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Bean Pot Restaurant764 Park Street Hartford 06106 860-246-8777 By BESSY REYNA The Hartford Courant Web Published: 12/30/2002 There has been a restaurant at this address for over forty years, and over ten years ago when it changed ownership, the new owners decided to keep the name, even though the identity and cooking style would be radically transformed from French to Latin. Open only for breakfast and lunch, Bean Pot quickly became a popular place for people who wanted to sample Latin food. The staff makes customers feel welcome, and it is not uncommon to find people having business meetings at lunch, papers and plates fighting for space at the table. Breakfast is served until 11 a.m. but I was told that if breakfast is what customers want for lunch, they are willing to accommodate them. The restaurant's menu changes daily and it is posted on a board. Most of the food is cooked and ready to go. On a recent visit the entrees listed ranged from $5 to $7 with cod fish and steak being more expensive. If you are unsure about what to get, ask the staff to lift the pot covers and explain each dish, or look around and ask anyone sitting at the counter or the tables - they will gladly help you. The day I visited, the list of entrees included barbecue ribs; cod fish; spaghetti and meat balls; roast pork and chicken. For vegetables they usually serve boiled malanga, or yautia, which are root types of vegetables, along with beans and plantains. By the time I arrived (shortly after 1 p.m.) they had already run out of several main dishes and vegetables. I settled for the Pollo Guisado (Chicken Fricassee) witch was accompanied by yellow rice, kidney beans and platanos maduros (fried ripe plantains). The food was disappointing and somewhat dry. However, the Cuban-style sandwich of roast pork with lettuce and tomato, cooked "a la plancha" (grilled and pressed down to finish cooking), was absolutely one of the best I have had in the many restaurants around that area. The price for these two items was $10.00 and I had enough food for leftovers. They also offer several sandwiches including tuna, eggs or ham. The soup selections change daily and vegetarian choices are available. Prices range from $3 to $6, depending on size. I have noticed that most of the restaurants on Park Street add a charge for take-out containers and Bean Pot does likewise. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 5 a.m.-1 p.m. Sun., closed Map | Printer-Friendly Page | Email to a Friend
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