West Hartford Public Safety Dispatch received a report of an exterior gutter on fire outside of a multifamily residence on Newington Road in West Hartford around 2:36 p.m. on Tuesday, according to Chief Greg H. Priest of the West Hartford Fire Department. Members of the West Hartford Fire and Police Departments were immediately dispatched to the scene.

A fire department paramedic unit arrived first at the scene and reported smoke from the top of the roof.

“Based on this report, the shift commander (deputy fire chief) transmitted a working fire, which added additional fire resources to the response and brought area fire departments into town to provide coverage while West Hartford fire units were committed to the scene,” Priest said.

First responders learned that an adult occupant and an animal had evacuated from the house before their arrival, according to Priest.

Multiple West Hartford companies entered the building, finding a fire that extended from the exterior ground floor up into the attic. “Fire suppression was initiated,” Priest said, “and the structure was confirmed to be cleared of occupants.”

The bulk of the fire was reported as “knocked down” at 3:02 p.m., according to Priest.

The West Hartford Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the incident with “a particular focus on the possibility that there were de-icing efforts with an open flame earlier near the gutter which was initially reported on fire,” Priest said.

The West Hartford Building Official’s Office was evaluating the structure to determine if any portion of the residence could be re-occupied on Tuesday night, but Priest said it was expected to be deemed “uninhabitable” due to fire, smoke and water damage.

The Red Cross was dispatched to assist the residents.

“West Hartford Fire would like to thank our dispatchers, the (West Hartford) Police Department and our mutual aid partners who assisted by covering the town while our units were committed to the fire,” Priest said.

That, plus those who operate the restaurant are known as “well respected veterans in the hospitality industry.”

Not only was it recently named 2024 restaurant of the year, that honor also made the relative newcomer the first Fairfield County restaurant to capture the state title from Connecticut Restaurant Association.

Bar Rosina’s in Greenwich topped all the others in the CRA’s Crazies awards, where 25,000 votes were cast by the public and industry experts.

CRA president and CEO Scott Dolch, who didn’t have a vote in the awards, said the win “is a big deal in that area, especially a restaurant that is a stone’s throw from the New York line getting recognized as the best in the state.”

The restaurant was opened in August 2021 by longtime friends Chef Jared Falco, 39, and Coby Blount, 40, who specializes in working front of house and is general manager.

The two met working in a restaurant in 2014 and became fast friends with a dream to open their own place.

“I’ve had the opportunity to dine at the restaurant and their food, drinks and overall hospitality was extraordinary,” Dolch said.

Falco, who has been experimenting with cuisine since childhood, as both of his parents worked, later “fell in love with business,” he said.

Receiving the Best Restaurant in Connecticut award, “blew me away,” he said.

“For me it was a surprise. We were significantly younger and never thought we had a shot,” he said.

But Dolch isn’t surprised, he said all the signs of success were there.

“They are both well respected veterans in the hospitality industry in Fairfield County,” Dolch said.

He said Chef Jared was a finalist for Chef of the Year at the CRAZIES in 2022, their bartender Juan Meyer was up for Bartender of the Year in 2022 and the restaurant was a finalist for Restaurant Newcomer in 2022. This is the 6th year of the awards.

“Also know that Chef Jared has a huge chef following among the chef/culinary community, he is a rising star who works hard on his craft day in and day out,” Dolch said.

Guests who have reviewed the restaurant online rave about the food and atmosphere in the restaurant with simple, but elegant decor.

“The food here was fantastic! Awesome drinks and wine list too,” one guest wrote. “Everything is made in house with a clear passion for food. We ordered a lot, and everything was absolutely delicious.”

Another wrote: “We love bringing the family here… The ambience in the restaurant is perfect, with a solid menu and wine list to match. Wood fired pizzas with perfect base/crust and all homemade pasta.”

Blount said they’re going for an “upbeat, energetic vibe,” and reviews indicate that’s been accomplished.

Everything on the menu is from scratch, the pasta, the cheese, and the fresh produce flows from many sources, as the restaurant has a garden, they buy at farmer’s markets and Blount’s father-in-law, a silent partner, contributes from his own massive garden.

The restaurant is named after Blount’s father-in-law/silent partner’s late mother, Rosina, an avid cook and gardener.

Blount said they buy products “hyper local,” including meats.

“We do our best to make guests happy,” Blount said. “I like that every day there’s a new challenge… a new chance to make someone’s day better.”

