Fire by Forge Restaurant — Restaurant in Hartford

Good Mission, Room for Improvement in the Food

We started our dinner with three mocktails: the Pomegranate Mule, Baked Apple, and Garden Sage. All were delicious and gave off cozy fall vibes—even in the spring. The Garden Sage was especially grapefruit-forward, which isn’t bad if you enjoy the fruit.

Next, we ordered two appetizers: the mushroom empanadas and the seared tuna. The plating was very impressive, and both dishes looked appetizing. The mushroom empanadas were definitely the highlight of the entire meal. However, the tuna fell short. Although it was cooked and presented well, the tuna did not taste fresh—it had a fishy aftertaste and smell, especially noticeable when bringing it to your mouth. This seemed more like a quality-of-ingredients issue than a preparation problem.

For our entrees, we ordered the mac and cheese, duck, and French onion soup. The portion sizes were generous. The French onion soup was fairly standard, though quite salty. My sister had the mac and cheese. She enjoyed it and she didn’t have much to say about it. The duck had a deep, rich flavor, and the rice it was served with was similarly seasoned. The duck tasted somewhat like rotisserie-style chicken, which some might enjoy.

We finished the meal with two desserts: the frozen citrus mousse and the poached pear. By then, we were quite full, and the dessert portions were also large—easily enough for two to four people, especially the mousse. Both were good, though we preferred the pear. The flavors were pleasant but fairly standard—not bad, just not outstanding.

Overall Impressions:

The overall experience left me feeling that the dinner prices are too high for the quality of food provided. For comparison, I’ve had a better meal—and for less—at Capital Grille, another fine dining option in Hartford, where both food and service were of higher quality.

In addition to high menu prices, Fire by Forge includes a mandatory 14% service charge on the bill to go toward "Compensation & Benefits" for the staff. Tips are not required but are appreciated on top of this service charge. While I understand and support this model—especially since Fire by Forge is a nonprofit with a meaningful mission—I still believe pricing should better reflect the overall dining experience.

The atmosphere had more of a community vibe than a upscale restaurant, which is charming in its own way. Staff members had their children playing in a back room, which adds a casual, family-oriented feel. That said, if the restaurant is aiming for a higher-end dining experience and pricing, the ambiance should reflect that as well.

The servers were kind but clearly still in training. Again, that’s completely okay—especially in a nonprofit environment—but should also be reflected in the pricing structure.

I’ve dined before at the Lincoln Culinary Institute, where culinary students prepare gourmet meals. This experience reminded me of that, but with double or triple the price tag.

There’s clearly a good mission at the heart of Fire by Forge, and I was curious to support it for that reason. If I return, it would likely be to support the...

I recently had the pleasure of revisiting a restaurant that had unfortunately closed its doors due to the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic. But what a delightful surprise it was to see that it had not only reopened but had transformed into something even better than before. My experience left me with no doubt in my mind – I will definitely be returning!

The location is incredibly convenient, with a spacious parking lot right next to the restaurant. Alternatively, one can park at the nearby legislative parking lot and enjoy a short, pleasant walk to the restaurant. The ease of parking definitely sets the tone for a great dining experience.

To kick off our culinary adventure, we decided to start with the Brussels sprouts as an appetizer. Let me tell you, they were a revelation! Cooked to perfection, with a delightful crispiness and a burst of flavor that left us craving for more. It was the perfect way to begin our meal.

When our main courses arrived, it was evident that the attention to detail extended throughout the menu. The sandwiches came with a side of chips that were a delightful surprise. Fresh and incredibly crunchy, they added a satisfying texture to the meal. My choice for the day was the Tuna Poke Bowl, and it was nothing short of superb. The flavors were balanced, and the freshness of the ingredients shone through in every bite. Across the table, the Salmon Bowl looked divine, and I made a mental note to try it on my next visit.

Speaking of the next visit, the "Taku Taku" caught my attention and is definitely on my must-try list. I overheard another diner raving about it, and from what I saw, it looked like a culinary masterpiece waiting to be enjoyed. As for beverages, I had to take a sip of the legendary Lemonade, which I had heard so much about. It didn't disappoint – the perfect blend of sweet and tangy, it was a refreshing accompaniment to our meal. In fact, one of my companions loved it so much that she opted to get some Lemonades to-go for the office.

One of the highlights of the meal was the variety. Each of us ordered something different, allowing us to share and experience a range of flavors. And let's talk about the French fries – they were an absolute delight. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and seasoned to perfection – they were hands down the best I've ever had.

In conclusion, this restaurant's comeback after the Covid-related closure was nothing short of impressive. The elevated menu, attention to quality, and the sheer variety of offerings make it a place I can't wait to revisit. The convenient parking options are an added bonus, and the overall experience left a lasting impression on me. Whether it's the unforgettable Brussels sprouts, the mouthwatering bowls, or the tantalizing Lemonade, there's something for everyone to enjoy at this reimagined...

It's challenging with food reviews, because we all love such a variety of flavors, textures, seasonings, temperatures and specific dishes. One person's "THIS IS THE GREATEST PIZZA I'VE EVER HAD!" could be another person's "Meh," leaving the first reviewer scratching their head. Add to that someone's opinion of what "timely service" should be, value, attentiveness (vs. intrusiveness) and atmosphere and you have a spectrum that can stretch from here to Jupiter, seemingly. Myself, as much as I love a plethora of foods (yes I said plethora), when it comes to reviewing (especially a newer place) I like to use 5 simple parameters:

Do I love the vibe when I walk in? Did the staff treat me warmly, and were they adequately attentive? Was the food awesome? (Right temperature, well plated, yummy, etc) Is the style/atmosphere cool? Did the server (or service staff if shared) vanish near the end of the meal for seemingly 49 minutes when I am trying to pay the bill?

That's it, and although that last one sounds silly, it happens to my wife and I at least 75% of the time. Seriously. We can't figure it out, but assume it has something to do with a secret cabal of service staff who gather together and wager how long they can make patrons wait before they erupt into cartoonish anger. I have yet to do that, and won't, but hopefully the check starts coming quicker at some of these places.

Anyway, there was no such issue at Fire by Forge. In fact, all 5 of the items on my list were absolute bangers. Honestly. From the moment we walked in, we loved the place. It's an inviting, rustic, energetic (but not crazy loud) bar/entry area, and the decor is simple but pleasing to the eye, and the staff were very friendly and engaging. The food, I mean COME ON...it looked incredible going out to other tables, but my wife hasn't stopped raving about the Salmon, and the Big Mac-y smash burger was killer. Truly a gourmet version of that all time classic. The atmosphere and decor are a big plus for this place, IMHO, as the brick faced bar back area always does it for me, and I love the rustic yet sort of Bohemian style they have going on. Most importantly, the server was fantastic and did NOT, in fact, disappear for nearly an hour at the end of the meal.

We absolutely loved this place and will visit again...