MARCH 11, 2018 —The farm-to-table food market has been trending upwards in gentrified cities such as New York for more than a decade. And while consumers’ appetites for farm-to-table products almost seems insatiable, transporting those goods from their sources in and around Long Island Sound, Upstate New York or New Jersey to the shelves and tables of local restaurants, groceries, delis and specialty stores hasn’t been so easy. Getting corn or potatoes by truck from North Shore farms near Glen Cove or wine from vineyards on the North Folk of Long Island to city restaurants and grocery stores can be a traffic nightmare, fighting hours of congestion along snarled regional highways, bridges, tunnels, and local roads.

But a Norwalk, CT, specialty grocery store, deli, and farmers market is blazing a new trail to change all that. Harbor Harvest, which sells locally sourced fresh veggies, artisan products, in-house butchered meats, and dairy foods to local restaurants, plans to move the transport of those goods from the road to the water. To do this, it will build and operate a fleet of battery-powered cargo vessels to connect to ports in Connecticut and New York. Harbor Harvest held a keel laying ceremony on February 23 for the first of what could be as many as three 65 ft x 21 ft hybrid all-aluminum cargo vessels at Derecktor Shipyards in Mamaroneck, NY. The boat will be fitted with a BAE Systems’ HybriDrive Marine Propulsion System from BAE Systems, along with an energy storage system and Cummins diesel generators. The first of its kind to be built in the U.S., the hybrid cargo vessel will be part of a new sustainable marine cargo transport network on Long Island Sound and the Hudson River.

The visionary force behind the new short sea shipping project is Bob Kunkel, who along with Ernie Marsan, are owners of Harbor Harvest. When he’s not selecting produce at local farms or butchering meat at Harbor Harvest, Kunkel is President of Alternative Marine Technologies (AMTECH), a firm that supports shipowners in alternative energy and propulsion projects. A Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduate, Kunkel also served for five years as the Federal Chairman of the Short Sea Shipping Cooperative Program under the Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the Department of Transportation (DOT). He also has decades of ship construction experience, including stints at General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, CA, and South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), and is a senior member of the Special Committee on Ship Operation with ABS and an elected member of the NCB.

“This is going to be the first hybrid cargo vessel ever built in the United States,†said Kunkel at the keel laying ceremony. “It is going to be done with the assistance of the Maritime Administration and the Department of Transportation, who is now putting us as a designated project in the Marine Highway program.â€

The aim of the Marine Highway program is to reduce landside congestion, lower transportation-related emissions, and increase the use of domestic marine transportation by supporting the development of transportation options for shippers. MARAD currently has an “Open Season†period for Marine Highway project submission until December 31, 2018.

Eligible projects may be designated as Marine Highway Projects by the Secretary of Transportation. Being designated a Marine Highway Project allows the DOT resources to be used to assist public project sponsors, ports and other local transportation or economic development agencies in the development of Marine Highway projects.

Economic benefits to region
But Kunkel also pointed out that the economic benefits of the project to the regional Connecticut-New York economy go well beyond its shipbuilding and ship operations components. And that was readily apparent from the broad spectrum of guests that were on hand at the ceremony, which included local restaurateurs, chefs, bakers and artisans, investors Pace Ralli and Magnus Tangen of Clean Marine Energy, and Per Heidenreich, Managing Partner of private equity firm Heidenreich Enterprises L.P., hybrid propulsion supplier Dave Adamiak, Senior Manager, Business Development, Power & Propulsion Solutions, BAE Systems, Evan Matthews, Executive Director, Connecticut Port Authority, and Tim Pickering, Operations Development Manager, Office of Marine Highways, MARAD, and Capt. Jeff Flumignan, Director, North Atlantic Gateway, MARAD. Many of those on hand were recognized by Kunkel with special wooden planks showing the outboard profile of the hybrid vessel.

Transforming shipping
The ship’s sponsor was Bob’s wife, Marilyn. Her initials were welded into the vessel’s keel as part of the ceremony.

