Went to Fire x Forge last evening and it was amazing. What an incredible cause and experience. First of all the space is stunning. It's incredible to see the restoration of a historic building. We had reservations and were seated promptly. Our server Shamille was attentive, made great suggestions and took care in explaining the mission and impact they are having on the community. The food: -Biscuits were TOP NOTCH. The warm flavors and flakiness were to die for. -The hummus was also amazing. Perfect seasoning and flavors. Lavender lemonade? So Good! -All of the mains were good; we had the ribs, beef shoulder, Mahi with banana leaf and mahi tacos. Flavors were good, albeit spicy on a couple. -The ají verde sauce is no joke lol definitely has a kick. For the kitchen: larger pieces of fish, a slaw or cilantro crema and cotija would elevate the tacos. The flavors were good, but the taco was a little empty. Also perhaps drops of the verde sauce on the ribs versus a drizzle to tone down the heat so nothing takes away from the flavor which was amazing by the way. Epically delicious! Desserts: -The cheesecake was nice, soft and not too sweet. -The marshmallow was like a mochi. You had to chew it well before swallowing but it was well executed and delicious. -The sweet potato cobbler would probably be better as a crisp with an herbed streusel. The ice cream was amazing! All in all it was SO WORTH it. Everyone did a fantastic job and we were so proud of the work they all are doing. We will definitely recommend to others and will return. read more

We arrived with a large group without reservations, kinda chose it on a whim, so we had to wait a bit but it was fine, we were shortly accommodated. The place looked spacious and with a lot of light, it looked clean and they seemed to have a nice selection of wines (for those that like it) , they were displayed for people to see, which I thought looked very nice. I went to the restroom to wash my hands and I found it odd that there was only 1 restroom for the size of the restaurant. Our waiter was nice, he took our order and we were excited. The food took a VERY long time, we were starving, and we had kids with us so that wasn't good. Some of our orders were wrong and so unfortunately we had to wait even longer for the right meal. We didn't order alcohol but we did older a couple of mocktails. I was SUPER excited for them because that's something I always appreciate at a restaurant. I'm sad to say that they were AWFUL!! straight up syrup, not bubbly (some were supposed to have soda in them) not sweet, simply not enjoyable at all, I ended up switching it for a simple club soda, I figured it was a safe bet. When my food came out, it was ok, I had the avocado toast, and it was forgettable, my sister had the chicken and waffles and now THAT was the meal to get, it was large in portion and that chicken was beyond tasty!! My other sister has the lomito sandwich with the chips and it was good, something missing but she enjoyed it. The rest of the food were burgers and they were ok, the kids had burgers and Mac and cheese and they were not tasty according to the children's disinterest in barely touching their food (and they love cheeseburgers). I'm always willing to bypass certain things as long as customer service delivers BUT unfortunately they fell short. We were celebrating an engagement and so we were all very happy and in a great mood, when suddenly workers around us were cleaning up the neighboring tables, and even sweeping very close to us. We thought the place was possibly closing? (Even though it was only 2:15pm). I asked if they were closing and they said that they close the restaurant from 3-4 so their employees can go eat .... I'm not against giving them a break BUT, it really felt like they were kicking us out, we felt pressured to eat fast and wrap it up, not a good feeling, when you are in the zone of happiness. It was our first time there so, I would have appreciated if they would have informed us that the restaurant takes a little break in between and then we would have decided if we wanted to stay or go elsewhere. They did bring a little dessert and 2 mocktails for the newly engaged which was nice, I'll give them that. Overall, I don't think the food and experience was worth me coming back or recommending this place, I'm sure there's other much better places. read more

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It's a great mission, with great food and drink/drank choices. Bathroom: ***** (super clean/classy) Quality: **** Quantity: ** Presentation: **** (well platted) Price: $$$$$ (pricy for quantity) Ambiance: Loud/Casual/Busy Attitude: Kind/Attentive Overall: too pricy for the overall experience and food. Nice to contribute but you're contributing your check! read more

Fire by Forge - Sydney omelette with turkey sausage - New American Near Me - Hartford, Connecticut

.Enjoyed coming here for a yelp event. Got to enjoy an arrangement of appetizers ranging from different meats and cheeses with fruits and crackers ,duck jambalaya, Brussels sprouts , and braised lamb. Service here was fast and friendly, establishment was clean too. To drink I got the ELDER WISDOM It was made with gin, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, rosemary simple, elderflower, elderberry liqueur, prosecco, lemon wheel, smoked rosemary. It was tasty! read more

