It’s a Connecticut restaurant known for its “from-scratch cuisine.”

Coracora, an award-winning, authentic, family-run Peruvian restaurant will open a flagship location later this year in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square, it was announced Tuesday.

“We’re excited to grow Coracora and become an integral part of West Hartford’s vibrant Blue Back Square,” Grecia Ludena, co-owner of Coracora, said through a statement from Blue Back Square. “The upscale, vibrant scene there will perfectly complement Coracora’s new flagship location, and we can’t wait to enhance our existing and future customers’ experiences.”

The restaurant was named both the 2023 Best Restaurant in Connecticut and in Hartford County by the Connecticut Restaurant Association at the annual CRAzies awards, according to the company.

A three-time James Beard Award semifinalist in 2022, 2023 and 2024, and finalist in 2023 for Outstanding Restaurant, Coracora has become a well-known culinary destination across the state, according to the company.

The new restaurant will be located at 51 Isham Road in the heart of Blue Back Square. Coracora will take the space formerly occupied by Rosa Mexicano which recently closed its doors in West Hartford.

Now in its second generation of family ownership, Coracora is led by sisters, Chef Macarena Ludena and Grecia Ludena.

The restaurant was opened in 2011 by their parents Luisa Jimenez and Hector Ludena.

Coracora has maintained three main pillars: high-quality ingredients, a warm and welcoming family-like experience, and top-notch customer service, the company said in a statement.

All dishes are made in house and without artificial preservatives.

“Coracora’s flair for serving up authentic Peruvian cuisine within an upscale, stylish atmosphere has made it a household name in the West Hartford community,” Paul Brandes, principal with Brand Street Properties, said in the statement.

“We couldn’t be more excited for Blue Back Square to be home to their new flagship location as we grow our lineup of unique dining, retail, and entertainment offerings.”

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by a Maine woman who accused school officials of encouraging her teen’s gender expression by providing a chest binder and using a new name and pronouns, without consulting parents.

U.S. District Judge Jon Levy acknowledged his decision that a mother such as Amber Lavigne “might expect school officials to keep her informed about how her child is navigating matters related to gender identity” but he concluded that she failed to establish legal claims for which the school district could be held liable.

The lawsuit filed last year was the latest to weigh a minor’s right to privacy when confiding in a mental health professional against a parent’s right to supervise their children’s health and education.

According to the lawsuit, a school counselor provided the chest binder and instruction on how to use it. The mother, who has since begun home-schooling her teen, said the school also began calling the 13-year-old by a different name and pronouns.

The lawsuit contended the mother had a “right to control and direct the care, custody, education, upbringing and healthcare decisions of her children,” and that Great Salt Bay Community School in Damariscotta violated her constitutional right by keeping the student’s gender expression from parents.

The judge previously dismissed claims against individual school officials. The remaining claim against the school board was dismissed by the judge in his May 3 order.

CAPE COD, MA — The Massachusetts House of Representatives recently agreed to a Fiscal Year 2025 budget, passing the bill onto the state Senate with multiple funding measures that bring dollars to Cape Cod.

Rep. Dylan Fernandes said there is $935,000 in state funding for the Cape and Islands in the FY2025 Massachusetts House of Representatives budget.

“Delivering results for the people I represent is the most important part of this job, and this $935,000 in funding delivers on key district priorities,” said Fernandes.

“The amendments I passed will support many of the attributes that make our community special by investing in fishing families and healthy oceans, boosting our research and education economy, providing healthy recreation and after-school activities for children, and strengthening Cape Cod’s economic competitiveness.”

Among the funding is $60,000 for Cape Cod YMCA to support their efforts to build a YMCA facility on the Upper Cape.

The planned construction of the Upper Cape YMCA would expand the facility’s capacity to offer a wider range of activities and programs.

Rep. Fernandes said he also fought for a $700,000 funding tranche for healthy oceans and local fishermen.

Of that, $500,000 will be directed to the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance to procure sustainable fishing equipment and adopt sustainable fishing practices. A further $150,000 was directed to fund shellfish propagation on the Cape and Islands, supporting a culturally, environmentally and economically significant industry.

Finally, $50,000 was earmarked for the Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust to support their food distribution program and otherwise support the fishing industry on-island.

The House also adopted a $100,000 budget amendment for Marine Biological Laboratory’s research and educational programs. These funds will be used to support ongoing research projects, enhance educational outreach initiatives, and further solidify Wood’s Hole’s status as a world leader in ocean research.

“The MBL is grateful for the state’s support for our world-renowned research and training programs, which help bolster the state’s economy by bringing 1,400 scientists and students to Woods Hole each year,” said Dr. Nipam Patel, Director of the Marine Biological Laboratory.

“We thank Representative Fernandes and Chairman Michlewitz for their efforts to ensure that the MBL has the programs it needs to continue to make the MBL and the state of Massachusetts a leader in biological, biomedical, and environmental sciences.”

The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce could also receive $75,000 in funding if the budget passes, with the money slated to expand workforce development programming and help train commercial drivers on Cape Cod, officials said.

The legislation now moves to the Senate for approval, something that could happen by the end of May.