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Reviews & Tips

  • 0

    I don't have any knocks against this place outside of the fact that they don't have a full bar.  The ambiance is great, the food is good and very reasonably priced, there is an outside area where you can enjoy the elements and on weekends, live music.  I think they may have every kind of wine you could possibly imagine.  Its really good.  My only advice with regard to the menu is stay with the salads, paninis, sandwiches, and app's.  Its been a while since I ordered one, but the entree's, based in my recollection were so-so, not bad, but not exceptional.  Having said that, it was a while ago, and everything else that I mentioned prior is GREAT.

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  • 0

    Fantastic staff, wine choices, and delicious appetizers! Live music on select days! Really great atmosphere.

    The waiter was very knowledgable on the menu and all of the wines. Located on the historic Guilford, CT Green. It's a treat in the summer and cannot wait to check it out again!

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  • 0

    The staff knew exactly what they were talking about and the apps/wine were as awesome and the place looks. So yeah.

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  • 0

    My sister and I went here for lunch. There weren't many people and the service was great. Sunday and Tuesday they have a $35 prixe fixe so we did that. It was so good. We started with the Italian cheese fondue. I had the Pasta Sensation. It wasn't bad, but I think I might have preferred the Alfredo type pasta. Last and not least we had the Nutella fondue. It was a bit cold, unlike the cheese which was hot upon arrival, but we stirred it up a bit and it wasn't too bad. It was great otherwise. I will be back to try the other dishes. A lot cheaper than Melting Pot and you definitely leave full and satisfied.

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  • 0

    Having feared the service based on the reviews, I was very surprised to have a friendly and attentive staff - not just ours but also the other tables'.

    The atmosphere is great, nice lighting and the deep colored decor gives a sense of intimacy in a nice sized space.

    The wines were good (just had a flight of the cabernets), but the food was fantastic.  The flat bread pizza was very light and well done - a nice balance of flavors and fresh ingredients.  I had the meatball panini and I must say, these were some of the best meatballs ever (the best would be a friend's family recipe in Barcelona, so this is a lot less travel to eat).  The even more surprising thing was they had managed to figure out how to compose this meatball, marinara and cheese panini so that the crisp bread did not get soggy at all.  Awesome.  And so many other great looking items on the menu that didn't break the bank.

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  • 0

    We stopped by on a Saturday night after making reservations the day before. We were promptly seated by a polite hostess. Interior was cozy yet romantic. We sat in the back room which had tables with padded bench seats on one side. There were a bunch of modern throw pillows on the bench which added a trendy cozy vibe. We ordered wine flights, which the server offered to guide us in selecting out wines. The flight came on a 3-tiered rack, and each glass had more wine than I was expecting. The flight also came with a note card  indicating which tier corresponded to which wine on the wine list. Very handy for me to remember which wine I wanted to buy a bottle of later on. Ordered the bacon mac&cheese, which was packed with flavor. It's was a little saltier than I am used to, but I think that was due to the type of cheese and the bacon. The Italian cheese fondue was an integration of 3 different textures of Cheese: Gooey, Chunky, and Liquidy. I thought this was very interesting and made my dipping experience that more exciting. It was also full of flavor and I would highly recommend it. The only thing I didn't like was the fact that they included the tip in our bill and didn't tell us. I had to do a double take on the itemized receipt, because I almost left our waitress a double tip.

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  • 0

    We really miss this place since moving away!

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  • 0

    Locking myself out of the house without access to my house or car keys gave me an opportunity to walk to the Guilford green to treat myself to lunch while I waited for my boyfriend to come home from work.  

    After the recent hurricane and snow within the past two weeks it was kind of crazy that we had a sunny day today with temps in the upper 60's (but that's New England, right?).  I'd never been to Ballou's and I thought this was the perfect day to go check it out and sit outside at the outdoor patio since the coming months will bring temperatures far too cold for al fresco dining.

    I arrived to find that others had the same idea as there were three other tables of people sitting outside, but many more sitting indoors.  A review of the menu revealed a number of small plates perfect for sharing, as well as cheese plates, fondues, soups and salads, paninis, flatbreads, sandwiches, pastas, and of course, wine.  