Speaking to those in attendance, Micah Tucker, Vice President of New Construction & Engineering, Derecktor Shipyards, said the project would transform the shipping industry in a number of ways. “First way, it puts shipping back in the hands of small business and reinforces that entrepreneurial spirit. Second way, it ensures that local farms and artisan businesses have a bright future and are able to expand beyond their local municipalities and current means of doing business. And lastly, it transforms the shipping industry to a more responsible, economically sustainable, and environmentally friendly method of doing business.â€

The Harbor Harvest vessel is the third in a series of hybrid propulsion catamarans built by Derecktor Shipyards. The Harbor Harvest vessel is similar to the first two Incat Crowther-designed research vessels in the series, except that it has been modified to enable it to transport 12,000 pounds of cargo, including 9,000 pounds of refrigerated cargo in storage and 3,000 pounds on deck.

Prior to the construction of the Harbor Harvest boat, Derecktor Shipyards delivered the CUNY I, a research vessel (shown at left; image courtesy of BAE Systems) for the City University of New York’s Brooklyn College. The 65 ft CUNY I is powered by a BAE Systems’ HybriDrive diesel-electric hybrid system, and has a state-of-the-art lab. The boat is built to comply with U.S. Coast Guard Subchapter T regulations for small passenger vessels.

Electric power is supplied by a set of Corvus lithium ion batteries, and propulsion is via articulating drives powered by two electric motors.

The City University of New York (CUNY), in collaboration with the Science and Resilience Institute at Jamaica Bay, will use the vessel for research of the Jamaica Bay area, as well as Long Island Sound.

The first hybrid vessel built by Derecktor Shipyards was the M/V Spirit of the Sound for the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.

The Harbor Harvest boat is expected to be faster than its predecessors, reaching speeds of up to 15 knots. It will also have the capability to be recharged at the dock during loading and offloading operations.

*Originally published in the March 2018 issue of Marine Log as “The Birth of Sustainable Shipping, Keel laid for first hybrid cargo vessel in U.S., which would be key component of new sustainable marine cargo transport network.”

Original article

The results are in! We’re revealing the best places to dine out in the state, as chosen by readers and a panel of food experts. The response we received was excellent, and our lists are bigger than ever, with more categories and more winners.

Our Experts’ Picks are below, and for more great places to eat check out our 2018 Readers’ Choice winners. Dig in! 

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Best for Overall Excellence

Aranci 67, Wilton • Arethusa al tavolo, Bantam • Aspen, Old Saybrook • The Cottage, Westport • Fresh Salt, Old Saybrook • Millwright’s, Simsbury • Present Company, Simsbury • Shu, West Hartford/Fairfield • Union League Cafe, New Haven • The Whelk, Westport • The White Hart, Salisbury • Zinc, New Haven

“The Cottage in Westport is not as tiny as it used to be but still very intimate in its hard-to-see location on the Post Road. Do whatever you have to in order to make the discovery. Chef Brian Lewis is turning out what may be the most stunning food anywhere in Connecticut.â€Â â€” Douglas Clement, Edible Nutmegcontributor, former Connecticut Magazine editor and writer

Arethusa al tavolo: “Hands down the best dining experience in Litchfield County. Award-winning Arethusa cheese is made just around the corner, and the famous cows producing all the dairy served here live just up the road.â€Â â€” Lora Karam and Beverley Canepari, Unlocking Litchfield and Unlocking Fairfield

Zinc: “Great food and service aside, the atmosphere is ideal for a romantic night out in the Elm City.â€Â â€” Marisa Nadolny, The Day food writer

Jesup Hall: “Even locals already familiar with Bill Taibe’s funky brand of culinary magic might be surprised to learn what he can do with a burger. The double-patty options served here, piled with zesty pickles, bubbling with artisanal cheeses, and sandwiched between lofty onion buns, manage to elevate the form.â€Â Â â€” Sarah Gold, former New York Times dining critic

“Osa is chef Matt Wick’s love letter to Connecticut and hospitality. He pours his soul into the food, starting with the ingredients he either forages himself, or sources from top local producers. Tip: Share a few of the wood-fired small plates and a bottle of one of their delightful Italian wines.â€Â Â â€” Alycia Chrosniak, cteatsout.com founder and editor in chief

