Branford Restaurant Week - Spring 2014!

The 3rd Annual Branford Restaurant Week runs Sunday, April 6 - Saturday, April 12, 2014

Here's a sneak peek at the participating restaurants and links to their restaurant week offerings or prixe fix menus!

Enter HERE for your chance to win a $25.00 gift certificate!

Allegre's 
249 West Main Street
Branford, CT
203-483-5553
Allegre's Restaurant Week Menu

Assiagio
168 Montowese Street
203-483-5426
www.assaggiobranford.com
Assagio's Restaurant Week Menu

Ballou's Wine Bar
2 Sybil Avenue
Branford, CT
203-208-1701
www.ballouswinebar.com
Ballou's Wine Bar Restaurant Week Menu

BB Shack
5 Sycamore Way
Branford, CT
203-208-2740
www.bbshackct.com
BB Shack Restaurant Week Menu

Campania
284 East Main Street
Branford, CT
203-483-7773
www.campaniaristorante.com
Campania Restaurant Week Menu

Darbar
1070 Main Street
Branford, CT
203-481-8994
www.darbarindia.com
Darbar Restaurant Week Menu

Dockside Seafood
145 Block Island Road
Branford, CT
203-488-3007
www.docksidebranford.com
Dockside Seafood Restaurant Week Menu

Donovan's Reef
1212 Main Street
Branford, CT
203-488-5573
www.donovans-reef.com
Donovan's Reef Restaurant Week Menu

G-Zen
2 East Main Street
Branford, CT
203-208-0443
www.g-zen.com
G-Zen Restaurant Week Menu

Home Restaurant
1114 Main Street
Branford, CT
203-483-5896
www.homerestaurantct.com
Home Restaurant Week Menu

Jalapeno Heaven
40 North Main Street
Branford, CT
203-481-6759
www.jalapeno-heaven.com
Jalapeno Heaven Restaurant Week Menu

La Luna
168 North Main Street
Branford, CT
203-483-9995
www.lalunact.com
La Luna Restaurant Week Menu

Lenny's
205 South Montowese Street
Branford, CT
203-488-1500
www.lennysnow
Lenny's Restaurant Week Menu

Nellie Green's
50 Maple Street
Branford, CT
203-483-5553
www.nelliegreens.com
Nellie Green's Restaurant Week Menu

Parthenon Diner
374 East Main Street
Branford, CT
203-481-0333
www.parthenondiner.com
Parthenon Restaurant Week Menu

Pasta Cosi
1018 Main Street
Branford, CT
203-483-9397
www.pastacosi.com
Pasta Cosi Restaurant Week Menu

SBC Restaurant
850 West Main Street
Branford, CT
203-481-2739
www.southportbrewing.com
SBC Restaurant Week Menu

Seagrass Grille
3 Linden Avenue
Branford, CT
203-315-3225
www.seagrassgrillct.com
Seagrass Grill Restaurant Week Menu

Branford Restaurant Week 2013 - Jalapeno Heaven

Review

It's Branford CT's 2nd Annual Restaurant Week!

#BranfordRestaurantWeek2013 
April 14th through the 20th 2013

And although last year we were able to go to about five participating restaurants, this week was so busy that we were only able to squeeze in two!  But those two were FANTASTIC! If you'll remember, in a previous post we told you about our visit to Ballou's Wine Bar.

Moving on, for our second stop for Branford Restaurant Week 2013 was with our good friends at Jalapeno Heaven!

Saturday night we set out for Jalapeno Heaven as guests of the Flores family who have owned and operated Jalapeno Heaven since 1992.

Jalapeno Heaven is such a great place to go.  Always cozy, always fun, my favorite part of going is entering the parking lot and smelling all the good food grilling and cooking! The sign of a great restaurant!

Of course, as soon as we were seated, our good friend Ellen, who was waiting on us, brought over the customary basket of warm chips with two kinds of made on premise salsas, the traditional red salsa, and a salsa verde.

For beverages, I started with a Karma Tequila Margarita, on the rocks with salt, and I also sipped on a tiny little bit of Karma Tequila  neat, separately in a snifter, as I wanted to sample this 100% blue agave tequila on its own. It was light but flavorful, with a distinctly smooth and mellow taste, and just the right amount of "heat".

Jalapeno Heaven had a couple of great specials for Branford Restaurant Week, but we decided to go with the "order two entrees and receive a complimentary appetizer"

For our appetizer we ordered Mexican Crab Cakes, listed in the menu as: Four spicy crab cakes served on a bed of our spicy con queso sauce, garnished with scallions, tomatoes and sour cream.

I know what you're thinking, and the answer is YES!  They taste just as good as they look!

