Toby Goodshank Original Art 2025

Life with Chicken and Broccoli

Category: Review

  • Review: Duff Beer Garden, Universal Studios Florida

    Review: Duff Beer Garden, Universal Studios Florida

    Tucked along the side of the road as you meander through the Simpsons area of Universal Studios Florida, Duff Beer Garden feels like a little oasis in the middle of the park. It is not fancy, and it is not trying to be. It is a simple place to stop, cool down, have a drink, and take in the strange joy of being inside a real life version of Springfield.

    Growing up with The Simpsons, I watched Homer drink Duff Beer for years. Somewhere deep inside, probably at the subconscious level, it made me want to drink Duff Beer too. Then, finally, I got my chance.

    They have Duff Regular and Duff Light, and in the fall they usually have Duff Oktoberfest. I normally get the Light, and it is a nice draft beer. Without all the fanfare and Simpsons nostalgia, you probably would not think twice about it, but that is also part of the fun. You are standing in Springfield, drinking a Duff Beer, watching old Simpsons clips, and for a few minutes it just works.

    But what makes this place special for us is not really the beer. It is the bartender we met a few trips back, named Demar.

    I love watching a well run business, and before we even spoke to him, I noticed how well Demar worked. He was the superlative of a bartender. The bar usually has about three bartenders, and it gets busy quickly with people coming over for a cold beer. They also sell pretzels and corn dogs, although I do not think I have actually seen anyone eat one.

    What stood out to me was Demar’s speed, consistency, and command of the bar. He knew every combination of every order and exactly what it cost, including the tax. At one point, the other two bartenders went on break, and he had the whole bar to himself. That would be daunting for anyone, especially outside in the hot Florida weather, but he just kept moving. He had a knee brace on at the time and still kept cranking along, explaining the differences between the beers, ringing people up, calling out exact totals, and doing it all with almost robotic, lightning fast efficiency.

    But the impressive part was that he was not just fast. He was kind, friendly, and completely present with people. That is not easy to do when there is a line, the sun is beating down, and everyone wants something at the same time. He made it look easy.

    After a few trips, he remembered us, and that changed the whole feel of the place. It stopped feeling like we were just walking up to a theme park bar and started feeling like we were visiting someone we were genuinely happy to see. As my family sat around and hung out, we began to talk with him, and over time we developed a friendship.

    We had a lot of similar interests, and there was something almost reminiscent of Tom Cruise in Cocktail about him. He had ideas, investments, big dreams, and plans for where he wanted to go in life. That is one of the things I really respect about him. He was not just standing behind the bar pouring drinks. He was working hard, thinking ahead, and building toward something bigger.

    Now, part of the retirement plan at Universal is getting a fully loaded jacketed baked potato and making our way over to Duff Beer Garden for an excellent mixed drink or the occasional Duff Light. We sit there, let the gentle breeze carry the day away, rewatch old Simpsons cartoons, and hang out with our friend.

    That is what makes places like this special. It is not always the menu, the theming, or even the drink in your hand. Sometimes it is the people you meet along the way who become part of the tradition. Duff Beer Garden could have just been a quick stop for a cold beer in Springfield. Because of Demar, it became one of our favorite places to return to.

    Review Score: 9.5 out of 10
    Rating: Duff Worthy

  • Restaurant Review: Mythos, Universal Islands of Adventure- Final Review

    Restaurant Review: Mythos, Universal Islands of Adventure- Final Review

    “The world’s greatest theme park restaurant,” “10 time winner,” and “#1 Theme Park Restaurant in the World” are proudly displayed at the front entrance. With or without the banner, this is our favorite restaurant in a theme park and probably, for me, my favorite restaurant in the United States.

    But this visit felt different, because this was not just another meal at Mythos. It felt like the beginning of saying goodbye.

    What is there not to love about this place? I am a huge fan of the décor and the mythology surrounding it. Every time you step inside, you are transported to ancient Greece, to the time of Hercules and his legendary journeys.

    Islands of Adventure is still my favorite of the Universal parks, and I love The Lost Continent the most. From an early age, I remember looking over maps in my elementary school library, searching for Atlantis. I wanted to be a famous adventurer and archaeologist like Dr. Jones.

