Very cute place! My friend recommended this place for the GF options and also because she has had great experiences in the past! As a first timer I enjoyed my meal and the vibe . I don't know why I have never been! I have passed by driving and walking right in the center of WEHA and never stopped in! Glad I did! Mediterranean flare ! Some flatbread with some nice choices of apps and main entrees. They actually have a great Happy Hour that goes from Tuesday through Saturdays 4pm to close! I order a delish Gluten free Flatbread! The crust was unbelievable! So good! If you love mushrooms then you'll love Wild Mushroom! My friend ordered Branzino which she enjoyed too! No dessert since we had to rush out but there's always next time! I'll need to go back! read more

Was pleasantly surprised when I visited Arugula in West Hartford center today. This cozy little restaurant is not really talked about and SHOULD be! The ambience is magical and inviting and I met with a friend at the bar for their everyday "Social hour". This Mediterranean Bistro had such a delicious menu at great prices. So I had to of course try a variety of dishes. We stared with the Korean cauliflower which was my favorite. It was battered extra crispy and perfectly tossed in a ginger soy glaze. I also tried the Korean sticky bbq ribs, the chicken satay and the tuna tartare tacos. I was extremely happy with them all. Scott our bartender was phenomenal filling the drinks. I enjoyed a Spanish wine, the Secret Garden and the espresso martini. The dessert was even fabulous! A peach parfait made with local fresh peaches from Roger's Orchard. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience! read more

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Parking: none and in a very busy area so finding a spot was brutal Decor: nice, a little dark for my tastes and cramped with tables Staff: friendly but some with limited English (made it tough to ask for something) Food: tasty and well prepared Price: about average for the area Additional: had reservations but somehow still not ready and no sitting area in a very small hostess area, so your left hovering over patrons read more

Arugula Bistro & Bar - Calamari - Mediterranean Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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We had a gift certificate to use so we tried Arugula on a Saturday night. Mostly Mediterranean food but some of the apps were Asian/Korean (interesting). Started with the onion rings with boom boom sauce. The rings came to the table warm and were very crispy (sometimes large onion rings can be soggy). The sauce was a little spicy and good. My wife had the summer lobster cornbread. Chunks of lobster in a sauce placed on top of a cornbread slice. Delicious. I had the filet mignon of tuna over a bead of spinach and tomatoes. It was crusted with sesame and a ginger glaze. Very good. My only issue is that our server disappeared for long stretches which was odd since the restaurant was very small. We will try it again. read more

Arugula Bistro & Bar - Filet Mignon of Tuna - Mediterranean Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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Was in the area to check on family. Needed something quick to eat. We picked the perfect spot. Christian welcomed us in. Informed him that we were a little pressed for time. We sat at totally table near the bar. It is super cozy in here. The lighting gives a warm vibe. You can see the kitchen from the bar area, which is nice cause it shows they have nothing to hide. We ordered the fried calamari. It was perfectly cooked, seasoned and enough for 3-4 people. We also shared the baby green salad with walnuts and blue cheese. It was fresh and delicious! We also shared the smoked salmon pizza. Amazing! I will be back and hopefully not in a rush so I can try more from the menu. read more

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Everything about this restaurant feels magical. From the moment we walked in the door, everything felt so warm, cozy, and inviting. We came in for dinner and it being our first time, I can't help but comment on the ambiance. It had couples meeting for dinner after a late day at work, older couples grabbing a quick drink with their son in law, an anniversary behind us, it was really cool to see all of the different generations in harmony enjoying a meal together in the same environment. I really feel like I don't see that nowadays. The food was phenomenal. Let me start by saying that. You could taste the passion in every dish and the flavors were unmatched. We had the Garlic Sourdough Boule and it was SO GOOD and packed with flavor. The garlic and cheese were top tier. Then my fiance and I have to rave about the mussels. I've thought about them every day since leaving. They are in this Thai coconut broth that I could drink it was so good. HIGHLY RECOMMEND TRYING THEM! Lastly I have to highlight that Lobster. Wow. The service was fantastic and we loved the recommendations: I didn't get to try it but I'll be coming back for Social hour to get a Caeser salad, truffle fries, and a spritz deal. I'm just really excited overall to comeback because between the food and the amazing vibes, this place is magnetic! read more

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Jane only done take out. I don't know if they normally do take out. I have ordered the hanger steak twice bc I love it so much.

