By James V. Ruocco
The other day I was having dinner in Westport at one of my favorite restaurants when the head chef approached me halfway through the meal asking, " 'Where's your new dining column, Jim? I looked everywhere online but couldn't find it. I thought it was supposed to come out months ago. Have you written it yet? What's happening?' "
Good question, mate.
In actuality, I was hoping to launch my new "Dining Out" restaurant review column months and months ago. When that didn't happen, I decided to postpone it indefinitely. Why, you ask? Well, a number of reasons. Ever-changing weekly work schedules, a very active social life, too much British telly, lots of theater review commitments and opening nights, the launch of two additional "From the Desk of Jim R" columns and multiple business/shopping commitments completely derailed the entire project.
Yes, I was still dining out two or three times a week, but nothing was put on paper. Not even a note, a 5-STAR rating, a cheeky barb or a detailed expose about the actual meal. Regardless, there was still lots of interest from friends, family, restaurant owners, chefs and loved ones.
Yes, I was still dining out two or three times a week, but nothing was put on paper. Not even a note, a 5-STAR rating, a cheeky barb or a detailed expose about the actual meal. Regardless, there was still lots of interest from friends, family, restaurant owners, chefs and loved ones.
So, I said, "Well, I really need to set aside some valuable writing time and get this new column off the ground."
But, problems soon arose.
I couldn't find the right name.
I couldn't find the right design.
I couldn't find the right format.
I couldn't decide on what photos to use or not to use.
I also was going to limit my dining experience to Connecticut-based restaurants only.
But that, of course, soon changed.
Since I can write about anything, anytime, anywhere, I decided "Dining Out" would have absolutely no restrictions. And that, set the ball in motion.
So, let's get down to business.
I couldn't find the right name.
I couldn't find the right design.
I couldn't find the right format.
I couldn't decide on what photos to use or not to use.
I also was going to limit my dining experience to Connecticut-based restaurants only.
But that, of course, soon changed.
Since I can write about anything, anytime, anywhere, I decided "Dining Out" would have absolutely no restrictions. And that, set the ball in motion.
So, let's get down to business.
This "Dining Out" column will reflect my dining experiences in the United States and all over the world. The latter, of course, will take place only when time permits. Or simply when I'm on vacation and fine dining is the bill of fare.
I will take you out for brunch, dinner, breakfast and a lunch or two.
I will take you out for brunch, dinner, breakfast and a lunch or two.
You'll get the full account of my experience at a given restaurant, the people, the staff, the menu, the pricing, the ambiance, the art, the design. And, oh, yes, some very witty, stinging, cheeky commentary about the dining elite themselves. Or whatever, strikes my fancy.
That's not all.
You'll also get interviews with the chefs themselves, feature stories about the actual restaurants, choice recipes from the masters themselves (from their kitchens and mine) with 'how to prepare' instructions. Plus in-depth stories about French cheese, mouth-watering desserts and holiday-themed dining events and parties.
That's not all.
You'll also get interviews with the chefs themselves, feature stories about the actual restaurants, choice recipes from the masters themselves (from their kitchens and mine) with 'how to prepare' instructions. Plus in-depth stories about French cheese, mouth-watering desserts and holiday-themed dining events and parties.
So, let's begin.
Following this introductory column, the dining reviews will commence.
Some, of course, will be brand new, first-time experiences. Others will be reviews of restaurants that remain personal favorites of mine.
I will also be taking suggestions from friends, family and loved ones on "Twitter," "Facebook," "Pinterest" "Instagram" and other social media.
The list, of restaurants, under consideration for review, are as follows.
Following this introductory column, the dining reviews will commence.
Some, of course, will be brand new, first-time experiences. Others will be reviews of restaurants that remain personal favorites of mine.
I will also be taking suggestions from friends, family and loved ones on "Twitter," "Facebook," "Pinterest" "Instagram" and other social media.
The list, of restaurants, under consideration for review, are as follows.
l’escale, Greenwich, CT
Union League Café, New Haven. CT
121 Restaurant at Oxford Airport, Oxford,CT
Kawa Ni, Westport, CT
Max's Oyster Bar, West Hartford, CT
Crab Shell, Stamford,CT
Gold's Delicatessen, Westport,CT
The White Hart, Salisbury,CT
The Village Restaurant, Litchfield, CT
The White Horse Country Pub, Washington, CT
The Wharf Restaurant at the Madison Beach Hotel, Madison, CT
The Whelk, Westport, CT
Mama's Boy, South Norwalk, CT
Arethusa al tavalo, Bantam, CT
Barcelona Restaurant, Fairfield, CT
Parallel Post, Trumbull, CT
The Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood, Rowayton, CT
The L Restaurant, Middlebury, CT
Elm, New Canaan, CT
Carol Peck's Good News Cafe, Woodbury, CT
Canoe Club, Middletown, CT
South End, New Canaan, CT
Sign of the Whale, Stamford, CT.