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Went here for a yelp elite event. The place was packed in the back where regular diners were seated for dinner. The place was super lively, beautifully decorated, and inviting. We were able to try many of their dishes, my favorite was their gumbo. I couldn't have eaten enough here. I tried their smoked apple drink which is one of the most delicious drinks I've ever had. I would def go back with friends . Thanks fire by forge ! read more

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We went for Mother's Day Brunch and loved it! Get the biscuit appetizer served with butter and jam! They were delicious! Industrial atmosphere and large seating area in the back. We loved their vegan tofu scramble. (However the vegan bacon was too crunchy!) My mother got the steak & eggs and she loved it! Something for everyone! Kind staff. Great family spot! read more

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Another fun night with the elite squad I got to sample bites like the Brussels mushroom empanada with truffle mayo, picanha steak with chimichurri butter and the duck jambalaya! Bar drinks were delicious and vibrant, and the atmosphere felt social. Parking is available in lot and also along the street. Busy bartenders, happy patrons and creatively unique food. read more

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Extremely overpriced for what it is. We came for lunch- I originally ordered the Holy Mole chicken arepa, but they didn't have the arepa. I got the burrito and it was bland. The street corn dip was okay but not worth $16. There was also a small hair in it that I didn't notice until we were done, it was under the tortilla chips and definitely not mine. The American Up n Down onion soup was good ($11). I liked the lavender lemonade. My partner got the steak sandwich, which he was disappointed in. Very small portion for $22. His drink was never brought to the table. I would maaaaaybe come back to try their brunch but I know it would be overpriced as well. There's a lot of better places to eat that don't cost nearly as much. $90 for a lunch for two- no alcohol- and it wasn't very good. Very disappointing. read more

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Through the grapevine (social media pages I follow), we heard that Chef Van Hurd from Season 6 of Hell's Kitchen was now the executive chef here at Fire By Forge! So naturally, we pulled up to check it out! (Disclaimer: Chef told me that he was so new there that his featured items hadn't hit the menu at that time. ALSO, he's been long gone from there at the time of this review.) So anyway, here's how things went! Atmosphere/Appearance: Set right in Hartford, just a little on the outskirts is this gem. It's on Broad street a little out the way and there is a very small parking lot next to the restaurant, but street parking is also available. The outside looks very well put together and rustic. Once inside the restaurant is kinda split into 2 sections. You have the main section which is nice, open with high ceilings, bright red bricks, big windows, soft leather couches and all kinds of seating arrangements. If you walk past the bar you get into a smaller section, but it's kinda like a tunnel of tables. Lol. That tunnel of tables then opens up into what almost looks like a different restaurant, but feels like a space they expanded into. So there's plenty of places to sit, though I still encourage reservations! The atmosphere was lively and full of energy. This place also lets you know that it's a cooking school too! Amateur chefs can come here to learn knife skills and cooking skills as well! (This is just a small snippet of what they do, but I encourage you to visit the businesses website to learn more about what they offer.) Service: Here's my only gripe about this place. Right online it says "Happy Hour is from 4:30 PM to 6 PM daily and 8pm-9pm, except on holidays, events, or show nights." But like, when isn't there a show or some sort of event going at at The Bushnell or some nearby theater?! You have to literally call and check with the host to see if they're doing happy hour before you come because if you THINK you're in the clear, they can just say... oh there's a show tonight so there will be no happy hour. So that bothered me. Oh well. We still dined. Now for the good stuff! Let me tell you something about Suzie Johnson! She is the bartender here and she won BARTENDER OF THE YEAR in 2024 via the Connecticut Restaurant Association! She is a TREAT! She's full of personality, knows her stuff and is just a true pleasure. Food: First off was the Up In Smoke Old Fashioned. It had great, subtle sweetness up front, warm taste from the Up & Down branded bourbon, cold, smooth, not too harsh and of course, a bit smokey. As a courtesy to guests, they're served pickled carrots as palate cleansers instead of bread, crisps or anything like that. Clever. The first small plate I got to try were the Duck Mole Wings! These are described as "5 crispy duck wings with a tequila mole barbecue sauce, served with sesame seeds and pickled onions. These certainly looked the part! These were smooth, not necessarily crispy, extremely tender, hardy and just balanced. Mole is a very ingredient-heavy sauce and these were delicious. My 2nd drink was the Ghost Rider which is Up & Down bourbon, spiced Nightrider espresso, Licor 43 and an orange twist. This had a sharp cinnamon/hazelnut/nutmeg flavor/spice-y flavor. Very good and warming as well, even though it was a little sweet. Next up was the Knife Skills Soup! This is a soup compiled by the trainees and all the vegetables they've chopped in class! How cool is that?! It was a very thick vegetable soup, hearty, salty and warm. Next up were the Tostone Nachos! These were so fantastic. The pulled pork on top was so meaty, so tender and the queso fresco was lightly cheesy adding subtle notes to the hearty pork and carb-y tostone. This was my favorite thing of the night. My last drink of the night was the Sazerac. If absinthe is in the building, I must try that restaurant's version. This one was spectacular, but could've used more rye bourbon. The last thing we had to try was their Smash Burger. The burger consists of 2 1/3 lb angus beef patties, a "crystal bun", American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and special sauce. You can add bacon, egg or anything else if you'd like. This was delicious. The whole thing just melts in your mouth. The flavors were all there and so defined. Excellent. Value: This place won't break your bank, but it's not cheap either. Each of my drinks hovered around $13.00 a piece. As I'm late to write this review as I'm still catching up from years of backlog, none of the food I wrote about is on their current menu except for their smash burger which came in at $19.00. So like I said, not cheap, but... reasonable. In conclusion, I really liked this place, but as I am a happy hour hunter, not knowing if they'll have it or not based on how busy it is... is kind of a turn off. Like, just make up your mind and the people will as well. read more

