City: Hamden, CT

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (203) 553-7676

Address: 3000 Whitney Ave.

Description: The Mount Carmel section of Hamden is quickly becoming a foodie destination, with several solid restaurants as well as wine and specialty food shops. Mikro has taken it to the next level, with an inventive menu that changes seasonally. They have 18 rotating taps that serve all sorts of American and European craft beers, as well as a great selection of bottles. Don’t expect to get a Bud here. The food here is awesome: rich and creative, with belly-satisfying poutine (fries, gravy, and cheese curds, for those who haven’t been to Quebec), confit chicken wings with Indian spices, and other outrageous delights. In the winter, the pork belly Reuben will make you wonder why everyone isn’t making these at every deli across America. And in the summer, try the coq au biere (instead of vin), chicken marinated in farmhouse ale with oyster mushrooms and applewood-smoked bacon.