Carlson's Landing in Essex Connecticut

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New! In Essex Connecticut

If you're looking for scenic views, great food, and a gorgeous modern and airy setting, I've found the place for you! 

Look no further than Carlson's Landing in Essex Connecticut! We were recently invited to experience Carlson's at a sample menu tasting courtesy of owner Robert Rabine, and executive chef Kyle Bledsoe.

Owner Robert Rabine is the former owner / operator of Cafe Routier (Old Saybrook / Westbrook) and started fine-tuning  his Connecticut culinary heritage with stints at Robert Henry Restaurant (New Haven) and Cafe Lafayette (Madison). Connecticut shoreline locals will likely remember Robert's food and beverage column, the Oedipal Epicurean in the Shoreline Times (2011-2019). 

Carlon's Landing's newly built structure overlooks the Connecticut River and the River Museum. The beautiful exterior gives way to a bright, open, and tastefully decorated interior. 

The attention to detail is amazing, from the porthole arched door frame - to the mermaid door handle. 

Mermaid Door Handle

Outdoor seasonal decks are wrapped in Brazilian mahogany with custom stainless rigging by Greyson Metalworks. How wonderful it will be to sit out on that deck in warmer weather and enjoy some great food and spectacular river views!

Patio Views at Carlson's Landing

The intimate dining room comfortably seats thirty, with added seating at the bar for twenty. The restaurant vibe is tasteful New England nautical at its best!

Carlson's Landing Dining Room

The restaurant’s gray and white canvas is accented with custom mahogany tables and bar by local cabinet maker Bruce Therott.  

Carlson's Landing Lounge
Amazing River Views!

Spectacular oceanic artwork by local artist Melissa Barbieri, adorns the space with large scale oil paintings of nautical abstracts and sea creatures. 

Vestibule and waiting area with
Artwork by Melissa Barbieri

We started our dining adventure with some of their signature cocktails from their creative cocktail menu that features martinis, premium spirits, unique cocktails, craft beer, and an all-American curated wine list. 

My personal favorite was the Hot Buttered Rum, made with spiced rum, brown sugar, spiced butter batter, and cinnamon and nutmeg. Believe it or not, I made a secondary visit to Carlson's just so I could have another!

Cocktail Time!
Strawberry Mint Mojito, Martini, 
the Paloma, Hot Buttered Rum

The Paloma
silver tequila, grapefruit, 
simple syrup, lime, and club soda

Hot Buttered Rum
Photo Source Carlson's Landing

Then Chef Bledsoe starting dazzling us with his appetizers! Chef is a Johnson & Wales alum with classical training under Chef Pascal Barbot of Astrance in Paris, France. Prior to Carlson's Landing Chef Bledsoe was the Chef de Cuisine at Arrive Hotel in Palm Springs, CA and the Head Chef at The Danforth Inn in Portland, ME. 

The all-day menu is seasonally and geographically inspired featuring  both land and sea favorites.

Fish house favorites include a classic fishwich, deviled crab fritters, fried calamari with pickled sweet peppers and chipotle aioli, a buttery lobster roll, and market-fresh fish.  Chef is also steaming little neck clams in ham broth and charred leeks (CAN YOU SAY YUMMMM??!!)  and making a unique dish of tuna meatballs with pomodoro sauce and grilled crostini.

Grilled
Giant Heads-On Prawn

Deviled Crab Fritters

Deviled Eggs
with Fried Capers

Swordfish Puttanesca

linguini, garlic, onions, capers, 

black olives, tomato, parsley

From the "by land" or turf menu we sampled some delicious beef and poultry, a mouthwatering perfectly cooked and rested petit filet mignon, and tender grilled quail. 

Grilled Petit
Filet Mignon

Grilled Boned and Marinated Quail

For our wonderful happy ending we sampled a heavenly apple crisp, churros, and other decadent delights!

Apple Crisp

Sweet dreams are made of this!

Dessert at Carlson's Landing

We loved the earthiness and subtle Mediterranean flavor perspective that Chef Bledsoe brings to Carlson's Landing. 

Our visit was highlighted by the elevated dining experience and hospitality that our host, Robert Rabine, is known for. Thank you Robert and Kyle for a wonderful evening! 

Boat Launch
Carlson's Landing

Carlson's Landing is certainly a friendly and welcoming addition to the Connecticut shoreline! Visit them soon!

Carlson's Landing

63 Main Street

Essex, CT 06426
(860) 767-2727

www.carlsonslanding.com


Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 11:30 AM-9 PM 
(Closed Tuesdays)
Friday & Saturday 11:30 AM-10:00 PM
Sunday 3:00-9:00 PM
 

Disclaimer: We were invited to this menu sampling by members of Carlson's Landing management and marketing team, however, all views and opinions are our own.


