A Very Yelpy Homecoming @ TD Homer’s

Emily did an outstanding job of organizing this event. It was a lot of fun outside late in the season on a great night with so good engazing activites. Look over the photos, everyone has a great time!
Out of all the Unilocal events, this one was the most lacking but not on Unilocal end.
They had a great selection of beer for Oktoberfest which really locked in the night.
But food wise, TD Homers did not seem to be able to handle the amount of people vs the amount of food offered. They would bring out a specific dish, but only have enough for ¹⁄₃ of the people on the initial introduction. A little frustrating because everyone is running from there seat when they see the server so they can be the first to get it.
Everyone was very polite but a lot of disappointed faces each time they ran out of something and it took a fair around of time to see it again.
The food dishes were also broken up and did not come out in order because of the way they were serving them. Deserts were out before some had specific dishes.
Emily did an

Great time at TD Homer’s! Great beer and great company. Thanks to Emily and Paige for getting this organized! It was great to see new and old Elites alike! Sampling the tastes of TD Homer’s fall lineup and the wonderful Fox Barrel and Ciders made for a great night!
From the soup to the cheesecake, the food kept my taste buds at attention!

I love a good sports bar but when I go it is usually to drink beer, watch sports and eat some so-​so pub food. The words «Fall Inspired Menu» would never cross my mind. However after our October Elite Event at TD Homer’s — I will have to reconsider the food one can expect to be served at a sports bar.
We were treated to an unusually warm October evening and enjoyed ourselves on the patio as the wait staff passed around small bites of some of their items on their fall menu. Small bites of their turkey and harvest salad as well as their turkey burgers were passed around for all Unilocaler’s to enjoy as we mingled with each other.
Throw in some wonderful fall beverages, and round it out with a warm and comforting dessert and despite the weather — it was a very fall inspired event.
It did get a little precarious trying to balance the small plates of food while trying to complete the Human Scavenger Hunt that our ever inventive Emily C had prepared for us but we rose to the occasion. Some (uhhhh namely my husband Mark C. and new found friend Julia W) took it as a personal challenge «competing» for 1^st place and cool Unilocal swag bag.
I cannot say enough about the ice breaker. It was a great way to finally go up to many people whose reviews I have read but never had the nerve to meet and speak toast these events. Here’s hoping that we were have more of these such icebreakers at future events.
AND as the night wore on someone had the brilliant idea of a human pyramid. The pictures don’t do it justice but it was a hilarious experience to watch and be a part of.
Both the bar and patio areas provide great spaces for watching any sporting event as well as mingling with other patrons. Loved the fact that the patio had heaters and a television for those of us who wanted to watch the baseball game (However I think most of us were having so much fun that the game was an afterthought.)
I will agree with some of the other reviews I have read (namely Eric H, Mark C. and Anthony P) that the food was ok but not great. It seems that you can add an apple, pear and/​or cinnamon to any dish and call it «fall». Of all the dishes, the turkey burger was by far my favorite and if I could have been left alone with a cup of the cranberry aloii, I would have been satisfied. I also loved both the turkey and harvest salad, although dressed a bit to heavy for my taste, I would love to come back and see how they make the dish «to order».
Mark C (no longer my plus one) and I were just about to leave (having just consumed a standard fruit cobbler) when — what… mac and cheese was brought out. It was a little odd as half of the group had already left but I «suffered» and tried some. It was — ok — I did not taste the five cheeses in the bechemel sauce and overall it was missing a richness I expected from such a dish.
All in all it was a great event. The casual and laid back atmosphere was a great change from last month’s event (which was stellar!) and really showed how we can turn any event into a party (even on a Wednesday night)