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Never as good as Firebox was and they are sliding downhill :-( The interior is a little grungy - restrooms needed to be cleaned , stuff stacked along the wall, etc - basic stuff that a restaurant manager should be keeping an eye on. Food varied from meh to flat out bad - yucca fries drowned in brown sauce, mac and cheese that was mediocre at best and the added chicken was just thrown on top. Service was very inexperienced - didnt check in, didnt refill water, didnt clear dishes that were finished, etc read more

Stopped by for lunch and was immediately drawn to the restaurant's mission. Their commitment to supporting the community through job training, internships, and apprenticeships for individuals overcoming challenges such as poverty, incarceration, homelessness, and addiction is truly inspiring. It's the kind of mission that makes you want to support the place before even looking at the menu. I ordered the NOLA Shrimp Po'Boy, and my colleague went with the Smash Burger. Since it was a cold December day, I also ordered a cappuccino while my colleague chose a lemonade. Our drinks arrived quickly, but the food took noticeably longer. We had already finished our beverages by the time our meals arrived--about 30 minutes later. The food itself was okay, but the service could use improvement. I understand there was a large corporate group dining in at the time, which may have contributed to the delay, but consistency is important, especially during busy hours. It's an opportunity for the restaurant to refine their operations to match the strength of their mission. Overall, I appreciate what this restaurant stands for, and I hope they continue improving the dining experience to match the heart behind their purpose. read more

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I've been twice recently and both times had a wonderful experience. The service was quick and smooth. Staff was very friendly. And it can get very busy with holiday gatherings around lunch time. The food was delicious! I got the Mac and cheese and it was so yummy the only downside to this place is the parking lot is super small so be prepared to park in the street and have to walk or try and carpool if you can. 10/10 would recommend and will for sure be coming back. Plus feels nice knowing the proceeds are to help the community! read more

Fire by Forge - Mac & Cheese - New American Near Me - Hartford, Connecticut

I go to Hartford every summer for a conference but it never occurred to me to skip out and explore what the city has to offer. I'm so glad that I did this time, and that I found Fire by Forge. Food was fresh and interesting and tasty. The hit, for me, is their social enterprise approach and their impact on the community. They make good food while empowering people who often are overlooked and undervalued, enabling them to experience mobility and contribute to a thriving economy. Beautiful stuff! read more

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A beautiful building refurbished to a restaurant with a mission. The philosophy of helping give people a second chance does not compromise the excellent food or friendly service. A bonus is the variety of vegan options. Everyone was happy with their lunch choices. We can't wait to return for buck a shuck Thursday or Wing Tuesday read more

