Carbone's Ristorante
Carbone's is a fixture on Franklin Avenue that has been family owned and operated since 1938. Although originally intended to be a restaurant specializing in Southern-fried chicken, the second Carbone generation followed their culinary school dreams, came back to Franklin Avenue and created a menu that reflected their Italian roots.
Carbone's offers lunch as well as a late-afternoon, early evening café menu Monday through Friday. Dinner is served Monday through Saturday; the restaurant is closed on Sunday. The atmosphere is elegant and refined, so feel free to break out that little black dress and leave the children at home. The menu is simple yet each dish is prepared with absolute authenticity and expert care. Entrees include veal stuffed with prosciutto, salmon piccatta and New Zealand baby lamb chops. For dessert, choose cannoli, a torta or crème brulee, or go for a tableside preparation like the strawberry-Grand Marnier crepe or banana flambé.
Carbone's Ristorante
588 Franklin Ave.
Hartford, CT 06114
(860) 296-9646
carbonesct.com
Hot Tomato's
Hot Tomato's is centrally located in Hartford's downtown area between the business district and the train station. The location tends to draw a large business crowd, but the restaurant's trendy menu and décor help to pull in a young audience at night. The atmosphere is casual and lively with several different dining rooms that offer a more intimate dining experience. The outdoor dining patio overlooking Bushnell Park is open during the summer season. Hot Tomato's has a large wine cellar that houses an extensive selection of both Italian and California wines that garnered the Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence in 2007 and 2008.
A quick glance at the menu belies the fact that Hot Tomato's is indeed an Italian restaurant. Sweet potato ravioli is offered alongside tempura tuna maki and Maryland crab cakes, and salads include house-made mozzarella as well as a Greek salad and roasted Fuji apple winter salad. Once you get past the appetizers, salads, steaks, seafood and sides, you will find a bevy of traditional Italian pasta dishes including seafood puttanesca, spaghetti and meatballs with grilled Italian sausage, and vegetable lasagna. Hot Tomato's is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, and dinner only on Saturday and Sunday.
Hot Tomato's
1 Union Place
Hartford, CT 06103
(860) 249-5100
hottomatos.net
Bin 228
Bin 228 is located one block from Bushnell Park behind the Goodwin Hotel in Hartford's downtown area. Its cozy interior and relaxed atmosphere provide a welcome respite to its customers. The menu is light, consisting of an assortment of salads, bruschetta, tramezzini (sandwiches) and panini, and the chef prepares a different risotto dish each night for the supper crowd. There are plenty of vegetarian options on the menu like the popular goat cheese tramezzini with olive tapenade and mache or the white bean puree bruschetta with fresh sage.
Bin 228 is known primarily as a wine bar that also serves food, or as it calls itself, "A place for wine, a place to dine." The extensive wine list offers only Italian wines; staff are happy to consider recommendations for your favorites that may not be on it. Bin 228 is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, dinner only on Saturday and closed on Sunday.
Bin 228
228 Pearl St.
Hartford, CT 06103
(860) 244-9463
bin228winebar.com
