After a very successful Taste of Hartford put on by the Greater Hartford Arts Council, the Hartford Advocate and Fox61 that showcased many of the best restaurants in the Capital City, I made the rounds to distribute our editorial awards to winners. The only drawback to the following photos is that I had to step in front of the camera when I clearly belong behind it. In the movie Sleeper, Woody Allen feared running into “anything weird and futuristic, like with the body of a crab and the head of a social worker.” I like to say that I have a face for radio, a voice for print and the body of a food writer.
Garnering the most awards was Costa del Sol, for many years one of Hartford’s most welcoming restaurants. Here you see Chef Javier Feijoo accepting the award for Best Overall Restaurant, Best Overall Menu, Best Appetizer, Best Entrée, Best Décor and Best Restaurant Ownership.
In the following photo, you see Assistant Manager Anthony Acevedo receiving the awards won by Morton’s Steakhouse, which included Best Newcomer, Best Overall Value, Best Side Vegetable and Best Service.
Erik Michael Park, General Manager of Dish Bar & Grill, accepted the awards for Best Bread, Best Soup and Best Dessert.
Owner William Chen and General Manager Jim Kehoe of Feng Asian Bistro are shown accepting the awards for Most Exotic Menu and Best Ambiance.
Best Plating and Best Lounging awards were collected by Carlos Mouta of Barça.
Receiving the awards for Most Appealing Item and Best Parking was Lounge Manager Bill Gavigan of U.S.S. Chowder Pot IV.
Manager Dave Varano accepted awards for Best Stick-To-Your-Ribs Food and Best Place To Enjoy Music With Dinner on Black-Eyed Sally’s behalf.
General Manager Iris McNamara and Joey Collazo collected the awards for Best Use Of Potato and Best Housemade Spirit on behalf of Vaughan’s Public House.
General Manager Sergio DeSousa of O’Porto accepted our award for Best Patio Dining.
The award for Best Salad was received by Dina Argitakos of Francesco’s Ristorante.
Janice Boucher and Sarah Onisto accepted the award for Best Pasta on behalf of Peppercorn’s Grill.
Our award for Best Entertainment was received by Alex Leone of La Casona.
And last but not least, Manager Jonathan Sablón and Mira Chahoud graciously accepted the award for Hostess With The Mostess on behalf of hospitable Agave Grill.
We look forward to covering future editions of the Taste of Hartford. Congratulations to all of our winners!
[Photos by Robert Bailin]