Category: Review

My favorite spot in the Mohegan Sun Casino was already closed by 7 PM on Friday. I won’t say the name of it, but it might very well be my next review. We were hungry from competing and coming off a strong win in our first round of baseball tournament play. Our usual baseball trio had grown by two more kids and their parents, so we were on the hunt for an agreeable spot that could satisfy everyone.

We initially eyed Bobby’s Burger Palace, but I didn’t want a cheeseburger. I’m always, normally, and usually the difficult one, and instead of debating it or denying it, I’ll accept my moniker. I like what I like, and I am what I am.

After scanning a few menus around the casino, we landed on The Shed. The selection, variety, and pricing all looked solid. Apparently, I had been asked to eat there before and declined for some reason, but I must not have read the menu or maybe the place just got better. It also could have been the name, which doesn’t give you anything. My parents had a shed, and I never had a desire to eat anything in there with the lawn mower or chlorine tablets for the pool.

This time, there were several dishes I was genuinely interested in trying, and I figured if it was good, it’d earn a return visit. We arrived around 8:30 with a group of seven, and the place was nearly empty. Tony Hinchcliffe was performing at the casino that night. I’m a big fan, and judging by the ghost town vibe, his show had pulled in most of the foot traffic. The restaurant closes at 10 PM, so we were hoping they’d have a table available for us on no notice. Sure enough, they had a perfect table for eight already set up in the back.

The atmosphere was fun and casual, with large open spaces and a laid-back surfboard-meets-upscale-diner aesthetic. They serve an all-day brunch menu, which automatically earns points. Our table had a great view of two oversized, hand-drawn cow paintings that looked like kids sketched them on leftover placemats with crayons, which was oddly charming. Comfy-looking booths lined the walls in the bar area with those high casino ceilings that lull you into a dreamy state.

There were about four or five dishes I seriously considered, but I ended up with the Veggie Protein Bowl. It came loaded with brown rice, garbanzo beans, red cabbage, spinach, sweet potato, mushrooms, sunflower seeds, pickled veggies, and avocado. I added a veggie patty too, which I confirmed is made fresh in-house. I could’ve gone with the Shed Bowl, but the pickled veggies pulled me in.

The Veggie Protein Bowl was a real winner. Plentiful portions, great balance, and all the ingredients worked well together. The rice was hot and delicious, offering a perfect contrast to the cold, crunchy toppings. The veggie patty stood out. It tasted fresh, had a nice char on the edge, and added some much-needed bite. There was a lot of synergy between the savory and sweet flavors, and the textures and temperatures balanced beautifully. The pickled veggies made it a superior bowl with a clean vinegar taste that cleansed my palate between bites.

My wife ordered the Reuben, which I sampled as a good husband, and it was another standout. My son’s Steakhouse Burger was also excellent with a pungent kick of blue cheese and crispy onions that complemented the perfectly cooked burger.

Our waitress handled our group like a pro and somehow managed to match up all the kids and parents with the right orders.

We’ll definitely be back to enjoy this hidden gem. We were already stepping away before the waitress could offer us dessert, but there’s a Ben & Jerry’s and a Krispy Kreme doughnut shop nearby, so we knew we wouldn’t be wanting. The kids were in a rush to get to the casino’s arcade, and we were hoping to get some time on the floor and, hopefully, not lose too much money. The Shed absolutely earned a spot in our rotation. Hopefully the word gets around so the restaurant thrives, but not so much that we can’t still grab a table.

Final Verdict: 8.25/10

It was a beautiful Friday night on the green in New Milford as we made our way to Lucia Ristorante, located on historic Bank Street. The street feels like a scene out of 1950s America, with old-school theaters, storefront businesses, and residential apartments above.

We were heading out to celebrate our friend’s birthday with our wildly successful, humorous, glorious, good-looking couples group. The group used to be bigger but has now been suitably curated to magnificence by removing some malignancies that once threatened the whole.

Having grown a bit burnt out on our own town’s dining scene, we were looking for a nice spot that still respected the golden radius of restaurants, which must stay within 30 minutes of home.

Lucia’s is an Italian restaurant which, according to its own website, describes itself as a gem of a place where head chef Antonio can please any member of your family. After my second visit, I don’t dispute the first claim. And as long as the second refers strictly to food, I can get behind that too.

The restaurant layout spans two levels, and I prefer the second. Fortunately, both times we’ve visited, we were seated upstairs. I think it’s due to our group size, which has been on the larger side. The upstairs dining area is nicer than the downstairs, and both levels include a bar.

Our first interaction was with the Water Person, who asked if tap water was acceptable. This always feels like a Grey Poupon moment to me. It’s the phrasing, like are you trash who wants tap water, or someone worthy of bottled or sparkling water sourced from an Italian cave where an old woman has been washing family linens for 100 generations. We got the tap water. Sorry, Momma Leonie.

The menu has several items that interest me, and they always offer some excellent specials as well.

When we sit down, our group tends to split between the gentlemen and the ladies. The boys usually talk about professions and sports, or, in this case, one of us meeting the world-renowned Tom Brady with pictures to prove it. The ladies dive into the gossip, the juicy bits, skin color palettes, and what the kids have been up to.

Bread service was solid. A nice fluffy dinner roll was served with cold, not spreadable butter, olive oil, and a small dish of pecorino cheese. My favorite touch was the homemade giardiniera, pickled vegetables that tasted great on the bread.

For appetizers, I ordered the Calamari Lucia, which came sautéed with beans, arugula, and cherry peppers in a white tomato broth. We also had a special, prosciutto-wrapped something. I can’t fully recall, writing this a few days later, but there were some vegetables involved. The calamari, which was the star, was a little chewy but very tasty. The prosciutto-wrapped mystery bites were also good, though neither dish was a showstopper.

For my entrée, I was torn between the black spaghetti and the seafood paella. I went with the black spaghetti and felt confident either choice would have made me happy. The squid ink pasta came with Gulf shrimp, sea scallops, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and arugula in a cream sauce. The dish was excellent. The pasta was perfectly cooked and well seasoned. The cream sauce was delicious and not too heavy. The seafood was the star and was tender and perfectly cooked.

Our waitress did a commendable job. Everything that came out looked excellent and would be worth trying on a return visit.

Even though the entrées were generous portions, we still made room for dessert. My wife had already informed the table that Lucia’s has excellent desserts, including several multi-layer cakes. She picked the pistachio layer cake, which we’ve had before and knew was good, and paired it with coffee. I went with a decaf cappuccino.

At some point, the owner dimmed the lights. In hindsight, this may have been a gentle warning that they were closing soon. We interpreted it as ambiance, setting the mood, which, as my friend astutely predicted, I would absolutely include in this blog post.

We happily continued our conversations as time drifted by. Eventually, we gathered our things and made our way outside, still laughing into the night.

The air was warm, the stars were out, and the streets of Bank Street felt like a movie set with a 1950s green Ford truck parked outside. There is something timeless about a summer night spent with people who know you, make you laugh, and genuinely enjoy your company. Nights like these remind me that good food is just the backdrop. The real magic is the connection, being together.

Friendship, laughter, stories passed back and forth like bread at the table. It was all there. We stood outside for a while, not wanting to break the spell, just grateful for the kind of evening that lingers long after the last plate is cleared.

Final Verdict: 8.75/10