Three words:
Best
Steak
EVER!!!
Simple out, if you enjoy great flavors, a fun menu and phenomenal service and food (and don't mind shelling out $125-$175 p couple), then you owe it to yourself to try this place.
I recommend the Cowboy Ribeye with a side of Truffle and butter sautéed mixed mushrooms and Roasted Poblano potatoes au gratin.
Reservations pretty much required a good 2-3 weeks out unless you want to eat at 8pm or later
Had a business meal with customer. First visit. They appear to do a lot of business meals at this rest. OK, nice  space/ and room for talking. Ordered two small steaks , which come with 2 sides and also ordered 1 appetizer and one salad. Steaks are pricy here, range from about $25-$50. Quality of food quite good, prepared  as requested. Beer on tap selection very good. Appetizer and salad quality ok, not great, not bad. Everything is " a la Carte".
Service was very slow however. Could never get the waiter's attention. Room was busy even for a Monday night. There are high opaque  glass partitions between rows or booths and the server never came over or saw is I guess. The bill for two entrees, 4 beers , and 2 appetizers, was $124.00 plus 20% = $148.00 tip. A little more $$ than I wanted to spend.
I had been meaning to try J Gilbert's so we went for my birthday. Â The filet was good, but not up to par Ruth Chris'. Â The blue cheese chips are good and very filling. Â The best part of the meal was definitely the loaded baked potato. Â I don't usually like the skin of a baked potato but they put coarse sea salt on it and it's amazing! Â I'd like to try the burger for lunch, but probably won't make the trip across the river for dinner again.
Review Source:J. Gilbert's has an extensive gluten free menu advertised on their website, being a steakhouse you would assume most everything could be made gluten free. Â I went last night, asked for their gluten free menu and was given a sheet of paper with one gluten free entree option. Â
Don't advertise 14 gluten free entrees on your website if you only have one. Â Don't advertise any gluten free options if on the side of your menu you offer a lengthy disclaimer saying that the one option you have, you cannot guarantee be gluten free.
I've been to J. Gilbert's about four times now, and I'm torn between three and four stars, but ultimately, this place does basics well. Â And honestly, when I want a steak, I don't want frills - I want a well-cooked, properly seasoned, fresh cut of meat. Â J. Gilbert's has never let me down.
The restaurant itself is modern and can feel a bit overwhelming and loud. Â That said, I've never found it uncomfortable or distracting. Â I guess it's just a matter of taste. Â Service has always been wonderful - the waitstaff really know their wines and their steaks, and they're patient and happy to explain anything and answer any question. Â I've never felt rushed.
Food! Â The meal starts with a delicious crusty loaf of sourdough bread and a unique complex butter. Â I can't remember the specific flavors I have had, but each one has been interesting and a nice change from the typical salted butter or olive oil. Â As for the main event, every time I go, I inevitably end up ordering my go-to steakhouse dish - filet mignon, rare+. Â I've ordered the steak simply, with sides, and also as part of a surf and turf platter, which came with succulent grilled shrimp. Â Both choices were wonderful, and I was particularly excited that I didn't have to choose between meat or fish (I'm not good at choosing, as I always want it all). Â Every side I've ordered or tasted has been great, too! Â Simply sauteed asparagus, spinach, mashed potatoes. Â Even the mushroom risotto was good.
I think what's best about this restaurant is that it keeps to steakhouse simplicity - no bells and whistles (though it offers those, too, if you want them!) - it just does simple steak (and seafood!) well. Â I'm a big fan!
Dear vegetarians,
I know steak houses are generally not our jam. However, if you are invited to J. Gilbert's, RUN to get there! They have one of the most delicious vegetarian meals in the state, for real.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves here. J. Gilbert's is located in a small Plaza in a quiet back corner of Glastonbury, and the atmosphere is, well, kind of uppity. It is a fancy pants steak house, and meat lovers will love that you want to go here, because, as told to me by every omnivore who has had the pleasure of visiting, their steaks are beyond compare.
I always order the baby greens salad as a starter. It is delightfully garnished with sun dried cherries and pine nuts, and served with a cold fork. Take pleasure in the details, folks. It's what sets J. Gilbert's apart from the rest.
Their bread wheel is served in the interim before your starters arrive, and shows up with plain and herb butter. Details.
Let's get down to the good stuff- the grilled vegetable platter*. It is a feast for the eyes as much as it is for the belly. When you order, prepare yourself for the ooh's and ahh's you will get from the rest of the table when your meal arrives. I posted a picture of this beauty, but it does it no justice. The large oval plate arrives with a mound of fancy mushrooms, sauteed and piled high, next to grilled asparagus and tomato slices, alongside  long sliced of grilled yellow squash and zucchini draped over grilled ears of corn, which neighbor a black bean relish filled poblano pepper. I'm telling you now, you are going to want to faint, or swim in the mushrooms. Please refrain from both. You are in a high-end steak house, in public.
You are going to be so full after this meal, that you will likely have to take part of it home with you. Do not let that stop you from ordering dessert. I always order the creme brulee, because it is phenomenal. However, I had a bite (or half of...) someone else's pecan pie last time I was there, and you seriously cannot pass this dessert up. It involves spiced rum caramel and a homemade ginger ice cream. And it's even good as a take-home dessert for later. Do not leave without this item in your belly or in your hands. Unless you have a nut allergy. In which case, don't even look at it on the dessert tray.
