It’s difficult to miss Park Central Tavern’s prominent front on Whitney Avenue in the Spring Glen section of Hamden.
It’s even harder to miss whatever promotion is under way.
And in good weather, you’re apt to spy people enjoying the patio seating (as my wife and I have, on occasion).
But the back of the restaurant is where most people enter and exit, due to the off-street parking.
It’s at the back of the restaurant that you’re apt to be greeted by a comely staff member like Filipino-Italian Patricia Landino, who was also our waitress.
Not surprisingly, Patricia and my wife hit it off immediately.
From either the front or back entrance, you can access the large handsome bar area.
A long corridor
leads to other dining areas.
We talked to departing diners, who raved about their lunch.
But soon, the members of our party were the sole occupants of this room, because we started close to two o’clock, after most people had finished lunch.
Shortly after we arrived, we were joined by one other guest, Joy Bershtein, a well-known face around Hamden, an attorney with the firm of Bershtein, Bershtein & Bershtein P.C., the president of my graduating class (Hamden High School 1975), and a serious foodie.
Park Central is owned by Harry Scoble and Larry Coassin, who graduated from the subsequent Hamden High School class.
I knew the Restaurant Week menu would be a good one, thanks to executive chef Robert Johnson (shown here at the Hindinger Farm kickoff event),
who previously headed up Cibo in Branford and Aqua in Clinton. Robert wasn’t at the restaurant at the offbeat hour we lunched, but this chef
executed his menu beautifully, while this manager
ran the proverbial tight ship.
Choice ruled the day. The four lunch appetizers we selected included a sparklingly fresh salad of Mozzarella, tomato, basil and tapénade;
an equally sparkling salad of baby arugula, pear, Gorgonzola and candied walnut;
a bowl of cool gazpacho;
and my bowl of delicious corn chowder.
The lunch entrées were just as fulfilling. Witness this smoked salmon sandwich,
this penne rigate with vegetables;
this baked sole with vegetables served on the side;
and my plump fried oysters which I grudgingly let my companions taste.
I almost never order fried seafood, but I know how well Robert handles it.
Desserts also delighted. Check out this blueberry pudding cake;
this apple tart;
this fresh fruit tart;
and my perfect, not overly sweet or rich, flourless chocolate cake.
Lunch at Park Central was so terrific that I wished I had had a chance to try out the dinner menu. Even your eyes will tell you that its food is cut above most restaurants. Park Central Tavern in Hamden is a great place to catch up with old friends or even make new ones.
Park Central Tavern, 1640 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, 203-287-8887
www.parkcentraltavern.com