Restaurant Junction — Restaurant in New London

Really not sure how to feel about it, kind of bewildering. We were curious because the sign showed so many (seemingly) separate restaurants but all in one building. I’ve lived in New London for decades so I’ve watched this place go from Outback, to Shaking Crab and now this. With how many puppet restaurants have popped up on UberEats where say a Chili’s is also a “It’s Just Wings”, or Gus’s Pizza is also “Cupid’s Wings” and “Juicy’s Cheesesteaks” and “the hot Italian” and “freaking good pizza”… we thought maybe this was similar. It was not what we expected.

To start, the staff were all very nice, attentive, and answered the questions we had.

I ordered the “Fisherman’s Punch Series” that they say has: Captain Morgan, Malibu Coconut, blue Curaçao, and House Mix… but it was basically just blue juice. Came in an awkward fish shaped glass mug with no handle, two hand lift essentially. And the usual Swedish fish dropped in. Again, near zero alcohol, if any, for $10.

We ordered some items from the “Rice Bowl” section (hot & sour soup, chicken rice bowl, paneer rice bowl) and a couple from the “Cocina de Mama” section (fish taco and chicken tostada). But as we read the Google reviews we became increasingly concerned about what we got ourselves into. 7 reviews had all come from 22hrs prior, all very robotic or just copy/paste from an ad and written mostly by accounts with very few reviews. Some are written in the first person as if the restaurant was writing it but not disclosing it and then there’s a response from the official account of “thanks for the positive feedback”, lol. Their website shows crossed out higher prices to show the actual on the menu. Menu is like a magazine glossy paper, and all the blue lights made it hard to photograph.

The Hot & Sour soup was not bad, the garlic chunks seemed larger than you’d expect, and while my partner didn’t share the same feeling I thought it tasted like the Thai chili sauce I’ve had on wings but add water to turn it into a soup. There was lots of veggies, didn’t seem like they were cooked with the broth - likely just how they make it. It would work pretty well as a spicy alternative to the normal chicken noodle for a sick day.

The rice bowls were more like platters in that you get what you’d expect at a Thai place, sauce with protein and white rice. This white rice was very bland and kinda mangled. The Royal Punjabi in Norwich has much better flavor complimenting what you scoop into it, and the texture is better. But the flavor of the sauce was very good, definitely a medium spice level (they didn’t ask us for what level we wanted) and was exactly the same for both platters. We asked what level it was and she said that was the normal recipe and it’s mild… which was surprising. They were in a wide bowl, but just not at all matching the image on the page. The chicken was really really good, tender, flavorful, etc. it’s what you’d expect to get if you ordered Chicken curry… so our expectations and images they showed us just didn’t match. Digging deeper into their website I found the rice bowl section does have a better representative image of what they give.

The fish taco had more fish strips than expected, can’t explain it but they tasted kind of “airy”, but in general it was good and would get it again if it gets a little cheaper, $5 for one street sized taco is a bit high. The tostada was also pretty good, same sauce on top as the taco, $3 is a good price for this.

A few places on the menu were eye popping with regards to the item and price, $12 for 16oz of “fresh squeezed juice”?

The place didn’t really have a cohesive decorating theme, I’m sure it must be hard to mix so many cultures together. Apparently they’re a night club too? Big empty dance floor. It was adequately cleaned, with the exception of our shoes sticking to the ground as we walked out of the bathroom.

For now, maybe we’ll try again for takeout, but it’s going to be a while for dine-in. I hope things improve soon, sorry for the quality of the menu pictures, the blue lights were...

I have visited this amazing restaurant with my friends and we had a very delightful experience. The menu boasts a delightful fusion of flavors, expertly crafted to cater to diverse palates.The appetizers are a true revelation, offering a perfect balance of textures and tastes. From the crispy calamari to the mouthwatering scallops, each bite is a journey of taste sensations.

The main courses showcase the chef's special, with options that range from delectable seafood creations to hearty meat dishes. The pan-seared salmon is a standout, beautifully cooked and accompanied by a medley of seasonal vegetables that add a burst of color to the plate. For meat lovers, the perfectly grilled ribeye steak is a carnivore's dream, tender and full of robust flavors.

Restaurant Junction's commitment to using locally sourced ingredients is evident in every bite, enhancing the overall dining experience. The attentive staff adds to the charm, ensuring your needs are met with warmth and professionalism.

Don't forget to save room for dessert! The dessert offerings are a sweet conclusion to your meal, with options like the decadent chocolate lava cake or the rice pudding, all of which provide a delightful ending to your culinary journey.

The Restaurant Junction is a true blend of innovative dishes with a cozy ambiance and impeccable service. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking a memorable dining experience, this is a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts and anyone looking to indulge in a remarkable...

It appears that many of the ratings and reviews for this place are faked. Let me tell you my real experience. The menu is pretty great with options for everyone. Sadly the execution isn't there. It took 45 minutes for our food to arrive despite the restaurant being a quarter full. Three of us had a version of the butter chicken rice bowl. It didn't look like the photos on the reviews and was served in a plastic, disposable bowl. It tasted okay but I probably wouldn't order it again. Another member of our party got the pizza pot. Just don't. It was a small mound of pepperoni and a bit of cheese on top of wet croutons baked in a small clay vase. It was absolutely disgusting. It seemed like a "recipe" idea a twelve year old might come up with. The last insult was the $10 bubble teas. The menu for those is very deceptive, so be sure to understand what you are ordering and how much the add-ons are. The meal for four was about $100 including tip. It was sorely disappointing for the price. Don't believe these five star reviews. The server, Paula, was nice and helpful, but all the service in the world couldn't make up for that pizza...