Connecticut Best Restaurants 2010

Best Eggs
COSMIC OMELET, Manchester
Among the two dozen eponymous offerings here, don’t miss the “Cosmic Cloud Nine,” stuffed with turkey, tomato, bacon, and cream cheese. 485 Hartford Road. 860-645-1864; cosmicomelet.com

Best Cantina
BOXCAR CANTINA, Greenwich
Authentic northern New Mexican cuisine using fresh, local ingredients. Don’t miss the quesadilla stuffed with roasted veggies and Brie. 44 Old Field Point Road. 203-661-4774; boxcarcantina.com

Best Gourmet Dining for Locavores
MARKET, Stamford
Mostly organic ingredients become sophisticated seasonal comfort foods (perhaps pork chops and polenta fries) and pure innovation (fried baby artichokes with garlic aioli). Look for heirloom tomatoes, Connecticut oysters, or just-picked peaches. 249 Main St. 203-348-8000; marketstamford.com

Best Indian Restaurant
THALI, New Haven
Chef/owner Prasad Chirnomula’s vibrant dishes are inspired by his home country. The result: fiery curries, slow-cooked biryanis, and spicy kebabs grilled in a tandoor oven. 4 Orange St. 203-777-1177; thali.com

Best Classic Pub
THE WHITE HORSE, Marbledale
English-pub atmosphere and a relaxed mix of locals and weekenders. Consider the “White Horse Burger”: short rib, Angus beef, brisket, blue cheese, and smoked bacon. 258 New Milford Turnpike (Route 202). 860-868-1496; whitehorsecountrypub.com

Best Pizzeria
ROSELAND APIZZA, Derby
A beloved neighborhood pizza parlor since 1935. First-timers can’t go wrong with the “Roseland Special” (sausage and mushrooms) or the classic white clam pie (fresh-shucked shellfish, garlic, and olive oil). 350 Hawthorne Ave. 203-735-0494

Best Community Meeting Place
PASSIFLORA CAFE, TEA ROOM & HERBAL SHOPPE, New Hartford
Way more than a snug tearoom: People gather here to discuss books, enjoy live music, knit, and share homespun meals. The apothecary is stocked with earth-friendly treats for the stressed-out soul: homeopathic remedies, herbal extracts, and more than 150 varieties of loose teas and blends. 526 Main St. (Route 44). 860-379-8327; passiflorateas.com

Best Chef-Owned Venue
@ THE CORNER, Litchfield
Overlooking the village green, chef/owner Red Lanphear’s hallmark is an array of globally inspired dishes with seasonal ingredients from local purveyors. If it’s available, try the calamari with fried jalapenos and Gorgonzola, followed by sauteed lobster and shrimp atop flavorful pappardelle. 3 West St. 860-567-8882; athecorner.com

Best Mobile Eats
THE CUPCAKE TRUCK, New Haven
The young and young-at-heart love this mobile bakery, whose clever mix-and-match ordering method only adds to the fun. An excellent case in point is the decadent “Chocolate Ruin,” topped with caramel frosting. Downtown locations. 203-675-3965; followthatcupcake.com

Best Fancophile Hangout
BRIE & BLEU, New London
You’ll love this bustling fromagerie on the Thames River for its water views and superb bistro fare. True favorite: braised short ribs with raspberries, oranges, and mesclun in a sherry-shallot vinaigrette. 84 Bank St. 860-437-2474; brieandbleu.com

Best New “IT” Bistro
ROUGE, South Norwalk
Pairing wines by the glass with Mediterranean-inspired small plates is hardly a pioneering concept, yet this newcomer at the heart of SoNo’s ultra-hip Washington Street is winning raves by offering just that. 88 Washington St. 203-354-4781; rougewinebar-ct.com