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The concept of this restaurant will keep me coming back time and time again. I absolutely adore their message and there needs to be far more of it than there is! Kudos to you Fire by Forge! My husband and I had the pleasure of trying this wonderful restaurant for brunch this morning. Our server, Amy was friendly and attentive. She answered our questions and gave a great overview of what Fire by Forge stands for. We tried pour over coffee for the first time and the flavor is so much fuller and bolder than traditional drip coffee. We shared a cinnamon roll to start and it was by far the absolute star of the show. The roll itself was gooey and had a beautiful cinnamon swirl but it was not overly sweet. It complimented the warm decadent cream cheese frosting smeared on top perfectly. I would go back just for that and a coffee in the future! To eat - I had the biscuits and gravy with an over easy egg on top. The yolk broke so was cooked instead of gooey but it was still tasty. Additionally - the biscuit to gravy ratio was just a tad off in my opinion. There were 4 hearty sized biscuits and not enough gravy. They should give an option: 2 or 3 biscuits and they needed a little extra gravy. All and all, however - it was still super tasty! My husband had the steak sandwich on warm ciabatta. He had a side of fire fries which added the tiniest hint of smokey paprika. He really enjoyed it. We thought it was going to be a lot heavier than it was. It was a charming spot with a beautiful vision and I can't wait to go back! read more

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Oh my goodness I love this spot. We tried to come here once on the weekend but realizing that reservations are almost required if you would like a seat. We were told to book out two weeks in advance. We tried again and were able to get a spot. The story behind the not for profit restaurant is beautiful! We both had lattes & they were great. I had the avocado toast which was a 10/10 & he had the chicken and waffles which was a 8/10. We would definitely recommend this place and come back again :) read more

Fire by Forge - Latte, Chicken & Waffle - New American Near Me - Hartford, Connecticut

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My family and I had the pleasure of visiting Fire by Forge yesterday. I didn't know what to expect and boy were we blown away! Grace was fantastic and I know we definitely made sure she got her steps in. But she always returned with a smile. They are so attentive to anyone with allergies. We even had a visit to our table by the Chef. That was so appreciated! Thx Chef!! The drinks were fabulous from the Mojitos to the blackberry and fig margaritas. The Fig Margarita is a must try! The happy hour menu had a nice variety of choices. I tried my first plant based product, which were the crabcakes. I was very pleased with the flavor and texture of the crab cake. Brick interior and dim lighting makes for a nice date night or special occasion dinner. I honestly want to go back again very soon! read more

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Tried the Buffalo Mac & Cheese at Fire by Forge in Hartford--chicken was seasoned well, mac could use salt and more cheese. Tasty, but $20 for that portion? 7.5/10. Would I eat it again? Maybe... if someone else is paying. read more

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The food and cocktails were amazing! The seasonal Macadamia Manhattan was so unique and delightful. The burrito was upscale and yummy. The guys behind the bar were friendly. I gave an extra star for the high quality of the food/drinks and the commendable mission of the restaurant. However, the burrito and fries came out cold, which was a huge disappointment. The management has not figured out how to handle a busy night. We made reservations well in advance and showed up about 5 minutes before we were supposed to be seated at 6 p.m. but they were still seating people with 5:45 p.m. reservations at 6:10 p.m. We all had shows to get to since there were events at the nearby Bushnell and Webster, so it's understandable that it was busy, but this is a regular occurrence at this location. We opted to take a seat at the bar after waiting about 15 minutes after our reservation time had come and passed rather than keep waiting for a table. It took quite a while for someone to take our order and over an hour for the food to arrive. Several people left before their food arrived because they didn't want to miss their show. I hope Fire by Forge gets a handle on how to get folks seated in a timely fashion and get food out warm and more quickly because they are doing amazing work by hiring folks who have a difficult time securing employment. I want to see them thrive but pretty much everyone around me on Saturday was complaining about the service and indicated they wouldn't be back. read more

On our way to see a UCONN football game we went to fire by Forge for brunch. The location is absolutely beautiful and very spacious. We started with the avocado toast, which didn't have a lot of avocado on it for the price, but was still delicious. The sourdough bread was so fresh and it onions were so good. I had the buenos dias tacos, taco tacos with eggs I added bacon. They had a major kick to them, which I didn't expect, but it was good. My son had the biscuits and gravy, which was so unique. It had almost a sweet flavor to it and was very filling. He really enjoyed it. He took a cinnamon roll home to have later. The server was average. He didn't clear our dishes, and he didn't take our order in a timely manner also, their beer offerings are very lacking. Their mission is phenomenal and I would definitely go back. read more

