It is Early April in the year 2021, and slowly but surely Covid-19 is taking a backseat. Restaurants are opening back up slowly, for now here in New York City inside dining is only up to 50% capacity, but let’s face it, that seems huge after the year we just had. I ate out a few times here and there over the past year, but I have been unemployed, so it was minimal. However, I did go to Connecticut a few times, and there is plenty of good food right there. Here is an account of some of the places I have dined at, and I hope you will love them as much as I did!
Millwright’s Tavern
Do you love Top Chef on Bravo? Then most likely you know the three bears from season 15, consisting of three of the chefs, including Tyler Anderson. These talented chefs were so lovable, I couldn’t get enough, it might have been my favorite season. Lucky for me, Tyler Anderson has a few restaurants in Connecticut, and living here in the Bronx, it’s not that much of a drive.
I drove up with a good friend of mine (what a beautiful drive!), and arrived at Millright’s Tavern with our jaws dropped. Being from NYC, the sheer size of the restaurant was impressive to us! And what a beautiful spot it was! We ended up dining outside on top of a little bridge over a little stream, trickling down from a gorgeous waterfall. It was truly stunning. We ordered our food from a tasting menu, which was extraordinarily inexpensive (at least in my opinion).
Our lineup consisted of Smoked Salmon Rilette, Fisherman’s Ceviche, Glazed Shortrib with zucchini kimchi, SeaCoast Mushrooms with grits, Fluke Escabeche, Beef Tenderloin with cheesy potato puree, and we closed out with Finback Cheese with currants, and a Chocolate Buttermilk Panna Cotta with fresh raspeberries.
I can’t even tell you how much we enjoyed this meal. Every single course, every single plate was not only beautifully plated, but just so delicious. I hardly ever visit a restaurant twice, but we’re already planning another trip up there this summer. Treat yourself, go.
Square Peg Pizzeria
When you think of pizza, anywhere here in the US, then you will automatically think of New York City. Obviously, being that we have the best pizza in America. So who would drive to Connecticut for a pie? That’s right, I would. Tyler Anderson also owns this pizzeria (together with business partner Dante Cistulli and Top Chef Contestant Bruce Kalman). I love the drive up north either way, so my friend and I made a (beautiful) day of it.
At the time of our visit, there was still no inside dining, so we sat at a big table outside under a sun umbrella, and ordered some pizza enjoying the day. My friend is allergic to gluten, so she was so happy to see there were gluten free pizzas available. She had it Margharita style, and absolutely loved it. I ordered a pizza called The Prince of Paramus. It sounded like my cup of tea. And it was. Loaded with tomato sauce, mozzarella, meatballs, mushrooms, and parmesan, it was pure heaven. Not only were these pizzas New York worthy, but with the inside being open, you can now play arcade games and have fun drinks! I’ll be back.
For more info on Square Peg Pizza click here
The Place
Sounds simple enough, right? It really is. No fuss, no fancy dishes, not even a dining room. The Place is an outside dining establishment that specializing in seafood. Everything is cooked on an 18 foot fire pit. You bring your own booze, the food is served on plastic plates, it’s as simple as can be. Absolutely everything here is super fresh, you can basically taste the salt water. We ordered the lobster, mussels, shrimp and BBQ chicken, and loved it all. It’s an experience you shouldn’t miss if you’re in Connecticut! I adore this place.
For more info on The Place click here
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