After matinēe at Theater Works went to Arugula for dinner. It's been years since I was last here. I liked the new bar area; we sat at a window table and this was our view inside [a Tesla parked outside was our other viewpoint!]. Started with Fried Korean Cauliflower... tossed in a ginger-soy glaze, sesame seeds and scallion and it was super! A Duck Confit Flatbread was shared as a main dish. There was an ample amount of duck on the base which made it quite filling. I did find it a little lacking in flavor so asked for salt. This didn't seem to be the usual addition asked for, I gather but it did help bring out more flavor of the duck. Skipped dessert but the non/alcoholic spritz offerings had sweetened the meal. Great service, friendly atmosphere and good food. Will be back for more Cauliflower and to try a new flatbread. read more

Great spot. Ended up in West Hartford without a planned dinner spot. Stopped in for a drink and spent the remainder of the evening here. We sat at the bar, it wasn't large, but there was enough space for us. It was clear that the bartenders were experienced and those around us were regulars. You could see the kitchen and the chef handled the busy night with grace and experience. We dined on several appetizers. The escargot was served different than expected, but delicious. The mussels were well balanced with a curry sauce that was warming but not spicy and the grilled calamari with Za'atar was really fantastic, cooked perfectly. The drink menu was fun and creative. The biggest issue I had was that there were choices left untried. The place is small and the outdoor dining area may be limited by the season so you may want to call ahead. There are a lot of great options in the area, but this is one I will be returning to. read more

Arugula Bistro & Bar - View from the bar - Mediterranean Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

Pepperoni pizza and Mediterranean quinoa were so good!!! We also got the Brussels sprouts which were delicious. Food was amazing. Service was ok, we had a reservation but our table wasn't ready so we sat at the bar but the bartender was super nice. Would definitely come back and everything tasted so fresh. read more

Arugula Bistro & Bar - Cup and char pepperoni - Mediterranean Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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First review of the year and Happy hour well Social Hour it was at Arugula. Off the happy hour menu I had the fried calamari and cauliflower and let me say it was so good I usually do my calamari with marinara sauce but I was okay without. Only problem I had with both dish calamari was a tad bit salty and tho the cauliflower was amazing, but personally I could have done with a little less sauce. Wasn't a fan of the Halloumi "fries", the nachos were good and refreshing. Also enjoyed my cocktail. Services was good we sat at the bar and Scott was very professional and helpful. Ambiance is a plus, it is a small spot but it's very intimate. read more

Arugula Bistro & Bar - Fried calamari and fried cauliflower - Mediterranean Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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I just recently went here and it was a great experience and atmosphere, the people were nice and the food was great. I highly recommend going here. read more

We took our daughter when came to visit for parents weekend back in October. The service was great. The volume of the restaurant was at a decibel to hold a conversation. Charming atmosphere and perfect for date or meeting just a couple of friends. Every item we order was delicious but them menu items were a little confusing. Bit again the food was very good. I am still all these months latter thinking about the escargot. I wish had photos to share of the beautiful food. Phone did not eat first. read more

What an incredible dining experience. The staff was exceptional, drinks were great, and the food was delicious. An intimate restaurant with a full bar, and dim lighting; perfect for date night or an outing with friends. They currently have an amazing special running - lobster toast. Warm, fresh lobster layered on top of their house-made corn cake dressed with lime-cilantro cream, corn, and tomatoes. Their flatbread is also a must order - I suggest the grilled chicken and wild mushrooms topped with caramelized onions, and the balsamic glaze just makes it. Although, everything on their menu is sure to hit the spot. Especially their Profiterole for dessert. No surprise they have been a beloved spot in the Hartford area for 27 years! read more

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What a find. If you haven't been to this Blue Back Square staple add it to your list immediately. I'm not sure what is the best part-the food, the staff/owner, of the decor. A beautiful version of a war torn France cafe just adds to the polish yet rustic feel. The large bar is definitely a prime spot for a happy hour. The food is a blend of Egyptian and Indian/Asian. There is not a bad bite to be had. Be open. There are so many new flavor combinations that you're going to love if you just take a bite! From apps to desserts this is one of our favorite spots. read more

