Best Restaurants in Connecticut 2016

Connecticut is known as “The Land of Steady Habits,” and one of those habits is going out to eat! But with all of the great restaurants in the “Constitution State,” which ones are considered the best? To find out, we turn again to Connecticutmag.com’s Best Restaurants in Connecticut 2016: Readers’ Choice Awards.

To arrive at this year’s winners, Connecticutmag.com reached out to their readers; the people out there frequenting their favorites and trying new places. Without further ado, here are 2016’s best restaurants and runner-ups in Connecticut.

Best Overall Restaurant

Winner: Goodfellas Restaurant, New Haven
Runner-Up: Sal e Pepe, Newtown

Best New Restaurant

Winner:  Roots Down, Woodstock
Runner-Up: Frank’s Gourmet Grille, Mystic

Best American Restaurant

Winner: The Spinning Wheel, Redding
Runner-Up: Match, South Norwalk

Best French Restaurant

Winner: Union League Café, New Haven
Runner-Up: Ondine, Danbury

Best Italian Restaurant

Winner: Sal e Pepe, Newtown
Runner-Up: Goodfellas Restaurant, New Haven

Best Asian Restaurant

Winner: Toro, Newtown
Runners-Up: Mecha Noodle Bar, Fairfield; Kawa Ni, Westport

Best Mexican Restaurant

Winner: Puerto Vallarta, Middletown
Runner-Up: Cuckoo’s Nest, Old Saybrook

Best Latin American Restaurant

Winner: Valencia Luncheria, Norwalk
Runner-Up: Mezon Tapas Bar, Danbury

Best Indian Restaurant

Winner: Thali, New Haven
Runner-Up: Coromandel, Darien

Best Middle Eastern Restaurant

Winner: The Pita Spot, Mystic
Runner-Up: Mamoun’s, New Haven

Best Seafood Restaurant

Winner: Westbrook Lobster, Clinton
Runner-Up: Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale, Westbrook

Best Sushi Restaurant

Winner: Kotobuki, Stamford
Runner-Up: Toro, Newtown

Best Vegetarian Restaurant

Winner: Bloodroot, Bridgeport
Runner-Up: Claire’s Corner Copia, New Haven

Best Pub Grub Restaurant

Winner: Little Pub, Ridgefield
Runner-Up: Chip’s Pub, Clinton

Best Road Food Restaurant

Winner: Super Duper Weenie, Fairfield
Runner-Up: Denmo’s, Southbury

Best Food Truck Restaurant

Winner: The Brunch Box, Stamford
Runner-Up: The Caseus Cheese Truck, New Haven

Best Bistro Restaurant

Winner: Bistro Mediterranean & Tapas Bar, Westbrook
Runner-Up: Bar Bouchée, Madison

Best Steak Restaurant

Winner: La Foresta, Killingworth
Runner-Up: Washington Prime, Norwalk

Best Prime Rib Restaurant

Winner: The White Horse Pub, Washington
Runner-Up: La Foresta, Killingworth

Best Gourmet Burgers Restaurant

Winner: Plan B Burger Bar, Glastonbury
Runner-Up: The White Horse Pub, Washington

Best Barbecue Restaurant

Winner: Chester’s Barbecue, Groton
Runner-Up: The Bayou Smokehouse, Groton

Best Romantic Restaurant

Winner: Goodfellas Restaurant, New Haven
Runner-Up: La Foresta, Killingworth

Best Family Dining Restaurant

Winner: Roberto’s Ristorante, Monroe
Runner-Up: La Foresta, Killingworth

Best Breakfast Restaurant

Winner: Chip’s Family Restaurant, Orange
Runner-Up: Cristy’s Madison, Madison

Best Brunch Restaurant

Winner: The White Horse Pub, Washington
Runner-Up:  Roots Down, Woodstock

Best Lunch Restaurant

Winner: La Foresta, Killingworth
Runner-Up:  Sal e Pepe, Newtown

Best Deli

Winner: Rein’s Deli, Vernon
Runner-Up: Butcher’s Best Country Market, Newtown

Best Appetizers Restaurant

Winner: Tazza Osteria & Bar, Fairfield
Runner-Up: La Foresta, Killingworth

Best Desserts Restaurant

Winner: La Foresta, Killingworth
Runner-Up:  Sal e Pepe, Newtown

Best Outdoor Dining Restaurant

Winner: The White Horse Pub, Washington
Runner-Up: S & P Oyster Club, Mystic

Best Service Restaurant

Winner: Goodfellas Restaurant, New Haven
Runner-Up: Tazza Osteria & Bar, Fairfield

Best Cocktails Restaurant

Winner: La Foresta, Killingworth
Runner-Up: Tazza Osteria & Bar, Fairfield

Best Wine Selection Restaurant

Winner: La Foresta, Killingworth
Runner-Up: Tazza Osteria & Bar, Fairfield

Best Hotel Dining Restaurant

Winner: Harbour House, Mystic
Runner-Up: Artisan, Southport

Best Value Restaurant

Winner: La Foresta, Killingworth
Runner-Up: The White Horse Pub, Washington

Best Hidden Gem Restaurant

Winner:  Roots Down, Woodstock
Runner-Up: The Sitting Duck Tavern, Stratford

New Efforts to Improve Airport Safety

Airport security and travel safety is a concern for many frequent flyers. Here are some of the latest security-related news items from the TSA and FAA.

TSA announces new tech to speed up security lines

In late July, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that it plans to implement new technology that should speed up airport security screening lines by up to 30 percent.

The automated screening system was developed in partnership with American Airlines, which is contributing $5 million to the project, and will be introduced by the end of 2016 at four of the country’s largest airports: Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles International and Miami International.

The automated system consists of screening belts that deploy bins that are 25 percent larger than the bins used in regular screening lanes, saving travelers time, reports Travel Weekly. Bags that require extra scrutiny are diverted automatically so that bins behind can continue through the system. Another benefit: Radio frequency tags are attached to each bin, increasing the accountability of items as they go through the belt.

Two such belts are already in use in partnership with Delta— who reportedly invested $1 million in the project—at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and the TSA says they have enhanced security, in addition to reducing traveler wait times by about 30 percent.

Another TSA initiative called computed tomography (CT) would enable passengers to leave liquids, gels, aerosols and laptops in their carry-on bags. This technology is currently being used by the TSA at some airports to screen checked bags, including Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

Source: Postbulletin.com

FAA bill to improve security and airport experience

In the wake of attacks here and around the world, the Senate recently approved a bipartisan aviation bill by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to increase airport security, as well as improve the overall customer experience for travelers at airports.

One of the most important aspects of the bill calls for increasing security personnel and K-9s outside of security perimeters to help ensure that unsecure areas of the airport where people are vulnerable are better protected. The bill would also improve the vetting process of all airport workers and employees with access to secure areas, and requires security assessments of all overseas airports serving the U.S.

Frequent flyers will also be happy to read that the bill requires airlines to refund paid baggage fees within 24 hours when items are lost or unreasonably delayed.

Additional efforts will be made to improve air travel for people with disabilities and ensure that children 13 years of age and younger are seated next to an adult or older child traveling with them.

The bill will also make it easier for trusted travelers to join the TSA paid PreCheck program offered to trusted travelers who are allowed to go through faster security screening lanes at airports. The TSA also plans to market PreCheck better so more people can find out about it.

The bill funds FAA programs for another 14 months and is now waiting for President Obama’s signature.

Source