Grano Arso

What a treat to dine at Grano Arso. The detailed rotating menu, locally sourced ingredients, and thoughtfully curated cocktails. Enjoyed our dinner and can’t wait to return. I did the prix fix menu and did not regret that. The pasta is all house made, bread house made, butter, you guessed it, in house. Beets appetizer is the best beets I have ever had, the acidity, hazelnuts, crunch from the cabbage, exquisite. The chef clearly is passionate about their craft. Can’t wait for my next visit!

We love this place. Everything from the drinks to food are phenomenal. Highly recommend. Only complaint, on this visit my dinner tasted amazing, but a very small portion. We mentioned the portion size to our sever and were compensated with a dessert and 2 glasses of champagne. We love this place and will be back.

I came here yesterday to eat dinner with some family members. Everything here is extremely delicious and tasty! The homemade bread is delicious. The drink that I got here was tasty and best drink ever! I got a hibiscus margarita to drink. For appetizers we got the Peaches and the other appetizer we got was the Eggplant Al Forno. For our main dishes we got Alla Vodka, Toasted Rye Tagliatelle, Rigatoni Bolognese, and a gluten free pasta. We also got the Chicken dish! We got 2 desserts to try which were delicious. I’m definitely coming back!

Absolutely 10 stars plus! We opted for the chef’s tasting menu. Wow. Thanks to our server (Cassie) the service was perfect. Timing between plates was excellent - not rushed but not too long. Fabulous, creative team in the kitchen. Each plate was beautifully composed and presented. Standout dishes included Scallops with Polenta Fresca, Wagyu Bolegnese Tagliatelle and Lamb Loin and Confit Flank with Hazelnut Romesco. This was our second visit. We’re definitely headed back!

We went for a date night this past Wednesday night. Quickly realized that you have to really reserve your table ahead of time or else you’re not getting into the restaurant (a tip given to us by a friend). The service was amazing and absolutely was very attentive in between waiting for our food. The main room can be very loud at moment (but that’s just because of our own hearing loss lol). We spent about two hours there, but mainly it was waiting for our entrées and the appetizer. Even just gaining our drinks from the bar took a little bit of time. I didn’t take a picture but we had the peach appetizer which was very good (I was surprised) and was very light. I plan on trying to mimic this later. The one thing that has deterred us from coming back is I have to be very careful with my salt intake and same thing goes for my partner. We were told by the waitress that the chicken had a salted skin, but that was the main salty part which I was able to just remove the skin of the chicken dish. But the rigatoni was absolutely unbelievably salty that it burned my partner’s throat the more he ate and he felt ill after. We don’t want to ever make a scene to have items remade and making food/owning a business costs money and more of our time to wait again for food. We are happy believers and not wasting food so we did make sure to finish our plates. We paid for the meal, left the lively waitress a tip and I don’t believe we will be coming back.

We went to Grano Arso last night and had an outstanding meal! I’m not going to lie, our arrival experience started off rocky but our waitress, the food, the drinks & the atmosphere well surpassed our hostess experience. Four of us arrived and were told my reservation was only for 2. I was apologetic about this but the host was quite irritated with me (which I understand) but could have been a bit less sharp with us. We apologized for the error and said we understood if we couldn’t get in but she continued to explain “that would be unfortunate because we staff our restaurant based on the reservations.” We asked if my credit card would be charged the fee if we now cancelled due to our mix up and she didn’t answer that question. She told us to come back a half hour later. This was a confusing statement but we followed the direction and came back. When we came back 30 mins later as directed, we waited another 20 minutes (with many other patrons) before being greeted & addressed. Once we were sat in the dining room it was like we were at a totally different restaurant. Our waitress was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. The bread & butter was delicious. The husbands both ordered the short rib entrée & it was tender and flavorful! I had the Toasted Rye Tagliatelle & the ragu, mascarpone, spinach and local mushrooms paired perfectly. My friend had the Alla Vodka and was impressed. For dessert we had the Affogato and it hit the spot. Cocktails at the table were the Black Manhattan & lemon drop martini- both 10/10. Overall, superb food & waitstaff. If the host (who sort of seemed like an owner) could be more welcoming and customer service driven it would make the place phenomenal.

Amazing authentic Italian food. Drinks were great and neat. Great vibe and classy vibe.

