1. The Elbow Room
City: West Hartford, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (860) 236-6195
Address: 986 Farmington Ave.
Description: The best macaroni and cheese in Connecticut? In the country? Well, the Elbow Room is not making such claims, but some of its loyal patrons are. Of course, their secret “many cheese” macaroni is not the only great dish here. The bison burger, the fried oyster salad, and the chicken potpie (seriously) are great. You can choose from different flatbread pizzas, small plates, and a huge selection of salads. The Sunday brunch is also popular, with a spotlight on eggs. Many people come here just for the excellent martinis in the crowded bar area (no elbow room, get it?). In summer months the roof is open for dining, a unique experience that makes West Hartford Center really seem like the place to be.
City: West Hartford, CT
Category: Restaurants
Address: 977 Farmington Ave.
City: West Hartford, CT
Category: Restaurants
Address: 1555 Asylum Ave.
4. Butterfly Restaurant
City: West Hartford, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (860) 236-2816
Address: 831 Farmington Ave.
Description: Often ranked among the best Chinese restaurants in the state, the Butterfly is not “fine dining” but rather a fun restaurant with live piano music, a karaoke lounge, and casual elegant design. In other words, this is a restaurant for most of us. They have all the delights you hope to find, from fried dumpling to moo shu pork, from crab rangoon to scallops with garlic sauce. You’ll also find rarer delights, like hot and sour mussels. In fact, they have 100 items on their menu, along with 30 changing chef’s specials. This is the best that family Chinese dining gets, affordable and creative food in a fun setting. Perhaps you’ll even get up to sing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” after your meal.
City: West Hartford, CT
Category: Restaurants
Address: 319 Park Rd.
City: West Hartford, CT
Category: Restaurants
Address: 78 Lasalle Rd.
City: West Hartford, CT
Category: Restaurants
Address: 1150 New Britain Ave.
City: West Hartford, CT
Category: Restaurants
Address: 1003 Farmington Ave.
9. Plan B Burger Bar
City: West Hartford, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (860) 231-1199
Address: 138 Park Rd.
Description: The great thing about this “burger” bar” is its commitment to local, organic, and sustainable food. Their beef is certified 100 percent humane, and is ground in-house, never frozen, and hormone free. Of course, you might not care about that, in which case the 100 American craft beers and 50 boutique Bourbons and ryes might appeal to you. The huge list of beers changes weekly, so you need to read the current list. The menu is full of comfort food done with better ingredients than Mom used. Try the blue cheese burger; it’s particularly yummy. Though Plan B has a bar atmosphere, kids are welcome. And make sure to get there early to get a spot.
City: West Hartford, CT
Category: Restaurants
Address: 964 Farmington Ave.