After years of hearing great reports about J. Gilbert’s, which, like Morton’s and Fleming’s is a high-end steakhouse chain, we finally made the trip to Glastonbury to try it. We were glad I did.
J. Gilbert’s occupies a square building located on that overly homogenous stretch of high-end malls along Glastonbury Boulevard. Unlike many steakhouses, the interior is neither overly clubby nor overly Western. It’s sleek, modern and comfortable, with a few stylish knickknacks to suggest the West.
Offering wood-fired steaks and seafood, J. Gilbert’s menu goes a bit beyond most steakhouses. More power to it! We started with our own round loaf of sourdough bread. From the soups and salads, we tried the Maryland crab bisque, the chicken tortilla soup, the wedge salad and the Caesar salad. (Note that the kitchen was kind enough to split our portions for sharing, so the photos you see are only of partial servings.)
From the appetizers, we savored oysters on the half shell, a burrata and bresaola plate, a shrimp Durango and an ahi tuna tartare.
From the entrées and specials, we sampled the maple plank roasted salmon, Cajun-grilled Block Island swordfish, Mishima Ranch Wagyu burger, eight-ounce filet mignon combo with crab cake, bone-in veal chop and 18-ounce “cowboy cut” bone-in rib eye. There was an option to order steak sauce (not pictured) or any of four other butters and sauces. We had most of the available sides, including sautéed spinach, grilled asparagus, green beans with pecans, roasted Brussels sprouts, creamed corn, lobster mac ’n cheese and wild mushrooms with truffle butter.
Nor were the desserts anything to sneeze at. We finished with chocolate velvet cake, seven-layer coconut cake, carrot cake and berries & cream. Afterward, we wondered how we managed to let so many years slide by without trying J. Gilbert’s.
THE VERDICT: J. Gilbert’s is not only one of Connecticut’s top steakhouses, but it has plenty else to offer as well.
FEEDBACK: Tell us about your experience with J. Gilbert’s in Glastonbury.
CONTACT INFO: 185 Glastonbury Blvd., Glastonbury, 860-659-0409, www.jgilberts.com/glastonbury