C'est Si Ben Chez Ben Diner, Manchester Multiple Visits from November 2014-December 2016 (Is a title pun better or worse when it's in another language?) Straight up: I love Chez Ben. I've been several times and it became sort of my "go-to" place for pre-hike food while I descended upon Manchester and Vernon to … [Read more...]
Argentina: Aby’s Bakery
Dulce de Leche Can Get Messi 765 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Several visits between 1999 & 2016 When I renewed my promise to myself to write as much original content for CTMQ as I can in mid-2016, I also promised to try to do more food stuff. Mostly these hole-in-the-wall specialty ethnic places. As … [Read more...]
Bloomfield Blog 5: /r/MildlyInteresting
Bloomfield's Mildly Interesting Stuff If you’re actually reading this, you are surely thinking, “Okay dude, enough with the Bloomfield.” If it makes you feel better, I totally agree. Unfortunately for both of us, I have a whole bunch of little Bloomfieldian things I have gathered over the last few weeks that I … [Read more...]
Jewish: Crown Market
Where is "Jewish?" Bishop's Corner, West Hartford October 2015 This is my first "food/restaurant" post in the "CT Restaurant Tour of the World" section in which I flew solo. I still don't really know what to do with this section and I darn well know that I'm not qualified to write about food. At … [Read more...]
Food & Drink
I can't remember how started writing pages on food - I think with just curious foods or places to eat unique to Connecticut. Then I found some lists that seemed fun and I went a little bonkers. Especially since writing about food is pretty difficult. Over the years I've started and abandoned a few food lists. … [Read more...]
Portugal: O’Camelo
Oh Oh Camelo! Park Street, Hartford April 27, 2013 This was the first event of the CTMQ CT Restaurant Tour of the World. I did it! I got over myself and my introversion and pushed through to organize and pull-off the very first Connecticut Restaurant Tour of the World dinner! I don’t want to get all … [Read more...]
Connecticut Food Tour of the World
The Most Difficult and Delicious Section of CTMQ CTMQ Ethnic Food/Restaurant Tour [2015 Update: I've changed the whole idea of this section of the site for several reasons... so bear with me as this intro page may be a bit clunky.] ................................................... I've had this idea for … [Read more...]
Polish Plate at Staropolska
Great Place to Polish off a Meal Staropolska, New Britain April 6, 2012 Ah, New Britski. I could write several thousand words on New Britain’s Broad Street “Little Poland” area. I don’t know why it fascinates me so much, as I’ve been to plenty of neighborhoods with fairly homogenous nationalities. But … [Read more...]
Mrs. Bridges’ Pantry
Cheerio! Have You Anything to go with my Cheerios? “A Little Slice of Britain,” Woodstock November 7, 2009 I try to limit the stuff I write about in these untamed sections of the blog. I really do. The stores have to be very, very unique or interesting to make the CTMQ grade and I don’t think you can argue with … [Read more...]
Polish Food at Polish National Home
ZachwycajÄ…cy! Polish National Home, Hartford June 16, 2009 In researching this write-up I came across the same theme over and over. So I'll follow tradition and dispense with the mild cliché right off the bat - The Polish National Home is one of the worst kept secrets in Hartford. It's hidden in plain sight. I … [Read more...]