Enjoy the Roman Dinner at Carbone's Ristorante

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Carbone's Ristorante Anniversary Dinner

Happy Anniversary Carbone's!

Did you know that Carbone's Ristorante is celebrating their 80th year in Hartford Connecticut! That's right! Eighty years in the same location on Franklin Street on Hartford's south side.

Carbone's Ristorante

It's really a 'Happy Anniversary' to all of us because to celebrate the occasion they're offering a special seven-course Chef's "Roman Dinner" Tasting Menu - complete with an optional wine pairing!

This delicious special is running Monday through Friday - through June 28th - so make your reservation NOW!

Imagine seven mouth-watering courses that includes a tableside Caesar Salad. Talk about personal service! Talk about a fun night out! 

Caesar Salad Tableside

We took a ride up on a beautiful Thursday evening and enjoyed each and every course to its fullest!  Here's what's on the menu!

The first course certainly set the mark high for the food that followed, a delicious Homemade Ricotta made with truffle honey, fresh chopped pistachios, and grilled crostini. 

Homemade Ricotta
truffle honey, fresh chopped pistachios,  grilled crostini.

The first course also included an equally delicious Calamari, with a nice take on the popular NY style, made with the inclusion of hot pepper rings, with two sauces, a marinara sauce, and a lemon capers.

Calamari, hot pepper rings,
marinara sauce, lemon capers.

Chef's recommendation for a wine pairing was a Chandon California Rose.

The second course consisted of a wonderful Butternut Ravioli. You'd think that this would be more suited for the fall season, but the sauce was so incredibly light, it worked well on a warm summer night. The ravioli was made with shitake mushrooms, and a brown butter sage sauce.

Butternut Ravioli
shitake mushrooms, brown butter sage sauce.

Chef recommended a Davis Bynum Pinot Noir with the butternut ravioli.

Next up, our third course, a Classic Caesar Salad, prepared tableside. Here's where we really had some pampered fun! Nothing, and I mean nothing - comes close to the clean bright flavors from a  freshly made Caesar dressing. Especially one made with a friendly smile!

Tableside Caesar Salad!

Caesar Salad

Our wine pairing with the Caesar salad was a Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc. 

Fellow blogger Naomi Perk of NayNayKnows saw my Instagram story that night and commented her refrigerator is always stocked with KC! And now I know why!

Our fourth course brought us an amazing seafood combination consisting of a Mixed Grilled Diver Scallop & Shrimp Fregola, with Leeks & Bacon Risotto in a nice white wine lemon sauce.

Mixed Grilled Diver Scallop & Shrimp Fregola,
Micro greens,
Leeks & Bacon Risotto

The seafood course was accompanied by a Bortoluzzi Pinot Grigio.

Then, to cleanse the palate, our fifth course, a Lemon Sorbetto, with cherry compote, was topped with a drizzle of the optional accompanying cordial, a limoncello.

Lemon Sorbetto, with cherry compote

Lemon Sorbetto, with cherry compote

Our next, sixth course, was an outstanding highlight! A Pepper Crusted Tenderloin, with a topping of dolce gorgonzola, mashed potatoes, and glazed carrots. 

Pepper Crusted Tenderloin, dolce gorgonzola,
mashed potatoes, and glazed carrots. 

The tenderloin was accompanied by a hearty Cabernet Sauvignon.

Our seventh, and final course, dessert, was a heavenly happy ending to our Roman Dinner extravaganza, a Chocolate Pistachio Molten Lava Cake, with creamy vanilla ice cream.

 Chocolate Pistachio Molten Lava Cake,
vanilla ice cream.

And, as we said Arrivederci, Carbone's Ristorante, alla prossima! (Goodbye Carbone's Ristorante, we'll return soon!) we toasted to a fabulous night with fine wine and food, and savored the flavors of the recommended dessert accompaniment, a sweet Moscato wine.

Carbone's Roman Dinner Tasting is certainly a treat for all your senses! Aromatic herbs, hearty cheeses, creamy grains, and seven courses of innovative combinations from an amazing Italian restaurant. 

A winning tasting menu full of flavors and textures to please all! 

Be sure to indulge in the Roman Dinner at Carbone's Ristorante!