    I was late in coming to Universal, having been caught under the spell of Disney for too long. Because of that, I missed the real heyday of this land. I was lucky enough to get on Poseidon’s Fury once or twice before it closed, but I never had the chance to see the Sinbad stage show. Now the entire section is draped in “Pardon Our Appearance” wooden walls. The land is changing, and with it, we are losing our favorite restaurant.

    We have eaten at Mythos 15 times or more, and I still enjoy it every time. The cuisine is Mediterranean, and while they slightly vary the appetizers and dishes, the core of the menu remains the same.

    The lobby and waiting area are tight and cramped, but the generous air conditioning feels glorious on these hot May days. We check in at the front desk and make our reservation for four, but the wait times are really never that long. I do have one request, though, and that is to sit in our favorite server Madison’s section.

    Upon entering the main dining hall, you feel like you have stepped into another world, with an endless discovery of hidden features in the décor and artwork that surrounds the room. You definitely want to sit in the main hall if possible. There is a side section with some nice views of the park, and an outside area that may be nice in the fall, but the main hall is where the real immersion is. I usually end up sitting and looking toward the open kitchen, watching the army of servers and runners waiting at the pass.

    Since we eat here so often, we usually end up trying many of the different appetizers on the menu. Our favorite from this trip was the warm and savory spanakopita dip with freshly baked pita chips and za’atar spices. This was our third and best visit during our trip this week.

    We normally argue about the dip to bread ratio. My son and I are masters of making it work and making sure each pita has the appropriate amount of dip. My brother, who came along this time, was admonished the day before for disrespecting the ratios and taking a crazy spoonful out. However, on this trip, the pita to dip ratio was on point with the last cooking crew of the night.

    There are many excellent entrées, and I have tried my family’s dishes when they have ordered them. My son’s favorite is the beef loin medallions, which are always cooked correctly and come with a tasty mashed potato puree and red wine reduction sauce.

    For me, it is always the same entrée, as much as I try to deviate. I always get the souvlaki couscous bowl with pan fried tofu and a side of sriracha. It is just an excellent bowl of Greek goodness with za’atar spiced couscous, fresh cucumbers, marinated artichoke, Kalamata olives, spiced chickpeas, feta cheese, tzatziki, and tahini dressing. I just never get tired of eating it.

    Luckily, this trip we were able to have Madison again as our server. She is exemplary and everything you want when enjoying a meal. She is friendly, kind, caring, and goes above and beyond in her work. After all these trips, she has now become our friend, and having a friend makes all the food taste better.

    The portions on this night were beyond generous and also the best we have had to date. We had to give everyone kudos, so we called over the manager to let him know how much we enjoyed the place.

    Unfortunately, Mythos will be closing down next year, and we are beyond disappointed. We did find out that they hope to keep the staff together and move them over to another location in the park. I am hopeful, but there are so many little things here that make this place special, and those things will be hard to replicate.

    I wish they could just airlift the entire restaurant and place it somewhere else, untouched. The stone walls, the cavernous room, the mythology, the food, the memories, and the people all work together in a way that makes Mythos more than just a theme park restaurant. It became part of our family’s Universal story.

    We are sad to see it go, but grateful we had the time, the meals, and the experiences. Mythos gave us more than good food. It gave us a place we looked forward to returning to, trip after trip.

    And maybe that is the most fitting ending for a place like this. With a name like Mythos, it was never meant to be just another restaurant. It was meant to become part of the story. For us, and for so many others who loved it, Mythos will go down in legend.

    Restaurant Score: 9.9 out of 10
    Rating: Mythical

  • Breakfast Review: Salt and Pepper, Aruba

    Breakfast Review: Salt and Pepper, Aruba

    Salt and Pepper is, in my world, the greatest breakfast place there is.

    From the first time we started going to Aruba almost ten years ago until now, they have maintained the same level of excellence. Day after day, year after year, the breakfast is consistently amazing. That kind of consistency is rare anywhere. On an island, on vacation, with all the variables that can come with time and turnover, it feels even more impressive.

