Our Finds - Places we especially enjoyed finding in 2009 - 2010

Fiddlers on the Roof - Fiddlers Green, 8 Wilcox St., Simsbury. The latest occupant (3 in 6 years) of the upstairs space above Sakimura in Simsbury center opened with gusto around Thanksgiving and has stirred up a buzz with its Italian entrees and, recognizing an opening in the market around here, a steakhouse menu. You know, it’s nice to have a steakhouse menu on a menu with not just steak. They’re not skimping on anything. The steaks are thick and juicy. The Italian is big plates and bold taste with a gamut of choices. The bar has already attracted a loyal following. Maybe this is what Simsbury really needs – a good-in-between scale place up on the roof. 860-264-1604

Papacelle - Avon at Riverdale Farms.152 Simsbury Rd. The menu wanders around various Italian regions and makes mention of local farms and fresh ingredients. So I guess it’s regional Italian, with a nice creative spin — robust and flavorful. Served in a tastefully designed setting. 860-269-3120

*Tower Ridge Country Club - 140 Nod Rd., Simsbury. This may be the find of the year. Great big burgers with fries $6.95, wraps $6.95, salads $6-$9, bountiful $12.99 weeknight buffets featuring stuff like pasta with mussels, BBQ cooked ribs and chicken, five-buck Pabst pitchers, appetizers like meatball sliders with fries ($5.95) – a whole meal by itself. Chef Angel is really good and works miracles of course. Best idea is to sit on patio and watch the golfers high on the hill above the patio tee off on from a 300-yard hole that goes over a pond to the green about 75 yards away. Don’t be looking at the heron when they when they start hitting the irons. It’s open to the public. (seasonal). 860-408-4640

The Iron Frog Tavern - 6 Wilcox St., Fiddlers Green Simsbury (former Luna Café space). Has leaped into the water, making a hot spot for a younger crowd looking for an amiable place to meet up when they come back to town and young families with tadpoles looking for standard pub grub and kid grub. They even have frog legs on the menu, not the iron ones; and Pond Juice is a specialty drink. The place is hoppin’. 860-408-9626

The Mill at 2T - 2 Tunxis Rd., Tariffville. Ryan and Kellyanne Jones, once local caterers, have brought to Tariffville one of the recent dining concepts developed in NYC and foodie-magnet Portland, Me. What’s it doing in Tariffville? Well the key ingredients in the “Chef’s Bar” concept, beyond bonding with the spiffy star chef and his shill-like sidekick who bob and weave, juggle and bang fiery skillets, usually include an obscure location, limited hours, lots of menu changing to take advantage of fresh foods and not the customers, hard-to-get reservations, a small space heavy on context (here mill features), a limited menu and a difficult to see sign. 2T’s got all of these. So if you can overcome the hard-to-get marketing approach and get a spot to sit, especially at the six-seat bar, give it a go. The food and wine are generally above and beyond the Valley’s best, the talented and handsome chef Ryan is the kind of guy you’d like to bond with and his good-humored partner looks a little like Kid Rock and Dave Navarro. 860-658-7890

Da Capo - 29 Old Avon Village, Jct. Rt.44 and 202. Just what we needed. A well-styled, polished-up bistro with savvy management, an up-to date menu offering thin crust pizza and contemporary Italian in small, standard or family portions (large bowls), all of it pretty good. It’s got a well-tended classic wooden bar with good wines and real drinks. The best thing is Da Capo Chips, a big plate of sliced fried eggplant and zuchini with plucky cucumber/yogurt dip. And they’re cheap. Don’t remember exactly how much, but for sure won’t forget to come back soon. 860-677-5599

*Old Well Tavern - 20 Tariffville Rd., Rts. 202 and 315, Simsbury. The 80s dance hall has been transformed once more. New owners have split it in half with a nice family restaurant in back and a pool hall bar up front. Go Wednesday for the $12.99 go-for-broke prime rib dinner. That’s right — $12.99. It’s an enjoyable spot that offers a refuge from the recession and a huge parking lot. 860-658-0050

