Once again! Â Five stars! Â ConnectiCon Weekend was epic you guys! Â Thank you for taking care of us and serving great food and beer. Â It was awesome to see the staff in Pop Culture t-shirts. Â Thank you Conor, the Thai Chicken was wonderful, I always have the best time here. Â Once again, thanks a lot guys and I hope to see you soon!
Review Source:I can't believe how many times I've come to this place and never reviewed it... City steam it such a great spot! Now I will admit. I haven't had full sit down dinners here But from hanging at the bar and having apps to attending a catered event with tons of different apps i can say what I have eaten has been really good!
But what we all really come here for is the Beer! I have become quite a Beer drinker the older I have become and have come to appreciate a well flavored brewed beer and Boy do i have some favorites here !! My all time fav. The Naughty Nurse! I absolutely love this beer!! Some other favs. Blonde on Blonde and White Wedding.
The place is always laid back and always has a  really fun vibe. They have live music from time to time in the bar/lounge area so its a cool hang out with some friends to catch up for a few laughs.
There is also a Comedy Club downstairs * The Brew Ha-Ha- I'll admit my first impression of the club was umm lets say .. did a child make a comedy club in a basement? It basically felt run down. But the comedians that have presented there and the nice cold mugs of beer you are definitely going to have a good time.
It's a short walk from some of the "major" clubs but sometimes you may just want to end up hangin there all night. Shooting pool or singing along with the music.
Catered events here are tons of fun! Great food , Great Drinks and always great service! I really like city steam!
City Steam is just a casual place with lots of beers. The food was mediocre but it fit our expectations. There is something for everybody and it came quickly. The service was really great too and our waitress was very attentive.
The beers are definitely interesting. There seems to be something for everybody, and they offer flights, so it would be worth it to try them out. The Innocence ale was my favorite, but the Naughty Nurse and the White Wedding were also tasty. More than the beer we liked the logo and the names - which were clever and cute.
The beers at City Steam are not trying to be anything they are not- which is a nice change compared to some brewpubs. The beer is well-done and tastes how it is supposed to. It would be worth it to visit again to drink and perhaps visit the comedy club, but we would skip the food.
The coolest part about city steam was the old building it is housed in. We sat on a mezzanine level and got to watch the happenings of the restaurant and imagine what it used to look like back in the day.
Stopped in on a Sunday night, Fathers Day, and had the special - a steak with a crab cake and potatoes, plus a beer for $24. Steak was pretty decent, not the best I've ever had but good nonetheless. Beer selection was great, lots of different options and brewed in-house. Will definitely be back soon.
Review Source:We've visited nearly a dozen times over many years of traveling between MA and LI, and are delighted to see the brewery and restaurant thriving. Â The Carpenter's Ale was a superb IPA, and my meal, chicken sausage with spinach and fig salad, was certainly a notch above pub grub. Â Located in the old Cheney building in the heart of downtown Hartford, the layout is spacious and whimsical. Â The menu continues to evolve but always has imaginative choices, and the beer continues to be first class.
Review Source:I'm all about the beer!!!! Love Naughty Nurse and love trying different beers. Been there a couple of times and lucky for me I have gotten the best service, even got the manager to convince the chef to make me a fruit salad which was not on the menu. Appetizers were good but the buffalo chicken nachos have a place in my heart, it was amazing. They def did not skimp on the meat and they were full of flavor.
Review Source:This place is big! Â I walked around most of the upstairs and it has levels Jerry!!!! Â Levels? Â Yes Levels. Â (for those Seinfeld fans out there) Â Naughty Nurse beer was really good, but the food left something to be desired. Â Fried calamari wasn't fresh and fried pickles were oily. Â The garlic aioli is little more than mayo and garlic. Â Beer was really good, food mediocre. Â We only had apps and did not order entrees, so take that into account.
Levels Jerry, Levels!!!
Perfectly reasonable casual dining establishment. Like others, we came for the comedy show. Unfortunately, we didn't notice - or the provided information didn't include - that you needed to get reservations in advance, even though it's a free show. That would be helpful.
