Extraordinary! Amazingly creative "small plates", many vegan options and lovely presentation make this a new favorite in Hartford. Conveniently located right next to CTFastrak there's plenty of free parking too. The restaurant interior is understated but sophisticated, the service by the team equally impressive. We shared a marinated watermelon dish that could have been sashimi. The Wagu beef skewers were perfect, the Mexican inspired vegetarian dishes just as tasty. The corn bread, good but not in the same class. The deserts and specialty cocktails were just that... special! Many non-alcoholic. Though not cheap, the food here is so good and so worth it. You will not be disappointed! read more

While staying in the Hartford area for work, I needed to find a decent restaurant that offered some vegan and vegetarian options. I chose The Laurel based on the great reviews, not knowing much more about this place. Upon arriving, the parking lot was packed. I also had a difficult time getting in when walking from the parking lot, which is behind the restaurant. The issue here (which is my only negative about the entire dining experience) is if I were with a person with disabilities (as I am at times) who doesn't walk fast and we walked to what we "thought" was the entrance, only to find a sign saying to use the front door, but no arrow as to where that is (and keep in mind, I don't know the area, this place, never been here before) and if it were raining - This would have been a horrible way to start the dinner. PLEASE post a sign on the door with an arrow showing which way to go. Also, the door says it's for disable folks, but it's locked. OK - My griping aside... Coming in, I was quickly greeted and seated. The staff here was GREAT! Very engaging and VERY helpful! The menu here is AMAZING! Good thing it's a joint that specializes in small plates and that I was part of a group of three, it gave us the ability to try a bunch of items; seven, in fact and that's not including dessert! The flavors from their vegetarian and vegan dishes were so darn good, you don't miss the meat! Everything was plated beautifully and perfectly! We also placed our entire order (not desserts) all at once and they brought them out as they were made, which worked perfectly with our timing too. They not only have a full bar here, they have a "craft cocktail" quality bar! Upon walking in, one of the first things I noticed was their yellow chartreuse! Of course, next to this was green. So, when I sat down I asked about it, and my server told me how they were able to get this and so I ordered a Last Word, which came out SPOT-ON PERFECT! When it came to the food, some favs of ours - Their Watermelon Crudo - This looked and had the texture of tuna - AMAZING!! The Vegan Empanadas had amazing flavor and texture! I also liked their Stuffed Peppers - The "Samosa Potatoes" in them really hit nicely as well as the sauce on top. Save room for dessert, they have some great options here! We couldn't decide, so the 3 of us ordered 4! We tried their crème Brûlée, their Unbirthday cake, Tres Leches Tiramisu, and their Brûléed Cornbread. The Unbirthday cake was nice - reminded me of what it looks like, Funfetti! But their Brûléed Cornbread was AWESOME! Loved the crispy edges of the cornbread and the entirety of flavors. It wasn't until mid-meal that we really had a talk with our server about the amazingness of the food, the artfulness of it, as well as the attention to detail and creativity of the menu and that's when we learned that the chef here recently won an award for best chef in Connecticut! Well, now it's obvious - Why the parking lot was packed and why everything was so very good! Highly recommend stopping in - but make reservations! read more

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I'm glad I gave this place a second chance before writing my review. Our first visit was for dinner and while things were good, I did not love it. But it wasn't their fault, I didn't realize that there were olives (in some form or another) pretty much in every single dish I ordered and I don't love olives. As in, whatever I saw, say fish or duck with something I wanted, so I just ordered it without reading the fine details of what were in the dish. So that was my fault, I am sure they would have either suggested things without olives, or told me what things the olives could've been removed from. I knew the service was good and the food was beautifully plated, I just didn't love the things we ordered that time. I saw a post on Instagram that they had a French toast with Ube sauce and I knew I needed to go! I fell in love with Ube in Seattle a couple of years ago and now anytime I see it near me, I have to go get it. I saw the post on a Saturday morning and jumped online and made a brunch reservation for 11:45 the same day! Everything we had was fantastic, rather than wanting a basic sausage or bacon to go with the French toast sticks. I ordered the Bella Bella wings as my protein to go with my Ube French toast, and they were fantastic. I also had to start with the watermelon Crudo, which was interesting, the flavors were excellent, but the texture of the watermelon did not resemble watermelon so it could throw you off if you're not at least a mildly adventurous eater. My husband had the prawn and grits and said it was fabulous and that he would order it again. I did not try it because the portion is not that big and the French toast was filling me up so I let him enjoy his own meal, and did share a couple wings with him and he agreed they were really good. The service was great again, and as simple as it sounds, I loved how when we were seated the hostess asked what kind of water we wanted, we did not have to wait for any period of time for a server to come over and ask us. The attention is in the details and that is always important. The cocktails were great, though a little pricey, which is on par for things in CT. We enjoyed them both at brunch and on our first dinner visit. We will be back, and I actually already prepaid for a dinner experience coming up with Filipino food and I'm excited for it! I have friends that went to the first one and said it was epic! So, while we usually go to brunch only if there are bottomless mimosas, this is one exception that will stay in our rotation! The restaurant is cute, intimate and clean. read more