    I always order the Aruban Breakfast. For me, there is no other choice. It comes with two sunny side up eggs, a freshly baked warm croissant, crispy bacon, and two island staples, a croquette and a cheese pastechi.

    The croquette is one of those foods that does not translate perfectly if you try to compare it to something American. It looks a little like a fried mozzarella stick at first glance, but that does not really capture it. It is warm, breaded, and perfectly fried, with a soft savory center that feels like comfort food from another world. The cheese pastechi is another golden fried masterpiece, with just the right amount of cheese tucked inside. The closest comparison might be a tiny calzone, but with a better texture and a lighter, more satisfying bite.

    I tell everyone to order the Aruban Breakfast. Almost nobody listens. They drift toward the American Breakfast instead. It is fine, I guess, but I never understand it. Why travel somewhere beautiful, somewhere distinct, and then order the same breakfast you could get at home?

    Now, in principle, I am against deep frying and seed oils. In practice, when I am in Aruba, I surrender. Salt and Pepper breaks me. I go every day, and every day it is the same. Perfection. I also add Madame Janette’s papaya hot sauce, which takes the whole thing over the top. I dunk the croquette and the pastechi into it and get that final crescendo of flavor that makes you stop, close your eyes, and thank God you are alive.

    The coffee is always excellent, and it arrives properly hot, which my father would have appreciated. My wife likes the mimosa. I go for the spicy Bloody Mary. This trip we brought our friends and kids, and whatever anyone ordered, they loved it. Even the whole wheat bread tastes fresh baked. I usually steal half of my wife’s pancake, which is sublime. Somehow the batter seems infused with strawberries and cream, so the entire pancake tastes like warm strawberry shortcake.

    When I eat there, I find myself closing my eyes and saying little prayers of gratitude, making involuntary noises of happiness like some kind of breakfast mystic. I always tell my wife that I want to thank the sweet Aruban lady in the back making this food. I have no idea who is actually cooking, whether everything is made in house, or what the real operation looks like. But in my mind, it is someone’s grandmother rolling croquettes by hand and pressing out pastechi dough with love. The consistency is so good it feels personal. My imaginary Aruban grandmother is back there, and she has never missed.

    The décor adds to the charm. Salt and Pepper is filled with salt and pepper shakers from all over the world, brought in by guests over the years. It is a simple idea, but somehow it works perfectly there. They even encourage people to bring their own. I have often thought about how fun it would be to recreate a place like this somewhere else, but I do not think it would land the same. Aruba gives it its magic.

    Inside, it is darker and cool, a welcome contrast to the glorious, consistent days of sun and trade winds waiting outside. We like to sit in that cool interior and look out the window, knowing paradise is just beyond the glass. The whole place feels like a Dutch old world café filtered through Aruba’s warmth and ease. It is its own thing, and it works.

    The staff is always eager to please. We usually try to make friends right away on the first day and let them know we will be there all week. We bring a lot of loving energy, but it is always reciprocated. Even when we do not get the same server, the service is warm, joyful, and genuinely welcoming. It lives up to the spirit of the One Happy Island.

    I am a fanboy, a disciple, and a complete fanatic when it comes to Salt and Pepper. That is why it is my favorite.

    Breakfast score: 9.99

  • Pizza Review: Krispy Pizza – Brooklyn, NY

    Pizza Review: Krispy Pizza – Brooklyn, NY

    It was finally time to head into New York for an early Christmas gift to my son. We were going to Krispy Pizza, the Brooklyn location he and I had been watching endlessly on Instagram. Stories, reels, posts. Long before we left Connecticut, the place had taken on a life of its own.

    Getting from Connecticut into Brooklyn is daunting. The GPS offered no clean path and sent us winding through Queens before dropping us toward the southern tip of the island. I assumed it would be an easy hour and a half, like going into Manhattan. Instead, it stretched past two hours. That extra time only inflated expectations.

    This was our family’s first real trip to Brooklyn. Born in the Bronx, with a mother from Queens and a father from Manhattan, Brooklyn had always been the forgotten borough. The red-headed stepchild. No one ever really went there, and anyone who did never had much good to say.