The menu is brimming with interesting offerings, including appetizers such as ravioli filled with house made ricotta and truffle; octopus and potato with marinara, pimento, lemon aioli; chicken cutlet with house breading, parmesan, lemon; grilled artichoke with garlic aioli.

One online reviewer said Bar Rosina’s Caesar salad is “the best” she’s ever had.

They carry 11 kinds of New York-style pizza, eight pasta dishes and entrees such as center cut veal chop parmesan, Branzino, New York strip, and chicken scarpariello.

One reviewer said Bar Rosina, “Is a place I dream about now.”

“A fantastic restaurant where you walk in and immediately feel at home. The attention to detail is everywhere,” they wrote.

Another reviewer wrote the pasta was “delicate, yet firm,” with the most perfect juxtaposition of mouthfeel.”

Customers say Chef Jared and Blount are quick to engage them.

“These guys are the best,” the reviewer wrote.

Casper’s younger sister Samantha scored all of her 15 points in the second half for the Lions (13-0). Shania Howard led Holy Cross (11-1) with 18 points before fouling out late in the fourth quarter.

Northwest won the Class MM championship last year and the Class S title two years ago. Holy Cross was the Class M champion in 2022 and the Class L runner-up last year.

Holy Cross led once, after Quinn Barry scored the first basket of the game, then Northwest took over and never trailed. The Lions led 13-6 after one quarter and 25-22 at halftime. Samantha Casper hit a 3-pointer and Abby back to back shots and Northwest led 32-24. Holy Cross cut the lead to 39-35 on a Mia Mattaboni fast break basket but Abby Casper had a putback and Maeve Staunton’s jumper closed out the quarter with Northwest leading 50-35. Staunton had 12 points for the Lions.

“This is huge,” Northwest Catholic coach Alison Connors said. “We needed this. You never know what’s going to happen at states – we got the whole package tonight, a long bus ride, a loud gym, not many people on our side. Holy Cross had a great showing, a great team. We needed the challenge to make sure we knew how to make the right plays at the right time.”

Northwest Catholic 64, Holy Cross 53

Northwest Catholic 13 12 25 14 – 64

Holy Cross 6 16 17 14 – 53

Northwest Catholic: Maeve Staunton 5 0 12, Lilyan Johnson 2 0 5, Zoey Canning 5 0 10, Samantha Casper 5 0 15, Abigail Casper 8 2 20, Lyla Diaz 1 0 2. Totals: 26 2 64.

Holy Cross: Shania Howard 5 8 18 Maddie Neibel 1 0 3, Julia Begvegnu 1 0 2, Isabella Lombardo 3 0 7, Amelia Mowad 1 0 2, Mia Mattabani 4 1 9, Cheyanne Little 1 0 2, Quinn Barry 5 0 10. Totals: 21 9 53.

Records: Northwest Catholic, 13-0; Holy Cross, 11-1.

“I was like, ‘Oh. My. Goodness,’” Innerarity said.

“I’ve never seen this in all my coaching years. I have two freshmen who are leading the team in scoring.”

They are both guards: Mireidys Cruz-DeJesus, who is averaging 15 points per game and Kailyn Grate (18 ppg) for Prince Tech (9-2).

“They are amazing,” Innerarity said. “It was a total surprise.”

Cruz-DeJesus is a 3-point specialist. Both can handle the ball. In a 60-33 win over Abbott Tech last Wednesday, Cruz-DeJesus had 26 points and Grate had 25.

The Falcons are beating teams they haven’t been able to beat in years. They beat Windham Tech in their first game, 51-28. Ellis Tech beat Prince three times last year; Prince Tech beat Ellis 46-43 on Jan. 7.

The freshmen, Innerarity said, are unselfish and play well together.

“They’re not trying to outdo each other and they’re not in competition with each other,” she said.

Last year, the Falcons were the 24th seed in Class MM and lost to Berlin 56-19 in the first round of the state tournament. This season, they’re ranked fourth in Class MM behind Tolland, Sheehan and East Catholic.

Top performances

Maddie Begnini, Mercy: Begnini hit nine 3-pointers and had 33 points as Mercy defeated Foran 61-38 Friday.

Yzabella Colon, Plainville: Colon scored 17 points in a 46-36 win over Hall Saturday and had 15 points in a 57-52 win over Innovation Wednesday.