See more about Carbone's Ristorante's anniversary event at https://carbonesct.com/our-events/roman-dinner

Carbone's Ristorante

588 Franklin Avenue 

Hartford, CT 06114

860-296-9646

http://carboneshospitality.com/

About Carbone’s Ristorante

Carbone's Ristorante is located at its original 588 Franklin Avenue location in Hartford’s South End since opening in 1938. The restaurant offers timeless Italian dining in a relaxed and elegant atmosphere. Third generation Chef/Owner Vinnie Carbone has carried on his family traditional Italian dishes, while incorporating modern ingredients and techniques to also offer seasonal innovations as well as Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten-Free options.  Offering old-world hospitality, including tableside service for house classics such as a Caesar Salad or flaming dessert, and first-class service, the restaurant is open weekdays for lunch and dinner, and dinner on Saturday evenings, with complimentary parking.  

For more information, visit www.carbonesct.com.  The restaurant can also be found on Facebook (Carbone’s CT) and Instagram (CarbonesRistorante). 

Disclaimer: We were invited to Carbone's Ristorante's Roman Dinner by members of the company's management and marketing team and portions of this post are sponsored. However, all views and opinions are our own.

©  Home Place 2019

The Hartford Artisan Showcase Returns to Hartford

The Second Annual Hartford 

Artisan and Fine Crafts Showcase 

Returns to the Connecticut Convention Center

Regional Artists Give Live Demonstrations All Weekend

From paintings to pottery and metal arts to jewelry, unique and original art will be in abundance at the Connecticut Convention Center for the Second Annual Hartford Artisan Showcase.

This juried event features an exciting way to feature original art and high-quality crafts throughout the weekend.

The Hartford Artisan Showcase will feature the work of over 75 artists from across New England. The Showcase is the perfect opportunity for art collectors and those who simply enjoy art to discover regional artists, purchase original work, and experience art through live demonstrations.

Demonstrations at the Showcase include:

• Tim Scull of Canton Clayworks in Canton, CT will give a pottery demo.
• Weaving demos from New England Rug Maker out of Danbury, CT.
• Hart Woodcrafts from Ledyard, CT will demonstrate woodworking.
• David Hancock, Jr. a furniture maker from Thompson, CT will hand-craft chairs.

Photo and interview opportunities with all of the demonstrating artists will be available throughout the weekend.

Show Hours: 

Saturday, November 12, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.;
Sunday, November 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission: 

Adults - $8.00;
Children under 14 - Free.

Connecticut Convention Center

100 Columbus Blvd.
Hartford, CT 06103
860-249-6000
http://www.ctconventions.com/

The Hartford Artisan Showcase is sponsored by The River 105.9 and Country 92.5. For additional information, please visit HartfordArtisanShowcase.com or call North East Expos, Inc. at (860) 844-8461.

The Showcase is proud to participate in the 27th Annual Open Studio Hartford (OSH), a city-wide arts events designed to promote local arts. As part of OSH, a free shuttle allows attendees to easily explore private art studios, live-in work studios, galleries and more throughout downtown Hartford.

About North East Expos, Inc.

North East Expos is family-owned and operated and has, for more than forty years, produced successful shows including the Connecticut Flower & Garden Show, and the Northeast Fishing & Hunting Show.
For more information, please visit NorthEastExpos.com.

About the Connecticut Convention Center

The Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford is the state’s premier meeting venue and the largest full-service convention facility between New York and Boston. Overlooking the beautiful Connecticut River, it features 140,000 square feet of exhibition space, a 40,000-square-foot ballroom and 25,000 square feet of meeting space, as well as ample sheltered parking. The venue is professionally managed for the State of Connecticut by Waterford Venue Services, an affiliate of Waterford Hotel Group.
For more information, please visit CTConventions.com.

2nd Annual Savor CT at the Connecticut Convention Center

Social Media Promotion

Savor CT in Hartford at the CT Convention Center

This weekend marked the 2^nd Annual Savor CT, a three-day celebration of wine, food, and spirits, at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT.

This event featured some of the world’s finest spirits, premier wines, craft beers and artisan food. Sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino, Savor CT is truly a food and beverage nirvana!

The Savor Grand Tasting also showcased some top talent in the culinary industry including Savor's host, Robert Irvine, host of Restaurant: Impossible on Food Network, James Beard nominee Chef Elizabeth Falkner, and Mary Ann Esposito, star of PBS's Ciao Italia. In addition, regional chefs, celebrities in their own right, were on hand giving demos or representing their local restaurants.

The Grand Tasting was all-inclusive and we were able to sample some amazing dishes, wines, craft beers and spirits.

In addition we got to see a wide array of chefs demonstrate some of their signature recipes and share some of their best tips and hints! Robert Irvine was his usual funny self,  and Mary Ann Esposito is as warm and welcoming in person as she is on television.