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Great, attentive service. The food is fantastic. Great flatbreads, and the Fattousch salad is awesome. Quaint place with tasteful decor and relaxing ambiance. The owner has always been there when I have dined there and she often comes out of the kitchen to check on or chat with her patrons. Absolutely love this restaurant. read more

I absolutely love Arugula. This is our favorite establishment for social hour in West Hartford. We've been here a handful of times and they never disappoint. The food quality is excellent. We love their Bao Buns and Brussels amongst other items on the menu. I've only been for social hour but will have dinner soon. Most importantly the company at the bar is the best. Steve was our bartender yesterday and just a really fun and nice guy! Be back soon for my bao buns! read more

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Arugula was one of those places I always passed by and was curious to try, so when my friend asked me to go there with her I was so excited! I knew that they had a lot of Mediterranean influence on the menu but wasn't expecting the flatbread section of the menu - we ordered two and they were delicious! It was a fine dining vibe with really professional and attentive staff. read more

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What isn't there to love abut this place ? Went the other night for dinner and most things were very successful ! My favorite thing was the nachos from the happy hour menu-wish they were on the permanent menu. We then shared the Koran ribs, a salad and the Brussels sprouts. Things in order of my favorite were nachos, salad, ribs, then Brussels. Probably wouldn't Orr the Brussels again but there are so many other things to try next time. Love the decor and the seating is comfortable and the groups aren't seated too closely - some windows seats are great for people watching read more

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Love the ambience here! You definitely feel as if you're in the Mediterranean and not in an establishment in Connecticut. I forgot to take all of the food photos. But the mussels came with sweet potato fries and were tasty! My friends raved about the Korean ribs. And the babaganoush was perfectly smokey. I'm so happy to have found another place in town with delicious salads! I'll be ordering the kale and Brussels with chicken to go regularly now. And we loved the $50 Tempranillo to accompany our meals! The favorite dish of the night was the ahi tuna. Unfortunately someone's steak was not medium rare as recommended. It was medium. But they took it off of the bill making service here top notch! I would not recommend Arugula for a group dinner. The place is rather quiet and I felt the 8 of us were very loud and probably disturbed other diners. Will return for a romantic date next time. Cheer! read more

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love this place. social hour is always fun. food is amazing. Staff are around but not in your face and always pleasant.

Food is delicious, service is superb and ambiance is superior!! One of the best restaurants in West Hartford! Such an amazing place!!

Back again. Great food great service Escargot was very good I had the steak again which is always top notch read more

This is a great place for an intimate dinner! I came here with a friend to catch up and it was the perfect place. We originally came because they have all night happy hour on Tues & Weds but the bar area was full (we came around 6 pm) so plan accordingly if you want to do this! Food & drinks were absolutely delicious. We got the Middle Eastern Sampler to split for an app- the pita was warm & soft, the tomato & cucumber salad was very refreshing esp because they added mint to it, but my favorite was the baba ghanoush which had a fun smoky flavor to it. We also split the prosciutto and artichoke heart flatbread which was yummy as well. Next time I'm gonna have to time it better to take part in their happy hour! read more

Arugula Bistro & Bar - Prosciutto and artichoke flatbread - Mediterranean Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

A friend and I were looking for a cute dinner spot for a weekday evening and landed on Arugula. I came without expectations, but was presently surprised by food, drinks, and service! Their outside seating has umbrellas and our waiter came by often to check on us. I asked for recommendations for a sweet cocktail and the waiter suggested the 953 Pruno which I enjoyed. We ordered the Halloumi Fries, Kale & Brussels Sprouts salad, and two flatbreads to share. The fries came with a tasty dipping sauce and didn't feel overly heavy or oily despite being, well, fried cheese. The salad was a refreshing mix of sweet and savory flavors. For flatbreads we ordered the Burrata one and the Wild Mushroom one. They called them 'flatbreads' but they really felt like pizzas. I tend to expect a flatbread to be thinner and crispier than the thin crust pizzas that arrived. Still, the mushroom flatbread was highly reviewed and we LOVED it. The blue cheese worked perfectly with the umami in the mushrooms and bitterness of the arugula. I highly recommend! The Burrata one was fine, but fell flat in comparison. The burrata itself seemed harder than I usually experience and I found the speck (ham) a bit too heavy and overpowering. If you're a big meat pizza fan though, this one might be for you! For dessert we got the Lemon-Curd Filled Butter Cake. They gave us a giant slice! The cake was moist and not overly sweet. The berry compote worked well, but I wish there were more lemon curd. Overall, really enjoyed our visit and would return! read more

