During the cold winter months, Connecticut's residents and visitors can stay warm while enjoying fireside dining at various restaurants throughout the state. The style of Connecticut eateries that offer this amenity include old tavern-themed establishments, as well as upscale fine dining restaurants. Fireside dining can also set up an ideal scenario for a romantic outing. Connecticut cities that have restaurants with fireplaces include New Haven and Stamford.
Situated in West Connecticut, the G.W. Tavern is a tavern-style restaurant that is dedicated to the first president of the United States, George Washington. This restaurant is a converted 19th century house, and it has a fireplace in the main dining room with a portrait of George Washington on the hearth. The restaurant also has an outdoor patio seating for private events that overlooks the Shepaug River. The restaurant serve lunch on the weekdays and brunch on the weekends. Dinner is offered every night of the week. Dinner entrees include oven-roasted cod, organic salmon and peppercorn filet mignon.
G.W. Tavern
20 Bee Brook Road
Washington Depot, CT 06794
860-868-6633
gwtavern.com
The Union League Cafe is a French bistro-style establishment in Downtown New Haven, and it is within walking distance to shops in this district of the city. The restaurant has been featured in the New York Times and Connecticut magazine, and it has a wood-burning fireplace with a large wooden hearth in the dining room. Large columns are spread throughout the upscale restaurant, and each table has preset dinnerware for arriving patrons. The restaurant serves lunch on the weekdays, and dinner is available on Mondays through Saturdays. The lunch menu has items such as steak grille pommes frites and omelette a l'aubergine, while dinner entrees include the canard aux navets, a roasted duck breast, and risotto aux courgettes, which is a combination of risotto, zucchini and tomato confit.
Union League Cafe
1032 Chapel St.
New Haven, CT 06510
203-562-4299
unionleaguecafe.com
The Firebox, located in Hartford, is a chic dining establishment that serves American cuisine, and the interior and exterior décor is made of brick, giving off the impression that you are in a brick oven. The restaurant's fireplace is in the main dining room. This trendy restaurant offers preset dinnerware, and a full-serviced bar with an extensive list of cocktails and wines. Live music entertainment is offered throughout the week. The restaurant serves lunch on the weekdays, and dinner is offered every night of the week. Dinner entrees include Stonington sea scallops, pan-seared duck breast and spring vegetable fettuccine.
Firebox Restaurant
539 Broad St.
Hartford, CT 06106
860-246-1222
fireboxrestaurant.com
The Saltwater Grille is a two-level restaurant in the Southwest Connecticut city of Stamford that overlooks the Long Island Sound. The restaurant's fireplace is in the lounge area, and it has an authentic stone hearth. Cocktails and imported beers can be served to guests in this area. This bistro-style restaurant facilitates private events, such as banquets and rehearsal dinners. The Saltwater Grille is open for lunch on Tuesdays through Sundays, while dinner is served every night of the week. Brunch items are available on Sundays. The menu entrees include swordfish, red snapper and Alaskan king salmon, while the dessert menu has apple pie and Tahitian vanilla bean crème brulee.
The Saltwater Grille
183 Harbor Drive
Stamford, CT 06902
203-391-6500
saltwatergrille.net