We decided to stay for a bite to eat even though we didn't get the show. Nothing spectacular on that front - a few fairly generic appetizers, the vast majority of which you can find on any other menu at any other fast-casual style restaurant in any other city around the country.
What does make the place interesting is that they are a brewery of sorts, and so you have a few option there that you won't get at the local Chili's. That at least makes it somewhat worthwhile. You can even get a root beer if you aren't in the mood for alcohol, but be warned - the alcohol could help because service tends to the bad side, so alcohol could help make it seem better.
Beer cocktail. It's just not something I expected at City Steam but it's a drink I'll continue to order every time I visit.
I came to City Steam a couple weeks ago for the Sea Tea Improv show (free show monthly - highly recommended) and just, shockingly, wasn't in the mood for beer. After chowin' down on the buffalo chicken wrap, I decided to delve into the brewpub's specialty drink list.
To start, I'll go ahead and recommend the Connecticut root beer - City Steam's housemade root beer (that ain't your A&W) with nutmeg infused simple syrup and Onyx Moonshine. So refreshing. But what stood out above all was the beertail. Gin, St. Germain Elderflower, Â pineapple juice and City Steam's IPA. A magical mix of flavors, indeed.
Oh, and I could live on the fried pickles here.
I ate here twice the last time I was in hartford. I sampled 4 or 5 of the beers in those visits. Beers were decent. Nothing made me freak out but nothing knocked my socks off either. They do not do alcohol by volume like most other beers they use a different measurement of the sugars that were used in the process which gives an approximate ABV. Â The food both times was good and the service was good as well. Points for brewing their own! (bathrooms are on the second floor though? Found that strange)
Review Source:Came last weekend for just the comedy show on a Saturday night, the 7pm one.
We were able to get our seated table at 5:30 (we were the first ones in there but we wanted a few drinks so it was nice)
Purchased our tickets weeks in advance online (online it said seats are assigned based in order of purchase....our seats were awesome)
Food looked great as it came out to other tables, too bad we were stuffed from Cheesecake Factory ahead of time.
Stage platform was kind of small, show was decent.
Too bad there was the typical obnoxious party of 10 people who talked through the whole show. Â The comic was even annoyed and commented/referenced to them a couple times. Â I think a manager had to speak to them, but the noise level coming from them never improved. (I think they should have been asked to leave).
I saw one of the girls from that group in the bathroom on my way out, she had a beer spilt on her outfit and was trying to dry it in the hand dryer.
Karma's a bitch! :)
Last time I was here, I was in the basement getting some laughs from comics. This time I wanted to grab a drink and see this place. Wow, it's pretty big! There are many rooms here. I like that they have a pretty decent selection of beer. I had the Uncle Dunkle dark ale and the Black Silk Oatmeal Stout. The night I went it was packed with people. Glad to know there is a billiards section, and even a restaurant and lounge section. They even had trivia games playing that night.
Review Source:This watering spot has had many manifestations over the years and this one isn't very different from most. We stopped off for dinner midweek and it was pretty busy. The menu has a number of standard and I settled for the meatloaf. Not bad but not as good as my wife's but then again their selection of beer is better.
Nothing exceptional nothing particularly memorable....
I have been dying to try this place for a while, and although I wanted to see a comedy show, of course, none were there but it was during the week, so oh well. Came relatively late after work, and sat in the bar area but really like this place! It is super huge! I browsed around the restaurant area and even down to the comedy club area after being seated in the bar.
I tried a glass of wine, and had the french onion soup as it was blistering cold outside. The glass of wine was excellent. The french onion soup just below average, and only lukewarm, not warming my soul and quest for hot soup. Too disappointed and tired to eat anything else, although there are a number of dishes on this menu that I am also dying to try.
Surprisingly enough, parking wasn't that bad for the time of night and fact that it is on main street in hartford. But then, it was blistering cold, and who wants to be out in that weather??