Maddy Handrahan, Glastonbury: Handrahan had 24 points, six assists and six steals in a 47-44 overtime win over Acton-Boxboro (Mass.) at the Hoophall Classic and had 13 points, three assists and five steals in a 27-21 win over Simsbury Thursday and 18 points in a 68-32 win over Middletown Monday.

Aniya Jenkins, Windham: Jenkins, a senior, scored her 1,000th point and had 24 points in an 85-24 win over Montville Friday.

Kylie Lake, Old Saybrook: Lake had 24 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks in Old Saybrook’s 57-51 win over Cromwell Friday.

Sybil Neary, Old Lyme: Neary had 20 points, 13 rebounds, three steals, an assist and a block in a 37-35 win over Montville Monday.

Megan Wresien, Sheehan: Wresien had three 3-pointers and 17 points on Tuesday against Sacred Heart but Sheehan lost in overtime.

Symber Sutton, Innovation: Sutton scored 31 points in a 67-35 win over Weaver Friday.

Sophie Tumulis, Stafford: Tumulis had 15 points and 14 rebounds, two steals and five blocks in a 40-38 win over Comp Sci Tuesday.

Bailey Winner, East Windsor/Bloomfield: Winner had 21 points in a 54-45 win over Canton.

Storylines

Conard senior Emily Knowles set or tied a slew of school records in Conard’s 68-45 win over Bristol Eastern Tuesday. Knowles scored 40 points, which broke her record from last year of 38 points) and tied the school record for 3-pointers (7), broke the record for points in a half (29) and tied the record for points in a quarter (19 in the first quarter).

Sheehan had its nine-game win streak broken when the Titans lost last Tuesday to Sacred Heart 48-45 in overtime. Megan Wreisen scored 17 points for Sheehan (10-2).

Windsor lost last year’s mid-season transfer from New Jersey, Kamaria Bowens (who helped Windsor’s run to the Class L quarterfinals) when Bowens moved to Bristol and is now playing for Bristol Central. But Windsor got revenge of sorts, beating Bristol Central, 67-60 in overtime Jan. 13.

Games to Watch

Plainville (8-3) at Tolland (8-1), Tuesday, 6:45 p.m.: Tolland’s only loss came to Glastonbury and the Eagles, the top-ranked team in Class MM, have won four straight games.

Ledyard (7-3) at Windham (8-1), Tuesday, 7 p.m.: Windham’s only loss came Jan. 9 to New London, 40-35, while Ledyard has won its last three games.

East Catholic (9-2) at St. Paul (5-2), Thursday, 7 p.m.: St. Paul, last year’s Class M champion, has won its last two games after losing to WCA, while East Catholic has won six straight.

Coventry (10-1) at Granby (7-3), Friday, 6 p.m.: Coventry dropped its first loss to Woodstock Academy 47-41 Jan. 13 but bounced back to beat East Granby and Stafford.

The Eagles were headed to play then-unbeaten Manchester Friday. The game was sold out.

“We knew they were going to be coming out hard and they did,” Manchester coach John Reiser said.

East Catholic scored 27 points in the first quarter. Kahil Bell, who had five 3-pointers in the first half, had 11 points for the Eagles in the quarter.

Manchester regrouped, like the Red Hawks did in a win over Windsor, but couldn’t make it all the way back and East Catholic handed them their first loss, 72-66.

“It was a great high school game,” East Catholic coach Luke Reilly said. “They’re playing with a lot of confidence and they’re really tough at home.

“We had come off a tough loss the day before, we were down 1 with 15 seconds left and we were unable to convert. That added a little sting for us going into the game.”

Brayden Jones had 28 points and 16 rebounds for East Catholic (9-2) and Bell had 18. Chance Clark led Manchester with 25 points.

Manchester had a one-point lead with about a minute left in the game but couldn’t hold on.

“Chance Clark hit a 3, just like Windsor,” Reiser said. “But there was too mujch time. We were right there. They’re a good team. to get down and battle back against such good teams says a lot about us. You take what you can from those games.”

And there will be a rematch Jan. 27, this time at East Catholic.

“It came down to the last minute and I thought we did a good job controlling the game,” Reilly said. “We executed where we had to and got a few critical stops.

“We’re getting there. we were unable to close the game out in Springfield but we were able to the next night, so that’s a good sign.”

Top performances

Jeff Akoff, Bloomfield: Akoff scored 28 points in a 67-43 win over Conard Monday.

