The Connecticut Thread

[Señor Peligro]

Lots of Connecticutians 'round here, so let this be our thread of CT news, happenings, events, and other CT-related stuff. Got plans? Doing something interesting? Grew up in CT? First time visitor to CT? Stories? Pictures? Recommendations?

My thoughts on New Haven pizza -

(Although there's plenty of pizza places in New Haven, I usually narrow them down to the top 3)

Rule #1 - Get there as early as you can, or be prepared to wait in line outside.

Frank Pepe's Pizzeria Napoletana

(The man himself)


Long regarded as one of the best New Haven pizzas and one of the oldest pizzerias in the country, in recent years things have changed for the worse. Pepe's opened a separate holding company and franchised out, so you can now find Pepe's locations elsewhere in the state. The pizza pretty much sucks at these non-original locations, by original Pepe's standards. By any other pizza standards it's average. Fairly bland. Knowing this, I figured the original New Haven spot (aka "The Spot) probably hasn't lost the magic, but when I recently had pizza there, it was awful. Very little sauce, and what sauce was there was bland, dough-y crust....very disappointing. Reminded me of the franchise locations' pizza. This was sort of a sad day for me, because I grew up on Pepe's pizza and always loved it. You may be able to still get a good pie, but it might be a roll of the dice. If you want the sure thing though......

Sally's Apizza



Sally's and Pepe's are literally right down the street from each other, and there's always been a rivalry between fans of each pizza place. In fact, Sally's was opened by Frank Pepe's own nephew back in the 30's. Having also had Sally's pizza recently, I'm happy to say that the magic is still there....delicious pizza. If you want the best "New Haven pizza" experience, go here. It's awesome.

No matter which one you go to on Wooster Street, be sure to stop in Libby's Italian Pastry Shop afterwards for something. Awesome cannoils & Italian Ice.



Can't forget...

Modern Pizza



Although Modern Pizza is on State Street in New Haven, they crank out some really good pizza as well. I'd say they're right up there with Sally's.

Enough pizza talk.

A couple pics -

Lake Housatonic, Derby/Seymour/Oxford CT. My usual stomping ground. Always doing the late night booze cruise thing. If you ever hear a vuvuzela around here, it's probably me.



East Twin Lakes, Salisbury CT. Amazingly clear water. Awesome fishing. Go there, rent a boat from O'Hara's Landing for $50 for the day, and catch tons of fish. Going there tomorrow.



Connecticut ain't all that bad if you escape the concrete jungles and explore.

[Fritz27]

I was surprised that New Haven was a real city. I had my pizza at Abbate's. It was delicious. Didn't get any dessert though.

[redsoxreturns]

Lived in Putnam (northeast corner) for a while. Can't say I liked it. My mom still lives there. She owns Wonderland books on Main street. Tell her I sent you and get 0.00 off your purchase. Hey, I need the money right now.

[ATL_Av8r]

Lots of Connecticutians 'round here,

I thought it was "Connectic*nts"

But really....I enjoyed Foxwoods.

Bristol I could have done with out. F you Webster Bank!

[Spinnaker]

Bristol I could have done with out. F you Webster Bank!

It's pretty much ESPN and a sh!tty waterpark.

[ATL_Av8r]

It's pretty much ESPN and a sh!tty waterpark.

and Jake's Steak and Seafood

[Sump]

I'll be in Tolland & Hartford Nov 9-11th for our corporate annual meetings. Will be boozing around Hartford those nights.

[ATL_Av8r]

Oh, I also miss Crazy Bruce's Liquors and their associated TV commercials

[Señor Peligro]

But really....I enjoyed Foxwoods.

Bristol I could have done with out. F you Webster Bank!

Foxwoods is huge, has the most slot machines of any casino in the world. I think it's still the 2nd or 3rd largest casino in the world too. I prefer Mohegan Sun (a lot of people do) just because it's a little less sterile feeling, but Foxwoods is alright.

F you Webster Bank indeed. I dropped them like a bad habit years ago.

[Chris Stack]

Grew up in Gales Ferry (part of Ledyard) directly between Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods. Worked at F-woods summers while in college. Could see Mohegan Sun from my parents' house in the winter. Lived there 18 years, plus summers when in college. My parents moved to Ledyard, just outside of Mystic. Still love that area. I miss it.

[Chris Stack]

I prefer Mohegan Sun

Me too. Tirimisu martini at Leffingwells

[welderdood]

[
Twin Lakes is the ISHT, 70 springs and the clearest/cleanest water you will find in Connecticut.

Btw BAR pizza is the BEST in New Haven. -

[GolfTango]

Mulberry St Pizza, Manchester is my all time fav, then Modern.


Mohegan>Foxwoods...however the MGM tower has some nice rooms.

Metacomet Trail for some nice hikes/walks


Rt8 or Merrit for some nice scenery.

Can't forget LimeRock.


Blue Back Square in West Hartford.


NEAM - although I'm pissed they broke up the Caravelle they had for years.



Local TV ad legends:

Bob from Bob's Furniture
Crazy Eddie
Good Ole' Tom


And I must add the new convention center / Marriott in Downtown Hartford is quite nice.