Will give it a try again, just not with this same waitress, who was just awful. She left us to almost fend for ourselves, we tried to get her attention multiple times to get our bill, and I ended up going up to her to get the bill. She was all over us to take our order, and then once the order was placed, never came back to ask us if we wanted a main course, just brought out our food and then disappeared. Bummer....
City Steam was the first stop on our pub crawl this past Saturday. It was extraordinarily busy as the UCONN women were in town.
The pub crawl drink special was an Onyx Moonshine drink, mixed with pink lemonade. It was made very well and tasty. I had a sip of someone else's as it is a borderline crime not to have one of City Steam's in-house brews.
I ordered a Naughty Nurse, and as usual, it was bursting with flavor and refreshing. It went really well with the waffle fries, fried pickles, and nachos we ordered. The waffle fries were golden and crispy, even after cooling down a bit. City Steam's fried pickles are the best around, and I get them every time I go. Fried to perfection with an awesomely spiced batter (I ask for hot sauce with mine!). The nachos were served with a good quality sour cream and a fresh tomato blend that almost tasted like what you'd use on bruschetta- very flavorful!
Even though it was crazy busy, our bartender was on point, efficient, and having a good time with us. The food came out hot, despite the kitchen being slammed.
I highly recommend City Steam if you're looking for a great, local brew, a quality menu (with plenty of options for vegetarians) that compliments their brews, and awesome service.
Stopped here on a whim for a quick dinner while driving back from NYC a few days ago. There was a lot of traffic on the road so my significant other pulled out her smartphone and found this place after a few searches on Yelp. We got off the highway and easily found the place and parked.
We walked over and were escorted to a table on the very top floor of this restaurant/comedy club/cafe/brewery. I'm not sure where they got the cafe part of their name as I found it to be a restaurant. I didn't explore it fully though, the place is pretty big.
Their main shtick is that they brew their own beers and have over a dozen available for the enjoyment of their patrons alongside some food. From pizzas and salads to burgers and staples like chicken piccata, most dishes are under $17. Our waitress, Virginia was absolutely outstanding and very friendly. She was also very attentive and was able to make some great recommendations.
I personally went for the French onion soup ($6) which was okay but far from great. However they definitely redeemed themselves with their (cobb $10 for a small) salad which I got as well and which was platted with some gorgonzola vinaigrette. It was tasty, pretty decently sized for a small-sized salad and best of all, the dressing wasn't fatty and thick but instead was light and refreshing. A great twist for a classic dish.
The beers themselves were hit or miss but mostly better than average although they were out of the one that I really wanted to try. Their desserts looked appetizing but we decided to forego that option as we were quite full. My significant other enjoyed her Sriracha chicken sandwich and beers as well.
All in all this was a pretty good stop. The place while big and busy wasn't chaotic and they've done a good job at spreading out everyone and keeping the noise and disturbances to a minimum with their quirky setup. They have tons of events going on and their comedy show seems to be a hit as well. Not bad if you want affordable food and some decent beers.
City Steam...not bad.
They brew all their own beers. I had their light beer and it was pretty good and refreshing. They also had a half rack of ribs with 2 sides. Half rack is $17 and Whole rack is $23. Only a $5 difference for a full rack! If you were in the south...it would be double the price. And surprisingly for New England, the ribs were pretty good.
Service was decent. Not a bad spot to meet up and catch up with friends.
I find myself wavering between three and four stars for City Steam. Â The difference really comes down to the level of service which can be a little hit-or-miss and accessing the space, which given the parking situation can be all but impossible at times.
The Atmosphere of the restaurant portion is very nice. Â The lighting is intimate without being so dark that you can't see your fellow guests and everything reflects the architectural style of the original building. Â Navigating can be a little confusing since it's a very spread out three floors.
The food is spot on, with a menu that ranges from bar food (burgers, sandwiches) to slightly more robust entrees which allows a wide range of budgets. Â Every meal I've had has been prepared with a deft hand, properly seasoned and cooked to the doneness requested. Â The kitchen is also very accommodating with dietary restrictions. Â They've several times substituted gluten free pasta for my wife, for example, even in dishes that aren't specifically marked as GF options.
