Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in Simsbury

Arethusa has always been a great experience. They sweat the details and operate as if they expect to be a perpetual 5 star restaurant. There are hints of well-considered minutiae everywhere you look. For example, a glass saucer arrived on a desert plate that had a small cutout of tacky shelf liner material. My guest and I were impressed that the shelf liner was there so the saucer wouldn't slide off the plate. Water is offered either carbonated or flat. You will be given complimentary fresh made bread, and probably a shot of cold cucumber soup (or seasonal flavor of their choosing). Flavors are expertly honed and curated. Plates arrive at the table photo-ready and impressively organized. Best to choose not to look at the menu prices, and cost is sort of besides the point here. It is as fancy a dining experience as you will get in the county of Litchfield, CT. Appetizers and entrees have relatively small portion sizes, but each bite is to be savored. The gourmet cheeseboard is a necessity, as is the savory lamb belly, as are the pork dumplings, as is the tuna tartare with homemade potato chips.... I have never had a bad morsel of food here. Staff is beyond attentive; telekinetic is a more apt word. They see and sense exactly when to engage and usually do the right thing at the right time. Bonus: they are also associated with a working dairy farm and make their own ice cream. And it is THAT good.

Chef very accommodating with avoiding sugar. As a diabetic I can say that most places that say they will accommodate do not completely hold back on sugar but based on my blood sugars readings after this meal I can confidently say they really did accommodate and my meal was excellent.

A fantastic, romantic restaurant! We drove down from MA and had the best dinner. Our server Scott was great. We sat on the bridge and it was the perfect winter night!

Our dinner with friends at The Essex was beyond expectations. Service was friendly, knowledgeable, and well paced. We opted for the three course price fixe and were pleasantly surprised by the appetizer course we were served before the salad course. At $79 per person the dinner was very reasonably priced for the quality and quantity. Our first and main courses were outstanding. My strip steak perfectly cooked to medium rare and the whole table enjoyed the frites. The halibut and scallops along with the sauces and vegetables were excellent. Dessert choices were very generous although I hit my limit after a few bites of the baked Alaska. The menu was heavy on seafood which restricted our friend who has a fish and shellfish allergy. But once aware of that and a nut allergy, every dish was carefully adjusted for nuts. Dining at the Essex is a wonderful treat. We will be back.

This is a true dining experience from beginning to end. Well worth the hour drive. Beautiful setting , outstanding service and incredibly delicious food prepared with great care and attention to detail. Superb is the best descriptive I can think of.