I'm back! Welcome to Carmine's! The restaurant is located on 389 Main St. in East Hartford. It's…read morecold in here! The temperature has got to be 55 degrees (the way Carmine likes it). I live the nice music in here. It's very livel! It's Happy Hour from 3-7 on weekdays (food) and all day for drinks on Monday! The kitchen here makes everything built fresh, from scratch, and all homemade. The appetizers, pasta, entrees and desserts combine old-world traditional Italian flavor with a modern flair for presentation, and the freshest ingredients around. Menu staples like calamari, chicken milanese, fettucine carbonara and ravioli are paired with unique recipes like pappardelle with sausage and tenderloin steaks. They have staffed their kitchen with a dream team of local chefs that ensure our quality does not waiver and our kitchen is always OPEN! Not every place can say that! For my first drink, I'm having the Manhattan's Creek made with Knob Creek bourbon, sweet vermouth, dry vermouth and Angostura bitters. Wait a minute! These are the same ingredients as a Perfect Manhattan! This is chilled, well balanced and nicely garnished. I like it! For my first food item, I'm having a House Salad (small, off-menu version). This is made with a spring mix including basil, tomatoes, julienned carrots, cucumbers and a red wine vinaigrette dressing. This is nice and fresh! I love the dressing! I like the nice cloth napkin as well as a disposable one. The bartender is the nicest one I've ever met. For my next item, I'm having the Rigatoni Marinara. The is made with rigatoni and house marinara sauce. It's low cholesterol and guilt-free (for me). This is steaming hot and delicious! Nice portion size too! For my next item, I'm having a cup of soup. This is broccoli cheddar with potato. Oh yeah! I love those oyster crackers! This is yummy! For my next drink, I'm having the Pratt n Whiskey made with Woodford Reserve bourbon, sweet vermouth, red wine and sour mix. I love it! It's shaken well and tastes great! For my next food item, I'm having the Carmine's Secret Tenderloins. These are actually pan seared caramelized CHICKEN tenderloins made with wine, olive oil, cracked black pepper, kosher salt, shredded Parmesan and a VERY special secret sauce. I can eat this with little regret. This should be interesting! This is quite good! I do like that creamy sauce! For my dessert, I'm having the Toasted Almond. This is soaked in Amaretto layered with light custard and topped with crushed almond. Oh yeah! Look at the presentation! This is fantastic! What a great meal here!

Random selection in my travels off Rt 84. Food was delicious and I happily stumbled on live music…read more Mixed crowd Cappuccino gelato truffle, JD tips over pasta and 1/2 Caesar salad

The food at this place is fabulous. Expertly crafted and exceptionally tasty. Have been to…read moredepartment dinners here for 3 years now. This time I had the veal marsala. Best ever!!!

First time going to Trattoria Toscana an Italian restaurant tucked away in Manchester …read more I must say I had a fabulous time , our waitress was amazing she got us everything we needed and checked on us constantly and was very sweet ! The ambiance was nice and cozy , good music playing in the background , not to loud and easy to have a conversation . To start off we got the Italian meatballs which were amazing highly recommend. We also ordered the mozzarella sticks which I loved the cheese pull was perfection and nice crunch on the outside , highly recommend as well . For my entre I got the NY strip . Served with mashed potatoes and green beans and topped with mushrooms and gorgonzola ! The sides were good but I really enjoyed my steak ! It was cooked medium rare , and the gorgonzola cheese on top was perfection ! I highly enjoyed it ! For dessert I got the tiramisu which was fantastic ( small portion) but very good ! Highly recommend ! Overall 5/5 ! Good atmosphere , good service and great food ! Perfect for family gatherings , eating with friends or even a date night ! Can't wait to be back !

Stumbled upon this place after an event downtown. A couple was on their way out and told us how…read moregreat the food and service was so why not that dragged me in. Upon entry we were greeted by the host. I let him know we will be sitting at the bar as the intention was to get drinks only. My surprise the menu looked pretty good so we got apps. My sister got chicken flatbread and I got the crab cakes the couple Mentioned outside. They did not disappoint food was good. For drinks we had a Hugo sprintz and an espresso martini. Both made very well. The bartender was very friendly and went above and beyond for the customers. Will be back for a proper dinner.