Best New

Amis Trattoria, Westport • Butchers & Bakers, Farmington • The Cook & The Bear, West Hartford  • Cricket Car Hop, Stratford • Goats N’ Roses, Marlborough • Grass & Bone, Mystic • Himalaya Cafe, Old Saybrook • Jesup Hall, Westport • Kala Bistro, North Haven • Republic at the Linden, Hartford • Osa, Middletown • Shakahari, Old Saybrook • Taproot, Bethel • V’s Trattoria, Hartford • Zohara Mediterranean Kitchen, West Hartford

Cricket Car Hop: “My childhood spot that had closed and recently returned!â€Â â€” Daym Drops (Daymon Patterson), YouTube food critic

Goats N’ Roses: “This place is in a category of its own — delicious food, outdoor movies, and a duck and peacock that are best friends. This place is next level.â€Â Â â€” Chef Plum, host of Restaurant Road Trip on News 8

Grass & Bone: “Remarkable sandwiches with otherworldly ingredients.†— Michael Lee-Murphy, Connecticut Magazine writer

“Zohara filled a huge void in Hartford County for Middle Eastern cuisine beyond falafel and gyros. Dozens of small-plate options entice you to graze from across the menu. Try the meshta (“feastâ€) for an expansive tasting that will have you eating leftovers for days.â€Â Â â€” Nick Caito, Rhode Island Beverage Journal, formerly of the Hartford Courant and Hartford Magazine 

Best American

The Blue Hound Cookery & Taproom, Ivoryton • Good News Cafe, Woodbury • The Goose American Bistro & Bar, Darien • Jesup Hall, Westport • Match, Norwalk • Mill Street Bar & Table, Greenwich • Moxie, Madison • Red 36, Mystic • Republic at the Linden, Hartford • The Spread, Norwalk

Moxie: “They have really stepped up their game. Roasted marrow bones with cherry compote was a standout. Great bartenders.â€Â â€” Robert Rabine, ShoreLine Times food writer

Best Indian 

Coromandel Cuisine, Newtown/Darien/Orange/Southport/Stamford • House of Naan, New Haven • INDIA, West Hartford • Indigo Indian Bistro, Manchester • Kolam, Newtown • Naatiya Indian Restaurant, Bloomfield • Priya Indian Cuisine, Rocky Hill • Tikkaway Grill, New Haven • Utsav Indian Cuisine, Wethersfield 

Best French

Àvert Brasserie, West Hartford • Bistro Versailles, Greenwich • Le Fat Poodle, Old Greenwich • Le Petit Café, Branford • Luc’s, Ridgefield • Present Company, Simsbury • Sucre Sale, Ridgefield • Union League Cafe, New Haven

Luc’s: “Luc’s — my French bistro love. The vibe, the eats, the feeling like you’re not in Fairfield County are always a winner. All about the mussels and the steak frite, oh, and the cassoulet, too.â€Â â€” Alicia Ghio, Local Food Rocks founder and writer, Tribuna newspaper culinary columnist

Best Chef

Tyler Anderson, Millwright’s, Simsbury • Carlos Baez, The Spread and El Segundo, Norwalk • Bun Lai, Miya’s, New Haven • Geoff Lazlo, Mill Street Bar & Table, Greenwich • Brian Lewis, The Cottage, Westport • Jeffrey Lizotte, Present Company, Simsbury • Dan Magill, Arethusa al tavolo, Bantam • Bill Taibe, Jesup Hall, The Whelk and Kawa Ni, Westport • Jeff Taibe, Taproot, Bethel • James Wayman, Oyster Club, Mystic • Matt Wick, Osa, Middletown

