Hartford help please

[Disneyfreak]

I will be coming to Hartford on business in July -- never been to Hartford before. I am staying near the convention center and will not have a car.

I will have up to 4 nights do plan for -- possibly just 3 and will be with a coworker on an expense report. We can spend around $60 per day on food/bev/tip. Where would you recommend?

Thanks!

[Waquoit]

Agave is a sit down place. I like the Habenero Pork tacos and the fresh Guacamole.

On a nice night, take a walk across the river to Mickey's Oceanic Grill and get the Fried Fish Sandwich. Roadfood has a nice write-up.

http://www.roadfood.com/Restaurant/Re...

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Mickey's Oceanic Grill
119 Pitkin St East, Hartford, CT

[linzerbeth44]

Agave is a sit-down place but they also have a little cart that parks out on Bushnell Park during the day. They have great burritos at the truck!
Also, I would add O'Porto on the Hartford/West Hartford line. Great portuguese food.
Firebox is great. Wouldn't bother with Black Eyed Sally's. Besito is good food but overpriced for what you are getting. You are paying for West Hartford basically. Better choice in West Hartford is Bricco. Another WH suggestion would be Arugula.

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Besito
46 S Main St, West Hartford, CT 06107

[bonniereynolds]

I would recommend Max's Downtown for one of your dinners. It is expensive but a nice treat and last time I was there the food was very very good and service excellent.

[mels]

I agree with all that has been posted, with exception to Vivo's because I have never been there and Agave, because I ate there once and found it pretty mediocre (though I don't know if one meal is really a fair shot).

On20 may be serve you the best meal in the state, let alone Hartford. Do try to make it there if you can. Firebox is worth the cab ride, for sure.

[Disneyfreak]

Thanks to everyone who has replied lately. I haven't been on as much lately so I didn't see the replies since June 2. I have to see if I am staying Friday night -- if I am the On20 is definitely on my list.

And I do have a list -- which I add to and remove from as the opinions change. Right now it consists of:

Group 1 (the top contenders)
On20 -- only open Friday for dinner
Trumbull Kitchen
Max downtown
Firebox
Dish Hartford
Vivo – at the Marriott

Second level:
Costa del Sol
Black eyed sally’s
Besito
Bricco (West Hartford)
Grants (west Hartford)

Agave truck for lunch?
Arch Street Tavern for happy hour

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Trumbull Kitchen
150 Trumbull St., Hartford, CT 06103

Arch Street Tavern
85 Arch St, Hartford, CT 06103

Besito
46 S Main St, West Hartford, CT 06107

[2000fair]

yes i also agree on on20. its only a few blocks from the marriot. i heard very mixed reviews on vivo inside the hotel. the chef at on 20 is noel jones and he's one of the best in the state. if you have time call ahead for a tasting menu.

[FoodieJim]

If you will be around on a Friday, you have to check out On20. You may have to pay out of pocket for breakfast and lunch, but your per diem will buy you the best meal you can get in Hartford.
http://www.ontwenty.com/

[JayCT]

For casual dining I would add Citysteam or Arch Street Tavern right across from the Convention Center garage. Jay

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Arch Street Tavern
85 Arch St, Hartford, CT 06103

[chowmensch]

Agree with Bookerme's choices and would add Vito's By the Park and Firebox.

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Vito's By the Park
26 Trumbull Street, Hartford, CT 06103

[sbxstr]

Second dthe Firebox, but you'll need a cab to get there. We've had some excellent meals there recently. Try the house Margerita -- it is made with jalapena-infused tequila and is great.

[brookerme]

If you're staying at the Marriott, Vivo in the hotel is pretty good.http://www.vivohartford.com/

very close pub food: http://www.archstreettavern.com/

Indian: http://masalafinedining.com/

"downtown" http://www.maxrestaurantgroup.com/trumbull/

Italian: http://www.peppercornsgrill.com/ or http://salutect.com/

Asian: http://www.fengrestaurant.com/index2.html

Mexican: http://www.agavehartford.com/

bbq and music http://blackeyedsallys.com/

[Disneyfreak]

Thanks for the info -- I will have to look at those website and check out menus.

Let me add -- I am interested in dinners -- usually during the day I can't get out of the convention center for lunch -- makes it nice because I save my $$ for dinner.