I'm back to a great Italian restaurant. It is located on 124 Hebron Avenue in Glastonbury, CT in a…read morecommercial complex. The Happy Hour here is good! There's a good selection of food and quality cocktails. It's only 3PM-5PM so get here early. My sister also likes their GF pizza (with pepperoni). The pizza kitchen is an open one. The music is definite oldies in here. Disco Inferno!
For my first drink, I'm having an Our Negroni made with Beefeater Gin, Campari, sweet vermouth and San Pelligrino Arancitta. Pelligrino Arancitta is an unusual ingredient. Sanpellegrino Aranciata is the original sparkling orange drink from Italy. I've never seen this in a Negroni other than at here. It is served quickly, garnished nicely with an orange wheel and a rosemary leaf (also odd). What a nice touch! They are quick to drop off a complementary ice water.
For my first food item, I'm having the Chopped Antipasto Salad made with to subs lettuce, provolone cheese, Genoa salami, string beans (that's new), tomatoes, chick peas (that's different) and Parmesan cheese. They use cloth napkins and metal utensils. That's always a good sign. This is a good sized portion! I remember it as being much smaller before (I could be wrong). All the ingredients are quite fresh. It tastes great!
For my next food item, I'm having the Our Meatballs made with parmigiano and garlic bread crumbs (per the Happy Hour menu). These are really the MY AUNT JOSIE'S MEATBALLS (just one less) made with stracciatella, mozzarella, toasted breadcrumbs and EVOO (per the Dinner Menu). These came out quick! They are piping hot! Oh yeah! These are delicious! Sauce is great too!
For my next drink, I'm having The Spicy Mango. This is made with Tanteo Jalapeño tequila and Patron Mango Citrone. I'm hoping for a fresh jalapeño garnish. Let's see if they have it. Nope! But, the bartender offered a Tajin rim. Good idea! There a good crowd in here and it's nut even 4PM yet. The bar is full including the two high tops. This tastes great! It's nicely garnished with a lime wheel and has a huge Tajin rim. It's has a little kick to it too!
For my next food item, I'm having the Grilled Artichoke. This is made with crushed hazelnuts, lemon and Parmesan cheese. This is definitely a unique item you can't get anywhere else. These is good! I love the salad! Love those hazelnuts! What a unique dish!
For my next food item, I'm having the Roasted Prosciutto Wrapped Dates. These are made with Gorgonzola cheese, toasted pumpkin seed and raw Brussels sprouts salad. These are great! Crunchy on the outside. I move that salad! Wow! They're playing Born to Be Alive by Patrick Hernandez. I've never heard that in a restaurant. He's a one hit wonder!
For my next drink, I'm having the Venetian Martini. This is made with Absolut Citron, Aperol, Prosecco and lime juice. It's is nicely garnished and tastes great! It is strong too. You can taste the alcohol let me yell you!
For my next item, I'm having the Happy Hour Cheeseburger (cooked medium) made with lettuce, tomato, provolone and a brioche bun. I'm not leaving here without it! This burger is huge! I love dill pickles and ketchup! This is delicious!
For my last drink, Mercedes is making me a Mercedes Manhattan. Look at this masterpiece! A Manhattan is a classic, spirit-forward cocktail made with whiskey (traditionally rye or bourbon), sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters, stirred with ice and served in a chilled glass, typically garnished with a maraschino cherry or lemon twist. It's known for its balanced, complex flavor, with rye providing spice and bourbon offering sweetness, and variations exist using different spirits or vermouths. This is absolutely perfect! It's perfect garnished with an orange peel, two maraschino cherries and a sprig of rosemary. It is perfectly balanced. There simply is no better than this. It has a hint of chocolate in it. I like the square ice cube to slow the dilution process. They just played Waterloo by ABBA. I haven't heard that in decades! I just noticed that the lights dim as the night goes on.
For dessert, I'm having the Vanilla Creme Brulee with a chocolate chip cookie. Hold the phone here! This was served in UNDER ONE MINUTE! I'm told they just torch it. I'm impressed! I think that's a record! I love the confectionery sugar sprinkle! Damn! This is good! No vanilla bean on the bottom (not everyone does that). Wait! I see it. It's on the edges! This is delicious! It's a good portion for sure!
The last item is a GF pepperoni pizza for my sister. This is a rare treat she gets once (or twice a year). This place is the best!