Lins Garden, Manchester CT - Best Chinese Food

If you are like me, Chinese food can sometimes be a dime a dozen. Doesn't really matter where you go because they are all about the same. About a year ago I found a Lin's Garden on Main Street in Manchester. I am not sure what brought me in but I ordered some food to go. One of the items was #5 on their menu. Crab Rangoon. Don't be fooled they are not the healthiest option on the menu. They may even be the least healthy. They are essentially deep fried wantons with a cream cheese & imitation crab filling. It was something my family ordered and I have had them from more places than I can count. These were, hands down, the best I have ever eaten in my entire life. In a visit to Lin's a few months ago I had the opportunity to see them make them by hand. In fact, I think they make many of the items on their menu by hand. I have arrived to pick up my order and they are chopping carrots and other vegetables. Their egg drop, orange chicken, general tso's chicken, szechuan beef and lo mein are so good. Last night a friend and I ordered the cashew chicken and the flavor was so great. I can't wait to the next time I go to Lin's and try something new. If you are in the mood for Chinese I encourage you to give it a try. We need to keep it around for years to come! Oh I for got - open 7 days a week and they DELIVER!! Nothing ling Chinese on New Year’s Eve...

Lins Garden
846 Main Street
Manchester, CT
860-647-8888

 

What does it mean to be a local yokeler?

I mean technically speaking a local yokeler would be someone who supported businesses in their own communities but I like to take a broader perspective. I think it's also about movement; about seeking out local businesses where ever you are. When I travel for work I often look for a local shop, coffee joint or restaurant I want to check out before getting to the place I am traveling to. One of my all time favorite finds was Fran's chocolate shop in Seattle Washington. Fran's is a locally grown business, but she also can be found in boutiques across the country. I love dark chocolate covered caramels and she makes one with a little salt topping that I can not get enough of. They are dangerous.

For me when I travel for work I do not often have time to do sightseeing. But this is a way for me to get a "taste" of the place I am visiting. I can not wait to go back to Seattle and stay a while. Of course where I stay will need to be close to a Fran’s! Do you have any local places you can recommend in other cities?? A few of my other fav’s are:

Black Rose – Irish Pub in Boston
Jack’s Outback for Breakfast – Cape Cod - Yarmouth
Cha Cha Cha – Tapas for dinner – Best sangria in town!
Paper & Grace – my sisters’ gift shop in Jackson Hole, WY
Mamasake – Best Sushi at Squaw – also owned by my sister-in-law
Barn & Company (gifts) – Cape Cod – Dennis

I am headed to Washington DC in a few weeks, anyone have any suggestions?

Favorite Shop

So I started this blog and have been completely remiss.... I do not have many followers that said, this is just for fun and if one person reads this and goes to one of the businesses I feature or just any local business then I have accomplished my goal.

I cannot decide what my favorite local place is, however the one I visit most often is Highland Park Market. It is conveniently located just a half mile from my house and I pass it on my way home from work. I have to admit I love it for the convenience but I think even if it wasnt convenient I would still shop there. They have a few locations but the one I favor is the original. It's not only by my current house but it is around the corner from the house I grew up in. I even think two of my sisters worked there at some point... While I may have started going for the convenience I continue to go because I think it is a great business. Great bakery, deli and awesome meat counter. Not to mention they support the communities they exist in. They have an array of local products, they hire lots of high school students and they are generous contributers. A friend of mine once had a little fun run for close family and friends to raise money for a charity Highland Park donated a case each of apples, bananas and oranges. this was not a bid non profit or a big race but they were asked and they responded.

Some will say, its expensive and I cannot disagree but they also have quality you can not get from the larger stores and service you cant beat. For me it makes me focus on what I need rather than distracting me with all these "deals" (2 for 1, 3 for 1 etc) which I am not sure at the end of the day save you any money. HPM has some of those but not to the extent of other shops...

There is so much I respect about this shop from the amount of products they carry made in Connecticut, to the fact the family is still very much locally rooted and live in the same house they have for years. Of course some of the children have started families but they all live close by and lastly the employees. You can tell its a great business by the employees who always seem proud to work there and who have been there for years and years. So the next time you see it dont drive by stop in.... I recommend the homemade soups they always have going by the deli with a ciabatta roll from the deli.... delish!!

A Time to Reflect, Celebrate and Plan

So its the end of 2009, and I am just thinking about the year. With all the financial and world turbulence I have a lot to be grateful for. Still gainfully employed, family relatively healthy, happy and looking forward to the arrival of a new niece, money in the bank (regardless of how little), and intrigue of a new year just around the corner.

Somewhere in the middle of 2009, I became very interested in purchasing from local businesses. Subsequently, I read the 3/50 Project website and was jealous I didn't think of it myself. If you haven't seen it check it out. (www.the350project.net)

In 2010 I want to talk about the local business. While I have a job and a busy schedule I hope to highlight some of my favorites and I hope you all will share yours too.

I live in Connecticut and there are lots of great businesses in Connecticut that need our support to survive. This is true of every state. If we, as consumers, want options of where we can purchase products and services we need to purchase from those businesses. It should be easy, but it may require you go slighlty out of your way, make an additonal stop or pay slightly more. But what you get in return is, hopefully better service and a connection to the business owner and a more vital and successful community. When I take my dry cleaning to Luca's on Spring Street, Luca always greats me with a smile, gives me great service and cleaning and I know he is a long time supporter of Manchester. It's also nice to think the money I spend there supports his family with children and grandchildren. If I chose somewhere else, I would be supporting a business but wouldn't have the direct connection to where my money goes.

Based on the 350 Project site 68% of every $100 spent in a local business goes back into our local communities, versus other business where the percentage is only 43% and online it is zero. My family directly benefits from customers who purchase locally two of my sisters own Paper & Grace a fine stationery and gift store in Jackson Hole Wyoming. They wouldn't exist if their community didn't purchase from them. In part, because of their customers, Erin's daughter can take swim lessons, Bruce & Erin can go out to dinner at one of their local favorites, and from time to time they can come home to Connecticut for a visit. For that I am specifically grateful for every one who purchased from Paper & Grace in 2009 and hope for more purchases in 2010.

Now my mission is not necessarily to say purchase everything locally but rather look for a balance that works for you. I love some of the major stores and they serve a purpose as well. But if we all can find a few ways each month to purchase locally the benefits will be significant.

I hope this has gotten you to think a little more about your purchasing and the impact you and your dollars have on the communities you live. If you have business you would like to recommend post a comment with information.