07/29/09

Amazing restaurant in West Hartford Center

by RavenLightholme

With an incredible rooftop bar (complete with a waterfall and TVs) and dining area, extensive and reasonably-priced wine list, delicious and interesting menu, and convenient location, you cannot go wrong with the Elbow Room. It has an interesting interior design, giving it a romantic feel. The menu items are delicious and range from unpretentious to daring. You can order something artistic and unique, but you can also stick with the tried-and-true macaroni and cheese, except this version is better than anything you’ve ever made yourself. And the prices—while somewhat high—are entirely reasonable for the food, service, and environment you’re getting. It’s easy to order things that won’t break the bank and still have a great experience.

The crowd is typical West Hartford Center and ranges in age, but the typical diner is probably in his or her 30s. The upstairs bar attracts people from their early 20s to mid 40s. People often take their kids, though, and they don’t seem out of place.

• Pros: Environment, wine list, rooftop bar, interesting food
• Cons: Nothing

10/12/08

Poor customer service

by BluMizu

Recently a group of friends and I dined at the Elbow Room in West Hartford. After being served a ?meal? that could have been securely served atop a half dollar, I asked that it be replaced with another from the menu. The manager was called and he asked if the waitress had explained the size of the portions, I told him she had not. I then placed another order; however after watching my entire party finish their meals I told him that I did not want the second meal. The manager became irate. After being purposefully ignored while trying to pay at the end of our meal I voiced that his behavior was distasteful. He then became aggressive and completely inappropriate. I was shocked by his conduct and, among other things, his implication that my party did not intend to pay for their meals. I told him a polite, ?I?m sorry ?mam, but we are going to ask you to pay for your first order? would have sufficed. He said he didn?t believe the server didn?t tell me about the portion size. Aside from his antagonism, being called a liar was beyond offensive. A colossal managerial change is in order.

• Pros: Seating on the roof
• Cons: poor service

11/15/07

Great Food!

by foxyfishy14

I personally really love The Elbow Room. I've been there a few times and the service was great, the atmosphere was very nice and the food was excellent! I would highly recommend the Beef Tenderloin with the Horseradish Mashed Potatoes! I've heard the Mac and Cheese is amazing!

10/20/07

Last time at the Elbow Room.....

by foodie813

I gave this place 4 chances & will NEVER return. Last evening I have never had so many mistakes made by a waitress. The first thing our waitress did was put the rolls wrapped in paper right next to the candle on the table, about to go up in flames but my husband quickly moved it. She first brought me the wrong type of wine. Next the salad, she asked if I would like any fresh cracked pepper on it, I said yes, so she left to get the pepper grinder. I waited and waited and realized she was never coming back so I started eating. She did not return with the pepper until I was on the last two bites of my salad and did not even ask us how everyting was or if we needed anything! I also must say that this was the WORST caesar salad that I have ever had. The greens were white and brown, not the vibrant green that Romain should be and the dressing was awful. The dressing was was like mayo, tasted like salmon (not anchovies) and made the lettuce leaves clump together. I was so hungry from waiting for the waitress that I chocked it down hoping that the next course was going to be edible. We were both served our next course, mine was not what I ordered and both of them were so small! We have been to plenty of expensive restaurants with small portions but this was ridiculous. The menu prices seem reasonable but when you finally see the food it is incredibly overpriced. Since we waited forever for our next plates of food I was going to just eat my wrong order but it was horrible. I sent it back for what I originally ordered. After more waiting & not seeing our waitrress another waitress brought my dish to the table. Put in front of me was three teeny overcooked oysters, swimming in a pool of hot sauce (should have been tossed in it) which made the breading fall off & soggy, it was served with carrots and celery that were starting to turn. Each visit has been terrible (food & service), stay away! Skip this place it does not belong in WHC head to Max's, Grants, Bricco or Arugula.

• Pros: None
• Cons: TERRIBLE food, service, outdoor seating and ambiance for a West Hartford center establishment.

