Just in time for cozy season – 9 fantastic (all very different) restaurants to check out in our Winter Dining Guide. You’ll find new menu delights and holiday vibes you’ll want to bookmark! And yes, we did have to visit each one to sample and take pics.
After all that winter dining “research”, please, please, for the sake of our pants, tell us your favorite fitness spots! We need to “investigate” moving our bodies for our next post!
Cheese and Bread
(Norwalk) This was our first time trying Georgian food (the country, not the state) and we are instant fans right here 🙋🏻♀️🙋♀️. There are so many Cheese & Bread options on the menu (plus so much more to discover)…heaven! We tried the Pkhali Combo (walnutty!), Khacha cheese bread (OMG!), homemade sausage Kupati, Khinkali (dumpling/soup things!) + dessert! Served with Georgian wine…forget about it! 🙌
Vibe: City chic on SoNo’s happening Washington Street. A delicious cultural experience!
The Wharf
(Madison) We love visiting The Wharf inside the Madison Beach Hotel – the Long Island Sound view is gorgeous (all year round), and the food and bevs are excellent! Chef Mo sent out some new + classic menu items he wants you to try when you go; Burrata ravioli, short ribs, and a brioche hot lobster roll. Yum! Say hi to bar manager Boston Mike if you see him, he makes a mean (i.e. awesome) cocktail!
Vibe: Gatsbyesque, classy & comfortable. Fireside dining & housemade desserts.
John’s Café
(Woodbury) John’s Café is a super cozy restaurant (in a super cozy town) we visit often! Chef Dennis knows to get the truffle fries cooking as soon as he sees us 😆. Their pasta is phenom-nom, made in-house daily, and the wine selection pairs perfectly with everything they serve. We had John’s Mesclun salad, Gnocchi alla Vodka, steak & french fries, followed by lick-the-plate dessert.👌
Vibe: Familia-friendly – warm & relaxed new American dining. Check their catering menu for your next party.
Siena Ristorante
(New Haven) Siena Ristorante is located in the beautiful Blake Hotel. It’s a great spot to stop during a downtown New Haven holiday trip, or for after-work drinks & apps! We devoured the Honeynut squash ravioli and Iberico pork chop over ragout (fantastic!), and bar manager Jonathan whipped us up a couple of new cocktail experiences joining the winter menu: Doctor’s Orders and Sherry Cobbler.
Vibe: City-chic, fashionable. Sophisticated flavors + classic favorites!
Marygold’s on Main
(Newtown) The holiday spirit can be found at Marygold’s on Main! She’s looking super festive right now and is an excellent spot to wine & dine, host a gathering or event, and a must for brunch fans! We are such brunch fans and went for the Corn Flakes French toast, breakfast Carbonara, and a fruit Bruschetta that lives on in our memories.
Vibe: Grand & traditional with a twist. Exceptional libations both alcoholic & spirit-free. Velvet booths & cozy dining nooks.
Bar Naan
(Brookfield) Indian-food fans rejoice – Bar Naan is the hippest new restaurant around! And if you’ve never tried Indian food, we can’t wait for you to go and tell us how much you love it! The menu covers Chaats, Naans, Tandoori, classics, and house specialties (try it all!)…and the signature cocktails are delicious works of art. Loaded Tikka fries, and eggplant Chaat are always a go-to for us!
Vibe: Instagrammable dishes & decor. Global gourmet. Go hungry!
The Taco Project
(Stamford) The Taco Project is a vibrant modern Mexican joint with killer margaritas, tacos, bowls, house-made hot sauces, and more! It’s a great spot for family taco night take-out. They offer taco kits to go with delicious add-ons like fried plantains or guac & chips – a fun idea over the holidays and for winter mealtime! Having a party? They offer catering too!
Vibe: Live-Love-Eat Tacos! Family-friendly or perfect for a date. Fun, fun!
Fife ‘n Drum
(Kent) Destination Fife ‘n Drum – the next time you want to go for a beautiful wintery drive ending with the coziest dining experience out there! We always love our visits. For over 51 years they’ve been treating regulars and new guests to a fine dining experience complete with old-school tableside menu items like the Caesar Salad (our absolute favorite) and filet au poivre.
Vibe: Fire-side dining, weekend live piano music, history & tradition. Wine Spectator Award winners!
Good Old Days Pizzeria & Cocktail Den
(Newtown) Good Old Days makes stand-out-in-the-crowd pizza. We go equally nuts for their deliciously doughy square pies and thin & crispy pies. The cocktail bar is friendly and fun! We like to watch our pizza coming out of the oven as we sip (great alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices with LOL names).
Vibe: Whimsical, disco, rockin’ A+ pizza spot & drinks den!
