cheereeo70

Thanks so much. Never thought formal culinary schools offered "hobby" classes. I will definitely check this out and also check the school in Shelton to see if they offer something similar. Thanks a lot.

Thought of another place. . . What about Joseph's Steakhouse in Bridgeport--supposed to be very nice. Unfortunately, I have not yet been.

No, I don't, but I will ask my husband, who frequents it very very often, to find out. I checked the website www.frankieshotdogs.com, Frankie's Hot Dogs>>Click here, but it didn't name the brand. Could it be their own? I doubt it. You must order it grilled and well-done. I, too, like it with a strip of very well-cooked bacon. They also use beautiful soft rolls similar to those from French's Bakery in Stratford (Tomlinsons uses them); they are very soft.

Route 8, Exit 15. Make a left and follow 34 into Derby. Fratelli's is on the right before you get to Elizabeth Street. It has a black awning with white writing, and there is on-street parking. If you come to Tartaglia's or Bridge Street (bridge that goes into Shelton Center), you went too far. Some nights they have had a mandolin player but am not sure if that is a regular thing. I have heard that weekday nights are quiet. I really hope the place makes it and keeps thriving. Let me know if you go; I am curious what you think. P.S. Just read in this week's Advocate about a new place in Woodbridge on Amity Road that looks interesting--called Pazza Cucina. They got a decent review and critic compared it to Pasta Cosi in Branford. Sounds interesting as that area of town does not have much. Looks like nice place.

Looking to get my sister a gift certificate for a one-day cooking class session somewhere in CT or even Westchester or NYC. She loves to and is an excellent cook. I would love to send her to an all-day class specializing in a certain topic, meal, or region--for instance, I have heard of people going to an all-day bread-making class. Even something on Roasting, etc. Something really good and hands-on. I don't want to send her to someplace where she is just going to be part of an "audience." Any thoughts? (She lives in Trumbull but would be willing to travel, just not too too far--CIA I think would be too far to drive up there alone.) Something like Cookworks on Food TV, except she wouldn't be such a bimbo student.

I also could not stomach Splash. It was so "white bread," I simply could not stand it. We went in the summer and sat on the back porch with a beautiful view, but the other patrons and waitstaff were so snobby, I will not go back. If ever in the Westport area again, try Da Pietro's on Riverside Avenue--Northern Italian/Southern French mix--excellent. Very small. Very good. For Chinese, Little Kitchen and Asian Tai Pan are good but at Westport prices. Little Kitchen has a fun bar to sip Cosmos.

Not sure if it will be open but Ralph 'N Riches is very good spot. Not sure how "Yankee" it will be since it primarily serves Italian/Continental fair. Very very good food and very often forgotten because of its Bridgeport location. A lot of business men go there during the week and pre- and post-Blue Fish/Harbor Yard/Arena Theater and Concert-goers. Can't really go wrong here. I agree that both the Red Barn and Three Bears are a great suggestion for something more traditional. (I always think of Three Bears as a "blue-hair" joint, but I think that is only because my mother always had her bowling banquets there! HA HA)

NEW HAVEN CTY: Tre Scalini - Wooster Street New Haven. Awesome Northern Italian, priced right with great service and valet parking. My personal fav: PAPPARDELLE AL TELEFONO 16.95 - Large egg noodles tossed with lobster meat in a light pink sauce. Check www.trescalinirestaurant.com (P.S. I also like Gabriele's.) FAIRFIELD CTY: Via Sforza Trattoria in Norwalk - A non-discreet store-front Italian restaurant. Very good food. Excellent Arthur Ave style bread. Very very casual. Wait with lines on the weekend. Good Saturday afternoon lunch after a trip to Stew Leonard's! VALLEY: Fratelli's in Derby on Route 34. Also a small street-front restaurant. Chef is originally from Rigoletto's in Arthur Avenue. Excellent food. Hope a lot of people don't find out about this terrific place.