This was my first Unilocal event as an Elite and not as a «+1», I was very excited! This was the best Unilocal event that I have been too!!! Upon signing in, we were given a challenge (contest) to have all of the Unilocal elite coming to the event to autograph their picture on the paper given to us. The pictures were the elite’s profile picture, which in some cases provided a little challenge. This is a great idea for an ice breaker for an event and was the best way for everyone to meet each other. I probably meet almost everyone (including the +1’s) and made some new friends along the way, very cool!
At first, it was fun to meet new friends and then at some point, I am not sure when it turned into a little bit of a very fun contest with Julia W!!! :-)
I had a allot of fun meeting new friends and talking to everyone as I was attempting to get everyone’s autograph. Though as much as I tried, I was not able to keep up with Julia as she was able to take the crown!!! I came in a lonely second but it was a great contest, filled with many cool pictures afterwards.
Thank you to everyone who helped me acquire the autographs!!!
A BIG shout-​out to Angela for bringing everyone Crispin Cider, Fox Barrel and Blue Moon Pumpkin ale; all as always very, very good and great to have on an October evening.
The food that TD Homer’s provided us did not seem like anything special and the order in which the food was provided to the guests seemed odd!
The first item was an apple salad with lettuce and turkey; this is what I was told because when I had my plate, I am pretty sure that it tasted like chicken and not turkey; either way it was very dry; the apple slice was thin and the lettuce was at the bottom drench in a bland dressing. (someone did mention that they had a pear as their fruit slice).
The next item was a bite size turkey burger on a roll; I missed the first go around but Anne was able to grab me one later on. I was fortunate to try two but they were ok and tasted the same; the bread was too big, the turkey itself was a little dry and I was not able to taste much of a dressing.
Soup was another course that was served within a bread bowl. This was an ok item; the bread was a little much and it looked like applesauce.
For desert there were two items; a slice of pumpkin pie and an small cup of apple crumb pie; both were ok the flavors were consistent; These may have been the best items of the evening.
OH but wait, here comes the mac n cheese. This was oddly timed and not worth the wait by any means. This dish came out late in the evening and most Unilocalers probably didn’t get to try it because of the time. The mac n cheese was served in a small cup with 5 medium sized ziti macaroni with yellow cheese; it was not good. There were no forks available because they were all used, most people used their hands and some used a knife to consume.
We will have to go back to try some of the items on their menu to see how everything is prepared; hopefully for the better.
The event itself was awesome, everyone was really friendly, I met many new friends and am really looking forward to the next time when I hangout with my new friends again.
A VERY BIG THANK YOU to Emily & Paige for coordinating the event, it was great time!!!
Thank you to TD Homer’s for hosting, the staff were great and very helpful; the weather in the evening was nice to enjoy the patio, especially for a night in October.

I’ve been elite for what, 2 years, and I FINALLY went to an event.
Not exactly sure what the hell I was waiting for, but man am I glad that I went. The food was awesome, so were the drinks, and so was the fun.
Great job Emily, and thanks for listening to my boyfriend babble on about Phở Boston! :)
The Fox Barrel was my favorite beverage (I didn’t bother with the beers, I’m not a beer fan.) although I did like the Crispin too. Maybe it just appeals to my current «OMG HARD CIDER» kick I’ve been on for months.
All the food was great although it was sometimes hard to get a bite since the platters basically got cleared instantaneously after they were brought out. No biggie though. I did end up trying everything, even though some of it was out of order haha. I think my favorite was the butternut squash bisque in the little itty bitty bread bowls that I thought were adorable.

This was my first Unilocal elite event. I arrived on time and already there was a lot of people there. I quickly checked in and started on getting signatures from all the fellow Unilocalers there. I was so involved with this task and meeting everyone that I didn’t realize that the food had already started to come out. I was able to catch a few items, but I didn’t get to taste the turkey burger, though the items I did try we’re really good. I eventually got everyone’s signatures and got a big swag bag. I was stoked that the short was American Apparel; my favorite brand for t-​shirts. Overall I had a great evening with some good food and new friends.