Abis Japanese Traditional Restaurant, Greenwich, CT
The Cottage, Plainville, CT
Antonio's on the Green, Southbury, CT
Choupette Creperie & Cafe, New Haven, CT
Centro at the Mill, Greenwich, CT
Centro at the Mill, Greenwich, CT
Library Wine Bar & Bistro, Wallingford, CT
Blue Oar, Haddam, CT
Rive Bistro, Westport, CT
John's Café, Woodbury, CT
Sucre Sale, Ridgefield, CT
West Street Grill, Litchfield, CT
O'Connor's Public House, Torrington, CT
Stonehenge, Ridgefield, CT
Arugula, West Hartford, CT
Soul De Cuba, New Haven, CT
Fresh Salt at the Saybrook Point Inn, Old Saybrook, CT
J. Christian's, Wallingford, CT
The Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel, New York, NY
Eleven Madison Park, New York, NY
Jong Fong, New York, NY
The Rose Club at the Plaza Hotel, New York, NY
A.O.C. L'aile ou la Cuisse, New York, NY
The Loeb Boathouse at Central Park, New York, NY
Te Company, New York, NY
Mission Chinese Food, New York, NY
Wildair, New York, NY
The NoMad, New York, NY
Simpson's in-the-Strand, London, UK
The Foyer and Reading Room at
Claridge's, London, UK
Galvin at Windows at the London Hilton
on Park Lane, London, UK
Dalloway Terrance, London, UK
The Wolseley, London, UK
Galvin Demoiselle at the Conservatoty at
Harrods of Knightbridge, London, UK
The Ledbury, London, UK
Smith's Restaurant Wapping, London, UK
Clos Maggiore, London, UK
Bill's Holborn, London, UK
Sake Asian Fusion of Southbury, Southbury, CT
Joey C's Boathouse, Stratford, CT.
Jessica's Garen & Lobster Shack, Marlborough, CT
Conspiracy, Middletown, CT
Singo Sushi, Waterbury, CT
Luce, Middletown, CT
Mikado Japanese Restaurant, Middletown, CT
Rock Garden Cafe, Watertown, CT
Zuppa, Wolcott, CT
Mona Lisa, Wolcott, CT
Ivoryton Tavern & Cafe, Ivoryton, CT
The Cooper Beech Inn, Ivoryton, CT
Rein's New York Style Deli, Vernon, CT
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, New Haven
Goose & and Gander, Inc, Thomaston, CT
Sakura Japanese Steak House, Watertown, CT
Black Rock Tavern & Restaurant, Thomaston, CT
Pizzeria Davinci, Deep River, CT
Wild Orchid, Southington, CT
Pata Vita, Old Saybrook, CT
The Riverview Room at the Lace Factory, Deep River, CT
Ivoryton Inn, Ivoryton, CT
Charcoal Chef, Woodbury, CT
Diorio Restaurant & Bar, Waterbury, CT
Joey Garlic's, Newington, CT
Anthony Jack's Woodfired Grill, Southington, CT
Dozo, New Haven, CT
The Essex, Centerbrook, CT
Crabby Al's Seafood Restaurant, Thomaston, CT
Amis Trattoria, Westport, CT
Jessup Hall, Westport, CT
Meadow Asian Cuisine, Simsbury, CT
Butchers & Bakers, Farmington, CT
Match, Norwalk, CT
Mill Street Bar & Table, Greenwich, CT
Moxie, Madison, CT
The Spread, Norwalk, CT
Republic at the Linden, Hartford, CT
Barcelona Restaurant & Wine Bar, West Hartford, CT
Liv's Oyster Bar, Old Saybrook, CT
The Polo Bar, New York, NY
21 Club, New York, NY
The Grand Tier Restaurant at the Metropolitan
Opera House, New York, NY
The Four Seasons, New York, NY
Joe Allen, New York, NY
The View at the New York Marriott
Marquis, New York, NY
Amelie, New York, NY
P.J. Clarke's, New York, NY
Vive La Crepe, New York, NY
The Blue Bar at the Algonquin Hotel,
New York, NY
White Lion at Covent Garden, London, UK
The Palm Court at the Ritz London, London, UK
Bistrot de Luxe, London, UK
The Ole Bank of England, London, UK
The English Tea Room at Brown's Hotel, London, UK
Hutong at the Shard, London, UK
The Homage Restaurant at the London Hilton, London,UK
Roux at Parliament Square, London, UK
The Balcon, London, UK
Joe Allen Restaurant, London, UK
Eat on North, Pittsfield, MA
Alta Restaurant & Wine Bar, Lenox, MA
Teatro, Boston, MA
Nudel Restaurant, Lenox, MA
Firefly, Lenox, MA
Barrington Brewery & Restaurant, Great Barrington, MA
J Allen's Clubhouse Grille, Pittsfield, MA
Sorellina, Boston, MA
The Market Place Cafe, Pittsfield, MA
The Red Lion Inn, Stockbridge, MA
Le Penguin, Greenwich, CT
L’Orcio, New Haven, CT
Market Place Kitchen and Bar, Woodbury, CT
Darien Social, Darien, CT
Ceviche Latin Kitchen, Middlebury, CT
Ichiro Hibachi & Sushi, West Hartford, CT
