Martha Stewart Living Magazine launched just as I was heading down the aisle, feeling more like an actress in a new role than a wife. My mother had died when I was twenty, and my grandmother (whom I relied on for grown-up advice) passed away when I was 25. Martha came to my rescue. 

In the 80s, college was all about career—think skirted suits, sneakers, and zero pressure to be the perfect wife. I was much better at running a business than a house. But then came Martha, and her monthly missives on how to cook, clean, host, and decorate. I was in! You could find me spray-painting gourds gold for centerpieces, drying flowers, and meticulously recreating her party menus. Yes, I once spent an entire afternoon preparing an hors d’oeuvre of individual grapes rolled in blue cheese and hazelnuts (talk about nuts!). It is not a reach to say that Martha taught me to be a confident host. Love her or not, she is the definition of perseverance. So when Laura and I set out for lunch at The Bedford, her new restaurant at Foxwoods Casino, nostalgia was definitely along for the ride.

While the decor is a bit greige for my taste, the sprawling dining room has an open kitchen lined with copper pots that livens things up, and shelves stacked with antique pressed glass. Off to the side, the cozy green room boasts a fireplace, and in my opinion, the whole restaurant would have benefited from painting it that fresh springy shade. 

Our server was full of stories about opening night, when Martha swept in with her entourage of celebrity friends. Then it was time to focus on the food. The menu is a parade of Martha’s favorites—pierogies included—and pure comfort fare. Fair warning: the portions are gigantic. Whether that’s Martha’s doing or just casino culture, every dish could easily feed two.

We kicked things off with a bread basket stacked high with pillowy Parker House rolls, sour cherry focaccia, and Martha’s signature flatbreads. Despite already carbo-loading, we couldn’t resist the tableside baked potato. A massive spud arrived, split open, slathered with butter, crowned with sour cream, bacon, chives, and cheese. Skip it—it was all show, undercooked and bland. 

Much better was my giant slab of Chicken Milanese, with a side of garlicky wilted spinach, which stretched into two more meals at home! Laura’s slightly sweet and spicy BLT piled with maple-glazed bacon on sourdough toast was a win. For the grand finale (and the photo op), we dove into a towering wedge of mile-high chocolate cake, a decadent confection enveloped in velvety buttercream.

We’re not gamblers, and the Tangier mall was a bit of a letdown, so we squeezed every drop of fun from our Ladies Who Lunch adventure, browsing the shop filled with Martha’s merch before heading back to reality. 

foxwoods.com/dining/the-bedford