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.

Parallel Post Christmas & Holiday 2014 Celebrations in Trumbull CT

Following their celebratory second anniversary in late November, Parallel Post is continuing to spread the holiday cheer this month.  From festive gatherings and dedicated Christmas and New Year’s Eve menus to newly unveiled body-warming cocktail creations, Parallel Post is jumping full swing into the season.

Executive Chef Chris Molyneux will showcase his skills with two holiday-specific menus inspired by seasonal offerings.

Christmas Dinner

A four-course Christmas Day dinner ($45++/$60++ inclusive of wine/beer pairings) will be served from 12:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m. on December 25th, 2014 with open seating.

Christmas Dinner at Parallel Post

The Christmas Dinner will feature items such as Fire Roasted Copps Island Oysters; Prime Rib Espresso Crusted Rib Roast, roasted sweet onion au gratin, greens and au jus; ending with Chocolate Panna Cotta, sea-salted caramel sauce and toasted hazelnuts.


New Year's Eve Dinner Celebration

Bringing the season to a close, the New Year’s Eve four-course menu ($45++/$60++inclusive of wine/beer pairings and a complimentary champagne toast) will be served from 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. on December 31st, 2014 with open seating.

New Year's Eve at Parallel Post

The celebration will highlight dishes such as Endive Salad, beets, pomegranate, goat cheese, figs, walnuts and Clementine vinaigrette; Grilled Rabbit Rack, sweet potato, Benton’s bacon, greens and roasted vegetables; and topped off with Espresso Chocolate Cake.

Holiday Specialty Cocktails

Parallel Post’s leading mixologist Gregory "Bootleg Greg" Genias has created a holiday cocktail menu filled with sweet citrus, creamy flavorings, rums, wines, and liqueurs guaranteed to satisfy the palate.  For those in need of a defrosting, wrap your hands around a hot mug of XMAS Tea ($10), infused with red wine, cardamom, cinnamon, orange, apples, dark berries, brandy and Drambuie; or toast your body with Natural is the Mystic ($12), mixed with JP Weiser vanilla spiced whiskey, homemade orange cello, hot water, fresh orange peels, and a tea ball steeped with cloves and Stevia leaves for sweetener. For patrons looking for an alternative to the traditional eggnog, savor the Dr. Phil’s 3-Cream Coquito ($12), blended with evaporated milk, condensed milk, fresh coconut cream, Bacardi white, Onyx 111 moonshine, cinnamon, nutmeg, and thyme.

Holiday Drinks at Parallel Post
L-R
(L) Natural is the Mystic, (Center) XMAS Tea, (R) Dr. Phil's Three-Cream-Coquito

ABOUT PARALLEL POST

Chef Dean James Max returns to his farm-raised roots in his latest venture, Parallel Post at the Trumbull Marriott Merritt Parkway. Offering a bold and flavorful menu featuring modern American cuisine with Northeastern regional flair, Parallel Post brings an unseen level of quality and creativity to the culinary landscape of Trumbull, Connecticut.  The intimate, yet casual eatery uses seasonal, local ingredients prepared with contemporary, healthy techniques.  The menu is comprised of a wide array of options from snacks to small plates, large entrée, and multi-course tasting menu.

Parallel Post serves breakfast Monday through Friday from 6:30 to 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; lunch Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and dinner daily from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Parallel Post is located at 180 Hawley Lane, Trumbull, CT.
For more information, please visit www.ParallelPostRestaurant.com or call 203.380.6380.

Whole Foods Market at Bishops Corner West Hartford CT for Holiday Recipe Ideas!

Every year I mull over the same predicaments! What to serve for holiday dinners!?!? 

Not necessarily the ones where the entire family gathers on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, but appetizers and dinners that I can serve for friends dropping in for casual dinners and get-togethers!

Thankfully, I don't have too far to look for inspiration.  Great ideas can be found in my local Whole Foods Market. Unfortunately, for me, that's about a 40 minute drive to the Hartford/Glastonbury area from my hometown of Branford CT!

