Dinner at Boca Oyster Bar at Steelpointe Harbor

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Boca Oyster Bar in Bridgeport CT

Welcome to
Boca Oyster Bar

Located in the Bridgeport’s new Steelpointe Harbor, Boca Oyster Bar is the crowned jewel for this new harbor-side community. With a seafood inspired menu in addition to fab cuts of beef, and equally enticing cocktail offerings, this waterside dining destination is sure to please everyone. 

The "Bigger" Seafood Tower
10 oz Lobster Tail, 6 shrimp
12 Clams and 12 Oysters

Boca’s location in Bridgeport makes this unique restaurant a true standout in Fairfield County’s evolving dining scene.

Boca Ceviche
maine lobster, bay scallops,
gulf shrimp, mango, citrus ponzo

With the Steelpointe Restaurant Group at the helm, Boca offers 13,000 square feet of dining, bar, and patio space. Designed by Emilia Ferri Architecture + Design, a local award-winning licensed architect with a forward thinking design sense, Boca pays homage to its waterside locale and New England sensibility.  

Oysters and Clams from 
The Boca Seafood Tower

The menu features classic New England seafood fare, as seen with such classic favorites as a Seafood Tower with multiple options, Colossal Fried Shrimp with hand cut fried potatoes and cabbage slaw, Jumbo Crab Cake with a citrus crema, and the Boca Lobster Roll with fresh picked Maine lobster, warm sherry, and Old Bay butter sauce on a brioche roll. 

Boca Lobster Roll
fresh picked maine lobster, warm sherry,
old bay butter sauce,
brioche roll, hand cut fried potatoes

Boca Burrata Salad
burrata, seasonal fruit jam, heirloom tomato,
bruschetta, red roasted peppers,
crostini, evoo, balsamic glaze, fresh basil

House specials include; Grilled Octopus with crispy garbanzo, Kalamata olives, sea salt and lemon; Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna Tacos with wasabi and mango salsa; New Zealand Lamb Lollipops with chimichurri sauce; Steelpointe Clams Casino Flatbread with fresh shucked little necks, EVOO, herbs, Applewood bacon, and grated parmigiana.

Boca Oyster Bar Calamari
fresh local squid, lightly fried, cherry peppers,
pomodoro / cherry peppers, gorgonzola, balsamic drizzle

Sashimi Tuna Salad
pan-seared sushi grade ahi tuna, mango,
avocado, mixed greens, cilantro ginger vinaigrette

Ahi Tuna Taco
seared sushi grade tuna, yellow corn tortilla,
sesame crusted, wasabi, charred pineapple salsa

Of course, the Cowboy had his landlovin' favorites. How about a 42 oz Cowboy Bone-in Ribeye with choice of sauce; or a Hearty Burger or Sandwich? 

The Cowboy and The Cowboy Cut Ribeye

FYI: The cowboy ribeye was so big I couldn't fit it all in my camera frame below!

42 oz Bone In Cowboy Ribeye

Boca Oyster Bar Burger and Fries
3 blends: chuck, brisket & short rib,
lettuce, tomato, red onion, brioche roll, boca bacon jam

But MY personal favorites were the seafoods! Like the Pan Seared Diver Sea Scallops with Vegetable Lo mein and a Chipotle Crema; and the Maine Lobster Ravioli with shrimp, scallops, peas, and red roasted peppers in a pink cream sauce.

Pan Seared Diver Scallops
Pan seared with a soy ginger glaze
served over vegetable lo mien

Lobster Ravioli
Maine lobster, shrimp, scallops,
peas, red roasted peppers, pink cream sauce

The cocktail menu merges the popular 'craft cocktail' culture with classic tropical frozen drinks, like the popular frosé, craft beer, and an accessible wine list (including Duck Horn for the WIN!). 

Left: The Classic Mojito
Right: Pina Colada

Cocktails at
Boca Oyster Bar
Steelepointe Harbor in Bridgeport CT

Are you like me and can't walk away from the table without a sweet and happy ending? Then Boca has you covered! How about a Tiramasu, or a mile high Cheesecake, or a Brownie Sundae?

Brownie Sundae
Boca Oyster Bar

Cheesecake
Boca Oyster Bar

Boca Oyster Bar is also available for private events. There are multiple dining areas and bar service options can be carved out within the main dining room (200 capacity) and outdoor area (150 capacity).

And how about these amazing views of the harbor at night!

Boca Oyster Bar
Views of the Harbor

Boca is open seven days/night, including a Saturday and Sunday Brunch.

Happy Hour Monday-Friday includes raw bar and drink specials.
To top it off there is live music on the weekends!

Shrimp and Boat Slips await you
at Boca Oyster Bar in Bridgeport CT

Arriving by sea? 
There are designated boat slips are available for patrons. Order up some shrimp when you dock! LOL! 