A real star here is the drinks menu. Â The locally brewed seasonal beer list is one of the best in the state, the wine list isn't bad and there are some very interesting cocktails if you want to try something new. Â Soft drinks include standard fare as well as a locally produced (I don't know if it's brewed on site of not) root beer.
Overall, if parking in Hartford were slightly easier, I would definitely rate City Steam a 4 stars. Â As it is, you either need to park on the street and walk to the restaurant or find one of the garages that close unreasonably early.
To be fair this is a 3.5, but overall I'd definitely call this place A-OK.
I'd been here three years ago with Anton and REALLY not liked the food, but last week we were meeting my sister and friends after seeing Louis CK and she suggested this place, so I figured we'd give it another shot.
I love the ambiance of this place, it's a super-cool space. I always want to go around and explore! The first time we were here we sat on couches that look like the should be near a fireplace, but are actually in front of a TV. This doesn't bother me much, but is a major negative for Anton.
The beer here is also pretty fantastic. I can't remember what we tried, but most of us were pretty happy with our choices.
This time around I had the mac and cheese, and I totally enjoyed it. I did try the apple crumble for dessert, and was completely unimpressed and didn't even bother finishing it - that never happens!
I feel like this is a nice spot for when you're in a pinch, or late night, but I wouldn't come here seeking a fine dining experience.
The food was good. Fish tacos were excellent. The beer - Naughty Nurse... Blond on Blond...Outstanding!
The restaurant is in the old Brown Thompson building. Glad to see they kept the flavor of the old place
The service....Not so good. Long, long waits on a night when it wasn't all that busy... I'd go back, but I'll give myself lots and lots of extra time.
It wasn't just us - it was a theme for the night. All of the tables seemed to enjoy their meal, but you couldn't find the wait staff. They just vaporize.
You can do better City Steam
I normally don't eat food here, but as a lover of quality microbrews-on-tap, I have to say that this is the place to go for a nice pint after work. What could be more self-indulgent than the cheese burger stuffed in between two grilled cheeses? Dare I say that I love cheese?
They have an incredible happy hour...$3 or $3.50 pints from 4-7 on Monday-Friday. I'm not sure of any other place in the Hartford area that brews their own beer and has this great of a happy hour deal. Their beer is so delicious (blonde on blonde on tap is the best if you like hoppy ales) and even better on tap. They also have a pretty cheap happy hour menu, and a quick and easy lunch menu as well for those with a short lunch break! Bartenders are very nice here as well. You can also purchase their beers at local liquor stores in 6 packs.
I've never gone for any events such as the brew ha-ha but some friends of mine have gone and had a good time!
This more of a 3.5 star rating.
My favorite part of City Steam is the stand up comedy show. I always have a great time.
I have also been here for dinner a couple of times. I dread the times I get a certain server because he is just soooooo slow. But besides that fact, the food quality has been inconsistent. My favorite thing to order is probably the sweet potato tater tots.
During one visit, my friend ordered a caesar salad with salmon. The salmon was very fishy, which she reported to our server. The manager on duty took the dish off our bill, and gave her a coupon to return for a free sandwich meal/entree at her next visit, which I thought was great.
Eh, 3 stars for the bar side of the house. Â 2 for the food from my perspective. Â I wasn't all that pleased with the food on the several occasions that I stopped by. Â That said, my husband ordered a scotch and it came with extra protein - a fly. Â The bar tender more than made up for it though. Â He came out, apologized, opened a new bottle and gave my husband a fresh glass with a heavy pour. Â After all that, he didn't even charge us for it! Â Very nice.
The Naughty Nurse, a beer they brew there, is actually very good and this is coming from a woman who doesn't really care for beer. Â It is one of their most popular and most people tend to enjoy it. Â I would recommend you giving it a try for sure.
This place really frustrates me. Some things are really enjoyable -- and the food is actually pretty good. Had a big Buffalo Chicken wrap with a solid core of crispy chicken that wasn't too drenched in sauce to make it messy. Â And the cheeseburger was a hit. Â More than that, the kids meals are a good size, with a variety of healthier options and things like Fish n Chips or Chicken Caesar Salad.