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This place was certainly a find. The place was packed at 5:00pm so I would definitely call in ahead for a table. I also liked the story behind the restaurant and the opportunities it creates for second chances which was explained to us by our waitress upon being brought out menus. Onto the food. 1) Kids mac and cheese - this was really good. The kid liked it a lot and liked the fruit cup selection of really good strawberries and raspberries. 2) Pan seared snapper over spinach risotto (daily special) - this was really good. had a nice crust on the outside of the tender/flaky fish. The risotto was flavored well, a little tight (firm), but was still good. 3) Chocolate chip empanada. this was the recommendation by our waitress as her favorite so why not try it. Boy it did not disappoint! hot and crispy outside and nice and gooey inside and pair it with the sauce was a perfect combination. I would eat another plate of this any day and any time. Do not miss out on this gem. You will not be disappointed! read more

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This was my 2nd time here and it didn't disappoint. There is limited street parking and they do have a parking lot that can get full quick. The ambience is really nice with great music and very friends and accommodating hostesses. All staff have a smile on there face which says a lot. While there were no reservations available online, we took a chance and showed up and they had seating for the four of us. Teal, was our amazing waiter. Even while new, she still was able to give her opinion on options we considered. Food is flavorful and has beautiful presentation. I recommend the wings with the dry rub, tostones, flatbread, and wild Mushroom Empanadas. If you go on Tuesday and sit at the counter during happy hour, their Tacos are great! The poached pear and flan is very good too! I look forward to coming back! read more

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Ambiance good Service good Good I had waffle and chicken. The chicken was very well seasoned. The waffle was rubbery. I didn't think it was enough for the cost. read more

Based on a catering order: we had food catered and it was decent but wouldn't call extraordinary. The BBQ pulled pork came without any kind of BBQ sauce. There were quite a few fatty pieces though that tends to happen with pulled pork. The butternut squash ravioli was probably the best thing we got on the menu. Delivery was also late though unsure if this was due to busy location. Desserts provided also would say average (cookies and brownies). read more

Went for brunch. Drinks were not bad (one drink was fabulous the next was terrible), service could have been better. Food was decent. Maybe with a different server it would have been fine read more

This spot has been on my list for a while, and I finally had the chance to stop by -- totally worth the wait! From start to finish, everything was phenomenal and exceeded my expectations. I came in for a quick lunch break that I honestly didn't want to end. The dry rub (highly recommended by our wonderful server, Dayanara) was a perfect 10/10 -- full of flavor and cooked to perfection. The truffle mayo deserves its own fan club, and the passionfruit mimosa? Absolutely the highlight of my day -- refreshing, balanced, and just the right touch of sweetness. The atmosphere was welcoming, the service attentive, and the food outstanding. I'm already planning a Part 2 visit because there's no way I'm stopping at just one experience here! read more

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Fire By Forge and amazing upscale casual, chef driven Pan-American inspired cafe, restaurant and bar. The restaurant is committed to a farm to table menu in addition to fully integrating culinary and customer job training program. The food is absolutely delectable and I will say that 100% at every visit. I've not had anything served to me at this establishment without being awed. I have tried, Bagel & Lox, Huevos Rancheros, Avocado Toast, Karrigan's Biscuits, Mushroom Empanadas and Downtown Mac & Cheese with Fried Buffalo Chicken. Thinking about all that makes my mouth water!! I also, always get a Cortado and Lavender Lemonade. Both options are a compliment to any meal! The biscuits had a smoothly textile textured butter and enhances the biscuits flavor. The mushroom empanadas are a true appetizer. I would love to see that as an entree. The Mac and Cheese is piping hot and the chicken is fresh indeed. The breakfast items are a delight as well. I absolutely can't wait to dine here again! read more

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I had a great experience at Fire by Forge for Sunday brunch. Lots of foot traffic on a Sunday around 11 so definitely recommend a reservation. We were seated promptly. Love the industrial decor vibe. I started with a mimosa with a mango orange foam which was great. Next, we sampled the cinnamon roll. Perfectly executed, wish it had even more of the yummy icing. I had the up and down burger which was seasoned well. It was a bit thicker than other smash burgers I've had but it was delicious. Other dishes on the table looked yummy and got great reviews. We ended with an order of cookie dough empanadas. Love the innovation and they were rich and decadent. Love the mission of the restaurant as well and our server was great. read more

