Bar Americain - Mohegan Sun Casino

Last weekend before taking in the Kid Rock show at Mohegan Sun (stop snickering) we decided to have a proper dinner at Bar Americain. Having never dined at the original location in New York City, I was really looking forward to trying it out and possibly catching a glimpse of Mr. Flay laying the smackdown in the kitchen. I looked, but the only thing staring back at me was the red snapper from the seafood display.

Mohegan Sun has done an excellent job of attracting a variety of big names in the restaurant business, and the latest addition is no exception.
For starters, the restaurant is a welcoming space with high ceilings, marble flooring and amber lighting. It’s airy and comfortable. Several glassed in areas displaying wines flanked the walls. A bar to the right of the entrance looked like a great place to wait for a table and do some people watching.

Upon being seated, we decided on a couple glasses of wine while perusing the menu. The wine list contains a well chosen selection, with something for every budget. I loved that we didn’t recognize many names, and proceeded to choose poorly with a glass of Malbec! On the flip side, my friend enjoyed an outstanding Tempranillo, which I also ordered with dinner. I think it was one of the best wines by the glass I’ve tried recently. Wine in hand, we faced the daunting task of narrowing down our dinner choices, not as easy as we thought. Every single item on the menu piqued our interest, which doesn’t happen very often. The Bobby Flay influence was in every dish, his signature bold style enhanced by complex flavors.

As we nibbled on warm and spicy cornbread sticks, we chose the Tuna Tartar and Gulf Shrimp with Grits from the appetizer menu. If they had given us ladles for the grits, we would have used them. Creamy with a spicy kick, it was something that would be perfect with a pork dish, shrimp or with eggs for breakfast. The one complaint was that the shrimp in the dish were on the small side; we would have preferred four medium shrimp as opposed to five tiny ones. We also enjoyed the Tuna; it was fresh and provided a refreshing accompaniment to the grits. If that was a taste of things to come, we were in for a treat. Our friends ordered the Mussels & Fries American and the Red Snapper. The Mr. also ordered the Red Snapper and I chose the Duck with Dirty Wild Rice. Apparently, we were worried about leaving hungry, so Brooklyn Hash Browns and Cauliflower and Goat Cheese Gratin were added as side dishes. When the dishes were brought to our table, the shark feeding frenzy began. The Mussels arrived, smothered in a wonderful green chile sauce with a side of addictive fries. My duck was perfectly cooked, so tender and moist on a bed of wild rice with bourbon sauce. Quack. I think the prettiest and most complex dish was the Red Snapper Florida Style. A generous portion of fish, dressed with a thin plantain crust and mango salsa. Tropical and spicy, a taste explosion indeed.

Can you believe we left room for dessert? Oh yeah. Our plates were cleared to make room for Sweet Potato Pie and Pistachio Crème Brulee. Both were outstanding and the ideal ending to our dinner adventure.

The service was spot on, friendly and relaxed. Given we were there on a Saturday night, we would have easily been rushed through dinner, but that was not the case. Bar Americain adds yet another destination restaurant to the already stellar lineup at Mohegan Sun. Thanks Bobby!!

Pappacelle - Avon, CT

In a town loaded to the gills with Italian restaurants, I think the hands down favorite for the Mr. and I is Papacelle. A family-owned place located in a quiet section of a shopping/commercial plaza, it offers a relaxed vibe with a beautiful view of nearby Talcott Mountain. Having said that, I must also tell you that I have a love-hate relationship with the place.

Over the course of a year, I have eaten there approximately 8 times for lunch and dinner. Although it hardly makes me a regular, I did experience lackluster service on three occasions and an odd customer service snafu by one of the owners. I am not alone in my observation, having heard similar stories from co-workers. But, I am not one to write off a restaurant too easily, so let’s keep an open mind…

One mistake Papacelle does NOT make is with their food. It is consistently excellent and is what keeps us coming back. Their menu is not your typical “red sauce” Italian and features a well chosen selection of meats, seafood and pasta. On my last lunch visit, I was tempted by a rabbit ravioli lunch special and was rewarded with a delicious plate of rustic pasta. The filling was tender, savory but not overly rich. The Mr. ordered his usual Carbonara, which has the distinction of being his favorite in the area. On previous visits, the Beef crepes and “Study of Meatballs” were standouts on the appetizer menu.

One my favorite things on their menu is also the simplest. You must try the Grilled Romaine. Practically a meal, the grill lends a sweet smoky flavor to the lettuce which is then dressed with olives, peppers, zucchini and a garlic dressing.

The wine menu aims to please, you’ll see some familiar names but the prices are reasonable enough to be adventurous and try new ones. Two of my favorites: Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay and a super Tuscan from Villa Antinori.

Inside and out, Papacelle offers one of the best most beautiful dining spots in town. It’s one of the few places around where you can escape from the pressures of office life for an hour or enjoy a relaxing dinner out. The dining room and bar are very spacious; even when it’s busy you never feel like you’re sitting on top of your neighbor. In the warmer months, it’s a treat to sit on the patio with its beautiful fountain and lush green surroundings.

They are also very proactive at engaging diners through wine dinners and dinner specials. I am perplexed as to why service lags at times, but the obvious attention to detail in the cooking will keep me going back. Do try it, and I would be interested to hear your thoughts.
http://www.papacelle.com/

3/13/10: Returned to have lunch recently and decided to post a photo of another dish I enjoyed; the venison ravioli. It was outstanding!

Arugula - West Hartford, CT

Last Saturday the Mr. decided to surprise his favorite Cheeseburger with dinner reservations at Arugula, a Mediterranean bistro located in West Hartford Center. Having been a longtime fan of the place, I was looking forward to our experience!

The thing that sets them apart from other places in the area is the intimate setting and cozy feel. I know some people may be put off by the cramped space, especially when it gets busy. I find Arugula to be very charming, a nice change of place from the “see to be seen” places nearby. Oh, and the food….

After placing our order for wine, we decided to start with the escargot. Served in a crock bathed in a garlic sauce with chunks of tomatoes, they were perfect. Not too chewy with a nice texture. We were served mini baguettes of delicious bread; which we immediately used to soak up the liquid. Euphoria quickly turned to depression when the last snail was consumed. *sigh*

The entrees change seasonally, although I am always pleased to see my favorite mushroom rosemary lasagna on the menu. On this particular night, I ordered the duck leg confit. It arrived with a side of crispy truffled potatoes. Other than garlic, I can’t think of a better way to dress up a potato. The duck had a wonderful crispy skin and tender meat underneath. The portion was perfect, and after polishing off my plate like a good girl, I was ready for dessert.

Desserts at Arugula are always a treat; and worth saving room for. I was feeling festive, and broke my self-imposed rule about NOT ordering flavored crème brulee. They were featuring peppermint white chocolate, which intrigued me. It arrived a tad too cold for my liking, with a nicely browned sugar crust. The peppermint and white chocolate complemented each other well, and added some holiday flair to our meal. The Mr. had a very generous portion of Buck’s vanilla ice cream and an espresso, both of which he enjoyed.

We never had a long wait for anything and our meal flowed along nicely. I have found the service to be consistently casual over the years, but it is in keeping with the relaxed vibe. Arugula continues to be a “hidden” gem, it reminds me of a place you might find in Greenwich Village. Try it sometime when you want a change of pace. or when you want to eat snails.