kellymonaghan

A dissenting voice on Darbar. I found it throroughly undistinguished. A far better Indian choice in Branford (seconded by Indian friends) was Sitar, but it closed, alas. They said they were going to open a new restaurant on Chapel Street in New Haven, but it doesn't seem to have happened. I have to travel to thali in New Canaan for Indian I like. And, yes, Verjuice, there are other Old Blues here. I am perhaps older than most.

Just outside Disney property in the Crossroads Shopping Center on SR 535 is Pebbles, part of a small local chain and, IMHO, one of the best food values in Orlando. Good food, moderately priced. Another favorite is Mythos in the Islands of Adventure Park at Universal Orlando. I am just back from a trip to Universal and we ate there several times. GREAT food, especially when Chef Mark is experimenting. ALWAYS ask about off-the-menu specials. You don't have to buy a ticket to the theme park to eat there either. Go to Guest Services (to the right at the park entrance) and ask about a Dining Pass.

It was open last night (May 2) when I drove by on a foggy damp night.

Another must-try at Roseland is their rosemary pizza, which consists (if memory serves) of just a light brushing of oil and fresh rosemary. exceptional!

Anyone know if the Greenwich place is any relation to the Penang Grill in Branford? We've found the food there pretty decent. Best Chinese we've found since moving to CT (although I must confess we haven't made a career out of looking).

Can't go to Fairfield without visiting Super Duper Weenie. Don't let the name fool you primo hot dogs with hand-crafted relishes etc by a CIA grad. Good soup, too.

I vote for Pepe's on Wooster Street for your evening meal, simply because it's...well, Pepe's. Louis' Lunch is overrated IMHO. Nearby and in somewhat the same vein is the Yankee Doodle, near the corner of York & Elm. Try a pig or a double-double and, if you can force yourself, the grilled doughnut.

I'm pretty open on price and style, but I suppose my preference would be for something that I'm unlikely to be able to duplicate outside Richmond (great sushi & fine French I can get in NYC!). So maybe that means Southern, or kickass barbecue, or a charming little mom and pop, or a diner with Richmond style.

For someone who may be driving through Richmond soon, can someone point out which restaurants are closest to I-95 (and maybe provide Exit numbers and directions)?

As fate would have it, I found myself in Westport last night visiting a friend who lives near Shanghai Gourmet. So off we went for take out. Results (The three of us dining were all agreed on this assessment): Bland General Tso's, disappointing wok-glazed ginger chicken (shrimp omitted to suit my friend's Kosher-lite tastes), and okay mixed vegetables in brown sauce. What gets highest marks at both locations (from me, at least) are the veggies. Obviously fresh and well-prepared. Yes, I've tried the Ivy Noodle, but not the scallion pancakes. I'll put 'em on the list. Ditto, Panda House in Danbury (although how I'll pass up the Gouladh House is a mystery!)

I tried the Orange branch and was not impressed. The scallion pancakes were heavy, doughy, and greasy. The shrimp and scallops Hunan style were okay, nice crisp vegetables and lots of them, but not spicy enough and not exceptional. The vegetable fried rice was pedestrian. Maybe the Westport chef has the mojo. Service was a step up from plastic plates and cutlery, though. Fairly nice decor (of the strip mall variey). Seats about 40 at comfortable 2- and 4-tops. No Asians in evidence, but the place was pretty much deserted when I went -- three other diners and few people stopping by for takeout.

Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room is an institution. Real Southern cooking served family style in a delightfully old-school Victorian boarding house atmosphere. If you go for lunch, you'll be hard pressed to eat dinner that night. Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room 107 W. Jones St. Savannah, GA 31401-4507 Phone: 912/232-5997

Wow! Thanks for the replies. Looks like I'll have to make an excuse to go to Oklahoma.

I know of a number of places famed for having extraordinary barbecue. Ditto for fried chicken. But I realized the other day, that I have no idea where in the world the supposed "best" chicken-fried steak is turned out. Anyone have an opinion?

Too late for Christmas, I'm afraid, but there's a good source for tamales in upper Manhattan, not too far from you in Nyack. It's La Raza, a "Productos Mexicanos" fruit and vegetable store on the south side of 207th Street, between Broadway and Cooper. On weekends, they offer tamales and soft tacos. We had some just this past weekend and my friend in from New mexico pronounced them "excellent." They had cheese, chicken, and pork varieties. Best of all, they're just $1 apiece!

You mean, burn HIM!

I'm surprised no one has mentioned O'Rourke's breakfasts in this thread. For my money, that's the real reason to make the pilgrimage to Middletown. Home-made veal and lamb sausage are to die for, as are the crab cakes. The Bananas Foster pancakes ain't too shabby, either. Every dish is individually - and artfully - garnished. For us Nutmeggers, a visit to O'Rourke's is a sure-fire way to astonish guests from out of town.

Louis' Lunch may have a certain historical, even archeological interest, but foodwise it's a real snoozer. I mean, chopped meat served on blah white toast smeared with processed cheese spread out of a large tin can? Puh-leeze. I feel like I just shouted "I don't believe in God!" in the middle of a papal audience, but I said it and I'm glad. If the line at Louis' is too long, take a stroll to Gastronomique on High Street, between Chapel and Crown, and get gourmet takeout served up by a CIA man. (That's Culinary Institute of America, not central Intelligence Agency.)

The Darden's chain (Olive Garden, Red Lobster, etc.) is testing out a new concept in Orlando Fl. It's called Seasons 52 and it's on Sand Lake Road in the newly fashionable "Restaurant Row." The "gimmick" is that all the food is healthy, no dish over 460 calories, no butter, etc. Very classy restaurant, on a lake, with terrific wine list. Moderate prices (no entree over $20). Desserts (all under 250 cal.) are served in 3 oz shot glasses and are mini versions of standards like key lime pie and bananas Foster. Food we sampled on one visit was excellent!

My wife and I tried Clinton's Taste of China on the Post Road in Clinton recently and were quite impressed. Only good Chinese we've found since moving to CT nearly three years ago. It seemed like Szechuan the way it used to be. We're looking forward to seeing if the first impressions will hold up to a repeat visit. (I know this is my first post and, therefore, instantly suspect, so take it with the proverbial grain of salt.)