    We were pleasantly surprised. Once we arrived, the neighborhood felt calmer and less dense than the trek through Queens. Most people seemed to be home. The streets were relatively quiet when we pulled in around four or four-thirty.

    We lucked out with street parking and found a meter to cover our time. Across the street, in big red letters, was Krispy Pizza. The sign featured a self-made family crest filled with pizza and the father’s initial, Pete. I wasn’t even sure which door was the entrance. I pulled a handle and suddenly we were inside.

    Instant chaos. A line stretched all the way to the back of the restaurant, with barely enough room to move through the front. I’m not a fan of lines, but after that drive, there was no hesitation.

    During the ride, we had hoped to catch a glimpse of the proprietor we’d watched so many times online. Relief hit when we spotted him. Freddy was there. Dark hair brushed back, streaked with white flecks of mozzarella, his Sicilian skin looking like it had been baked in the same ovens as the pies to a warm Mediterranean glow. He had somehow created his own avatar and cast himself in a real-life movie. A true pizzaiolo. Head down, focused, moving with practiced rhythm.

    As we worked our way through the crowd, my brother and sister-in-law were already there. Instead of pulling a chat-and-cut move, we tried to find tables, which seemed impossible in such a packed place. Somehow, my wife made it happen.

    She struck up a conversation with a young guy holding a table while waiting for his girlfriend, who was stuck in the bathroom line. They had come all the way from Los Angeles and this was their final stop. Instagram fame again.

    She turned around like a daytime talk show host and did it again. Another table appeared. This couple was from Texas. I started wondering how many people in that room were locals and how many had traveled just for this moment.

    We finally sat down and sent in our order. We went with a mix of things to try. I had a regular slice, buffalo chicken, and the famous buffalo chicken pizza wheel. I watched Freddy the entire time. Head down, nonstop. Pie after pie. I wanted my son to go say hello, but it didn’t feel right. The line was long and they were just trying to keep up.

    Here’s where it gets uncomfortable, and probably why I kept hesitating to write this.

    The pizza was okay. Not great. Not bad. Just okay.

    We had built this place up in our heads. We had watched quiet morning videos of Freddy working alone, talking about his father and learning the family business with pride. What we experienced instead was a place that had become a destination. The priority now was survival. Crank out pizza. Keep the line moving.

    We didn’t order a fresh pie. We had slices from pies baked earlier and reheated. It felt rushed. It wasn’t the pizza we had imagined.

    The pizza wheel was my favorite. It was pretty good. But even as I ate it, I found myself thinking about how I could ask my wife, my mother-in-law, or my sister-in-law to recreate it just as well, if not better.

    As we sat there, enjoying our hard-earned tables, the truth settled in. The highlights were what they always are. Being with family. Making time to take an adventure. Stepping out of routine and turning a meal into a memory.

    Some places live better in anticipation than execution. Maybe if my son and I came back at nine in the morning, when the day is just beginning, it would be a different story. Still, that doesn’t make the trip a failure. It’s a reminder that the best part is rarely what’s on the plate, but who’s sitting across from you.

    Pizza score: 6.9

  • Diner Review: Goshen Plaza Diner – Goshen, NY

    Diner Review: Goshen Plaza Diner – Goshen, NY

    Our second outing to the Goshen Diner, which is actually the Goshen Plaza Diner even though it’s not in a plaza. Maybe that was the hopeful dream of its first proprietor—an empire of storefronts that never came to fruition. Our first trip here followed a demoralizing Frozen Ropes Baseball Tournament, where dismayed parents plotted a revolt against the head coach.

    This time it was just the three of us, reflecting on today’s game in the same tournament, which was going much better. By chance, we ended up at the same table. The booth on the left fit the table exactly, while the booth on the right stretched awkwardly far, as if built for a missing fourth diner. I sat there the first time, hunched sideways over my plate. That odd design, along with the faux wooden panel above us decorated with an American flag and perched eagle, gave the place its peculiar charm.

    The menu was classic diner fare with extras, the kind of list that makes you think of Pee-wee telling Dotty, “It’s a thing you wouldn’t understand… a thing you couldn’t understand.” Prices ran two or three dollars cheaper than other diners we’ve visited lately, which likely explained why the place was hopping on a Saturday night. We were surrounded by a rush of senior citizens, a kind of corralling of prescription-powered, hungry elderly looking to stretch their social security checks.