This was my first Unilocal event. I really enjoyed myself and enjoyed meeting the folks that I’ve been listening to all of this time. I loved the menu, loved the restaurant, loved that we could be out on the patio in October and loved the people that I had great conversations with.
My only down would be that it was hard to get food unless you wanted to wade into a mosh-​pit of hungry people. I did enjoy the little game as I felt it was a good shield with which to approach people I might not have otherwise approached.
Thank you Emily for throwing such a cool party! I hope I get to go to another soon.

Well, well, well… you guys really do exist in the flesh! Had an awesome time at my first Unilocal Elite event and it was so nice I finally see some of the familiar virtual faces in person! I think I have up my yearbook about 5 signatures in (or lost it in my mad dash to grab a slider –I’m not really sure), but I had a very easy time making conversation nonetheless!
Thanks to Emily for putting on a fantastic event with cool swag, eats and drinks galore! I had actually never been to TD Homers but found it to be very similar to the Wood-​n-​Tap scene. On par bar food, the waitstaff dealing with the Unilocalers seemed friendly enough and didnt show much fear when we all rushed them like hungry vultures. :) I’d have to say the my favorite item was definitely the turkey sliders. Had good seasoning since turkey can sometimes get bland if you don’t kick it up. The bisque was a little thick for my taste but I could have eaten like 20 of those little bread bowls. I found. The fruit crisp to be more like regular apple crisp, but it was warm and delicious. I might suggest they improve by peeling the apples before hand.
Washing it all down with a Blue Moon Pumpkin beer sealed my evening. I would think TD’s is probably a good place to watch a game and snack, but probably wouldn’t go for much else.
Oh, their 90s mix got them points though!

Talk about the moons aligning for an outdoor patio event during the first week of October! It felt like a warm summer’s evening last night and the patio at TD Homer’s was rocking when I arrived about 20 min after the 7pm start time. Clearly our wonderful CM Emily C. knows how to get the Unilocalers out and as with all past Elite events, this one was equally as fun in terms of ambiance and company. The sign-​my-​yearbook idea was a great ice breaker and it was a good way for new Elites to meet more of our fantastically friendly foodie community. I had to roll up to this event solo because my wife was on call and my +1 bailed on me last minute, but I was determined to go in hopes of seeing my beloved Unilocalers that I so often stalk on my Unilocal news feed. Anne C, Mark C, Josh L, Anthony P, Nick C, Madeline L… so great to see all of you and catch up!
I must agree with my refined palette boy Anthony P that the food left much to be desired. The Butternut Bourbon Bisque, while extremely cute served in those mini bread bowls, was too thick and congealed by the time it made it out and was over seasoned with cinnamon or some other autumn-​esk flavors. The Harvest Salad was very blah and tasted cheap. I guess you can throw apples, pears, toasted pecans and cranberries on anything and call it Harvest. The turkey burger slider was my favorite of the bunch and it did have lots of flavor for a turkey burger. The roll was soft and pillowy and the cranberry aioli was delish. The mac and cheese was no where near cheesy enough for me. I actually enjoyed eating it with a steak knife (great candid shot, Anne C!) because forks were in low supply, but it was more rigatoni with a very subtle hint of cheese for me. Plus why it came out at 9pm after the desserts had been served and sitting there for 15 min seemed just strange to me. Didn’t go for any of the desserts because they didn’t look too appetizing to me and I was having too much fun chatting up my New Haven Unilocal crew. Drink selection was great and I really enjoyed the Leinenkugel Oktoberfest. Will def keep my eye out for that brand when I’m re-​upping on my oktoberfest beer supply. The Harvest Moon Punkin Ale had a little too much pumpkin spice flavor for my taste, but really encapsulated fall in a bottle.
While the space did feel a bit cramped for the raging crew we had there, it provided a very cozy environment to chat up and meet more of this awesome CT Unilocal community. THANK YOU again, Emily & Paige, for throwing this event and getting me up to Southington. What a great way to spend a gorgeous CT summer evening in October!