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Went out to celebrate my birthday. The Laurel absolutely delivered. The kitchen started us off with a complimentary Watermelon Crudo...the exact dish I had almost ordered. Thinly sliced marinated watermelon over tahini green goddess with chili crunch and sesame seeds. Bright, refreshing, tangy, with just enough heat on the finish. A surprisingly delicious combination. The Brussels sprouts were loaded with flavor. Crispy sprouts, pretzel crumble, kielbasa, mustard vinaigrette, and whipped crème fraîche created the perfect mix of smoky, creamy, salty, and crunchy. The Picnic Chicken was comfort food with a creative twist. Pickle-brined drumsticks over smoky baked beans and fresh slaw. Every bite tasted like summer. All it needed was a wicker basket and a checkered blanket. The special Liempo was phenomenal. Tender Berkshire pork belly with a savory calamansi-soy marinade, crispy shallots, and herbs. Rich, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. The Wagyu Beef Skewers were another winner. Tender souvlaki-style beef paired with whipped feta and an olive and date salad that balanced salty, sweet, and briny flavors beautifully. Dessert was their Unbirthday Cake. A light, airy angel food cake layered with marshmallow meringue frosting and a sweet soak that kept everything moist without becoming overly sweet. A fun, nostalgic ending to a fantastic meal. I love restaurants that aren't afraid to borrow inspiration from different cultures while still respecting the flavors that make those dishes special. The Laurel does exactly that, and the execution backs it up. Excellent food. Outstanding service. Another birthday dinner that won't soon be forgotten. Highly recommend. read more

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Went for "girl dinner" on a Thursday and it did NOT disappoint They have a special with a kale Caesar salad, fries, and an Aperol spritz for $25! (You can add chicken tenders for an upcharge $10) The drink can't be swapped for another alcoholic drink, but you can switch it for something non-alcoholic if you want. Everything was sooo well flavored. The kale Caesar? Literally to die for. I never take salad home because it gets soggy...but I ate it the next day and it was STILL so good and the croutons were somehow still crunchy The chicken tenders were amazing, the fries were perfection, and even though I'm not usually an Aperol spritz girl, I finished the whole drink 10/10 would go back for girl dinner read more

The Laurel - Girl dinner. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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Food was yummy ! Burger delicious Spicy Caesar, spicy! Choc cake decadent Chicken and stew yum! One concern is some of rhe sharing plates are less food and others are more ... Hard to estimate . Enjoyed going , and will go again !! read more

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Food and service were impeccable, the espresso martini is the best I've had in the area. The place could use a little sound dampening but overall I love this local haunt, read more

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I finally got the chance to check out the new restaurant the laurel located where the old "corner pug" was located in west Hartford ! I had heard so many amazing things about, so I was super excited to visit ! To start off I ordered the maize runner cocktail which had this amazing apple cider foam in top and it was sooo good ! Highly recommend. Next we ordered the brussel sprouts which were very good ! Highly recommend . The waygu skewers were very tender and a little chewy but tasted fantastic . The sausage rolls cooked to perfection ! Highly recommend And finally the pasta which was very good however there were a lot of onions which I personally didn't like much . The dessert I think was my favourite ! The salted crème brûlée was to dye for ! So tasty ! And the Tiramisu très lèche cake was sooooo good ! Highly recommend both ! Overall the food was very flavourful and delicious the staff was so lovely ! The only issue we had was my husband had an upset stomach that night ! Overall I had a great time though ! read more