This is a must stop for anyone visiting CT- if you're from CT I am sure you have to know how great this place is-I am so glad I stopped in on my vacation. This was hands down some of the best food I have ever eaten! The cocktails were masterfully created amd perfectly balanced. Pasta made in house and cooked perfectly al dente, the penne ala vodka with guanciale was the the absolute best I have ever had! Honey nut squash with whipped ricotta and pumpkin seed pesto was such a treat and a perfectly balanced bite. The service was impeccable, lovely wait staff that are so attentive. 10 out of 10

Grano Arso is one of the best restaurants in CT. They care so much about quality of ingredients and cooking from scratch. Everything from bread to pastas is house made. The rye tagliatelle is truly special. The mushrooms combined with a hint of rye is so unexpected. The duck was seared perfectly and I loved the risotto. They also have fantastic cocktails and an espresso martini with fresh brewed to order espresso. Every time we are in Chester we have to stop at this spectacular restaurant.

Came here for dinner to celebrate my husband's birthday, drove about an hour to try it out. The downtown area of the town in which this restaurant is located is very cute. Had we planned better we would've left time to walk around for a little bit before dinner. Parking is mostly street parking but there is a small lot behind the restaurant maybe with 8-10 spots, tight but manageable. We were seated promptly on arrival at our reservation time. Service was very friendly and attentive and the restaurant itself was nice, clean, not too formal. The food was good, we enjoyed the drinks and starters- the Misticanza salad and the whipped ricotta. The fresh bread and butter were great and they happily refilled these when asked. Our pasta entrees were pretty good but I wouldn't say spectacular. Overall a nice experience and solid meal. If we lived closer I would definitely return but likely wouldn't travel that distance on the regular.

What a wonderful place for scrumptious dinner. I love the layout and decor. The staff were extremely pleasant and attentive. The food was divine. I let my friend order and that was a wonderful move on my part. We started off with a hibiscus margarita which was perfectly balance. High recommend you try one. The homemade bread was nothing short of addictive. We decided to split a salad and two small plates of pasta so we had more variety We started with the Peaches salad which was early peaches and sun gold tomatoes, mixed with basil oil and herb vinegar severed upon the perfect amount whipped ricotta, with croutons and pistachios . To die for! We then shared the bucatini cacio e Pepe and the Coachella pomodoro. I believe I am now addicted. They make their own pasta which admittedly was my first time having homemade pasta but now I understand the difference. It was delicious and was soft but not at all mushy. The bucatini (thick spaghetti) was served with pecorino Romano and toasted black pepper both of which were balanced perfectly. Every bite was delicious. The spacatelli pomodoro was equally delicious. The tomato sauce was light and flavorful without being too strong and perfectly coupled with whatever herbs were used in there. We had dessert and there is a picture below, though the name escapes me. I have never like espresso of any kind but there was some in the dessert and I am going to repeat myself again and say whatever was paired in the dessert the espresso was actually pleasing to me. And as we walked through the restaurant to leave, literally every single person working there that we passed said thank you for coming and have a good night. 100% certainty I will be back to try more culinary treasures!

We tried this place for our (dating) anniversary based on reviews. I hate to say we were underwhelmed but we were. The setting is beautiful and classy and the service was exceptional! The let down was the food. We were started with bread and butter made in house-- warm, nice texture. For my entree, I went with the lobster capelletti-- sigh. For $45 and getting only 8 capelletti, it was very overpriced. I estimated approx 1-2 oz at best of lobster meat-- for this price, there should have been lobster pieces scattered in the dish or a lobster tail on the side.... there wasn't even a veg or salad to accompany the dish. The sauce was nice and coated the pasta well. Hubs got the rigatoni bolognese-- he described as average with not much meat added in. Pasta texture was on point. Flavor was ok but nothing to write home about. Unfortunately we most likely wouldn't return.

Fantastic from start to finish. We had two apps, shared a salad and had four different main entrees. All were exceptional. Great service.

Food Here is super fresh and tastes amazing. My dad got the pork and loved it. I got the rigatoni bolognese and it was amazing. Service is great everyone is polite and very quick with the food and the atmosphere is nice as well. Little more upscale but don't mind it at all

Fantastic service and a wonderful "special occasion" spot. Menu was the right size with good options in most categories. seafood ravioli and the chocolate desert cup were the stars. The red wine by the glass had a looser so order carefully.

This place had been on my radar for some time but couldn't make it work. I'm sad I waited so long. We came here before a show at the Goodspeed. It's a good place to go and they work with you on those who are going to the show to make sure you get out on time. Parking on the street was easy on the neighborhood. It's a fresh modern inside an older building. Service was professional and what you'd expect from a restaurant that wants to be among the best around. The drinks were unique and I really loved the modern flavors we got. The hibiscus margarita was excellent. As for dishes, they change their menu a bunch but each dish was terrific. The pasta was the way to go and they make it fresh. The agnolotti was terrific but I got a mushroom pasta that was vegetarian but was so filling that "meat lovers" would love this dish. Overall, we loved this place. Highly recommend!!

