Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Charles

    4.4 (418 reviews)
    PriceyAmerican
    Closed Closed
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order The Charles Takeout or Delivery

    The Charles Photos

    THE CHARLES ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - The Charles

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Inner dining room
    Declan C.

    Served by a phenomenal bartender (Ryan) we stopped by for a quick beverage. I've heard about this spot for a little while and I found the atmosphere to be.... Charming. Found in old Wethersfield CT, this small house has been converted over the centuries into a very charming restaurant. Though we didn't dine in the dining room looked comfortable and cozy. We only stopped for drinks so I can only speak to those. The Beverly Hills was a pleasant classic take on a Gin with lemon accents and a honeyed sweetness. Tasty, but not unique. The 100 years of Fallitude was delicious... a citrus/bourbon drink with a strong pineapple driver and a pleasant smokiness that reminds you of a cozy fireplace in the cold of winter. The atmosphere mixed so well with the drinks that I couldn't help but have a good time. I'll have to try the food next time, I've heard great things....

    Pork chop
    Melanie M.

    Food, service, ambiance-- everything was amazing! I don't have a photo but I thought the kids meals were pretty cool. They are served in dishes that separate the foods. Cute presentation. I've attached a couple of photos of the adult options-- so good!

    Sharon B.

    We came in here for a late weekday lunch. It was the best meal in Wethersfield. We had a hard time deciding what to order off the menu as everything looks so appetizing and the dishes on other people's tables all look delicious too. We ended up ordering the Fish 'n Chips and the Butternut squash orecchiette pasta dish. Portions sizes were large and the food was delicious. The breaded fish was so light and flakey. It was tender and falling apart. It was just perfect and not overcooked. Next time, I will have to remember to order the truffle fries to accompany it. The orecchiette pasta was very filling and my friend was very happy with it. Service was great too. Our waiter checked in on us often and seemed happy to be working there.

    Sunday sauce
    Will D.

    Not a lot of great spots to eat in Old Wethersfield, but The Charles made a good first impression when we ate there earlier this week. We stopped in for a quick lunch post-holiday. The server was kind and we promptly put in our orders. It was pretty busy for a lunch service, and we were seated upstairs. The food took a long while to come out, probably 30 mins or so, and we were getting a little impatient. At the servers recommendation I got the Sunday sauce - a mixture of chicken and beef with pappardelle. They were pretty good, but I was hoping for a little more. At least the meal was fairly priced - I believe the kids Mac and cheese that we got was only $6. Good value.

    Steak frites
    Summær H.

    We passed by this location a few times on trips to the area & decided to make reservations for a holiday dinner. The entire interior is beautiful & cozy. Service was great and prompt, always there when you needed them but not too much. Food wise I had the steak frites, it was cooked perfectly however it wasn't super tender and a bit hard to cut through all the connective tissue. My date had the Korean tacos & he felt similarly that the meat was a bit chewy. Everything else was great!

    Chicken and dumplings
    Cheyenne O.

    Beautiful location. The drive in was so fun, seeing all of the historic buildings was a great part of the experience. I wish there was more parking in the lot, otherwise it's street parking which is available but still limited. Went for brunch and was not disappointed! Started with the butternut arancini which I definitely recommend. For a fried dish it was surprisingly light with a delicate crème topping. I ordered the chicken and dumpling because when else do you see that on a menu? I appreciate that they have local veggies and the lemon and mustard in that dish with the crispy chicken skin make it delectable. I would order again! My friend got the English breakfast and there were no complaints. Ordered the yuzu Prosecco and expresso martini. Everything was so well done. I can't wait to go back. I also loved that the bartenders worked together, they each worked together to take our orders so we didn't wait on one versus the other.

    Banoffee tart
    Tamar K.

    Even if I wasn't gluten free or dairy free I would still love this place. The staff is lovely, the setting is charming and the food is fantastic. But I especially appreciate how well the menu is marked and how many incredible options I have. GF scotch egg!? Come on! And I don't know what magic dust they put in the grilled octopus, but I'd go back just for that. It's rare for me to give 5 stars. But this is a special occasion place and really a treat.

