Dining out

A new season (and reason) to break bread -- in  Restaurant Week

Spring and fall versions of Restaurant Week in Connecticut will arrive soon enough, with three-course prix fixe meals (typically) consisting of an appetizer, entrée and dessert, as well as some individual specials on items.

Are they are bargain? Maybe. Here's the thinking of some regulars who enjoy the marketing concept:

Restaurant Week encourages groups of friends and family to take a meal together. Which is fun.

For one price (plus drinks, tax and tip), you get can a nice sampler of the restaurant's fare. Especially (and this is key for many) if the restaurant is an upscale one that you've been wanting to visit. So make a reservation early.

The selection is often a bit limited, with only a handful of apps or entrees on the prix fixe list. But usually the choices are crowd-pleasers.

Individual cities such as New Haven do well with this concept for a couple of weeks per year, spurring business during otherwise slow or modest business periods. 

And then there's Mohegan Sun's Restaurant Week, which is coming Jan. 22-26 (leading into the big Wine & Food Fest weekend).

Mohegan's eateries generally can be a bit pricey, of course. It's been a while since the bargain-and-beloved Seasons Buffet closed (a COVID casualty that never returned). So Restaurant Week at least adds a little more value to the mix for five days, at places such as TAO (below) and Michael Jordan's.

Here's some highlights of the week's planned specials:

TAO

TAO Asian Bistro & Lounge will have a Pu-Pu Platter filled with Crispy Tuna, Satay Bass, Chicken Satay, Gyoza and a Lollipop Wing for $30. This offering is available only from Jan. 22-25, 5 p.m. to close.

Tuscany

The Prix Fixe Menu at Todd English’s Tuscany ($45) features a choice of a Tuscan Salad, Caesar Salad, or Lobster Bisque as the first course. Next is the option of Shrimp Fra Diavolo with two U-12 Shrimp, Spicy Marinara, and Linguini Pasta; 4 oz. Crispy Skin Salmon with Parmesan Polenta, Sautéed Oyster Mushroom, and Lemon Butter; or a 4 oz. CAB Filet (Certified Angus Beef tenderloin) with Sautéed Spinach, Silk Potato and Demi-Glace. Finish it with a choice of Sorbet Gelato with Chocolate Biscotti; or Tiramisu with Coffee Ganache and Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans.

Ballo

At Ballo Italian Restaurant (also priced at $45), the first course is a choice of either classic Caesar Salad, Arugula Salad, or Meatballs Pomodoro. Second is a choice of Eggplant Parmigiana, Chicken Francese, Tagliatelle or a Berkshire Pork Chop Milanese. For dessert, you get Espresso and Dark Chocolate Cannoli.

Michael Jordan's 

Michael Jordan's Steak House is one of those extraordinary eateries for a special meal; the prix fixe is $55 here for:  House Cured Salmon featuring Smoked Lemon Crema, Asparagus Salad, Sourdough Toast and Citrus Vinaigrette. The second course is a Beef Cheek Pappardelle with tender Red Wine Braised Beef Cheek and Broccoli Rabe. And dessert is Callebaut Chocolate Bread Pudding and Vanilla Ice Cream.

MJ23 Sports Bar & Grill

The sports bar's prix fixe offering is $34 and features Broccoli Salad appetizer of Charred Broccoli, Arugula, Pumpkin Seeds, Orange Vinaigrette and Pomegranate Molasses. The main entrée consists of Braised Short Ribs with creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Broccoli Rabe, and Mushroom Leek Sauce. For dessert, there is Chocolate Bread Pudding with Callebaut Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Cream.

SolToro

SolToro ithree-course meal for $34 includes Tuna Tostada with Tuna Tartare, Guacamole, Cabbage, Crispy Corn Tortilla and Soy Chile Dressing for the first course. The main course features Birria Tacos with Braised Beef with Consommé and Monterey Jack Cheese inside a fresh Corn Tortilla. Dessert is a Chocolate Bread Pudding with Callebaut Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Cream.

Sushi Koya

Sushi Koya will offer, for $40 per person, starters of either Miso Soup or Edamame. The second course consists of a choice of Dinosaur Eggs with Spicy Tuna wrapped in Avocado, Pork Gyoza or a five-piece Sushi Appetizer with Rice. The final course is one of the many sushi roll options including the Dancing Eel, Black Samurai, Mermaid, Koya Roll, Volcano Roll, or Salmon Lover. 

There is also a special or two at Ben & Jerry's and Game On.