Best restaurant in CT. Their homemade pasta is off the charts. However, the service and friendly staff was on par with the food. A must visit!

My husband and I have been coming here for years now on special occasions, and in that time Grano Arso has had some spectacular reviews and articles written in highly acclaimed food publications. Prople will travel far to come to this spot, and it is worth every second of travel time. The menu changes often depending on the season and what fresh produce and ingredients are available. Every item is diligently prepared and exquisitely crafted with amazing cocktails and wine pairings to boot. Every time we go it's a whole new experience, and we are NEVER disappointed. On this night, I had the most DELICIOUS beet salad I have ever tasted. I think about it all the time! And our meals were mouthwatering as well (look at photos for descriptions). Every bite down to the bread and butter was a pleasure. But the food is only one part. The comfortable ambiance and wonderful service is really what pulls everything together with this restaurant. To top it off, its nestled in the most beautiful and quant town that's lovely just to drive through let alone walk around! If you ever get the chance, GO!

The food is quite good, but the loud Muzak piped in makes it feel like the inside of an airport lounge. Also, the attitude of the host and servers is uptight and a bit pretentious . This is Chester, not New York City -- they need to dial these things back so the experience compliments the excellent food, rather than detracting from it

Friday night dinner during Chester's festive holiday first Friday! To begin, the owners were incredibly considerate and sent a message regarding parking challenges due to the event. Next, our party of four was seated on time (6pm) at a lovely table nicely spaced from other diners in the warm, welcoming (full!) dining room. The noise level was such that everyone could easily converse as well! Now, the food! Our server was fantastic and responded in detail to all of our inquiries (which were about most of the dishes!). She was spot on so each of us enjoyed our choices! We started with the recommended salad for the table-so light and a perfect starter! I chose the cod which was served in a chickpea stew with some fennel and pistachios-melt in your mouth-divine!! Perfect selection for a chilly night! The others in my party dined on pasta with mushrooms and spinach, ravioletti with autumn squash, and the chicken dish with pasta. All of the meals were delectable and the experience delightful! We look forward to returning!

We came here on a whim. An hour from home. I am not disappoint or regretful. We had a 5:15 reservation and were greeted immediately upon entering. As we sat at our table, Nicole came over and attended to us, asking if it was our first time, explaining the menu, etc. She was fantastic. So courteous and helpful! The dining room was quiet, well lit, and welcoming. I had the Grano Old Fashioned and wife had the 86 Pennies. Both drinks were perfectly prepared and tasty. The bourbon in mine was Four Rose and came in a bottle which I poured into my glass. Appetizers were the beet salad and the mussels. Scrumptious! Our entrees were the crab tortelli and the chicken a la Norma. Both were out of this world in different ways. We want to come back in the summer - I imagine a different vibe - to taste their summer menu. This place is fantastic. Great for a romantic dinner or a small group of friends. Don't pass this up. Make the trip and indulge in the experience! Four Roses bourbon Nicole Bread and butter

Always guaranteed good meal and great service!!! Delicious food and drinks and quiet intimate setting.

Had an incredible birthday dinner here. Ingredients were so fresh and the service was flawless. So impressed and can't wait to come back. Looking forward to seeing what the menu will be next time because they do say they change it up at times. Someone in my party is gluten free and they were very thorough in checking in with us and the chef about this.

INCREDIBLE Italian food. We went for my birthday and the only issue was I wanted to order all of the menu. Very friendly staff. Located in a converted 1900's bank. Their eggplant appetizer was phenomenal as well as their pastas. I can't wait to come back!

We stopped here on a trip to Chester, and wow, I am so glad we did. This was quite possibly the best meal of my life. We got the chefs tasting, which was a little pricy, but we'll worth it. With roasted carrots, a kind of deconstructed bruschetta, butternut squash agnolotti, spicy spaghetti, duck and risotto, and a deconstructed cannoli for dessert, we left with full bellies and singing taste buds. Although the food was top notch, the place didn't have an overwhelming "high class" vibe- it was very nice, but nothing to make a casual dinner goer uncomfortable. Our server was beyond knowledgeable and friendly, and seemed to have a passion for the food she was serving. Overall, you need to make a trip here!