My most recent visit here was mere hours after our most recent snow storm, and even though they were extremely short staffed, the service was still legendary.
This is a great spot for celebrations and special occasions, or if you just want to treat yourself to an amazing dinner experience.
*The grilled vegetable platter used to come with a risotto instead of the mushroom mound. The risotto was cooked with chicken stock, so I used to have to sub a baked potato for it. Kudos to J. Gilbert's for recognizing this and changing it to make the platter 100% vegetarian.
Simply, wow. Â
My wife made the reservations and picked the restaurant for this night out. Â I just went along for the ride.
The place wasn't as low-key/romantic as i'd hoped for, in fact it was quite loud. Â But I was willing to put all that behind me once I experienced the service & food.
We settled on a bottle of SeaGlass Sav Blanc from Napa. Â It wasn't the best i've ever had, but thats the risk you run when you buy a bottle you aren't familiar with. Â It did pair well with the seafood, so thats a plus.
First came the sourdough bread with "pastrami butter". Â I was a little taken back at first, but it grew on me.
My wife ordered the seared sea scallops w/ Lobster Risotto. Â I got the surf & turf combo with filet & scallops with wild mushroom risotto and garlic broccolini. Â
All the scallops were cooked to perfection, the steak was done perfectly medium-rare as well. Â The side of truffle butter on the steak was better than any steak sauce.
The food was almost orgasmic, except for two minor issues. Â The wild mushroom risotto was underseasoned and I had to add salt. Â My wife's dish had some type of "slaw" piled on top. Â Probably to mask the fact that she didn't get much risotto, and also the vinegar in the slaw was meant to cut the "richness" of the lobster, although both of us agreed it wasn't needed.
After cleaning our plates, we shared a slice of rich, moist Carrot Cake for dessert. Â
Although the bill was by no means cheap ($150 after tax & tip), it was one of the better meals i've had in all of CT. Â
Due to the prices, this is a "special occasion" place, but we'll be back
My family decided to stray from our usual spots and stopped by here last night for dinner and it blew our minds! We were crazy enough to just show up on a Friday night without a reservation, but were a little shocked to hear there was a 40min wait. We were seating in abut 20mins (which to me is fine for a group of 7).
The dinner is pricey, but it WELL WORTH IT! We ate and enjoyed everything... and I mean EVERYTHING. If you're looking for an appetizer I HIGHLY recommend the chicken quesadillas & lobster bisque. If you're looking to enjoy a meal on a budget or aren't a huge steak fan, I'd suggest going for the fillet combo. It comes with a 4oz filet and another option (shrimp, crab cake, and a 3rd I cannot remember) and 2 sides for about $30. (PS: the shrimp was great and the crab cake had absolutely no breading in it.)
I honestly would have been fine eating a bunch of appetizers and picking a bunch of their sides. Great drinks, great ambiance, GREAT SERVER and an overall good time. We were all blissfully stuffed by the time we left there. :-)
I meant to get a photo of my plate, but I was too busy stuffing my face to remember. Try to get a seat by the fireplace if you can.
One of the best meals these eyes have seen in a while.. Â First of all, this short account will begin the same way the meal went: Â customer is hit with some warm and crusty sourdough bread and a grand side dollop of pastrami butter real quick. (Note: Â Pastrami butter is not butter with meat in it, but rather butter with the same spices used to make that heavenly cured meat.) Â A blessing and a curse for someone who normally fills up on bread before the meal arrives (I'd do it again, no regrets). Â The fried calamari - with battered and fried carrots and jalapenos and two dipping sauces, each a face of good and evil - and shrimp durango - with even more delicious bread-worthy dipping sauce - appetizer plates were taken away appearing just washed. Â Moving forward, dare I say that J. Gilbert's wouldn't be my typical choice of restaurant, being one who doesn't exactly crave steak, ever. Â The steak that was introduced to me on this night has invoked questions about our existence. Â This steak, a medium-rare strip steak, gradually glazing over in melting truffle butter and partnered with some sauteed spinach and poblano au gratin potatoes, basically stopped time itself and divulged insights on the creation of mankind (which I now unfortunately cannot recollect). Â Yea yea - call bullshit - but try this steak. Â I myself only had several tastes of it, as I had of course ordered the burger as a continuation of my conquest to find the ultimate. Â And a smart choice it was. Â Cooked medium rare, the burger itself melts in your mouth. Â It was otherwise topped with au poivre mayo, shallot jam, watercress and gruyere, placed carefully inside a pretzel bun. Â This fantastic creation persuaded me against brushing my teeth at night in hopes of its flavor remaining, come morning. Â You definitely pay for what you get here, but I'd do it all over again in a second. Â Only regret: Â My own lack of capacity for carrot cake or pecan pie. Â Yowza.
Review Source:Love coming here. J. Gilbert's is a really good place for large groups and even a date! It's really good for special occasions. All the food is good. My only gripe is that certain food items have been switched out/discontinued so I was disappointed when the Carribean Mixed Grill was no longer available. Oh well..what do ya do.
