Refuel and recharge after your farewell to 2015. These Connecticut restaurants welcome you to the first meal of the year with hangover-remedying fare, caffeine and cocktails.
Roots Down, 18 Route 171, Woodstock, hosts brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with dishes like Southern shrimp and grits, fried chicken and waffles, eggs with pan-seared scallops or BBQ brisket, a breakfast burrito and a kibbeh burger with Mediterranean-spiced ground lamb and feta. 860-315-5614, roots-down.net.
The Irons restaurant at the Hilton Mystic, 20 Coogan Blvd., serves brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with breakfast foods, raw bar, charcuterie, salads and carving and entrée stations. Cost is $45 for adults, $22.50 for kids 5 to 11, free for kids under 5. 860-572-2504, hiltonmystic.com.
Arugula Bistro, 953 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, hosts a special New Year’s Day brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with items like crab, asparagus and tarragon frittata; freshly baked popovers filled with scrambled eggs and cheddar, brioche French toast with berries and chocolate and roasted banana crepes with whipped cream. 860-561-4888, arugula-bistro.com.
Griswold Inn, 36 Main St., Essex, serves its traditional “Hunt” breakfast from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A sample menu includes made-to-order omelet and waffle stations, pasta, hot entrees and vegetable sides. Cost is $23.95. Reservations and information: 860-767-1776, griswoldinn.com.
Saybrook Point Inn, 2 Bridge St., Old Saybrook, hosts a buffet brunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with assorted stations, including made-to-order waffles, pasta and sushi. Cost is $44.95 for adults, $22.95 for children 5 to 12; children under 5 are free. 860-388-1111, saybrook.com.
Dish Bar & Grill, 900 Main St., Hartford, serves New Year’s Day brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Make it boozy; choose one entrée and two cocktails for $30. Information and reservations: 860-249-3474, dishbarandgrill.com.
Besito, 46 S. Main St., West Hartford, hosts brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring an egg quesadilla, fresh fruit pancakes and enchiladas with scrambled eggs and chorizo. Two-for-one margaritas are available starting at noon. 860-233-2500, besitomexican.com.
Barcelona Wine Bar, 971 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, serves brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with dishes like Mangalica jamon poutine, lemon ricotta pancakes, buttermilk fried chicken and biscuits and pulled pork Benedict. 860-218-2100, barcelonawinebar.com.
At the Simsbury Inn, 397 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, New Year’s breakfast is served from 8 to 11 a.m. Buffet includes juices, fresh fruit, pastries and breads, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, omelet and waffle stations and a complimentary glass of champagne or a mimosa. Cost is $19.95 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are suggested: 860-651-5700, simsburyinn.com.
Brunch is served at Max Restaurant Group locations Max a Mia (70 E. Main St., Avon), Max Amore (140 Glastonbury Blvd., Glastonbury) and Max Fish (110 Glastonbury Blvd., Glastonbury) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Max Fish’s popular Bloody Mary bar features fully customizable drinks with choice of vodka and assorted garnishes, including vegetables, hot sauces, salt and spice rims, bocconcini mozzarella, pepperoni sticks, anchovies and even shellfish. maxrestaurantgroup.com.
NIXS Hartford, 40 Front St., Hartford, hosts New Year’s Day brunch with seatings at 12:30 and 2 p.m. The $30 ticket includes a deluxe buffet and one cocktail. At Nixs’ new location in South Windsor’s Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk, an a la carte brunch is served from noon to 4 p.m. Information and reservations: 860-373-9400, nixshartford.com (Hartford); 860-644-1567, nixsevergreen.com (South Windsor.)
Blue Plate Kitchen, 333 N. Main St., West Hartford, serves brunch from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 860-906-1419, bpkwesthartford.com.