    Ginger and carrot soup of the day
    Daniel C.

    Wethersfield is a bit of a drive for us, but The Charles made the trip absolutely worthwhile, and we had a wonderful experience dining there. Their motto, "vintage feel with a modern taste" is spot on. We especially loved that The Charles occupies a beautifully restored historical home dating back to the Revolutionary War. The elegant interior, with its upstairs and downstairs seating, easily accommodates a large number of guests while retaining its historical charm. We found the staff to be courteous and very well trained as well. My "Battle Royale" cocktail with its spiced salt rim was the perfect start to the meal. The homemade sausage appetizer was delicious; we only wished it came with a bit more of the grilled baguette (though the complimentary bread helped make up for it!). Our entrees were equally impressive. The meats in the Sunday Sauce parpadelle were nice and tender, and the truffle fries were a perfect accompaniment to a well-made burger. Unfortunately our stomachs surrendered before we could make room for dessert, but definitely something to look forward to on a future occasion! We highly recommend The Charles to anyone looking for a fantastic dining experience, whether it's for a romantic dinner or a family gathering. Though it's a bit of a drive for us, we'll definitely be spreading the word to friends and family!

    Beets n' Brie salad
    Sarah C.

    We went to the Charles this October on a really cool night. We were going to look at the scarecrows downtown and decided to drop in and have dinner. We wanted to sit outside, and it was so very beautiful (and a bit chilly!) Our waitress was very sweet and helpful. We chose to try a few appetizers and a dessert. We had the Beets n' Brie salad with roasted red & yellow beets, candied cashews, brie mousse, cara cara orange, pickled onion, shallot vinaigrette, house rye croutons. This dish was simply amazing. I would eat this over and ever again. We also had the Homemade Ricotta with roasted garlic, chile flake, pickled grapes, scallion, toasted hazelnuts, olive oil, wethersfield honey, grilled baguette. Again, another amazing dish. I love that they had vegetarian options for me, and that the dishes were large enough to be filling but not too large. For dessert we had the Sticky Toffee Cake with tamarind toffee sauce, brandy caramel snap, ginger ice cream. Omg the winner of the night. I will go back for this for sure. At one point I went in to use the bathroom and overheard some people from outside trying to move inside because it was chilly. The wait time was over 1.5 hours. It wasn't even the weekend so I suggest reserving a table in advance if you go, just in case. The inside was beautiful, I will definitely be going back to enjoy dinner inside next time. Truly a beautiful restaurant in a beautiful area. I would definitely recommend.

    Pacific Cod
    Lindsay N.

    Once again, I celebrated my birthday at The Charles, enjoying another tasty meal. We dined in on a Saturday, having made reservations in advance since the restaurant fills up quickly, especially during the holidays. Inside, it was as cozy, and we were lucky to get a table with a view of the outside. This year, I had a special surprise: a birthday card signed by the entire staff. My husband had noted the occasion on reservation that it was for a birthday. We started with the Crispy Calamari--gluten-free, battered with rice flour, and served with banana peppers, house togarashi spice, and a rich, tangy sweet soy-black garlic aioli. The marinated cucumber was a refreshing touch and my favorite part. For my main dish, I chose the Pacific Cod, served with a white wine butter sauce, topped with golden raisins, and a red onion-caper relish. It was rich and flavorful, paired with smooth butternut squash creamed spinach, roasted fennel, and baby turnips. My husband had the Steak Frites, which was equally delicious. I appreciate how The Charles offers a variety of gluten-free and vegetarian options, all clearly marked on the menu, along with a great selection of drinks--including mocktails, which I, unfortunately, regret trying. I had made room for dessert, and with tempting holiday flavors, it was hard to choose. I settled on the Winter Spice Cheesecake with gingerbread crumbs and chantilly cream, which was flavorful and airy. The chantilly cream was a great touch to mix with the holiday spices. Another wonderful birthday at The Charles--I'm already looking forward to my next visit!

    Thuy-Linh P.