Review Source:While I always enjoy the food, I was so disappointed to not be able to get a side salad as one of my sides. Â Not looking for anything fancy here folks. Â The cuts of meat are always amazing. Â The sides are fantastic. Â Deserts, amazing. Â But the bill always makes me a little annoyed- it just seems a bit much. Â Will I go again? Â Probably... but is it my favorite? Â No.
Review Source:J Gilbert's has been a favorite of ours for years. We have always had great service and the food never disappoints, until one evening about a year ago. Our server was a nightmare, among many issues to numerous to detail here, the drinks came well after our appetizer and she took forever to take our dinner order- definitely not the J Gilbert's experience we had come to expect. From start to finish, this dragged out for close to 2.5 hours leaving us no time for dessert or coffee as we had a baby sitter to get home to. On top of this, the individuals at the booths next to us were rowdy, rude, and obnoxious to the point where the entire section of tables was conversing about it and exchanging sympathetic glances at one another. We couldn't even talk amongst ourselves without yelling or repeating ourselves. It was something you'd expect at Chuck e Cheese or a sports bar. At one point, one of them sang the "happy birthday song" at the top of her lungs to the point that the hostesses peaked around the corner (which is clear across the entire dining area as we were seated by the restrooms). Our server was not willing to summon the manager (who had to have witnessed this mess), she simply said "yeah, what a nightmare" or some such thing. We definitely felt very upset that we payed in the ballpark of $300 for a meal (without dessert) that was ruined by the terrible server and annoying patrons. Although we recognized that the issue of the patrons wasn't J Gilbert's fault, there is no way that an upscale fine dining establishment should have allowed the behavior to continue.
Finally, both of us couples sent online feedback forms to J Gilberts 2 separate times. We never expected or even requested compensation for this atrocious experience, we just wanted the manager to be aware of what had gone on. Neither one of us have heard back from any of our attempts to contact them. While I will miss dining here, I doubt as if we'll ever return. To spend our hard earned money at a place time and time again to only be ignored when we have a legitimate concern is inexcusable. You dropped the ball on this one, Gilbert's.
We had a reservation for 2 at 6:30 tonight. Â Great place! Â I had the Berkshire pork chop with sauteed spinach and lobster mac & cheese. Â Let me tell you the food was perfection. Â That pork chop was juicy and spinach was sweet. Â Now, I saved that mac & cheese for last....let me just say it was just the right amount. Â It was creamy and flavorful. Â I was happy to save the best for last.
Curt had the oven roasted salmon fillet with the side of green beans and mash potatoes. Â I tried a little here and there. Â That salmon was well season and cooked correctly. Â The potatoes were creamy. Â I thought Julia Childs passed away?
We ended the J. Gilbert experience with a French classic. Â The creme brulee....it was delightful. Â The beautifully warm cream under a delectable caramel shell. Â Yummy in my tummy!
The service was on point. Â The dishes came out promptly. Â My water glass was filled constantly. The establishment was clean and the staff was pleasant.
I'm going back.
I met my husband and some co workers tonight for happy hour. Â It was a long week so I was looking forward to grabbing a couple of drinks and relaxing with friends.
Their Happy hour is Sunday - Friday from 4-6:30. Â They have a variety of wines and appetizers "on sale". Â On Sunday evenings Happy Hour goes until 8pm.
The rest of the group arrived at the restaurant before I did and told me that the bar was empty, but when I arrived it was hopping. Â They were already sitting at the bar so I pulled up a stool to join them and opened up the menu to pursue my options. Â
They have an extensive wine list and beverage list. Â Our bartender Ralph was very knowledgeable and helped me to pick out a light and refreshing white wine. Â I would love to go back and try some of their classic and creative beverages. Â Husband had a Sam Adam's seasonal on draft (which was octoberfest) and said it was great!
We also got sliders and some lobster mac and cheese. Â The sliders were well seasoned and the sauce that came with it was very flavorful. Â Lobster mac and cheese was creamy and you could actually see the chunks of lobster in the dish. Â
One of my co workers had the steak and said that although it was cooked correctly but it was just "ok". Â He was disappointed because this was a steak restaurant and was expected to be blown away. Â
I will have to go back and confirm this for myself but for happy hour we had a great time.
We celebrated our anniversary with a last-minute decision to stay local & go to J. Gilbert's. I was definitely not disappointed.
We sat in the bar at a cozy (ok, tiny) booth-like table, but I really enjoyed the atmosphere in the bar, despite the extreme lack of space.
We split an order of onion rings that were just heavenly. They are coated in a pretzel mix and were perfectly crisp on the outside. The only thing I would have liked is if they had a bit of salt on them. The rings were served with 3 different sauces: the house BBQ sauce (I liked it, Mr. said it was too smoky tasting), a mustard/fennel sauce, and the garlic parmesan sauce, which we fought over!
The Mr. enjoyed a filet with a loaded baked potato. The filet was cooked perfectly to order and the potato looked great. He had another side too but I don't remember what it was. I had scallops on top of lobster risotto that was fantastic. For dessert we shared an apple pie/turnover sort of dessert with a scoop of fantastic cinnamon/vanilla ice cream on top.
