Back in October, I interviewed Kelleanne and Ryan Jones at their Tariffville restaurant, The Mill at 2T, for a feature story about restaurateurs’ reactions to amateur online reviews. (Read the final graf for their unusual “turn the tables” idea.)

While I was there, they gave me a copy of their Friday-night menu. I brought it home to show Rob, thinking nothing of it. (In fairness, I visit restaurants weekly for this job, and our house is littered with menus.) But this one struck him, and we vowed to return for dinner.

Well, we kept our promise in a big way. We decided to enjoy the full Mill experience, opting for the six-course tasting menu and wine pairings while watching all the action from the “chef’s counter” – a row of six seats providing an unobstructed view of the open kitchen.

And we’re so glad we did. Our plans were very nearly derailed when a server brought a massive pan-roasted filet mignon with cheddar fondue and toasted corn bread “croutons” to a table nearby. (It looked absolutely incredible.) But we stayed on course, and ended up with one of the most exciting meals of 2012 thus far.

Photos after the jump:

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Saltwater Farm Vineyard, Stonington

I’ve made no secret of my love for Connecticut’s farm wineries, which made this guide to the 2012 season so easy to write. There’s a lot going on this year, from new vintage releases to special food pairings, live music and alfresco dinners.

Pick up your 2012 passport at any of the 33 participating wineries. Visit at least 16 of them, have the book stamped at each location, and you’re eligible to win some sweet prizes. Each year, everyone guns for the grand prize: the two-week trip to Spain’s Costa del Sol.

I’ll see you on the trail.

 

Here’s the thing about seeing some of your food heroes in person: It’s simultaneously thrilling and terrifying.

On Saturday morning, I found myself in the third row of Wesleyan University’s Crowell Concert Hall with sister-in-food Amy, when a trademark tangle of dark hair entered stage right. It was Ruth Reichl, she of the world-famous memoirs, piles of writing awards (including 6 Beard Foundation nods) and storied career as restaurant critic for the Los Angeles Times and New York Times, and editor of Gourmet magazine. Not to mention her Twitter account, full of evocative, lilting, haiku-like pearls that spawned a brilliant parody.

Ruth Reichl and WNPR's Faith Middleton

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This will forever and always be my quintessential summer beer.

Have I ever mentioned how much I love bubbles? Oh yes, I have.

At one point during last night’s “Cheers to Cava” dinner at Barcelona Wine Bar West Hartford, wine and spirits director Gretchen Thomas said she “felt alone in the world” because she likes to drink sparkling wine all the time. Not just for celebratory occasions.

(If the situation were a little less formal, I would have called out, “Me too! You’re not alone! I feel you!”)

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