Pond House Cafe
West Hartford, CT 06117-2804
Phone: (860) 231-8823
- Price:
- $$
- Hours:
- Tue-Sat 11am-2:30pm, 5pm-9pm, Sun 10am-2:30pm
Editorial Review for Pond House Cafe – by Deborah Geigis Berry
The Scene
Hartford's answer to New York's Tavern on the Green treats diners to views of Elizabeth Park's pretty duck pond. The dining room's decor feels like a tribute to eggplant: the rich purple tone adorns everything from the waiters' shirts to the walls. The restaurant has a loungelike feel during the day, but morphs into a romantic dining den, complete with candles and Judy Garland tunes, at sunset.
The Food
The menu changes regularly to incorporate seasonal ingredients, so it's always full of surprises. For example, the chipotle-barbecued rainbow trout, laden with yellow beefsteak-tomato salsa, comes with lilac-purple mashed potatoes (the potato's natural color). Meanwhile, the abundance of Arctic sea bass, shrimp and crayfish in the Moroccan stew nearly bursts from the bowl. For breakfast, try French toast filled with apple-ricotta cheese and topped with brown sugar-ginger sauce.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Frugal GourmetThough dinner's a splurge (entrees average $20), you can feast on brunch or lunch for under $10.
Call AheadIf you don't have a window seat, the allure of the cafe will elude you. Make reservations for a table with a view.
Small FeeThe cafe has a BYOB policy, but be aware of the $1 per-person corkage fee.
Park PlacePlan a visit in late June, when Elizabeth Park's famous roses are in bloom.
User Reviews for Pond House Cafe
04/16/2008 Posted by westie2
We just returned from dining at Pond House and thoroughly enjoyed this week's Tasty Tuesday dinner. Each month on Tuesdays a 3-course meal is offered for only $15.55. Our meal started off with a delicious portabella mushroom and goat cheese timbale salad which was followed by egg battered monkfish sauteed in olive oil and white wine, served with garlicky spinach and pureed potatoes. Dessert was a lemon poppy seed cake with lemon curd and almond whipped cream. Everything was fantastic and bargained priced. Service was attentive and friendly. I suggest making advance reservations and bringing a bottle of wine, the corkage fee at $5 is a bargain.
Pros: Price, view and food
Cons: None
Users Like You Also Viewed
Black-Eyed Sally's
350 Asylum St
Hartford, CT 06103
Cavey's Restaurant
45 E Ctr St
Manchester, CT 06040-5201
