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Saturday, June 9, 2012

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!

Friday, June 8, 2012

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?

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Branford Restaurant Week 2012 - Donovan's Reef

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

Today the cowboy wanted to select the participating restaurant, and he chose Donovan's Reef in the historic Lockworks area in Branford center.

The Branford Locksworks building area was a booming factory in the late 1800s, one of the businesses brought to Branford with railroad construction, along with Malleable Iron Fittings (MIF) and Atlantic Wire (where my dad worked in the late 1950s to early 60s). The Locksworks area retains the charm of the architecture of the time with the original factory brickwork still apparent both inside and out. And the cowboy is just a big ole' romantic at heart, because Donovan's Reef (called the Coral Reef at the time) was where we went on our first date, which is why he later explained that he chose it. (A collective "awwww" please!) It will be 21 years this September since that first date!

On our arrival we were quickly seated and then welcomed by Debbie, our waitress. We pondered over both the main house menu and Donovan's Reef Restaurant Week Menu for a bit. The cowboy decided he wanted to order off the menu. He chose the crock of Liz's Chili:

It was meaty with tiny bits of fresh peppers and covered with a blend of cheddar cheeses. Just enough heat to warm you but not smokin' hot! Shame on me for not finding out who Liz is and why this chili is named for her!

As if you didn't know by now, I'm staying with my restaurant week selections (!!) and chose the Baby Green Salad: with crumbled bleu cheese, sliced pears, glazed pecans and crumbled Gorgonzola, topped with a light white balsamic vinaigrette.

The menu didn't list them, but my favorite craisans are in here too!

Next was our main course, and the cowboy went with the Old Faithful, an 8 oz. burger served with lettuce and tomatoes. For a mere 50cents each you can add bacon, sauteed mushrooms, onions, peppers, or choice of cheese (Cheddar, American, Swiss). You know it! He paired up the Old Faithful Burger with American Cheese and a perfect slice of red onion!

Look at that cheeseburger! It's a work of art! Debbie explained that the grilled egg dough buns were a new addition to the burgers, and it topped the burger off, just right.

I chose the Sauteed Shrimp: With artichokes, peas, grape tomatoes, and kalamata olives in a lemon and garlic sauce tossed with rigatoni pasta.

Folks, even though this is listed as a garlic sauce, it was very light and not overpowering like some garlic sauces can be. I even had to ask for a spoon so I could enjoy it on its own! The sweet young peas and grape tomatoes contrasted nicely with the tartness of the artichokes and olives.

Here's a close up of the party on my fork!

Debbie brought over my dessert course, Arborio Rice Pudding served in this beautiful martini class and topped with heaping of whipped cream.

Arborio rice is also used when making risotto and is named for the town of Arborio in the Po Valley in Italy by the western Alps.

Donovan's Reef is one of those places you want to go back to again and again! Debbie, our waitress, when asked about what she loves best about working at Donovan's replied without hesitation, "our customers!" She's been at Donovan's Reef for the past seven years and is one of those real People Persons. She couldn't say enough wonderful things about working at Donovan's, and about the owner Greg, who we then learned was the original owner of Coral Reef back when we went there on our first date in 1991!

Here's a tour of Donovan's Reef and some of the beautiful details of the building: