OT: Favorite CT restaurants

[August_West]

I think you are thinking of Restaurant du Village in Chester. It has been closed for around a decade, unfortunately. It was excellent. Enjoyed several great dinners there.

Miss that place another French place took the place of it , restaurant L&E. The just closed now too, had good Vietnamese upstairs too.

 

[Biteymax22]

Just down the road is another good Italian spot, Pulcinella. Great wood fired pizza and traditional Italian food. Always crowded, especially during Happy Hour because of their great drink/food prices.

Seconding this, I live down the road. Pulcinella is a much better pizza, the bar gets super busy so you need to get there early if you want to grab a drink during happy hour.

 

[GemParty]

Anybody been to Firebox in Hartford?

 

[boog204]

Anybody been to Firebox in Hartford?

Many, many, many years ago... It was good, not great.

 

[Waquoit]

Anybody been to Firebox in Hartford?

I've always had good luck there and some top meals. It's a nice space. I thought the wine was pricey.

 

[8893]

Anybody been to Firebox in Hartford?

Yes. Several times, based on strong recommendations from @Deepster and @Waquoit. I like it a lot, but I’ve been there much more for lunch than dinner.

 

[Excalibur]

Le Petit Cafe is amazing, rivaling even Union Leagues for overall food quality.

We finally got there in the spring. It was as good as advertised. I actually thought the entree was better than what you typically get at Union League.

 

[Excalibur]

Anybody been to Firebox in Hartford?

Been there many times, most recently two weekends ago. Very good dinner, better apps. The bone marrow is a must try if it's your first visit. Again, I think it's very good, but not in the top tier with Millwright's, Le Petit Cafe, Oyster Club (no, not S&P, which sucks), On20, and Union League. I'd put it on a par with Viron Rondo, Good News Cafe, and Marketplace in Woodbury.

 

[Excalibur]

Anyone try the Arethusa restaurant in Bantam, across the street from the ice cream shop?

 

[superjohn]

Have any of you guys been to Arethusa al tavolo in Bantam? Growing up in the area I find it funny it's been ranked best in CT. and ranked nationally.

 

[UconnU]

Lassies in Milford is one of my personal favorites.

 

[Huskyhoops25]

In the Northwest corner of CT, the place to go is The Woodland Restaurant in Lakeville. Casual yet an upscale menu.

Casual Cuisine for Diverse Tastes (Published 2012)

If you can’t find something to please your palate on the Woodland Restaurant’s three-page menu, you must not be trying.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Huskyhoops25]

Have any of you guys been to Arethusa al tavolo in Bantam? Growing up in the area I find it funny it's been ranked best in CT. and ranked nationally.

I grew up in Bantam. It used to be considered the “Raggie” section of Litchfield. My how times have changed.

 

[browndog319]

Valbella! in Greenwich
Quattro Pazzi in Stamford
Rowayton Seafood Rowayton


my other favorites are all closed: Bennett’s (Stamford), Mario’s Place (Westport)

 

[superjohn]

I grew up in Bantam. It used to be considered the “Raggie” section of Litchfield. My how times have changed.

Exactly, it's funny to me.

 

[Huskybass]

J. Gilbert's in Glastonbury is sensational.

 

[GemParty]

Next on my list for a special occasion is Millwrights- Simsbury. Top Chef/Multiple time James Beard nominee, Tyler Anderson.

 

[Kitaman]

Biagetti's: 77 Campbell Ave, West Haven, CT

If you like good Italian food, and lots of it.

 

[Devland]

Where do you like for great water views?

Pretty much every restaurant has a mens room.

 

[Excalibur]

Next on my list for a special occasion is Millwrights- Simsbury. Top Chef/Multiple time James Beard nominee, Tyler Anderson.

Best restaurant in the state. If the tasting menu is available, do it.

 

[Deepster]

Here's my take on Millwright's. Dinner tasted amazing. Went out for drinks afterwards and got wings and fries because we were all still hungry. And I'm not someone who needs the American supersized meal portions. It just wasn't enough food and the 4 of us all agreed.

 

[Excalibur]

Here's my take on Millwright's. Dinner tasted amazing. Went out for drinks afterwards and got wings and fries because we were all still hungry. And I'm not someone who needs the American supersized meal portions. It just wasn't enough food and the 4 of us all agreed.

That has never been my experience there. Always had plenty to eat. However we often do the tasting menu, and if we don't we are ordering apps. It gets expensive, but IMO it is well worth it.

 

[Deepster]

That has never been my experience there. Always had plenty to eat. However we often do the tasting menu, and if we don't we are ordering apps. It gets expensive, but IMO it is well worth it.

I'll admit that's fair. I haven't done the tasting menu which would be more of a blank canvas. Off the menu, a standard app/entree/dessert left me hungry.

To also be fair, I've eaten at Present Company a few times and if you sit at "the bar" in front of the kitchen, you get a lot more food/tastes interacting with the cook staff so the tasting menu is apparently the way to go....

 

[boog204]

My wife is gluten free and likes Vegan places, anyone been to 21 Oak in Manchester?

 

[8893]

My wife is gluten free and likes Vegan places, anyone been to 21 Oak in Manchester?

No, but G-Zen in Branford is an excellent vegan restaurant. The chef/owner, Mark Shadle, started ION in Middletown, which is still good--but not as good as Gen Z since he left ION and started it.