    I went with a half salad that had tuna, white beans, feta, and olives dressed in a light lemon dressing.  It was a great salad even though I would have been happier with a couple more pieces of tuna and having all of my olives pitted instead of only some of them pitted.  It was very good anyway.  Instead of wine I went with a cup of hot tea since I definitely felt the chill of the autumn air while sitting outside.

    The time it took to order and then receive the food felt a little long but part of that could have been because I was eating alone.  Service was good.  The patio is dog friendly.  I look forward to coming back to try the fondues, wines, and other menu offerings.

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  • 0

    I've been coming here with my wife since this place first opened (3 years ago?), and we have never been disappointed.  The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, but of course, the main attraction is the wine.  The wine list is (in my opinion) the best in the state.  I have never ordered a glass of wine that I did not love here.  I also think that the food is delicious. I've read reviews saying that you shouldn't come here hungry. I can tell you from experience; come here hungry, otherwise they're going to have to roll you out to your car.  The helpings are generous and really hit the spot.  The best dish here has to be the lobster mac and cheese. Just wow.

    I can't speak for anyone else's experience, but I've always had a great time here and think that it offers the unique New England experience and charm that so few places can really get right for some reason.  I recently went to their Branford location and it is just as good (which is what really inspired me to finally write a review for Guilford).

    Happy drinking!

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  • 0

    Food is terrible. Wine is ok but expensive for the quality offered.  Bathroom also served as a closet storage room with wash buckets and junk all piled against the wall.  A nice idea for Guilford but not well executed.   A nice atmosphere for a glass of wine (no food)  with moderate expectations.   For Guilford it is good...  otherwise you should head to New Haven for the real deal.

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  • 0

    Good wine list with lots of variety but the food was mediocre.  Meats and cheese on Cheese Plate were if low quality.  Pizza and salads were just ok.

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  • 0

    My husband took me here today for a nice Mother's day glass of wine and a snack mid afternoon. It was a beautiful day and we wanted to sit outside. Wine, as always was excellent. Food- so so to not good which has always been our experience. We go for the ambience and the wine. Service was not great. We were greated promptly and shown to a patio table, water came quickly as did our first glass of wine and our appetizer but was served with dirty plates and took us awhile to get clean ones....Then we were forgotten... While the patio was packed, there was no one inside the restaurant so it wasn't that crowded. We asked for a 2nd glass of wine around 3:55 pm.. It arrived at 4:15 by someone other than out waiter. We started to think he was off duty. We finished our wine, and finally saw our waiter again at 4:40 pm and he went to several other tables but not ours as we stared at him thinking check! Finally, we headed inside to get our check ourselves only to find our waiter eating pizza behind the bar....we weren't  thrilled. On a good note, due the frequent buyers club promotion, we did get one of our glasses of wine free. Next nice Sunday afternoon for a glass of wine and a snack, we are going to try Whitfileld's for their patio.

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  • 0

    I hope this isn't the beginning of a Eulogy for Ballou's. My wife and I went there yesterday, Sunday, for their Valentine's Day Special. Lauren, our waitress, was great and I have nothing but good things to say about her. If only the food were as good. I was very disappointed in the quality of the pasta. The noodles were overcooked and chewy. I have been to Ballou's many times and this time my faith in the quality of food (or the chef not sure which) was shaken to it's core. The "Fra Diavolo" was less than decent. My wife ordered the Mac and Cheese with Bacon. Both plates exhibited noodles with more of a rubberband than a pasta texture.

    Don't get me wrong. I will return and many times for a great glass of wine and appetizers. Going forward, however, I will think twice about ordering dinner.

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  • 0

    Nice vibe. Huge menu and seasonal menu too. We will be back in the Summer.

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  • 0

    GREAT service good music lauren was excellent she suggested wine for our table and we all loved it can't wait to come back will sit in the back again. I HIGHLY recommend the chocolate fondu!!

