[girlbuffalo1]

To the person who asked I would say Chicago is known for (and somewhat unique to the area): Deep Dish Pizza, Italian Beef, and Chicago style hot dogs.

I have been all over CT and have been to Schaumburg many times for shopping (I am from indiana)--I would say that the cultures between the two are similar--one thing I noticed in Hartford was that almost no one drives a clunky car (same in Schaumburg)--that there is nicer discount shopping--and that both feel pretty safe..

[Appias]

Girlbuffalo,
Thanks! I'd heard of the pizza before, but not the other two.

[shoehoard]

Unfortunately, I quit putting my faith in Urbanspoon and Chowhound when they steered me wrong a couple of times (e.g., Porky's in Shelton for wings - blech). And from what I've tried in West Haven and Stratford, most small, local Chinese places are Americanized and serve that gloopy thick sweet sauce. There was one place that we went to on the other side of the street from Trader Joe's in Milford - Asian Friend House - or something like that that seemed more authentic.

Yeah, PF Chang's and Olive Garden are chain restaurants but OG is more like a Chili's or Applebee's, etc. You can't compare OG to Maggiano's or Red Lobster to Bonefish. Some chain restaurants offer higher end cuisine (e.g., Flemings). And maybe I should have made that distinction earlier on. I'm not looking for the 2 for $20 chain restaurant deals up here. On ocassion, they serve a purpose. I'm also not looking for the local diners. I just want a little better quality. I happen to think the steaks at V Ristorante in Shelton are pretty good. Can I afford to eat like that every night? Of course not. But when I do go out to eat, I'd like to taste the flavors, appreciate the effort involved, and go home feeling like I had a really good meal - albeit BBQ, hamburgers, or steaks.

Originally Posted by Appias

My standard for Chinese food is as close as I can get to food I'd actually get in China. Anything with fried and covered with gloopy thick sweet sauce does not cut it in my book. PF Chang's is ok for the junky American version of Chinese food. The Olive Garden is popular too, doesn't make it Italian food. There are tons of Indian, Ethiopian, Thai, French, Continental, Japanese (to name a few) restaurants around. If anyone feels trepidation about going somewhere new, then read some reviews. There are a bunch of online sources plus writeups in the various papers. Pick one that sounds interesting and give it a try! You have to put effort in to be rewarded. Life is not without risks, but it is also not without rewards.

[Appias]

shoehoard,
I forgot to include my french bakery recommendation in my previous post. It's a hike from where you are, but totally worth it.
Ovens of France in Woodbury. Make a day trip out of it. I'd recommend stopping there and at the little toy store in the same shopping plaza. Then do some antiquing/ poking around and have dinner at Good News Cafe.
I'm not familiar with most of the chains you've mentioned, but I am sure there are chains and then there are chains. It sounds like you prefer the more upscale chains. What I meant it that just because a place (chain or not) is popular doesn't make it good. I thought you were making that argument, hence my reference to Olive Garden.

[shoehoard]

Thank you Appias! That sounds lovely.
I totally forgot that I visited this place a few Sundays ago:
Welcome to Isabelle et Vincent
Got French bread right out of the oven. Very nice couple that run the place.

Yeah, unfortunately the upper end chains that I spoke about are not in CT. And that could be cause for the confusion as well because people are probably not familiar with Bonefish Grill, Flemings (one in Hartford), Magganio's Little Italy, Bahama Breeze, and J. Alexander's (the most wonderful-to-die-for mac and cheese!). But I can get my fix at some of these places when I visit family in FL or if I travel to Paramus. And I apologize to everyone else on this thread for not making the distinction between your run-of-the-mill chains and the upper end chains that I desire.

Originally Posted by Appias

shoehoard,
I forgot to include my french bakery recommendation in my previous post. It's a hike from where you are, but totally worth it.
Ovens of France in Woodbury. Make a day trip out of it. I'd recommend stopping there and at the little toy store in the same shopping plaza. Then do some antiquing/ poking around and have dinner at Good News Cafe.
I'm not familiar with most of the chains you've mentioned, but I am sure there are chains and then there are chains. It sounds like you prefer the more upscale chains. What I meant it that just because a place (chain or not) is popular doesn't make it good. I thought you were making that argument, hence my reference to Olive Garden.

[JayCT]

I am familar with many of the chain places you mention and think they are only fair at best. Now to me Chaung's is nothing too exciting. I have been to a couple of them and I can find just as good here IMHO. Char Koon in South Glastonbury is very good as is Forbidden City in Middletown and I think better than Chaungs. I have also been to Fishbone and it is good but I like Max Fish, Abbotts or Saybrook Fish House better. Magganios hardly compares to say Carbones in Hartford or Cinazo's in Fairfield or even Brazzi's in New Haven.

I also wonder about your statement that you don't want to spend a fortune but Chaungs, Magganios and Bonefish are just as pricey in comparison to local places. Also I have had great luck with recommendations on Chowhounds.com so I guess we just disagree on a lot of things when it comes to food. It really is a very subjective thing. Jay

[shoehoard]

Are Chaung's and Fishbone cousins of PF Chang's and BoneFish Grill?
I do agree with you - food is very subjective. I also agree to disagree on food discussions with you. LOL

Originally Posted by JayCT

I am familar with many of the chain places you mention and think they are only fair at best. Now to me Chaung's is nothing too exciting. I have been to a couple of them and I can find just as good here IMHO. Char Koon in South Glastonbury is very good as is Forbidden City in Middletown and I think better than Chaungs. I have also been to Fishbone and it is good but I like Max Fish, Abbotts or Saybrook Fish House better. Magganios hardly compares to say Carbones in Hartford or Cinazo's in Fairfield or even Brazzi's in New Haven.

I also wonder about your statement that you don't want to spend a fortune but Chaungs, Magganios and Bonefish are just as pricey in comparison to local places. Also I have had great luck with recommendations on Chowhounds.com so I guess we just disagree on a lot of things when it comes to food. It really is a very subjective thing. Jay

[JViello]

Originally Posted by shoehoard

Some chain restaurants offer higher end cuisine...

LOL "Strip Mall Chain" and "Higher End" ='s Not possible. Oil and Water...at least to those who understand the difference between "line cook" and "chef".

Unless you are talking about a small family owned Chain such as Carmen Anthony's.

http://www.carmenanthony.com

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by JViello

LOL "Strip Mall Chain" and "Higher End" ='s Not possible. Oil and Water...at least to those who understand the difference between "line cook" and "chef".

Unless you are talking about a small family owned Chain such as Carmen Anthony's.

Welcome to Carmen Anthony Restaurant Group

I forgot about this place. Great food!