    Our waiter, a young man with a sunny attitude, seemed half-present and half already imagining a future where he’d escaped diner monotony. Still, he was attentive enough.

    I briefly stressed over some of the more unusual menu items but settled on my old reliable: the Farmer’s Omelet—yellow American cheese, veggies, bacon, sausage chunks, rye toast, coleslaw, home fries, and a decaf coffee.

    The service dragged with the crowd, and hunger set us on edge. Then, like a leprechaun popping out of a rainbow’s backside, our server appeared with the food. A few sides were missing, but my omelet and potatoes were excellent—flavorful enough to be memorable despite how often I order them.

    Across the table, my wife faced a crisis. No white toast. She always starts with toast dipped in over-easy eggs, and its absence forced her onto the pancakes instead. The anger monkeys were on her back, throwing things, and we were about to get hit. The fuse was short before all hell broke loose. I buried myself in my plate, silently praying the bread would appear. Fortunately, it arrived in time, and peace was restored.

    In the end, the experience was pleasant. We ate, we talked baseball, and we absorbed the diner’s rhythms. At six o’clock the place was packed; by seven it had emptied to only a few tables. The turnover was so fast it was almost invisible—efficient, seamless, like the diner itself. As we left, we noticed they were voted Best Diner in 2023 and 2024, and if they keep the coffee hot and the toast coming, I don’t see anyone stealing that crown.

    Final Verdict 7.55/10

  • Epic Universe Part 2 – The Middle

    Epic Universe Part 2 – The Middle

    Stepping out of the warp pipe into the Mushroom Kingdom, the day truly began to level up. What had started as a long stretch of lines and heat was suddenly transformed into something electric. The colors, sounds, and movement around us made it feel like we had stepped into the game itself. For us, this wasn’t just another attraction—it was personal. Video game collecting has been part of our bond since the beginning, starting with an original NES we bought on eBay with Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt.

    The layout felt like a labyrinth, but I didn’t have to worry about directions. My son was a professional guide, already familiar with every turn from months of watching videos.

    The Donkey Kong Mine Cart had a posted wait time of 45 minutes, with the line stretching back to the entrance. The single-rider line looked empty, so we made the executive call to try it. Our thinking was that we’d knock out two of the three non–Express Pass rides early. It turned out to be a mistake. Because the vehicles seat two, single riders only get pulled in when there’s an odd-numbered party. We ended up waiting just over 45 minutes. The worst part was the animatronic Cranky Kong repeating the same line for the entire time: “Noisy Nincompoops.” By the end, that phrase was burned into my brain.

    I wasn’t expecting much from Donkey Kong, but it surprised me. Looking down, the track makes no sense, which makes the ride fun and exhilarating. It’s a mid-level coaster with plenty of flair, and when we got off, we both laughed and said the same thing: that was way better than expected.

    Leaving the Mushroom Kingdom behind, we entered the Monster area, Dark Universe. It was midday and the sun was blazing, but the land still pulled us in with swirling mist and eerie details at every turn.

    We went straight to Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. The first time we used our Express Pass, but we came back twice more to ride it again in the regular line. This was our ride, our jam, and in our opinion the best ride in the park. From the queue to the artwork and music, the immersion is on another level. I thought the IP might feel tired, but Universal gave it real respect and delivered for both longtime fans and first-timers. The ride is continuous like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, so the line moves quickly. Once inside, it’s pure brilliance. The graphics set a new standard, and the animatronics even surpass Disney. It’s an absolute triumph.

    After that, we saved Curse of the Werewolf for later. It’s a fine little coaster, but short. I usually get dizzy with spinning, but this one was more than manageable.

    Next was Stardust Racers, Universal’s homage to the legendary Dueling Dragons. I’d always regretted missing it, so this felt like redemption. Two coasters race side by side, dipping and weaving with breathtaking speed. We rode the right side first, then came back at night for the left. Both were incredible, but racing under the lights at night was unforgettable.

