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Friday, February 9, 2018

Brunch at the Historic Roger Sherman Inn and Restaurant

Social Media Promotion: Sponsored 

The Roger Sherman Inn in New Canaan for Brunch!


Don't you just love historic buildings that turn into town treasures? Well, the Roger Sherman Inn in New Canaan CT is just such a gem!

Welcome to the Roger Sherman Restaurant and Inn
New Canaan CT

This beautiful New England Restaurant and 17-room Inn has recently received a culinary transformation with the amazing Chef Francois Kwaku-Dongo at the helm. We were lucky enough to get an invite to join Chef and the Inn's team for a delicious Sunday Brunch.

The Inn is a history lesson in New England buildings with immense crown mouldings, crystal chandeliers, sweeping staircases, and incredible architecture. We also learned that the Roger Sherman Inn was established in 1746! That's thirty years before the Declaration of Independence was even signed! Talk about historic! 
   


We were thrilled to meet Chef Kwaku-Dongo and discover his take on offering a seasonally-inspired menu, showcasing fresh, locally-procured ingredients. 

Chef Kwaku-Dongo

If you want a a REAL culinary tour of New England that showcases our coastal seafood, local family farms, and talented artisans, the Roger Sherman Inn is the place to go! Using these East Coast ingredients as a foundation for his flavor profiles, Chef Kwaku-Dongo adds his unique twist and blend of spices to bring out the savory or sweetness of each dish. We arrived a bit early and I was completely intoxicated by the aroma of simmering cloves while walking through the dining room. It was pure heaven!

Here are some of the items we sampled for brunch, starting with some delicious brunchy cocktails, like Mimosas, Peach Bellinis, Spicy Bloody Marys, and a creamy Espresso Martini!


Cocktails at the Roger Sherman Inn
Mimosa, Creamy Espresso Martini,
Peach Bellini, Bloody Mary


While still in the lounge we sampled a delicious cured meat platter, served with a side of nice crusty sliced bread.


Cured Meat Platter

Next we moved into the dining room where we sampled some soup and starters. Like this delicate clear broth soup of the day


Market Soup

... and this fresh fruit nestled in a beautiful mango champagne sauce.

Seasonal Fruit & Berries
Preserved Mango Champagne Sauce

Then we shared some small plates and salads at our table, like this tender lettuce salad with apples, walnuts and blue cheese croutons.


Little Gem Lettuce
Pickled Apple, Candied Walnut, Blue Cheese Crouton

... and this light crepe topped with a fresh egg with side greens!



Crepe and Egg
Side Greens

We all scooped up this hearty steak tartar with dueling mustards, aioli, and a farm fresh egg.


Steak Tartare
Herb Aioli, Farm Eggs & Two Mustards

We topped that off with some chicken and sausage hash! Soooo good!


Chicken & Sausage Hash
with Tomatoes

Then we each ordered our own individual entrees. Of course, if eggs benny are on the menu, you know I'm ordering them! These with some smoked salmon were the perfect brunch order!


Eggs Benedict
Smoked Salmon, Tomato Confit, Hollandaise Sauce

My tablemates ordered french toast, Tuna Nicoise, and the brunch special of the day a Baja inspired Cali breakfast dish with black beans, chipolte, and an avocado salad.

Brioche French Toast
Stewed Apples, Vanilla Mascarpone, Home Fries



*Tuna “Riviera Nicoise”
Hard Boiled Egg, Haricot Vert, New Potatoes

This dish truly showcased Chef's West Coast to East Coast journey!


Chef's Special - Poached Eggs
Chipolte & Black Bean
With Avocado Salad

We found a bit of room for sharing a few desserts, and of course, we selected everything CHOCOLATE!

Dacquoise Cake
Almond Cake, Praline Crispy Layer, 
Chocolate Mousse, Chocolate Glaze


Here's where Chef's heritage showcased his love of spice, 
in this case the cocoa!


Chocolate Crepe
Fresh Gelato


I simply couldn't resist ending my meal 
with a creamy foamy cappuccino!


