Fraunces Tavern

Finally got a chance to eat at Fraunces Tavern in lower Manhattan the other day. In my book Homegrown Terror I describe George Washington and Benjamin Tallmadge's farewell there in 1783. It was touching scene, of a sort that Benedict Arnold never knew. What I didn't know until a few weeks ago was that it was also the site of a terrorist attack in 1975, a bombing that killed four people and injured fifty others.

Wheeler's Restaurant and Taproom

Had dinner with friends at Wheeler's Restaurant and Taproom in Woodbridge the other day. Great meal, great conversation.

The place itself is indistinguishable from a hundred other "restaurants and taprooms" in the state, with a good selection of brews, music nights, wings night, etc. Except the kitchen is run by some sneaky foodies, who put all sorts of fun stuff on the menu, including many organic, local, and sustainable ingredients. It's worthwhile for the wings alone (get any style but the regular buffalo wings) but try some other stuff, like the Shakshuka (below).

Mecha Noodle, Fairfield

Best new restaurant in Connecticut? Mecha Noodle in Fairfield is not high-end, but their amazing dishes, reminiscent of Momofuku in NYC, are consistent and delicious.

We have been there twice - this time we had a selection of appetizers. Last time we tried their ramen - which was awesome.

Their pork buns are nearly as good as Momofuku - only the quality of the bun is a little better at the latter (I think its the bacon fat they put in there).

Ssam, mushroom dumplings, duck bao, charred octopus...all good.

I will be back soon - probably for the pho or the banh mi sandwich. But pretty much everything on the menu sounds delicious, and so far nothing has not lived up to the hype.

Kumo, Hamden

Kumo in Hamden is one of the most reliable traditional sushi restaurants around. Of course, if I want something new and crazy I will go to Miya's Sushi in New Haven. But for rolls and sushi of the 'traditional' or rather the 20th century variety, I will go to Kumo every time, despite having a dozen or more sushi options in Hamden alone. It is interesting that we have so much Japanese food here in Connecticut, and so little Chinese (relatively). Does anyone know the reason for this switch of the usual ratio?

Quail?

Had a delicious meal of roasted quail the other day, bought from the local international market and roasted in our oven. At least I think they were quail. People notoriously substitute pigeon for quail at restaurants, markets, and grocery stores. Not street pigeons (probably) but farmed pigeons. So, were these pigeons or quails? Who cares, they were delicious.

Roia

Tried Roia the other day in New Haven. It moved into the old bank at the Taft Hotel/Apartments, a space previously occupied by Hot Tomatoes, etc.

The food was scrumptious, and the atmosphere in there is really stellar (if dark for taking photos).

Amy and I would like a few more "interesting" or unique dishes on the menu, but the ones they have are delicious.