Best Connecticut Restaurants?

Esther G. wrote:
>Hi.  We're going to be in Middletown, Connecticut for my son's college
>graduation at the end of May and would like to take him out to a
>really good restaurant somewhere in Connecticut to celebrate.  I'd
>appreciate any recommendations you can give me.  Thanks!
>                  Esther Grassian
>                  [email removed]

I'd suggest the YANKEE SILVERSMITH INN (203-269-8771) in Wallingford (about 20 miles south of Middletown on US5 at Wilbur Cross (SR15); from I-95, exit 15).  I grew up in New Haven; and even tho we're now in Michigan, we 'go home' often.  Just last May we dined there for a special evening. It's old and authentic, excellent New England atmosphere, NEED reservations, somewhat expensive, food is more than acceptable.  In our opinion, the atmosphere is the main attraction.  If you find other spots you enjoy, we'd be interested.

We have enjoyed staying at the Marriott Courtyard in Wallingford--even though our real destination is always New Haven.

Caroline C. Chipman

Esther G. wrote:
-> Hi.  We're going to be in Middletown, Connecticut for my son's college
-> graduation at the end of May and would like to take him out to a
-> really good restaurant somewhere in Connecticut to celebrate.  I'd
-> appreciate any recommendations you can give me.  Thanks!

There are many fine restaurants of many types in Connecticut.

The Union League Cafe in New Haven is one of the better fancy french joints in this area, if that's what you are seeking.

Timothy B. wrote:
>Someone wrote:
>
>> Hi.  We're going to be in Middletown, Connecticut for my son's college
>> graduation at the end of May and would like to take him out to a
>> really good restaurant somewhere in Connecticut to celebrate.  I'd
>> appreciate any recommendations you can give me.  Thanks!
>>                   Esther Grassian
>>                   [email removed]
>
>Well, as a Wesleyan alumni, unless there's been a radical change in good
>old Middletown in the last few years, I've got to tell you're sort of out
>of luck if you want to stick around the town. Town Farms Inn, which I
>assume is still in business, is probably the best restaurant close by--and
>you'd better make reservations now if that's what you want. It's an okay
>place--in the mid to late 1980s it was good but somewhat stuffy and
>conservative. It may have changed since then either for the better or
>otherwise.
>
>If you're willing to go up to 45 minutes either south, north or west of
>Middletown, you'll have better luck--there's some good places in New
>Haven, in West Hartford, towards the shore and further away, up in
>Litchfield County and down towards Greenwich.
>
>Maybe current residents can correct my (old) impression of Middletown's cuisine?

Gee, I haven't been to the Town Farms Inn since it burned down many years ago.  Can I presume that it was rebuilt?  I have not seen any ads for it lately in the Goodspeed Opera House program so I sort of assumed it never reopened.  Anyway, if you are willing to drive south to East Haddam and below, there are several excellent restaurants to try.  The closest one is probably the Gelston House, right next to Goodspeed (Rt 9 exit 8 I believe), and the food is supposedly pretty decent there these days.  My personal recommendation would be for Steve's Centerbrook Cafe, just off Rt 9 exit 3 or 4. It used to be known as Fine Bouche before they got less fancy and less French and much less expensive last year, but the food is as fine as ever.  There's also Restaurant du Village in Chester, although it's somewhat more expensive that Steve's.

-- Bill [email removed]