On Saturday evening we attended the Savor in Style Charity Gala, hosted by Robert Irvine, where we were able to experience some of the best of the best! Most items, including desserts, included suggested pairings!

We had such a great time at Savor and we are already looking forward to Savor III! As soon as dates and times are announced we'll be sure to share the news with you!

For more information visit Savor at www.savorct.com

Savor Gives Back: Savor is a proud supporter of the Robert Irvine Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that honors the men and women defending our country.

About the Connecticut Convention Center: This venue boasts a dramatic riverfront setting overlooking the beautiful Connecticut River at Adriaen’s Landing. The Convention Center is Connecticut’s premier meeting venue and the largest full-service convention facility between New York and Boston also features exceptional highway access at the crossroads of New England, where Interstates 84 and 91 meet.

For additional pictures visit the Home Place facebook page HERE

and while you're there, don't forget to "like" us!

Disclaimer: I was invited to Savor by members of the event's management and marketing staff, however all views and opinions are my own.

Thanksgiving in Hartford County at The Capital Grille

The Capital Grille to Open for Thanksgiving Day

The fine-dining establishment will offer traditional Thanksgiving favorites 

in addition to its signature dinner menu

For the third year, The Capital Grille will open for Thanksgiving Day, offering its full dinner menu in addition to the Executive Chef’s take on a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

When:                 Thursday, November 26, 2015  

                              11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

Where:                  44 Front Street

                              Hartford, CT 06103

                               860.244.0075

The Capital Grille is a fine-dining restaurant known for its dry-aged steaks and award-winning wine list in an atmosphere of relaxed elegance. 

In addition to serving its signature dishes, The Capital Grille will also offer a Thanksgiving feast, consisting of:

• Slow-Roasted Turkey, from Planfield Farm with Brioche Stuffing
• French Green Beans with Marcona Almonds 
• Cranberry Pear Chutney
• These dishes will also be accompanied by Sam’s Mashed Potatoes to share

Cost:  $36 per adult and $15 per child. 

For dessert, The Capital Grille will offer a Pumpkin Cheesecake for an additional $10. 

Reservations and additional details are available at thecapitalgrille.com.

 

Pumpkin Cheesecake
Photo Source: PepperComPR 

About The Capital Grille

The Capital Grille is a fine-dining restaurant that offers dry aged steaks, fresh seafood, an award-winning wine list and professional service in an atmosphere of relaxed elegance. Open seven days a week, The Capital Grille is best known for its expertly prepared steaks, custom-aged for 18 to 24 days in-house and butchered on premise. The restaurant’s wine list features more than 350 selections; and its floor-to-ceiling wine kiosk regularly houses 3,500–5,000 bottles. The Capital Grille also offers personalized, on-site wine lockers, available by annual lease.  Reservations are recommended, but not required.  For more information, please visit thecapitalgrille.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Taste of Hartford - Winter 2015

It's the BEST time of the year!

Taste of Hartford returns for Winter 2015, beginning January 19th and running through February 1st 2015.

Over 30 participating restaurants throughout Hartford will offer special multi-course, price-fixed menus for either $20.15 or $30.15. Taste of Hartford restaurant week is presented by the Greater Hartford Arts Council in partnership with CTNow.

Reservations are highly recommended, so book your tables early.


Participating Restaurants Below:

Agave Grill – RW Menu – (860) 882-1557
Bear’s Smokehouse – RW Menus – (860) 724-3100
bin228 – RW Menu – (860) 244-9463
Black-Eyed Sally’s– RW Menu – (860) 278-7427
The Capital Grille – RW Menus – (860) 244-0075
Carbone’s – RW Menu – (860) 296-9646
Casona – RW Menu Coming Soon – (860) 519-5590
City Steam Brewery – RW Menu – (860) 525-1600
Costa Del Sol – RW Menu – (860) 296-1714
Coyote Flaco – RW Menu – (860) 953-1299
Dish – RW Menu Coming Soon – (860) 249-3474
Feng Asian Bistro – RW Menu Coming Soon – (860)549-3364
Ficara’s Restaurant – RW Menu Coming Soon – (860) 296-3238
Firebox – RW Menu – (860) 246-1222
First & Last Tavern – RW Menu – (860) 956-6000
Francesco’s Ristorante & Lounge – RW Menu Coming Soon – (860) 296-3024
Front Street Bistro – RW Menu – (860) 422-7711
Hot Tomato’s – RW Menu Coming Soon – (860) 249.5100
Infinity Bistro – RW Menu – (860) 560-7757
J Restaurant & Bar – RW Menu – (860) 527-7764
La Fonda – RW Menu Coming Soon – (860) 296-8256
Majorca – RW Menu Coming Soon – (860) 231-1003
Max Downtown – RW Menu – (860) 522-2530
m&m Bistro – RW Menu Coming Soon – (860) 240-7222
NIXS Hartford – RW Menu Coming Soon – (860) 373-9400
Nutshell Cafe – RW Menu – (860) 956-2836
On20 – RW Menu – (860) 722-5161
Peppercorns – RW Menus – (860) 547-1714
Salute  – RW Menu – (860) 899-1350
Sorella – RW Menu – (860) 244-9084
Ted’s Montana Grill – RW Menus – (860) 692-1167
Trumbull Kitchen – RW Menu – (860) 493-7412
U.S.S. Chowder Pot IV – RW Menu – (860) 244-3311
Vito’s by the Park – RW Menu Coming Soon – (860) 244-2200
VIVO – RW Menu – (860) 760.2333
Wood-N-Tap – RW Menu – (860) 232-8277

- See more at: http://www.connecticutrestaurantweek.com/restaurant-weeks-ct/taste-of-hartford/

WinterFest Skating in Hartford CT at the Bushnell Park

From January 10th 2015 - February 1st 2015 you can skate for free 7-days-a-week at the Winterfest ice rink on the east side of Bushnell Park near the Pump House.

Come after work, on your lunch break or as a part of a trip downtown to see some of the city's cultural treasures.

Don't have your own skates?

Visit the Skate Shack next to the rink for free skate rentals until 7:15, 45 minutes before the rink closes.

Want to learn how to skate this winter? Head to the Winterfest rink for FREE ice-skating lessons from Champions Skating Center instructors. Lessons are open to future skaters of all ages, and the skates are free too.

Winterfest is brought to you by the iQuilt Partnership and the City of Hartford.

Bushnell Park

100 Wells St
Hartford, CT 06103

(860) 232-6710

Play Nice at NIXS Hartford Restaurant

Social Media Sampling

NIXS Hartford - #PlayNice

The Front Street District in Hartford is abuzz with activity. With the recent opening of the Infinity Theater and Ted's Montana Grille, as well as last year's opening of the Capital Grille the area just keeps getting better and better.  With the Connecticut Convention Center directly across the street on Columbus Avenue, the Hartford riverfront district is quickly becoming a destination area, with great food and fun entertainment.

NIXS Hartford, another recent addition to Front Street, is mixing the two with an eclectic menu, a chic industrial modern interior, and a nightlife vibe with its launch of club music on weekends.

We headed up on a late August Tuesday night for a sampling of some of the snacks, small plates, and large plates available off their extensive menu that features raw bar offerings, sea, land, and garden items, as well as ala carte dinners, and 'comfort' sides.

We started with cocktails off their Specialty Signature Drink menu, taking recommendations from our waiter Christopher. The cocktail menu is fun and features items such as the Beach Please (made with house infused pineapple vodka), Strawberry Rhubarb Smash (Temptation Bourbon and Rhubarb Bitters), Bazzle Dazzle (Bombay Gin, muddled basil), Bad Wolf, (Rye, honey syrup, orange and lemon juice), and the William Fly Tai (Pyrat Rum, Lime Juice, Amaretto).. I elected to stray from my usual sweet drink craving and instead selected the Dirty Rotten Scoundrel (Belvedere Vodka, olive brine, capers, and a blue cheese stuffed olive). It was just what I was hankering for, the smooth vodka, infused with briny flavor, was suitable for sipping throughout the evening.

Signature Cocktails at NIXS Hartford

Moving on to our snacks we sampled pickled beets from the day's chef's daily pickling menu...

Tuesday's Pickled Beets

...and we learned about Captain Nix's Tasting Trio, a special that changes daily and features the Chef's daily tacos, paired with three shooters from the signature cocktail menu.

Captain Nix's Tasting Trio (Changes Daily)
Pictured: Beach Please and Tuna Tartare Tacos

From the Snack Menu we tried the Candied Bacon Deviled Eggs, a delicious starter item, with the smokey bacon flavor permeating through the creamy yolk filling.

Candied Bacon Deviled Eggs

We also sampled the fillings from some of their more popular small bites, a tender pork belly, tuna, and chuck lobster from their famous "Best Damn Lobster Roll". Each bite was delightful and set the mark high for the items that followed.