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  • 0

    The perfect spot for drinks with the girls!

    Went out on our weekly lady date to discover this gem of a place, tucked away behind the shops on Guilford Green. If you happen to be a wino like myself, there is absolutely no lack of variety on the menu, in fact, after being seated, you're presented with 3+ menus, all featuring a variety of wine and delicious eats.

    Each of us decided on something different to drink, I going with a heavier full bodied old vine Zin, and my friends selecting a solid Cab, Sangiovese, and Cote du Rhone. All were around 8 bucks a glass and you receive a solid 6 oz pour. To share, the Cheddar Merlot cheese fondue was a great choice for sharing. We also went with the crab cakes, and 2 different panini's. All was delicious!

    Live music on certain nights begins at 7pm. Check the website for a schedule. I think I speak for all of my group when I say we'll definitely be back!!

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  • 0

    I came here for the first time on a Saturday night with my wife and 2 other couples. We sat outside and the atmosphere was very relaxing and inviting; the church next door somehow added to the experience. The service was pretty good and the drinks are moderately priced. Unfortunately we arrived too late in the evening to order food as I have read good things about the kitchen. I wish the place stayed open just a bit later, although I would go back again. Don't go next door to Auger's after Ballou's closes though no matter what you do.

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  • 0

    My husband and I came here, with our puppy, for drinks and an appetizer.  We found exactly what we wanted. The waitstaff was beyond accommodating. We sat outside on the patio even though they would be breaking it down soon due to bad weather. The waiter even set up an additional table with umbrella in case the rain started.

    I ordered a Hooker IPA and the Tiger fondue. The fondue came with bread and I asked for the additional apple slices option. It was so good! Later we found out the "kick" in this dish came from the monterrey jack cheese and horseradish sauce. When we come back to Ballou's I'm definitely getting this again.

    I can't stress enough how nice the staff was here. It was a great dining experience. Definitely 5-stars.

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  • 0

    Nice atmosphere.  The small bar area is quite cozy, and a better bet than sitting outside in the area that looks out onto a parking lot. Extensive list of wines by the glass (hey, you'd think that line would not be necessary in a review of a wine bar, but....of course it is!) and some nice surprises (try the Falanghina if you're ordering fish). I just had the ceviche; the crab and shrimp were good, even if the marinade was slightly off balanced...a little too sweet. The bartender was very attentive and helpful. I'm a little torn between 2 and 3 stars, but I think the service deserves the bump up, and I would consider a return trip.

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  • 0

    I visited Ballou's a second time this past weekend and was very disappointed. The food was great, but the service was horrible-the waitress this time, unlike the last had quite the attitude, yelled at my friends, and got orders wrong.  Not to mention, it took her about an hour to get everyone's drink orders.  I think that some of the food came out before all the drinks were actually served.

    Again, I will agree that the food is great, but it's a hit or miss what kind of service you'll get.

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  • 0

    The ambiance was great, the food was great, however our server was either new or just bad. We wanted desert and she brought out the menus and left us waiting for her to take our order for 15 minutes. By the time she came to take our order we had given up and were ready to leave.

    We would still definitely go again and hopefully get a better server next time.

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  • 0

    Ballou's is a great choice when you're looking for moderately priced food, good wine and a nice outing. They tend to go heavy on the cheese - the fondue is excellent, but make sure you don't then follow that up with the Mac N Cheese, unless you're deliberately trying to harden your arteries. The ravioli with cream sauce was also waaaay to heavy after a fondue starter.

    Best bet is to try the fondue, then maybe get a nice, light panini for .

    They offer a prix fixe menu on Sundays and Tuesdays - $35 per COUPLE gets an appetizer, entree each and dessert each. Add to that a bottle of moderately priced wine, and you have a nice dinner that won't be painful to the wallet.

    Watch out for Groupons to Ballou's too - they've popped up a couple times, making for a great deal!

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  • 0

    Great staff, food and wine. This place rocks. Lots of by the glass wines. Would love to see some more pricey bottle selections.

