Take Out

Hi socially distant people!

I'm doing a quick run down of places where we have ordered take out and my opinion...of course.  I completely understand that under different circumstances the food may be better and life is a little wonky right now.  I'll try not to be harsh, but I'll also be honest.

Kai's Place:  We've only eaten a few things there and I have to say the boneless pork, chicken teriyaki sticks and egg rolls are all very good

JK's:  Same as always.  We order breakfast sandwiches quite often and we sit in the parking lot and eat. We have it down to a system.

Chuck's Steak House:  This one pains me a bit.  Lee ordered the steak and he said it was good, but I ordered a medium burger and it was not so good.  Way over cooked and dry.  I've been dreaming of a Chuck's steak burger, but it was just a nightmare.  Oops, that was harsh! Sorry, I just really love their burgers and my disappointment came through.

Wooster Cafe:  We both got the breakfast bowls and again we ate in the parking lot.  They were good.  I don't know if anyone has noticed that I have a slight egg addiction.

Olive Garden:  Same as always, not much to say.

Captain Lou's Chowdah House:  Pretty good, but the fried fish lost it's crunch by the time we got home.  Not their fault, just the distance.  The chowder was still yummy.

American Pie:  We ate our gobbler sandwiches in their parking lot.  That is definitely one of my favorites.  Good onion rings too.

Prime Pub:  The burgers we ordered were very good and still warm when we got home.  I LOVE their tater tots.

El Coyote:  I'm normally a huge fan of this place buuuttt when we ordered to go, no me gusta!!  My chimichangas were soggy and gross.  Lee even said that his enchiladas weren't up to par.  For those who don't know, we literally live up the street from this place so there's no reason that it should have been so cocky

Hopkins Inn:  Lee surprised me and ordered food from here for Mother's Day.  Keep in mind that it is probably 40 minutes away so we weren't sure if the food would still be hot and delicious.  Guess what?  The food was still hot, the scallops were amazing and the vegetables were the best I've ever had.

This is an overview of what I've experienced with take out during this fun time.  Maybe I will start posting food I'm making with recipes.  That's if I haven't gotten too chubby to get off of my couch that has literally molded to my ass.

My Kitchen - Arroz Con Pollo

So yummy!!

My Kitchen - Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

My Kitchen

Homemade Pizza 

I made the crust in my bread maker and you can see the rest!

My Kitchen: Mac and Cheese

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday so no meat for me.  Here is the mac and cheese recipe.  There are a few adjustments.  I added some sliced provolone, Land O' Lakes American cheese and locatelli cheese.  I also topped it with a little cheddar cheese, more locatelli and panko bread crumbs.  It was very yummy, if I do say so myself.  I didn't make a vegetable and I should have to make it a more complete meal, that's why there are only 4 thumbs up. The kitchen staff sucked because the dishes weren't washed until this morning.

Rating: 👍👍👍👍

G. W. Tavern - Washington Depot, CT

This was another beautiful Sunday ride!!  The tavern had a warm and cozy ambiance.  Many photos and busts of President Washington adorned the dining areas.  The room with the bar has a huge fireplace and it appears that there is outside dining during the nice weather.  Very homey.

Our server was one of the best we have ever had.  She was on the ball with everything even though it got quite busy.  She was exceptional!! Lee didn't even have to ask for more coffee. The food was meh.  It wasn't bad, but it wasn't anything great.  Lee ordered a breakfast skillet that was good and it came with toast and fruit on the side.  I had the quiche with a small salad.  Unfortunately, my quiche was cold.  Not a sitting around cold, but a not completely cooked through cold.  I do really like when I get a salad or fruit with my brunch.  It's nice to have a little freshness. 

Before I give you my rating I want to say that there won't be many reviews for a while.  Lee and I have decided to eat at home more due to all the viruses going around.  Maybe I will take pictures of our dinners (only if they look good) and post them with a recipe, if there is a recipe.

Rating: 🍍🍍🍍

www.gwtavern.com

West Street Grill - Litchfield, CT

Lee and I decided to go for a ride last weekend and we ended up in Litchfield.  What a nice ride!!  I don't think there is anything more beautiful than the sun hitting the trees on a cold winter day!
We stumbled upon this restaurant that has fabulous photographs of horses on the walls with a pleasant decor. 

I'm going to start with a small negative this time.  The service was lacking, but it was our waiters' second day, so he gets a pass, but I was surprised that the other waiters didn't step in to help him. 
The owner is a very nice man who walked around, checked on his guests, and cleared tables when needed.  It was impressive.

