Regrettably, numerous commitments around Connecticut limited me to taking just three Hamden Restaurant Week meals. However, as a key organizer of the event (along with the Town of Hamden and the Hamden Chamber of Commerce), I was gratified to see big crowds turning up at the 16 participating venues.
The first meal I took was at Ibiza Tapas & Wine Bar, which offered two regular tapas, a large tapa and a dessert for the $20 price. Those who drive by this beloved eatery may note that a patio is under construction and should be finished soon.
The second meal I took was at Sono Bana (formerly named Hama), one of the Nutmeg State’s most underrated restaurants. I have said before that Sono Bana’s sushi is among the best and its traditional Japanese food is the best in Connecticut.
And the third meal I took was at Eli’s on Whitney,
a popular restaurant which, in my opinion, has kicked its food up a notch in recent years. Eli’s really “got” what a restaurant week is all about, putting together one of the event’s most diverse, generous and tempting menus. There is always a restaurant or two that reduces its portions or offers only items with low food costs in an effort to maximize profit. But most Restaurant Week participants recognize that these promotions bring in droves of new customers and that it’s a unique opportunity to win them over.
Eli’s was certainly reaping the benefits of its well-planned menu. You can see that there wasn’t an empty table in the dining room
or bar area,
and that there were even people waiting for tables.
Once one is seated, of course, one’s perspective changes. Here you see our helpful server, Lisa, bringing us a pair of draught beers.
Before I tell you the appetizers we tried, I want to tell you the ones we didn’t. We didn’t get to try the lobster bisque, tomato Florentine, French onion soup, fried Mozzarella, steamed clams, panecotto, Philly egg rolls, buffalo chicken dip, small signature salad, or small Caesar salad. However, the appetizers that we enjoyed included Asian calamari with sweet chili sauce,
grilled escarole with prosciutto, Mozzarella and balsamic drizzle,
and a crab cake in a lobster cream sauce.
The entrées we didn’t get to try included the penne vodka, Santa Fe chicken, black and blue Kobe beef burger, seafood-stuffed sole in lobster cream sauce, blackened tilapia, chicken Marsala, meatloaf, and sacchettini pomodoro. But don’t fret on our behalf. We hugely enjoyed boneless braised short rib in a red wine reduction with mashed potato
and filet mignon in a Gorgonzola cream sauce with fried onion, spinach and mashed potato.
And for dessert, we didn’t get to try a cookie brownie sundae or a fruit tart because we were too busy enjoying a vanilla bean crème brûlée
and a molten lava cake served with Buck’s vanilla ice cream.
You can see by the amount of choice offered and the enthusiastic public response that the Town of Hamden—and Eli’s on Whitney—know how to put on a great Restaurant Week!
Eli’s On Whitney, 2392 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, 203-287-1101
www.elisonwhitney.com