After an illuminating Winter 2010 Taste of Hartford that showcased some terrific restaurants, I made the rounds to distribute our editorial awards to winners. Presenting the awards was Sharon Sudusky of RestaurantsCT.com, allowing me to remain behind the camera where I belong.
Garnering the most first-place awards with ten was J Restaurant/Bar, a relative newcomer that has been making waves in Hartford. Here you see Sharon (right) posing with owner Jordan Dikegoros and executive chef Jennifer Krascella.
J Restaurant/Bar’s first-place awards included Best Overall Restaurant, Top Chef, Best Menu, Best Overall Dish, Best Plating, Best Meat Dish, Best Seafood Dish, Best Soup, Best Drink List and Best Parking (Tie). And as this poster put up by J Restaurant/Bar indicates, the eatery scored second or third place in a number of other categories as well.
Raking in the second most first-place awards with six was Hot Tomato’s. Here you see Sharon in the handsome wine room with assistant manager Josh Burdick and sous chef Greg Reichardt.
Hot Tomato’s first-place awards included Best Front-of-the-House Person, Best Dessert, Best Bread & Accompaniments, Best Poultry Dish, Best Vegetarian Dish and Hostess with the Mostess.
Three restaurants received five first-place awards apiece—Wood-n-Tap, Tisane Euro-Asian Café and Vivo Seasonal Trattoria. Testimony to the restaurant’s generosity and versatility, Wood-n-Tap’s first-place awards included Best Overall Value, Best Piece of Meat, Best Vegetarian Selection, Heartiest Dish and Best Use of Chocolate. Here you see Sharon with bar manager Tony Goiangos.
Tisane’s first-place awards included Best Ambiance, Most Exotic Menu, Best Salad, Best Pasta Dish and Best Dessert Selection. Here you see Sharon with Tisane chef Jim Wishneski. Even the owl approves!
Vivo’s first-place awards included Best Décor, Most Romantic, Best Wine List, Best Overall Service and Best Server. Here’s Sharon with Director of Food & Beverage Anish Patney.
And here is best server Giancarlo Lendaro receiving our special personal award.
Hook & Ladder won first-place awards for Best Lounge Space, Best Fireplace and Best Parking (Tie). Here’s Sharon with Andrea Bradshaw, Nancy Tedd and David Blanck.
Bin 228 won first-place awards for two of the things that the restaurant does best—Best Cheese Plate/Dish and Best Use of Wine! Here’s Sharon with chef/owner Peter Johnson and with Kelly Downey.
Up-and-coming Half Door, whose food was a very pleasant surprise, took first-place honors for Best Bar Area. Here’s Sharon with bartender James Finnegan and chef Matthew Backe.
First-time participant La Fonda took first-place honors for Best Newcomer. Here’s Sharon with Paulo Rodriguez and Carolina Arboleda.
And finally, and saving one of our best awards for last, Mayor Mike’s Bistro took first-place honors for Best Restaurant Owners. Carrying on the good family name are Christopher and David Peters.
We look forward to covering future editions of the Taste of Hartford. Congratulations to all of our winners!