    My friend and I went here for lunch while we were visiting the bicycles on Main and we sat at the bar. The last time I was here it was in the fall and it was for scarecrows on Main. My friend and I ordered the French onion soup to share which is deconstructed and has dumplings in it. I had a few mocktails and he had an IPA. Lunch was quick and delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed my pineapple and salmon dish and my friend enjoyed their spring yaki soba. I had a taste and the ingredients are salty, but it blends well with the noodles to create a good balance. Will definitely be back here again.

    Kevin I.

    The food was exquisite, definitely the best I've had in the area as a local myself. I went for a celebration with my girlfriend and the waitress was not only attentive but kind and overall a pleasant person to be around. We didn't wait too long for food, and the ambiance was beautiful. If you are looking for a place for a company outing, an anniversary dinner or anything like that, you couldn't do better than here.

    December menu
    Jeannine H.

    The Charles is nestled in the center of old Wethersfield, which is a very cute quaint community. When going to the restaurant be prepared to look for parking or if you had a tip from someone who lives in town, you know you can park in certain marked spots at the firehouse next-door. We went into the Charles before a show in Hartford. I made a reservation and we didn't have to wait at all, We went right to our seats. We were put in an upstairs room that was pretty chilly. I had to keep my coat on the waiter, said that the heater was broken now this was December. OK, well we toughed it out. I got a drink warmed me up a little bit. We started out with a waitress. I'm not sure what happened to her but after we sat there a while, but we ended up with somebody else so it took a little bit longer than we anticipated. For appetizers, we ordered the tuna nachos and the deviled eggs, Both were very delicious. My husband ordered the French onion soup and I had the beef barley soup, those are very tasty. For dinner my husband ordered the duck and was a little disappointed because it came dry with a very minimal amount of sauce. I ordered the cod It was lacking in flavor, pretty bland. We went there during Christmas time. I felt like we were stuffed in a corner, where the rest of the house was very pretty lively and filled with decorations in our area was just ehh. We went on the recommendation from a family member for the cost of our dinner. Would we go back probably not.

    Calamari, fresh ricotta, oysters, fries, & deviled eggs

    See all

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lee D.
    0
    37
    16

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Lorenzo P.

    Lorenzo P.

    Thank you for the 4 Star Review, Lee!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2
    Photo of RM J.
    2
    387
    0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Justine K.

    Justine K.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ian L.
    104
    303
    3321

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ali R.
    353
    237
    1665

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alis T.
    61
    60
    16

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Lorenzo P.

    Lorenzo P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Lorenzo P.

    Lorenzo P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dan S.
    524
    1602
    1442

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of They 9.
    7
    201
    90

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Fresh salads, beautiful outdoor seating, kids meals are a great deal. Wonderful location.

    Business owner information

    Photo of Lorenzo P.

    Lorenzo P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jason P.
    342
    1216
    8256

    4 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Lorenzo P.

    Lorenzo P.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Cute restaurant in older house. Food was really good and staff was nice and didn't rush us at all even as we closed down the restaurant.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Susan V.
    181
    223
    280

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 18
    Thanks 4
    Love this 18
    Oh no 2

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Justine K.

    Justine K.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Justine K.

    Justine K.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 11

    The Charles Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Charles

    How is the noise level? Can you have a conversation at your table without shouting?

    Hi Joy, you can most definitely have a conversation without the need to shout. Hope to have you join us in the dining room soon!

    Is there an elevator to the 2nd floor? Thank you!

    1st floor has a wheelchair access ramp around the back side, but I don't believe there's an elevator to the 2nd floor. The building is from the late 1700s, it would likely be hard to integrate one structurally. You could call to ask, but I've never… Read more

    Anyone know how many people can be accommodated in their banquet room/s? It just says 10 or more.

    Hi Tanya! Our space is very versatile and can be arranged to fit small to large gatherings. Give us a call to learn more about our options: 860.785.8499

    View All 4 Questions

    You might also consider

    Matty D's Restaurant & Bar - Burger

    Matty D's Restaurant & Bar

    3.6(38 reviews)
    2.2 miSouth End
    $$

    I haven't been to Matty D's in years. I had a few visits that left a sour taste in my mouth but it…read moreseems like they've switched things around for the most part. I got a burger and tried a bite of their fried fish sandwich. Both were pretty bland, not bad! Just not something I'd go out of my way to get in the future. The drinks were pretty strong and the green tea shots were delicious! We ended up being there while a game was on so it was definitely LOUD lol. The vibe switches up but it seems to always be a good time lately. The service was really friendly! Our waitress was nice and attentive.