    From there we went to How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk. By then we were hungry. We passed on the famous Mac and Cheese Cones at Spit Fyre Grill—the heat made them less appealing—and went for bowls instead. My son had Stoick’s Steak Bowl and I had Valka’s Vegan Bowl. Both were tasty and surprisingly good for quick service.

    By about 4:30 or 5 p.m., we had completed nearly every ride. Ready for another meal and a break, we ducked into the Oak and Star Tavern. We found a cozy booth for two, ordered slow-smoked brisket and BBQ jackfruit sandwiches, and enjoyed the air conditioning. The food hit the spot, but the real gift was sitting down and catching our breath.

    I was fading, but my son stayed strong. I asked if finishing everything meant we could leave a little early. He just said NO. That settled it—we were staying to see the park in all its glory, both day and night.

  • Restaurant Review: Mythos – Universal Studios Islands of Adventure

    Restaurant Review: Mythos – Universal Studios Islands of Adventure

    Mythos claims the title of “Best Theme Park Restaurant in the World,” a banner proudly draped across the carved stone mountain that houses its massive Greek god heads. A beautifully cascading waterfall guards the magic inside, and honestly, I don’t disagree. Mythos isn’t just good for a theme park restaurant; it’s one of my favorite dining experiences anywhere. For me, it’s the pimpest, flyest, hardcore, gangsta-ass theme park restaurant in da world to paraphrase Ice T.

    Right away, approaching the entrance, you’re impressed by the immersive theming. It feels like they almost built a ride inside but decided to take a lunch break instead and then just kept serving food. The Lost Continent region of Islands of Adventure, steeped in Greek mythology and ancient lore, has always been one of my favorite places in the park. The architecture, the stories, the atmosphere all hit the nostalgia nerve for me.

    On this trip, we ate at Mythos four times and were happy every single time. My son mixed it up with his entrées, but I stayed loyal to mine and each time, I was just as excited to order it. In August, the Florida heat is brutal (who knew), but Mythos keeps it icy cold inside. Some reviewers online actually dock points for this, claiming the restaurant is too cold. To those critics, I say: may Poseidon sink your next cruise and drag you to the depths with the Kraken himself.

    The interior matches the grandeur of the exterior. Stone-carved walls, twisting paths, soaring ceilings. There are no bad seats. We have sat in the middle, by the water, near the entrance. All were good. The middle section with its expansive view and carved details is my favorite.

    This trip we scored a center booth next to the forever-spouting fish fountain. In the past, our favorite server was Madison, though this time we did not link up. Still, every server we had was fantastic. Eric, Ewa, Javiar, Amy. Mythos must be slipping ambrosia into the staff drinks, because everyone was consistently friendly, positive, and fun.

    Starters

    We went adventurous and tried almost all the appetizers: Mediterranean Lamb Flatbread, Mezze Platter, Lamb Hummus, and Spanakopita Dip. All were very good, leaning heavily on pita variations. My son and I turned it into a game, could we spread the dip in perfect ratio to match the bread. A true challenge. I am happy to say we were damn near perfect all trip. Two pimps spreading that creamy dip across each sexy slice of pita like two Greek lamb herders walking into a disco bazaar.

    Entrées

    My son rotated between the Beef Loin Medallions and the Pad Thai (Little Spice). Both are consistent winners. The medallions cooked medium-rare with a red wine reduction are a family favorite. The Pad Thai holds up too, especially considering we have some excellent Thai spots back in Connecticut. It is not a novelty, it is genuinely good.

    My go-to was the Souvlaki Couscous Bowl with pan-seared tofu. This dish is a gem: za’atar spiced couscous, cucumbers, marinated artichokes, Kalamata olives, chickpeas, feta, tzatziki, tahini. All perfectly balanced. Add a little Sriracha on the side and it is complete. On vacation, it is rare to find something this healthy and satisfying. Mythos delivers the goods.

    Dessert

    We only had room once, but we tried the Cinnamon Bread Pudding with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. The cinnamon cuts the sweetness just enough that I convinced myself it was practically a health food, like eating celery. The warm bread pudding with the cold ice cream and caramel drizzle is a solid contender against the Bread Pudding from Disney’s Polynesian Ohana Dinner, which is one of our favorites.