I went to my first Unilocal event in early June of this year as the +1 of some Unilocal Elite friends in NJ. I’m gonna admit before I attended that event, I thought all you Unilocalers were a little crazy. I am not that into social media (well maybe twitter, but that’s for the jokes). I do love to eat and support local businesses, but I didn’t think that was going to be enough to make me join your ranks. I scoffed when my friend asked me to «check in» at the event. I don’t do «check-in’s», I thought.
But then I checked in. And damn! I was hooked! I loved everyone I met, how huge and fun the party was, not to mention the abundance of free food and drink. How could you go wrong?
And so I was lucky enough to join your ranks when I returned home to CT and in those few months, it’s been fun to share the love with my friends at these events. They come with me, in part, curious as to what it is all about and skeptical of opting in fully and when they leave, man, when they leave… they are changed! They get it and they want it for themselves! I’m making it sound like a cult, but seriously, I think that’s one of the best parts of these events.
And now onto my actual review…
One thing about being late to review the event is that you’ve all already said it better than I could, but I will add my voice to the fray regardless. This event was bonkers fun! As a relative newbie to the Elite gang, the yearbook contest was a really fun way to force me to disengage from my +1 and meet everyone. And everyone I met and talked with was fun and funny and awesome. Would have gone home with a big smile on my face based on company alone.
But also there was food! Which was delicious! I actually liked the salad best. I guess because it was a bit warm out and the salad was nice and crisp. The candied pecans were a nice touch. The desserts were also a big surprise — really great considering we were at a sports bar. I loved that Pumpkin Cheesecake and the «crisp» part of the apple crisp had great flavor as well.
And finally, the drink: loved the Blue Moon Pumpkin ale and Crispin Cider! Emily’s pumpkin martini looked fabulous and I just so happen to have a friend who lives nearby, so I will have to convince her to come out to TD’s one night to try one with me.
So BIG thanks to Emily, Paige and TD Homer’s for putting on such an amazing event!

This was yet another really fun Unilocal event!!! Totally obsessed with the Fox Barrel Cider and will definitely be picking that up that next time I’m at the package store. My only complaint is that I didn’t get to try all of the food options. Every time I went up, it was gone off the tray in seconds. I guess us Unilocalers just love to eat!
The venue was really great and the weather couldn’t have been better! We got lucky with the Indian Summer evening and to be able to hang out outside on the patio. I will definitely head back to TD Homers to watch a big game. And I just couldn’t get over the TVs in the bathroom!
I also loved the souvenir mason jar we got! Cant wait to drink my next fox barrel cider out if it :)
Thanks so much Emily for putting together another great event!

I’ve driven past TD Homers a few times, but never paid it any attention. I’m a vegetarian who hates sports, ya know? But as I pulled into the parking lot last night, I saw a lively patio party in progress, and was excited to get in there.
I was greeted by several friendly folks on my way in, who had apparently been waiting for me to arrive so I could sign their yearbook. Awesome idea! If the intent was to get some ice broken and people mingling, mission accomplished. My boyfriend and I met lots of new people, and what a lovely group!
I loved the presentation of the tiny bread bowls of butternut squash bisque, and opened it like a little present. I was probably one of the only people disappointed to see the bacon garnish. :(. I also found the Mac and cheese to be bland. But the harvest salad more than made up for it. That salad was bangin. Bangin, I tell you!
We were also fans of the pumpkin cheesecake and variety of seasonal beers and ciders. My only regret was not investigating the cocktails– after seeing Emily C’s photo of some kind of amazing looking apple cinnamon thing, I may have to go back to TD Homers and satisfy my curiosity.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to our fabulous hostesses, staff, and friendly folks who made this such a fun event.

Local sports bar with complimentary beer and hard cider samples and food samples from their seasonal Harvest menu? Sign me up please!
A Very Unilocaly Homecoming is just the latest outstanding Elite event put on by Emily and Paige.
I was particularly impressed by the fact that the seasonal Blue Moon, Leinenkugel Oktoberfest and Fox Barrel blackberry and pear cider samples were full size bottles. Many times you just get half cups poured out but this was a very welcome exception. Outstanding job and all the different beverage samples were excellent.
As for the food the green harvest salad with pear, turkey, cranberries and walnuts, the turkey burger, the five-​cheese mac and cheese, fruit cobbler and pumpkin cheesecake were also very well done and samples were plentiful. All of those items are part of Homer’s seasonal menu and are definitely worth checking out.
We were lucky to have an Indian summer type of night in early October and that allowed us out on to Homer’s outdoor patio. The highlight here? (At least for me) The two big screen TVs pumping out the big sports games of the day as you mix and mingle and eat. There are plenty of tables in the outdoor area so it really creates a fun atmosphere.
Great job again Emily and looking forward to what event you come up with next!

Before you read this review, let me start you off with a quote from someone very awesome and famous from Hartford, CT:
«I get to throw parties for an awesome, silly, funny, prolific group of people. They sometimes assemble into spontaneous cheerleading pyramids after drinking fall cocktails and sampling a delicious harvest menu. I love my job.» –Emily C. (Hartford Unilocaler Community Manager).
Emily sure knows how to Put Out…*clears throat*…great events! ;)
With that being said, she deserves a kiss… from her boyfriend… for Putting Out… such a great event. The red theme party to me signified love, and I was loving the company of all new and veteran Unilocalers, drinks and food.
The yearbook signing thing was an excellent ice breaker. It is true, some of these parties you can see cliques, but I’m not about that shiznit. I grab life by those semi-​circular things that hang around the male’s waist. Yeah, my round about say of saying «balls,» sheesh I know how to beat around the bush, huh? Okay, okay, enough with the innuendos. I was happy to meet a lot of new faces, and I must thank Emily because of that, I will be attending some new Unilocaler’s house party! See, Emily? The little things you do for us! :)
I liked the little free gifts that were given out. The mason jars, exercise sweat bands, beer muffs, etc. Perfect items that said «we value you, Unilocaler!» And now I can indirectly market Unilocal whenever I’m out somewhere with one of these items. «Dude, who walks around with a beer muff/​warmer?» Me! A man who spares his dignity for frost bitten hands. I think about how much warmer my hands will be whenever I come to an outdoor house party in the winter! Cheers! I win! You lose! And you’re freezing! Brrrrrrrrr.
I would be a D-​Head and give this event a 3 star, but as my Dominican father would say in his thick Spanish accent, «Ah, cah mah An-​Toe-​Knee, why Ju gonna do dat! (Ah, come on, Anthony, why are you going to do that?). Nah, those stars would go towards the food, but I know how these rating go. They go towards Emily, and I believe she did wonderfully, as always. :)
I wasn’t a fan of all the food there. The macaroni and cheese was «eh, I’ve experienced better,» that pear, apple chicken salad thing was «eh, I’ve experienced better» as well as the sliders, cobbler and bread bowl soup. This was what I remembered. Some things tasting bland, and/​or some things tasting stale.
I could be wrong, I could be right, they could be lies, that are little and white.
*begins humming*
Let’s leave this one at a positive, though. What I DID like were the Pumpkin Shees-​Cake (that’s «Cheese Cake» said in Rob Snyder’s impersonating Eastern European accent), and the drinks. Good Harvest Moon, Oktober Fests as well as the Ciders made me feel all warm and tingly inside. Let’s also mention the wonderful Unilocalers who came, smiled, ate, drink, and conquered. I like when I get to see a Unilocaler’s profile come to life!
4 stars goes to the event overall. Emily is always awesome! She always works very hard, and I value every effort she makes for us to be happy.
Tops off to Emily!