*Five Guys Burgers and Fries - Big Y/Walmart Plaza, Rt. 44 Avon. That’s about it friends. Except for a hot dog. But that’s all you need. Big juicy burgers with 15 no-charge topping options, ultra-good fries and a lot of them (I can’t finish a “regular”) Your kids can also throw unshelled peanuts on the floor, but you don’t have to do that with your money. A family of five with 3 boys 9-13 just got out the door for just over $40!
860-409-9100

Abigails - 4 Hartford Rd., Rts 185 and 202, Simsbury. The old Pettibone Tavern, rescued from serious fire damage, has been a big hit since it opened as Abigail’s last year. Though some of the allure of the old house has been lost in the extensive renovation, the new owners have created a much more functional space with food for modern tastes — without spooking away lovers of the old place. Abby’s gives the people what they want. A lunch, brunch, tavern and dinner menu with a comfortable mélange, mostly dishes you’ve probably seen before. No risks, which is a smart thing, since Abigail, the ghost who they say still lives here, was allegedly sliced into sirloin tips by her husband after only one transgression. Anyway, you can get anything from stone pies to filet mignon, pasta, fish, chicken, apps, sandwiches, soups, salads and more. Prices hover in the digestible range with stone pies around $11-$12, apps $9-$15, and entrees $16-$32. There are now two bars, up and down stairs. No sirloin tips. 860-264-1580

Feng - at the Shoppes, 110 Albany Tpke., (Rt. 44), Canton. The titan from downtown Hartford has conquered the huge, long-empty space at the front gate of The Shoppes with a deft display of warm fusion. They’ve actually sliced up the interior into four separate restaurants; a brilliant design fusion of the formerly cavernous space. There’s a full bar, a sushi bar, flanked by two dining areas then a hibachi room with eight tables. The menu is fusion-genius too, moving from a not-too-exotic sushi selection to a dim sum platter, Pad Thai, Wild Salmon with risotto in a lobster sake sauce, Thai Diver Scallops, Chilean Sea Bass, Shanghai Osso Bucco and so on. The executive chef is Jared Calderone and all the servers are well trained Americans. As we say, “the proof is in the puddin’.” The place has been packed since it opened just before Christmas. 860-693-3364

First & Last Tavern - 24 W. Main St. (Rt.44), Avon. Stick to the tried and true old Hartford First and Last dishes. They’re not all dressed up, but they’re a cheap date. You’ll choose from pasta and sauce, pasta with meatballs, shells with sausage, sausage and peppers, all at around $10-$15 for a fill up. Soak up the sauce with their focaccia. Remember not to whiz by The First and Last, which is set back a bit off speedy RT 44. It will take you back to a world before stone pies, Tuscan chicken wings, fried mozzarella, burgers and organic insalade de pollo. 860-676-2000

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Meadow Asian Cuisine - Rte. 10/202 at Simsmore Square, Simsbury. You can’t argue with all the online chatter and personal reviews that sing its praises. It’s decked out with crisp linen table clothes, exudes a confident NYC vibe, draws a spiffy young crowd at the nifty little bar where one night as we effused about the soup, sushi and sizzling scallops, a chicly outfitted young lady nearby chimed in: “Haven’t been here before? My boyfriend and I practically live here.” Not a bad idea. 860-408-9800

Ginza Japanese Cuisine - Wintonbury Mall, Bloomfield. This is a fine-tuned operation where you really can’t find better Sushi and pan-Asian entrees. The Hibachi room is a Hibachi theater; there’s a movie theater next-door. 860-242-8289

* The Green Papaya - Rte. 44 near Canton Green. Low prices for house specialties are easy to find on the wide-ranging menu of Thai/Laotian fare. An in-crowd has found this sparsely decorated spot where you BYOB. 860-693-9322

* Tan Wong Chinese - Rte. 167, West Street near Simsbury High School, Simsbury. You’re stressed at work, stretched for cash. You’re tired of pizza delivery, tired of take-out, sick of Subway, can’t face the leftovers, and can’t even face your dog. This is Tan Wong time. It’s a mellow place with linen tablecloths, attentive service and all the familiar Chinese menu items; but our favorites are the no frills, fresh daily specials that are in the $9-$12 range. 860-651-4838