Arriving by land? 
There's easy access of I-95! I hope I see you there!

Boca Oyster Bar

10 East Main Street
Bridgeport, CT 06608
(203) 612-4848
https://www.bocaoysterbar.com/

Disclaimer: We were invited to this menu sampling by Foodie Tribe and members of Boca Oyster's Bar management and marketing team, however, all views and opinions are our own.


© Home Place 2019

Carbone's Prime for Brunch in Rocky Hill

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Brunch at Carbone's Prime

If you don't know about Carbone’s Prime new brunch offering yet - you need to! 

Carbone's Prime is a member of the Carbone’s family of restaurants in Connecticut. In early March of 2019 they launched an all new Sunday Brunch. 

There is SO MUCH on the menu! Everything from  traditional brunch dishes - to lunch and dinner specialties - to favorites from the chefs'  innovative take on classic dishes.

Carbone's Prime
Brunch and Cocktail Menu

My sister and I decided we deserved a "Sister's Sunday" and what better way to celebrate a sisters get together than with a weekend brunch! So we headed over to Carbone's Prime on Cromwell Avenue in Rocky Hill for a decadent brunch!

We loved two things right away! Plenty of parking and an 11am start time! We were seated promptly and as the restaurant filled up quickly, we noted that it was a great mix of guests; small and intimate group birthday and anniversary celebrations, family dining, and others, like us, appreciating a great spot for Sunday brunching and catching up!

We started with a couple of cocktails (in spite of the early hour - LOL!) My sister ordered the Mimosa, a great blend of bubbly and OJ. (They even have table side buckets of Mimosa where you can mix and match your choice of bubbly and juices! I KNOW!!! What fun!)  For me, it was a was a toss up between the Bloody Mary Bar and something non-traditional, and being a non-traditionalist, I ended up going with the Sunrise Margarita, a blend of Patron Silver, Blood Orange Puree, Lime, and Cointreau. Soooo good, with a nice tart taste to complement the smoky tequila and citrus flavors.

Carbone's Brunch Cocktails
(L) Sunrise Margaarita
(R) Mimosa

Then we moved on to some 'appetizer' like offerings, sampling the Caesar Salad and a delicious bowl of Shrimp Bisque! Mmmmm! Those garlic buttery parmesan crisps on top were the perfect texture for the salad.

Carbone's Prime Brunch
Caesar Salad

...and the Shrimp Bisque was ahhhh-mazing! I asked for an extra spoon so my sis could sample some, and not even knowing what it was, she devoured just as much as I did. She's not really a shrimp lover, but when I told her afterwards that it was a shrimp bisque, she noted she would have never tried it...but now she knows she loves it...or at least she knows she loves Carbone's Prime's Bisque! It was so creamy-good and well seasoned. We'll both be back for more!

Carbone's Prime Brunch
Shrimp Bisque

 For our brunch selections (where did we find room after the above, I don't know!) we went with the Wood Fired Eggs and the Lump Crab Benny. If you love a good Eggs Benedict as much I do, you'll love all their different 'benny' offerings! This crab benny was delicious - and as delightfully rich as I hoped it would be!

Carbone's Prime Brunch
Lump Crab Benedict

The Wood Fired Eggs were creatively presented in a cast iron pan! What I neglected to capture in the photograph, was the spinach, ricotta, and veggie hash. So savory and such a unique addition to an egg dish. 

Carbone's Prime Brunch 
Wood Fired Eggs and Vegetable Hash

For dessert, we couldn't resist! A creamy cappuccino and tiramisu. In spite of declaring we were full and couldn't eat another bite, the tiramisu was light and delicious and we finished EVERY. BIT. OF IT. 

Carbone's Prime Cappuccino

 I couldn't imagine a better happy ending to our Sunday outing!

Carbone's Prime Tiramisu 

Here's a little sampling of other items on the menu! You'll see there is something for everyone! 

•WoodOven Breakfast Pizzas ($13-$16) – all served with two farm fresh eggs – including “Everything” Lox (goat cheese crema, red onions, tomato, smoked salmon, capers, toasted everything sprinkle), “Denver” style (Levoni ham, peppers, onions, jack cheese), NewEngland (apple, walnuts, bacon, dried cranberries, maple syrup), Franklin Ave (housemade sweet sausage, roasted peppers, onions, provolone) and more.

Carbone's Prime Brunch
Breakfast Pizza
Photo Courtesy of Carbone's Prime

•The Benny’s ($14-$18) – all served with two fresh poached eggs – including Italian (imported mortadella & fontina “Roman wheel,” fresh hollandaise,mixed green salad), Veggie (seasonal veggies & asiago “Roman wheel,” fresh hollandaise, mixed green salad),  Smoked Salmon (potato latke, imported smoked salmon, hollandaise, arugula salad) and more.