Richard Chandler, Aerospace: Chandler had 24 points in a 51-50 win over Granby Friday and 18 points in a 76-42 win over Capital Prep Thursday.

Andrew Czerwinski, Somers: Czerwinski had 17 of his 26 points in the first half in a 60-46 win over Wheeler Thursday.

Tommy Dinunzio, Lewis Mills: Dinunzio had 33 points and 15 rebounds to lead Lewis Mills over Northwestern 64-40 on Saturday and 28 points, 15 rebounds and four assists in 66-58 win over Conard Friday.

Jack Grasso, Windsor Locks: Grasso scored 28 points in a 65-46 victory over Bolton Thursday.

Brady Marsh, Windham Tech: Marsh scored 33 points and had six steals, five assists, three rebounds and two blocks in a 69-52 win over Hartford Public Thursday.

Camden Mazerolle, E.O. Smith: Mazarolle had 20 points and 16 rebounds in a 53-41 win over South Windsor Friday.

Elijah Moore, Xavier: Moore scored 27 points in a 62-45 win over Fairfield Prep Wednesday.

Alex Weaver, Windsor: Weaver scored 25 points, six assists and three steals in a 76-66 win over Northwest Catholic Friday.

Avant Williams, Classical: Williams had 24 points in a 74-58 win over Bulkeley Thursday and 18 points in a 78-37 win over Capital Prep Tuesday.

Storylines

Aerospace stayed unbeaten at 11-0 last week when the Jets beat Granby 51-50 behind 24 points from Richard Chandler. Aerospace, which advanced to the Division V quarterfinals last year, is the top-ranked team in Div. IV.

Manchester senior Derrick Sheets scored his 1,000th point in a 68-58 win over New Britain Tuesday and that was not the only day this month he lit up the scoreboard. Sheets had 19 points in the loss to East Catholic, hitting five 3-pointers and on Jan. 10, in a 91-70 win over Tolland, Sheets hit 10 3-pointers and had 39 points.

Games to watch

 Ellington (9-0) at Granby (7-3), Tuesday, 6:45 p.m.: Granby has dropped its last two games by close margins but this is usually a good NCCC game.

Innovation (8-1) at Comp Sci (9-2), Thursday, 5 p.m.: Innovation, last year’s Div. IV champion, has a seven-game win streak, while Comp Sci is 6-1 in its last seven games.

Glastonbury (10-1) at Hall (8-2), Friday, 6:45 p.m.: Glastonbury hasn’t lost since the Guardians dropped a game to Northwest Catholic Dec. 21.

East Catholic (9-2) at Northwest Catholic (9-2), Friday, 6:45 p.m.: East is in the middle of a tough stretch, with a game against perennial rival Northwest sandwiched in between two games against Manchester.

“We can all follow in today’s theme, ‘If you cannot fly, then run. If you cannot run, then walk. If you cannot walk, then crawl. But by all means keep moving,'” keynote speaker John Mills said, quoting King’s 1960 exhortation to his followers.

Even without fanfare or notoriety, people who are working for civil rights today are providing a vital service to the community, Mills said.

“Even if it’s in the shadows, it’s still value because it’s the collective that creates changes,” Mills told an audience of more than 200 in the Town Hall auditorium.

Mills, a genealogist, is president of the Bloomfield-based non-profit Alex Breanne Corp., which researches the overlooked stories of enslaved Black people in Connecticut. He told of the impact that his uncle had, even with any public acclaim.

“My uncle, William Downey, lived all of his life within walking distance of the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. King was assassinated. I watched him leave his south Memphis home to pick up school kids to take them to after-school programs,” Mills said. “I watched him care for an inner-city garden to teach the marginalized and disadvantaged how to grow their own food, I watched him coach young inner-city kids how to play baseball.”

Mills recalled his uncle telling him the memories of how the neighborhood was anticipating King’s Memphis appearance in April of 1968, and how it was devastated by the assassination.

“While telling the story, he looked down. He said ‘We lost something that day, they took something from us,'” Mill said. “I felt the impact. It resonated from his being. I still remember his distant glare into nothing, his injured demeanor as he said it.

“But it also explained to me the decades of service he provided to his community. He didn’t stop, he continued to do what he could do until his death,” Mills said. “None of you know who my uncle was but I guarantee you he impacted thousands of lives, all from the shadows.”