Lee ordered the ravioli and I ordered the croque madame.  The waiter asked if we wanted bread for the table, but we didn't get it for quite a while. When we did get it, it was freshly made and nice and crusty. 😋 Lee's ravioli was yummy and my croque madame was out of this world delicious.  I gave Lee the salad that came with my meal, but I did taste the very good dressing.  We both got creme brulee for dessert.  All in all a very nice place to eat, a little pricey, but it is Litchfield.

Rating: 😊😊😊😊

www.weststreetgrill.com

J. Lawrence Downtown - Bethel, CT

Lee and I went to J. Lawrence last weekend for brunch.  The place was hoppin'.  We were seated near the bathroom, which wasn't a problem, but it was freezing.  The waitstaff was friendly and discombobulated.  Lee ordered steak and eggs with coffee.  He said it may be the best steak and eggs that he ever tasted.  I ordered eggs benedict.  I wasn't thrilled with mine, but it was my own fault.  I didn't wear my glasses while reading the menu so I didn't see that there was avocado on the benny.  I don't like avocado and it was mushed up so I couldn't even get rid of it.  YUCK!  Other than me being a dufus, the food was good.

The service was another story.  It was not good.  Lee asked for more coffee twice without getting a refill, no spoon and had to request sugar.  I would think those things would be automatic.  The staff seemed a little chaotic and unorganized.  I personally think that service is as important as the food being good. 

Rating: 🍳🍳🍳

jlawrencect.com

I forgot to take a picture of the food so you get to see my sleepy dog.

The Olive Tree Restaurant: Woodbury, CT

Anyone who follows my reviews should sit down right now.  I have been called a tough critic and I agree that I can be tough.  I also believe in telling the truth through my taste buds, so this review will be shocking!

I do not have one single complaint!!!!  Lee and I went to The Olive Tree for lunch yesterday and it was one of the most pleasant experiences we've ever had at a restaurant.  The place is beautiful and the service impeccable.  After we ordered, the waitress brought us pita bread with hummus and a sour cream cucumber dip. So good and different.

Lee ordered the lobster bisque, which was delicious and I wish i had gotten a cup.  I ordered the open steak sandwich with fries and hubby got the strip steak with mashed potatoes.  Delicious!  The steak was so good that it didn't need salt or anything.  Then to top it all off we got dessert.  Lee had carrot cake, which seemed home made and I had a Greek dessert, I don't remember the name of it.  It was crispy filo dough filled with custard and drizzled with a syrup.  This was the most awesome dessert I've ever eaten.  I mean that I dream about it and can't wait to go back to eat the yumminess.

Everyone needs to give this place a try. FYI, it's closed on Sunday and Monday.

Rating: 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

www.theolivetreewoodbury.com

Evergreen Inn and Tavern - Woodbury, CT

This is the place that used tho be the Curtis House, which Lee and I loved.  We were so sad when it was sold and renovations began.  Both of us really liked the old world feeling and the comfort food menu at the Curtis House.  It was awesome to go there on a Sunday afternoon for lupper (lunch and supper combo).  We were curious about the changes that the new owners have made.  They are a couple from California.  I was praying that they didn't turn this beautiful old Inn into a trendy spot.

Hubby and I decided to give their brunch a try.  We walked in and it looked updated, but not destroyed.  Something was missing and I couldn't put my finger on it.  Then I realized that the charm is gone!  It felt kind of cold.  Too much trying to mix in modern, but that's just my opinion.

We both ordered the 3 course menu.  Lee had French onion soup, eggs benedict florentine and chocolate cake.  I ordered a caesars salad, eggs benedict with pork belly and chocolate cake.  Lee's soup was not good at all and my salad was slightly wilted.  Our eggs came out with broken, clumpy hollandaise sauce and salad on the plate.  I really wish the server had asked me if I realized that I was getting 2 salads.  The eggs were cooked well and the pork belly was tasty.  The service was on the slower side.  We had to ask for forks for our dessert, which was actually the best part of the meal.  I wasn't impressed and probably won't return.  In all fairness, I really loved this place before, so I may be being a little harsh.

Rating: 🍳🍳

www.evergreeninnwoodbury.com

440 Line - New Fairfield, CT

Lee and I went for a ride one Sunday and we decided to stop in to 440 Line.  It was about noon on a Sunday and they had just opened.  The only people there were the bartender and the chef.  I had been there a couple nights before for a fundraiser, but I didn't eat anything.  The food looked good when it was coming out of the kitchen that night.  

