Vinted Wine Bar & Kitchen, West Hartford, CT
Some of my close work friends and I have been trying the various restaurants in West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square for Happy Hour every 3-4 weeks. Recently, our latest outing brought us back to one of my favorite places, Vinted Wine Bar & Kitchen in Blue Back Square, West Hartford. I think I’ve been there 5-6 times with various groups for different occasions.
Vinted Wine Bar & Kitchen, West Hartford, CT
Vinted opened in 2012. It has the same owners as The Federal Restaurant in Agawam, MA, which is also an amazing place to eat!
Vinted has happy hour every day of the week, not just weekdays, from 4-6 pm. They have over 60 wines. And if you think you might be confused deciding which wine to order, they make it easy by offering a 1 oz taste serving, 3 oz half glass and a 6 oz full glass.
Vinted has happy hour every day of the week!
Vinted has an exclusive happy hour menu, be sure to ask for it, with items priced between $1 and $5, in addition to their “dinner” menu filled with extraordinary small plates.
The food is anything but ordinary. Every item has a wonderful gourmet twist to it that gives each dish amazing flavors. Every item I’ve ordered and tasted has been outstanding.
I think for every time I’ve been at Vinted, we’ve always started with two items from the “Veg” section of the menu – the Federal Risotto Balls and Whipped Chickpea Hummus with Scallion Cakes.
The risotto balls is an item common on both Vinted and The Federal’s menus. They are small fried risotto falls finished with black truffle butter and fresh chives. Try them and one word comes to mind – YUM! They are addictive and leave you wanting to eat many, many more.
Federal risotto balls – a “must order” item
The whipped chickpea hummus with scallion cakes is another wonderful item. I can honestly say, and think others will agree, it’s the best hummus you’ve ever had and spreading it on top of the crispy scallion cakes is heaven. One from our happy hour group said she may be dreaming about the hummus and scallion cakes – they are that good.
Whipped chickpea hummus with scallion cakes
From the special happy hour menu, a few ordered the beef short rib. It was slow roasted in a red wine reduction and served with roasted asparagus on top of polenta. The meat was so tender that is just fell apart with a fork.
Beef short rib with roasted asparagus on top of polenta
A few others tried the grilled shrimp that was served with tomatoes and avocado mash. They said the combination of flavors was amazing and wished there were more shrimp. Sounds like a second round is needed.
Grilled shrimp with tomato and avocado mash
In our final round of tapas, I ordered the chicken meatball slider. It had a tomato jam and was served in a mini potato bun. It was similar to eating a meatball Parmesan sub, but in a smaller sense and with elevated ingredients and flavors.
Chicken meatball slider
As always, every food item was delicious, and the company is the best! It’s so nice to get together outside the work environment and relax and catch up on everyone’s life happenings.
Have you tried Vinted Wine Bar & Kitchen in West Hartford?
What’s your favorite place for happy hour?
JuliEdible 