For our entrees, the cowboy ordered Chili Dogs: Oscar Mayer goes Tijuana with two hot dogs in rolls topped with Hector’s chili and melted cheese...

and I ordered the Tequila Lime Shrimp Combo: Four jumbo tail on shrimp tequila lime marinated then char grilled. Served with one tangy Mexican shrimp cake over a bed of fresh spinach and then drizzled with a warm tequila lime sauce.

I cannot begin to tell you how good this was.  Three days later, as I am writing this post, my mouth is still watering for the tequila lime sauce that flavors this dish.

We decided to go ahead and split a dessert as well, and ordered Jalapeno Heaven's Bananas Foster. This delicious dessert is flambeed tableside and served over creamy vanilla ice cream. I even videotaped Ellen's tableside presentation...go ahead, view it...and ENJOY! I certainly did!!!!

press the arrow to begin

Don't try this at home without instruction!  

Staff members are well trained in this technique.

If you live in the Branford area, or if you are traveling through the southeast Connecticut shoreline, I highly recommend Jalapeno Heaven!  It's a cute little place with loads of charm...and the food is amazing.  The best thing is that the staff is super-knowledgeable about all the food, and if you have any questions they are always happy to help with answers.

There's also a full takeout menu, a seasonal patio, and upstairs cantina/lounge, a huge vegetarian menu, a "lite" creations offerings menu, and for the "gringos" there's plenty of gringo-food!

We truly enjoyed participating in #BranfordRestaurantWeek2013 and visiting Jalapeno Heaven!

Jalapeno Heaven is open year round and accepts most major credit cards.

Jalapeno Heaven

40 North Main Street

Branford, CT 06405

203.481.6759

Website: www.jalapeno-heaven.com

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jalapeno-Heaven/

twitter: @JalapenoHeaven1

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Have you visited any restaurants for Branford Restaurant Week 2013?

Do you have a favorite Mexican dish?

I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!

Disclaimer: We were the guests of Jalapeno Heaven for this visit, however, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Branford Restaurant Week 2013 - Ballou's Restaurant and Wine Bar

It's Branford CT's 2nd Annual Restaurant Week!

#BranfordRestaurantWeek2013 
April 14th through the 20th 2013

We celebrated by going to Ballou's Restaurant and Wine Bar! This was our first visit there although we had heard some great things about it!  Ballou's bills themselves as "a relaxed and casual wine bar ... that offers a selection of wines from around the world as well as local vineyards."

Ballou's is located in the Indian Neck section of Branford CT, at the site of the old Indian Neck General Store and Market.

We started off with a "flight" of wine, ordering a Riesling, a Pinot Noir, (no particular brands) - and for the third selection, told our waitperson, Jennifer, to surprise us.

Jenn brought over our flight, which consisted of the following:

Wine # 201: Willamette Valley Vineyards Riesling, Oregon,  Flavors of peach and apricots

Wine #301: Sante Pinot Noir by Coppola, California,
Bright fruit flavors, silken texture and fine tannins

Wine #401: Di Grazia William Sonnet Blush Riesling, Connecticut, White Grape wine blushed with raspberry

They were all wonderful, but true to form, my favorite was the Williamette Valley Riesling.

The flights at Ballous range from about $14.00 to $18.00.  Flights are a wonderful way to sample some new wines at an affordable price, and discover new ones without breaking the bank!  And let's be serious.  They're just plain fun! While we were there it looked like everyone was ordering a flight too!

As part of Ballou's Branford Restaurant Week special, we were able to order an appetizer to share, two entrees, and a dessert or shared fondue. That's right, a 3-course dinner for two for only $35.00. What a great deal!

We started with a shared Assorted Cheese-Plate that included, Havarti Dill, Sharp Cheddar & Gruyere cheese served with sliced apple, cranberry walnut chutney, and crackers

The cowboy originally ordered the prime rib, but was told it wasn't available, so I talked him into the brisket. 

The brisket was served with mashed potatoes and baby carrots and spinach. It was soooo good. The only thing he noted was that the sauce and spices were a little on the sweet side.

I ordered the Roasted Portabella Mushrooms and Spinach Ravioli blended with Mozzarella, Provolone, Parmesan and Pecorino Romano Cheeses. and served with a delicious creamy Gorgonzola Sauce.

This was wonderful!  The portobello mushrooms were smokey and the spinach added a nice light flavor.  However, as good as it was, the next time I order it (and I will order it again) I'd like to try it with the fra diavalo sauce.  The gorgonzola sauce was delicious, but very rich.  I'd like to sample the ravioli next time with this spicy red sauce, to see if it lightens it up a bit.

Next we moved on to dessert.  Instead of ordering off the menu, we decided to split a dessert fondue, and ordered the chocolate and peanut butter fondue.

