Woodcliff Estates Apartments

Trumbull Kitchen: A Hip Eatery Offering Cross-Cultural Cuisine

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:28:41 +0000

A hip eatery from the Max Restaurant Group, Trumbull Kitchen creates eclectic epicurean cuisine ranging from comfort food from around the globe to twists on local favorites. The ambiance is contemporar, and imaginative, and includes a warm and welcoming mosaic tiled bar (with an extensive list of inventive "cool cocktails") that offers a partial view of the kitchen. Beyond the chic atmosphere, Trumbull Kitchen serves everything from sushi rolls, crisp noodles, and fondue to dim sum, sandwiches, and stone pizzas—so you can pretty much order whatever you’re craving. Chef Chris Torla has an adroit ability to create a diverse and inspiring menu with items like the sweet and savory rock shrimp and sweet potato fritters or the seafood pad thai. The restaurant also offers a light midday tapas and small plates menu, where all items are priced at under $12—a perfect excuse for happy hour.

Trumbull Kitchen
150 Trumbull Street
Hartford, CT 06103-2403
(860) 493-7412
www.maxrestaurantgroup.com/trumbull/

Costa del Sol: Hartford’s Best for Authentic Spanish Cuisine

admin — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:47:05 +0000

A 20-year-old south end eatery, Costa del Sol is a family run establishment that has generously added to the popularity of authentic Spanish flavors in Hartford. To go along with the old worldly European charm, Costa del Sol’s décor is filled with frescos of beaches, Spanish guitar music, and drinks served in traditional earthenware. The restaurant gets a high Zagat ratings (a 25 for food!), and homestyle treats include spiced up preparations of seafood, chicken, and meat, and delicately-spiced paellas (priced at under $50), which are Costa del Sol’s most iconic offerings. While everything from the tapas and salads to the entrees and desserts certainly taste delicious, the flawless presentation is what earns brownie points with customers. Make sure to check out Costa del Sol’s specialty store next door— bring home a taste of Spain and delicacies like olive oils and wines.

Costa del Sol
901 Wethersfield Avenue
Hartford, CT 06114
(860) 296-1714
www.costadelsolrestaurant.net

Kid City Museum: Let’s Play Pretend!

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:51:41 +0000

Kid City is a magical dream world for kids ages 1 – 8. Each room has a theme (like Pirate Ship, Farm or Main Street) and props that can be played with in many different ways. Where else can kids fly in a hot air balloon, drive a car, or run through a cornfield? When make-believe becomes this real, kids learn about the world in new, exciting, and unexpected ways. Note that Kid City isn’t a playground—it’s an enriched educational activity that sets kids’ imaginations free. But some areas do incorporate climbing, sliding, or crawling activities, so your little one has plenty of chances to put his/her excitement to good use. After seeing this place, don’t be surprised if you long to be smaller; founder Jennifer Alexander remembers what it’s like to be a kid, and her astonishing non-profit creation will remind you, too. Older kids can enjoy Kid City, but most visitors are under 5. Rainy days and holidays are busiest, and the neighborhood has ample parking.

Kid City Museum
119 Washington Street
Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 347-0495
www.kidcitymuseum.com

Five Spring Adventures Around The Country

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:41:26 +0000

Are you hankering to take a trip after spending the winter all cooped up? All over the country, cities and towns are hosting special spring events that are sure to fill you with the spirit of the season. Here are some of the most exciting seasonal offerings:

The Calle Ocho Festival, Miami, Florida

This vibrant festival takes places during the first two weeks of March. People flock to 8th Street in Miami and dance salsa, meringue, and rumba while speakers blast lively Caribbean music. Great food stalls and drink options abound. It’s one big street party. An added benefit is that there are special options for kids to have fun in a designated “Kid Zone” so they won’t be bored while you’re dancing up a storm.

Fiesta, San Antonio, Texas

This 17-day event in April is known as the biggest and most elaborate annual festival in the South Texas region. People come from all over the world to watch the fiesta’s three dazzling Parades – the River Parade, the Battle of Flowers Parade, and the Fiesta Flambeau Parade (the largest nighttime parade in North America). Another great aspect of the event is that funds raised from the parade provide services for those in need in the San Antonio area – so you’ll be having fun and giving back at the same time!