West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor offered similar guidance to the audience, acknowledging that many people in her heavily Democratic town have been feeling uneasy with the election outcome and the rise of Donald Trump, who was to be inaugurated just an hour later Monday.

Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president Monday, returning to power with a promise to end America’s decline and to “completely and totally reverse” the actions of the man who drove him from office four years ago, the Associated Press reported.

MLK Day kicks off at King’s Atlanta congregation with daughter’s warning about anti-woke rhetoric

“Thinking about this day, this is is a time of change in our country, a time of new beginnings, a time of endings, and a time of uncertainty. It is hard for many people to enter into change and transition,” Cantor said.

“Thinking about people who are optimistic or hopeful: Optimism is kind of a blind feeling that things are going to get better. Hope is an action, hope is trying to make things better. It takes movement, it takes stepping forward,” Cantor said. “People with hope actually make the change to say ‘I am hopeful that things will work out but I’m going to do these things to make that happen.’ As Dr. King said, it’s always the right time to do what is right.”

Hall High School junior Maxwell St. Arromand, one of three students who spoke at the gathering, praised King as a leader who demonstrated perseverance.

“King exemplified the excellence of Black people and the power that one voice could hold,” St. Arromand said. “Even through the terror and hatred of white supremacy, his resilience allowed him to thrive among the most heinous conditions. King reminds us that change is not only possible but necessary.”

And now on Fridays, she’s taking extra care of those with allergies or sensitivities to gluten.

In addition to her regular menu in Rocky Hill, which already has many gluten-free dishes, Robaina is introducing Gluten-free Fridays with additional menu items such as organic chicken cutlets and tenders; eggplant torta and cutlets; artisanal beef and chicken meatballs, house-made soups, sauces, and entrees; frozen gluten-free gnocchi and imported Italian gluten-free pastas.

She also will add more flourless dessert choices.

She’ll use handcrafted sauces made exclusively with tamari (a gluten-free brewed soy sauce), gluten-free flours and rice panko.

“For me, cooking is about giving life a flavor, whether it’s through bold, comforting dishes or providing safe, delicious options people can trust,” she said. “Food is how I share my culture (Cuban), my story, and my love for life.”

She said gluten-free Fridays enures she can cater to all food lovers, “ensuring everyone can enjoy flavorful, fulfilling meals made with the same passion and care that defines everything we do at Ani’s Table.”

The usual non-gluten free foods will also be available on Fridays.

Ani’s Table sells gourmet quality heat and serve meals such as braised short ribs; chicken coq au vin; signature lasagne with beef, pork, veal; duck fried rice; shrimp lo mein; gumbo with shrimp, beef, sausage; teriyaki salmon; sesame tuna and noodles; Moroccan lamb stew. There’s also a half roasted chicken dinner with butternut squash and asparagus.

Ani’s Table also has a deli that sells sandwiches on house made panini.

Her popular, fast-growing business, open for nearly two years, attracts customers from all over the state.

Robaina, former executive chef at Pond House in Elizabeth Park, is located in the old DiFiore’s space at 397 Cromwell Ave.

The Elle at North Main, a $27 million project, will include 24 one-bedroom units, 23 two-bedroom units, and two three-bedroom units, according to a spokesperson.

The 28,000-square-foot building at 1244 North Main St. has been vacant for more than five years, and Trout Brook Realty Advisors has said it intended to turn it into apartments.

“The mix of units will be 6 units at 60% AMI (area median income), 20 units at 50% AMI, and 13 units at 30% AMI. The remaining 10 units will be market rate rentals,” according to a spokesperson.

The Elle at North Main is being developed by Trout Brook Realty Advisors and will be managed by the West Hartford Housing Authority, according to the spokesperson.

The project “is made possible with financing” from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the Connecticut Department of Housing, the Town of West Hartford, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, M&T Bank and Eversource, according to the spokesperson.

A groundbreaking is scheduled to take place at 2:30 p.m. Thursday January 16, 2025 at 1244 North Main St., West Hartford. It is expected to include many state, local and housing authority officials.

This kind of project has become more popular in the past decade as communities are pressed increasingly for more housing, new housing and affordable housing. At the same time, builders in heavily developed towns and cities struggle to find affordable locations, while the supply of abandoned or under-used churches rises.

But the more broad-based trend has been to convert those buildings into either apartments or condos, and in very recent years the market has been filled with available former churches. Lifeway Research, an evangelical research firm, reported that about 4,500 Protestant churches in the United States shut down in 2019, while only 3,000 new ones opened.