Jennifer serves our chocolate and peanut butter fondue at Ballou's Wine Bar in Branford CT

YUMMMMMMM......

The fondue came with cubed pound cake, sliced strawberries, sliced bananas, and cubed rice krispie treats. Although this was very good, I think the next time I order it I would ask that they go a little heavier on the peanut butter.  I'm not sure if it was the brand or flavor of chocolate that was used, but we both detected a bit of burnt taste from the chocolate.  Although this wouldn't deter us from ordering it again, to see if it was the chocolate, or if perhaps our palates were compromised from our dinners.

We had a lovely time participating in #BranfordRestaurantWeek2013 and Ballou's Restaurant and Wine Bar is definitely on our list of places to return to!

Ballou's is open year round and accepts all major credit cards.

Ballou's Restaurant and Wine Bar

2 Sybil Ave

Branford, CT 06405

203 208 1701

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Have you visited a wine bar? 

Do you have any favorite specials from recent restaurant weeks?

I'd love to hear about them in the comments below.

Branford Restaurant Week 2012 - U.S.S. Chowder Pot III

This is the fifth, and final review, of a multi-part-series on Branford Restaurant Week. 
Today we decided to participate in restaurant week's dinner offerings and chose the cowboy's all-time favorite place to go on a Saturday night, the U.S.S. Chowder Pot III.  

The Chowder Pot is a popular Branford restaurant and nightclub specializing in seafood, of course, but is equally well known for their great cuts of beef.  The restaurant has two locations, in Hartford (U.S.S. Chowder Pot IV) and Branford (U.S.S. Chowder Pot III), and are owned and operated by Jon and Debbie Smith.  I'm one of the few people who remember when Jon ran a little stand down in Stony Creek by the town dock, the original, Chowder Pot I.

We decided to leave a little early (oh gawd. we must be getting old!) to beat the rush and left to be there at 4pm when dinner begins.  However, we also frequent the restaurant enough to know that they honor "call-ahead reservations" so , if you call and tell them you're on your way, they'll let you know how long the wait is, and give you your number on the docket for a reservation.  Many a time we've called, been given our reservation number over the phone, walked in with a number that put us at the head of the line, and been seated almost immediately. DO IT!  It's worth the few seconds to make the call!

Because we were early birds (don't judge - chuckle) we were seated immediately and welcomed by our friendly server Andrea.  We hemmed and hawed about what to order because once you walk into the Chowder Pot you smell so many wonderful aromas that you can't decide whether you want fried, baked, or broiled.  Or seafood or beef.  The cowboy decided to order off the menu because now he was HUNGRY and wanted the extra hearty size of Prime Rib.

Of course, I'm sticking with restaurant week and ordered off of Chowder Pot III's Restaurant Week menu from the dinner section. As I'm sure you know, nineteen establishments in Branford are participating the week of Sunday, June 3rd through Saturday, June 9th, most offering both lunch ($16.44) and dinner ($29.00) three course prix fixe menus.  And the connection to 1644?  It was the year that Branford, CT was [permanently] settled.

Oh!  Before I forget...do you know about the Chowder Pot's home baked bread?  All dinner patrons are treated to this lovely loaf from heaven, fresh baked, and drizzled with a thick coating of honey butter.  Soooo good!  Sticky. But good!

The cowboy started with a side garden salad.  

to go along with his Captain's Cut of Prime Rib - 16 ounces of beef - au jus.  

I started with a Garden Salad and a cup of Rhode Island Clam Chowder.  For those of you not from this neck of the woods (Yes. Really. Did you know people from Ireland, Germany, Ecuador, Great Britain, and Russia read this blogger??), this is a clear broth chowder, made with clams, potatoes, celery, and onions.  New England is the creamy broth, and Manhattan is the tomato-based broth.  

Take a close look at this chowder.  Packed with chunky goodness!

And for my dinner selection.  The piece-de-resist-ance!  I went with the Chowder Pot Lobster Bake: A one-pound steamed lobster with fresh Maine steamers, mussels, and a house made stuffed clam.  And although the menu didn't mention it, there were also some mini corn on the cobs included, as well as french fries! 

The steamers and mussels are in the cheese cloth netting, and there was a bowl of clam broth and some fresh butter for dipping.  Folks, the picture doesn't do the plate justice.  It was perfectly presented!  

For dessert, I couldn't decide between the cherries or strawberries to top my cheesecake and made the ever so helpful Andrea, our server, decide for me!  She said the cherries are wonderful, but that the fresh sliced strawberries looked extra good today.  
So here's a picture of my final course of Branford Restaurant Week 2012:  N.Y.Y. Cheesecake with Strawberries ala' Andrea (!!) with coffee.   (Not really NYY - but they are playing tonight and need all the help they can get.  Cheesecake can't hurt.)