06/14/07

It's truly a shame...

by ladybug873

This place would be awesome if they knew how to cook. The upper deck is great for drinking and hanging with friends (though it's terribly loud). The food is terrible and way too expensive. It's often WAY too crowded so be prepared...

• Pros: Nice outside seating, cool venue, nice location
• Cons: Food. Is. Terrible.

04/16/07

Beware of the Fish Robber

by macview

Had the barramundi fish dish on Saturday -- the size of two mozzarella sticks for $19!! It was the silliest looking thing I ever encountered!! The waitress just said it was "pre-portioned" .... which felt like being "dismissed" -- even the manager avoided me.... Not even "acknowledging" the ridiculousness of was worse than than the skimpy portion !!! Oh well....don't they know I'm going to TELL everyone??!!

08/14/06

Nothing Special

by adudalesdi

I went to The Elbow Room about a week ago.Because it was my birthday,I wanted the dinner to be top-notch, so I researched several restaurants in the Hartford area before going.The Elbow Room had great reviews:I saw that it had many top ratings in the Hartford Advocate,and I read several rave reviews on other websties.I wanted a moderately priced dinner in an easygoing setting with exceptional food.The Elbow Room met few of my dinner expectations.

First of all, The Elbow Room supposedly has great outdoor seating; however, you cannot make reservations for outdoor seats on the roof patio, so when you arrive at the restaurant you won't get patio seats without a long wait. There ARE outdoor seats available, but unless you want to sit on cheap metal seats next to a busy city street, I do not suggest the curbside seats.

The lighting inside came from one candle on the table, which wasn't enough.I wasn't able to see anyone I was trying to talk to! And speaking of talking, The Elbow Room was EXTREMELY noisy.If you have elderly people or young children who don't speak up in your dinner group, forget it.Noise is not exactly what you want when you're trying to relax and enjoy your dinner.

The food on the menu looked o.k. There wasn't much selection, and prices ranged from $10 for burgers and small dishes to $30 for full entrees. There wasn't much of a dining ambience--sure, the walls are painted, and there are toy planes hanging from the ceiling, but the seats are uncomfortable and hard. Our waitress did her job, but she never cracked a smile and she was not in the least bit kind. The food was fine, but nothing amazing. My friend asked for a medium rare hamburger, and it was too rare, even though GOOD cooks are supposed to be able to cook meat correctly. When my friend asked that his hamburger be cooked a little more, the waitress did not apologize, and it took 10 minutes for him to get his hamburger back. I will NOT be returning to this restaurant.

• Cons: noise, undercooked food, uncomfortable chairs

01/15/06

don't waste your $$$

by xsailor8

ordered rib eye special $22. overcooked, tough meat with a terrible sauce. potatos and asparagus were stale and overspiced. msg or salt appears to be overused. bottle of white wine was served warm. if you still choose to go there, don't accept a seat by the rear door...you will be cold and the smell of cigarettes from people smoking outside will waft over your table.

This friendly restaurant serves top-notch fare at rock-bottom prices.

by Contributor

The Scene
The Elbow Room has the feeling of a corner cafe and the menu of an upscale American restaurant. Not only are the management and service friendly and responsive, but everyone's in a good mood. It's the atmosphere: Who can keep from smiling amid pastel lights and warm wood tones as servers dote on them?

The Food
Start off with golden Maine crab cakes or the fried oyster basket--the spicy remoulade sauce packs a nice punch that won't knock you over. The cornmeal-crusted chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy is comfort on a plate. Flaky, pan-seared salmon rests atop a mound of vegetables in a light broth, drizzled with parsley pesto for an extra hint of color and flavor. Dessert is a must: Try a good old-fashioned banana split.

01/17/03

Definitely Deserves a Look

by AlyssaSmith

Elbow Room is a great place, especially during the summer. You can sit on the roof, where they have a great bar. Service was really great, and the food was exceptional. I recommend trying the Steak with Asparagus and Gorgonzola sauce and garlic mashed potatoes, it's to die for

• Pros: Modern, Trendy