Sakimura Japanese Steakhouse - 10 Wilcox St., Fiddler’s Green, Simsbury. Now in it’s seventh year, Sakimura has endeared itself to its intensely loyal clientele. This is a tastefully decorated, welcoming hideaway for people who appreciate the ambitious sushi menu and exceptional service. Creative specials all the time, sake, Sapporo and martinis add to the appeal. The Hibachi room is popular with families.
860-651-7929

* Bamboo Grill - 50 Albany Tpke., Rte. 44 Canton. This cozy Vietnamese eatery satisfies even the most discriminating tastes with lots of fresh seafood and vegetarian selections, big portions and bargain prices. 860-693-4144

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Our Picks Breakfast / Lunch

Peaberry’s Café - 712 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury. A comfortable coffeehouse with leather sofas and a fireplace where young moms relax over lattes or a card game after their school drop-offs; where college students on vacation meet for non-Facebook face time and flavored coffees; a spot for serious business conversations over a breakfast sandwich, or for a cappuccino with your computer. Old friends get together over bowls of tasty soups and sandwiches at lunch and young folkies hold open mike at night.
860-658-2930

Harvest Café - 1390 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury. THE place for breakfast in the Valley keeps getting more popular because the food is so consistently good and portions are generous. A lot of weekends feature theme breakfasts, like Grateful Dead weekend with Cherry Garcia pancakes and Shakedown Street omelets. Nice, healthy lunch offerings and fresh bakery stuff too. 860-658-5000

* LaSalle Market & Deli - 104 Main St., Collinsville. The funky old country store atmosphere here always makes us feel like we’re in Vermont or New Hampshire. Legendary sandwiches, homemade soups, big breakfasts, pizza, prepared foods, comfortably mismatched furnishings and bargain prices make the scene. 860-693-8010

Fabiola’s Fine Foods - 195 W. Main St., Avon. A somewhat secluded only-lunch spot serving absolutely super soups, sandwiches, crusty bread and stellar salads! 860-674-9113

Claudia’s - 103.5 Farmington Ave., Farmington. A steady line of loyal fans marches in as soon as the clock hits 12, ordering homemade soups, great big grinders, wonderful wraps and “Nancy’s Specials.” Pizza too. 860-674-9525

* Route 10 Pizza - 542 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury. Yankees and Red Sox banter is the only thing that occasionally interrupts the smooth flow of grinders, pizza, calzones and basic Italian dinners for a steady line of lunch regulars that fill the simple storefront operation. Steve and Junior juggle cooking, serving, take-out calls, bussing and collecting the dough. No plastic please. 860-651-8363

* Toni-Ann’s - 518 Salmon Brook St., Granby. Open for breakfast at 5 a.m. with down-home diner food including eggs any way, home fries, French toast and robust coffee. Toni-Ann’s handmade cheeseburgers pack a punch at lunch. And there’s kitschy country décor galore, signaling that the MA border lies just ahead. 860-653-5274

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Our Picks Classic

Grist Mill Restaurant - 44 Mill Lane, Farmington. Here you can expect always- delicious European and American cuisine served in one of the state’s most picturesque settings — a 1640 gristmill overlooking a waterfall on the Farmington River. Crisp white tablecloths and professional service are trademarks. Recipient of Zagat’s Distinction award and a top rating by The NY Times. 860-676-8855

Ann Howard’s Apricots - 1593 Farmington Ave., Farmington. At Apricots, the seasoned staff operates with quiet aplomb, consistently turning out expertly prepared specialties like rack of lamb, swordfish and delicious desserts for the sophisticated crowd of devotees. 860-673-540

La Trattoria - Brass Lantern Rd./Rte. 44, Avon. Angelo Bettera and family have operated this polished Valley classic that has satisfied more than three generations with excellent traditional Italian dishes, twin-lobsters and other seasonal specials as well as absolutely professional service. 860-673-5000

Papacelle - Avon — See Our Finds.

Fiddlers on the Roof - Simsbury — See Our Finds.