The building has been out of service for years after a merger with United Synagogues. Agudas Achim began in the 1880s in Hartford, and for several decades operated out of a synagogue on Greenfield Street there. It left that building in 1969 after constructing the West Hartford synagogue.

The West Hartford property has more than 1.8 acres, and Trout Brook plans parking spaces there. But town officials also have noted that it is also along two bus lines, giving tenants an opportunity to use transit rather than own a car.

Reporting by Don Stacom is included in this post.

While New Haven often takes the crown for best pizza in Connecticut (and even the country), there are a bevvy of fantastic choices in Hartford County to enjoy a slice or two for National Pizza Week.

Don’t believe us? We have gone ahead and collected a list of over 100 restaurants in 10 towns and cities that serve pizza. These restaurants all have at least a 4 stars on Google with at least 10 or more ratings.

The list is ordered alphabetically after Hartford, with each town’s restaurants then ordered by rating. This list is not all-inclusive, so let us know if we missed one!

Hartford

• Hartford Pizza Garden on 535 Farmington Ave (4.9 stars)
• Angelina’s Pizzeria on 41 Prospect Ave (4.7 stars)
• Salute on 100 Trumbull St (4.7 stars)
• The Brownstone on 114 Asylum St (4.5 stars)
• George’s Pizza Restaurant on 2027 Park St (4.5 stars)
• First and Last Tavern Hartford on 939 Maple Ave (4.5 stars)
• Al’s Pizza and Deli on 427 Main St (4.5 stars)
• Bro’s Dough Pizzeria on 448 New Britain Ave (4.4 stars)
• Sorella on 901 Main S (4.4 stars)
• Pietro’s Pizza on 942 Main St (4.3 stars)
• Sampizza Bar on 40 John St (4.3 stars)
• Pietro’s Pizza on 942 Main St (4.3 stars)
• City Pizza on 498 Farmington Ave (4.3 stars)
• Mr Pizza on 671 Blue Hills Ave (4.3 stars)
• NY – NY Pizza Restaurant on 547 Franklin Ave (4.3 stars)
• HFC Chicken & Pizza on 271 Farmington Ave (4.3 stars)
• A-1 Pizza on 306 Farmington Ave (4.1 stars)
• Sisson Avenue Pizza&Wings on 495 Farmington Ave (4.0 stars)
• Ranch House Pizza 17 Asylum St #1 (4.0 stars)
• Kinder Pizza and Ranch House on 2543 Main St (4.0 stars)

Bloomfield

• Carbone’s Kitchen on 6 Wintonbury Mall (4.5 stars)
• Bloomfield Village Pizza on 34 Tunxis Ave (4.4 stars)
• Pasticceria Italia on 10 Wintonbury Mall (4.4 stars)
• Gino’s Pizza & Ranch House on 407 Cottage Grove Rd (4.2 stars)
• Michael John’s Pizza on 1393 Blue Hills Ave (4.2 stars)
• Sarah’s On Park on 774 Park Ave (4.2 stars)

East Hartford

• Savvi’s Pizza Restaurant on 1555 Main St (4.6 stars)
• Carmine’s Bar • Grill • Stage on 389 Main St (4.5 stars)
• Queen Pizza on 310 Silver Ln (4.4 stars)
• Charlie’s Pizza on 386 Prospect St (4.3 stars)
• Burnside Roma Restaurant on 358 Burnside Ave (4.3 stars)
• C&E Pizza Restaurant on 1111 Burnside Ave (4.3 stars)
• Anna’s Restaurant & Pizza on 1489 Silver Ln (4.2 stars)
• Cavros Pizzeria on 184 Main St (4.2 stars)
• Villa Milano’s Pizza on 456 Main St (4.1 stars)
• East Hartford Pizza Restaurant on 1160 Burnside Ave (4.0 stars)
• Gino’s Original Pizzeria on 50 Main St (4.0 stars)

New all-day brunch spot coming to CT features creative comfort food and cocktails

Farmington

• Naples Pizza on 838 Farmington Ave (4.5 stars)
• Farmington Pizza + Kitchen on 1019 Farmington Ave (4.4 stars)
• Galleria Restaurant on 2 Spring Ln (4.4 stars)
• Mama Luke’s on 372 Scott Swamp Rd Route 6 (4.2 stars)
• Olee’s Pizza Farmington on 222 Main St (4.0 stars)