A big shout out for our waiter - he was fantastic. I couldn't stump him on a single question about the menu and he was very friendly, too.
We rolled out bigger in the belly and lighter in the wallet. It's probably good that our budget doesn't allow for more visits - we'd end up buying bigger clothes too.
I live right near this place and I am never going back....after serving my son raw chicken. Â Unexusable!!! Â Then after they burn the heck out of it.....it was super salty. Â Spinach side had vinegar just so it could taste rancid. Â Â Save your money people. Â If you want good steak...go to Micheal Jordans.
Review Source:After three, long years in school, today I accomplished my goal--I passed the NCLEX and now am officially an RN! A celebration dinner was indeed necessary and this place was on my short-list of choices to have that special dinner at. Very rarely do Tom and I get to go all out, but that is what we in fact did here tonight and it was truly one of the best dining experiences we've had yet.
We got caught in some awful traffic on the way to J. Gilberts and thankfully when I called to let them know and to see if they could hold our table, the hostess was kind and understanding, assuring us that we would still have our table. Upon arrival, we were escorted to a small booth and ice water filled our glasses. Our server came over and he was professional, efficient and personable. After taking our drink orders (wine for me, beer for Tom), warm sourdough bread was brought to the table with whipped butter and a "pastrami" butter--the bread was perfectly crusty on the outside and soft on the inside.
Our first course arrived shortly thereafter--fried calamari with carrots, jalapenos, served with a side of creole remoulade and a sweet and sour sauce--calamari was perfectly done, not rubbery at all, and the sauces complimented the dish very well. Salads came next--caesar for Tom, baby greens for me--nice portions, both nicely presented and not overdressed like can happen at some places.
Now the important part--the entrees. Tom went with the 16oz prime angus KC strip, garlic broccolini and lobster mac and cheese. The steak was cooked perfectly to his liking, was tender and flavorful, the broccolini was firm yet tender with a nice added touch of the garlic pieces and the lobster mac and cheese had nice decent sized chunks of lobster in it (Sheri, they must have heard your note from our last visit!). For my dinner, I chose the 6oz filet mignon with the salt baked potato and grilled asparagus. The filet was also cooked perfectly and tasted great, the potato was huge and was loaded up with all my favorite toppings and the asparagus was fresh had a nice seasoning on it.
As full as we were, we could not celebrate without rounding the night out with dessert. The chocolate velvet cake was our choice and it was perfectly rich and buttery. A stellar evening all around--service and timing were impeccable, food was sumptuous, and the company of my wonderful husband and the reason we were out celebrating made the night that much sweeter.
Was just here again with out of town guests and J. Gilbert's was as tasty as ever. Â I must recommend their pineapple martini (no longer on their cocktail list, so you have to ask), which is deliciously sweet and served with a slice of fresh pineapple. Â The service was a bit slower than usual, but still more than adequate. Â Our waiter was not phased by strange questions and comments from my nutty grandma. Â And the steak is still the best I've had anywhere and always cooked to order. Â NOM!
Review Source:We have been hearing good things about J. Gilbert's forever, and finally made it in last weekend. Â The rumors proved true; dinner was excellent.
The selection of appetizers looked enticing but, being absolutely famished, we ordered our entrees right away and noshed on some of the house bread (surprisingly delicious, served with an interesting pastrami butter) while we waited. Â I had the filet, which was perfect. Â Great cut, prepared a perfect medium rare. Â My sides were equally spectacular. Â "Green beans with pecans" is an insufficient description-- I had perfectly blanched haricot verts, sauteed in a delicious onion marmalade and topped with finely diced spiced candied pecans. Â The poblano potatoes gratin was a pleasant riff on the classic; deliciously creamy, crispy and cheesy, with plenty of firey flavor. Â The better half had the "cowboy cut" ribeye. Â So flavorful, and perfectly cooked. Â His sides shone as well-- grilled asparagus and a true salt-baked potato, served to order with any topping you'd like. Â It feels funny to be raving about the sides but, when you have your choice of places that offer a nice steak, this really did set J. Gilbert's apart. Â Nice variety on the wine list-- we ordered an interesting (and very reasonably priced) bottle of pinot noir. Â For dessert, we shared the creme brulee and I had a cappuccino. Â Both were very good. Â So was the service. Â
My sole critique is of the atmosphere. Â It feels very chain restaurant-ish. Â Casual and crowded, not much thought was given to the feel of the place. Â It makes for a strange dichotomy between the food you are eating and the environment you're eating it in. Â It's obvious that great care has gone into planning the menu, and the execution is spot on, but look up from your dish and you feel like you're at red lobster (or some other awful place like it that serves steak). Â It's more an observation than it is a deal-breaking deterrent; I'll be back, and J. Gilbert's is always packed. Â (Reservations definitely recommended.)
Ultimately the food and wait service was B borderline grade A quality but our experience at the door sullied the experience for us. Â We made reservations but that didn't seem to matter, we still ended up waiting 30+ minutes to get seated, despite the fact that multiple parties with the same party size and reservation time as us were seated. Â The hostesses are extremely snoody and I have absolutely no use for them. Â I am not a big fan of the raised step up to the table. Â If you have been here you know what I am talking about, I think people often forget that this is there. Â Our waitress was very sweet and almost eliminated our earlier unpleasant experience at the front, she reminded me of Christine Taylor.
