This is my first time here! This place is called "The Hollow." It is located in the Manchester…read moreCountry Club. It is open to the public. When you come in, it is down the stairs going down to the left. I like the view of the lake! This place is clean, has a lot of space, friendly employees and nice, traditional rock music that is set at the right sound level.
They have an ALL DAY Happy Hour from Sunday - Thursday! That's unheard of.
For my first drink, I'm having a Cosmopolitan. This is very good! It's a bit lighter than normal and not as strong, but I like it!
A cosmopolitan, or informally a cosmo, is a cocktail made with vodka (Benedict's here), Cointreau, cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed or sweetened lime juice.
For my first food item, I'm having the "Chef Salad." This is huge! For $7?! What a deal! It came out pretty quick. The bartender says there portion sizes are pretty big for Happy Hour. He got that right! It's healthy and low carb too. Vegetables are crisp. This is not a common item you see on a Happy Hour menu! Omg is this good !
Chef salad (or chef's salad) is an American salad consisting of hard-boiled eggs, one or more varieties of meat (such as ham, turkey, chicken, or roast beef), tomatoes, cucumbers, and cheese, all placed upon a bed of tossed lettuce or other leaf vegetables. Several early recipes also include anchovies. A variety of dressings may be used with this salad.
I've made the claim I can down 7 items on the food menu. Let's see!
For my next food item, I'm having Geno's Meatballs. This is actually the owner's (Geno) grandmother's recipe! These are fantastic! Beautiful presentation!
For my next drink, I'm having the Margarita. This is nice! Sour mix is fresh. It tastes good and has nice presentation!
For my next food item, I'm having the Traditional Deviled Eggs . These are great! The dish is cold and has great presentation! These are delicious !
Next up, I'm having the Bogner's Chili Cheese Dog. I haven't had a good hot dog in a long time!
Here's the Bogner story:
"William Bogner Sr. and his wife Helen migrated from Italy to New York in 1925. William began working for Hebrew National and other sausage facilities perfecting his craft. Moving to Manchester Connecticut with his new family (sons William Jr, and Donald) he built by hand his slaughter house. William and his family worked the slaughterhouse selling fresh beef to local meat processors. Making sausages and wine became a passion. Friends and family would often come over to eat and drink the home made vino and sausages.
In 1965 sons William Jr and Donald built their meat processing plant on Wetherell Street Manchester and used their fathers recipes to make sausage products still made today. William Jr. sons Kurt, Robert, & David bought the business in 1992 and also acquired Stanleys Nutmeg Brand & Angellina Sausage company. When two large local meat company's (Union Meat& Lewis Beef) ceased operations the Bogners hired their butchers and took over their marquee accounts. This enabled Bogners to become a full line center of the plate specialist that still exist today.
Our burger blends and cuts of meat are made to our customer specifications with quick turn time. This allows operators to free up capitol from inventory and keep fresh product on hand. In 2002 the Bogners also expanded into the high end pet food business. With the same dedication to quality and customer service both businesses operate independently to this day."
The couple next to me is raving about the food! They ordered the chips and guacamole and salsa, twin whiskey BBQ pork quesadillas and Buffalo cheddar tater tots.
Next up, I'm having the Shrimp Cocktail. These are good! Nice size! Love the cocktail sauce, lemon squeeze and the bed of arugula.
Next up, I'm having the Vodka Mule. This is really good! It has a [very] strong ginger taste!
A Moscow mule is a cocktail made with vodka, ginger beer and lime juice, garnished with a slice or wedge of lime and a sprig of mint. The drink is a type of buck and is sometimes called a vodka buck.
For my next [2] items, I'm having the McCooe's Burger Slider and the Crispy Chicken Slider. OMG ! Look at this presentation! Each comes standard with a pickle and chips. These are yummy!
For dessert, I'm having the "Hollow Hot Fudge Sundae" made with Royal Vanilla ice cream, dark chocolate ganache (1/2 for me), spiced nuts and Luxardo cherries .
Ganache is a glaze, icing, sauce, or filling for pastries, made from chocolate and cream. Perfect !!!
This place is the bomb !