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The food was delicious and light. The atmosphere is very laid back and the decor is tastefully done. The service staff was attentive but not overbearing read more

The Laurel - French toast sticks and Cornbread and Gravy - Cocktail Bars Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

We went to the Laurel for our wedding Anniversary. The ambiance was elegant and laid back. The service was impeccable. Some drinks suggestions weren't great like the Lucuma No Hands I think the chili oil addition is only for certain pallets but I found it to be a little too spicy. The Haluski Pasta was memorable but needed to be mixed so the flavors meshed better. The Wagyu skewers and brussel sprouts were delicious and I would highly recommend (although the Wagyu was more like a NY strip). To top it off the salted caramel creme brulee was a hit! read more

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Talk about an incredible experience. Rarely does a restaurant so heavily raved about, that I have built up mammoth expectations for, meet the hype. The Laurel absolutely did. From the moment we entered (party of 2), we knew we had made an excellent choice. Extremely welcoming and comfortable, even having elected to sit at a bar table to enjoy their incredible happy hour. Super friendly, warm and helpful staff. We started with drinks, the gold rush and a margarita, both excellent. For food, we ordered the cornbread, the hand cut fries, the hearts of palm ceviche, and the spicy Caesar salad. What really stood out was how brilliantly composed each dish was. The cornbread had a nice crumb while still point, and the pepper jelly balanced nicely with the pimento butter. The fries were textbook and crisp, with two luscious and flavorful dipping sauces. The ceviche was a masterclass in what vegan cooking and food can be. It had a texture reminiscent of what you would find in a traditional seafood ceviche, as well as the citrus forward punch. I'm a Caesar salad lover, so the idea of a spicy Caesar with chili crunch sounded perfect to me. It absolutely was. All the flavors necessary to maintain its "Caesar" identity while being elevated to another level. We then decided to try the brown butter spaetzle off of the main menu. It was in a brodo with just enough richness while still being light, which was a welcome change from traditionally heavy spaetzle dishes. Incredibly flavorful. The basque cheesecake was highly recommended, so we were sure to end with that. It was heavenly. Best basque cheesecake i have had. It was not overly sweet while still staying firmly in the dessert realm. The elderberry and cherry sauce was the perfect counterpoint. Again, brilliant composition. The dishes were obviously carefully put together and thought out. I loved the space. Rarely am I that comfortable in a bar area. The entire space looked warm and inviting as well. I am very eager to return, especially with the amount of dishes they offer that I can eat being a pescatarian. Easily one of the best restaurant experiences I've had recently, and one of the finest spots in an area with no shortage of good places. read more

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I recently celebrated my 6th anniversary and our dinner at the Laurel met and exceeded my expectations for a wonderful date night dinner. I had eaten at this restaurant months ago and was happy to see how their menu rotates with the season and their local suppliers, with an eclectic menu of wonderful items. They also changed their cocktail menu around as well. My partner and I ordered 4 dishes-- the spicy caesar salad, the haluski pasta with duck bacon, sausage rolls and wagyu skewers. The spicy caesar was crunchy and delicious with a nice kick of chili crisp. The sausage rolls were tender on the inside, while nice and flaky on the outside with a really delicious horseradish sauce that balanced the richness well. The portion was rather small for the sausage roll but taste bites. The haluski pasta was very al dente and has a nice denseness to the pasta, the creamy oniony sauce was delicious and the duck bacon added nice texture and umami to this dish. The wagyu skewers were my boyfriend's favorite dish-- very tender, with delicious sauces we savored with every bite. We also ordered the luna llena cocktail and false alarm cocktails, from their extremely interesting and at times out there cocktail menu (of which there is a caprese-salad inspired cocktail). The luna llena was very smoky and tart, and the false alarm had a spiced quality to it that was very seasonally appropriate. The cocktails were nice, but pretty expensive, however very worth trying. At the end of our dinner, our waitress kindly congratulated us on our anniversary and brought over a card and surprised us with champagne. It was incredibly nice and made the dining experience extra special. We closed out the night with a salted caramel creme brulee, which was deliciously caramelized with a soft slightly salted custard inside. Overall another amazing dinner here with obvious care going into the menu, ambiance and service. read more

