Annual Readers' Survey

One of our most popular reader features is back: Our annual readers' restaurant survey, where our readers tell us who they think are the best eateries in 27 different categories, from American to vegetarian and every cuisine in between. This year, we've added a few new categories, such as best sushi and hidden gem. And of course, there's best new restaurant and best overall.

And as in years past, you can profit from giving us your opinion -- vote for your favorites and you will be entered in a drawing to win $750 or dinner on us! Not bad for taking a few minutes to complete a survey.

To cast your votes, simply click here.

We're looking forward to hearing from you!

End of An Era

As someone who grew up in Milford, I was saddened to see this story this morning in the Connecticut Post about the closing of Paul's Famous Hamburgers after 62 years. Like many in town, I ate there on occasion, and although it was never really a hangout of mine, I do have good memories of their delicious burgers.

I don't know the particular reasons for its closure, and the story in the Post doesn't shed any substantial clues, but I would hate to think it was forced out of business because of too many competing burger chains. As I've railed here before, although I understand the convenience and attraction of chains, they really are poor substitutes for places with genuine atmosphere (not just old tennis rackets and eclectic photos hung up on cookie-cutter walls to create "ambiance") and more importantly, better food and service.

Paul's won our Best of Connecticut award for "best hamburger," an award won this year by Plan B Tavern -- who, despite having three locations (West Hartford, Glastonbury and Simsbury), is still a local business and not a national chain.

For now.