My absolute favorite part of blogging is getting to try new things. And when trying new things means an invite to a complimentary dinner at the newly opened Ted’s Montana Grill in Hartford, Connecticut… I am in!
Hubby and I enjoyed our first dinner experience at Ted’s Montana Grill last Friday – and it being just the two of us on a rare date night made the experience that much more exciting!
The decor is simple and casual with checkered cloth napkins, papered tabletops, and a buffalo greeting you when you enter the main dining area.
We started with Bison Nachos – a delicious pile of chips and cheese and crumbled bison meat in a not-too-spicy sauce. Just what you’d expect of a nacho dish, but with that bison twist.
The fresh hand-squeezed (daily!) lemonade was crisp and oh-so-refreshing!
Fun Fact: Ted’s Montana Grill uses paper straws for sustainibility… in fact, because of this, their company actually SAVED the paper straw company from closing!
Side salads to start are a good option and very generous- I ended up wrapping up half of Ted’s Chopped (a bit mild on the dressing but big on oniony zing! Plus, artichoke hearts, my favorite).
For dinner, hubby ordered the Bison Strip Steak, and I had my favorite: Ribeye (they happened to have some smaller princess cuts available!).
Fun Fact: Bison is served more ways at Ted’s Montana Grill than in any other restaurant!
Here’s what I loved to discover about Ted’s Montana Grill restaurants. All their food is brought in fresh daily or every other day. That is FRESH. The beef and bison comes from actual ranches in the U.S. owned by Ted Turner himself. All the meat served is USDA Choice Select (that’s the top 5% of quality beef!). Isn’t it great to know so much about the food you’re about to eat?
I am extremely picky about meat flavor and texture. Our steaks were perfectly medium rare (hot pink), and so tender and flavorful I didn’t even need to season at all! I tried a bit of the bison steak, and it’s very tasty. I thought it would be “gamier” like venison, but not true – think of it as a “deeper” beef flavor. And tender-tender-tender!
For sides, I got the garlic mashed, but honestly when I saw hubby’s loaded baked potato, kinda wished I’d ordered that!
Dessert was a milkshake and a towering strawberry shortcake… I was still wanting more when we got back home!
Oh, and as a parent? I was thrilled to see a robust kids’ menu – instead of typical pre-fab, fried food, Ted’s offers sliders, steak, and even a salmon dish! Plus, kids get a coloring sheet and Wiki sticks to play with while they wait. We are bringing the boys back here!
Fun Fact: Ted’s Montana Grill was voted Best Gluten Free Restaurant by About.com!
For my Connecticut friends, the Hartford location we dined at is now open. For everyone else, find a Ted’s Montana Grill near you for a delicious steak and a lovely night out!
Thanks to Ted’s Montana Grill for providing dinner for this review. All opinions are my own.
I’d love to try Bison!
I’d love to try Bison!
i would like the more traditional beef.
i would like the more traditional beef.
I would definitely opt for a more traditional beef but my boyfriend would probably try the Bison. He’s much more into trying new things than I am.
I would definitely opt for a more traditional beef but my boyfriend would probably try the Bison. He’s much more into trying new things than I am.
I believe if I visited Teds Montana Grill I would opt for more traditional beef entrees, probably one of their amazing sounding gourmet burgers. My husband would probably try the bison.
I believe if I visited Teds Montana Grill I would opt for more traditional beef entrees, probably one of their amazing sounding gourmet burgers. My husband would probably try the bison.
I looked over Ted’s menu, and I think I would try the Delicious Duo Burgers, which includes one beef and one bison burger (3 oz.) It would be interesting to compare the taste of bison and beef. I try to be open minded and try everything once so I’d definitely try bison.
I looked over Ted’s menu, and I think I would try the Delicious Duo Burgers, which includes one beef and one bison burger (3 oz.) It would be interesting to compare the taste of bison and beef. I try to be open minded and try everything once so I’d definitely try bison.
Bison is too dry for my tastes…need a good ribeye!
Bison is too dry for my tastes…need a good ribeye!
I would definitely try the Bison as it sounds so juicy and so good.
I would definitely try the Bison as it sounds so juicy and so good.
I would probably try the beef if I’m feeling in the mood for steak, but might opt for the bison if a burger is what I’m craving!