Dogwood Festival, Atlanta, Georgia

This wonderful event takes place between April 15 and 17. The festival is a celebration of arts and entertainment featuring live performances, a juried arts competition featuring hundreds of artists and craftspeople, and one of the biggest Frisbee events in the country. There’s also a zone just for kids packed with fun activities

Biltmore Estate Festival of Flowers, Asheville, North Carolina

A visit to the famous Biltmore Estate during the Festival of Flowers is a perfect way to usher in the warm weather. The festival features a dazzling array of brilliantly colorful blossoms. In addition, the Estate offers live music in the Conservatory section throughout the season, activities like carriage rides and horseback riding, special spring menu items, wine tastings, and spring outings for kids on the weekends.

Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, Winchester, Virginia

This event is known as one of the oldest civic celebrations in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The people of Winchester decorate the area in pink, white, and green, colors chosen in honor of the region’s beautiful apple blossoms. The festival features dances, music, performances, a circus show, and one of the biggest Firefighter parades in the world.

City Steam Brewery Cafe: The Finest Brewed Beer in Town

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:47:15 +0000

The vintage-looking City Steam Brewery Café sports a chic, classic setting and is touted as serving the finest brewed beer in town. Everything here, from the large fermenting tanks at the entrance window to the wafting aroma of pizzas and smoky wraps, lures patrons who love their beer and comfort food to go with it. Add a dose of live comedy to a mouthwatering burger and beer session, and you’ve got a combination that’s hard to resist. There is a nice balcony with a great view where customers can chat and relax over cigars and drafts. Don’t forget to take a peek into the swanky pool room as well as the in-house beer garden that showcases a rare collection of handcrafted beers.

City Steam Brewery Café
942 Main Street
Hartford, CT 06103
(860) 525-1600
www.citysteambrewerycafe.com

Storybook Time

admin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:00:26 +0000

Please join us for Storybook Time on Thursday, January 26th starting at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Rise And Shine: Exceptional Egg Breakfasts

admin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:57:43 +0000

Eggs are the cornerstone of many a breakfast, but it’s easy to get tired of some of the standard preparations. If you’ve had one too many mornings start with scrambled eggs, here are five new ideas for interesting egg breakfasts.

Toad in a hole is a classic British preparation – use a jar or cookie cutter to punch a hole in the middle of a slice of bread, then fry it in a pan. Crack an egg in the middle and cook them all together for a delicious meal.
Bake eggs in small ceramic ramekins with sliced tomato and spinach. These dishes will come out like miniature quiches with much less preparation time.
Make a savory and delicious omelet with fresh mozzarella, basil, and slices of tomato. This Italian flavor combination is healthy and tasty.
For a different take on the omelet, fill a finished egg omelet with strawberries and sour cream. Eggs actually go really well with sweet flavors, and this unusual combination is a winner.
Make an egg sandwich on whole wheat bread or English muffins and top it with sharp cheddar cheese and slices of avocado. This is a delicious and portable breakfast if you’re in a hurry.

Family Movie Night

admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:01:31 +0000

Don't miss Family Movie Night on Friday, January 20th. We will be playing Kung Fu Panda II and the show will start promptly at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there!

The Glebe House Museum & Jekyll Garden: Learn, Relax, Reflect

admin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:47:42 +0000

Built around 1750, The Glebe House is the birthplace of the Episcopal Church in the New World. It also boasts the only American garden planned by Gertrude Jekyll, England's most venerated landscape architect.

Set among the Litchfield Hills in Woodbury's historic village center, the Glebe House Museum offers a glimpse of Revolutionary War-era Connecticut. The simple but elegant 18th-century farmhouse is furnished as the home of the Reverend John Marshall, his wife Sarah, and their nine children who lived in the "glebe" during the period. Marshall was instrumental in establishing the American Episcopal Church and defining the principle of separation between church and state.

This unique historical, religious, and cultural landmark will give you a new perspective on the founding fathers. Pause to reflect in Gertrude Jekyll’s magnificent garden, which includes 600 feet of classic English style mixed border and foundation plantings, a planted stone terrace, and an intimate rose allee. The Glebe House & Jekyll Garden is open Wednesdays – Sundays in May through October, and weekends only in November, from 1 – 4 p.m.

The Glebe House Museum & Jekyll Garden
49 Hollow Road
Woodbury, CT 06798
(203) 263-2855
www.theglebehouse.org

Kid’s Craft Night

admin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:47:36 +0000

Bring the kids out to create a snowman at Craft Night on Thursday, January 12th at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.