Carbone's Prime Brunch
Smoked Salmon Benny
Photo Courtesy of Carbone's Prime

New Brunch favorites including Italian Poutine ($14) (homemade mozzarella, shoestring potato, smoked bacon, mushroom marsala gravy, poachedeggs), Polenta & Eggs ($15) (roasted mushrooms, blistered tomato, creamy polenta, arugula, poached eggs, crispy prosciutto, Italian toast), Wood Fired Eggs ($14) (farm fresh eggs, roasted cauliflower, sautéed spinach, ricotta, veggie hash, Italian toast), Sausage Scramble ($14) (3 farm fresh eggs, housemade sweet sausage, provolone, broccoli rabe, calabrian chili flakes, veggie hash, Italian toast), Vegetable Breakfast Bowl ($16) (poached eggs, farro, broccoli rabe, white beans, grape tomatoes, tarragon vinaigrette,fried leeks), Chicken Saltimbocca Sandwich ($15) (prosciutto, fontina, sage pesto, arugula, cherry pepper aioli, ciabatta, salt & vinegar chips) and more. 

Selections from the restaurant’s Raw Bar & Crudo menu, Soup, Salads, Steaks, Eggs and more.

  
Tableside Mimosas will allow guests to select their fruit juices (orange, grapefruit, pineapple, peach, mango or strawberry) and “bucket of bubbles” selection, ranging from four cans of Archer Roose Bubbly from Veneto Italy ($28) to Dom Perignon from France($300).  
The  Bloody Mary Bar will allow diners to select a brim and Vodka or Tequila Spirit ($12-$15) before heading to the  Bloody Bar for fixings (olives, lemons, hot pickled peppers, bacon, cheeses and more).  

Carbone's Prime Brunch
Bloody Mary Bar
Photo Courtesy of Carbone's Prime

Other specialty Brunch cocktails (all $11) include the Sunrise Margarita (Patron Silver, Blood Orange Puree, Cointreau, Lime), American Mule (Tito’s Vodka, Fresh Lime,Ginger Beer) and Honey Julep (Bulleit Bourbon, Mint, Lemon, Honey Syrup), among others.


The full menu is available online here:   https://carbonesprime.com/brunch; the restaurant also accepts reservations via  OpenTable or by calling 860.969.8088.  

Make the trip to Rocky Hill Connecticut and visit Carbone's Prime for a wonderful Sunday Brunch! Let me know how much you loved it too!

Carbone's Prime
838 Cromwell Avenue
Rocky Hill CT 06067
860.969.8088
www.carbonesprime.com

Carbeone's Prime Restaurant
The Perfect Steakhouse and Brunch Place!

About Carbone's Prime

Carbone’s Prime, the newest to the Carbone’s family of restaurants in Connecticut, is a reinvention of the classicItalian steakhouse with a range of menu items – signature steaks, daily raw bar specials, wood-oven pizzas, updated Italian dishes and Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten-Free options – with all breads, doughs and sauces made in-house from scratch.  Easily accessible off of I-91 at 838 Cromwell Avenue in Rocky Hill with ample free parking, the restaurant’s sleek and modern décor lends itself to business lunches, date night, happy hour with friends and family dinners.  Serving weekday lunch and dinner seven days a week, Carbone’s Prime also offers an extensive bar menu, weekday happy hour specials, takeout options and private dining, and accepts reservations for parties of all sizes.  

For more information, visit www.carbonesprime.com,or visit the restaurant on Facebook (CarbonesPrime) or Instagram (CarbonesPrime).

Disclaimer: We were invited to Carbone's Prime by members of the restaurant's management and marketing team, however, all views and opinions are our own.

©  Home Place 2019

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

Liv's Oyster Bar - New Fall Menu

If you're anything like me you love this time of year! 

Even though I absolutely adore Spring and Summer, there is just something so special about Fall. The beautiful colors of nature surround us inspiring our sense of fashion for deep jewel tones and warm cozy clothing. 

But even better - Fall harvest means sensational homestyle rustic dishes and savory comfort food. 

There's a great place out this way in southeast Connecticut that features some fabulous fall dishes. Now that fall weather is finally upon us, this is THE place to visit and enjoy some delicious fall food fare!

Where? Liv's Oyster Bar located on Main Street in Old Saybrook Connecticut. Executive Chef/Owner John Brescio has just added some new dishes to the fall menu and they sound absolutely delicious.

Sip your  way through a big bowl of savory soup enhanced with one of my favorite spices, curry in their Curried Cauliflower Soup made with smoked mussels, capers, and crème fraiche.

