Restaurant Review: Hen of the Woods

Most people don't know about "Hen of the Woods" since it's tucked far from the view of any passing driver at the back of Southbury's Bennett Square.

 "Hen" serves breakfast, lunch, and what they refer to as a 'light dinner.' I went in the afternoon and the lunch menu featured a nice selection of hot, Panini-grilled sandwiches, burgers, and elaborate salads.

The sandwiches on the menu have feel-good names such as the "Hammy Sammy" (Ham with Brie and other trimmings such as apricot preserves), and the "Roasty Toasty" (Roast beef on a Focaccia Roll, Gorgonzan spread, horseradish mayonnaise, tomatoes, and caramelized onions).  Most of them feature these unique gourmet items and help the sandwich options stand out from those served by other lunch places.

Normally, 'gourmet and 'unique' can translate into plain, consumer English as 'more expensive'. This is not the case with "Hen of the Woods;" every meal on the menu (including the breakfast menu, which has eggs of every kind, pancakes, French toast, hot cereal, and a convenient kids' menu) is in between $5 and $8.50, which seemed like a pretty good price, and even better once I tucked into my meal.

I ordered the "Roasty Toasty" which comes with a bottled or canned beverage from the cooler.  Their drink selection is also unconventional: I grabbed a bottle of 'Freaky Dog Soda,' which I had never heard of before.  Specifically I opted for ther 'Bulldog BlueRaz' varient.

While waiting for my meal, I looked around the place. "Hen of the Woods" has a warm environment. I hate to rely on a cliché, but that really is the only way to describe the ambiance with accuracy.

The walls are painted a tranquil off-white, and decorated with wreaths, watering cans, and every tasteful knick-knack one can bring to mind. The floor is light hardwood.  None of the tables matched, which adds an elegantly disheveled touch to the place. There are big windows on either side of the door, looking out on the outdoor seating.

My meal arrived, with some chips on the side, and it tasted even better than it sounded. The roast beef was cooked perfectly, the horseradish mayonnaise wasn't spicy like it sounds, but mixed with the roast beef juice and the tasty Focaccia roll, and definitely enhanced the taste. I ripped through this meal, pushing all of my earlier plans to think about every bite, for the sake of this review, out of the picture, because it was simply too good to just sit and look at.

After I ate, I talked to the owner, Michelle Williams, about the restaurant's history. She told me that it was opened in October of 2008, and that she had had a "Hen of the Woods" catering business in Woodbury.

This catering business isn't around any more, but Southbury's restaurant does catering.

Williams said that she chose the unique menu simply because it featured food that she loves, and food that she loves to cook. She said that she's taken a bit from everywhere she's ever eaten, by checking out the menus at other restaurants she eats at when traveling. By doing her homework, she opened a place that is different from the competition.

The only problem with "Hen of the Woods" is that it isn't nearly as crowded as it should be. When you can get a hot Panini sandwich, complete with standard trimmings and then some, for $8, it should be a deal that everybody cashes in on. Unfortunately, due to poor location, this place doesn't get the business or the recognition that it deserves.

I recommend "Hen of the Woods" to anybody who wants to have a reasonably-priced meal, enjoy a homey, welcoming environment while dining, and wants to walk away feeling full and satisfied.

And the origin of the name? Williams that it's the name of a locally growing mushroom.

I'll be back there to eat soon; I hope I see you all there.