Manchester

• Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana on 221 Buckland Hills Dr (4.6 stars)
• CJ’s Pizza and Giant Grinders on 273 Broad St (4.6 stars)
• Al Madina Restaurant on 246 Broad St (4.6 stars)
• Andi’s Pizzeria on 290 Broad St (4.5 stars)
• Hartford Road Pizza on 250 Hartford Rd (4.5 stars)
• Pepe’s Restaurant & Lounge on 300 Middle Turnpike W (4.5 stars)
• Mulberry Street Pizza on 981 Main St (4.4 stars)
• Pizza Mia Restaurant, And Bar on 55 E Center St (4.3 stars)
• Filomena’s Pizzeria on 775 Main St (4.3 stars)
• Joey Garlics Manchester on 31 Redstone Rd (4.2 stars)
• Mike’s Pizzeria on 267 E Center St (4.2 stars)
• Husky Pizza on 46 W Center St (4.2 stars)
• Manchester Pizza & Grill on 316 Green Rd (4.1 stars)
• Maggie McFly’s | Manchester on 194 Buckland Hills Dr Suite 1023 (4.1 stars)
• Woodbridge Pizza Manchester on 489 Middle Tpke E (4.0 stars)
• Randy’s Wooster Street Pizza on 285 E Center S (4.0 stars)
• BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse on 320 Buckland Hills Dr (4.0 stars)

Newington

• Phoenix Pizzeria on Starbucks’s Plaza, 995 Main St (4.8 stars)
• Elm Hill Pizza on 625 Maple Hill Ave (4.7 stars)
• Turnpike Pizza on 2331 Berlin Tpke (4.7 stars)
• Bella Gourmet Pizzeria on 125 Fenn R (4.6 stars)
• Yannis Pizza Restaurant on 296 Main St (4.5 stars)
• Newington Pizza Restaurant on 75 Market Square (4.5 stars)
• Joey Garlic’s Newington on 150 Kitts Ln (4.5 stars)
• Town Line Pizza & Restaurant on 736 New Britain Ave (4.5 stars)
• TJ’s on Cedar on 14 E Cedar St (4.4 stars)
• Village Pizza & Halal Restaurant on 425 New Britain Ave Unit A (4.3 stars)
• Wood-n-Tap – Newington on 375 Berlin Tpke (4.3 stars)
• Best Pizza on 82 Pane Rd (4.2 stars)
• Nicolas Pizza & Mexican Eatery on 1125 Willard Ave (4.1 stars)

New Britain

• City Pizza Grill & Grocery on 662 East St (4.9 stars)
• South Main Pizzeria on 450 S Main St (4.8 stars)
• BYG DADDY’S PIZZA on 972 W Main St (4.6 stars)
• Marathon Pizza on 850 W Main St (4.6 stars)
• Adinas Pizzeria on 2012 Corbin Ave (4.5 stars)
• Brick Oven Pizza & Restaurant on 427 Osgood Ave (4.5 stars)
• New Britain House of Pizza on 952 Stanley St (4.4 stars)
• Town & Country Pizza Restaurant on 685 Farmington Ave (4.4 stars)
• Pizza Pal Restaurant on 264 S Main St (4.4 stars)
• Peppino’s Pizza on 10 Main St (4.3 stars)
• Express Ranch House & Pizzeria on 389 Allen St (4.3 stars)
• Paradise Pizza & Restaurant on 10 East St (4.2 stars)
• Tony’s Central Pizza on 1523 Stanley St Ste B (4.1 stars)
• Pizza Corner on 36 Broad St (4.1 stars)
• Elmer’s Place & Great Oak’s Restaurant on 1433 East St (4.0 stars)

West Hartford

• Dino’s Pizzeria West Hartford on 439 New Park Av (4.6 stars)
• Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana on 1148 New Britain Ave (4.5 stars)
• Savoy Pizzeria & Craft Bar on 32 LaSalle Rd (4.4 stars)
• Harry’s Bishops Corner Pizza Napoletana on 732 N Main St (4.4 stars)
• Joey’s Pizza Pie on 353 Park Rd (4.4 stars)
• Jimmie’s Pizza West Hartford on 765 Farmington Ave (4.4 stars)
• Bert’s Pizzeria and Mexican Cuisine on 264 Park Rd (4.4 stars)
• Sparrow Pizza Bar on 977 Farmington Ave (4.3 stars)
• Elmwood Pizza & Grinders on 1154 New Britain Ave (4.0 stars)

