I have been a fan of the Wood-n-Tap restaurants for some time now, patronizing most frequently the Farmington and Hartford locations. But for those who don’t know, there are also Wood-n-Taps in Rocky Hill, Vernon, Southington, and now—Orange!
Yes, Orange. Wood-n-Tap now occupies the former Humphrey’s location next to Chip’s Family Restaurant on the Boston Post Road, best approached from Exit 41 on I-95. The Hartford Restaurant Group, which also owns Agave Grill in Hartford and T.D. Homer’s Grill in Southington, has now expanded into New Haven County, where I’m sure it will be welcomed with open arms.
The Wood-n-Tap restaurants seem ideally formulated for this economy, offering the right combination of quality and value. Their pub grub is definitely elevated, with virtually everything, including the desserts, housemade. I enjoy Wood-n-Tap’s draught beers, wings, pizzas and grilled meats, and I’m particularly fond of their sliders. I would be embarrassed to admit how many I have actually consumed.
The latest Wood-n-Tap held a Grand Opening celebration on Saturday, December 11th, with the restaurant opening for normal business on December 15th.
The suggested donation was $25, with proceeds going to benefit the West Haven High School PTSA.
And what a welcome awaited guests!
To make it a manageable onslaught, guests were scheduled in two waves. I abused my press status slightly to arrive during the first wave and stay well into the second, allowing me to photograph the joint both packed
and in a lull (when its attractive bones could better be seen),
before the second wave of guests started to arrive.
Speaking of attractive bones, much of the painting and stenciling was done by my friend Emma Marianetti, a talented artist, and her boyfriend, Ronnie.
Here you see Emma posing with some of that stenciling.
A number of décor details caught my eye, including these hanging agate lights
and a television in the men’s bathroom that ensured one need not miss a single play.
That’s my kind of sports venue!
Emma, Ronnie and I started out at a nice high booth in the bar area,
right next to some of the merchandise that was being raffled,
a reminder that I already have four kayaks and a canoe that aren’t getting the usage they deserve. This lovely waitress got us some drinks
and then we made our first pass at one of the buffet tables.
To put it mildly, the joint was jumping.
There was even a deejay set up at one end of the bar area.
I peered over the busy bar
to get a good look at the beers which were on draught.
Then we spied an empty table in one of the dining rooms, where we thought it might be easier to talk.
After we resettled, we toasted each other with draughts of beer.
We also helped ourselves to vittles from the nearest of two other tables that were set up (to minimize congestion and maximize digestion).
Of course, we weren’t the only ones that positioned themselves for easy access to the food.
As the food got replenished, I hit it again and again.
It was a war of attrition in which I would finally be the one to cry “Uncle!”
Our change of venue turned out to be a great move, because we not only had easy access to that well-stocked table but we wound up positioned so that we were first in line for all of the food that came out of the kitchen. I can’t tell you how many sliders I enjoyed, except to say I would have given Popeye character Wimpy a run for his money (not that it ever was that moocher’s money).
Wood-n-Tap calls its sliders “bar bites.” The original bar bites are miniature Black Angus burgers topped with cheese, pickles and honey mustard spread, an ideal combination. The lean-n-mean bison bites are miniature buffalo burgers topped with American cheese, an avocado aïoli and onion strings. The turkey bites are miniature turkey burgers topped with American cheese, whole cranberries and an herb aïoli. And finally, the bar chicks are miniature blackened chicken sandwiches topped with American cheese, caramelized onions and a chipotle aïoli. Here are photos of some of the sliders (not easily distinguished without lifting the buns or tasting them):
But Wood-n-Tap isn’t just for sliders. Its buffalo wings are terrific,
and its other wings are good, too. Another strong suit is its pizzas.
Still other delights from our visit included its fried Mozzarella,
baby back ribs,
loaded potatoes,
bacon-wrapped scallops,
shrimp and noodles,
grilled chicken skewers,
seared ahi tuna,
and even brownies.
While Emma, Ronnie and I were constantly snagging passing food, we were also well positioned to monitor who was coming and going. One notable visitor was my boss, Bob DeZinno, publisher of RestaurantsCT.com and owner of DT Media Group, as well as being a former restaurateur restaurant consultant.
I didn’t realize he and his wife Paula, right, were coming, but I guess great restaurant minds think alike! Bob and Paula were greeted by Karen Montano, Hartford Restaurant Group’s Director of Operations.
Emma was reunited with other people from the Wood-n-Tap team who labored long and hard to get this restaurant ready.
Finally, from left to right are Ken McAvoy and Wil Quijano, two of Wood-n-Tap’s owners.
Wood-n-Tap, 311 Boston Post Road, Orange, 203-799-9663
www.woodntap.com