Lovely Rita
Spring gets off to a sweet start at Rita’s (269 E. Main St., Branford; 203-488-3263 and 28 Ocean Ave., West Haven; 203-931-0031) on March 20, when the national Italian ice chain gives away a free 10-ounce ice to customers from noon–10 p.m. In addition to the usual 30-plus flavors on the menu (mango, cotton candy, etc.), a special “mystery flavor” will be launched that day, along with a name-that-flavor contest, in which customers can submit a suggested name for the mystery flavor and/or vote for their favorites at ritasice.com, through April 17. In addition to bragging rights, the winner scores a year’s worth of free Italian ice. Cool!
ALDI Nova
To kick off the opening of its 1,000th grocery store, ALDI’s new West Haven location (535 Sawmill Rd.; shopaldismart.com) hosts an open house with food sampling March 20 from noon–4 p.m. The discount grocery chain sells mostly private label brands, so it’s a good chance to see what this stuff tastes like (though ALDI backs everything with a double-guarantee). Remember to bring a quarter for the use of a shopping cart (refunded when you return it) and bring your own bags (or be prepared to buy ’em there).
Wok This Way
You’ll forget you just came off the Post Road once you step inside Tengda Asian Bistro and Hibachi (1676 Boston Post Rd., Milford; 203-877-8888, asianbistrogroup.com) — a glistening new eatery which opened last month (in the same plaza as the future home of Whole Foods, set to open later this year). The upbeat music pulsing in the background and the beautifully lit, 270-seat dining room, sushi bar, hibachi area and full liquor bar set a seductive, modern vibe right away, with an enticing Thai, Malaysian and Chinese-inspired menu to match. Milford marks the fifth location for Tengda, following Darien, Greenwich and Westport in Connecticut, plus one in Katonah, New York. Tengda fans dig the curry-glazed rock shrimp appetizer with coconut and daiko ($9.95), pan-roasted Chilean sea bass with Japanese chunky miso sauce ($23.95) and Vietnamese-style filet mignon (wok-sautéed cubes with dipping sauce, $19.95). The number of choices is mind-boggling, from classics such as General Tso’s chicken ($11.95) to Thai curries ($7.95–$12.95) and hibachi combos ($12.95–$32.95), plus a long list of sushi and sashimi rolls and platters ($2.50–$45.95). Happy hour specials are on tap weekdays from 4:30–6:30 p.m., with reduced drink prices and a bar menu; a favorite cocktail is the blood orange margarita ($10; $8 during happy hour). Once the weather warms up, al fresco friends can chill on Tengda’s outdoor patio, with room for 40. The name Tengda (from Mandarin Chinese) means “great future” and “prosperity” — which, judging by first impressions and the success of its sister locations (Darien was deemed “excellent” by The New York Times), seems to be a fitting fortune.
Send food-related news to kcei@newhavenadvocate.com
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