And the manager was super nice, saw our Science Center bracelets and offered up a 20 percent discount that the place has for visiting in combination. Â
So why three stars and frustration? Because there's more to a restaurant than the food. Â Its the service. Â The waitress disappeared for 15 minutes: no water refills, no spoon for my son's apple sauce. Â And our food took about 25 minutes to come out which is WAY too long for lunch. Â And table was a bit sticky. Â The decor needs a bit of a freshening up too. Â
It probably deserves a little more than an a-OK, but its just not on the short list of places I'd come for lunch given the speed I've experienced over some visits. Â
Bottom line: Good place and certainly a good place for comedy. Â And if time isn't an issue, you may even enjoy it. Â But it can be inconsistent at times.
The late 80's called and they want their interior design back. This place could use a serious re-design. The mauve and forest green color scheme is dated and the whole place seems a little dirty.
The food is mediocre and expensive; the fantastic and attentive service almost made up for it. The beer was good, and our knowledgeable server helped my husband and I choose something we liked, although my husband later questioned why we were supporting a brewery with such misogynist naming tendencies (Naughty Nurse, Blonde on Blonde, "Goes down easy" tagline, ha ha soooo funny, right?)
I ordered a burger, medium, and it came charred and dry. The server immediately took care of getting it replaced. Plenty of vegetarian/fish options, and the softshell crab sandwich that my husband got was tasty. Our kids enjoyed their fare, and we appreciated that the staff were cool to them.
Probably won't go back; the Willimantic Brew Pub, which is a little closer, is actually much better and decently priced, to boot.
Stopped for lunch mid week.
Super busy, like w had a five min wait..... First I ever saw this, but does not affect my rating.
Apparently the beer maker fell and broke something so he has been out of work and were out of some beers... Not impressed.
Had the buffalo chicken wrap. Really good! Nice spice to the sauce, not a lot of ranch dressing and was a good size. Exactly how it should be.
Pulled pork sandwich apparently was also very good. Soft bun and comes with a onion ring on the sandwich.
I was not impressed with the price. Two beers and two sandwiches for 45$.... More then. Would like to drop on lunch.
Will return especially because I did not the food, but not the price.
The service is abysmal. It used to be mediocre, but has definitely gotten worse in the past year. Whether the restaurant is packed or nearly empty, you could be waiting forever.
Here is our most recent experience and why we will not be returning, at least not for a long time: On a night when there are far more servers than patrons, we are seated almost immediately. Although our table is not near most foot traffic, it is completely visible to those walking up and down the stairs. It's visible when people come in and out of the kitchen. It's the kind of table that seems like a nice, romantic spot, except that for whatever reason, nobody returns.
After waiting for 20 minutes (with menus but no water) my partner tracked down a member of staff and let them know we were ready to order. He's very polite; I'm less so. I let him do all the talking for this one. He was assured someone would be sent right over.
This happens while we are watching some waiter checking the salt and pepper shakers on various tables and doing the tasks one does when there are no patrons to attend to.
After waiting another five minutes, we got up and left. (We went to Salute. We had water and a breadbasket within five minutes over there.)
Now, from past experiences, I can say that it has never been this extreme before, but we've done our share of waiting. Usually, though, it's busy and more excusable. It seems more and more like the Lord of the Flies-- who the heck is even in charge anymore?
I can't comment on the food from the recent experience, obviously, but it's usually been decent. Slightly better than average pub food. I always thought of this as the place to take fussy eaters from out of town because it wasn't the 99 or Ruby Tuesday's they might be used to, but they would enjoy the menu.
Now, I think we're going to give them a long break before returning. Hopefully, with the high turnover of the restaurant business, there will be better waitstaff employed.
I don't go here often, but only because my stupid friends don't like it. I, whose opinion matters far much more, actually think City Steam is great. First of all, the venue is humungous. Multiple levels of seating, an incredible bar area, and even a comedy club downstairs.
