1. Cottage Restaurant And Cafe
City: Plainville, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (860) 793-8888
Address: 427 Farmington Ave.
Insider Pick:
Description: Headed by Patty Queen, who worked at some of the best restaurants in the country, the Cottage Restaurant in Plainville is a wonderland of contemporary American dishes, with touches from global cuisines like Creole and Japanese. The crispy, frizzled onions side that comes with the meals is amazing, and the cornmeal oyster appetizer is delicious. But the entrees are where Cottage shines, with the pork meat loaf and brick chicken as the standouts. They also have an a la carte menu where you can mix and match, or eat tapas style, and many patrons swear by this unorthodox method, sampling the pickled beets and truffle fries. Try the bread pudding for dessert or one of their daily items, fresh from local sources.
2. Berkshire Balloons
City: Plainville, CT
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (203) 250-8441
Description: The Berkshire Balloons company launches their amazing flights from Southington, Plainville, Farmington, and New Hartford, just after sunrise. You’ll spend at least an hour in the air, with the entire trip taking 2.5 to 3 hours, flying gently over the western hills of Connecticut. You might go up in the air as much as a few thousand feet, depending on conditions, from where you can see the Catskills in New York, Long Island, and the mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire. Wear waterproof shoes (the launch fields are often squishy), and don’t wear high heels or sandals. Bring sunglasses and, of course, your camera. Make a reservation 2 weeks ahead, maybe more in the autumn, though it’s possible to get last-minute flights. The prices run about $275 a person, or $1,000 for a private couples flight. It’s well worth it.