I believe half of the side options were not available but the ones we did get were very good. Â The Tortilla soup is moderately sized, mild and a very good option for a starter. Â I did notice that overall, the steaks that we ordered were over cooked. Â The medium steaks we ordered were medium well, the medium rare steaks we ordered were medium, etc. Â We got one charred steak item and it was just too burnt, considering that this is supposed to be a place known for steak, I would have assumed that they actually knew how to cook it.
Overall, the experience was decent, I wouldn't go more than once quarterly and would probably go on an off night during the week in lieu of dealing with the high society broads up front.
A very good steak and overall good meal. Â Highlights of the meal, the lobster mac and cheese (with toasted breadcrumbs, maybe panko on top, yum!) and the dessert which was an rolled very thin almond cookie filled with chocolate mouse, over a sea of creme anglaise with mixed fresh berries. Â This is exactly the dessert I would have made myself if I could have chosen the components. Â
I got the 4oz filet with scallops. Â The steak, would have preferred for it to be a thicker, smaller cut rather than the thinner and seemingly "larger" one. Â Was quite tender and good flavor. Â The 3 scallops were on the smaller side but very sweet. Â Along with the above mentioned mac and cheese I opted for the asparagus. Â They were good, but nothing special. Â
Our waitress was awesome. Â I love a place where your water never gets empty. Â That being said, she didn't hover, which is also appreciated. Â
Was pretty crowded for a Wednesday night, but the noise level was very reasonable.
Had the $25 off coupon for my birthday, so ended up paying $2.50 for my entree.
If you are looking for a chunk of meat in Glastonbury this is the place to go. I'd rate it as a B steak house... not up to the cream of the NYC crop but good steak, good sides and generally a nice service package. The side are a real discriminator her . I had a special BLT salad that had very nicely prepared pork belly as the "B". Good buttermilk dressing and a nice overall variation from the "wedge".
Sides tend to be interesting as well. Perfect skinny asparagus with a somewhat bland chipotle mashed not bad... I should have gone for the lobster mac and cheese!!!
If its a chunk of burnt meat in Glastonbury you can't miss by going her.
Delicious. Simply delicious. For mid-Connecticut dining, this is as good as it gets. It's beyond good. It's exceptional.
Before I get into my review, let me say that if you're used to Outback Steak house/Ruby Tuesday's/99 menus and prices, you're going to be blown away. It is pricey but the food is well worth it.
As it is pricey for a regular date night meal, I tend to go here for anniversaries, birthdays and special occasions. Every time I have been here with reservations, I've been seated immediately and generally in a more intimate part of the restaurant. They also will try to accommodate your request if you specify that you do not want to be seated near families with children. Nothing ruins a special occasion like a birthday or a promotion than a screaming child in a great restaurant.
The wine list is exceptional. It's better than Carmen Anthony's. Â The waitstaff knows how to uncork and pour wine/champagne and will bring out the proper glasses. It's the details like this that make this place five star.
One big plus about the waitstaff: Not only are they impeccably dressed but they do not hover. They are there when you want them and then tend to just stay in the distance. Every time I have eaten here, I have never had one negative encounter with the waitstaff or the front desk staff.
The menu is steakhouse fare so it's pretty straightforward. This is more of a steakhouse than a seafood place so I suggest ordering accordingly. This is one of the few places that can cook a steak to order be it rare or well done. The sides are just as good as the meat. The Lobster Mac and Cheese can be very hit or miss and this place hits it every time. Chunks of lobster meat in a creamy sauce with tender pasta. What's not to love?
Do not leave before ordering dessert. The chocolate cake is heavenly. I'm not a dark chocolate fan but the texture was very smooth and it was not bitter tasting at all.
This is easily one of my top ten restaurants in New England but it is pricey. For just myself and my significant other, the bill is always around $300 (we order multiple bottles of wine), but it's well worth the price.
Now, *this* is a steak house. You'll want to order your steak medium-rare, as this is one of the few places where they're not only capable of preparing a true medium-rare steak, but they have the quality of meat to back it up. I recommend getting a side of Bearnaise with your steak. The Hollandaise and peppercorn sauces are great too.
Their crab bisque is dynamite! The bisque alone is worth the trip, even if the steaks are the main attraction.
Lobster tails are always a gamble when you order them. At a lot of restaurants will serve you a tiny tail for a king's ransom. J Gilbert's lobster tail is pricey, but not only is it pretty big, it's inordinately delicious. I'm not sure how they make a lobster taste that good. The waitstaff are tight-lipped about the secret. Definitely worth it, though.
Their desserts are always awesome, too. The triple chocolate cake is not for the faint of heart as it is super rich. If you don't like dark chocolate maybe this dessert  is not for you, try something else.
J Gilbert's also features an intense wine list. Their wine list is the same size as their menu, so if you're wine guy/gal I highly recommend giving this place a visit. They carry a lot of rare vintages, too.
A tip, you should definitely go to their webpage and join their mailing list as they frequently send out coupons. They'll send you a $25 coupon for your birthday, but often they email $25 off coupons for no good reason at all.