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My family and I were so excited to dine here for brunch. Their mission is awesome! Sadly we left a little disappointed. The pros: Service was decent. Mimosa was good. Unfortunately our table was sticky and we asked for a rag for us wipe it and that never happened. Our food came out barely even warm. read more

Fire by Forge - Shrimp and Grits - New American Near Me - Hartford, Connecticut

I had to come on here and write a review for how stellar this place is! My friend and I stopped here but seeing a comedy show a few streets down. I really loved the vibe of this place and the staff was absolutely fantastic! We went for happy hour and I got wild mushrooms empanadas that were crispy, crunchy, and filled to the brim! I got their seasonal sangria which had a pineapple flavor and to say it was amazing, is an understatement. that drink was curated into perfection! and oh of course, i had to try their FxF dry rub smoked chicken wings and they were out of this world! Typically I don't go for dry rubs for the aroma and taste really wow-ed me! And not to mention their wings were so trendy and juicy! Definitely check out this place in you're in the area! read more

Fire by Forge - Wild Mushroom Empanada FxF Taco Plate - New American Near Me - Hartford, Connecticut

Very cute place love the atmosphere. Service although was absolutely horrible. After 15min being there I had to ask if I could get a drink. Always felt like I was bothering the server if I asked for something. Didn't appreciate the built in tip feature, you need better servers for that. read more

FOOD WITH A MISSION. That's what Fire by Forge is at its heart, offering delicious high quality food and beverage and dining experience to the public while also providing on the job training for individuals who would particularly benefit from the experience. I love it!!! If you are passing through Hartford like me, or if you live here in this community, please come support this mission and enjoy a fantastic meal at the same time!! Perfect for dates as well. Shamielle our server was friendly, energetic, and attentive! We ordered the Poached Pear Pisco Sour and the Old Fashioned to start with, followed by the Chicken pot pie and the Smashburger. Every aspect of our meal was fantastic from the presentation to the flavor to the fact that we were completely satisfied even without ordering dessert! (I'll have to try the affogato next time though). read more

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Happy to report that all is well at 539 Broad Street. As one whose favorite Hartford restaurant in the aughts was Firebox, I am extremely appreciative that FxF continues to be a worthy successor. We, a duo, arrived promptly for our noon brunch reservation. The Sunday after Thanksgiving meant a brisk business so things were hopping. We were seated right away and my only less than glowing comment with regard to the entire experience is that we sat too long without being acknowledged. Once again I point to my former serving days. Rule #1: even if I can't get to you immediately with water or, better yet, bread if offered, I can greet you. Further, drinks were hard to come by and arrived just before the food. End of mini rant. I take away no stars because our server was friendly and knowledgeable and the food and drink were very pleasing. We split a savory dish, the breakfast sandwich, and a sweet one, the pumpkin French toast. Both were top notch. High marks for the bread, a rustic multigrain affair, and no absolutely no syrup needed for the French toast. The whipped cream with pralines is more than sufficient. Kudos on the fluffy scrambled eggs which were a special request. It's now April, and I forgot to post this, but I'm looking forward to dining there for my birthday in June so here goes. read more

FxF Easter Brunch Tjis place is always delicious and the coffee and service are amazing. But the Easter brunch was on fire!!! Shrimp cocktail mmmm, pork arepas , poblano scalloped potatoes literally to die for, desserts over the top, cinnamon roll french toast... unbelievable! Soooo... good!! Definitely worth your time! And the charitable cause is incredibly worthy. read more

Fire by Forge - New American Near Me - Hartford, Connecticut

Service: Javon was excellent. Friendly, attentive, and welcoming. Ambiance: spacious, hip, southern vibes. Great for groups. Food: disappointing. The breakfast burrito was a winner, but the steak and eggs that my husband got was so lame and not on par with what we were expecting. It was such a a small portion of steak, and my husband wasn't full afterwards, so I felt awful and gave him my burrito. For these prices, we should each leave stuffed. My son's avocado toast was kind of lame for the price as well. It should really come with the fried eggs for this price! A price of toast with mashed avocado on it for $11 is crazy. Drinks: my chai latte was great. However, my husband ordered a cortado and just got an espresso, and a cold one at that. It also took so long to get, and there was no one else in the entire restaurant so I don't know what took so long to bring it out. read more

