Chosen 1 Cajun Seafood — Restaurant in Hartford

Restaurant Review: The Chosen 1 Seafood

Nestled in the heart of the west side of Hartford, The Chosen 1 Seafood restaurant is truly a gem that elevates the culinary experience to new heights, particularly for seafood enthusiasts. From the moment you step through the door, you are enveloped in a welcoming atmosphere that perfectly complements the vibrant flavors of their distinctive Cajun cuisine.

Let’s dive straight into the star of the show—the Cajun seafood boil. This dish is nothing short of a gastronomic celebration, a festival of flavors that dances across your palate. The generous portions are an instant delight, overflowing with the freshest shrimp, crab legs, mussels, and clams, each expertly seasoned with a blend of Cajun spices that strikes the perfect balance between heat and flavor. Every bite is a harmonious explosion of taste, reminiscent of a sun-soaked Louisiana bayou. The seafood is cooked to perfection, boasting a tender, succulent texture that speaks volumes of the kitchen's dedication to quality.

What truly sets The Chosen 1 apart is not just the food, but the conviviality of the experience. The waitstaff here are nothing short of amicable, exuding warmth and enthusiasm that makes you feel more like a cherished guest than a mere customer. They are well-versed in the menu, eager to share recommendations, and their genuine passion for the food shines through in every interaction. It's as if they are proud ambassadors of the culinary magic happening in their kitchen, and they invite you to join in on the feast.

Now, I must address the "bring your own booze" policy, which some might see as a drawback, but I argue that it adds a unique charm to the dining experience. It transforms your meal into a tailored affair, allowing you to pair your favorite drinks with the bold flavors of the boil. Imagine cracking open a crisp, refreshing lager or a zesty white wine as you dig into the savory seafood—it’s all about creating your own perfect pairing.

In a culinary landscape filled with fleeting trends, The Chosen 1 Seafood stands as a beacon of authenticity and flavor. Whether you’re gathering friends for a casual night out or celebrating a special occasion, this seafood boil is a must-try that will leave you craving more. The portions are generous, the service is exceptional, and the atmosphere is inviting, making The Chosen 1 a top-tier destination for seafood lovers. So grab your favorite bottle and prepare for a feast that will tantalize your taste buds and warm your heart. Trust me, this is one culinary experience you don’t...

Food was amazing! Had the shovel and can I say OMG IT WAS DELICIOUS! Absolutely delicious. The loss at only two stars was simply service. It was awful. Probably the worst I've ever had at any restaurant. We were sitting for 30 minutes before someone came and got our drink order. When they came, we were ready for everything so we ordered soup for everyone, our meal and then a soda, a water and two alcoholic beverages. About 10 minutes later our soup came. Average time for an appetizer.. But we were still waiting for all of our drinks. After we were all finished with our soups completely and about another 5 minutes after that, the alcoholic beverages came. But we were still waiting on the easiest drinks to come.. A soda and a water.. About another 3 minutes after we finally got the other drinks. We waited an average time after that for our food to come considering what was ordered... The biggest combo on the menu. We were checked up on once, at which point I felt like I needed to order another non alcoholic drink because I felt like it was a now or never situation especially because our food had a good kick to it. Unfortunately no waitress really ever came back to ask the other people at our table who only ordered alcoholic drinks if they'd like another or anything else which is very unfortunate due to the kick the food had. I ended up giving my extra drink I knowingly ordered ahead to one of the people with me. The food was great but this place needs to get their staff in order. It's not a big place and it's unfortunate that the wait Staff is not able to handle something simple like drinks.. Which is an absolute necessity for the meal. Will I return? Perhaps. But this was absolutely obsurd. Especially because we initially waited for 30 minutes before a single person acknowledged us... And the only reason they did was because we told them no one has come to take our drink order yet. As I look at the other reviews, service has been a problem here from...

The Bloomfield location recently closed so I needed to go to Hartford to get their usually amazing shrimp that Chosen1 has. But this take-out order was less than stellar

When I opened my bag upon arriving home, there was no seasoning on the shrimp. It was as if the shrimp had been boiled in water and thrown in the bag. (I have pictures if someone reviews this, the bag is clear with no seasoning. I normally have to use gloves!)

When I called the same night to let them know, I talked with Trevor and he basically brushed me off and said "it was impossible" for me to get shrimp with no seasoning and hung up the phone. Bye-Bye to my $50.

This was really weird for me as the Bloomfield location never had this issue. So it is not like I was trying something "new" on the menu. Been ordering the exact same dish for years.

I called the next day in hopes of talking to the day manager and, to my surprise, Trevor WAS the manager. He gave me the same explanation he gave the previous night. To his credit, he wasn't as dismissive as he was the previous night, but still unwilling to work on a solution to our issue. I feel that is very poor customer service.

His suggestion was to come back, but I live 30 minutes away with Bloomfield being closed.

I wasn't asking for a free meal, but I dropped $50 and got a pretty boring and tasteless meal. Which is very different from the norm.

A 10% coupon, a 20% coupon, a free drink, or even a simple apology. I got none of that.

I acknowledged that it seems implausible that the shrimp would have been handed off to me with no seasoning, but I and my wife can confirm that it was.

For what it is worth, the shrimp po-boy and cajun fries I also ordered was very good. But I will have to think twice before giving the Hartford Chosen 1 a try again now that they are only...