I have to start by saying I love this place. My husband & I held our rehearsal dinner here, and the staff could not have been friendlier or easier to work with. Not to mention the food was delicious.
I took a girlfriend out for her birthday last night, and once again, J.Gilbert did not disappoint.
Sheila, our waitress, recognized me from my previous visits and immediately greeted me with a hug, asking me about my husband and double-checking to make sure we were pleased with our table. She promptly filled our water glasses & took our drink order. Due to the celebratory nature of our visit, I ordered a split of Veuve Clicquot champagne. Sheila opened & poured expertly, even bringing special champagne glasses ("Tiny bottle calls for tiny glasses") and returning with a small champagne bucket to keep the bottle chilled.
I wanted to order to tortilla soup, which is one of the greatest soups I have ever had the pleasure of eating (slurping?), but since my friend chose to forego an appetizer, I held off as well. We ate the sourdough bread (so sour - a fabulous bread & welcome change from Italian bread) and drank our champagne as a starter course. Not a bad start, if I do say so myself.
My friend ordered the lobster ravioli for dinner, and she raved about them. As for me, I order the same thing every time I come here - the wood-grilled vegetable plate. If I was going to die tomorrow and had to pick one last meal, this would be it, with a glass of Francois Bedel's "Entre Ciel et Tierre" champagne in one hand & a glass of Clos du Val red wine in the other. This dish is grilled asparagus, tomato slices, eggplant slices, corn on the cob, and green & yellow summer squash slices, with sides of bean-and-corn salad and spicy tomato-rice pilaf. SO GOOD. And just so you all know, I have tried the steak here, and the steak is bar-none incredible out of all the CT steakhouses I've tried. The only competition is Abe & Louie's and KO Prime in Boston.
To end the evening, Sheila purchased a fruit cobbler for dessert & sang happy birthday to my friend. A very happy birthday, indeed. I can't wait for my next visit.
Came in on a slow Sunday night, we were seated immediately.
I don't really get the motif of this place...its mountain steakhouse slash trendy slash flashy...an the floor is the same tile that they used to have at McDonalds before they renovated...
Sourdough bread to start. Quite sour actually...nothing special though.
Husband and I shared the beef carpachio appetizer--very good.
We both had the steak combos-with atlantic salmon for him and scallops for me. We both had our filets cooked medium rare and they were melt in your mouth tender. There was plenty of "wood-fired" taste to it too. The asparagus was great. Â The scallops and salmon were also cooked well.
The waiter was meh, he had three tables including us, all next to each other but he didn't seem to be able to deal with more than one of us in one run to our area. Didn't get any beverage refills, oh well--I was the dork who ordered coke at J.Gilberts anyway.
Ahh...the great J. Gilbert's. Â After living for 12 years in the area, I had never been but had heard nothing but great word of mouth. Â When I walked in, I was underwhelmed.
Let's start with the decor. Â Let's just say that it's a bit drab and dated, and the rows of booths reminded me of the Applebee's where I worked in college.
Let's move on to the salads. Â I had a Caesar Salad, which looked like had salad had been picked out of the bottom. Â In fact, I was surprised how the salad looked mint greenish, when Caesar is usually made with Romaine. Â The Caesar dressing was thin and not all that impressive.
The calimari with jalapeno's tasted like fried...whatever. Â They really just tasted fried but nothing special.
Now the steaks...they are known for the steaks. Â I'm not sure exactly what happened to a good steak, but I've been having a really tough time finding one lately. Â Myself and another at the table ordered the filet, both cooked medium-rare. Â Not sure how I got one that was more like medium and he got one that was more like rare...maybe that's what they thought we meant by medium-rare.
My wife ordered the scallops with lobster risotto. Â The scallops were good but the risotto was mushy with some type of cold vegetable. Â Did not look appetizing and apparently it was not by how much was left on the plate.
On the bright side...the apple dessert was phenomenal. Â They even gave me more than the usual golf ball size scoop of ice cream. Â And the service was great...very attentive.
Overall, I must say that the great J. Gilbert disappointed. Â Just OK and certainly not worth the price. Â I'll give it another shot in 12 years...
Good overall. I'd recommend it for a date night that won't completely break the bank, but that won't leave her thinking..."I can't believe he took me to TGIF on our anniversary / first date / whatever."
Food:
The food was very well prepared. My steak was a perfect medium-rare, and the asparagus still had a nice firmness to it. Some of the best scallops I've had in a long time too. The maytag bleu potato chips (app) were tasty as well. I wouldn't have ordered them myself, but was happy when others did, and probably will next time. The only thing I didn't like was the au gratin potatoes, which were a little too salty for my taste, which is tough to pull off, as I'm a sodium chloride fiend.
Drinks:
The beer selection isn't particularly great, but it's good enough. The wine menu is more extensive, but that's not surprising as it's really more of a place for wine drinkers. Â The Bass tasted nice and fresh, and my JWalker/Coke had a nice ratio, though it could have used a little less ice.
Service:
The service was good, and the staff in general seemed very courteous as I walked to and from the bathroom. Attentive but behaviorally calming and welcoming, as a waiter/waitress should be.