Hi! I’m Joshua L!
You might remember me from that brief moment when you asked me to sign your yearbook right before you immediately left and went to ask another 30ish people to sign their yearbooks! Is your ice broken yet? Did it make a mess?
Being the rebel I am, I chose not to participate. Besides, who needs an icebreaker when you have Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest? Not me. Maybe the rest of you awkward weirdos do.
I kid, I kid. You’re beautiful and fun and smart, and you look great in red! Now get outta my way so I can grab another turkey slider, jerk!
Overall I enjoyed myself as per usual at one of these Unilocal Elite events. The venue was interesting, and honestly, the weather could not have been better. Nothing like a balmy October afternoon to remind you you’re in New England, where the weather gives absolutely zero fucks what season it is.
I do think the spread of tables sometimes tended to separate us a little and keep us from fully socializing, but on the other hand, eating squash bisque while standing up is how people end up in prison. Or covered in bisque, depending on the municipality.
Of course, I’m really nitpicking here. Anytime I get to spend some time with my peeps like Emily C., Steven T., and Eric H., drinkin’ a few beers and ciders, and enjoying harvest salads, life is pretty good.
I was fairly impressed with the menu and found it above average bar fare with an interesting harvest-​y theme. The harvest salad was pretty solid, the sliders were good, and the bisque was surprisingly good given my tumultuous relationship with squash. I didn’t try the mac n cheese cause it came out super late and the ravenous Unilocalers appeared ready to tear me limb from limb if I got between them and their cheese. I mean, I love cheese, but I refuse to die at TD Homer’s. I pictured something more spectacular. And grosser.
It was great to see everybody and I look forward to the next Unilocal event with y’all, even if I’m just a another sexy signature for you to collect on your way to…
… wait, why were we doing that again?

Just another in long line of superior-​fun-​awesome Elite events. Em, Paige, Nick, pat yourselves heavily.
…on the back!
The weather, location, food and spirits all were in sync last night. The Yearbook theme was a great way to help/​encourage/​force us to meet each other! The outdoor patio was spacious and comfortable. The harvest-​themed food was something that I did not expect from a sports bar. The buttternut squash soup in particular was great, and the bacon on top… well what can I say about bacon that already hasn’t been said?!?
The staff was friendly and accommodating, and the company of my fellow Unilocalers made the night a memorable one.
Huzzah Em… keep ‘em coming!

Another fun time with the Hartford Unilocalers! Let’s check the checklist:
Gorgeous weather and an outdoor patio? Check
A rousing competitive mingling game of Unilocal’s Human Scavenger Hunt? Check
For hydration and health, two freebie beers and two freebie ciders? Yup
Did I find a new favorite beverage in Fox Barrel Blackberry Pear Cider? Big Check!
Tons of tables to encourage conversation? Absolutely yes, I made it a point to sit down and chat with some people I didn’t really know and had a great time. What a nice group of people we have.
A really good five course meal served in small enticing samples? Most definitely. My favorite samples were the Turkey Burger (most excellent) and the Mac and Cheese with 5 cheeses!
Did I see a Unilocal Human pyramid that looked like something you’d spy on those ESPN cheerleading competitions? Oh yeah, but our people were more attractive!
Did I see terrific leadership from our Unilocal stewards Emily and Paige who continue to put together hit after hit? Yowzah we did.
Am I glad I joined Unilocal 2 years ago? What do you think???
Thanks, Emily!

About the only way to improve on good food, a nice selection of seasonal drinks, and great company would be to set it all on an outdoor patio on a warm October evening.
I’m not sure how you arranged the weather, too, Emily, but it sure matched the rest of the event, and thanks once again for all your efforts!
TD Homers’ food offerings went down very nicely. I thought the turkey burger combined some very interesting flavors, and the pumpkin cheesecake made a lovely closer. I’ll have no hesitation visiting here again when I get the opportunity.
I’ve had a busy few months, so it’s been far too long since I’ve been able to make one of these events. Good food, good drinks, great company: it really did feel like coming home. Thanks.