Cappuccino 

Although they are the consummate place for brunch, the Inn is also open for lunch and dinner, as well as having some light bites in the cozy tavern. Each menu is comprised of from-scratch recipes which run the gamut from burgers and bites to more refined dishes, including; House Cured Smoked Salmon; Grilled Octopus with chorizo vin, olives, and fingerling potatoes; Woodbridge Farm Oxtail Raviolo with sun-dried tomato and rosemary jus; Roasted Bronzini with salsa verde, roasted fennel, and fregola; and -Truelove Farms Grilled Pork Chop with braised red cabbage, apples, pancetta, and red wine jus. 

Tavern favorites and bar bites consist of; Lump Crab Cakes with roasted pepper aioli; RS Lobster “Club” Sandwich layered with walnut bread, rocket, tomato, and bacon; USDA Prime Black Angus Beef Mini Burgers with Vermont cheddar, shallot marmalade, garlic aioli, and hand-cut fries; artisanal cheese and charcuterie; and Tuscan Kale tossed with chicory, pecorino, walnuts, in a lemon yogurt dressing. Sunday Brunch is made special with organic Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon, tomato confit, and hollandaise sauce, and decadent Brioche French Toast topped with stewed apples and vanilla mascarpone.
  
The restaurant also is available for catered events, weddings, and any special occasion. These milestone celebrations are made all the more special under this quintessential New England setting with the addition of Chef Kwaku-Dongo’s new menu, gifted team, and forward-thinking vision.

Be sure you visit them soon!  


Roger Sherman Inn


195 Oenoke Ridge
New Canaan, CT 06840
(203) 966-4541
https://www.rogershermaninn.com/

Disclaimer:
We were invited to the Roger Sherman Inn by members of their management and marketing team, however, the opinions expressed are entirely our own.

©  Home Place 2018

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Valentine's Day at Mohegan Sun

Here's a fun way to celebrate Valentine's Day for 2018!


Make this Valentine’s Day extra special at Mohegan Sun where you can enjoy dining and shopping deals offered at Pasta Vita, Hash House A Go Go, Sushi Koya, Splendeur - A Luxury Boutique, Victoria’s Secret and more.

Start with a dinner for two - and end with some delicious sweet treats! And while you're there shop for some perfect retail deals and enjoy live entertainment.

That's right! Mohegan Sun has everything to make a day to remember.


Dine at Mohegan Sun for Valentine's Day:


The Lansdowne Irish Pub & Music House


  • Butternut Squash Ravioli – House-made butternut squash with sage brown butter, toasted pine nuts, basil pesto and shaved parmesan cheese. 
  • Baked Stuffed Shrimp – Baked shrimp with a crab & Ritz stuffing served with rice pilaf, garlic broccoli and a lemon beurre blanc. 
  • Prime Rib – Slow-roasted 12 oz. cut of Prime Rib served with roasted fingerling potatoes, asparagus and hollandaise sauce. 
  • Daily Dessert – House-made hazelnut chocolate mousse. 

Todd English’s Tuscany: 


  • grill up two 4 oz. Petit filet of beef, truffled silk potato, asparagus, King Crab and hollandaise for $65.00 per person. 
  • For pasta, the restaurant will offer lobster fra diavolo with pan seared 8 oz. Maine lobster tail, spicy roasted tomato sauce and linguine for $36.00 per person.

Pasta Vita:


  • featuring heart shaped raviolis.

Hash House A Go Go:


  • Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Pancake with Whipped Cream – Famous red velvet pancake with chocolate chips, cream cheese icing and whipped cream. 
  • NY Strip Steak with Grilled Shrimp Skewer – Served with bacon cheddar mashed potatoes and house vegetables. 
  • Grilled Swordfish with a white wine beurre blanc – Grilled swordfish steak topped with a white wine beurre blanc served with garlic mashed potatoes and vegetables. 
  • Wedge Salad – House wedge salad topped with blue cheese dressing, blue cheese crumbles, chopped bacon and diced tomatoes. 
  • Salted Caramel Cheesecake – Served with a graham cracker crust and topped with house-made caramel sauce and whipped cream. 