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I passed this place for many years because I did not recognize it was a restaurant. Finally I dined in on a Friday evening. Mostly people booked a table. I simple walked in before 5 pm and got a seat. Curried eggplant flatbread was like a pizza, but with excellent flavors. The aragula, olive oil, cheese and eggplant all was excellent. For appitizer, I went with the Middle Eastern sampler. That was excellent as well. I finished off the dinner with a fromages - Moliterno al Tartufo. It was the best cheese I ever had. The truffles in the cheese gave it a distinct earthy flavor. read more

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Food, service and ambience are delightful; and the wine list is well- informed and lovingly curated If a John Prine song were a restaurant it might be Arugula. read more

Arugula is modest in size but it stacks up very well in terms of the quality of its menu offerings and cost versus the many other options in WeHa center. They have a great list of appetizers and last night we enjoyed the calamari which is significantly more interesting than the almost universal offering taken from a frozen bag at most other places. This calamari was obviously made from fresh squid as the rings were thicker and juicer than the standard. Nicely fried and crisp, they were tossed in Parmesan! BTW, a very ample serving which could be shared by up to four people. Also the Fattoush salad was excellent. We shared a wild mushroom flatbread and it was very generous. If you enjoy an appetizer or salad the flatbreads will be big enough for two to share. The only reason I've held back on the fifth star is that the table spacing is a little tight and the outside tables are actually in the street with heavy traffic passing by. But, hey, that's WeHa center on a beautiful summer Friday evening! read more

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Fantastic unusual pizza and tapas. The gluten free crust is great. West Hartford food is always awesome

A really cute dinner place! They have a small patio outside. The interior also had a really nice ambiance. We came here on a Tuesday evening and it was pretty busy. We got a table for four inside without a reservation. They were going through a menu change and a couple of their entrees weren't available. We ended up doing tapas style given the limited entree options. The food was good, we enjoyed our meal. I would, however, try another place next time I am in the area given how there are lots of options around. read more

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Don't miss out on Arugula!!! We went for Social Hour and didn't want to leave!! Let's start with the team at Arugula. Every single team member was friendly and very accommodating- from the Chef/Owner to the Kitchen staff, the waitstaff, hostess and their legendary bartender. The food- It was ALL fantastic. We started with a few items from the social hour menu....don't sleep on the Cauliflower and Bao Buns! We then tried one of the August specials- the Summer Lobster Toast. Tons of lobster, brown butter, corn, cilantro cream -- all served over this delicious corn cake. The flavor, texture and execution on this special was on point. The cocktails- balanced and thoughtful. They also have a great selection of wine. I am glad we didn't take recent reviews into consideration- we would have missed out on our best dining experience in months!!! We will 100% be back - maybe again tonight!!! read more

Arugula Bistro & Bar - Mediterranean Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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The happy hour here is great! They have a great selection of flatbreads and appetizers. The haloumi fries were also really good. Everything was fresh and flavorful. The staff was friendly as well. This has got to be one of the best spots in West Hartford Center! read more

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Food here is absolutely delicious! The flatbreads are great and don't miss the Fattoush salad. Service is always outstanding; attentive but not overbearing. Dining there is like being in a quaint little European cafe. read more

Superb food, attentive service, and wonderful ambiance. Excellent in all ways! We'll be back.