The bartender was a very nice woman and the chef also chatted with us for a while.  I ordered a burger and Lee ordered a cheese steak sandwich.  The food was alright.  My burger was a french soup burger and I wish there was more of a selection burger wise.  Lee thought his sandwich was on the skimpy side.  The fries were yummy.  I'm honestly still on the fence about this place for food.  It may be more of a bar, but I'm not sure yet.  We went at an odd time.  

I want to give this place another try and see how it goes.  For now I will rate it with a question mark.

Rating:  ???

www.the440line.com

Cool Hand Dukes - New Milford, CT

Cool Hand Dukes is situated on the lovely street next to the old train station in New Milford.  I think it used to be a German Restaurant.  As you walk in the front door there are 2 or 3 steps to walk down.  It looks nice enough inside.  There are some booths and a few tables in a fairly open space. 

We were seated quickly and given the menus.  Okay, this is where I get a little funky.  I really don't like when restaurants try to make up cute and utterly ridiculous names for their food.  No one wants to say your stupid names for food.  The items were also numbered, which made it a little better, but still very stupid.  Lee ordered a #2 Odd or Even? ODD!  Yes, that is the name! It's a beef burger, cheddar, bacon, sauteed onion with dukes sauce.  Dukes sauce is very spicy, but the waitress failed to tell Lee this fact.
I ordered... #14 Very Dangerous...You Go First.  Just dumb!!  It's a beef burger, swiss, sauteed mushrooms, spinach, horseradish remoulade.  I asked for no spinach (not allowed to eat) and sauce on the side.  Lee had a tough time getting through his burger, because he isn't a fan of anything spicy.  I wasn't thrilled, because the bun was very greasy. Not a yummy buttery greasy, a yucky greasy. It almost tasted like the grill wasn't very clean.  The tater tots couldn't even make up for the icky bun.

There were at least four waitresses working and it took forever to get our check, because not one of them were around.  It was very strange.  Occasionally, we would see the bartender come in and out from the back and then a waitress in and out from the back, but mostly not on the floor.  Not a very good first impression.

Rating: 😞😞

www.coolhand-dukes.com

Prime Pub - Danbury, CT

The restaurant is very nice inside, but the setup isn't great.  When we walked in the front door, there wasn't anyone around to great us and there was no way for anyone in the back room to see customers as they enter.  There is a hostess stand, but no host/hostess.  Lee and I had to walk to the back of the restaurant and still had to wait to be acknowledged.  Not a great start!  Then we waited a decent amount of time to be waited on, but it was busy so I'm reasonable.
We both ordered the Prime Pub burger.  It has sauteed mushrooms, swiss cheese and truffle aioli.  I asked for the aioli on the side.  There are choices for sides and we both decided on tater tots.  I mean seriously, who can resist a good tot?!  The burgers were cooked perfectly and very enjoyable.  Crap, now I really want a burger!  Darn it!  Why am I making pasta sauce for dinner? Ugh!

If something is done about the setup and service gets a little better, I think it could be a solid 4/5 rating.

Rating: Service: 😐😐😐
             Food:🍔🍔🍔🍔

www.primepubdanbury.com

Empire Szechuan - Ridgefield, CT

When we entered the restaurant we realized it was nothing to look at.  There were a few small tables, no artwork and no ambiance.  It smelled okay.  I hate when places smell weird to me.  I have to admit that I do have a super smeller, so sometimes I can smell things no one else can.  It's kind of odd.  Anyway, we didn't know what to expect.  We sat at a table and there was one guy sitting at another table.  The phone rang like crazy, so we figured that most of their business is take out.  Lee got his usual chicken with broccoli and I ordered chicken with garlic sauce.  The food came out quickly and delicious.  The servings were generous.  I almost forgot that I got spring rolls that were very good. 
This isn't the place to go for a lovely date night, but it was a good place to grab some good food after shopping. 

Rating: 👌👌👌

www.empireszechuanridgefield.com

Sinapi's - Danbury, CT

Sorry it's been a while since I've posted, but the holidays zoomed by quickly. 

Lee was in the mood for pizza, but when isn't Lee in the mood for pizza!  I'm very rarely in the mood for pizza.  We went to Sinapi's, because I know there is always something for me to eat there.  Lee ordered a pizza and a salad and he enjoyed his dinner.  I got the ziti with eggplant. I LOVE their ziti with eggplant.  The plate is so full that I brought about half of it home and my son finished the yumminess.  The service is always quick and friendly.  It's a great place to grab a quick bite of pretty good Italian food.

Rating:🍝🍝🍝🍝

www.sinapispizza.com