For Hot Dog John. . . I had heard about Miller's Provisions closing down a couple months ago, and I must say that I am devistated, as they had simply the most incredible seasoned prepared pork roast I have ever tasted. Also, great kielbasa, knockwurst, and homemade German kraut. Did you ever hear any of the details on their closing? I know the guys were getting on in age; did they just retire? The place was always packed when I went in. I am so sad. Wish I knew how to reach them and try to pay the guys on the side to season and tie a pork roast for me. Oh. . . in regard to hotdogs in CT. . . I know you'll probably laugh, but my husband, mother-in-law from the Bronx, and I all think that the dogs at Frankie's in West Haven (I know it is a chain) are incredible. You have to order them split and well-done--excellent snap and they, too, have really good homestyle relish--hot is especially good. Also, the place is very very clean, and we love the husband/wife duo who own that one and are so nice and care about their regulars. Too bad they started to add so many other items to their basic menu--Chester's Fried Chicken--barf! Stick to the dogs, Frank!!

- Tre Scalini in Wooster Street is Incredible. You can never go wrong there. Great service too. Interesting Northern Italian menu. Good wines. Priced right. - Don't bother with the new Central Steakhouse (owned by Bentara)--way overpriced. Neat atmosphere with a TV screen in the dining room that hangs over the grill and chef area, but the scarsity of what you get is so not worth the coolness of the view into the kitchen. (e.g., chimicurri steak for $39--comes with a pile of boring raw pea shoots on the side!!) - Zinc is very sterile. Open kitchen. - New restaurant on State Street-Trevethan's--chef from Citrus in Milford (formerly of Jeffrey's). Supposed to be very good. - Heard that the new steak place on Wooster Street, 232 Wooster Street Steak House (formerly Alto Basso, formerly Del Monaco's) is absolutely incredible and priced right with a great bright atmosphere, rather than your traditional gentlemen's club steak place atmosphere. - Blue Pearl also looks interesting but haven't been able to get there yet. (thebluepearlnewhaven.com). Neat casual (homey-style) American menu with great sounding desserts including chocolate fondue. - Sandra's Place - Great soul food restaurant. She opened new location up on Whitney Avenue, visited often by business folks. (First place is in the seedier side of town but still has the incredible food everyone has grown to love.) - Pad Thai - Favorite Thai restaurant on Chapel Street. - 500 Blake Street in Westville section has been renovated. Good food and often forgotten. - Carmine's Tuscan Grille in Westville - Very good. Nice atmosphere. Excellent service.

Thanks for the link. You know, I did a search before I posted my thread (to avoid duplication) and nothing came up for Cold Stone Creamery or even Cold Stone or even Creamery. Oh Well. I appreciate reading other views/opinions just the same. Thanks again. I still love it. And, will be visiting here often for good advice recommendations, etc.

OMG!!! I just found this website and have been having so much fun. I am a foody and love restaurant reviews, etc. Jason Perlow is amazing, and I love his photos. I wish I could review something better than a "lowly chain" for my first post; however, as I was sitting here thinking what I could write about, the first thing to pop in my mind was COLD STONE CREAMERY. The one I have been to is on North Main Street in Norwalk between the movie theater and Washington Avenue. I know it is a chain, but I just have to say it is the most incredible ice cream I have ever eaten. My husband is a Norwalk, CT cop and turned me on to this place. I am willing to drive 40 miles to get their ice cream. Soon, one will be opening in New Haven on Temple Street, but I don't know when. Anyway, it is not hard serve, nor soft serve, but they have these most incredible flavors--e.g., cake batter ice cream is to-die-for!! You can mix in all these neat items, and the friendly staff hand "mash" it on a frozen granite stone in front of your eyes and then drop the incredible oozing mix into a cup or--even better--a chocolate-dippled waffle CUP that you can eat afterward. Supposedly, they make the ice cream fresh every day in small quantities, and ever since I tasted it, I cannot get it out of my mind. My favorite is Birthday Cake Remix: Cake batter ice cream, brownie, fudge, sprinkles. My sister loves Coffee-Lovers. They all look delicious and they have real black cherries to mix in. Be ware. . . it is very filling--sizes are cute--Like It (small); Love It (medium; Gotta Have It (HUGE). And their motto when you leave is, "See you tomorrow." Gotta laugh; I know it is awesome, but we'd all be huge! Prices are on the higher side but well-worth-it. Oh, I almost forgot. . . if you tip the staff, they all sing these cute cadence songs after your server screams, "Hey Guys! We got a Tip." It is great fun. I'd love to hear what you all think especially since, according to their website (www.coldstonecreamery.com), they are located all over the country.