Patch Picks: Top Chefs

Patch runs a weekly feature called Patch Picks, highlighting choice local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, and more, hand-harvested by either us or you, the reader! You’ll find useful lists to help you, your family, friends, and significant others find the best places for everything from Sunday brunch to New Year’s Eve celebrations, pumpkin patches, date night destinations, florists, girlfriend nights out, kids’ party places, parks and more.

This week the theme is Top Chefs in the area,  Patch has found a number of places you can check out if you want to bring friends and/or family and be your own judges table.



Jonathan Pasco’s

31 South Main St., East Windsor

Edgardo Guitierrez, 22, is the chef at . He has been at the restaurant for seven years. The menu has been recently changed and specialties include fresh fish and regional specialties. Jonathan Pasco's is open seven days a week. Dinner is served Monday through Saturday from 5-10 p.m. Brunch is served on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Dinner service on Sunday begins at 3 p.m. and continues until 9 p.m.  Casual pub fare as well as a full menu is available at the bar, which opens daily at 3 p.m.  Reservations are accepted and recommended, call (860) 627-7709. For full menu and more information, go to www.jonathanpascos.net

The Nutmeg

297 South Main St., East Windsor

Chef George Panagiotakopoulos, 44, has been at the for nine years. His specialties include veal Oscar, stuffed filet mignon and various sauces and glazes. The Nutmeg serves Continental American cuisine. The Nutmeg is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are closed on Mondays. Call 860-627-7094 for reservations. See nutmegrestaurant.com for full menus for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, as well as for banquets and parties.

Tosca

68 Bridge St., Suffield

Nicholas Mace has been the chef at Tosca for more than five years. He is a graduate of the Connecticut Culinary Institute with a degree in advanced culinary arts and pastry. Tosca serves Mediterranean-influenced dishes with an emphasis on Italian cuisine. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday for dinner, service starts at 5 p.m. It is closed Sundays. Call for reservations at (860) 668-0273 and see www.toscact.com for menu samples and other information.

Tunxis Grill

3 Tunxis Street, Windsor

Oscar Ramos, 33, has been the chef at Tunxis Grill in Windsor, CT for one year. With 18 years of experience behind him, Ramos has worked for Angellino’s in Vernon among other places and opened the Joey Garlic’s in Newington. Ramos received his culinary education starting at Windham High School and continued learning on his own, “I get all my inspiration from ideas in my head,” Ramos said. “I like to make new recipes. That’s how I know I’m talented because I’m not taking someone else’s work.” Through his friend Rich Schuler, owner of Tunxis Grill, Ramos not only works in the kitchen but makes all of the menus for the restaurant, including the specials that change weekly. Tunxis Grill is open seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. until midnight. The Poquonock area restaurant is the kind of place that will draw in all groups of people, especially those looking to relax and enjoy good food at a reasonable price. It aims to be "a trademark place for Windsor dining," according to their website.

Hazard Grille

39 Hazard Ave., Enfield

The features classic American food created and prepared by owners and chefs John Symasko and Rod Cameron. The menu features seafood, pasta and American favorites, such as New England fish and chips, grilled New York sirloin and Buffalo chicken. The Hazard Grille is open Sundays from noon to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. For reservations or information about functions, call 860-239-0004. For a list of signature dishes and other information, see hazardgrille.com