    Matty D's is that quintessential local Hartford bar - casual and consistent. Every time we go, it's…read morepretty much the same experience, (this is a good thing). Happy Hour The real draw for us are the wings; they're always hot, and spicy. Lemon pepper is top notch and they have a good variety (my friend is obsessed). Honestly, the happy hour is the reason we keep coming back. Cheap mixed drinks, basic bar apps and a short commute from work made this the perfect happy hour spot. Happy hour is 4-7pm and is also on Saturdays. Try the wings, nachos, and the burger first. Experience The Bartenders are all smiles and super sweet. Never had bad service! Food always comes out quickly so you don't have the chance to complain about a wait. Parking is okay, nothing to rave about. There is a smaller lot. The Scene During the week, it's a local bar in a Hartford neighborhood (not downtown, folks). It is what it is supposed to be, and for that we are grateful. We went for the UCONN finals recently, and by the second quarter, the place was packed. On weekends, at night, it turns into more of a club scene- DJ playing loud music and a dance floor. Not something I am into anymore but I enjoyed when I used to go, so many years ago.

    Photos
    Matty D's Restaurant & Bar - Bar

    Bar

    Matty D's Restaurant & Bar
    Matty D's Restaurant & Bar

    See all

    Carmine's

    Carmine's

    4.3(199 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    I'm back! The restaurant is located on 389 Main St. in East Hartford, CT. It's been a few months…read moresince I was last here (December) which is a crime. Carmine's is a fresh from scratch kitchen that is ALWAYS open. Their appetizers, pastas, entrees and desserts combine old-world traditional Italian flavor with a modern flair for presentation, and the freshest ingredients around. Menu staples like rigatoni bolognese, fettuccine carbonara and chicken Milanese are coupled with unique recipes like chicken ala vodka and toasted almond cake. They've staffed the kitchen with a dream team of chefs and you can tell instantly! They also do parties, catering and online ordering/delivery. The restaurant is well known for its live music. There is never a cover and parking is always free. This place and produces absolutely amazing food and drinks. I have noticed quite a few menu changes. The Happy Hour menu has expanded. It's also no longer all day Monday. The main menu no longer has prices on featured drinks (although that's the tre d these days). Note that the Bar Bites menu is available open to close! The Main Menu looks the same although there is a new Wine List (that's a first here). The music is very pleasant and the right volume level. It's always a big cool in here too. For my first drink, I'm having a Pratt N Whiskey. This is made with Woodford Reserve Bourbon, sweet vermouth, red wine and sour mix. It's definitely an unusual drink. It's not garnished, but it tastes great. The wine sticks out for sure. It's clearly a shaken drink not often found with a whiskey component except for maybe Whiskey Sours. For my first item, I'm having the House Salad made with spring mix, basil, tomatoes, julienned (thinly sliced) carrots, cucumbers and house red wine vinaigrette dressing. This is a big portion! I love this dressing! This tastes great! For my next item, I'm trying the Carmine's Secret Tenderloins. These are off of Carmine's "Secret Menu." They are pan seared, caramelized chicken tenderloins, made with wine, olive oil, cracked black pepper (dried black peppercorns broken into coarse, uneven pieces), kosher salt (a coarse, flaky salt named for its use in the Jewish koshering process of drawing blood from meat), shredded Parmesan and a very special "secret sauce." I'm curious as to what this sauce tastes like. Wow! Nice presentation! These are good! I love that sauce! There's a good crowd in here (20 people). Only one worker (bartender and server). She's damn good at what she does! For my next drink, I'm having a Connecticut Cosmo. This is made with Litchfield Vodka, Wild Moon Cranberry, Triple Sec and lime juice. This vodka is the Gold Medal Winner 2018 & 2019 at the New York International Spirits Competition. Silver Medal Winner at the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition!Our Gluten-Free Batchers' Vodka is distilled from luscious corn grown during the beautiful summer months in Somers, CT. We distill 4 ¾ times and use a gravity-fed charcoal filter that takes 12 hours to filter 100 gallons. The longer the vodka sits on the charcoal, the more impurities are removed, which creates an incredibly smooth taste. Bottled at 80 proof. It is impeccably clean, slightly sweet, velvety smooth mouthfeel and sweet buttery overtones. It's smooth with a warm finish with subtle notes of sweet ripe corn at the end. I actually sat down next to the owner of the Distillery at a wine pairing dinner at Flemings in West Hartford about 7-8 years ago. This looks nice! Wow! This has great flavor! For my next item, I'm having the Rigatoni Matinara. Rigatoni is a large, tube-shaped pasta with ridges on the outside and straight-cut ends. Marinara sauce is a tomato sauce usually made with tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and onions. I don't eat pasta all that often. This will serve as my appetizer before I hit the main course. This is a BIG portion! It is very good! For my entree I'm having the Pan Seared Salmon which is "hand cut" salmon with zesty orange glaze served over mashed potatoes with seasonal vegetables (broccoli). Add LOTS of crushed red pepper. Nod that's "LOTS." This is spicy! My kinda spicy! The plate is nice and hot! I like the presentation. This tastes great! What a great meal here!