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We went for brunch right when they opened. We had a reservation but it took about 15 minutes for someone to come get our drink orders and so we just ordered food right then too. There was a table with more people who got seated after us and they received drinks before we even got our orders in. I'm sure they are busy first thing, but that was a bit bizarre to me. The food was good, everything tasted fresh and it was a fun twist. I highly recommend the brunch burger. The restaurant itself is very beautiful and spacious. read more

Wow! The Laurel is truly impressive. Located in what used to be an Irish Pub the brick interior gives a cozy vibe. The food is fancy and delicious! My husband is vegan and I'm vegetarian so we just ordered every vegan option they had and spilt them! Including their Vegan Empanadas, Sweet Potato Flautas, Hearts of Palm Ceviche and Vegan Chocolate Mouse. For dinner we spilt this vegan roasted chic pea and yellow squash that used to be on the menu in February 2026 but now is not. The service was kind and helpful. The Heart of Palm Ceviche was our favorite! The flavors were so popping and bright! Every dish was amazing! I have removed one star because the portions are small and the prices are high. Which is normal for a fancy restaurant. I wish for them to add another vegan dinner item to their menu soon! read more

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The Laurel and their amazing team were such a fantastic host! My best friend and I came over to celebrate our birthdays with a few drinks and shareable bites. There's a parking lot in the back to support the few businesses at that corner with an accessible handicap entry on the side while the front had a short few steps.l that faces the patio. We sat at the bar with high-stool chairs and were able to take advantage of the happy hour menu for the next 30-minutes after arrival. I enjoyed every dish we ordered! I got Gold Rush as a starter drink. It contained bourbon, lemon and honey. It was a sweet and lovely combination. I recommend this cocktail! Starting with chicken wings evenly coated with buffalo sauce that was not overly dripping. It was arranged and stacked like a set of dominoes on top of each other and garnished with beautifully sliced carrots, celery, and scallions that was tossed with dressing accompanied by a side of blue cheese. I love spice and probably quite accustomed to it so I could taste the kick of the buffalo wings without actually getting kicked by it. Even though celery is a regular accompaniment of this dish, the way it was served was unique! The colors also had a nice contrast making it quite attractive. Did the chef know what they're actually doing? Oh yes, I think so! We also asked for Hearts of Palm Ceviche. This is the first time I've had hearts of palm. It is very similar to an unripe jackfruit. The sweet potato chips that came with it is absolutely delicious! I can eat either of those two things daily! It was also topped with cilantro! I feel spoiled already! Ashely brought us their Spicy Melon Crudo and explained the whole plate to us which is supposed to be a watermelon marinated with gochujang topped with chili crisps, scallions, and I think mint leaves too. To tie in all the flavors, tahini green goddess dressing decorated the edge of the dish for a dance of flavors and not only for plating. This one is quite the delicacy! The Crab Tostada came shortly after and Ashley wished us to keep enjoying. This combination is an inspiration! The description says "marinated crab meat, nuoc cham, red curry crema, blue corn tortilla, sweet chili." I have to be honest that I was afraid to try this because I didn't know how the peppers were going to burn my tongue. Lol. It actually wasn't spicy at all. The corn tortilla remained crunchy despite the red curry crema sitting on top of it long before I made a bite into it. The crab was fresh and meaty while the fish sauce brought out a sweetness to this starter. The portions are well thought out. We then had the Wagyu Beef Skewers which is beef souvlaki with whipped feta. It was also mixed in with date and seed salad, and olives. Ahhh! It's so yummy! We were getting pretty full so we couldn't end the evening without dessert! Opting to share the Tres Leches Tiramisu, they also gave us the Unbirthday Cake. Thank you Ashley!! We both enjoyed your hospitality and cannot wait to come again! Thank you so much for the birthday cards as well! This will be a memory I will never forget! read more

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The Laurel is an exploration of global cuisines. There is no set menu, its cultures woven into one dish ... truly a chef's playground, every dish has elements of Peruvian, Korean, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Thai...and many more. Just what the world should be like!! "shareable plates, globally inspired, locally sourced" I was very intrigued by the menu and had to try the hearts of palm ceviche. But what blew my mind was the spicy melon crudo.. how did they turn a melon to taste like meat?? The cocktails were creative as well ... miso infused sake... wow!! And to end it all, the salty caramel creme brûlée ...was an easy 10/10. Highly recommended!! read more