Haven't been here in ages! Remember growing up and having my first adult single meal here . Bar seat , excellent bar tender , lovley flat bread snd delicious calamari... Also they had new park brewing cloud scape on draft!!!!!!.. its the littler things. Great place, next time I'll check out a full dinner!!! read more

Came in for my husbands birthday dinner. The restaurant took our reservation request and we were promptly seated. To start we had the bao, and the calamari appetizers. Both were good. I liked that they lightly tossed the calamari in a sauce. For entrees our daughter had the bistro burger. She liked it. I had the pepperoni flatbread which tasted like a pepperoni pizza with a hint of sweetness. I liked that it was lite and not overly greasy. The hubby had the tuna. He said it was really good when he ate each bite with some of the ginger that's in top. The tuna was prepared rare as recommended by the chef and he said it was cooked perfectly. Our server was nice and attentive. We would come back. read more

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I came in yesterday with a group of women as part of a book club. I've been to Arugula before, only once with my partner during their regular dinner service, but had heard that they had a happy hour worth checking out. I was told at the host stand that they could seat us outside on the patio as a 4 top, and at the time, I wasn't sure if we would be a group of 4 or 5 but I figured we could ask to be split into two tables later if our 5th person was indeed going to join us. The rest of our group eventually joined and we had ordered a few appetizers and drinks. Our 5th person joined last and sat down with us. Our server came back and took the rest of our orders, and on the side (without any of us noticing or overhearing this because we were in side conversations) told our 5th person she couldn't sit at our table and had to leave. When the server walked away, our 5th person told us what happened. We were surprised we hadn't caught that when the server was at the table. A few minutes later, the chef/owner came to our table and essentially scolded us about adding a seat to our table. She also said that the host had told me that there was a 90 minute limit on the table, which I distinctly do not recall her telling me that when seating me. (And if she did, I did not hear it, but it also would not have been an issue as we would have happily wrapped up in 90 minutes.) Keep in mind, there were about 5-6 empty tables outside on the patio and we were 1 of 2 tables occupied. She seemed unhinged and the way that she raised her voice made all of us (including the other table of customers according to them) feel uncomfortable. The West Hartford center has so many lovely options, ones that have been around for a long time and ones that are new to the area. This is the first time I've experienced being yelled at by an owner/chef because we wanted to be patrons of their restaurant and support a local business. There are so many other ways that the owner could have handled this situation - with respect, compassion and some problem solving. Understandably, we weren't into being traumatized during a meal out, and we requested our check, promptly paid and left. We feel for Arugula's staff who work in this kind of environment. They are inevitably affected by tips, and with this kind of experience (reading the reviews here it sounds like we aren't an isolated incident) I imagine it can't be easy coming into a place like this to proudly work and provide a high level of customer service. Leadership often trickles down from the top - I hope the staff is learning their best practices from someone else there who understands the importance of leaving positive impressions. read more

I was the 5th friend that joined my bookclub in some of the other reviews. I love West Hartford and I remember it before and after the boom that has occurred. Arugula is an original and has always been a place that I loved growing up. It's unusual, eclectic and authentic. But I will, regrettably, never go back. My party and I were essentially yelled at because I moved a chair from an another table to our own. There were about 12 tables with chairs on the patio. Only two were occupied. I did not think it would be offensive to move one. The reaction from the waitress was inappropriate to be sure, but the verbal assault from the owner was completely uncalled for. What troubled me the most is that my reaction was surprised, but apologetic and collaborative. That only seemed to encourage more anger. That could have been handled in a million different ways that didn't ruin our drinks, that didn't cause this establishment to lose not one but five customers in one fell swoop, that didn't make other guests feel uncomfortable. It was very bad business and not an experience one should ever have when dining out. We have a growing group of amazing woman in the community, each month we read and dine somewhere in WeHa, it's a shame we need to remove Arugula from the list of places we like to commune. read more

Finally got a reservation here! It's a Mediterranean fusion spot. Dishes I tried - - mushroom truffle pizza - Mediterranean platter - tiramisu - Korean bang cauliflower All the veggie dishes I tried were incredible and delicious. Flavorful food , kinda pricey but worth it! read more

Love coming here the food is always delicious and light. Really good drinks and great/quick service. Overall very nice read more

Arugula Bistro & Bar - Drinks - Mediterranean Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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