Best Italian 

Alforno Ristorante & Brick Oven Pizzeria, Old Saybrook • Aranci 67, Wilton • Ballo Italian Restaurant, Mohegan Sun • Bar Sugo, Norwalk • Carbone’s Ristorante, Hartford • La Marea Ristorante, Old Saybrook • La Tavola Ristorante, Waterbury • La Zingara, Bethel • Luce, Middletown • O.C. Kitchen-Bar, Rocky Hill • Olives and Oil, New Haven • Restaurant Bricco, West Hartford • Roma Ristorante Italiano, Oakville • Salute, Hartford • Tarry Lodge, New Haven/Westport • Treva, West Hartford

Aranci 67: “With house-made pasta, creative daily specials and some of the best desserts I’ve ever had, Aranci 67 continues to impress with its old-school, flavor-over-flash menu.â€Â â€” Erik Ofgang, Connecticut Magazine senior writer

Best Latin American/Spanish 

Cactus Rose, Wilton • Chango Rosa, Hartford • Cibus, Stratford • Costa del Sol, Hartford • Crave, Ansonia • Olea, New Haven • Planeta Brazil, Danbury • Rubamba, New Haven • Valencia Luncheria, Norwalk

Crave: “The Latino twists to New American food make diners smile and want to come back for more.â€Â­â€” Gary Stoller, shortescapes.net publisher

Best Mexican 

Baja’s, Orange • Don Carmelo’s Mexican Grill & Tequila Bar, Norwalk • El Mercado, Hartford • El Paso, Plainville • Mexicali Rose, Newtown • Papaya Mexican Grill, Danbury • Rincon Taqueria, Norwalk • Sayulita, Glastonbury • Taqueria Mexico, Wallingford

Papaya Mexican Grill: “Hole-in-the-wall family joint with some of the best tacos around.â€Â â€” Alicia Ghio, Local Food Rocks founder and writer, Tribuna newspaper culinary columnist

Best Middle Eastern/Mediterranean 

Ambrosia, Cromwell • Lebanese Cuisine, Bethel • Midpoint Istanbul Fine Dining, New Haven • Mykonos Mediterranean Restaurant, Newington • Noujaim’s Bistro, Winsted • Tangiers International Market, Hartford • Zohara, West Hartford

Ambrosia: “Little restaurant with crepes made right there, a nice staff, and great Greek iced coffee.â€Â â€” Jenna Kijowski and Jessica Bishop, CT Ain’t So Bad

Best Asian 

Asian Bistro, Rocky Hill • Great Taste, New Britain • Ki Asian Bistro & Sushi, Danbury • Midori, Hamden • Shu, West Hartford and Fairfield • Taste of China, Clinton/New Haven • Toro, Newtown

Shu: “Tucked away in a strip mall by an Asian supermarket in West Hartford, Shu delivers high-quality Szechuan food like no other restaurant in Connecticut. Flavors are intense but well balanced, and stand worlds apart from the usual cadre of Chinese restaurants. A second location is in Fairfield.â€Â â€” Nick Caito, Rhode Island Beverage Journal, formerly of the Hartford Courant and Hartford Magazine

Best Pho/Ramen 

Kawa Ni, Westport • Mecha Noodle Bar, Fairfield/Norwalk/New Haven • Nom-eez, Bridgeport • Pho 501, East Hartford • Pho Boston, West Hartford • Pho Vietnam, Danbury • Ramen-Ya, Berlin

Pho Vietnam: “This small BYOB restaurant is always packed for good reason. One of the original pho hot spots in Connecticut, it was opened by Tony Pham before he partnered with Richard Reyes on the Mecha Noodle Bar concept. Though it lacks the flair of Mecha Noodle Bar, it has the same great flavors!â€â€” Erik Ofgang, Connecticut Magazine senior writer

Best Sushi 

Hana Sushi, Manchester • Ki Asian Bistro & Sushi, Danbury • Miya’s, New Haven • Sushi Red, Plainville • Toro, Newtown • Yokohama, New Milford

Miya’s: “What chef/owner Bun Lai has done in the sustainable food scene is impressive. What he does with his menu is impossible. Yet he does it — and does it like no one else on Earth.†— Steve Wood, ctmq.org founder and writer

