Establishment: Spicy Green Bean
Genre/Type: The atypical diner/small scale comfort food eatery
Location/Contact Information: 225 Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury, CT 06033
Website: www.spicygreenbean.com (spicygreenbean@gmail.com)
Cost: (total/person average) entrees $5-15 each, lunch/dinner a little more
Alcohol: BYOB for dinners, sometimes BYOB for breakfast (call and ask)
Beverages: Juices, pop, etc
Take out or Eat in?: Both (and they cater!)
Our first impression(s): Alright, alright--if one person makes a comment about 'not west hartford', i'll eliminate you from the 'list'. Instead, have an open mind--Glastonbury is a mere 10 minute jaunt down the road, and this place makes the trip worth the energy.
Food was unique, flavorful, well prepared, and without long waits. I've not had many 'multi course' brunches, but this was one. One note--there is a long list of interesting combination type plates on the dinner menu, and as I'm told, they change every few weeks, so you'll have to check the website for the most up to date.
Five of us went to Mother's Day Bruncheon--we sat in a lovely six person table in the window. Starting with orange juice, we orderd a multitude of tasty treats.
My dad had a special: A colossal lobster roll served warm with scampi butter (also available cold with a mayonaise special)--though he moaned about it being 'not what he expected', he ate every drop, even so far as to using roll remnants to wipe the plate of every last drop. Sweet potato fries on the side were crispy, tasty, and perfectly salted. I shared a 'monster meatloaf' (housemade meatloaf on ciabatta with melted cheese, carmelized onions, and a divine cranberry mayo) with my sister-in-law. She convinced me to split that with her, as well as one of the house specialities--the "Best Veggie Burger Ever", which is an amazing combination of vegetables with a meaty consistency--gluten, filler, and ick free, it was amazing--filling and tasty, without the usual carboardy or beany taste of most veggie-type burgers. Served with greens, and a couple sides (and a yummy pickle). My brother had a classic--the 'bangin' classic burger, with melted american cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, mayo and balsamic. He finished it like a Dyson. My brother was a tiny bit disappointed that the previously available pulled pork wasn't ready for him (as I mentioned, the menu changes) but he was quite satisfied. The pulled pork is apparently legendary.
Mom had her typical--a salad; but, said salad was a shrimp-topped spinach salad with glazed nuts, goat cheese and seasonal fruit. She was in heaven.
My year and a half old niece imbibed in fresh fruit, everyone else's fries, and a bit of her hot-dog...there is a kids menu, but she's a bit more particular than I ever expected.
I had a difficult time choosing, as the original 'superstarz' advertised on the menu included a turkey wrap with sprouts, pepper relish, avocado, and greens (a personal favorite), and a create your own sandwich list that could satisfy the most particular, vegetarian and even gluten free goofball patron (the breads are optional)...I can't wait to go back and sample the Monster Steak and Cheese. The lump crab cake burger and sriracha-topped 'Vietnamese' pork burger sounds RIGHT up my alley.
Dessert was, shall we say, interesting. If i don't tell you anything, there'll be more for me, right? The choices included cinnamon buns (holy yummy), a strawberry-pineapple cake (topped with sweet buttercream frosting and toasted coconut--allergic here, but worth the risk). The strawberry cake was moist, full of delicious bits of strawberry, and perfectly baked--I'm NOT a strawberry or pineapple fan, but i am a fan of this cake. Even my MOM had a REAL bite (not just a crumb of cake, like she usually tries). The niece had a chocolate chip cookie, and the evidence of her joy was all over her face (i tried it--chewy, sweet, chocolaty and delicious). My dad, being my dad, decided on the banana split waffles with whipped cream, strawberries, pineapple and banana, with chocolate topping. Ridiculous that he finished every bite, but it did look good.
Service was exceptionally attentive, pleasant, and despite a full complement of diners, seemingly unhurried. She spent time with us, explained dishes, and made honest recommendations.
Needless to say, i'm coming back with the boys on a Sunday upcoming to re-sample that strawberry cake--i simply need to render another opinion. ;)
Our Scores (on a scale of 0 (horrifying) to 20 (deliciously awesome and worth every shekel)
D: 19 (i have to have room for improvement, right?)
J: 20
S: 20
J2: 18 (he wanted more)
N: 20
Congratulations, Spicy Green Bean--my first "20" score!
