Thai version I am used to, but thats ok. Only nit: not enough sauce to soak all the rice they give you. I concur with your recommendation.

[kattyeyes]

Don, I'm so glad you finally got to Pho Mai and enjoyed it. Next visit be sure to try their fresh spring rolls, too. :)