Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in Hartford

Outstanding food preparation and presentation. Attentive and friendly service in a cozy ams welcoming space. Time passes without a care in the world. A perfect afternoon getaway!!

Love the change to a price fixe or chefs tasting menu. We went for Christmas Eve and loved the experience. We had a great server, love the ambiance and the food was delicious and innovative. The price fixe is three courses, but they give you more to try. It was more than a dinner out, it was an experience. I highly recommend.

Our overall experience at Millwright’s was fabulous! Delicious food, spectacular ambiance, and impeccable service. Tucked away in a cozy booth we were able to enjoy a lovely New England wintery scene with the beautiful brook below. The Christmas prix fixe was delight after delight and the cherry on top of our evening was the attention and care brought by our server Ron. He was attentive, knowledgeable, and brought great banter to the table. I know he really made the evening for our whole party.

Had Christmas Eve dinner. Steamed mussels, shrimp cocktail, steak, scallops and duck all were well prepared and nicely presented. Crème brûlée was the best I have ever had and I order it frequently. It was such a lovely experience! Staff was smiling, food was delicious, gorgeous sunset. Booked it on a whim and it turned out to be a very special evening.

Arethusa has always been a great experience. They sweat the details and operate as if they expect to be a perpetual 5 star restaurant. There are hints of well-considered minutiae everywhere you look. For example, a glass saucer arrived on a desert plate that had a small cutout of tacky shelf liner material. My guest and I were impressed that the shelf liner was there so the saucer wouldn't slide off the plate. Water is offered either carbonated or flat. You will be given complimentary fresh made bread, and probably a shot of cold cucumber soup (or seasonal flavor of their choosing). Flavors are expertly honed and curated. Plates arrive at the table photo-ready and impressively organized. Best to choose not to look at the menu prices, and cost is sort of besides the point here. It is as fancy a dining experience as you will get in the county of Litchfield, CT. Appetizers and entrees have relatively small portion sizes, but each bite is to be savored. The gourmet cheeseboard is a necessity, as is the savory lamb belly, as are the pork dumplings, as is the tuna tartare with homemade potato chips.... I have never had a bad morsel of food here. Staff is beyond attentive; telekinetic is a more apt word. They see and sense exactly when to engage and usually do the right thing at the right time. Bonus: they are also associated with a working dairy farm and make their own ice cream. And it is THAT good.