Stumbled upon this place after an event downtown. A couple was on their way out and told us how…read moregreat the food and service was so why not that dragged me in. Upon entry we were greeted by the host. I let him know we will be sitting at the bar as the intention was to get drinks only. My surprise the menu looked pretty good so we got apps. My sister got chicken flatbread and I got the crab cakes the couple Mentioned outside. They did not disappoint food was good. For drinks we had a Hugo sprintz and an espresso martini. Both made very well. The bartender was very friendly and went above and beyond for the customers. Will be back for a proper dinner.

Bricco Bricco is…read moreclearly one of the more popular spots in town, and it's easy to see why -- but our visit was a mix of highs and lows. We started with the shrimp alla vodka pasta, which was genuinely good and a dish I'd order again. We also shared an apple arugula salad that was fresh and well balanced, along with a side of fries that were just okay -- nothing special, but they did the job. The evening didn't start off smoothly, though. The restaurant was busy, and the wait to be seated took a while. Once we were seated, the service was okay at best -- attentive enough to get our order right, but not particularly warm or fast. That became more of an issue when our prosecco arrived flat. We had to work to get our waiter's attention to have it replaced, and it took much longer than it should have for someone to notice and follow up. We also tried a lavender vodka drink, which ended up being a bit of a letdown. It was expensive for what amounted to a small pour, and honestly the best part of it was the fancy glass it came in -- the drink itself didn't quite justify the price. Overall, the food carried the night. The pasta and salad were highlights, and I'd come back for those alone. But the service hiccups and pricey, underwhelming cocktails took some shine off the experience. If you go, stick to the pasta and maybe skip the specialty drinks.

We had such a wonderful dining experience! There were five of us--two vegetarians and three meat…read moreeaters and everyone found something they absolutely loved. Everything was exceptional, from the drinks and ambiance to the salads, entrées, and desserts. The kale salad was fresh and delicious, the Pasta alla Vodka was outstanding, and my daughter thoroughly enjoyed the Chicken Parmesan (I completely forgot to take a picture because she was so excited to dig in!). The hazelnut pie was the perfect way to end the meal and cobbler pie A special shout-out to Rory, who took such great care of us. I was hoping for a Dubai Chocolate Espresso Martini, which wasn't on the menu, and she went above and beyond by checking with the bartender and putting in a special request for me. That thoughtful gesture made my evening extra special and truly reflected the outstanding hospitality. We left happy, full, and already looking forward to coming back to explore more of the menu. Highly recommend and more sensible way was giving the salads separately in two plates. We mentioned we would be sharing the salad and pasta Ella vodka which was the first time I have ever seen in a restaurant, most restaurants would give a big one and we need to portion it out. Amazing experience.

Can a restaurant be this good consistently? All the yes…read more I recently went back for a quick lunch and was floored by how good their pastas still are. I had the gnocchi with sausage and broccoli rabe and I wanted to eat it in mini bites to savor every morsel. It's just creamy and melt in mouth delicious. A little salty, a little savory, just a little slight bitter of the broccoli rabe that just works in the best way. Service was professional and attentive. Treva remains a standout in the Center and a must visit for anyone. Top tier.

Second time to Treva Saturday night. Always busy. All the restaurants are like this in West…read moreHartford but they pack you in so tight you can barely move. To the point where trying to get in to the table my purse knocked over a water glass and it smashed. I'm not large either. Anyway. First time here I felt my dish was much better. I had the Branzino and it was great. This time I had the fruitta de mare and the sauce was extremely bland. Dish felt dried out. Not enough variety of seafood either. Mostly mussels and calamari. Was presented in a weird dish too. I did not care for it at all. They gave me gnocchi for gluten free pasta. It was fine just sauce was bland as mentioned. My boyfriend loved his Orrechiete and it was very good. I will say from the mozzarella bar we had the burrata and the tomatoes were flavored beautifully and the bread also looked quite nice. Bf said it was great. Giving Treva a 4 for last time it was great and everything other than my entree this time was good.