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I met with some of my friends for brunch and had a really nice experience! The service was excellent, they accommodated our request for comfortable seats ( we did asked ahead of time) , they had a coat check and brought water right away. I loved the ambiance, the space is nice and welcoming and everything we ordered was truly delicious!! Highly recommended!! The French toast and unbirthday cake are a must!! read more

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Well well. This is a fantastic new place where the old Corner Pug was. They've freshened up the place and has a cute bar area with bartenders who make very fresh and inventive cocktails. We sat in a high top and ordered a few of the small dishes that the menu is filled with. The oysters were a nice selection. Then the tuna tartare which came with a light "cracker" to eat with the tuna. The carrot pakora had hints of Indian flavor but again felt modern. We enjoyed it. We also loved the truffle Spaetzle mac and cheese. That savory flavor with some saltiness. So good. And upside down blueberry cake was the peak of blueberry season. Great dessert. Service was great. read more

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We were very excited to finally try The Laurel. The food was really good. The flavors were such a beautiful blend. I had a great mocktail, Them Apples, which was made with Ras el hanout. I had never had a drink like that and loved it. Such a beautiful flavor. Brussel sprouts had a unique pretzel topping. Cornbread was so good as well as the fries. It is always a great girl dinner with a salad and fries! The server was very attentive and offered us to give us a try of both the black garlic aioli or vegan chimichurri 'aioli' rather than having to pick one! Both were fantastic. Hand cut fries are elite. read more

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A must-try! Every dish was incredibly flavorful, creative, and thoughtfully prepared. To start, we highly recommend the Watermelon Crudo, Wagyu Beef Skewers, Little Neck Clams, and Bella Bella Wings. Chef Ashley's creativity truly shines through in each dish, with unique combinations and bold flavors throughout the menu. The service was equally impressive--everyone on the staff was warm and welcoming, and our server, Megan, was attentive and provided excellent service from start to finish. We highly recommend this restaurant and look forward to returning! read more

2nd time here after Ashley Won her Chef of the Year award from the Crazies. Congratulations. This place is so unique in their flavor profiles. Had the Smoking Goat mezcal drink to start. WOW. Came with a Parmesan crisp on it. So delicious. Had the spicy kale Caesar Saturday night and the beet salad. Both were delicious. The beet salad so unique in that they serve it with lime to squeeze on the beets. Who would think lime would pair well with beets?! Well...it does! Cilantro, sesame, peanuts, lime and a crema sauce - wow! Spicy kale is not for the faint of heart - it's spicy but amazing! The mussels were the grand finale for me. Carrots, curry broth that was drinkable as the waitress said (and was), mussels, cilantro. So good. Very enjoyable second meal at The Laurel. Atmosphere - gave it a 3 because the acoustics aren't great in here but the food makes up for it. read more

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We want for a special Mother's Day lunch and it was absolutely delightful and delicious. The interior is beautifully decorated with a floral wallpaper and the seating was comfortable. And the service was great . read more

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Precision! 'Nuff" said. Each dish was a work of art and delicious. The layers of flavors were unique and incredibly constructed. Attention was given to each ingredient to create a synergy not often experienced. read more

The Laurel Brunch today was selected for a special birthday--it was a delicious, pleasant experience. The interior of the restaurant was lovely- beautiful wallpaper; comfortable booths. Food and cocktails were delicious.We shared delicious Brussels sprouts and chicken wings for appetizers. I had a creamy tofu scramble for my meal. My companions all had egg dishes which they all said were very tasty. For dessert I had scrumptious Tiramisu- not too sweet, just right! My companions had slices of confetti cake - the frosting was meringue! Their specialty cocktails were varied with interesting, flavorful combinations- not the usual. I decided to try a Manhattan instead which was very, very smooth. Our server, Lonnie, was very gracious and attentive. At the end of our brunch she served us sparkling wine, courtesy of The Laurel with a happy birthday note for our birthday celebrant- such a lovely surprise! read more

