Occum, named after an Indian preacher, is a neighborhood in Norwich in New London County, about a 45-minute drive from Hartford. Visitors can find dozens of attractions such as the Foxwoods Resort and Casino, Devil's Hopyard State Park, Huntington Homestead and the Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut within 20 miles of Norwich. However, you don't have to travel too far to find a place to eat here because local restaurants exist less than 10 miles of Occum.
Bella Fiore has operated since 1993 and is an Italian restaurant with landscape murals in the dinning room, corner booth tables for intimate dining and at night, romantic candlelit tables. The restaurant also offers two private rooms for 50 or 100 guests for buffet or sit-down dining. Some of the items on the menu include escargot, risotto Milanese, salmon Dijon and veal piccata. A bar menu is available which features appetizers, salads and sandwiches. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. Bella Fiore is closed on Mondays.
Known for home cooking in a casual atmosphere, Olde Tymes Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. House specials on the breakfast menu include cinnamon crisp, steak and eggs and Olde Tymes Benedict. Lunch specials include liver and onions, homemade meatloaf and grilled Virginia ham and traditional local favorites include roast turkey, country pot roast and shepherd's pie. The restaurant offers full catering service as well as beer and wine. Olde Tymes Restaurant opens daily.
Engine 6 Pizza Co. operated since 1986 under another name and location until it moved 10 years later to a renovated, single-engine firehouse built in 1875. Named after the No. 6 fire engine housed there, the restaurant features calzones and specials such as shaved steak, buffalo wings and "Engine 6 Special Pizza," which has hamburger, pepperoni, sausage, onions, mushrooms and extra cheese. Gluten-free pizzas, pastas, bread sticks and desserts are available. Dine-in, take-out, delivery and catering services are offered. Engine 6 Pizza Co. is closed on Sundays.
The casual Illiano's Grill restaurant has murals on the wall painted by the owner, including one of the landscape of Bacoli, the town in Italy where he grew up. Dishes are prepared fresh and some of the specials include grilled chicken or steak wrap, flounder piccata and lobster FraDiavolo. The restaurant has free wireless Internet access and a selection of imported and domestic wines and beers. Catering service is offered and you can order from the lunch and dinner take-out menus.
