Connecticut
A CT restaurant knew the pull of outdoor dining. They created it on a river and added lobster rolls.
A Connecticut restaurant stands out among 10 others of the same name with its stunning outdoor view and even a special patio menu that includes lobster rolls.
Wood-n-Tap in Farmington has a close-up view of the Farmington River, where outdoor guests can see deer, eagles, people fishing, kayaking, an occasional bear on the other side of the river, water rippling over stones and anything else nature might bring, said Phil Barnett, co-founder and co-CEO of Hartford Restaurant Group and its Wood-n-Tap restaurants.
“The view is beautiful,” Barnett said. “Our outdoor patio is well-known for its ambience, appearance and popularity as the place to meet friends and family with the Farmington River as a beautiful backdrop.”
Hartford Restaurant Group has nine Wood- n-Tap restaurants, including in Connecticut and one in Massachusetts. Another is slated to open in Groton later this year.
The Farmington restaurant, opened in 2019 at 1593 Farmington Ave. has a different look outdoors than all the others.
Barnett said his restaurant group owned a Wood-n-Tap nearby when the property on the river became available. They were planning upgrades at the former location, but decided instead to buy the riverfront parcel that long housed Apricot’s Restaurant.
The deciding factor to buy was the view, Barnett said. There was also more parking, he said.
The other location had a view of a pond.
Barnett said to maximize the location they more than quadrupled the outdoor space.
They can seat more than 100 people on patio, 40 on the deck, 40 on the grass, Barnett said.
There is also an outdoor bar and live acoustic music on Tuesdays.
Barnett said this is the time of year outdoor dining is popular, as it’s not cold, but not super hot either.
“It’s got a great feel to it. It’s lively, relaxing,” said Barnett, noting they’ve received awards for outdoor dining in the spot.
Even though it’s not the ocean, sitting outside near the water makes people want seafood, so they even came up with a special menu two years ago.
The special summer dining menu at the riverside includes steak, Connecticut lobster rolls; the Riverview Platter, with fried clam strips, shrimp and cod; Clams Casino Flatbread with garlic, peppers and bacon, Fajita Steak with Cubanelle peppers and onions; Sausage and Peppers, Island Bites; and Key Lime Pie.
A multi-vehicle crash temporarily close Interstate 84 on Tuesday night.
The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. and involved four cars, according to the Hartford Fire Department.
Fire crews arrived at the scene and helped one of the drivers who was trapped. The driver was then taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.
Four other people reported minor injuries but declined ambulance treatment at the scene, officials said.
I-84 East was temporarily shut down as crews responded but has since reopened.
The Connecticut State Police is investigating the crash.
As the snow turns to sleet and freezing rain in parts of the state this afternoon, it is causing some treacherous travel on Connecticut roads.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation is reporting several crashes.
There are crashes on both sides of Interstate 691 in Meriden.
A tractor-trailer jackknifed on the eastbound side of I-691 between Exit 5 and 3, closing the left lane. On the westbound side, a single-vehicle crash closed the left lane.
There is a two-vehicle crash on I-91 North in Middletown between Exits 20 and 21. The left and center lanes are closed.
A multi-vehicle crash has closed lanes of I-84 East in Waterbury between Exits 25 and 25A. There is a second crash on I-84 East in Southington near Exit 30.
In Cromwell, a two-vehicle crash closed the right lane of Route 9 North in Cromwell.
On Route 9 South, a crash closed a lane on the southbound side.
The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce held a kick-off event at Old Mill Grocery on Monday for The Great Westport Sandwich Contest.
The contest runs throughout March with 21 restaurants, delis and markets competing in 10 categories to be crowned the best sandwich maker.
Residents can vote in the following categories: Best chicken, best steak, best vegetarian, best combo, best club, best NY deli, best pressed sandwich, best breakfast sandwich, best wrap, and best fish/seafood sandwich.
After people sample sandwiches, they can vote for their favorites in each category on the chamber’s website. They will also be placed into a drawing to win a free sandwich from one of the 10 winners.
“Of course, the goal is to have people come to Westport and check out restaurants, our markets and our delis. This is a great promotion. I mean it is a competition, but mostly it’s to bring people to the restaurants. It also gives a great community activity because they are the ones who get to vote who makes the best one,” says Matthew Mandell, the chamber’s executive director.
Winners will be announced in April and receive a plaque.
The chamber has held similar contests to determine what establishment has the best pizza, burger, soup and salad.
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