Good Italian food in a quieter, more intimate setting than many places nearby. The dishes we had…read morewere well prepared and the wait staff were professional and attentive without being overbearing. What stood out most was the atmosphere. It is a nice place if you want to actually sit and talk without a lot of noise or crowds. Great for a date or a relaxed evening where conversation is part of the point. It's priced higher than some other options around, so probably more of a special occasion spot than somewhere I would go regularly. That said, when I want a good meal with good service in a calmer setting, I would come back.

Five of us had a wonderful dinner at Trattoria da Lepri last night. It was our first time there,…read moreand we immediately felt welcomed into the cozy, understated, elegant space. It's much bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside. At 5:30, we were the first ones seated on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and it was good we had a reservation because the tables filled up quickly. Before we even noticed that the room was a bit chilly, someone brought over a space heater to make sure we were comfortable. My mother uses a rollator, and we were pleased that there was plenty of space to park it in a corner near our table. Staff were super helpful in getting her situated. Our server, Nicole, was friendly and attentive, as were all the other staff. We asked if they could do a non-alcoholic cocktail and she said sure, do you prefer something sweet or something gingery? We said gingery, definitely not sweet. With just those instructions the bartender sent over virgin Moscow Mules with ginger beer and fresh lime in copper cups -- delicious! We started with house salads which were fresh and nicely dressed with vinaigrette. Then we had the braised beef & truffle pappardelle, roasted cod, vegetable & mushroom risotto, and the homemade ravioli du jour, which was stuffed with mushrooms, swiss cheese and leeks. The person who ordered the ravioli is a vegetarian, so the chef came out to tell him the sauce had a beef stock base and suggest other options. He went with a truffle sauce. As she was delivering our salads and main courses, Nicole asked if anyone would like freshly ground pepper or grated cheese -- a nice touch that a lot of restaurants don't do these days. We were all delighted our food. For dessert, we shared the ricotta donuts and the cannoli. The donuts came out piping hot, coated in cinnamon & sugar, with a yummy caramel sauce on the side. The cannoli with orange zest, chocolate and pistachios was also marvelous. All in all, it was a perfect evening. Superb food and service, great atmosphere, and attention to our group's special needs. I'd like to make this a family tradition every year.

Eating at Burnside Roma Restaurant is like going to an Italian family's house for dinner! The owner…read moreand her daughter are so friendly and welcoming! Their homemade bread is to die for, and the EVOO, garlic, and herb concoction to dip the bread in is yummy! I got the eggplant Parmesan. It was cooked perfectly, not too much cheese (that's a good thing) and very good. It was served with a side of angel hair pasta with red sauce. Their sauce tastes like it's been cooking all day, very concentrated tomato flavor, just like it should taste, wonderful. My husband has a daily special, the creamy Mac & cheese with pulled pork. He said it was great. Service was above excellent! We even got free desserts & more bread to take home! This may not be the fanciest decorated restaurant around, but it's definitely the best!

Serving delicious pizza, pasta and chicken dishes. Generous portions, and a great spot to pick up a…read moremeal for lunchtime take out if you're local to East Hartford. Reasonably priced, with an old school feel in the dining room.

The. Best. Restaurant. In West Hartford…read more The food is unbelievable. All fresh!! Every time we come it just gets better and better. Love the ambiance inside and service is always fantastic. Can't beat Bricco.