My friends wanted to try out this new spot this weekend after hearing good things. We made a reservation for 8 people just a few days beforehand and arrived at the assigned time. Unfortunately, we had to wait about 30 minutes because the party at the large table before us was taking longer than expected to leave. At the end of our meal, the staff graciously brought over 2 unbirthday cake desserts to thank us for waiting. We weren't going to order dessert but we ate every bite of these! Funfetti cake with cream cheese insider and a meringue frosting. So different and just delicious, though quite sweet. I will happily pay for it next time I am there! The vibe of the place is adorable. I hear it's owned by 2 queer women, which we were happy to support. The wallpaper, the color scheme, the art work on the wall - everything is beautifully curated in a vibe I'd never have thought to do in my own house but was suddenly in love with! Our large party was in a comfy wrap around booth that also had some chairs. I will say my only negative feedback is the chairs have very small seats. Everyone who sat in one said they could feel their butts hanging over the edge and the women were probably sizes 10/12, so not especially large. If you were much heavier, I could see dreading those chairs. But the booth was study and comfy! Most of us wound up ordering the burger with the fried pimento cheese. Oh my gosh. Absolutely wonderful! Pimento cheese needs to be on more menus up North, but frying it to a crisp was a really fun change. The french fries were house cut and perfectly done. 10/10 meal. We also ordered the Brussel sprouts appetizer. They were crispy and seasoned well. I'd happily reorder everything again. Service was great. The waitress was very sweet and kept our glasses full. A 20% gratuity was automatically added to our bill at the end of the night. Everything was very clean and just wonderful. Totally recommend. We will be back! read more

They did a great job with the interior. Food and drink were outstanding. Had one maiz runner and it was easily one of the top 5 best cocktails I've ever had, plus it was beautiful. We had the empanadas, Brussels, clams, flautas, and steak frites. Everything was amazing and if it wasn't dairy free, they were able to make it dairy free. Also had the DF pb chocolate mousse and got the oatmilk ice cream and I liked them together. read more

The Laurel - Brussels and clams - Cocktail Bars Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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A great addition to the area! They've got a unique tapas-style menu with global flavors that are perfect for sharing and trying something new. The ambiance is gorgeous. Great for a fun night out with friends or a cozy date night. Every dish I had was delicious and beautifully put together. This place is definitely going to be a local favorite. Can't wait to go back and try more! read more

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Omg! Ashley Flagg has not only won chef of the year, she has won me as a forever customer! I was blown away by this fresh farm to table restaurant during a recent brunch visit. As soon as you walk in the door the vibes here are classy, chill and comfortable. The beautifully painted Muriel of the flowers, brick exposed walls and the earth tones make you feel relaxed and ready to enjoy the experience. From the mimosas, handcrafted cocktails and mocktails, there's a drink for everyone to explore. And that's just the start. I ordered the "Dill with it" a vodka, lemon, honey, apple cordial and it was so refreshing. I went with a group of friends so we literally ordered the whole menu. Each dish was hand crafted to perfection. The flavors were rich and all dishes were made fresh. The ingredients are used from local farms which I absolutely love and respect. It takes a village to create magic! And you can taste that with every bite down to the desserts! Some of my favorites included the Black Sea Bass, the cornbread and gravy, the jalapeño cornbread, the French toast sticks, the brunch burger, the CT breakfast Sandwich and the sticky toffee pudding cake. And that's just naming a few. Honestly the whole menu was fire! I just can't wait to go back! read more

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Truly perfect dining experience. We started off with cocktails and they were each perfectly crafted and unique. The food was great for sharing. Most of the menu had share plates and they were all good portions for our party of 4. Stand outs were certainly the chicken wings (cooked perfectly crispy and flavorful) and the heart of palm ceviche (incredible flavor/essence of ceviche without the fish!). Our server was very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu she did not lead us astray. Definitely save room for dessert. It is not an afterthought here! I'd certainly come back here just for an after dinner drink and desert it was all phenomenal. read more

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Came here and just loved it! Amazing tapas combined with great service! The place was cozy, friendly and warm.

