Matthew’s was sold to me as “Wine Wednesday.” And as my friend, Jeanne, and I made plans, that’s how we referred to it – to the point where I had to confirm the actual name of the restaurant before we met for dinner this week.
There’s a reason for that. The recently-opened eatery in the Unionville section of Farmington has a fantastic deal for wine lovers on Wednesdays. All of their wine choices – bottles and glasses – are half-price.
To sweeten the deal even further, the restaurant offers a “sunset menu” from 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Three courses, $18.95. And no skimpy portions, either.
As part of my three-course dinner, I had an enormous bowl of seafood chowder (good herb flavor, but too heavy on the potatoes), an excellent plate of steak frites topped with an herb-and-garlic compound butter and a beautifully-crafted profiterole with whipped cream, French vanilla ice cream and warm chocolate sauce. A dark chocolate garnish, resembling the shape of a treble clef, made it look even fancier.
Next time we return (and there will be a next time,) I may have to check out Jeanne’s salmon dish. Here’s how it was listed on the menu: “organic Scottish salmon seared and glazed with absinthe over late harvest corn and lobster cake, emulsified butter and tomato chutney.” Holy delicious. And gorgeous. Look at the top crust on that piece of fish.
Matthew’s wine list isn’t on its website, but the selections were good – a wide array of Chardonnays and Cabernet Sauvignons, a tempranillo, which Jeanne loved, a Malbec and a few sauvignon blancs, of which I tried the Kono. (Excellent summer wine.) The half-price deal allowed me to sample a big and bold Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon with my steak – normally listed at $10 a glass; I got to enjoy a top-notch wine for just a fiver.
Service was friendly yet professional. My only qualm was that I had to specifically ask our waitress to see the sunset menu options. Had I not been aware of it before dining there, that opportunity might have passed me by. (Other customers mentioned the same issue on Yelp.)
Matthew, the owner, personally visited each table to check in with guests. Later in the night, he constructed tableside Caesar salads for several parties, wowing the room with his carefully choreographed movements.
Wednesdays also bring live music out on the restaurant’s patio, a beautiful place to be on a breezy summer night.
Matthew’s, 55 Mill Street, Farmington (Unionville), (860) 673-7373, matthews-restaurant.com
Leeanne Griffin is a freelance writer and food enthusiast.
