Food Review by Howard Steven Frydman
Restaurant: Bricco Grants
Location: 78 LaSalle Road 977 Farmington Avenue West Hartford, CT West Hartford, CT 860) 233-0220 1(860) 236-1930
Overall Rating: 5 stars 5 Stars
Superb Dining Experience
Legendary Connecticut restaurateur, Billy Grant, owner /chef of the renowned Bricco and Grants restaurants and his family have been old and fast friends of mine for many years, yet we have never met. I have marveled at his inspired cuisine but never knew he was at the kitchen’s helm. How can this be you ask? Let me solve this mystery of the legacy of Billy Grant. Once upon a childhood, Sundays was not only a day of rest and relaxation, but it was that one cherished day where my mother, Lillian, also took a rest from cooking. We would all jump into my father’s light blue Chevy Impala and head to one of our favorite eateries “Augie’s and Rays,” situated on Silver Lane in East Hartford CT. I can still taste the great food they served there. My brother and I usually had the foot long grilled hotdog, served on a buttered toasted bun and then added chopped onions, relish, mustard, ketchup and endless heaps of sauerkraut- to die for delish!!!. The owner of Augie’s & Rays? Billy’s father, William Grant Jr. and Billy was there! Another local favorite during my youth was “The Eatery” restaurant situated in East Windsor, CT. where we celebrated many a holiday, birthday and special event. The owner, Billy’s Uncle Paul Ianni and once again Billy was there! Today, Master Chef Billy Grant, can be found at the helm of two celebrated new restaurants, Bricco and Grants, where dining in unsurpassed and memories are made to last a generation and yes! - Billy is here!!
Bricco Restaurant: This charismatic and well-designed eatery, opened in January 1996, seats 120, including15 at the bar area, in an atmosphere of true elegance with its vistas of Venetian influenced wall collages, cylindrical illuminations styled as wine corks, cozy and informal seating areas, and its centerpiece, a large open-aired kitchen featuring two wood-fired brick ovens, where lucky patrons can watch their food being prepared especially for them. Bricco expertly crafts freshly made pastas, inspired artisan pizzas and features an extraordinary entree menu with such Billy Grant creations including: “Wood Oven Roasted Diver Sea Scallops”, served with butternut squash puree & apple smoked Bacon braised Brussels sprouts: “My Mom’s Spaghetti Carbonara” prepared with soft onions, peas, prosciutto & cracked grated nutmeg; and “Handmade Sweet Potato & Ricotta Ravioli accompanied with sage butter, amoretti cookie and truffle honey.
Grants: Opened since 2001, Grants is an exciting, majestic and sense awakening experience as you enter this modern Mediterranean influenced restaurant that features seating for 125 patrons with its blend of grotto-styled stucco walls, Italian terracotta inlaid tile flooring, large vintage mirrors, white linen tables decorated with their stylized wrought iron “G”s insignia overhangs, and its piece de resistance - the “Patisserie” featuring homemade pastries by legendary pastry chef Franny Marino. Chef Billy Grants invites you to partake in the wonderful offerings from his innovative menu beginning with an array of sumptuous appetizers including “Jumbo Lump Crab Cake” a large wondrous oval overflowing with crab, saffron aioli and tomato comfit. Featured entrees include: “Slow Cooked Salmon” prepared over a bed of sea salt, moist and delicious and served with chive spaetzle, mushroom fricassee and red wine butter: and “Filet Mignon, a luscious masterpiece, with melted Gorgonzola, offered with lightly creamed spinach, home-made mashed potatoes, pearl onions and red wine.
Legacies are wondrous things, they understand the past and improve on the future, and so it is with Billy Grant and his two restaurants, Bricco and Grants. Both locals provide superb service and extraordinary cuisine that you will want to share again and again with family and friends. As Billy Grant so rightly states “eat and live well always.” I strongly urge you to do both at Bricco and Grants! Enjoy!
Bricco
Howard F’s Best Bets
Appetizer: Handmade Sweet potato & Ricotta Ravioli With sage butter, amoretti cookie & truffle honey
Salads: Warm Pistachio Crusted Coat Cheese With Granny Smith Apples, frisee salad & cider vinaigrette
Pasta: Fusilli Bolognese Classic meat sauce, fresh ricotta and nutmeg (H.F says Superb)
Artisan Pizzas Sausage Pizza prepared with San Marsano tomatoes, hot Italian sausage, Taggiasca olives, fresh oregano & Reggiano.
Entrée: Grilled Black Angus New York Strip Served with fresh made mashed potatoes, broccoli rabe, roasted shallots & red wine sauce
Grants:
Howard F’s Best Bets
Appetizer: Jumbo Lump Crab Cake (H.F says Superb)
Salads: Granny Smith Apple & Frisee Salad Prepared with cider vinaigrette, caddied walnuts and Maytag blue cheese
Entrée: Slow Cooked Salmon Served with chive spaetzle, mushroom fricassee and red wine butter
Berkshire Pork Tenderloin (H.F says Superb) Enhanced with sides of bourbon glazed sweet potato and grilled asparagus
Desserts: (Grants and Bricco share same dessert menu) Bruleed Pumpkin Cheese Cake Ginger Snap Crust with Cranberry Caramel and Pumpkin Seed Brittle
Howard Steven Frydman is General Manager and Executive Director of BATV – Channels 5, 19 & 21. Please feel free to contact Mr. Frydman with your thoughts and ideas at
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Bricco Hours: Lunch: Monday - Saturday from 11:30am -3:00pm (full menu) 3:00pm - 5pm Abbreviated menu Pizzas & Salads Dinner: Monday-Thursday from 5:00pm -10:00pm Friday-Saturday from 5:00pm - 11:00pm Sunday Dinner 4:00-9:00pm
Appetizers range from $9- $12 Dinner Entrees from $15 - $30 Desserts: from $5 - $12
Payment: Cash All Major Credit Cards accepted
Web site for Bricco & Grants is www.BillyGrant.com
Grants Hours: Lunch: Monday - Saturday from 11:30am -3:00pm (full menu) 3:00pm - 5pm Abbreviated menu Soups, Salads & Burgers Dinner: Monday-Thursday from 5:00pm -10:00pm Friday-Saturday from 5:00pm - 11:00pm Sunday Lunch: 11:00am - 3:00pm Sunday Dinner 4:00-9:00pm
Appetizers range from $9- $13 Dinner Entrees from $14 - $40 Desserts: from $5 - $12
Payment: Cash All Major Credit Cards accepted
Web site for Bricco & Grants is www.BillyGrant.com
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