This renovation is absolutely stunning! I love the flower prints on the wall and two rooms are decorated slightly different but have a very warm and classy feel. The music wasn't too loud which was great because we could still hear each other talking. The waitstaff was truly exceptional as waa the food. Everyone from start to finish was friendly and attentive. As for food, we ordered: The oysters: they were really good but really varied in size. For the price, I just wish the sizes were a bit bigger and consistent. Ghanaian Peanut Stew: my favorite item on the menu. It was warm and comforting and flavors I haven't really experienced before. It was executed beautifully. Pork belly Char Sui: I LOVE pork belly. It was my second favorite item of the night. It was perfectly cooked so it melted in your mouth. It came with peanuts and a slaw that had the right amount of spice and acid. Karage Chicken: my least favorite item however the chicken was cooked to perfection. In my opinion it just lacked flavor and would have been really nice with a light sauce or aioli of some sort. Salted Caramel Crème Brûlée: I'm a snob when it comes to this dessert and I order it whenever I see it on a menu. They nailed the top sugared crust. It was so good. The custard was light and delicious. It said Maldon salt on the menu description however neither of us really tasted any salt components but I imagine that has to be tough with a custard and sugar top. Still a great dish! Overall, we were VERY pleased with the entire experience and will definitely be back. Can't wait to see what the summer menu will have! read more

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We came here for a group brunch and were immediately impressed by the stunning decor as soon as we walked through the door. The service was excellent, the food was delicious, and the menu was both creative and unique. The cocktails were just as impressive--thoughtfully crafted and full of flavor. Overall, we had a fantastic experience and will definitely be coming back! read more

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Tried the Laurel for the first time. The place has been redone and it's absolutely gorgeous! When we walked in, we were asked if we had a reservation which surprised me. We did not so we sat at a high tap at the bar. I would say the service is just meh. For food I got the side salad with chicken and my friend got the Caesar salad with chicken. We were both shocked when it came out and it was actually fried chicken cut up into several pieces. I feel like when you get chicken it's understood that it's grilled and that should have been pointed out that it was going to be fried. Overall, I just wasn't impressed a doubt that I will return. read more

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I ordered my steak, medium rare, and it was horribly overcooked. No pink at all. I sent the food back in the next cut came out raw. It was also a very bad cut of steak. For $45 I expect more. read more

The Laurel - Steak frites - Cocktail Bars Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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Finally made it to this gem I've been hearing about in the former Corner Pub location. They've done a fabulous job renovating the interior- love the marble top bar and cozy ambiance without the "sports bar" feel of old. It's classy and cool. Happy hour had good but a bit limited menu. Entrees were delicious- tried the prawns with bbq grits and WOW. Will def be back! Excellent service too and love their support of LGBTQ community read more

The Laurel - Kale salad, prawns and grits - Cocktail Bars Near Me - West Hartford, Connecticut

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This place has such a great variety of food and each bite tastes better than the last. I highly recommend the Cornbread & Gravy and the Crab Tostada. read more

One of our favorite spots in all CT! Every dish is expertly created and memorable with an emphasis on balanced flavors and stunning presentation. The waitresses and kitchen staff are friendly and accommodating. Ask about the Date Night deal on Sundays during your next visit! read more

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Great Friendlys service, food, and drinks. One of the best espresso martinis I have had in a while. Nice atmosphere. Look forward to returning. read more

We stopped in to the Laurel on a beautiful Sunday afternoon for brunch and cocktails at the bar. Parking was conveniently located in the back and we were welcomed in with warm greetings and smiles. My first impression was that the bar felt closed off from the rest of the restaurant, we like a few TVs, and decor on tables didn't continue into the bar area. The Simple Plan cocktails, and the flavor of the spicy maple syrup were the highlights. We subbed the original hash browns (pictured) for fries, and found the boneless thigh meat a bit fatty for our taste in chicken and waffles. For Tapas I look for that elevation in the ingredients I didn't quite find with our selections. But hey The Laurel is new and close by so we'll give it another shot for lunch or dinner soon! read more

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I was so pleased and and surprised how good my experience was. The place decor super cute love the natural elements, such as a beautiful monstera . The bartender took such great care in the way he crafted the drinks. It was like an art to watch an absolutely delicious taste. The menu was a delight. I was so impressed by the plant-based ceviche as a Peruvian, and knowing this dish very well, I must say this version outshined a few restaurants Peruvian style ceviche with actual seafood. And I have an amazing burger perfectly cooked and fries also very good. The prices are reasonable and for everything that I've ate I will definitely be coming back. read more