Arugula

06/04/2008 Posted by BostonGirl0402

I had the pleasure of going to Arugula for the first time last week and can't wait for my next trip there! The wait staff was attentive and helpful without being pushy. I was there for a casual lunch with a dear friend and we stayed for just about 2 hours. Our waitress, Becca, was so pleasant and helpful when it came to suggestions from the mouth watering menu. The flatbread was the perfect combination of toppings and crunchy crust. Our salad was huge (definitely a perfect size for sharing) and was incredible. My favorite part of lunch was the amazing lemon cake. I don't know what they do to it, but it is out of this world. It is moist and flavorful, with the perfect coconut frosting. Even the tap water was great - served in wine carafes and icy cold. Being from Boston, I have the opportunity to eat at many great restaurants. But Arugula has risen to the top of my list. Even with the price of gas, I happily drive my SUV to West Hartford to enjoy this excellent overall dining experience!

Pros: Salad, Food, Dessert, Ambience, Service, Date Spot

02/22/2008 Posted by HotFlash

My husband and I live in New York – Arugula is our favorite restaurant in CT! We dine there every time we’re in town visiting family. It’s a small restaurant, so it’s cozy, warm, beautifully decorated, and a great place for a romantic dinner. The cuisine is magical - You can tell the chef put her heart and soul into this bistro. Must Have’s: the roasted eggplant and wonton napoleon, the grilled calamari, the duck confit and Andouille sausage flat bread, and the Chilean Sea Bass or the Seared Tuna entrees. Bring your appetites however; the portions are quite generous (and priced reasonably)! The waiters are very helpful in explaining the four-page menu (!) and with offering recommendations; they are also very attentive without being intrusive. No liquor is served, but there is a wonderfully eclectic wine list (also affordable and approachable). If wine is not your preference, there are many artisanal style beers to choose from as well. And lastly, the desserts – ohhhh the desserts to die for – Three words to remember: CHOCOLATE VOODOO CAKE! I’ve never had anything better! Go there – you’ll love it!

Pros: Excellent value for such amazing food, service and atmosphere

Cons: Parking can be tricky, no bar

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

02/19/2008 Posted by RobertBill

We made a reservation a week in advance for a party of six. We arrived on time and were told that our table would not be ready for 15 to 20 minutes. There was no room for us to wait in the restaurant and we were directed (not asked) to leave the restaurant and get a drink at another establishment. I returned 25 minutes later and was told that our table had been given to another party. When I complained, the hostess called the manager from the kitchen. The manager was an older woman who angrily told me it was my fault for not being there "on time." When I pointed out that we had been on time for our original reservation and it was Arugula that wasn't ready, the manager turned on her heal and told me that there was nothing that could be done.

Cons: They don't honor their reservations. Mean people in charge.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful

08/19/2007 Posted by papapickle

As you enter this restaurant, you are immediately in the middle of the dining floor. The menu is very unique. My wife is more of a "chicken with gravy" type of diner. She likes it simple and American. This menu did prove to have something for the both of us in the end. She chose the steak and I chose the wild mushroom lasagna. I would recommed this again for a date night out, since it was so unique. The food was nicely arranged and wonderfully prepared. We were unable to fit in a dessert. The menu has many seafood and uniquely combined items.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

06/02/2007 Posted by jacg

There is something extremely special about the food at Arugula. It may be the unique use of spices; it may be the creative menu; it may be the love that the owner, Chris, pours into each dish. But this place is unlike any other. My favorite items are the rosemary polenta appetizer, the israeli couscous (with artichoke hearts, black olives, and peas) and the sea bass with pesto and roasted potatoes in a garlic-tomato compote. There is also an amazingly delicious mixed green salad side dish. The food here is soulful and interesting -- nothing like what one might cook at home, so always worth the trip. I am not a dessert person, but the white chocolate bread pudding is about the best sweet thing I've ever had.

Pros: Excellent food with creative and interesting menu.

Cons: A few pasta dishes that don't have cream sauce would be desirable.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful

06/02/2007 Posted by lisajoy23

Just ate there for the third time and had a FABulous meal. Everything on the menu is so delicious that making a choice is an anxiety-producing experience. The moules et frites are better than any I've ever had (including in Paris and Belgium!). The way Christine assembles flavors is truly inspiring and every single one of my tastebuds gives her a standing ovation. Whatever you choose for dinner, you won't be disappointed - but make sure you save room for dessert; if you leave without eating the bread pudding, the food police will be waiting outide to put you away and throw away the key. Eating this bread pudding is nothing short of a religious experience. Enjoy!

Pros: Great meal, great people who are clearly passionate about feeding people well

Cons: I live in NYC and can't eat here every day of my life!!

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful

12/15/2006 Posted by plan4tomorrow

This is my favorite restaurant in WH for a variety of reasons. First off, you HAVE to get the mushroom lasagna. Out of this world! The other menu choices offer a wide variety and are equally as tasty (but remember the mushroom lasagna is foremost - at least in my book). Great selection of wines and the ambiance is a cozy / romantic setting. This is the place if you want an amazing dinner and actually be able to hear the conversation without shouting. It's not a huge restaurant which makes it much more personable & intimate. I would suggest getting reservations. Perfect 10!

Pros: Ambience, Wine List, Mushroom Lasagna

Cons: Typically need a reservation on Fri/Sat nights, however they might be able to squeeze you in.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful

12/11/2006 Posted by likefoodalot

Everything on the menu is nothing short of amazing!! The cozy atmosphere, the colors, the food, the whole experience from start to finish is mind boggling (preparation to presentation)! The chicken caesar salad is THE BEST I have ever had and the home made desserts (made by the talented chef herself) are to die for. The only bad thing about Arugulas is that at some point your dining experience ends and you have to leave........but.....the great thing is that you can come back over and over again and have a different dish everytime and ALWAYS be amazed, I mean blown away. How many things can you say that about??!! This dining experience far outshines anyother in West Hartford Center!

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful

11/16/2006 Posted by kwiltoncooking

As we walked into the restaurant and surveyed what others were dining on we knew we were in for an amazing meal. We had to make some challenging decisions on what to eat and decided to begin with a salad with raspberry infused cranberries and seasoned almonds which was simply delightful. We went on to share the lamb meatballs with pine nuts and then the flat bread pizza with smoked salmon and cheese. It was an intimate dining experience, the food was very well prepared and we would definitely return for another memorable meal.

Pros: Great atmosphere, location terrific

Cons: Parking is a bit of a challenge but worth it to circle the area.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful

10/08/2006 Posted by myrraj

I was extremely pleased with the food selection and the creativity and flavor presented. I had the filet mignon of tuna and it was ridiculously good. The tuna steak was made as I requested and the accompaniments were extraordinary. The food and wine that we had were just fabulous. However out waiter was a bit flaky and seemed to have forgotten about us a few times. For dessert we had the chocolate voodoo cake which was extremely rich and quite a healthy helping. I really enjoyed our time at Arugula and would highly recommend it to anyone!