Pricing:
Prices are a little high, but it IS Glastonbury, and I knew that up front, so they were fine. You could certainly spend more on a comparable meal if you wanted, but I question if you could spend less anywhere else without seeing a drop in quality. Unlike some of my snootier acquaintances, I have no problem going into low-end restaurants, but I see myself going back here even though it doesn't fit in that category. (Once I have someone to spoil besides myself at least...I'm kind of cheap when it comes to "spoiling" myself).
General Comment:
Yet again another one of those damn single-sheet manila paper menus. I hate those things. Takes the whole table, it's flimsy and flops around, and just looks and feels cheap...but hey I guess that's the trendy thing right now. It's laid out better than Angelico's menu at least.
J Gilbert's is the TGIFridays of steak: combine equal parts chain restaurant decor, unbearable server, low quality overpriced food, and folks in t-shirts. Actually, had we gone to Fridays and done the three-course menu, we would have felt like we got more for our money.
Not familiar with the area, I was a little put off from the start when the restaurant shared a spot with Stop & Shop in a strip mall. We had made a reservation on Open Table (earliest available was 8:15), and when we arrived we were squeezed between two large parties celebrating birthdays (complete with extra chairs in the aisle) at a table directly in front of the kitchen door.
My server was smug guy in his late 20s who treated us like we had never been to a restaurant before when he asked us if we had been to J Gilbert's and we honestly responded no. Â He was always around the corner ready to annoy and couldn't resist giving us his Chatzky's script right down to the jalapeno poppers and extreme fajitas.
Started with the crab cakes. These cakes had plenty of jumbo lump crab meat, but they were barely toasted in the salamander. It was like two scoops of crab salad on a smoking hot plate. They were garnished with tortilla strips and a bell pepper and onion salad. If I wanted salsa with my crab cakes, I'd go to Moe's.
The steaks were pretty pricey for a chain, and my Cowboy Ribeye (oversized, bone-in) was overcooked, tough and low quality. The sides were forgettable (mashed that tasted out of box and steamed asparagus for her filet). The freaking salsa was back (this time on top of my steak), and my plate was topped off with tabasco onion strings that were total TGIF.
Without dessert and with one drink, the tab was $125. This isn't terribly pricey for a steakhouse, but it felt like I was being robbed when I walked into Fridays and was served the same quality food. Â
Avoid this place for a real dining experience.
If you are looking for a romantic, darker atmosphere restaurant around Glastonbury/Manchester line this is definitely your place. Â Definitely one of the nicer/dressier restaurants in the area.The steak and all food is done to perfection. Â With an extensive menu and friendly service this restaurant will leave you wanting to go back for more.
If not hungry for a huge meal the bar and wine menu is wonderful and perfect for a happy hour.
Held my sister's bachelorette party dinner in one of their private rooms here. Â They go out of your way to accomodate as best as they can.
Highly recommend the home-made potato chips as an appetizer.
J Gilbert's is one of my favorite places for a steak dinner in Connecticut. Â It's got the steakhouse look and feel on the inside, albeit without any real windows. Â That's fine by me, it's not like your missing much by not seeing the shopping plaza around you. Â The service here is typically excellent and always attentive. Â They know how to make an extra dry martini and that's always a plus. Â The main attraction is the steak, and it has never dissapointed me. Â I've had the Kansas City Strip and the Porterhouse, always Medium rare and always cooked perfectly. Â The porterhouse is absolutely massive and, while delicious, pretty much ends your night in a food coma. Â The sides are also very good and they're actually included with the steak dinner. Â The mashed potatoes and the asparagus are my favorites.
All things considered, J Gilbert's is a great steakhouse that easily competes with the more expensive ala carte options in Connecticut.
Let's just put it out there: I am a steak snob.
I used to hate steak. I wouldn't eat it or touch it with a 10-foot pole thanks to my mom's inability to cook a steak right when I was growing up. But since my eyes were opened to dozens of delicious steaks while I was living in Chicago, I've become the ultimate steak snob. So the boyfriend decided that we would go here for Valentine's Day (my treat, long story, don't ask), and I was elated. It's been a long time since I had a good steak that I hadn't cooked on my own. And for Valentine's Day? Even better.
We arrived for our 7 p.m. reservation on Valentine's Day (a Saturday) and waited nearly 20 minutes to be seated. I hate to do it, but I might have to knock a star off for this. There's a reason one makes a reservation, and it's so we don't have to wait 20 minutes. The hostess took us to our booth, seated comfortably across from where the dessert tray was perched. The place was packed -- couples, more couples, families? Yes, families.
I ordered a Riesling from some woman who came by to fill up our water, and she informed us the waitress would be right over. A few minutes later? The waitress came over, the boyfriend ordered a beer, and she came back a few minutes later with my wine and his beer. She listed the specials, and took our incredibly specific orders -- we're kind of picky when it comes to the meat and the dairy running into each other.
The boyfriend got the KC Strip with the Chipotle White Cheddar Mashed Potatoes on the side and instead of veggies, a Spicy Orzo Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes. And me? I went with my standard -- the 8 oz Filet Mignon, cooked MEDIUM RARE (it's the ONLY way to eat a steak, folks), with the mashed potatoes and the mixed veggies medley. We also ordered the Maytag Bleu Cheese Potato Chips as an appetizer.