Best Roadside

Blackie’s Hot Dogs, Cheshire • Capitol Lunch, New Britain • Clam Castle, Madison • Clamp’s Hamburger Stand, New Milford • Costello’s Clam Shack, Noank • El Pollo Guapo, Wethersfield • Heibeck’s Stand, Wilton • K LaMay’s Steamed Cheeseburgers, Meriden • Merritt Canteen, Bridgeport • Rawley’s Drive-In, Fairfield • Super Duper Weenie, Fairfield • Ted’s Restaurant, Meriden

Super Duper Weenie: “Long before food-truck fare attained hipster cred, Gary Zemola was preaching — and practicing — the gospel of carefully sourced, fastidiously crafted fast food: namely hot dogs, french fries, and relishes and condiments he makes himself in house. There’s a reason why people like me keep coming back, decade after decade, and wait like vultures for our orders to emerge from Gary’s grill: Nothing tastes as good.â€Â â€” Sarah Gold, former New York Times dining critic

Best Deli 

A&S Italian Fine Foods, Fairfield • Bradley & Wall Gourmet Foods, Madison • Coffees Country Market, East Lyme • D&D Market, Wethersfield • Gaetano’s, Stratford/Monroe/Westport • Harbor Harvest, Norwalk • Katz’s Deli, Woodbridge • Kensington Market, Berlin • Rein’s Deli, Vernon • Rosa’s Deli, Wallingford • Sierra Delicatessen, Norwalk • The Underground Deli, New Britain • Wilton Deli, Wilton

A&S Italian Fine Foods: “A zillion sandwiches are on the menu, and they stack them high whether you ask for cold cuts or veggies. The salads are simple and delicious, and the meats are so attractive that you will wind up bringing some home for dinner or the freezer.â€Â â€” Gary Stoller, shortescapes.net publisher

Gaetano’s: “Gaetano’s is the perfect Italian deli. Select from an overhead menu of sandwich options and you can’t go wrong, but dream up anything you want, and you can have it. The prepared food case is stocked with pasta dishes, cured olives, stuffed filets, and anything else they feel like making, and the shelves are lined with ingredients for Italian cooking. Get the Mecoman sub and thank me later.â€â€” James Gribbon, ctbites.com contributor

Best Food Truck

Chief Brody’s Banh Mi, New Haven • Eggz, Bethel • The Green Grunion, Danbury • HAPA, Stamford • La Patrona, New Haven • The Meat Truck, New Haven • Mexcalli, New Haven • Munchies Food Truck, New London • Nosh Hound, Stamford • Rice and Beans, Danbury • The Whey Station, Middletown

La Patrona: “my North, my South, my East and West, / My working week and Sunday rest, / My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song.â€Â â€” Michael Lee-Murphy (by way of poet W.H. Auden), Connecticut Magazine writer

Best Beer Bar 

@ The Corner, Litchfield • b Restaurants, Fairfield/Glastonbury/Milford/Simsbury/Stamford/West Hartford • Barcade, New Haven • The Beer Collective, New Haven • The Blind Rhino, Norwalk • Brewport, Bridgeport • Cask Republic, New Haven • Coalhouse Pizza, Stamford • Craft 260, Fairfield • Eli Cannon’s Tap Room, Middletown • The Hops Company, Derby • J. Timothy’s Taverne, Plainville • McLadden’s, West Hartford/Simsbury • MiKro Beer Bar, Hamden • My Place Pizza and Restaurant, Newtown

Eli Cannon’s Tap Room: “It’s a bar. It has … ‘character.’ And it has perhaps the best and most expansive (without being too expansive) and consistently great tap list in the state.â€Â â€” Steve Wood, ctmq.org founder and writer

Best Cocktails 

116 Crown, New Haven • Bin 228, Glastonbury • Cure, Unionville • The Essex, Essex • Geronimo, Fairfield/New Haven • Jesup Hall, Westport • Little River Restoratives, Hartford • M/BAR, Mystic • Match, Norwalk • Ordinary, New Haven

Cure: “Man, the cocktail program here reminds me of something that would be in NYC. You can also get a bacon flight. Yup, winner, winner.â€Â â€” Chef Plum, host of Restaurant Road Trip on News 8