   

Don't you wish you had some?  (Great choice, Andrea!!!)

Here are some pictures of the U.S.S. Chowder Pot III in Branford, CT located right on Route One with easy access off I-95 exit 56.

Some seating for the the non-early birds (you know, those who neglected to call ahead for reservations!!):

The outside patio

The bar and lounge area

The front dining room, where we were seated.

The back dining room

And...I have to include the ginourmous lobster.  He lives on the top of the roof!  

Andrea, our Chowder Pot server, told us that she estimates that about 20% of the patrons this week were ordering from the restaurant week menu. I hope you were one of them!  

The cowboy and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for all the feedback we've gotten from this series on Branford Restaurant Week 2012!  So many of you have stopped us on the street, commented, called, or emailed about how much you enjoyed following us during this week's eats-capades!  Please know we have enjoyed visiting with you and sharing our little corner of Branford, as well! 

And a GREAT big thank you to my friends, Beth, Carol, and Gayle, who were able to come visit  and celebrate restaurant week, as well!  

Visit the U.S.S. Chowder Pot III and tell them Home Place sent you!

U.S.S. Chowder Pot III

560 East Main Street

Branford, CT

(203) 481.2356

Nineteen Restaurants. Seven Days. Branford Restaurant Week 2012.

Hope you visited one!

Branford Restaurant Week 2012 - Dockside Seafood and Grill

This is the fourth of a multi-part-series on Branford Restaurant Week. 

Today was a beautiful and sunny day just meant to (1) get together over lunch with friends and (2) go someplace near the shore.  I'm happy to report that I was able to do both!   Today the restaurant week participant that we chose to patronize was the beautiful Dockside Seafood and Grille with their scenic views of Long Island Sound in Branford.

Dockside is located in the Bruce and Johnson Marina and I'm certain so many people drive down Montowese Street on their way to the Indian Neck section of Branford without knowing this little gem of a place is even there.

Good friends always make for good times and today was no exception!  Long time friends Gayle, Carol, and myself got together to enjoy some good company and some much needed time together for laughs and lunch!  Gayle was a little delayed so Carol and I got to catch up while sitting on that lovely patch of green grass in those comfy Adirondack style chairs.   We must have made ourselves right at home because some departing patrons remarked how much they'd love to have "our job"! 

Because it was such a gorgeous day, in the 80s with blue skies and low humidity, we decided to eat out on the outside deck overlooking the many boats docked in their slips at the marina.  We lifted the table umbrella to shade us a little from the bright sun and it couldn't have been more perfect.

Gayle and I ordered from Dockside's Restaurant Week Menu and Carol, who isn't a big seafood fan ordered of the regular menu. Dockside offers a four-course meal on the restaurant week menu.  

Gayle and I started with the shared order of fried calamari. 

For our second course Gayle selected the Sesame Cole Slaw

and I ordered the Mesclun Salad with balsamic vinaigrette.

On to the main course!  Carol ordered the Grilled Chicken sandwich, but received the Grilled Chicken dinner.  When we mentioned this to our waitress she did accommodate Carol later by bringing over a hard roll and a side of lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.

There did seem to be some confusion on the menu items, as even my luncheon special, listed as a Fried Clam Dinner, needed to have my waitress inquire whether I wanted the $29.00 (Dinner) or $16.44 (Lunch) restaurant week special.  

Gayle ordered the Fish and Chips and she said it was delicious!  It sure does look yummy, doesn't it?  

Gayle and I decided to order the Key Lime Pie and the N.Y. Cheesecake and share a little of each with one another! So sorry!  I should have snapped the picture before cutting in!  But both were so good!  Creamy cheesecake and icy cold tart and sweet pie! 

Don't you just love going out with friends that you're close enough with that you can just  reach your fork over and slice off a little bite of what they're having?  Well that's how we girls are!  How else are you ever going to know if you should order "that" the next time you are out!

Business was pretty brisk at the Dockside today - and when we asked our waitress if she thought that restaurant week was helping to boost sales - she said she thought that any increased business was probably more due to the nice weather.    

Here are some pictures of the Dockside's lounge area and patio:

Dockside Seafood and Grill is one of those places that instantly makes you feel like you are "away from it all" because of its wonderful location on the water.  If you are looking to stay local - but treat yourself to feeling like you are on vacation - this is the place for you!

Visit Dockside Seafood and Grill and tell them Home Place sent you!

Dockside Seafood and Grill

Block Island Road

Branford, CT 06405

203.488.3007

Where do you go to get away from it all?  

Do you have any favorite places  on the seashore?