    Final Verdict: 9.45/10
    If the Greek gods took a vacation, this is where they would eat. Mythos delivers atmosphere, service, and food that rise above theme park dining and land somewhere closer to Olympus.

  • Review: Maggie McFly’s – Brookfield, CT

    Review: Maggie McFly’s – Brookfield, CT

    The flying lady who came out of nowhere, scouring the local countryside for the best foods and airdropping them into your mouth. I’m guessing she’s a tribute to Amelia Earhart, maybe Dale? The concept is simple: create a menu with as many meal and drink choices as possible, overwhelm your patrons with options, which then slows down every aspect of the dining experience, but somehow it works.

    I’ve been a regular at Maggie’s for a long time, ever since the first one opened in Middlebury. My go-to was always Southbury since it was closest to my office and easy to reach.

    The Brookfield spot is one of their nicest, right on Federal Road. We are in the area more often now with family and our son playing baseball at Allstars up the road. They clearly invested in making it a beautiful space, even if the outside view is the shadow of the forever-busy Costco façade. We came on a perfect 80-degree Saturday, looking for something outside or at least close to the summer fresh air.

    We arrived at 3:30 PM. It was not crowded. Eating earlier avoids the dinner rush and gives my food time to settle. We walked past the front desk and found a booth in the bar that let the warm breeze from outside reach us as we watched the end of the Yankee game on the big screen TVs. The rest of our party joined shortly after.

    Anyone who has been here knows the menu is massive. My mother-in-law joked to the waiter, “Has anyone ever said this menu is too big?” He replied that someone must have, because it used to be 46 pages and is now down to 25.

    Having been here so many times, I was almost sure I would get the Farmer’s Grain Bowl. Grilled chicken, quinoa and brown rice, carrots, sunflower seeds, pistachio, cucumbers, apples, feta, scallions, maple-roasted sweet potatoes, dried cranberries, and lime cilantro dressing. I love healthier options like this, and it is hard to find a place that offers them and does it well.

    I started flipping through the menu and saw other contenders. Fresh Roasted Turkey Dinner. Chicken Burrito. Tuna Poke Bowl. I kept going back and forth, then hearing what other people were ordering, until I completely glitched out and went with the Cajun Jambalaya. It’s a wonder, with such a vast range of choices, if the kitchen could really get it right.

    For appetizers we ordered the Giant Pretzel, Fried Pickles, and my wife’s seasonal lobster bisque in a bread bowl. I didn’t set my expectations high and my only hope was that the pretzel came out hot. To my surprise, it was perfect. Warm and textured on the outside, buttery soft and chewy inside. One of the best I have ever had. The beer-flavored cheese sauce was outstanding. The fried pickles were also excellent, and the lobster bisque was rich and flavorful. Even the bread from the bowl was worth eating, not just a throwaway vessel like most places.

    Entrée expectations were high. My Cajun Jambalaya delivered. The seafood was tasty, well-seasoned, and cooked properly. A big win after coming up short on seafood at the Jersey Shore. My wife’s lemon chicken was grilled perfectly and full of flavor. My son went with the turkey dinner, a classic comfort food choice.

    Normally we would have left after that, but the first two rounds were so good we decided on dessert. We went with an Oreo milkshake and a round of sundaes. We asked for a small sundae, but our waitress Casey, who was fantastic, told us it was a big one with multiple scoops and offered to split it into two cups. I told her I would just share my wife’s, but when the desserts came, she gave me my own cup anyway. That small gesture made me feel like a little big man filled with glee.

    We paired dessert with decaf cappuccinos, which arrived wrong. A food runner tried to convince us they were small-quantity cappuccinos served in large cups. After too many cappuccinos and too many bad Al Pacino movies, we were not buying it. Casey came back and returned with visually stunning, properly sized coffees.

    Maggie’s is improving in both food quality and overall dining experience. The bathrooms were very clean and orderly, which always says a lot about the whole establishment. This visit felt like a smooth flight from start to finish. We will be back to see where Maggie lands next.

    Final Verdict: 8.75/10