    I can't believe we were charged for bread - twice! We got a small half of a loaf (not even as big…read moreas a half grinder roll) and asked for more. Never have I ever paid for bread in a restaurant and we were asked if we wanted bread - no mention of we had to pay extra for it. Side salads are an extra charge too. If you get a chicken meal expect it to have a very charred taste to it. We found the food to be middle of the road and not very big portions considering we usually take food home from other places. There was a birthday party going on in the restaurant, not in a separate room. Not that it bothered us, but it was extremely loud in there and it seemed to bother the table next to us. Don't expect a quiet dinner in this place. Getting the attention of the waitress was impossible. I had to stand at the bar and wait to pay our bill. The party had the entrance blocked because they were filming and we had to exit through a side entrance, which didn't bother us, but not the best from a safety point of view. Do we recommend the place - no. Will we go back - no.

    Photos
    Carmine's - Bar area

    Bar area

    Carmine's - Steak Tacos

    Steak Tacos

    Carmine's - Steak tacos with salsa and garlic aioli

    See all

    Steak tacos with salsa and garlic aioli

    Fire by Forge - Cinnamon Roll

    Fire by Forge

    4.4(203 reviews)
    3.9 miFrog Hollow
    $$

    Went to Fire x Forge last evening and it was amazing. What an incredible cause and experience…read more 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.

    We arrived with a large group without reservations, kinda chose it on a whim, so we had to wait a…read morebit 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.

    Photos
    Fire by Forge - Industrial atmosphere (Photo by Deanna Troy Travels)

    Industrial atmosphere (Photo by Deanna Troy Travels)

    Fire by Forge - Shrimp Oreganata

    Shrimp Oreganata

    Fire by Forge - Ghostrider Martini

    See all

    Ghostrider Martini

    American & Mexican Diner - Strawberry Shake

    American & Mexican Diner

    4.6(99 reviews)
    3.3 miBehind The Rocks
    $$

    Food didn't disappoint!!! Service was good…read more It's a great place I will come back when I'm in town

    Finally I got the chance to get brunch at one of the most instagramable restaurants in Hartford !…read more Located right across trinity collage , parking is sparse , however customers are able to park across the street ! The ambiance was amazing I felt transport to the early 2000s with the music playing we got ne-yo , akin , old school Mariah Carey , Nelly ! Fabulous vibe . They have booth and table seating . Staff was very nice and friendly they were so sweet and attentive!! To start off I ordered the caramel cappuccino which was delicious highly recommend and presentation was top tier ! My husband got the hot chocolate which was really good ! And perfect to cozy up to this winter season ! Next I got the banana split French toast ! Yes and it was AMAZING ! If you have a sweet tooth , love French toast and ice cream ! This is the one for you !! I added an extra Nutella drizzle on top of the caramel drizzle ( and it was perfection !) highly recommended! My husband got the western omelette which he enjoyed the home fries were one of our top favourites !! They offer so many options with large portions. from pancakes/ waffles / eggs to lunch options ! Fabulous presentation of food and drinks and delicious too ! Definitely can't wait to be back! And try more food options

    Photos
    American & Mexican Diner - Colorful decor

    Colorful decor

    American & Mexican Diner - Hash, two eggs over hard and toast.

