Connecticut Foodnotes » Jonathan Braverman

Review: 4½ stars “Special,” Treva, West Hartford

Jonathan Braverman — Sat, 21 May 2011 14:32:56 +0000

Our grapevine reaches into every nook and cranny of Connecticut. We’re always scouring the state for what’s new and good. Recently, the name Treva has come tripping off the tongues of chefs and foodies whose opinions we respect.[...]

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, West Hartford

Jonathan Braverman — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 04:32:53 +0000

I have held Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in West Hartford in high esteem even longer than it has been open. How, you may ask, is that possible? [...]

Avon Old Farms Inn, Avon

Jonathan Braverman — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:49:19 +0000

4 Stars... Special

Something New Is Afoot At Avon Old Farms Inn

There has been a tendency in some of Connecticut’s most storied inns to serve less than spectacular food. A couple of these, in towns like Wilton and Wallingford, have recently closed, one a presumed casualty of a constricting economy or a failure to maintain its connection with the dining public, the other due to a fire. Others, like the Spinning Wheel Inn in Redding Ridge, have been retooling, making an effort to elevate their game. I visited Avon Old Farms Inn, without doubt one of Connecticut’s most appealing dining venues, to determine [...]

Still River Café, Eastford

Jonathan Braverman — Sat, 30 May 2009 02:09:36 +0000

5 Stars... Extraordinary

Still River Café Runs Deep

One of Connecticut’s most intriguing, and cutting-edge, restaurants is Still River Café, located improbably in the town of Eastford. Frankly, I sometimes wonder how this restaurant survives its isolated location. From any significant city, it’s a substantial trip (it’s just 15 minutes from Storrs). But the fact that Still River Café not only survives but thrives is a tribute to the extraordinary dining experience it provides. Although I live more than an hour away from the restaurant, I have made the trek three times, and undoubtedly will do so again.

Harry’s Bishop’s Corner, West Hartford

Jonathan Braverman — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 19:36:54 +0000

Harry’s Bishop’s Corner cuisine: New Haven-style Pizza pizzas: $9.25 – $23 address: 732 North Main Street, West Hartford phone: (860) 236-0400 credit cards: All major 4 1/2 Stars… Special When Harry’s Met Sally’s: A Paean to New Haven-Style Pizza One of the best relationship movies ever made was When Harry Met Sally, which featured Billy [...]

Grants, West Hartford

Jonathan Braverman — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:41:00 +0000

Grants cuisine: Contemporary American entrées: $18 – $32 address: 977 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford phone: (860) 236-1930 credit cards: All major 5 Stars… Extraordinary Publisher’s Forward Bob DeZinno bob@restaurantsct.com This is the first time I have piped in before one of our site’s expertly written restaurant reviews; I might again, I might not. RestaurantsCT.com is [...]

Dish Bar & Grill, Hartford

Jonathan Braverman — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 20:18:22 +0000

Dish Bar & Grill cuisine: Contemporary American entrées: $18 – $40 address: 900 Main Street, Hartford phone: (860) 249-3474 (249-DISH) credit cards: All major 4 1/2 stars… Special It’s an exciting time to be around Hartford these days. Our capital city has made great strides of late, and with a little more work on parking [...]

Polytechnic ON20, Hartford

Jonathan Braverman — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 20:30:40 +0000

Polytechnic ON20 cuisine: Contemporary American prix-fixe lunch: 3 courses for $35 tasting menu: 6 courses for $50, plus $6-$8 for additional courses address: 1 State Street (20th Floor), Hartford phone: (860) 722-5161 credit cards: All major 5 Stars… Extraordinary Hartford has finally arrived I had grown tired of apologizing for our capital city’s dining scene, [...]