© Home Place 2020

Welcome the New -129 - to New Canaan CT

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"129" in New Canaan

129 Restaurant

Ushering the New Year in with a Fresh Look

New Logo - 129
129 Restaurant

I just love when restaurants take it upon themselves to reflect on where they are - where they want to be - and ultimately decide it's time to update and "rebrand" themselves. 

When they do this the right way they start by infusing all that was great in their previous endeavors and inject a fresh new energy and zest into new beginnings. The former "Chef Luis" Restaurant, located at 129 Elm Street in the heart of New Canaan’s bustling retail and dining district, did just that! 

YES! A beautiful rebranding done the right way!

Beginning in November 2017 they announced their new name, new menu focus, and a new executive chef.  

Now called "129 Restaurant" or  simply"129" for short, they offer classic American Contemporary cuisine. Along with the expertise of General Manager Sergio Tamburlini on board, there is a winning combination in both the front and the back of the house.

Join me in welcoming "129" to the New Canaan neighborhood!

We accepted their kind invitation and traveled up Connecticut's scenic Merritt Parkway to New Canaan CT to visit them and sample a few of their items. 

129's revamped cocktail menu

We started with cocktails off their revamped specialty cocktail menu, sampling the Strawberry Julep made with Redemption Bourbon, Fresh Strawberries, Fresh Mint, and some Sparkling Soda Water and the Vodka Mule made with Tito's Vodka, Mescal, Redemption Rye, Fresh Lime Juice, Ginger Beer

129 Cocktails
Strawberry Julep (L)
Vodka Mule (R)

While sipping on our cocktails we were also able to drink in the beautiful artwork courtesy of nearby Sorelle Art Gallery located on Main Street in New Canaan. A partnership with Sorelle Art Gallery provides an extension of their gallery in town, offering a rotating collection of art that is available for purchase. Those pictured below are courtesy of New York artist Jason Young and his team and are made from urethane, automotive lacquer, mirrored plexiglass and mounted on aluminum. 

Photo Courtesy 129 Restaurant

After cocktails we moved on to the appetizer section enjoying a Chicken Taco and a  Chef Salad made with Red and Green Leaf Greens, Sliced Apples, Pecans, and Gorgonzola Cheese.

Chicken Taco

Chef Salad

We were able to talk with GM Sergio Tamburlini for a few minutes who was equally excited about the revamping as we were. He noted, “To complement our comfortable, family-friendly ambiance, our new all-day menu offers casual cuisine that is accessible to diners of all ages.  Guests will recognize a few of their tried-and-true favorites from our old menu – tacos, calamari chorizo and our classic salads – along with a spin on classic recipes including lobster salad with avocado and grilled tomatoes, tuna tartare with roasted shallots, radish, arugula and avocado, a wild mushroom omelet with organic eggs and gruyere, and more!”

After chatting with our new friend Sergio, we moved on to our dinner selections, the Steak Frites, a Rib-Eye with a shallot reduction and french fries, and the Chicken Paillard, served with Baby Arugula, Heirloom Tomatoes, Cherry Mozzarella, and Fresh Avocados.  

Steak Frites at 129

Chicken Paillard at 129

Friends, both were amazing! The cowboy is loving me for suggesting he order the Steak Frites and was feeling especially generous by offering me a few bites. I agree - he has good reason to love me!  My Chicken Paillard was equally delicious, the chicken pounded thin just as a good paillard should be - and flash grilled perfectly.

As much as I wanted to try their Tres Leches Cake - I was really hankering for more of a tart ending so I went with the Berry Tart, intending just to eat a bit of it. No way! It was so good I plowed through the whole thing. All. By. My. Self. (!!!)

Fresh Berry Tart

We know you'll love 129 as much as we did! Be sure you visit them soon! 

129 Restaurant
129 Elm Street
New Canaan, CT 06840
(203) 803-1657
https://www.129restaurant.com/

About 129

129 is an American Contemporary restaurant and bar, located in the center of New Canaan, Connecticut at 129 Elm Street.  The menu incorporates new cooking techniques and unique fusions of flavor to enhance the best of classic American dishes for diners of all ages, served in a comfortable, neighborhood environment.  In addition to its food offerings, 129 offers an extensive wine list, creative cocktails and craft beer list.  For more information visit www.129restaurant.com. 

Disclaimer:
We were invited to 129 by members of their management and marketing team, however, the opinions expressed are entirely our own.

©  Home Place 2018