Pork Belly, Tuna Crudite, Lobster Knuckle and Claw

Next on the small plates menu were a two types of Tater Tots, a sweet crab and lobster.

Tater Tots

Next we sampled the tacos, two made with soft flour tacos and the other with a crispy corn taco.  The first was Braised Short Rib Tacos with creamy black beans, green apple slaw, and goat cheese fondue. Of course, these were the Cowboy's favorite, the tender beef was braised to perfection and the apple slaw added a wonderful tang.

Braised Short Rib Taco

These were followed by the Crispy Fish Tacos with avocado, cilantro sour cream, pico de gallo. The cilantro sour cream and the pico de gallo elevated the flavor to what might have otherwise been a simple dish.

Crispy Fish Tacos

Rounding out the tacos, were one of my favorite small plates of the night, the Tuna Tartare Tacos with avocado, cilantro, and spicy sesame mayo.

Tuna Tartare Tacos

Also available from the Garden Small Plates menu are a variety of flat bread pizzas. We sampled the Margherita Flat Bread,  made with tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, and drizled with extra virgin olive oil. Also available is a Wild Mushroom Flat Bread made with Fontina val d' aosta, arugula and ricotto salato.

Flat Bread Pizza

We sampled NIXS' Chicken Wings that are available in classic hot, honey dijon, or ginger soy.

Chicken Wings

It was with the large plates menu that we really found our groove. NIXS Grilled Hangar Steak with a spicy chimichurri sauce. The sauce enhanced the flavors of the char-grilled steak, which was cooked to perfection for the cut, a beautiful medium rare.

Grilled Hangar Steak

But perhaps my favorite large plate was the Bad Ass Roasted Chicken, with sweet corn, onions, and bacon, roasted with rosemary.  While rosemary typically isn't one of my favorite spices, this chicken was fantastic, with great fall holiday flavors in every bite.

Bad Ass Roasted Chicken

Our last Large Plate selection was NIXS version of Surf and Turf, a  grilled swordfish with candied pork belly. I had tried this combination at the NIXS VIP Opening in a small bite sample so I wasn't surprised at the unusual pairing and already knew how well it worked together. The silky richness of the pork was the perfect accompaniment to the well seared swordfish. The swordfish, just a tad bit overdone due to the super sear, was still moist and flavorful.

Surf and Turf - Swordfish and Candied Pork Belly

We sampled two of NIXS sides, the Herb Risotto and the Smoked Mac and Cheese. The risotto was excellent, and a wonderful large portion perfect for sharing on our upcoming cool autumn nights. And the Smoked Mac and Cheese was everything I hoped it would be, creamy, cheesy, melt in your mouth good.

(L) Herb Risotto and (R) Smoked Mac and Cheese

Our dessert course allowed us to be a little 'hands-on' with our food! A plateful of still warm Zeppoles with a two sides of filling that we could inject ourselves!  A creamy vanilla custard and a sweet caramel sauce!  What fun!

The Whimsical Zeppoles 

Other desserts included a S'more Parfait with caramel pudding, graham crackers, and roasted marshmallows, Scotch & Cereal, a 12 year old scotch infused with Captain Crunch Cereal Milk, accompanied by a Captain Crunch Treat scotch caramel treat. Although the S'more Parfait did include some chocolate chips, the consensus at the table was that it needed a bit more chocolate to live up to its s'more counterpart. We also sampled a dessert cocktail, the Root Beer Float, a frothy little concoction packed with flavor, a light ending to wonderful meal.

NIXS Desserts - Root Beer Float

Through out the evening General Manager Yaz and Executive Chef John made themselves available to answer questions, checking in frequently with us, as well as other dining patrons.

We loved the casual vibe that NIXS offers, and we're certain that it will soon become a favorite stop for Hartford dining and drinks. Service is friendly and fast paced.

NIXS Interior

We enjoyed NIXS Hartford and hope you do too! 

NIXS Hartford

40 Front Street, Hartford, CT

860-373-9400

info@nixshartford.com 

Web: http://www.nixshartford.com/

Like them on facebook ==> https://www.facebook.com/nixshartford

Follow them on twitter ==> https://twitter.com/NIXSHartford

Follow them on instagram ==> http://instagram.com/NIXSHartford

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Disclaimer: We were invited to this menu sampling by members of NIXS Hartford's public relations and management team. However, all opinions are our own.