And personally, I think the food is quite good. I will say it's not the best meal in hartford, perhaps the major reason for the -1 star. But they do everything at least very well; burgers, nachos, soups, salads etc.
Still, City Steam gets four stars because this is a funhouse and a brewery above all else. The beer is good for this part of the world, and if you can't have fun here, then you don't like fun.
I stayed at a nearby hotel during a recent business trip. Went for a stroll and immediately spied City Steam Brewery Cafe as my kind of place. Continued to walk the streets of Hartford for tourist's sake, but couldn't get the thought of a good, fresh and local craft beer. I headed directly back the City Steam Brewery Cafe.
Time to satiate!
Well, not quite...
The wait to get the bartender's attention was interminable. I'm not kidding. Even the patron next to me started to feel bad for how long I had to wait. I swear the fellow behind the bar would look right at me yet never come and take my order. I was very frustrated as the place wasn't even that busy. I just about had enough (I am guessing here, but my wait was easily over 10 minutes; 10 may not sound like much, but when your sitting at an uncrowded bar with your thirst on, it can seem like an eternity) when the bartender came over and took my order.
Finally.
The good part is that the beer was worth the wait and while I had the bartender's undivided attention, I took the opportunity to order the fish tacos.
Fortunately, the fish tacos were fantastic. It made me realize that there's no place back home (Milwaukee) where I can get such tasty fish tacos.
On my next trip back to Hartford, I may head back to City Steam Brewery Cafe for more of their fresh craft beers and those delectable fish tacos, just don't be surprised if I call and place my order before my flight leaves Milwaukee.
I'm getting old enough to be nostalgic about brew pubs, and City Steam manages to accommodate my nostalgia for the rebirth of beer in America and on a number of other levels. Read on...
The cafe itself takes up a good part of the Cheney Building on Hartford's Main Street, which is a pretty charming brownstone structure. When I was in high school, an innovative restaurant (named in honor of an earlier department store) opened there, called Brown, Thomson, and Company, and they tried to create a small indoor mall there as well. It wasn't terribly successful, but I liked it, and I missed it when I left the state.
At about that time, the craft beer movement began to emerge. The Boston Beer Company began brewing good ol' Sam Adams, and the first brew pub I visited was the Commonwealth Brewing Company in Boston. The scent of yeast wafted through the neighborhood around the pub, and was a big part of the joy of visiting.
Fast forward a few years, and I'm back in Connecticut, and City Steam opened in the old Cheney Building. As well as a solid (and somewhat eclectic, even eccentric) pantheon of brews, they do some of the best comfort food around. Their pot roast demonstrates that a dish can not only rise above its undistinguished name, but surpass names like ambrosia.
My recent visit was at lunch on a mild June day in Hartford. The place wasn't crowded, and the hostess offered to seat us anywhere we liked - and that main seating area (the Richardson Room) is stunning. After what seemed like an endless series of rainy days, we chose the patio, which overlooks a small side street.
Our waitress was utterly charming, quickly grasped our cheerful, playful mood, and gave it right back to us. She knew her menu very well, answered questions and offered suggestions about items and beers, and was right there when we were ready for her.
It being lunchtime, I didn't get the pot roast (that's an evening meal for me), but went for a southwest chicken wrap instead. The chicken was perfectly grilled, with a chipotle sauce providing a delicately balanced kick. I was also very pleased with a "Blonde on Blonde" Connecticut Ale that smelled of oranges and came with a nice hops aftertaste. My friend raved over the fish tacos he ordered, and my serving of waffle fries successfully tempted him to order some more for himself. For good reason.
We were so enjoying the setting, the seating, and the conversation that we ordered dessert, something two middle-aged men aren't supposed to do. We pronounced my ice cream pie, which combined almond praline, coconut ice cream, and an oreo cookie crust, the winner.
I don't get here often, but when I do, it's a special treat. It combines so many touch points for me, of both city and personal history. Even more, it matches my high expectations with what comes from the tap and the kitchen. Sublime.
