newsandviewsjb

NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts from the “Restaurants” Category

Destination: Union Street Tavern in Historic Windsor, Connecticut’s First English Settlement

Posted on February 27, 2014

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb  Union Street Tavern is an ever increasingly popular American-style eatery located in one of Windsor’s original firehouses in the heart of Connecticut’s oldest town – settled in 1633. Patrons can expect a line at peak hours but it tends to move quickly – this is a good time to take in the Windsor firefighter memorabilia that fill the walls, and the vintage decor including a beautiful, fine wood early 20th Century bar. There are two floors with the upper level overlooking the downstairs and there is an outdoor patio. Take notice too of the multiple “Best of Advocate” awards in the front lobby. The restaurant has become known also for hosting the Tavern Trot each September to…

Destination: Sisters Making a Success of Center Perk in Manchester, CT

Posted on October 18, 2013

Story & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Downtown Manchester, Connecticut has gotten perkier in recent months. On June 6th, sisters Kim Barnett and Christine Bedrossian opened Center Perk,  a breakfast and lunch restaurant on 639 Main Street just across from Center Memorial Park. They are running it with help from two more sisters Donna and Kim, as well as, a cadre of other family members.   “There are eight siblings, six girls and two boys. We’re from Manchester, so when we decided to do this we decided we wanted to do it here,” said Kim during an October 13 interview.           Kim had tried a similar venture in Glastonbury but it did not pan out. Having her sister as a…

National Hot Dog Day is Tuesday! July 23, 2013

Posted on July 22, 2013

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Long, short, plump, skinny, all-beef or not, hot dogs are an American favorite. So much so that the iconic food has its own day – National Hot Dog Day will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 23. Virtually every American community has a special spot where a unique version of the hot dog is served. In Connecticut, one of the best can be found at Bart’s Drive In Restaurant at 55 Palisado Avenue in Windsor, located on the banks of the Farmington River and just a few miles from the capital city of Hartford. Bart’s Famous Hot Dogs are prepared on the Magic Grill that has been pleasing palates in Central Connecticut and beyond for more than sixty-five…

Destination: Willington Pizza House in Willington, Connecticut

Posted on June 30, 2013

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Willington Pizza House in Willington, Connecticut is the kind of extraordinary restaurant travelers hope to stumble upon. Having stacked up numerous awards and having been featured in the New York Times and on “Good Morning America” and “CBS This Morning”, the specialty pizzas here are legendary. On Route 32, about a mile and a half from the University of Connecticut Storrs campus, it is a favorite eating place for some of UCONN’s biggest sports stars as evidenced by an array of photos on the walls showing the well-known athletes and television sportscasters with restaurant owner Jeff Kelly. Located in a 250-year-old converted farmhouse, the long light gray building with red and white trimmed exterior has a quaint…

Destination: Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale in Westbrook, Connecticut

Posted on May 16, 2013

Write -Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        …

Destination: After Second Storm Dock & Dock in Old Saybrook CT Rebuilding – Again

Posted on May 2, 2013

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb This time of year is when my sisters and I would have been making Mother’s Day reservations at Dock & Dine in Old Saybrook, CT. In fact, we brought Mom there for the last Mother’s Day we spent together before she passed away in 2010. Since then the restaurant, which is located right on the waterfront of the Connecticut River as it enters Long Island Sound, has sustained extreme damage from two storms – first from Hurricane Irene and then a few months ago from Storm Sandy, which devastated much of the United States’ northeastern shoreline. Having heard that the owners of Dock & Dine were rebuilding for the second time, we decided this past weekend to…

Destination: Publick House Sturbridge, Massachusetts

Posted on March 31, 2013

  Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the trademark “Yankee Hospitality” of the Publick House in Sturbridge, Massachusetts was evident from the moment of arrival during a recent visit to Ebenezer’s Tavern. Located in the center of town across from Sturbridge Commons, the magnificent looking, white structure that houses the historic inn and country lodge, is a testament to the beauty of Colonial style architecture. According to the Publick House website, a tall elm just outside was planted in 1791 by Col. Ebenezer Crafts.   Post and beam ceilings, wide plank floors and an open hearth are part of the decor. Successfully blending the ambience of a past era and a relaxed atmosphere with…

Destination: On St. Patrick’s Day A Return Visit To Rein’s (Ryan’s) Deli

Posted on March 17, 2013

Notation: March 17, 2015 Rein’s is offering its traditional St. Patrick’s Day dinner again this year.   Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   A New York style deli may seem to be an unlikely choice for dining out on St. Patrick’s Day but not when it comes to Rein’s Deli in Vernon, Connecticut. Each March 17th and for a few days before the ever popular Rein’s takes to heart the saying that everyone is a little bit Irish this time of year and transforms itself into “Ryan’s Deli” complete with green decorations, some green shirted waistaff and most importantly – a sizable corned beef and cabbage dinner.   For those in search of a traditional St. Patrick’s Day corned beef & cabbage…

Destination: Dad’s Restaurant on Main Street in Niantic,CT

Posted on June 15, 2012

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb What a great treat for dad on Father’s Day to visit Dad’s Restaurant in Niantic, Connecticut.  Not far from Rocky Neck State Park, Dad’s is a terrific seafood and burger shack perched on a small hill directly across from the ocean. It has two outdoor decks and inside the ocean breeze floats through screened windows across the picnic tabled dining area. Colorful, ocean themed decor creates a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Husband and wife Pete and Debbie Salomonson run this place with an attentiveness to their customers that sets a tone for the friendliness of the entire staff. “My wife is the owner. I work for her,” said Pete during a recent weekend stop. Approaching its 50th anniversary,…

Destination: Bart’s Restaurant & The Beanery Windsor, Connecticut

Posted on January 6, 2012

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com  Bart’s Drive-In Restaurant in Windsor, Connecticut is a friendly place where new and familiar faces are welcomed with warmth. “Cruise back in time” at Bart’s – the deep turquoise walls and garage front doors are a homage to the era of hot rods and rock&roll. Opened year-round, Bart’s Magic Grill has been pleasing palates for more than six decades transforming what began as a hot dog stand in 1946 into a local institution. The Beanery Bistro at Bart’s is an added attraction sharing the restaurant’s location for the last three years on the banks of the beautiful Farmington River at 55 Palisado Avenue, offering gourmet coffee, signature sandwiches and yummy baked goods. “The walls are this color intentionally,”said part-owner…