Sunset Grille Waterfront Restaurant and Bar

Overall Rating: 5/5
Budget: $40-60/person

When we travelled to Connecticut we had very limited time to roam around the place. Good thing I took a copy of the free map that was offered at the previous restaurant we dined in. I saw this place called Norwalk Cove Marina, and on the map, it looked like an island with a not so big waterway around it. There were boats being shown too, like you can have dinner on a cruise. I told my husband about it and he was the one who looked for a place to eat. I think his co-worker recommended the place.

There was a heavy traffic on our way to Sunset Grille because it was July 3rd and we didn't know there were fireworks display scheduled that night. It all looked great when we arrived. I love the ambiance and I knew the first time that I'm going to like it.

Food

Crispy Fried Calamari and Brownie a la mode

 Fish 'N Chips

I was not able to take a photo of what my husband ordered, it was The Minnow Seafood Platter for 2. Though we didn't share it. The whole humongous plate was just right for his big but empty growling stomach! Haha. The platter included shrimp, oyster, clams and 1/2 lobster. I should have taken a solo shot of it so I can show you (I have a photo but he was on the picture and he didn't want to share his face publicly. Haha!) because the presentation looked so yummy you'd want to eat them all together. I asked him if it was worth the price and he did say yes. That was just what I wanted to know.

The Fish 'N Chips was for me. I don't remember where the chips are anymore because it's not in the picture. Haha. Maybe I didn't notice because it was also served with fries and coleslaw. Coleslaw is my all time favorite side dish. I'd say the fish was battered right. It wasn't that salty and it doesn't smell like raw fish. Though they did serve lemon. It was one of the rare moments for me to finish a whole plate, including the fries! Either I'm just hungry or it was really good. I suppose it's the latter. ;)

Brownie a la mode is a kind of dessert you'd see in most restaurants. But as you can see in the photo, not all are served that way. The presentation adds to the delicious look of a food. The brownie was moist and it was a bit sweeter due to the caramel and mocha syrup. Oh, my daughter loved the whipped cream. I thought a la modes only have a scoop of ice cream on top, so that was a plus again.

The Crispy Fried Calamari was good, not great that I won't forget it, but good. The sauce was also good though it looked like a 'regular' sauce at first. It was red but it doesn't taste a lot like tomato sauce. If you get what I mean. I'm just tired of tomato-sauce based food because I used to cook with it 3x a day at home. LOL.

Cleanliness
We stayed outside and it was fairly maintained. There was a big group of family in one table and they have four kids. After they left I didn't see anything on the floor. The table outside were made of plastic so it was easier to clean wipe and dry.

Kid-Friendliness
There was no need to ask for a highchair anymore, but I did saw some. We didn't need to order kids' food because my daughter's favorite is calamari and she shared some fish with me. You'd think that you can't sit outside with a kid because it looked like an adult-only corner, but no. There were actually a couple of kids with their families outside and I think they'd enjoy the outdoors that eating inside.

Customer Service
They don't go very often to tables to ask if anything's okay but if you need them, there are always . people doing something and with that, I mean they're somewhere that can be seen. Haller anytime. :)

Complimentary Stuff
There's a huge parking space because it was near a dock, behind a dock, on the dock. Haha.
When I told you about the fireworks, you can actually see 3 different fireworks displays from there. So awesome! Some people paid $20 for the parking just to see the fireworks, it was free for us. And we had a good view too.

So, after having tried and tested it, are we going back! I'd say yes, if we have a budget. ;)

DISCLAIMER

I was not compensated in anyway to do a review of the products or services mentioned this post. Everything was based on my 100% honest opinion.

Gracie's

Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Budget: $30-$40/person

During our trip to Vermont, we arrived at our hotel later than scheduled and found this place called Gracie's. We were so hungry and this was the nearest place to dine in. It rained and the parking lot is not cemented so just imagine the mud on our shoes. To the restaurant, poor floor... For our car, poor me because I'd have to clean it afterwards. LOL. Anyway, we're supposed to be talking about food here so let me start.

Food
First of all, I raised to budget to up to $40 because you'd probably want to try on more food. I tell you they are sooo good!

The New England Clam Chowder tastes as good as the other clam chowders I've tasted, only better. It has the right amount of seafood and there's no shell in the soup! No crackling sound therefore. LOL. Trust me, I have tried clam chowders that looked like the ingredients were not properly handpicked. This one is smooth and creamy! Plus, they give generous packs of crackers. The Chicken Jambalaya was great. For me, they served the right proportion of  chicken (, sausages and all) vs. rice.