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  • 0

    Food selection was excellent despite one dish not what was expected and was cold. They fixed it right away and were gracious about it. Everything else was terrific. Great bistro menu. Would definitely return.

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  • 0

    Went here on a Friday night for a glass of wine with a few friends.  They have a large selection of wine, with something for everyone.  The place is a little small though, especially when it's crowded.  It's also loud.  Not only did we have to talk over other people's conversations (to be expected) but there was loud music constantly playing in the background (did not expect that).  Maybe they could turn down the volume just a little?

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  • 0

    Great lunch spot. Nice atmosphere, had turkey and brie on multigrain bread and black bean soup - both were very good. Nice patio, views of the Guilford green even from inside. Had a nice wine menu but didn't have a chance to sample any. Definitely recommend.

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  • 0

    Good, a bit pricey, but worth it.  We have been here quite a bit lately and its been consistently good. The menu has been expanded,  but if you are not looking for a full scale large meal then this is the place. I think they have over 50 (?) wines by the glass! which makes it easy to try a couple of different ones. They also have a tasting of 3 different wines at once.

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  • 0

    Great food!

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  • 0

    Was here on a beautiful evening in May, and sat outdoors with a party of seven. The patio doubles the available seating, and the outdoor heaters keep it comfortable even after the sun goes down. A cute little place, set back from the main road, so the constant traffic doesn't bother you. Only problem is that the driveway entrance is directly in front of the patio, so if a car with headlights on comes in, you're temporarily blinded. There was some nice acoustic live music when the sun went down.

    The food was alright, nothing too exceptional. The focus is mainly on the sandwiches, but I think those fell short next to the pasta dishes that some of my friends got.

    Wine is why you'd go here. The list is several pages long, and has a great array of reds. What's more, almost everything on the menu is by the glass. This doesn't mean the quality of the wines is any lower, it seems like they turn over fairly consistently, as my wines were perfect. I opted for a wine flight, $14 for any 3 wines from the menu. These were generous pours, and I got to try a wonderful variety, a cab sav, malbec, and a Spanish rioja.

    Our server was attentive, funny, and capable. He was able to make suggestions, and was able to describe any of the items on the menu, be it food or wine. The next time I'm by the shore, I'm making it a point to stop here.

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  • 0

    This is a very cute little restaurant in downtown Guilford. My husband and I went on Valentine's Day for the $35 prixe fixe menu that is offered on Tuesdays and Sundays, which for $35 a couple gets us one appetizer, two entrees, and a dessert. When we arrived, there was only one other couple there, and during our visit there were never more than three tables full (including us).

    The waitstaff is very friendly and prompt. We were told that we could sit anywhere we wanted. Within minutes of sitting, our waiter gave us two small glasses of ice water and an unmarked bottle of water. I wondered whether we were being charged for water, but we weren't; it was just a nice bonus to have a water bottle!

    For drinks, I ordered their "caliente hot chocolate," which is hot chocolate with cinnamon and cayenne. It was very tasty and the extra spices gave it a tangy texture, not spicy at all! For $4 for a large, it was very good. My husband ordered a glass of the Sweet Bitch cabarnet. It was extremely delicious and sweet. We both took sips and it lasted the entire meal! Our waiter also gave us two small complementary glasses of champagne for Valentine's Day. Since we were two guys dining, it was especially nice of him (since it would be safer to not assume we were gay and/or not treat us like a regular couple).

    The cheese fondue was the best part of the meal. We ordered the cheddar wine fondue. It came with bread cubes and was very filling, though we wished we had ordered the apples for $3 extra. There is not much else to say about the cheese fondue, except that it was very tasty and would definitely order it again. I also think there was a hint of cayenne in it, which gave it a kick. I wished there had also been a better selection of cheese fondues, whose only options were spinach & spicy cheddar, cheddar wine, and italian cheese. I know what spinach fondues tend to be watery, so if I came back I would try the italian cheese, but this does not leave a lot of room for variety.