I'll be back!
Genre/Type: The atypical diner/small scale comfort food eatery
Location/Contact Information: 225 Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury, CT 06033
Website: www.spicygreenbean.com (spicygreenbean@gmail.com)
Cost: (total/person average) entrees $5-15 each, lunch/dinner a little more
Alcohol: BYOB for dinners, sometimes BYOB for breakfast (call and ask)
Beverages: Juices, pop, etc
Take out or Eat in?: Both (and they cater!)
Our first impression(s): Alright, alright--if one person makes a comment about 'not west hartford', i'll eliminate you from the 'list'. Instead, have an open mind--Glastonbury is a mere 10 minute jaunt down the road, and this place makes the trip worth the energy.
Food was unique, flavorful, well prepared, and without long waits. I've not had many 'multi course' brunches, but this was one. One note--there is a long list of interesting combination type plates on the dinner menu, and as I'm told, they change every few weeks, so you'll have to check the website for the most up to date.
Five of us went to Mother's Day Bruncheon--we sat in a lovely six person table in the window. Starting with orange juice, we orderd a multitude of tasty treats.
My dad had a special: A colossal lobster roll served warm with scampi butter (also available cold with a mayonaise special)--though he moaned about it being 'not what he expected', he ate every drop, even so far as to using roll remnants to wipe the plate of every last drop. Sweet potato fries on the side were crispy, tasty, and perfectly salted. I shared a 'monster meatloaf' (housemade meatloaf on ciabatta with melted cheese, carmelized onions, and a divine cranberry mayo) with my sister-in-law. She convinced me to split that with her, as well as one of the house specialities--the "Best Veggie Burger Ever", which is an amazing combination of vegetables with a meaty consistency--gluten, filler, and ick free, it was amazing--filling and tasty, without the usual carboardy or beany taste of most veggie-type burgers. Served with greens, and a couple sides (and a yummy pickle). My brother had a classic--the 'bangin' classic burger, with melted american cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, mayo and balsamic. He finished it like a Dyson. My brother was a tiny bit disappointed that the previously available pulled pork wasn't ready for him (as I mentioned, the menu changes) but he was quite satisfied. The pulled pork is apparently legendary.
Mom had her typical--a salad; but, said salad was a shrimp-topped spinach salad with glazed nuts, goat cheese and seasonal fruit. She was in heaven.
My year and a half old niece imbibed in fresh fruit, everyone else's fries, and a bit of her hot-dog...there is a kids menu, but she's a bit more particular than I ever expected.
I had a difficult time choosing, as the original 'superstarz' advertised on the menu included a turkey wrap with sprouts, pepper relish, avocado, and greens (a personal favorite), and a create your own sandwich list that could satisfy the most particular, vegetarian and even gluten free goofball patron (the breads are optional)...I can't wait to go back and sample the Monster Steak and Cheese. The lump crab cake burger and sriracha-topped 'Vietnamese' pork burger sounds RIGHT up my alley.
Dessert was, shall we say, interesting. If i don't tell you anything, there'll be more for me, right? The choices included cinnamon buns (holy yummy), a strawberry-pineapple cake (topped with sweet buttercream frosting and toasted coconut--allergic here, but worth the risk). The strawberry cake was moist, full of delicious bits of strawberry, and perfectly baked--I'm NOT a strawberry or pineapple fan, but i am a fan of this cake. Even my MOM had a REAL bite (not just a crumb of cake, like she usually tries). The niece had a chocolate chip cookie, and the evidence of her joy was all over her face (i tried it--chewy, sweet, chocolaty and delicious). My dad, being my dad, decided on the banana split waffles with whipped cream, strawberries, pineapple and banana, with chocolate topping. Ridiculous that he finished every bite, but it did look good.
Service was exceptionally attentive, pleasant, and despite a full complement of diners, seemingly unhurried. She spent time with us, explained dishes, and made honest recommendations.
Needless to say, i'm coming back with the boys on a Sunday upcoming to re-sample that strawberry cake--i simply need to render another opinion. ;)
Our Scores (on a scale of 0 (horrifying) to 20 (deliciously awesome and worth every shekel)
D: 19 (i have to have room for improvement, right?)
J: 20
S: 20
J2: 18 (he wanted more)
N: 20
Congratulations, Spicy Green Bean--my first "20" score!
I'll be back!