Great giveaway! Keeping my fingers crossed 🙂
I would probably try the beef if I’m feeling in the mood for steak, but might opt for the bison if a burger is what I’m craving!
Great giveaway! Keeping my fingers crossed 🙂
Have never been but would love too!!
Have never been but would love too!!
Love Bison!!! I had the largest Bison burger in Oklahoma, it was bigger than my head, really!!!!
Love Bison!!! I had the largest Bison burger in Oklahoma, it was bigger than my head, really!!!!
I would try the Beef – Delmonico Ribeye Steak.
I didn’t know about them before. I found they have one at West 51st St & 6th Ave, NYC.
Thanks for chance to win. Food looks yummy. 🙂
I would try the Beef – Delmonico Ribeye Steak.
I didn’t know about them before. I found they have one at West 51st St & 6th Ave, NYC.
Thanks for chance to win. Food looks yummy. 🙂
I had bison once before ( a long time ago) and I think I would try it again!
I had bison once before ( a long time ago) and I think I would try it again!
I would like to try the traditional beef, thanks!
I would like to try the traditional beef, thanks!
I would like to try Bison…I’ve never had it before.
I would like to try Bison…I’ve never had it before.
I’d like the Bison ribeye and a lemonade, please.
Thanks for the contest.
I’d like the Bison ribeye and a lemonade, please.
Thanks for the contest.
I would go for traditional beef.
I would go for traditional beef.
I love any kind of meat! Have had bison and liked it alot.
I love any kind of meat! Have had bison and liked it alot.
Our family loves Ted’s…even our little guy. He especially loves the paper straws! I have enjoyed the beef and bison. But the chicken and fish dishes are amazing as well!!
Our family loves Ted’s…even our little guy. He especially loves the paper straws! I have enjoyed the beef and bison. But the chicken and fish dishes are amazing as well!!
We love the bison at Ted’s! Also love the beef too! Love it ALL!!!!
We love the bison at Ted’s! Also love the beef too! Love it ALL!!!!
I will opt for the traditional beef. Bison doesn’t sit well with me for some reason. Their beef burgers are amazing!
I will opt for the traditional beef. Bison doesn’t sit well with me for some reason. Their beef burgers are amazing!
I love trying new foods so I would have to try bison! Sounds tasty.
I love trying new foods so I would have to try bison! Sounds tasty.
I would probably opt for traditional beef; I usually order prime rib! I have never been to this restaurant before; I would love to try it!
I would probably opt for traditional beef; I usually order prime rib! I have never been to this restaurant before; I would love to try it!
Ttraditional beef
Ttraditional beef
I’d try the Bison. I figure if anyone knows how to cook it, they do.
I’d try the Bison. I figure if anyone knows how to cook it, they do.
I would love to try the bison. I’m always trying new things!
I would love to try the bison. I’m always trying new things!
More traditional beef for me! Like a steak or something :))
More traditional beef for me! Like a steak or something :))
hmmmmm….I would probably stick to traditional. ha!
I looked it up – they have one where my brother is CO. He’ll love it if I win! 🙂
hmmmmm….I would probably stick to traditional. ha!
I looked it up – they have one where my brother is CO. He’ll love it if I win! 🙂
The traditional beef! 🙂
Thanks!!
The traditional beef! 🙂
Thanks!!
Would love to try the bison and dessert 😉
Would love to try the bison and dessert 😉
I will try the bison.
I will try the bison.
I will eat Bison, tried and love it.
I will eat Bison, tried and love it.
I’d definitely give the bison a try!
I’d definitely give the bison a try!
yum! It all sounds great. We don’t have this restaurant but I will be keeping my eyes open when we travel.
yum! It all sounds great. We don’t have this restaurant but I will be keeping my eyes open when we travel.
Completely enjoyable experience! Whether it’s lunch, dinner or drinks, visiting Ted’s Montana Grill makes my day. The staff is welcoming and courteous, the food is perfectly portioned and delicious! You will leave there wanting more and feeling like you are part of the family! Excellent!
Completely enjoyable experience! Whether it’s lunch, dinner or drinks, visiting Ted’s Montana Grill makes my day. The staff is welcoming and courteous, the food is perfectly portioned and delicious! You will leave there wanting more and feeling like you are part of the family! Excellent!