    For our sandwiches, I got a smoked salmon, tomato, onion, and goat cheese sandwich. It was good, but boring, and I do not think I would order it again. The smoked salmon did not taste fresh and the goat cheese was only a spread. My husband got the apricot and brie panini. Again, good, but boring. It tasted like a peanut butter & jelly sandwich and not something a professional chef would prepare. The apricot was not fresh, but preserves, making it taste sugary and blocking the taste of the brie.

    For dessert, we got the chocolate and peanut butter fondue. The dips itself were good, but generic tasting. The chocolate was your standard melted chocolate and the peanut butter tasted like sugary baker's peanut butter. The presentation though, was very nice, with strawberries, bananas, rice krispy squares, and pound cake each in their own corner of the plate. They taste very delicious with the dip. I also wished there was a better selection of the dessert fondues. The only options were the chocolate, nutella, and peanut butter/chocolate, and without much variety in the flavoring, I probably would not order the chocolate fondue again.

    All in all, I am giving this place 4 stars for the delicious drinks, fondues, and wait service. I would definitely come back with select friends. It is not good for groups. This review is as opposed to the Melting Pot, which is good for groups, has many selections of fondue (for about the same price and you get the apples for free), and has a large option for fondues as well. If I came back, I would just order the fondues and not even go for the prixe fixe, since the sandwiches weren't all that great and I already know the dessert fondue was so-so.

    I would say neither restaurant is better than the other. Ballou's is a more intimate place that also has live music on certain nights, while Melting Pot is a large chain.

    The bill came to $48 (after $11 for drinks and the tax) and I gave them a $10 tip, paying $58.00 for a Valentine's Day lunch for two. Not bad!

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  • 0

    Great place to enjoy a relaxed bite to eat with some good wine.  Staff is really friendly and quick to serve you without being intruding.  Great place to take the wife or a group of friends without breaking the bank.  The owner even came out to introduce himself to us which just adds a great touch of class.  Enjoy!

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  • 0

    Came here last night for dinner and drinks with a group of friends and was blown away by pretty much everything I tasted, food and wine both.

    We tried a couple of the different cheese plates and everything from the Stilton blue cheese to the turkish figs was delicious. We also shared a couple of the cheese fondues served with a mountain of bread cubes for dipping, and just thinking about the italian cheese fondue is making my mouth water.  We also split one of the pasta dishes with capers and sundried tomatoes and it was yet another hit.

    For our meals, everyone ordered a different panini.  I had the prosciutto, mozzarella, and olive tapenade. Amazing. Very generously sized and perfect blend and proportions of high quality meat and cheese.  My girlfriend is a vegetarian, so she was glad to have options and was very happy with her mozzarella, basil, and tomato panini.  Probably the hit of the night was the pulled pork panini, something totally unexpected and tasty.  

    For dessert, we got the simple chocolate fondue which was served with bananas, strawberries, rice krispie squares and pound cake for dipping.  Simple, fun, and delicious.  

    As for the wine (since this is a wine bar after all) the selection was great and the staff was very knowledgeable.  Our group had a wide range of experience with wine, but with the help of each other and the staff we were all able to find some great selections that paired with our food (the menu offers some pairings, and those that stuck with the suggestion found them to be spot on).  The real joy of a wine bar like this is having an awesome selection by the glass so that once you're done with your own glasses and sharing a few sips with friends, you've tried all sorts of new wines. A real fun learning experience and doesn't have to be an expensive one, as the prices for each glass seemed a dollar or two less for the same wines than at other places I've been to in the area.

    The ambiance was great, complete with nice art, bottles of wine on display, and even great live music (which was the perfect style and volume for the setting. You could enjoy the performance or the conversation without having to struggle to hear one over the other).  The place is actually updated since the photo that's uploaded as the couch was gone and some more decorations were hung.  I can't wait to come back in the spring to enjoy the patio seating.

    Overall this place was the perfect setting to hang out with friends who were home for the holidays, enjoy some great food and wine, and catch up.

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  • 0

    Light fair. The fondue is wonderful. Atmosphere is great. We went on a Friday night and thee was live music. Overall a great experience.

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