Came here for the comedy show. The show was pretty good, we had front table seats so we got to really enjoy the show.
I recommend you come early to have dinner instead of during the show. You will be distracted and you won't be able to talk to your table once the show starts.
Dinner was decent, from what I remember, the cobb salad was large and very good. Chicken philly and waffle fries were hearty, steak and waffle fries was the favorite of the night. Â
I think overall it was a good experience...though it was pricey. I had a coupon so I didn't feel it as much but if it was the full price, I know I would've second guessed how much the experience was worth. If you find good comedians listed then it's worth going to see them and have dinner. If not, then you can just go for drinks and the show. Dinner was definitely what pushed it over.
I like the feel of this place, but my food experience was on a whole 'nother level. Â My friend ordered the fish tacos and they were amazing though. Â
I had the teriyaki chicken with the asian cole slaw. Â The chicken was drained of all natural juices due to overcooking and slathered with overly sweet sauce but I could deal. Â The major issue was that dreadful slaw lurking underneath the chicken. Â I downed a big mouthful because it looked decent but DAYUM! Â I was overwhelmed with flavors of cabbage (of course) and pee pee. Â Yes that's right, pee pee. Â I hate to be vulgar but the vinegar was overwhelmingly pungent with no ingredient present to bring any semblance of balance to the acid. Â
I had my friend give it a go for hahas but also because I thought maybe it was me, her palate is way more evolved anyway. Â She did what I did, grabbed a big forkful and the look on her face was mortifying but I will remember it as one of the funniest moments in life. Â She hacked it onto her plate at the same time the waiter showed up at the table. Â Me trying to keep it together and avoid literally ROFLMAO was physically painful for me. Â Freaking classic.
But yeah guys stay AWAY from the slaw!! Â It's pure punishment. Â I brought the chicken home to my 11 year old to get one last laugh out of this seeing that the cole slaw flavor was on the bottom of the chicken. Â She loves when I bring things home from a day out and so she shoved it in her mouth.. and BAM! Â Pure panic and terror all over her face! Â Hysteria and vomitting noises! Â Hahaaaa! Â She didn't throw up though, bummer. Â Just joking.. Â Parents: refrain from judgement, there is nothing wrong with administering this type of "gentle torture" to your kids. Â It in fact helps...
I'll go back to CS for some music and beer, I draw the line there though.
Went to City Steam to see their comedy show and had terrible food two weeks ago. The food WAS JUST GROSS. Salty and greasy. Â Upon entering you can tell the food there is greasy. I ended up getting the three cheese mushroom risotto fritters and fried pickles. I had a few of the fried pickles and pushed the plate away. The mushroom risotto fritters were okay but greasy and just WAY too salty. Â I didn't come for the food. I went for the comedy show. Â Just a disclaimer I've never been to a comedy show I didn't enjoy so I of course had a great time. Â The comedians on that night was entertaining and I got my laughs worth so stars for delivering a good evening.
Server was attentive even though it seems he had many tables. I didn't like the setup of the room because we were seated way in the corner and didn't see much. Â I wish they would work on the food situation.
My last review was in 2009, they have upped their game, and I would definitely recommend it. Â The food has improved, although it is still going to be casual pub-style food, with some dinner entrees. Â Stick with what they do well, and you won't be disappointed.
City Steam is a definite must for beer and pub style food when visiting downtown Hartford. Â It is also an excellent stop prior to attending an event at the Hartford Civic Center (XL Center), especially a CT Whale hockey game. Â The beer is everything you would expect from a craft brewer. Â Unique flavors and many styles to choose from. Â The ambiance is also spectacular, being set in an open floor style complete with woodwork and tin ceilings in the turn of the century, Brown, Thompson & Co. building. Â They have seating that is in the open, as well as quieter areas in the upper levels. Â The bar is a great place to grab a drink and an appetizer. Â The food is pub style for the most part, sandwiches, salads, etc. though they do offer dinner entrees and specials. Â There is a comedy club in the basement, which I have not attended. Â Check this place out ASAP if you haven't.
- B. W. Parker, Hartford, CT