2 Hopewell

I was really looking forward to a great local meal...but 2 Hopewell was a disappointment. While the service was gracious and the dining room lovely, the food was akin to that from a wedding buffet. My salmon was good, not great, and the risotto it came with was gluey and tasteless. The server gave us a free dessert, which was good business, but we won't be back. For a $100 meal, it was disappointing.

My wife and I love coming here for special occasions.....Its has a great modest decor and environment that is perfect for 2 adults that are just looking to get away for a few hours.  The wine and martini lists are up to par.  The food quality and selection is a perfect depiction of what a fine american bistro should be.  The waitstaff is very attentive and friendly.  Last time there I had the sea bass dinner special, pork belly and scallop appetizer, and beet salad (the best Ive ever had).  Overall a wonderful dining experience!!!

Although it doesn't top Millwrights, 2 Hopewell certainly makes the honor roll for one of the foodie destinations in the Hartford area.  While we were relegated to the tavern because the dining area was reserved for a private event, it didn't turn out as bad as expected.  There was no white linen tablecloth, but the decor and ambiance was simple and sophisticated, at least until we arrived.

While we were not starving, it seemed like a waste to drive all the way to South Glastonbury to order only a couple dishes.  As such, we checked off quite a number of dishes from the menu.  On the apps, we caught sight of the shrimp & grits, snake river farm kurabuta pork belly / scallop, calamari, stuffed crepe, and carpaccio.  On the salad front, we took a chance with the pear & fig as well as the mixed beets.  For the entrees, we had the lamb, scallops, and seared sea bass.  For dessert, we had one of pretty much everything.  For drinks, the table had several of pretty much everything.

I'd say the flavors of 2 Hopewell is very much traditional American.  The flavor profiles were certainly more conservative, with a stronger focus on improving the experience of an existing or similar dish, rather than taking the risk of experimentation with bolder and bigger flavors.  With that said, the food was generally very good.  The scallops were cooked to perfection and the sea bass was buttery smooth.  For dessert, the carrot cake and flourless chocolate something are must haves.  The only constructive feedback would be to add more scallops to the appetizer dish - for a table of four, sharing one scallop meant two people were scallop-less.

Service was great as well - our waitress was attentive and stayed professional despite us overstaying our welcome and preventing her from beginning her 40 minute commute home.  They were also kind enough to make a small notation on the dessert platter in honor of the Stars of the Night.