If someone can review gas station chicken, then it’s not too self-indulgent to blog about trying to find the best sangria in Hartford.
I’m not a wine aficionado, and I really am not much of a drinker either. But when I find something that I like, I get fixated on wanting to know where the best one (that I can afford of whatever it is) can be found. I’m like this with mocha, falafel, pizza, burritos, etc. I’m not so fixated on this one thing, though, that I necessarily can overlook everything else about an establishment. Here’s my work-in-progress list:
Firebox
$8/ glass and bitter!
The fruit was placed on the rim of the glass, rather than dropped in it. I do not like red wine by itself, and I thought that this was the predominant flavor. It had plenty of kick, but I’m not a drink-to-get-drunk person, so this did not make up for the pungent taste. The Firebox has a swanky atmosphere and decent live music, both nice, but the lack of vegetarian options on the menu is another strike against it. The location is convenient to The Studio @ Billings Forge, La Paloma Sabanera, and Red Rock, all of which have live music. Like the other two restaurants, there is off-street parking available for those of us who can not parallel park without taking down a light post.
Barça
$7/ glass. It’s fruity and tastes more like punch than red wine. It’s not weak, though. The added cherries sweeten the drink. Barça, like Firebox, is expensive as all get out; there are a few vegetarian options, which are delicious. This is the kind of place that you go to after eating a meal at home. That way, you can just get one of the tapas, a drink, and dessert. Even though I complain about the price, I have a weakness for the Setas del Monte Asadas con Mantequilla al Ajo and will weep if they remove that from the menu. They have djs, live music, and a salsa night. Barça is convenient to The Warehouse.
O’Porto
$10/half pitcher $20/pitcher
This is similar in flavor to that which is served at Barça. O’Porto is a more relaxed environment than Barça or Firebox. Of the three, it has the largest number of vegetarian options and is the most affordable. Their menu has the most variety by far, and there are probably even things on it that kids might eat. The food that I have had there was filling, but not rich in flavor. It is toward the end of Park Street near Sully’s.
This list seems a little incomplete. Where have you have sangria in Hartford? How does it rate?
EmGee
O’Porto is great, I think it’s my favorite for sangria. I haven’t been there in awhile, but Braza used to serve a decent pitcher. Once it gets warmer, if you go there late, they’ll let you sit on the patio just to drink (during busy hours the patio is limited to people eating a full meal).
twoladiesinwaiting
Mmmm, Sangria. ‘Tis getting to be the season, isn’t it? One note — Firebox has live music itself (definitely a popular Bluegrass night on Sundays). I’ve never tried their Sangria so I take your word for it — but their manhattans and the “Nor’easter” are fabulous.
kerri
Thanks for the tip, EmGee. Since there’s probably nothing on their menu I can eat, I could totally go for the sit outside and watch the traffic with a glass of sangria.
EmGee
You should try their yucca fries! Delicious. Better than the ones at Agave. I’ve only actually done Braza’s whole meat on a stick thing once. Every other time I’ve gone has been to eat in the bar or outside. A LOT cheaper that way. They used to have some pretty great bar specials… peel and eat shrimp… yum.
Chris
I installed the sign and awnings at O’Porto a few years back when it was getting ready to open. At that time they had little to offer for vegetarians (at least at the pre-opening dinner they had for the contractors), so it kind of fell off my radar. Sounds like I should give it a second look. I really liked the way they set up the interior of that place.
kerri
Chris,
I wouldn’t call it a vegetarian destination, but they had some selection. . . more than soup and salad.
Steve_CTMQ
Man, it killed me that the Courant reviewed the gas station chicken. That huge FRIED CHICKEN sign has been there for years; and I’ve been passing it for years saying, “Who would eat gas station fried chicken?!”
And apparently it’s pretty good. And I love good fried chicken. Maybe some day…
Anyway, skip Barcelona’s (W Hartford center) sangria. Too sweet, too expensive, too little wine. O’Porto is a great place all around. Cool owner, cool vibe, and I’m sure it needs your support with a somewhat difficult location.
if there’s good music across the street at Sully’s, the two in tandem make for a fun night.
dave
I’ve never had it, but my wife likes the Sangria at Costa del Sol on Wethersfield Ave.
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