    Hash, two eggs over hard and toast.

    American & Mexican Diner - Cinnamon churro pancake

    See all

    Cinnamon churro pancake

    I Know You Know - The inside

    I Know You Know

    4.4(49 reviews)
    7.3 mi
    $$

    What a fun night! Came here with a couple of girlfriends. Started at the little lounge area, but…read moresoon took the party to the bar when we ran into another yelpie! Don't let the outside of this place fool you because looks are definitely deceiving. We were cautious coming to this place due to the appearance of the outside, but once we were in it was so much fun. Agus, aka rawbartender, was Ah-mazing and truly made the night fun. He was truly such a vibe!! I ordered the SpongeBob, which was Goslings rum, pineapple spice, ginger, lime, angostura bitters. Especially with the show that was put on, my drink tasted even better. It was a Smokey, yet smooth and refreshing drink! We also got the Snow White, on the sweeter side made with Pear vodka, orgeat, pear juice, lemon juice, cinnamon. And of course, we can't forget our schooling in tequila and Mezcal from Agus. He was very informative of what he was serving and we tried a few different shots. He gave us the rundown of how you're actually supposed to taste tequila. And I have to say I've never had an experience like that before. I wish the party didn't stop and I will definitely be coming back specifically for Agus and of course the drinks!

    Finally got to check out this hidden speakeasy in new Britain ! If you're looking for a fun night…read morewith the girls , a cozy date or just wanna grab a drink this is the place ! The code to enter is updated daily on the website , once inside the you enter through the bookcase door. The ambiance is nice cozy , low -moderate lighting ( not to dim ..you can still read the menus without a flashlight... which is nice) We sat at the bar and the seats were very nice and comfortable ( which I enjoyed a lot) and spacious I didn't feel squeezed between chairs/people ! The bartender was fabulous . And made great drinks ! We just got drinks I got the peaches peaches which was pleasantly really good not to sweat or bitter , not to overpowering with peach flavour very well balanced . They also offer small bites / food. I will def be back to try some more options !

    Photos
    I Know You Know
    I Know You Know
    I Know You Know - Nice lounge area

    See all

    Nice lounge area

    Le Mazet - Seating area

    Le Mazet

    4.3(155 reviews)
    5.8 mi

    My son let me know this restaurant serves Arethusa Farms ice cream, which is heaven on earth!…read moreImmediately, my husband and I were triggered with heightened curiosity. We visited Arethusa Farms years ago, and we felt like pioneers discovering gold. I digress. I loved our experience at Le Mazet. The food is scrumptious and although the environ is cozy and has an inviting feel of a warm country cottage, the refined service is on par with the legendary Four Seasons Restaurant in NYC (not to be mistaken for the hotel flag). Chef's kiss to Jared and his inimitable staff!

    A friend and I met for brunch at le mazet recently and it was a pleasure, from start to finish…read more I had emailed the business in advance for clarification on the brunch menu and received a prompt, friendly response. I made a reservation for our visit and was seated promptly at a beautiful table near the front door. The entire dining area is gorgeous--so much attention to detail. Service throughout our meal was attentive and friendly. I had the boeuf bourguignon and it was so tender and seasoned perfectly. I also had the bread service, featuring sourdough from Small State Provisions--the perfect accompaniment to this hearty stew. We both drank Le Poney Roses, which were balanced and beautiful--a fabulous mocktail that really embodies the spirit of a cocktail. We weren't rushed at all and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I will be back for more!

    Photos
    Le Mazet - Amazing espresso martinis

    Amazing espresso martinis

    Le Mazet - Half Chicken

    Half Chicken

    Le Mazet - Croque Monsieur with egg

    See all

    Croque Monsieur with egg

    The Charles - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...