Reclaiming Old Warehouses

One of the encouraging signs of preservation in our state is the reclamation of old warehouses. They make such fantastic studio apartments! Here is one of these along the Yantic River in Norwich...a lovely location, lovely brick buildings, and as long as heating is included, move right in.

Sarah's Wine Bar

Sarah's Wine Bar in Ridgefield. Awesome.

Soft shell crab appetizer above. Smoked salmon hot and cold below.

Crispy pig's knuckles - amazing. Quail with a really really rich risotto.

Sarah's is attached to Bernard's (her husband's). Definitely in the top ten restaurants in the state.

Fitzgerald in Connecticut

Does anyone else know that F. Scott Fitzgerald summered in Westport and wrote The Beautiful and the Damned there? Perhaps the owner of this Jeep does.

The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum

Stopped in at the Aldrich in Ridgefield the other day...since it is "non-collecting," every time we visit it is new.

This sign was encouraging. But both Amy and I hated that exhibit.

So, why go to a contemporary art museum? Especially if some of the stuff will be annoying or lame?

For the discussions we have about them afterwards, of course. WHY do certain exhibits fail? What is art? What is good art? Is there a difference between aesthetics and taste? Et cetera. A good or bad collection of contemporary art never fails to get Amy and I talking. Try it out!

Jonah Crab Claws

Tried some Jonah Crab Claws ala Momofuku the other day. Good, but a lot of work. I think cold is better than hot...the meat comes out more easily. I still prefer lobster to crab, I think, except that I love those summertime soft shells...

Huntington Street Cafe

Stopped at the Huntington Street Cafe in Shelton the other day. Clearly one of the best coffee shops in Connecticut. And they serve steamed cheeseburgers! Delicious.

Shelton Lakes Recreation Trail

Biked the Shelton Lakes Recreation Trail today. It goes from Route 108 right outside of the downtown, all the way to Huntington village. It's mostly gravel, which makes for difficult uphills, and there are quite a number, since the trail pretty much goes over the White Hills.

Check out this hanging tree, which rotted away in the grip of a grape vine. But the vine is still hanging on to the tree. Two big pieces are suspended above the forest floor. Fascinating.

Margarita Summer

It's time for tequila-based drinks again. And the best ones are the ones we make ourselves. Get out the blenders, everyone!

With Bill Ectric

Had a visit from author Bill Ectric last week - what a great, down-to-earth guy. And considering the fantastic nature of his fiction, that's a wonder. Get yourself a copy of his novel, Tamper, which I reviewed when it first came out.

Hempstead Houses, New London

Sometime make sure you check out the Hempstead House(s) in New London. The big wooden one above was built in the amazing early date of 1678, and both survived the burning of New London by Benedict Arnold.

Firebox

Stopped by Hartford's Firebox the other day for dinner. One of the best farm-to-table restaurants in the state, certainly.

The oysters were from Rhode Island, but I didn't hold that against them.

The duck was tender and delicious, and the wild ramps were delightful.

Chickpea gnocchi and a desert of vanilla creme brulee...