RSVP, West Cornwall, CT
Fin Japanese Restaurant, Fairfield, CT
Watch Factory Restaurant, Cheshire, CT
Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough, Noank, CT
Thomas Henkelmann, Greenwich, CT
Baily's Backyard, Ridgefield, CT
Community Table, Washington, CT
Black Duck Cafe, Westport, CT
Viron Rondo Osteria, Cheshire, CT
Zinc, New Haven, CT
Blue Colony Diner, Newtown, CT
The Lime, Norwalk, CT
The Capital Grille, Hartford, CT
Zinc, New Haven, CT
Finalmente Trattoria, Westport, CT
Spicy Green Bean, Glastonbury, CT
Dottie's, Woodbury, CT
Grant's Restaurant and Bar, West Hartford, CT
Vespa, Westport, CT
Bloodroot, Bridgeport, CT
Thali, Ridgefield, CT
Killer B, Norwalk, CT
457 Mason Jar, Bristol, CT
Café Madeline, Fairfield, CT
Organika Kitchen, Southport, CT
The Melting Pot, Darien, CT
Asian Bistro, Shelton, CT
The Spread, Norwalk, CT
Sails American Grill, Rowayton, CT
East Side Restaurant, New Britain, CT
Le Penguin, Westport, CT
The Venetian Restaurant, Torrington, CT
Stonebridge Restaurant, Milford, CT
Thai Spice, Orange, CT
The Odeon, New York, NY
The Grill, New York, NY
Balthazar, New York, NY
Le Coucou, New York, NY
I Sodi, New York, NY
The Pool, New York, NY
T45, New York, NY
Orso, New York, NY
Smith & Wollensky, New York, NY
Michael Jordan's The Steak House N.Y.C, New York, NY
Harbor Lights, Norwalk, CT
The Goose, Darien, CT
The Spread, Norwalk, CT
The Ginger Man, Greenwich, CT
Le Pain Quotidien, New Canaan, CT
The Capital Grille, Hartford, CT
Sweet Mango, Southington, CT
A'vert Brasserie, West Hartford, CT
Min Ghung, Glastonbury, CT
Little Kitchen, Westport, CT
Sel et Poivre, New York, NY
Elephant & Castle, New York, NY
Chez Napoleon, New York, NY
The Rainbow Room, New York, NY
Sardi's, New York, NY
Virgil's Real BBQ, New York, NY
Fedora, New York, NY
Rock Center Cafe, New York, NY
Volare, New York, NY
Employees Only, New York, NY
Abigail's Grille and Wine Bar, Simsbury, CT
The Blue Hound Cookery, Ivoryton, CT
Thai Palace, Wolcott, CT
Fin Japanese Restaurant, Fairfield, CT
Bin 228, Hartford, CT
Kama Sushi, Stratford, CT
La Tavola Ristorante, Waterbury, CT
Red Corner Asian Bistro, Waterbury, CT
Tony's Pizza, Seymour, CT
Salute Restaurant, Hartford, CT
Pearl at Northshore Restaurant & Bar, Westport, CT
Elm Restaurant, New Canaan, CT
Scena, Darien, CT
Spiga Ristorante, New Canaan, CT
Fiore II Restaurant, Middletown, CT
When Pigs Fly, Sharon, CT
Sole, New Canaan, CT
Ten Twenty Post Oyster Bar & Bistro, Darien, CT
South End, New Canaan, CT
R.S.V.P., West Cornwall, CT
Bob Bob Ricard, London, UK
Peninsula Restaurant, London, UK
The Prospect of Whitby, London, UK
Oka Kingly Court, London, UK
The Ivy, London, UK
Bellanger, London, UK
Andrew Edmunds, London, UK
Berners Tavern, London, UK
Kitty Fisher's, London, UK
Margot, London, UK
The Black Pearl, Newport, RI
Clark Cooke House, Newport, RI
One Pelham East, Newport, RI
The Mooring Seafood Kitchen and
Bar, Newport, RI
The Pier Restaurant of Newport, Newport, RI
The Spiced Pear Restaurant, Newport, RI
22 Bowen's, Newport, RI
The Lobster Bar, Newport, RI
Scales & Shells, Newport, RI
The Red Parrot Restaurant, Newport, RI
Gelston House, East Haddam, CT
F.I.S.H., Stamford, CT
Goodfellas, New Haven, CT
Pink Sumo, Westport, CT
Bricco, West Hartford, CT
The Hideaway, Ridgefield, CT
Artisan, Southport, CT
Heirloom, The Study at Yale, New Haven, CT
Village Bistro, Milford, CT
Crave, Ansonia, CT
Right about now, you're probably saying, " 'Hmm, that's some list'. " Or " 'How the hell is he going to pull this off?'" Or " 'Good God, that's a lot of food for Jim to eat.' "
Not to worry.
I've done restaurant reviews time and time before. And I didn't gain a single pound. I actually lost weight.
It's true. I did. I really did.
The trick, of course, is not to over indulge. Skip a meal or two, in between. Don't be greedy. Don't overdo it. And take things in moderation.
Until then, that's a wrap!
(James V. Ruocco welcomes your comments. You can contact him at JimRuocco@aol.com)
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