2011 was a tough year for many, but one that brought some incredible foods to Connecticut. I list the 100 foods I ate during the past year that made the best impression on me in ascending order of importance. Congratulations to all! Naturally, some restaurants were multiple winners, especially PolytechnicON20 in Hartford and Ibiza Restaurant in New Haven. As you move toward the top of the list, you’ll see some truly beautiful dishes. Remember that you can click on the photographs to enlarge them.
100. Backstage, Torrington–Beer flights
99. Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Newington–Creamed spinach
98. China White, Greenwich–Fried rice
97. Mamoun’s Falafel Restaurant, New Haven–Moujedrah
96. A.C. Petersen Farms, West Hartford–Black and white milkshake
95. Joey Garlic’s, Farmington–Eggplant fries
94. Ibiza Tapas & Wine Bar, Hamden–Grilled leeks with roasted beet vinaigrette
93. C.J. Sparrow Pub & Eatery, Cheshire–Ahi tuna burger with sweet potato fries
92. Cafe d’Azur, Darien–Hummus
91. Ponte Vecchio, Fairfield–Veal piccata
90. Zafra Cuban Restaurant & Rum Bar, New Haven–Lechon asada
89. Oaxaca Kitchen, New Haven–Buffalo and chorizo burger with fries
88. Wasabi Japanese Restaurant, Orange–Asian sticky black rice pudding
87. Sushi X, West Haven–Tuna tartare
86. Pane E Bene Restaurant, Westport–Stuffed pepper with sweet Italian sausage and bread crumbs
85. Red Lentil Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurant, New Haven–Near East seitan with teff crêpe
84. Rizzuto’s Italian Kitchen, Stamford–Pizza
83. Gabriele’s Italian Steakhouse, Greenwich—Stuffed bread
82. Toro, Newtown—Dungeness crab for Chinese New Year
81. Costa del Sol, Hartford—Escalivada
80. O’Rourke’s Diner, Middletown—Steamed cheeseburger
79. Ponte Vecchio, Fairfield–Petite veal chops
78. Dish Bar & Grill, Hartford—Parker House rolls
77. Peppercorn’s Grill, Hartford—Arancini
76. Bonda, Fairfield—Grilled romaine
75. Ibiza Tapas, Hamden—Wild mushrooms and Pardina lentils
74. Bacchus, Norwalk—Crabmeat lasagna
73. Ponte Vecchio, Fairfield—Meatballs
72. MiKro Craft Beer Bar, Hamden—Prince Edward Island mussels
71. Ibiza Restaurant, New Haven—Padròn peppers
70. Tabouli Grill, Stamford—Vegetarian chopped liver
69. Peppercorn’s Grill, Hartford—Pumpkin ravioli
68. Brasserie Pip, Ivoryton—Ground beef and mangalitsa pork burger with duck fat frîtes
67. Backstage, Torrington—Mussels du jour
66. Bombay Olive Indian, Persian & Nepali Grill, West Hartford—Potstickers
65. Matsu Sushi, Westport—Sushi platter
64. Feng Asian Bistro, Hartford—Beef short rib
63. Sal e Pepe Contemporary Italian Bistro, Newtown—Balsamic calamari
62. BruRoom @ BAR, New Haven—Pizza
61. China White, Greenwich—Peking duck
60. Old Post Tavern, Fairfield—Raw seafood tower
59. Backstage, Torrington—Meatloaf
58. Bistro Bonne Nuit, New Canaan—Steak
57. Bin 100, Milford—Duck breast in pomegranate sauce and duck confit
56. Plan B Burgers, West Hartford—West Coast burger with fried egg, avocado and kalamata olive mayo
55. Sal e Pepe Contemporary Italian Bistro, Newtown—Julia Child’s beef bourguignon
54. Ibiza Tapas & Wine Bar, Hamden—Grilled watermelon salad
53. Costa del Sol, Hartford—Piquillo peppers stuffed with bacalao and spinach
52. Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Newington—Steak
51. Blue Lemon, Westport—Lemon tart
50. Ibiza Tapas & Wine Bar, Hamden—Eggplant confit dessert, Pedro Ximénez ice cream, sweet and sour strawberry sauce
49. Burgers, Shakes & Fries, Darien—Burger with black and white milkshake