First and foremost if I was rating the food it would be 4.5, and if I was rating our server Kendal…read moreit would be a 5. However, the restaurant experience as a whole, it's a 3. Allow me to elaborate. You cannot make a reservation online. Not on open table, not on resy, not on their website. It says to call. So we called and made a reservation over the phone. Then, we got a text from ready confirming our reservation as well as an email Confirming our reservation from resy. An hour before our reservation we got a text saying that it's not actual reservation only a place holder for walking in. When we got in for our reservation, we still had a 25 minute wait. Dinner was great and service too, but what a total pain into deal with and completely unprofessional for a restaurant. Another party had a 6:30 reservation and when they arrived they'd been moved to 7:30 and couldn't be seated. So they discussed in the entryway and went down the street who accommodated them. We've been going to Billy's restaurants for over 20 years (our first date was at grants eons ago) and this is just disappointing.

This restaurant is tucked away, but once you step inside it feels polished and thoughtfully…read moredesigned. The warm, almost beachy architecture still fits the New England setting. I started with a cocktail topped with a mini charcuterie board, which was a fun touch. We ordered the tuna tartare to start. The portion was generous and the tuna tasted very fresh, especially with the mashed avocado on top. For my entree, I had the frutti di mare. The flavors were great, but I wish the sauce were a bit thicker since it settled at the bottom and left the noodles a little bare. Service was excellent and we never felt rushed. My fiancé ordered the espresso martini with cold foam to finish. I am not usually a fan of espresso martinis, but this one was impressive. The cold foam and chocolate-covered espresso beans stood out. Looking forward to coming back in the summer to try the patio.

First time trying this restaurant and the ambience was great. I really loved the decor and color…read morechoices, especially the beautiful turquoise bar counter. My husband and I went to celebrate our wedding anniversary, so we were excited to try it after reading so many good reviews. For appetizers, the fried zucchini blossoms were absolutely delicious, they practically melted in your mouth. My husband ordered the calamari and said it was perfectly cooked and tasted great. The in-house bread was also soft and served hot. I ordered a Tiramisu Martini and wow... it was the BEST! The flavor was different from a regular espresso martini and definitely worth trying. For our main course we ordered the mushroom mafaldine, which unfortunately lacked seasoning and creaminess. It was a bit dry, so we had to ask the waiter for some Italian seasoning and cheese. Service was amazing food arrived quickly.

"And yes, her jeans are tight now She gonna travel light now…read more Oh, but I got one for you Portobello belle" (Dire Straits) Put a great meal in a beautifully designed space, add a server with a 1,000 megawatt personality, and finish with a warm, unexpected visit from the owner. Well, that's the checklist for the standout lunch experience we had at Portobello yesterday. The European street scene dining room is very pretty, with two huge Italian landscape paintings on the brick walls, lantern lights, a wide plank hardwood floor, dark furniture and white tablecloths. Molto elegante! So, our experience was positive from the minute we sat down but got even better when Dee made her appearance. She may have been my favorite server of 2026! What a joy she was, with her sunny disposition, whip smart sense of humor, and plain overall charm. We dove into the lunch menu and saw they had a ton of options within their Appetizer, Soup, Salad, Entrée. Burger, Pasta, and Sandwich/Wrap groupings. We went for two sandwiches - Eggplant with fries ($19) and Balsamic Marinated Portobello Mushroom Panini ($16.00) with fresh mozzarella, oven-fried tomatoes, arugula, roasted pepper aioli and a side salad. The Mushroom Panini was mine and it was fantastic; I loved every bite of it. I love mushrooms and that big Portobello, tomato, aioli combination was delicious. Toward the end of the meal, none other than owner Seyo Cecunjanin came over to thank us for our patronage and asked how we liked the meal. When we told him we loved it and we were first timers, he thanked us again in the form of a complimentary slice of their Pistachio cake! Portobello has a Happy Hour (how does a Chocolate Covered Strawberry Martini sound?), and that makes Portobello even more of a sweet destination to seek out and support. Thank you, Dee, Seyo, and everyone at Portobello for a five star experience.

Portobello is the best Italian restaurant in this area! The…read morefood is so fresh and well-seasoned. Theirseafood options are unparalleled. I had the linguine with clams and it was chock full of whole and chopped clams- to die for! The service and ambiance are great. I already can't wait to return . . .