An Ode to the Connecticut Food Community

I have lived in Connecticut for a good portion of my life. From birth to age 18, and age 25 to the present day, I have been a Connecticut resident. As a child in Bristol, I grew up around various Italian delis and Greers. I experienced local and tasty restaurants.

Now, as I stand on the precipice of a move to Wisconsin, I am so thankful to have experienced the Connecticut food scene. It’s a scene full of amazing owners and chefs, and food writers (hello Leeanne Griffin).

There are the long-standing institutions, like the New Haven spots (Pepe’s Modern, Sally’s, Bar), and the other spots like Carbone, Franklin Giant, Butterfly, Tangiers, Sichuan Pepper, Cornerstone, Sarapes, and Rein’s.

Then, there are the more recent spots. There is Bear’s, driven by Jamie McDonald, a barbecue powerhouse. There is Craftbird, led by the inventive Eric Stagl. There’s Guapo, run by the passionate Heather and Roy Riedl. There are the lobster rolls at Ford’s and Lobster Landing, the chicken gnocchi at Salute, the steak sandwich at Republic at the Linden, the amazingness at Parkville Market, the great lunch at Deli Windsor Locks, the dinners at Present Company and Millwrights, the salad at Ajamo, and the so many other amazing restaurants in Hartford.

The food scene in Hartford is ascending, quickly. As much as New Haven has been the model for food in Connecticut, Hartford has met the challenge. I am so thankful to have made so many strong relationships, and will miss this area.