New England Clam Chowder and Chicken Jambalaya

Now, they have my favorite kind of Calamari. The plain and small breaded ones. There's no need to put lemon because it doesn't smell fishy at all. I've only ordered a calamari which smells slate once and I can't even remember the place. Gracie's even serve it with a sweet soy sauce, ironic right? That instantly became my favorite sauce! And do I need to review their mac and cheese? It's Kraft so it's good! I serve it for my kid at home and I like it to!

 Calamari and Kraft Mac and Cheese

Cleanliness
It was dinner time and it was a busy day. They do clean up the tables immediately but I did have to wipe it once just to make sure. As for the whole place, I didn't see anything that would make me want to lower my rating just because I have issues with cleanliness.

Kid-Friendliness
They have high chairs and kid's menu. I think that mac and cheese is the second to the lowest with regards to price. First time for me to see an almost $15 worth of kid's meal, well, what can I say, it's an 8oz. NY strip sirloin. The servers and even the other guests were kid-friendly too.

Customer Service
The customer service was excellent! From the greeter to our server. They were very friendly and though

Complimentary Stuff
Free parking.
Free bread! I love the other but not much of their famous corn bread. That's because I have a favorite corn bread which is thousand miles away from the U.S. LOL!

So, having tried and tested it, are we going back? Yes! It is now one of my favorite places to eat! I hope we have Gracie's somewhere near. ;)

DISCLAIMER I was not compensated in anyway to do a review of the products or services mentioned this post. Everything was based on my 100% honest opinion.

Rosy Tomorrow's

Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Budget: $20-$25/person

 

My family went a trip to Connecticut near New York border. I was looking for somewhere to eat and so my husband drove around the place and we saw a couple of cars going towards this place. I found the name unsual, you know, like is Rosy Tomorrow's a name? Or does it suggest Rosy's future? Anyway, my husband and I decided to go there. For me, more people means appetizing food.

Food

Prime Rib of Beef and Chicken Pot Pie Soup 

 Spicy Buffalo Style Calamari

The food is great, I should say. I love the Chicken Pot Pie Soup. It's creamy and packed with vegetables - carrots and potatoes. I love their idea of putting the bread on top, doesn't it look good on picture? It's so palatable too! The Spice Buffalo Style Calamari is a bit different from the regular ones because as you can see, the supposed-to-be-sauce was already mixed. The only not so good thing about it is it's not evenly spread, but that's a good thing because my daughter can eat the unsauced part. The taste definitely became extraordinary than those you would have to dip. This one is super ready to eat! Wow, that sounded like a poem to me. We ordered two Prime Rib of Beef's, one for me and one for my husband. That's actually the first time we ordered the same thing. The only difference is, his is medium-well and mine's well-done! The taste is normal, like the other good beef at some restaurants. I was given a lot of sauces to dip it from so there's no need to worry at how I'd like it to taste like. I musta say I love their coleslow! It reminds me of my favorite recipe back home. I wasn't able to finish the baguette because I am already full so I shared it with my daughter too.

My rating was basically because of their so good food! Besides, I didn't experience anything I'd possibly disapprove.

Cleanliness
It's okay. I just needed to wipe the table once but it's not dirty at all. I just wanted to make sure. I think that the seats need a little bit wiping especially after being sit on by kids.

Kid-Friendliness
I don't remember if they have a kid's menu. They gave some coloring materials to my daughter but I forgot to check if they do because I thought of sharing my food with her.

Customer Service
We waited for awhile, probably because it's dinner. Nobody let us sit because there's no waiting area but outside, or maybe the bar - which I wouldn't go to with a 2yr old. We just stood there in front of her and she looks like she really wanted us to get a seat already. But of course, she can't do anything until a table is empty so I understand.

Complimentary Stuff
Free Parking
Map - First time I actually appreciated a map. I never thought it'll be that helpful for tourists like us. With it we were able to find the next restaurant that will make our tummy happy!

 

So having tried and tested it, are we going back? Definitely, when we visit Connecticut again! I can't wait to try the other menu - next time, the ones with unique names! :)

DISCLAIMER I was not compensated in anyway to do a review of the products or services mentioned this post. Everything was based on my 100% honest opinion.