116 Crown: “Toward the far south end of Crown Street, away from the clubs, theaters and most foot traffic is a cocktail bar worth the walk. Herbs and aromatics sit atop a softly glowing alabaster bar, and the cocktail options run from subtle to bracing and bold to those for professionals. Among the latter is the Chantme: gin and chartreuse with a peaty scotch float that’s like a vaccination against the mundane.â€Â â€” James Gribbon, ctbites.com contributor

Best Barbecue

Bear’s Smokehouse Barbecue, Hartford/Windsor/South Windsor • Chango Rosa, Hartford • Chester’s Barbecue, Groton/Clinton • The Cue, Danbury • Hoodoo Brown BBQ, Ridgefield • Nat’s Real Pit BBQ, Windsor (closed as of June 2018) • Smokin’ with Chris, Southington • The Stand, Branford • Taino Smokehouse, Middletown

Hoodoo Brown BBQ: “Often times at barbecue joints, places have a few good smoked meat offerings, but everything that comes off the smoker at ‘The Brown Residence’ is killer, especially the cracklin’ skin pork belly and their juicy, salt and coarse pepper-rubbed brisket.â€Â â€” Andrew Dominick, Westchester Magazine and ctbites.com writer

Best Burgers

b Restaurants, Fairfield/Glastonbury/Milford/Simsbury/Stamford/West Hartford • The Beer Collective, New Haven • Bobby’s Burger Palace, Mohegan Sun • GoldBurgers, Newington • Harlan Publick, Norwalk • Harlan Social, Stamford • Haywire Burger Bar, Westbrook • Jack Rabbits, Old Saybrook • Louis’ Lunch, New Haven • Match, Norwalk • Prime 16, New Haven/Orange • Republic at the Linden, Hartford • The Spread, Norwalk • Ted’s Restaurant, Meriden

Republic at the Linden: “All those choices… I love the chorizo burger … sooo good. And the place is just stunningly gorgeous! Shout out to chef Wolf!â€Â â€” Chef Plum, host of Restaurant Road Trip on News 8

Best Steak

Barbarie’s Black Angus, Danbury • The Capital Grille, Hartford/Stamford • David Burke Prime, Foxwoods • Joseph’s Steakhouse, Bridgeport • JV’s Taproom, Plainville • Washington Prime, Norwalk/Redding

Best Tapas/ Small Plates

Aspen, Old Saybrook • Barcelona, New Haven/Fairfield/Norwalk/Stamford/West Hartford • Cafémantic, Willimantic • Costa del Sol, Hartford • El Segundo, Norwalk • Kala Bistro, North Haven • Locali Pizza Bar & Kitchen, New Canaan • Olea, New Haven • Osa, Middletown • Three Sheets, New Haven • Zaragoza, New Milford

“Osa is Chef Matt Wick’s love letter to Connecticut and hospitality. He pours his soul into the food, starting with the ingredients he either forages himself, or sources from top local producers. Tip: Share a few of the wood-fired small plates and a bottle of one of their delightful Italian wines.â€Â â€” Alycia Chrosniak, cteatsout.com founder and editor in chief

Zaragoza, New Milford: “Tapas are the answer to entrée-commitment issues, and Zaragoza is the answer to bored-taste bud problems. We love interesting ingredient combos, and Zaragoza does it so well! Also, the cocktails.â€Â â€” Lora Karam and Beverley Canepari, Unlocking Litchfield and Unlocking Fairfield

Most Romantic 

2 Hopewell, Glastonbury • August, New Haven • The Golden Lamb Buttery, Brooklyn • The Hopkins Inn, Warren • Le Petit Café, Branford • The Mayflower Dining Room, Washington • Millwright’s, Simsbury • ON20, Hartford • Present Company, Simsbury • The Restaurant at Winvian Farm, Morris • Schoolhouse at Cannondale, Wilton • Union League Cafe, New Haven • Vue 24, Foxwoods • The White Hart, Salisbury • Zinc, New Haven

