December 2009

The Connecticut Table
Barca, Hartford If Barca were theater, it would be off-off Broadway. Located on the first floor of the Design Center in Hartford’s hip Parkville section, where the real action is in terms of avant-garde art and design, it fits right in. In a vast loftlike space, its walls fairly vibrate with huge Rorschach blots of the primary colors Miró and Picasso favored. Like modern art, this restaurant/tapas bar/lunch spot/nightclub is designed to banish boredom—no matter how many decibels it might take. by Elise Maclay
	Basta, New Haven Basta is right around the corner from Claire’s Corner Copia. That’s all the directions you’re likely to need in New Haven, where Claire’s has long been an institution. Remove it and the corner of Chapel and College might cave in. by Elise Maclay
Being There
	Where There’s Smoke . . . Nodine’s Smokehouse has gained national acclaim for its quality smoked products. by Ray Bendici