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Our Picks Casual

* The Village Café and Bistro - Canton Village Plaza, 220 Albany Tpke., Canton. No corner cutting here, except on price. The shiny, simply furnished spot turns out three major league meals daily starting with coffee and eggs and topping out with plates like encrusted fish and prime rib with flavor-filled mashed potatoes for dinner (house wine $4). In between, a superb Lobster bisque, exceptional salads and hearty sandwiches join the all-star line-up. The web reviewers are screaming: “Wow!” “Yum!,” “Wicked delicious!,” “Wonderful value!”, “If you haven’t eaten here your nuts!.” 860-693-4302

Portobello’s - 107 Main St., Rte. 44, New Hartford. It’s refreshing to get out of the “red zone” along Rte. 44 for this Friday night favorite of ours. Take a hike down the pike any night, (actually a five-minute drive from Canton Village), and you’ll get down-home, well prepared Italian meals here on the border (of New Hartford) that satisfy your appetite and usually leave enough to take home. It’s family friendly, budget friendly and turns out a huge menu of remarkably tasty Italian standards, big salads, burgers, grinders, pizzas, daily specials, you name it. Nice bar with a good variety of wines and beers. 860-693-2598

Cassille’s - 232 Spielman Hwy., Burlington. When you’re tired, hungry and bored with the “same old stuff,” and craving a great meal at a fair price, this is where to go. Its huge selection of menu items has something to appeal to every taste: pizza, grinders, veal, seafood, pasta, steaks, prime rib and salads. 860-673-4337
Apollo Restaurant, 775 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury. The Gods from Delphi have decreed a new life for this once old-line Greek pizza and pasta joint. Specials like scrod with artichoke hearts, and grilled rib eye join the standard Greek/Italian offerings. 860-651-3306

* Elizabeth’s - 32 Main St., Tariffville Center. The menu is primary Italian, an ambitious variety of appetizers, soups, salads pastas, chicken, veal and seafood. There are 19 wines by the glass at the vintage village storefront. Recession-proof prices and a Kids’ menu to boot. 860-651-4214

* Tower View Pizza - Riverdale Farms, Avon. Goes far beyond pizza and grinders with a nice selection of Italian dinners including Chicken Marsala, Fettuccini Alfredo, Veal Parmigiana and Shrimp Primavera. Open M-F until 10:30, Saturday ‘til 11. And they deliver! 860-677-7993

First & Last Tavern - Avon — See Our Finds

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Our Picks Pizza

Little City Pizza - 926 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury. Soccer Moms and hockey Dads always know what’s best for their kids and that’s why they bring them here (or grab take-out). Excellent thin-crust pizzas, good grinders, home-style soups, satisfying salads, daily lunch and dinner specials and some beer and wine for the parents. 860-658-4001

* Joe Pizza - 140 Albany Tpke., Rte. 44, Canton. How can you go wrong at a place where Pizza is the owner’s last name. The Joe Pizza, New Haven style, is a thin-crusted knockout. The Joe Burger is a two-fisted, hand-slammed, downright primitive hunk of fresh meat at a prehistoric price. The indescribable, kitsch-inspired décor doesn’t deter faithful fans. 860-693-1265

Luna Pizza - 530 Bushy Hill Rd., Simsbury. Luna is a legend in the pizza world around here. Consistently outstanding reviews from everybody for their thin-crust pies made with fresh ingredients. Eat in, take out, or delivery. 860-651-1820

Harry’s Bishops Corner Pizza - Bishops Corner, next to Waldbaums, West Hartford. Let’s forget about famous pizza man Harry for at least a few minutes. This place has people raving about it for one reason — the pizza is absolutely terrific. They keep it simple, no long list of fancy-Dan combos. Seasonal specials this fall were layered with fresh tomatoes, basil and red peppers from nearby Rosedale Farm — whole wheat dough if you want; 21 bottles of wine are priced from $10 (yes!) to $17; pitchers of beer for $11. Expect a wait on nights near the weekend. 860-236-0400

Naples Pizza - 838 Farmington Ave, Farmington. Generations of Miss Porter’s students can’t be wrong: This is the real deal — top of the line pies (New York style), nice salads, calzones. 860-674-8876

New England Pizza - 518 Salmon Brook St., Granby. Granby folks seem to always end up at this homey place when they don’t want to cook at home. Why should they? The pizza, pasta, seafood specials and generous dinner entrees here are better than homemade! 860-653-4447

