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Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Peach Salad
Tom Yum Noodles
Classic Pasta Bolognese
About
Gather55
Welcome to Gather55, a unique dining experience located at 55 Bartholomew Ave in Hartford, Connecticut. This innovative restaurant serves as a platform for guest chefs to showcase their culinary talents while supporting the local community. With a mission intertwined with philanthropy, Gather55 not only offers exquisite dishes but also encourages patrons to contribute to Hands on Hartford, a noteworthy non-profit organization dedicated to helping those in need.
From the moment you step inside Gather55, you are greeted by an inviting ambiance that perfectly balances casual elegance with a welcoming charm. The space is thoughtfully designed, allowing intimate conversations without the hustle and bustle typically found in conventional dining settings. Reviewers have praised the atmosphere as ideal for both romantic evenings and friendly gatherings, making it a versatile choice for any occasion.
One of the standout features of Gather55 is its prix fixe menu, which changes regularly based on seasonal ingredients and the talents of various guest chefs. Take, for example, the delightful offerings from chef Tom Kaldy, which have garnered rave reviews. Highlights include a velvety bolognese that dazzles with its tender pasta, creamy ricotta, and perfectly balanced sauce, paired with a unique twist on hummus served alongside an impressive array of fresh vegetables.
The culinary experience doesn’t stop there; the mains are a celebration of flavor and skill. Patrons have relished dishes like the succulent chicken, served on a bed of puréed eggplant and vibrant summer tomatoes, and the juicy pork accompanied by a light, zesty arugula salad. Every dish is crafted with care, leaving a lasting impression that compels you to come back for more.
And let’s not forget dessert—an essential finale. Gather55 offers desserts that are not just an afterthought but a carefully crafted conclusion to your meal. Options like a tangy lemon cake and a rich flourless chocolate cake satisfy the sweetest cravings and round off the dining experience beautifully.
The ethos of Gather55 is as appetizing as its menu. With a commitment to giving back, they automatically add a portion of your bill to support Hands on Hartford, which showcases a remarkable dedication to community welfare. This practice, combined with dedicated service from their attentive staff, creates a dining experience that extends beyond the plate. Servers exchange tips for community donations, reinforcing the idea that dining should be a shared joy—not just a transaction.
In summary, Gather55 provides an exceptional culinary adventure fused with a noble cause. With its rotating selection of top-notch dishes, invigorating ambiance, and a genuine commitment to uplift the community, this restaurant is a must-visit for anyone seeking to enjoy delicious food while making an impact. Whether you’re visiting for a special occasion or a casual night out, Gather55 promises not to disappoint.
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“ Great restaurant with a "pay-as-you-can" concept. It has set courses $40/55 for 2/3 courses for dinner with dishes made by great chefs all across Connecticut. The restaurant sets aside a number of tables for the folks who cannot afford to pay full price of lunch/dinner. It's a part of the "Hands on Hartford" organization. The food is great and the service and atmosphere are amazing. I wish there were more restaurants with this concept. ”
“ This restaurant has a great mission for helping those in our community. The food was a plus and the service made the night a delight. The food was outstanding. We started with the hummus and bolognese. The bolognese was top quality. The ricotta was creamy and light, the pasta was aldente and the sauce was perfect. I love a good bolognese and this dish did not disappoint! The hummus was creamy and delicious. It was served with pita, but also an array of spring/ summer vegetables. It was the first time we have seen it served like this, but it was such a delight. It was a great accompaniment to the hummus. For dinner we ordered the chicken and pork. The chicken was served on pureed eggplant and served with summer tomatoes. The chicken was tender and flavorful. Very filling. The pork was beautifully done, crunchy and tasty. It came with an arugula salad that was perfect! Lemony tossed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It was one of my favorites. Dessert was good with a lemon cake and a flourless chocolate cake. Both were delicious and a perfect end to our meal. Ok. So here's the deal. Remember, this is a benefit to our community, so it ended up running around 145.00 for two for three courses. They add on 20 % as part of their mission. This included two soft drinks and we left extra money to donate to hands on Hartford. This is a great place with excellent service. If you are looking for a different experience in a beautiful historic building, go visit. You won't be disappointed. ”
“ It was our first time eating here, it was all around outstanding. The ambience was perfect for a date or a group and I loved the soundtrack of the evening. Our server, Andrea, was excellent and the food was tasty and unique. Highly recommend! ”
“ My most recent experience at gather55, I made reservations for my birthday dinner, when half my party blew me off, I was upset..but Andrea rescheduled for the next day so I can still celebrate my birthday. Not only did we have an amazing night full of laughs, stories and good memories..the food we all got was absolutely amazing!! Put together with care and made with love. We all left with leftovers too! We left satisfied and ready for bed lol Thank you to the staff that treated me and my guests with such respect and love. Andrea and Crystal were my servers, crystal sang happy birthday to me and made my night even more special, and I got to keep some beautiful flowers I'll be back in March for my 11 year anniversary with my husband!!!! ”
“ We went on a Thursday night, six old friends and had a wonderful meal and easy conversation. We could hear each other without shouting! The restaurant is beautiful, spacious and spotlessly clean. Every meal was healthy, delicious and beautiful. Plus there was plenty of parking. ”
“ Came here for Valentine’s Day dinner and the food was amazing. Our server greeted us immediately and gave us a while history on the restaurant’s main objective. This was our first time experiencing this restaurant and the ambiance, the music in the background, and whole vibe was on point. Nice place for a date night. Definitely a spot I will be back to soon. ”
“ I’ve been curious to check out Gather55 since I first learned of their unique concept, and I’m so glad my fiancé and I were finally able to visit! The food from guest chef Tom Kaldy was delicious, and we liked that they had a mix of dishes from past guest chefs which featured a wide variety of flavors. Their prix fixe price is reasonable, and it’s nice that the servers don’t accept tips, but rather donations for Hands on Hartford. Such a cool way to try different dishes from top CT chefs while also supporting this awesome non-profit. We were the only diners for dinner that evening while there was a private event in their main dining room, but the servers did a great job giving us a nice ambiance. ”
“ My mom and I ate here for dinner and it was wonderful. Our server Lorenzo was really friendly, easy going, and super knowledge about the menu. Our favorite items were the bacon wrapped scallops, mushroom tagliatelle, and lomo saltado. There was a pretty good wine list too. It was very cute inside with white tablecloths and little floral arrangements on each table. A big thank you to all BOH and FOH staff working for a super great night! We will be back! ”