But as I was lamenting the fact that they're not right around the corner from me while I was there last week , Whole Foods Corporate tweeted me that they are always looking for new locations to open!  How's that for active listening to their consumers???

So, if you would like the great folks at Whole Foods to consider opening in an area near you, here's where you can make your recommendation ==>  bit.ly/1iXTJAJ 

At the event I recently attended at Whole Foods Market in Bishops Corner West Hartford CT, many of their culinary experts gathered to give us some great ideas for all the upcoming holiday soirees!

And I also got to meet up with some local bloggers I've been following, Carrie from Poet in the Pantry, Allie from VitaTrain4Life, Erica from Erica: Thoughts of an Organic Mama , Jess from Foodette Reviews, and of course, Wendy and Greg from Connecticut Lifestyles Magazine.

I started with some of their savory ideas. My favorite was the Crispy Risotto Ball served on a bed of pureed sweet potato, prepared by Chef Bryce. So crispy good and delicately fried on the outside, with soft and creamy risotto on the inside. Then I swirled a few bites into the sweet potato puree to take me right straight into holiday heaven food bliss! So good and this would be a great appetizer or side dish to serve at any holiday party.

Chef Bryce's Crispy Risotto Ball

My favorite inspired protein of the evening was the Grilled Lamb. I'm a little sheepish (PUNNY) to admit that I've never prepared lamb at home, although it is something I always order when I'm out. However, Chef Devlin furnished me with a recipe that just might get me over my trepidation of preparing it!

Devlin prepares rack of lamb

And Devlin also showed a simple yet creative way to display your lamb when serving it. Simply mound it up on a stack of grilled vegetables surrounded by some simple holiday decor! Recipe for the Rack of Lamb HERE.

For seafood we were treated to some of Craig's lobster tails and some bacon wrapped shrimp and scallops. Did you know that you can purchase party packs of bacon wrapped scallops and shrimp at Whole Foods?

What a great idea! Pop them in the oven with no fuss while you mingle with your guests!

Then I moved on to some of the sweets! We were able to sample some Bourbon Pecan Pie, Dairy Free "Cheesecake" , Chocolate Biscotti (Recipe HERE), and Cocoa Oat Truffles (Recipe HERE)!

Clockwise, L-R
Top L: Dairy Free Cheesecake, Top R Cocoa Oat Truffles
Bottom R: Chocolate Biscotti, Bottom L: Bourbon Pecan Pie

To cap the evening off with a beverage, we sampled a great alternative to the traditional heavy and rich eggnog! This one is called Almond-Nog, and it's quite light in consistency because of the Almond Milk, but still has that nice holiday flavor.

As you can see they used a banana as a thickener. I think when I make it I'm going to use a frozen banana to make it almost milkshake-like. YUM! And healthy too!

Almond-Nog

Thanks to Whole Foods in Bishops Corner West Hartford CT for the wonderful holiday cheer and inspiration!

Look for great events at YOUR local Whole Foods Market! 

Incredible specials, a calendar of events, cooking classes, holiday magazines, and more!

For more pictures from this event visit the Home Place Facebook page HERE!

What's on your holiday menu this season?

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

The Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood for the Holidays!

Established in 1996 and owned by local residents, The Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood is a destination  known for its sea-faring atmosphere, waterfront location, fabulous food, and attentive service.

Now is the time get together with loved ones over the holidays and enjoy this wonderful time of year at The Restaurant.

Meet your friends and family over a delicious lunch or dinner, or even Sunday brunch, while enjoying the coastal view and cozy fireplace.

The Restaurant is open 7-days a week serving lunch and dinner. Watch a glorious sunset and enjoy good times with friends.

Having a holiday party at home? Let the Rowayton Seafood Market (open year-round) be your secret chef with plenty of crowd-pleasing party ready appetizers and entrees to choose from.

Photo Source: The Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood Facebook Page

The Restaurant is currently accepting New Year's Eve reservations, but is filling up fast- They look forward to ringing in 2014 with you!

The Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood

89 Rowayton Avenue

Rowayton, CT | 06853

                                                       203.866.4488                                                         

www.rowaytonseafood.com 

 Like them on Facebook HERE