Wethersfield

• Stella’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant on 620 Silas Deane Hwy (4.8 stars)
• Lenoci’s Italian Kitchen on 285 Main St (4.8 stars)
• Sfizio Italian Kitchen on 70 Wolcott Hill R (4.8 stars)
• Wethersfield Pizza House on 955 Silas Deane Hwy (4.7 stars)
• Village Pizza Restaurant on 233 Main St (4.6 stars)
• Leo’s Pizza on 689 Wolcott Hill Rd (4.5 stars)
• Sora My Way on 446 Silas Deane Hwy (4.5 stars)
• Sofia’s Brick Oven Pizzeria on 1279 Silas Deane Hwy (4.3 stars)
• Vito’s Restaurant and Pizzaria on 673 Silas Deane Hwy (4.3 stars)
• Fratelli Pizzeria on 804 Silas Deane Hwy (4.3 stars)
• Sally’s Apizza on 1178 Silas Deane Hwy (4.2 stars)

Windsor

• Tunxis Grill & Pizzeria on 3 Tunxis St (4.5 stars)
• Wilson Pizza Palace on 340 Windsor Ave (4.4 stars)
• Jim’s Pizza on 124 Poquonock Ave (4.2 stars)
• Family Pizzeria on 181 Broad St (4.1 stars)
• Pizza Rama on 645 Poquonock Ave (4.0 stars)

Prospective buyers have already reserved more than a quarter of the 58 condos, including 10 of the 13 premium sixth-floor units, according to real estate agents working with developer Arapahoe.

A 2,700-square-foot penthouse unit with three bedrooms and four baths that was listed at over $2.8 million has been reserved, said Kate D’Addabbo of Coldwell Banker. One buyer decided to merge two condos to create a single 3,600-square-foot unit that was priced north of $3 million, she confirmed.

Mayor Shari Cantor said Monday that the Center Park adds to the diversity of housing opportunities near West Hartford’s center, one of the most popular retail and dining destinations in Connecticut over the past two decades.

“It shows an incredible interest in the center. People want to live here because of its vibrancy,” she said.

Contractors demolished two small buildings on Arapahoe Road last month to make way for the project.

Just a few blocks away, builders are completing The Camelot, a 44-unit apartment complex dedicated entirely to affordable housing. At the same time, Avner Krohn’s Jasko Development is completing The Byline and Continental Properties has largely completed the framing for the 172-unit One West Hartford; both are upscale apartment complexes.

Adding rental and ownership housing along with offerings at various points on the income spectrum means a wide range of people can live in West Hartford, Cantor said.

D’Addabbo said the town’s center is the key factor attracting people to Center Park Place,

“Our typical clients, the people we’ve seen and the calls we’re getting, are looking to downsize. A lot of them are from the area, or grew up in the area and have come back to the area. They really want to be in West Hartford center,” she said. “They love the idea this is new construction in West Hartford center and they don’t have to do anything, it’s already done.

“With a lot of the calls there’s some connection at some point in their life to West Hartford. They lived here at one time, raised their kids here and moved away, now maybe their kids have moved here and they want to be closer to their grandchildren,” she added. “Or they lived here when they were younger, moved to New York or Boston and want to come back.”

Many are retirees or nearly retired, but D’Addabbo and her colleague Maggie Brennan said there’s a range of ages. The project has drawn interest from young professionals who left for careers in bigger cities but want to return to West Hartford, they said.

When asked if the success of West Hartford center and Blue Back Square is important to buyers, D’Addabbo replied “It’s the factor. For people who already understand West Hartford, it’s obvious. You are in the middle of West Hartford center. You are in walking distance to everything. You would never have to move your car if you didn’t want to leave West Hartford center.”

Most Center Park Place units are in the 1,500 to 1,970 square foot range, and the price per square foot runs from $900 on the third floor and $1,000 on the fourth and fifth floors to $1,150 on the sixth floor. In addition to a basement parking level, the second and third floors will be parking. Some spaces will be a public parking garage; the level for Center Park Place residents will have a separate entrance.

Units are advertised with 10-foot ceilings, 8-foot windows and doors, wideboard hardwood floors,

Amenities include a large heated pool and pool deck, a rooftop terrace, a fitness center, a two-story lobby, bike room and more.