Flatbread Company - The Shoppes, 110 Albany Tpke. Canton. It’s a repro package of the Vermont-born American Flatbread Company that somehow landed in this national brand plaza. The scene is simple, like a campground picnic area with a wood-fired pizza oven. Almost everything is organic and fair trade. Usually it’s “all good.” When sometimes it’s not so good, the eager young staff makes it all better. 860-693-3314

ABC Pizza - 10 Hartford Ave., Granby Center. Granby’s original pizza house continues to please after all these years with dependable pizza, great grinders, daily specials, and the plethora of owner Ralph Johnson’s baseball memorabilia. 860-653-2025

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Our Picks Pubs

Cambridge House Brew Pub - 357 Salmon Brook St., Rte. 10, Granby. New owners have corralled this hip roadhouse that has attracted more than a bevy of regulars in its six-year stint. Best known for their big selection of award-winning house-made brews, they also have an impressive selection of great pub food favorites that make it a good choice for families and groups of friends or just a lonely soul trying to find a friend or watch a game. 860-653-2739

Grist Mill Tavern - 44 Mill Lane, at The Grist Mill Restaurant, Farmington. The cozy, tavern room at the 1645 landmark restaurant sits above the river offering tasty contemporary pub fare along with three-course specials for under 20 bucks. 860-676-8855

Plan B - 4 Railroad St., Simsbury. As the owners’ manifesto, printed on the back of the 70-offering craft-brew menu also informs you, their burgers are never round and never square, but always irregular in shape. They can be pink or mini if you want. With more than a dozen types, from Classic to Cuban, nobody builds a better burger. 860-658-4477

Cracker Barrel Pub - 30 Main St., Tariffville. A Tariffville institution with its big, boisterous bar, informal dining room and comfortable deck draws an eclectic crowd from here and there, between and beyond. Some good grub for lunch and dinner. Fifteen beers by the pitcher. 860-651-0598

Maple Tree Café - 781 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury. This venerable venue for great blues and excellent grub rolls on with a big deck and party room and a big menu of Greek, Italian and dressed-up comfort food. Eat, drink, dance — whatever. 860-651-1297

Crown and Hammer - 3 Depot St., Collinsville. Housed in the miniature old wooden Collinsville train station, this is a neat spot to rendezvous with friends, a craft beer and juicy burger or sample from the well-done contemporary-working-person’s menu that offers such things as fried battered green tomatoes, crab cakes and zuppa de clams and lobster tortillas. 860-693-9199

Apricots Pub - 1593 Farmington Ave., Farmington. This Euro-style pub, downstairs from Apricots Restaurant, is a commuter oasis that can serve some of the tastiest comfort food around. Meatloaf, chicken potpie, grilled fish and shepherd’s pie are among the highlights. 860-673-5405

The Olive Bar - 9 School St., Rte. 4, Unionville Center. The old reliable George’s Pizza has spawned this “Cheers” bar with reliable food, a constant flow of good drinks and live music that doesn’t interfere with continuous conversation about life’s good, bad and unresolved. As they say, it takes a pizza place to raise a child but you need a pub to keep him happy. 860-673-0421

Old Well Tavern - Simsbury — See Our Finds.

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Our Picks Upscale Contemporary

Bosc Kitchen and Wine Bar - 136 Simsbury Rd. at Riverdale Farms, Avon. There’s a lot being offered here besides the main menu that includes NY sirloin, sea bass with pecans served with asparagus, spinach, smoked gouda and prosciutto stuffed chicken breast – there’s an extensive list of fine wines, hip music, lovely outdoor patio, a light fare menu and a nice little wine bar. It’s sheltered in a restored barn with French country décor. 860-676-2672

Max-a-Mia - 70 E. Main St., Avon. Consistently excellent food and superior service are the hallmarks of this very popular Valley veteran. The comfortable, trendy neo-Tuscan menu ranges from salads and stone pies to grilled steaks and veal chops. The bar is the place to be seen for Valley professionals and their friends. 860-677-6299

Metro Bis - 928 Hopmeadow St., Simsburytown Shops, Simsbury. A consistently top-rated American bistro where acclaimed Chef Chris Prosperi creates a menu drawing from the latest culinary trends. 860-651-1908

The Mill at 2T - Tariffville — See Our Finds.

Abigail’s - Simsbury — See Our Finds.

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