The Restaurant at Winvian Farm: “Carry on with the romanticism at one of their cottages. Just sayin’.â€â€” Lora Karam and Beverley Canepari, Unlocking Litchfield and Unlocking Fairfield

Best Desserts 

Aranci 67, Wilton • Arethusa al tavolo, Bantam • Cavey’s, Manchester • The Drunk Alpaca, Shelton • Flatbread Company, Canton • Forever Sweet Bakery, Norwalk • NoRA Cupcake Company, Middletown • Rooster Co., Newington • Savour Cafe & Bakery, Centerbrook • SoNo Baking Co., Norwalk/Darien • Union League Cafe, New Haven

“The pies and cakes at The Drunk Alpaca are the sort of things I want to eat every day. Everyone always talks about a balanced diet and eating healthy, but the grub that The Drunk Alpaca churns out could probably even convince The Rock to give up on his workout routine, put on 300 pounds and change his name to The Boulder.â€Â â€” Ken Tuccio, host of First Thing on 95.9 The Fox

Best Breakfast/Brunch

Cristy’s, Madison/Westbrook • Dakota Steakhouse, Rocky Hill • Fresh Salt at Saybrook Point Inn, Old Saybrook • King’s, Newtown • The Little Goose, Fairfield • Mill Street Bar & Table, Greenwich • Mothership Bakery & Cafe, Danbury • O’Rourke’s Diner, Middletown • Sahadi’s Hotties, New Britain • Spicy Green Bean, Glastonbury • The Spread, Norwalk • Valencia Luncheria, Norwalk

Valencia Luncheria: “While this is certainly not a traditional brunch, it’s a delicious one. From chorizo omelettes to the utterly addictive green sauce (put it on everything, please) Valencia’s brunch is a great way to start your Sunday morning.â€Â â€” Adeline Crites-Moore, Adeline Jessica Social Media

Best Outdoor Dining 

Abby’s Place, Essex • The Blue Oar, Haddam • Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock, New London • Elm City Social, New Haven • L’Escale, Greenwich • Rooftop 120, Glastonbury • Shad Row, Rocky Hill • Washington Prime, Norwalk/Redding • The Wharf at the Madison Beach Hotel, Madison • White Horse Country Pub and Restaurant, New Preston

The Wharf at the Madison Beach Hotel: “Just gorgeous dining right on the water. Fantastic food. Clean, refreshing, local seafood and more.â€Â â€” Chef Plum, host of Restaurant Road Trip on News 8

Best Vegetarian/Vegan 

Bloodroot, Bridgeport • Claire’s Corner Copia, New Haven • Flora, West Hartford • G-Zen, Branford • Heirloom Food Co., Danielson • ION, Middletown • Shandals Vegetarian Cafe, Bridgeport • The Sweet Beet, Granby • Three Girls Vegan Creamery, Guilford • Udupi Bhavan, Middletown

Best Hidden Gem 

Àvert Brasserie, West Hartford • Bar Bouchée, Madison • Ecco Rooftop Eatery & Bar, Bethel • Edo II, Danbury • Hidden Valley Eatery, Washington Depot • Lebanese Cuisine, Bethel • Miss Barbara Jean’s Soul Food Kitchen, Norwalk • Nouveau Monde Wine Bar + Bistro, Sandy Hook • Oliva on Main, Bethlehem • Pappadella’s Restaurant, Danbury • The Rustic Cafe, East Lyme • Sails Bar & Grill, Rowayton • Shu, West Hartford • Sushi X2, Stamford • Teff, Stamford

Teff: “The Ethiopian and Eritrean menu might not be familiar to the average restaurant goer, but it’s good. Like really good. The staff knows exactly how to educate you on grub that you might not be familiar with, and you find yourself enjoying an entirely different type of experience while longing for more. Great stuff.â€Â â€” Ken Tuccio, host of First Thing on 95.9 The Fox

