50 Dishes to Try Before You Die - #24

Beef brisket on rye at Rein's, Vernon. There never have been very many old-fashioned Jewish delis in Yankee Connecticut, but Rein's has been in Vernon since 1972 (a good sign) and its sandwiches, and other specialty dishes, meet and exceed every possible test.

50 Dishes to Try Before You Die - #23

French toast at O'Rourke's Diner, Middletown. One morning, early, make the trip to the legendary O'Rourke's for a big breakfast of French toast - and be sure it's prepared with the diner's justly famous Irish soda bread.

50 Dishes to Try Before You Die - #22

Tomato salad at West Street Grill. Among the many treasures to be had at West Street are these locally grown heirloom tomatoes served on a plate sprinkled with fleur de sel, drizzled with the best virgin olive oil, topped with fresh basil leaves and accompanied by a thick slice of homemade peasant bread. A gift of the season.

50 Dishes to Try Before You Die - #21

Caesar salad at Carbone's, Hartford. For those who crave the old-school presentation, this is it: laboriously prepared tableside, with fork-mashed fresh garlic, olive oil, assiduously emulsified anchovies, Tabasco, mustard, a squeeze of lemon, Parmesan cheese, romaine, croutons and, yes, a raw egg.

50 Dishes to Try Before You Die - #20

Paella negra at Ibiza, New Haven. Tuesday night is paella night at Ibiza, with a special menu served only then. This spectacular dish (which needs to be ordered by at least two at your table) includes squid ink rice, Spanish prawns, shrimp, mussels, squid, clams, day-market fish and herbs.

50 Dishes to Try Before You Die - #19

Italian combo grinder at Nardelli's, Waterbury and Naugatuck. Get back to the roots of the whole grinder thing with this original beauty, circa 1922: prosciuttini, cappicola, salami and provolone, with lettuce, tomato, olives and hot sauce.

50 Dishes to Try Before You Die - #18

Hot oil pizza at Colony Grill, Stamford. The crust on these pies is so thin that it's actually brittle, creating a delicious crunch unlike any pizza you've ever had. Some find it very hard to go back to pizza-as-usual after experiencing the Colony's version.