They just built a huge retail/restaurant area across the street last year. To date, no one has taken up lease let, so it sits empty. From what I understood they were going to put a Trader Joes and movie theater.

[welderdood]

Random photo out on the R.I. CT border (quiet corner)

[Laser04]

[welderdood]

Last race at LimeRock 2010

[welderdood]

http://sonoarts.org/ Cool little art festival in South Norwalk this weekend.

[Laser04]

[Chris Stack]

Mohegan>Foxwoods...however the MGM tower has some nice rooms.

My sister is getting married at Lake of Isles in October; we're all staying at MGM the night of the wedding, even though my parents' house is literally about 3 miles from Foxwoods. Looking forward to seeing the rooms at MGM.

[GolfTango]

My sister is getting married at Lake of Isles in October; we're all staying at MGM the night of the wedding, even though my parents' house is literally about 3 miles from Foxwoods. Looking forward to seeing the rooms at MGM.

Oct may be too late, but the pool area is incredible for something in New England.

[Chris Stack]

Yeah, we've snuck into the pool before

[welderdood]

[ATL_Av8r]

Hey, does anyone from Connecticut know a Lindsey who drove a dark MKIV Jetta in 2006 or so with the plate LVW or something? She worked the front desk at the Residence Inn in Southington off 84 at West St.

[Fritz27]

Also, I'm jealous of the amazingly scenic and beautiful roads you guys have that are pretty damn close to civilization. To get anything remotely entertaining in Florida you have to go into BFE and hope you don't run across old people, tractors, or the Klan.

I drove from Main St. in Middletown down to Northford and the drive along CT-17/22 was beautiful. I was pissed I was in a rental Malibu and not something like an S2000 or something. I also had to take a little backroad to get from Northford to I-90 or I-84 or something and again it was beautiful with lots of awesome hills and blind corners and lots of fun stuff. Even at 30mph in a Malibu it was awesome.

[Señor Peligro]

Also, I'm jealous of the amazingly scenic and beautiful roads you guys have that are pretty damn close to civilization.

Yeah man. You should see it in the fall. Years ago my pops let me borrow his Miata in October and I just drove around CT checking out the scenery.

[VarianceVQ]

Devil's Den?

[Bran4]

Yeah man. You should see it in the fall. Years ago my pops let me borrow his Miata in October and I just drove around CT checking out the scenery.

There's nothing better than driving our roads and taking in the scenery in the fall.

[Chris Stack]

I drove from Main St. in Middletown down to Northford and the drive along CT-17/22 was beautiful. I was pissed I was in a rental Malibu and not something like an S2000 or something. I also had to take a little backroad to get from Northford to I-90 or I-84 or something and again it was beautiful with lots of awesome hills and blind corners and lots of fun stuff. Even at 30mph in a Malibu it was awesome.

Yup. Living in CT and commuting on roads like Rt. 214 every day is what made me fall in love with the idea of having an S2000, the perfect car for those kinds of roads.




Of course, by the time I bought it I lived in IL and commute on roads like this one

[Neoxxt]

x2 for:

Twin Lakes
Lime Rock

Waterbury for awesome Italian food. Hard to find better.
J. Timothy's in Plainville for dirty wings.
Toads Place in New Haven for shows.
Webster Theatre in Hartford for upcoming bands/intimate shows.
Hope Gallery in East Haven for tattoos.
The NW corner for backroads.
The Hooker Brewery in Bloomfield for awesome beer.
Room 960 in Hartford for beatz.

[spockcat]

Hey, does anyone from Connecticut know a Lindsey who drove a dark MKIV Jetta in 2006 or so with the plate LVW or something? She worked the front desk at the Residence Inn in Southington off 84 at West St.

Yeah, think she has a 4 year old kid.

[redgeeteeeye]

203 Unfancy here

hmmm well Ct has

Mystic Seaport and Aquarium which is pretty awesome

Id have to say for a decent pizza in the valley without dealing with the BS of new haven check out Roseland Pizza in Derby...the place is horribly outdated and the staff can be rude but its worth it for their pizza. FYI they are a bit pricey but again most people will tell you its worth it.

[Señor Peligro]

ROSELAAAAAAANDIA. My best friend lives a couple hundred feet from there, you can smell it when you're in his yard.

Awesome pizza. The owners are dicks. I used to go to high school with the family's whore of a daughter, ate free Roseland almost daily the summer going into junior year.

[redgeeteeeye]

ROSELAAAAAAANDIA. My best friend lives a couple hundred feet from there, you can smell it when you're in his yard.

Awesome pizza. The owners are dicks. I used to go to high school with the family's whore of a daughter, ate free Roseland almost daily the summer going into junior year.

I might know your friend since im maybe 3 min walk from that place

[Jesse]

http://www.naplespizzact.com/

This place makes awesome pizza.. the pepperoni is ****ing amazing. I typically don't order roni pies from anywhere because it's one of my lesser favorites, but that's my go to at naples because its fan-tastic.

[Mk1Racer]

Was in New Haven last fall for the day. I was told I had to try Frank Pepe's pizza, because it rivaled NYC/NJ pizza. I was dissapoint.