Fire by Forge - New American Near Me - Hartford, Connecticut

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If you've been looking for Happy Hour in Hartford with authentic charm, good vibes, great bites, fantastic drinks, and passionate baristas, look no further. Fire by Forge is really what cookie cutter restaurants are imitating. Those bricks on the wall are real, and so is the staff. Everyone from the bartender, to the manager, to the servers; not only greeted us but made us feel like family. By the end I was happy to contribute extra gratuity to a fantastic concept! Did I mention the mushroom empanadas had so much flavor you'd think they had meat in them, the oysters were fresh (and shucked), and the tacos were mouth watering! The only dissatisfaction I have is with knowing it will be harder for me to find a spot at the bar after this review! Don't you forget about me read more

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I went to Fire By Forge for the first time ever and had brunch on Sunday with a group of five friends. It was such a great experience! The atmosphere, the vibe, the service, the music, and most importantly the food was excellent. I had the Ruby's Morning Wake-Up breakfast sandwich with the hash brown and it was super tasty. The cinnamon roll was warm and delicious and I loved the variety of the drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). I had the Bitter Island gin drink and it was well balanced and was a perfect brunch drink. The restaurant's mission alone is a great reason to go to Fire by Forge, but that in combination that the food and service is great makes it my new favorite brunch spot and would highly recommend! read more

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This mission driven restaurant serves excellent and creative brunch food that is super friendly for vegetarians! Budget for a longer meal since the delicious food does sometimes take a while to come out. Each of the dishes we ordered had great depths of flavor. For example, the banana bread French toast somehow managed to keep the expected French toast texture with a cake as the base and was loaded with banana flavor. The huevos rancheros had excellent sauces served on plantain tostones, which was a unique vehicle. We dined on the patio on a sunny weekend afternoon, and because of the shade from the awning, it was perfectly cool and comfortable. The setting, with brick buildings lining both sides of the street, framed against the blue sky, was very lovely. You can't reserve the patio online but they were happy to take a note about it when I called. Every employee at the restaurant, from the host to the server, were warm and welcoming. They really made us feel right at home. A great restaurant shines when things don't go to plan just as much as when things are on track. I think because this restaurant is a training center, it takes quite a while for food to come out - however, in our case, it was close to an hour after we sat down because their waffle mix had run out). The staff were very apologetic and took care of the dish without us even asking - they handled the situation professionally and in a way that assured us that our satisfaction was a priority. Overall we had a great experience here and are excited to return to try other meals! read more

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It's quickly apparent that the staff here takes pride in their work. Everyone had a positive attitude and looked to be having a good time - despite how busy they were. We sat at the bar and were greeted instantly by a bartender with water and menus. The ambiance inside is comfortable and welcoming. We started with drinks that were made well and priced fairly. I appreciate that the menu is on the smaller side - they stick to what they're good at. All the starters sounded delicious so we ended up ordering a few instead of dinner plates. Tbh, the prices of the dinner items turned me away from considering them based on the pricing alone. $40 for scallops or short ribs at a casual restaurant seemed a bit much. Everything we tried tasted great. The best flavor came from the mushroom empanadas! Definitely share them with someone tho because they are RICH. Overall we had a really nice time and would like to return for breakfast and happy hour with a larger group. * One small thing to note: the restaurant AND the fire alarm is connected to apartments. And if the alarm goes off in any other part of the building it goes off here too. We had to evacuate into the rain during our meal. They said it's only happened once before but this is definitely something that needs to be addressed. They did offer a generous discount for the inconvenience which was appreciated but I felt like it still had to be mentioned. read more

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ample of free parking on the side! beautiful location, tall ceilings, great break, decorated well. seated immediately on a saturday morning for brunch. they were pretty packed too! i had a maria bloody mary. i wouldnt get this again, but it had a nice kick and was made well. i just feel like it was a 1 and done for me. however, it was strong and woke me up. my date had the avocado toast with a fried egg and smoked salmon. this was only one slice of bread, but it was loaded. steep in price, but great flavor and filling. the egg sando is a must get. the toast is big and buttery, just enough cheese, great flavor and i loved the chilli mayo that was on it. they do add 2 extra fees for your bill, basically an instant tip and another fee which goes back into their staff and helps others. you can choose to add an additional tip or not which will go directly to your server. read more

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