Feng Chophouse — Restaurant in Hartford

What a GREAT Spot! It’s been a (whole lot more than) a minute since I checked out restaurants in the Springfield, MA/Hartford, CT “corridor.”

I worked in downtown Hartford over 20 yrs ago. When the city (like every city in CT) was well overdue for any kind of investment. Feng Chophouse is a beautiful spot. Really just a gorgeous, welcoming interior. Lovely finishes from the light fixtures to the tables and chairs to the bar. I sat at the bar, two nights in a row. Truthfully I showed up right at opening, 4pm and then camped at that bar. The bar has two big TVs showing news or sports. I LOVE a nice bar with a great vibe, TVs and good food. Feng Chophouse knocks it directly out of the park on all counts.

I MUST mention the service. I think this was, honestly, The Best Service I’ve ever experienced dining out and we all know that I dine OUT! The waitstaff is fantastic. They know what they’re doing, they are professionals, they’ve been there, done that and somehow were keeping all 3 of my beverages filled and with fresh ice in my water. For. Hours. Amazing!! (I actually order water and then I DRINK water, lots of it. That can be a real challenge for a lot of places…)

The “fusion” of sushi/Asian food and Steakhouse seems genius to me. I don’t eat beef, but the menu is impressive. I DID attempt to eat my way through the sushi/nonmeat offerings! There is not a bad Sake list and I had a bottle both nights. There is a Happy Hour menu 4pm to 5:30pm (might be only weeknights??) And the quality of the food offered for the prices is CRAZY!! I had 4 excellent, large, inside out sushi rolls from the Happy Hour menu. They were $5 each. Craziness. Such an amazing value.

I made a plan before showing up on Day 1. There are actually two appetizer menus, plus are Sushi rolls and Nigiri and salads and side orders. I could graze my way through many items, which is always my goal. I don’t want to commit to one, giant entree.

Day 1: I ordered 3 appetizers off the “Feng Signature” menu; Hirame Maki, Otoro Caviar and Crispy Rice Sushi. VERY GOOD. All of them. Honestly, the type of menu items I’ve only had in NYC. Really, really good. High quality ingredients, well made, well presented. Each piece was the proper size for a sushi piece.

Each piece of sushi maki or nigiri should be one bite. And not the kind of bite that almost cuts off your air supply. The sushi chef needs to know what they are doing to execute proper sushi. The chefs here at Feng know what they’re doing. Their sushi technique is very good. And they are creating pieces and rolls to appeal to a pretty wide audience (i.e., steakhouse eaters, Happy Hour folks, the neighborhood locals, business peeps etc etc.). Which is pretty impressive.

Caesar Salad. Very good. Especially the croutons and croutons are, honestly, usually terrible. I actually picked these out to eat! LOL

Kimchi Fried Rice: DO NOT skip this side. DELICIOUS, also huge. They are not holding back with the portions here. Altho maybe skip the poached egg. Something went wrong with that (maybe a microwave??); the white was runny and the yolk was solid. The reverse of what you’re looking for…

For dessert I had two pieces of Faroe Islands Salmon Nigiri. Perfect.

Day 2: started with 4 Happy Hour Rolls. Once again; I can’t believe the quality for the price! SO GOOD.

The Chophouse Salad (minus bacon). WOW!! GREAT SALAD. Best Salad I’ve had in a long time. GET THIS SALAD!

Then I had 2 rounds of Nigiri: Otoro, Hamachi, Kinmedi, Hirame; Foie Gras (!), Kanpachi, Madai, Shima Aji. You do NOT need soy sauce with this Nigiri. Each piece is what I would expect at one of my great Omakase spots in NYC: complex, fresh flavors with each piece of fish. Lovely. Delightful. Fresh pieces beautifully presented.

Then! Shishito Peppers app. Uhhhhh…this was A LOT of super delicious peppers. Really, really good.

Dessert: Truffle Fries. I couldn’t finish. These bad boys are actually Steak Fries and the portion, again, is enormous. Also! Hot food comes out PIPING hot. You need to...

What a truly spectacular experience. This place can be pricey depending on what you decide to order, but as someone who is well versed in sushi and steakhouses, the elevated flavor profiles and the quality of what you get are perfectly priced.

Service- spot on. Everyone we interacted with was warm, friendly, and accommodating. Our server checked in frequently, but not so much that we felt interrupted.