Curried Cauliflower Soup $9.95
Photo Courtesy Liv's Oyster Bar

Soup not your thing? How about a Farro and Fall Vegetable Salad made with roasted fall squash and broccoli, baby brussel sprouts, beets, red onion, delightfully dressed with a brown butter and cider vinaigrette.  I know...right? So many fall flavors in one beautiful dish.

A must try is Chef's Fall Squash Ravioli, made with mushrooms, shrimp, parmesan mushroom sauce, pine nuts, and sage. Tell me this doesn't look and sound absolutely incredible. Rich, hearty, and so dang good!

Fall Squash Ravioli $24.95
Photo Courtesy Liv's Oyster Bar 

Feeling like a bit more protein? Try the Pan Roasted Chicken served with potato gnocchi, roasted brussel sprouts, fall squash, with made on premise chicken sausage, with a beautiful chicken a jus! 

Pan Roasted Chicken $24.95
Photo Courtesy Liv's Oyster Bar

Last, but certainly not least, you simply must try these Short Rib Pastrami Sliders! Talk about a melding of fall flavors melting in your mouth! These flavorful big bites are made on pretzel rolls, with pickled red cabbage, cheddar cheese, whole grain mustard dijonaise, and potato knish. 

Short Rib Pastrami Sliders $18.95
Photo Courtesy Liv's Oyster Bar

Liv’s Oyster Bar opened in 2006 from Executive Chef/Owner John Brescio’s desire to welcome the community to his family’s table, savoring time with friends and family on the shore during summer and beyond.  

The menu changes with the seasons, delivering simple, focused dishes with an emphasis on local ingredients, and stunning seafood, a mainstay of the Connecticut shoreline   

The restaurant is open six days a week for dinner on Main Street in the heart of scenic Old Saybrook, CT!

Be sure to visit them soon!

Liv's Oyster Bar

166 Main Street

Old Saybook, CT 

(860) 395-5577

http://www.livsoysterbar.com/ 

Follow them on Twitter (@LivsOysterBar)

Like them on Facebook (Liv’s Oyster Bar) 

Follow them on Instagram (livsoysterbar). 

Shell and Bones Happy Hour for Spring 2017

Happy Hour at Shell and Bones

One of my favorite things to do once the weather warms up is to meet friends for a quick happy hour during the week. It's a nice way to catch up with one another without feeling that any of us are stealing time from our family -- or neglecting other facets of life (like work, children, cooking, cleaning, car-pooling, shopping, etc.!)

And, because friends are such a very important aspect of my life - we should celebrate in style, right??

Photo Courtesy Shell and Bones

So ... isn't it just the perfect coincidence that Shell and Bones Oyster Bar is launching their new spring offerings for happy hour - just when I get the hankering to plan a meet up with friends?

I think so!!!

You should enjoy this fun location too! Shell & Bones Oyster Bar is located directly on the waterfront in New Haven CT - so it's the perfect location to get together for a few hours and enjoy breathtaking views of Long Island Sound. It's a win-win that there's a delicious new happy hour menu to go along with it all.

Photo Courtesy Shell and Bones

Here are just some of the items on the menu!

Shell and Bones Spring Happy Hour Menu

• ½ bottle Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Champagne, 6x oysters (daily featured choice) and 6x clam fritters for $50
• $6 glass of featured wine – 1x white, red and Rose offering
• $6 house spirits cocktails
• $3 cans of Black Hog Brewing
• $1.00 daily featured oysters and littleneck clams
• $1.00 fried oyster
• $1.00 per piece grilled skewers (meat will vary daily)

Shell and Bones - Beef Satay Skewers

Come treat yourself and your friends to some fabulous cocktails and small bites Monday - Friday from 4:00pm-6:00pm

Shell & Bones

100 S Water Street

New Haven, CT 06519

(203) 787-3466

http://shellandbones.com/

About Shell and Bones Oyster Bar

Shell & Bones Oyster Bar, located on the waterfront in the historic City Point area of New Haven, Connecticut, offers the finest in seafood and steak, receiving accolades from Connecticut Magazine, New Haven Living Magazine and a “Very Good” review from The New York Times since opening in July 2015.
Acclaimed Executive Chef Arturo Franco-Camacho incorporates fresh and sustainable ingredients to present new takes on classic dishes, including his award-winning New England Clam Chowder, with all soups, stocks, sauces and desserts made in-house.  In addition to its cuisine, Shell & Bones offers an extensive wine and beer list and creative cocktail menu, with several beers, liquors and wines sourced locally in Connecticut.
The restaurant features both indoor and outdoor waterfront dining with an indoor fireplace and outdoor fire pits, complimentary parking and private event space.  Shell & Bones is open for dinner seven days a week, and offers Brunch Friday-Sunday beginning at 11:00am.  For more information, visit http://shellandbones.com/.

The restaurant can also be found on Facebook (ShellandBones) and Instagram (shellandbonesoysterbarandgrill).