Bobby Flay’s Bar Americain:


  • two five oz. spice rubbed filet mignons, lobster with roasted lemon butter, smashed potatoes, chocolate cream pit and two glasses of Wycliff champagne on Valentine’s Day for $140.00.

Jaspar White's Summer Shack 


  • From February 14th through February 18th enjoy a Valentine’s Dinner for Two for $50.00 per couple. To share: Raw bar (4 pcs.); mixed greens salad with goat cheese, apples, walnuts and house vinaigrette; shack paella; and decadent chocolate cake. Add a split of prosecco for $8.00. Tax and gratuity not included.

Sushi Koya


  • On Valentine’s Day, take advantage of Sushi Boat for Two and dessert to share for $60.00 at Sushi Koya from February 14th through February 18th.

Make time to shop for your valentine at Mohegan Sun!



After your Valentine’s Day meal, head over to The Shops at Mohegan Sun to spoil yourself or your loved one!


  • Everything Under the Sun, Riverview Essentials & Brewster’s Trading Post will offer 10% off Munson’s chocolates on Valentine’s Day. While supplies last.
  • Splendeur – A Luxury Boutique will give away a free Katzmann infinity scarf with any purchase on February 14th. While supplies last.
  • From February 10th through February 13th, spend $85.00 at Victoria’s Secret to receive a gift tote. While supplies last.
Check the children in for fun at Kids Quest while you enjoy a Valentine’s date night at Mohegan Sun! Kids Quest has all kinds of heartfelt activities planned to make little guests smile.

Catch some great entertainment at Mohegan Sun:


When the day is over, visit COMIX Comedy Club for a special comedy show for Valentine’s Day with Laurie Kilmartin. Double availability Date Night Package for this show, 25% off front row & VIP tickets. Promo code: DATENIGHT.

About Mohegan Sun:


Owned by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States.  Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to three unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, 2 world-class spas, a golf course, over 90 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mohegansun, view us on YouTube and find us on Snapchat at username MoheganSun.

Thursday, February 1, 2018

Mr. Popper's Penguins comes to Jorgensen Center for Performing Arts at UCONN

Mr. Popper's Penguins 
Take The Stage For 
Jorgensen Children's Matinee
Sunday, Feb 25, at 2 pm

Mr. Popper's Penguins at Jorgensen Theater UCONN
Mr. Popper's Penguins at Jorgensen Theater UCONN
Photo Courtesy of UCONN

The Casa ManaƱa Theater Group will bring their production of  the heartwarming story of Mr. Popper’s Penguins to UConn’s Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday afternoon, February 25th. 

The enchanting 60-minute action-packed musical adaptation of Richard and Florence Atwater’s award-winning 1938 book of the same name, (which was also made into a Hollywood film starring Jim Carrey), recounts the story of a simple house painter named Mr. Popper who receives a penguin as a gift from a famous arctic explorer; a gift that quickly turns the Popper household upside down and ultimately sets Mr. Popper off on the adventure of his dreams. 

Children 4+ and those with inner child at heart will love the delightful songs and inventive penguin puppetry. Doors open at 1:30 pm. Show begins at 2:00 pm.

Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts is located at 2132 Hillside Road on the UConn campus in Storrs.

Mr. Popper’s Penguin tickets are now available:
Adults - $24
Children - $22

For tickets and information, go to jorgensen.uconn.edu, or call the Box Office at 860.486.4226, Monday - Friday, 10 am - 5 pm, and 90 minutes prior to events. Convenient $5 event parking is available in the North Garage. Free parking is available in Lots 9, F, and L. For a detailed parking map, go to park.uconn.edu.

About Jorgensen Theater

Voted Best College or University Performing Arts Center in the Hartford Courant’s CTNow, Jorgensen presents 30 to 35 diverse performances each season, from nationally and internationally acclaimed artists and ensembles ranging from classical music to world music and dance, classical ballet and contemporary dance, comedy, family programming and contemporary entertainment.




JORGENSEN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
2132 Hillside Road on the UConn campus
Storrs, CT