Best Pizza 

BAR, New Haven • Brick + Wood, Fairfield • Bufalina, Guilford • Butchers & Bakers, Farmington • Camille’s Wood Fired Pizza, Tolland • Colony Grill, Stamford/Fairfield/Milford/Norwalk • Domenick & Pia Downtown Pizzeria, Waterbury • Fat Cat Pie Co., Norwalk • Flatbread Company, Canton • Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, New Haven/Fairfield/Danbury/Manchester/West Hartford/Waterbury/Mohegan Sun • Letizia’s Pizza, Norwalk • Lorenzo’s Restaurant, Sandy Hook • Modern Apizza, New Haven • PizzaCo, Stratford • Sally’s Apizza, New Haven • Zuppardi’s Apizza, West Haven

“Three-way tie: Flatbread Company in Canton, BAR in New Haven and Modern Apizza in New Haven. Besides terrific flatbread/pizza, Flatbread and BAR have great, simple salads, and Flatbread’s desserts are decadent. Fans of Modern swear by a certain kind of pizza; lately, I have been addicted to artichoke and spinach.â€Â â€” Gary Stoller, shortescapes.net publisher

Zuppardi’s Apizza: “With its fresh shucked clams and massive chunks of house-made sausage, Zupps deserves a place among the New Haven-style greats. You can also grab Zuppardi’s pies up the road in Derby at The Hops Company. Or head to the pizzeria’s website and order a six-pack of 10-inch pies that can be customized to your heart’s content and shipped to someone who will treasure every bite.â€Â â€” Albie Yuravich, Connecticut Magazine editor in chief

Best Chicken Wings

The Blind Rhino, Norwalk • Cheek’s Chicken & Waffles, Manchester • Dew Drop Inn, Derby • J. Timothy’s Taverne, Plainville • Smokey O’Grady’s, East Lyme • Walrus + Carpenter, Bridgeport

Best Affordable

Domenick & Pia Downtown Pizzeria, Waterbury • Donahue’s Madison Beach Grille, Madison • Dry Dock Bar & Grille, Norwalk • El Mercado, Hartford • Lucky Taco, Manchester • Mexicali Rose, Newtown • Mindy K Deli & Catering, Old Saybrook • Pepper Pot, Southington

“Dry Dock is my go-to lunch spot. Sit me down, give me a bowl of their killer chili and their Nemo sandwich, I’m a happy man. Plus, it doesn’t break the bank. I don’t need to go take out a personal loan just because I want to eat a meal there twice a week.â€Â â€” Ken Tuccio, host of First Thing on 95.9 The Fox

Best Seafood 

Liv’s Oyster Bar & Restaurant, Old Saybrook • Oyster Club, Mystic • The Place, Guilford • Red 36, Mystic • Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill, New Haven • Stowe’s Seafood, West Haven • Westfair Fish & Chips, Westport • The Whelk, Westport

THE EXPERTS

Nick Caito, Rhode Island Beverage Journal,formerly of the Hartford Courant and Hartford Magazine

Alycia Chrosniak, cteatsout.com founder and editor in chief

Douglas Clement, Edible Nutmeg contributor, former Connecticut Magazine editor and writer

Adeline Crites-Moore, Adeline Jessica Social Media

Andrew Dominick, Westchester Magazine and ctbites.com writer

Daym Drops (Daymon Patterson), YouTube food critic

Alicia Ghio, Local Food Rocks founder and writer, Tribuna newspaper culinary columnist

Sarah Gold, former New York Times dining critic

James Gribbon, ctbites.com contributor

Lora Karam and Beverley Canepari, Unlocking Litchfield and Unlocking Fairfield

Jenna Kijowski and Jessica Bishop, CT Ain’t So Bad

Michael Lee-Murphy, Connecticut Magazine writer

Marisa Nadolny, The Day food writer

Erik Ofgang, Connecticut Magazine senior writer

Chef Plum, host of Restaurant Road Trip on News 8

Robert Rabine, ShoreLine Times food writer

Gary Stoller, shortescapes.net publisher

Ken Tuccio, host of First Thing on 95.9 The Fox

Steve Wood, ctmq.org founder and writer

Albie Yuravich, Connecticut Magazine editor in chief

Original article