48. Sal e Pepe Contemporary Italian Bistro, Newtown—Seafood lasagna
47. Cavey’s, Manchester—Almond pear tart, chocolate caramel, pomegranate sorbet
46. Blue Lemon,Westport—Grilled baby squid in a ginger-and-lime vinaigrette
45. Ibiza Restaurant, New Haven—Mango ravioli with crispy rice
44. Sono Bana Japanese Restaurant, Hamden—Sashimi-style blue shrimp topped with spicy mayo and black tobiko plus deep-fried heads
43. Le Petit Café, Branford—Bread pudding
42. Backstage, Torrington—Molten Valrhona chocolate stout cake with chocolate stout ice cream and chocolate stout caramel sauce
41. Ibiza Restaurant, New Haven—Amuse bouche (varies)
40. Cavey’s, Manchester—Buttercup squash bisque
39. Ibiza Restaurant, New Haven—Ibérico ham
38. Rizzuto’s Italian Kitchen, Stamford—Housemade cow’s milk ricotta
37. Napa & Co, Stamford—Sheep’s milk ricotta gnocchi, sage velouté, Moliterno cheese
36. Brasserie Pip, Ivoryton—Roasted beet and goat cheese salad
35. Bon Appetit, Wilton—Venison pâté
34. Bistro Bonne Nuit, New Canaan—Individual cake
33. Wasabi Japanese Restaurant, Orange—Sushi platter
32. Polytechnic ON20 creation for the Arthritis Foundation’s Physicians Award Dinner at the Hartford Club—Smoked salmon plate
31. China White, Greenwich—Iced white ginger-peach tea service (photo of same item from Purchase, NY China White)
30. Louis’ Lunch, New Haven—Burger
29. Grants, West Hartford—Lemon trio
28. Ibiza Tapas & Wine Bar, Hamden—Boquerones
27. Grants, West Hartford—Individual pie
26. Treva, West Hartford—Whole roasted branzino
25. Bon Appetit Café, Wilton—Veal trio
24. PolytechnicON20, Hartford—Cake
23. Ibiza Tapas & Wine Bar, Hamden—Christmas Eve sea bream special
22. Still River Café, Eastford—North Ashford farm salad
21. Bonda, Fairfield—Organic king salmon
20. Bar Bouchée, Madison—Foie gras burger
19. Kevin Cottle of Jordan Caterers in Cheshire’s creation for the Vina Musica fundraiser at Chamard Vineyards—Miso-butter-pecan-crusted Connecticut striped bass with a fennel-jícama-cilantro slaw and a Szechwan cantaloupe nage
18. Gabriele’s Italian Steakhouse, Greenwich—Steak
17. Costa del Sol, Hartford—Paella
16. The Mill at 2t, Tariffville—Foie gras
15. Wasabi Japanese Restaurant, Orange—Crystal roll
14. Ibiza Restaurant, New Haven—Foie gras croquettes
13. PolytechnicON20, Hartford—Crab and avocado salad
12. Prasad Chirnomula of Thali Restaurants’ creation for Palace Stages Dinner in Waterbury—Konkan crab in coconut milk
11. Bin 100, Milford—Cucumber-wrapped ahi tuna tartare with pear, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil and wasabi aïoli
10. Brasserie Pip, Ivoryton—Foie gras torchon
9. Ibiza Tapas & Wine Bar, Hamden–Mojama (salt-cured tuna, foie gras mousse, caramelized mango)
8. PolytechnicOn20, Hartford—Study in duck
7. Napa & Co, Stamford—Local duck egg, potato, Fontina cheese and black truffle
6. Still River Café, Eastford—Lobster trio
5. Le Petit Café, Branford—Jumbo shrimp, sesame soba noodles, toasted sesame seeds, spicy sesame vinaigrette
4. Ibiza Restaurant, New Haven—Steamed Maine lobster served room temperature, caramelized endive foam, sautéed oyster and shiitake mushroom, fingerling potatoes and lobster oil
3. Noel Jones of PolytechnicON20 in Hartford’s creation for the Palace Theater’s Stages Wine Dinner in Waterbury—Chocolate tasting with edible gold leaf
2. Ibiza Restaurant, New Haven—Peruvian-style yellowfin tuna ceviche with sweet onion, cilantro, cucumber, fresh corn, coconut milk, aji amarillo, sweet potato
1. PolytechnicON20, Hartford—Pork belly with mustard sauce and rhubarb