The chips came out incredibly fast -- I was still opening my V-Day gift! Unfortunately, they weren't that good. The cheese, a creamy bleu cheese and pepperjack mix, was creamy and got cold really fast, and it wasn't that spicy, which was disappointing. The bread, though, was good -- definitely hot and soft on the inside, crusty on the outside.
The food came out pretty promptly for it being such a busy night. I was excited to dig in to the steak, but decided to enjoy the mashed potatoes first and WOW. I've had some good, creative mashed potatoes at some amazing steakhouses, but these taters rival the rest. They were the perfect balance of creamy and spicy packed into a nice punch of potatoey goodness.
Then? I went for the steak. I'm one of those taste it slowly, chew it slowly, savor the flavor, kind of eaters. I cut it open, saw the beautiful pink inside (sexual, no?) and knew this steak had been cooked perfectly. One bite and I was sold. This steak, may very well be the best steak I've ever had. But then again, a first-time steak at any good steakhouse can result in this experience. I didn't even bother with the veggies because I dove in to the boyfriend's Orzo Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes because he wasn't going to eat it and wow... Orzo has this nice cheesy kind of flavor to it, and it definitely was spicy. I am going to try and recreate this until I get it right. Between the steak and the orzo? Best Valentine's meal, ever.
We got some Bread Pudding to go -- it has chocolate chips and an amaretto cream sauce -- and I just noshed my half and wow. Best bread pudding I've ever consumed, and that's hard to say. The bread pudding was soft and creamy on the inside, almost falling apart in the bowl. I can't imagine how good it must have been live at the restaurant, but as a leftover a whole day later? Magnifique!
Overall, if you can't tell, I'm in love with J. Gilbert's. It's the kind of place you might go every few months for a special occasion, if only because of the price, but as far as steaks go, J. Gilbert's is on the less expensive end of steakhouses.
My hat's off to them for an amazing experience, a delicious steak, a tantalizing dessert, and all-around great service despite a busy night.
Oh, and that star I was thinking about axing because of the wait? It was made up for in that steak. But next time ... don't make me wait!
I went here for a family get-together, and I must say I am exceedingly impressed. We had reservations for seven people, so we got a side room all to ourselves with our own climate control and an excellent server. The menu is pricey, but you get more than you pay for. The service is superb and the menu is diverse. There are alot of combination items and plates for two, so you can share a steak and lobster combo with that special someone. The wine list is impressive, and the pinot noir is robust. An all-around wonderful experience.
The server was extremely attentive, but not intrusive. He was very knowledgeable about the menu items, and had many good suggestions for the specials, food items, and wine pairings. When he sensed we were nearing dessert time, he brought a large platter with samples of all the desserts offered by the chef without us having to ask.
The food was really delicious, and the steak was cooked exactly to each of our varied specifications. The presentation of each plate was unique and got all my senses involved in the dining experience.
The interior has a very nice New England feel to it, with exposed beams and sturdy construction. The restrooms are large and very clean, which is a sign of a an outstanding eating establishment.
Definitely great for groups and special occasions.
I don't know where to begin on how much I love this place. Â They are great at everything, even down to the little things. Â I called and told them I was going there for an anniversary and our table had heart confetti all over it. Â Yes its minor, but its such a nice touch.
I have had steak, chicken and shrimp at J Gilbert's and have been so extremely happy with each of them. Â In fact the last time I went there, I had such a hard time deciding between them because they all were so good, I decided to get a combo platter they had. Â A 6oz fillet minion, blackened chicken breast and shrimp skewers, with 2 sides for only $35. Â It was a great deal!!
The first time I went their I was a bit concerned about ordering the steak because this was right after I had been to Max Downtown and had my medium steak come out extremely well done. Â I just didn't want to have another piece of steak ruined and me force myself to eat it because I am hungry. Â The waiter over heard me say this, came over an ensured me not to worry, it will come out perfect, and it did! Â It was exactly the way I wanted my steak!
This is our go-to place for a perfectly prepared, actually dry aged steak in Glastonbury.
The side dishes are quite yummy as well, I especially recommend the cheddar potatoes.
Wine list is extensive but not overwhelming. Try the flight of wines, it's a great value and will give you 3 wines to compare/contrast with your meal.
Desserts are alway quite tasty. Let them know in advance that you have a special occassion (anniversary, birthday) and they will personalize your table with simple decorations.
Prices are fair considering the quality of meat on offer here. I can't comment on the seafood as when I go to a steakhouse, I order steak. Enjoy!
J. Gilbert's always serves as my group of friends' "birthday dinner" destination. We make our reservation as a birthday event and the table is decorated with an open napkin and confetti. Dinner concludes with the birthday girl/boy choosing a complimentary dessert. We always begin with the sharing platter; chips, quesadillas, and crab cakes. I typically order the Caribbean mix grill. I have ordered various filet combos with sides and every option of potato, my favorite is the cheddar mashed. I am a creature of habit and always begin dinner with the Stonehaven Shiraz and end with the berry/peach cobbler. Fantastic!
I was there 9/15/07 and they have stopped serving asparagus, and now serve green beans with the dinners. We expressed our disappointment and told many patrons were disappointed but that this substitution would last a few months.
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