Cocktails were great- I got a cherry blossom and it was perfect- I didn’t need anything heavy on the liquor. The wine list is extensive if you prefer wine with your meal.

Now for the best part- the food. Personally, if I went back, I wouldn’t have ordered a roll. I think picking nigiri- though more expensive- is the best way to experience the creativity and quality of sushi. That said, the gem roll was delicious- the pieces with scallop makes me want to go back and try the hotate (scallop) nigiri

For the nigiri, I recommend not dipping in soy sauce as many of them are rich on their own. my must tries include:

-the otoro is one of the more expensive nigiris, but it was absolute perfection- melts in your mouth like butter. -botan ebi the sweet shrimp was recommended to me over the tiger prawn, and it was buttery and sweet. I personally thought it was better than the sweet shrimp nigiri from Sugarfish, which is saying a lot because I’m obsessed with Sugarfish.

I also ordered the nigiri -foi gras- it was so savory, and it was my first time having foi gras on rice (having usually had it on French bread). -a5 wagyu- if you’re ordering the a5 wagyu steak, you can skip this. If, however, you just want a small taste, this is a great way to experience the rich fatty sweetness of the top notch steak.

The bone marrow appetizer is another MUST order- being Korean, I love the fattiness of galbi- that collagen and bone marrow and fat that surrounds the meat. That’s what this reminded me of. It just melts in your mouth. I would order it only if 1+ people are going to enjoy it with you.

I was eyeing the dumplings for next time, which was recommended to us by the server. The seaweed salad was not your traditional seaweed salad, but it was creative and refreshing in between our rich food. Probably won’t order again, personally.

And now- the a5 wagyu. If you love steak, you need to experience this at least once in your life. The richness of wagyu makes 4 oz plenty. Every piece was a melt-in-your-mouth, buttery, rich experience. I had three pieces of my boyfriend’s wagyu and was well satisfied.

I ordered sashimi, which tasted great and fresh, but I think next time I’d rather get a few more nigiri pieces and explore different flavors.

Dessert was creme brûlée and carrot cake- both excellent and a great way to end the night.

So in short, you need to get the bone marrow appetizer; sweet shrimp and otoro nigiri; and a5 wagyu. I recommend getting multiple pieces of nigiri over a single...

A Hidden Gem That Feels Like Home – Feng Chophouse, Hartford CT

From the moment you step into Feng Chophouse, you’re wrapped in an atmosphere that blends upscale elegance with an incredibly warm, welcoming vibe; and that’s thanks in large part to the amazing bartenders: Sarah, April, and Cassie.

These three women are the heart and soul behind the bar. Their energy is magnetic. Sarah is the kind of bartender who makes you feel like a regular even on your first visit; quick with a smile and always remembering your favorite drink. April brings a cool, calm confidence to her service, never missing a beat and always offering the perfect wine or cocktail pairing for your meal. And Cassie? She’s the life of the party, personable and sharp, keeping the vibe fun and making everyone at the bar feel like they belong. Together, they set the tone for a five-star experience with genuine hospitality and next-level service.

The bar itself is a destination. Whether you’re in for a casual night out or starting off a special occasion, you’ll quickly realize these bartenders don’t just pour drinks; they create an experience. They’re attentive without being overbearing, knowledgeable without being pushy, and their service is polished, yet full of heart. You’re not just a guest at Feng; you’re family.

Now, onto the menu, which is nothing short of culinary excellence.

Every dish at Feng Chophouse is thoughtfully crafted and beautifully executed. From premium cuts of steak that are seared to perfection to the fresh, vibrant sushi that rivals any coastal city, the quality of ingredients and precision of preparation is evident in every bite.

The appetizers are a strong start; think perfectly crisp surf and turf dumplings with just the right spice, or their signature sushi rolls that practically melts in your mouth. The main courses shine, especially their expertly steaks— tender, flavorful, and unforgettable. Sushi lovers will be in heaven; the rolls are creative, fresh, and perfectly balanced. Even the sides and sauces are elevated; each element has a purpose, and nothing feels like an afterthought.

The cocktails are another highlight. The bartenders’ creations are balanced, bold, and consistently excellent; whether you’re into classics or seasonal signatures, there’s something that hits just right.

In short, Feng Chophouse isn’t just one of the best restaurants in Hartford; it’s a place where great food, exceptional service, and genuine connection come together. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just grabbing a drink after work, Sarah, April, and Cassie make it a place you’ll want to come back to again and again.

Highly...