You never know where the ‘Twin Tasters’ will pop up in their quest for good food in West Hartford!

By Twin Tasters

Pan-Seared Scallop at Vinted, Blue Back Square, West Hartford. Photo credit: Amy Melvin

With exquisite attention to detail and presentation, impeccable service, and flavorful offerings, we were recently warmly welcomed to Vinted in Blue Back Square in West Hartford for a special double-date night.

Vinted offers a comfortable, contemporary, low-key atmosphere with sophisticated food for lunch, happy hour and dinner. The menu changes slightly as the seasons change, and we sampled items from the dinner and lunch menus.

To help us kick off the holiday season with our husbands in the best celebratory manner, Vinted General Manager Gary Evangelista opened a bottle of Italian Valdo Prosecco to start our evening. Sixty-eight of the 74 wine list offerings, including the Valdo Presecco, are available in 1 oz. tastings, 3 oz. (or 1/2 glass servings), and of course everything comes by the full 6 oz. glass or by the bottle.

The fun in a multi-course tasting is that you really start to see and appreciate the signature style of the chef, and in this case, Executive Chef Michael Presnal isn’t afraid to take risks with herbs and flavorings. We loved the Fennel Pollen in the pan-seared scallop, and his mouth-watering lemon aioli sauce, tender and pretty red-leaf watercress, and toasted almonds and fried sage all placed just right for the perfect flavor combinations. Not to mention the Prosciutto “cracklings” on the bisque – so tasty!

Another bonus to tapas-style and sharing is having room for dessert, and it is not to be passed up here. Gary “made” us try a few and you can see photos below of the Apple Crisp, “Melted” Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake, and the Pots de Creme with berries.

Our report: Rich food in small portions that are large enough to share, or keep to yourself, with flavors that dance together and made us say “yum” all night long.

Next time we’ll take advantage of wine tastings; this visit was more about the food! (Scroll down for more photos.)

Vinted, A Wine Bar & Kitchen by The Federal, Blue Back Square, 63 Memorial Rd., West Hartford. 860-206-4648.  www.vintedwinebar.com. Lunch, Happy Hour, Dinner

As seen in West Hartford Magazine, Issue No. 5, 2015. Contact: [email protected]

“Pumkin Patch” Bisque (with Proscuitto “Cracklings”), from the lunch menu at Vinted, Blue Back Square, West Hartford. Photo credit: Amy Melvin

Fried Brussel Sprouts at Vinted, Blue Back Square, West Hartford. Photo credit: Amy Melvin

Veal Cheek “Saltimbocca” at Vinted, Blue Back Square, West Hartford. Photo credit: Amy Melvin

“Chicken and Waffles” at Vinted, Blue Back Square, West Hartford. Photo credit: Amy Melvin

Hanger Steak Tartare at Vinted, Blue Black Square, West Hartford. Photo credit: Amy Melvin

Federal Risotto Balls at Vinted, Blue Back Square, West Hartford. Photo credit: Amy Melvin

Apple Crisp at Vinted, Blue Back Square, West Hartford. Photo credit: Amy Melvin

“Melted” Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake at Vinted, Blue Back Square, West Hartford. Photo credit: Amy Melvin

Pots de Creme with berries at Vinted, Blue Back Square, West Hartford. Photo credit: Amy Melvin