Specular. Can't say enough about the interesting and diverse menu. Food was well prepared with great wine pairing. Staff was efficient and attentive. Our server was knowledgeable and friendly as well. Chef stopped by the table and chatted. Overall a top notch meal experience.

My spouse and I ate for the second time at Grano Arso in Sep 2024, and we introduced another foodie couple to this amazing restaurant. It's honestly in the top 10 best restaurants I've ever eaten at anywhere. Starting with their simple bread and butter...the bread has a nice crunchy outside and cottony-soft inside, with a fairly complex flavor profile for it being "just bread". Two of us had the Grano Old Fashioned for a cocktail, and I don't know how they do it, but it's the smoothest old fashioned I've ever enjoyed. It's very citrusy/orange-forward, and barely smells or tastes like alcohol. My spouse enjoyed her Green Garden cocktail, and my friend ordered a fresh-made lemonade which he said was outstanding. We ordered three apps - the squash tartlete, the eggplant al forno, and the buccatini cacio e pepe - and they were all exquisitely prepared. The sizes look small, but they're so rich that we were happy they weren't bigger because we'd run out of room for the amazing dinner that was next. My entree was the Rigatoni Bolognese, and it was absolutely amazing. Perfectly salted, full of rich flavor, not too tomatoey or acidic. Really, just perfect. The first time I ate here, I remember having the Braised Beef, and it also was just perfect. The chefs are clearly top-notch, and the service was also terrific. We can't wait to return and try more of the menu!

The food is always so flavorful and special! We decided to try a Tuesday night on a prefix dinner although If was with friends and somebody wanted to eat off the menu and they told us we couldn't because we all have to do the prefix. I would be very disappointed. I asked if the carbonara could be a meal instead of joining the prefixed, and I was told no -Carbonara is not on the menu that night. $39 prefix menu was very good limited but very good. We enjoyed the goat cheese salad and the soup very much. My manicotti was delicious and the carbonara was great but a great deal of black pepper. next time we may try the prefix again since it changes every week, hopefully the two year old that was letting us all know in the small elegant space won't be there this time lol it's rough to sit for two hours in a nice restaurant when you're a child. Our wait staff was very good competent! I feel like I might be a little hard on them, but it is a restaurant that you pay for the atmosphere and some flexibility with the menu.

Grano Arso is located in adorable downtown Chester and the restaurant is modern, yet comfortable. I recommend making a reservation before going, as it was totally booked the night we showed up. They were graciously able to squeeze us in after some rearranging, but I wouldn't count on that every time! We very quickly discovered why they were booked. The food was absolutely incredible. We had the eggplant al forno and burrata to start and, while both were delicious, the eggplant was extraordinary and a must-order every time we go in the future. For entrees, our table had the rigatoni bolognese (my favorite bolognese I've ever had to-date) and the toasted rye tagliatelle. The pasta of both dishes was notably and expertly handmade and the flavors of each dish were impeccable. Service was a little on the slow side, but because they squeezed us in without a reservation, we were nothing but grateful as they made accommodations for us. Can't wait to sample more of the menu! The best little hidden Italian gem in the area!

I'll be brief, the quaint little town, Restaurant ambiance and food is excellent but, the portions are skimpy for what they charge. Take my advise and try it once but, If you're hungry eat something before you go.

One of the best meals I've had in CT. We started with the eggplant appetizer and it was light and delicious. Then we shared the carbonara special and had the chicken dish. All of the food tasted amazing and the service was top notch.

Wow ! What a wonderful dinner my husband and I had last evening. An early meal @ 6 and the place was humming . We shared potato fritte Excellent with a delicate mustard aioli . My corn agnolotti was amazing . The duck confit was equally outstanding. They also offer a pre fix dinner with wines included ~ that's for another visit

Always amazing! The service, food and cocktails are excellent. One of the best restaurants in CT.

After CTVisit sent out a list of some of the best restaurants in the state, I decided that I was gonna go out this year and try them to see for myself. I hooked in a couple of friends who were into the challenge and so we set out to find out what the Crazies Awards were all about. First off, the Connecticut Restaurant Association does these Crazies Awards annually which they say, are CELEBRATING THE EXCEPTIONAL TALENTS OF CONNECTICUT'S HOSPITALITY COMMUNITY We we wanted to try the best from Mystic but couldn't get a table for six at a reasonable hour and since I wanted to try Grano Also since their opening and finally, after seeing that server Lamott received a Crazie Award for the top server in Connecticut, we had to come. Since we live on the other side of the state our made a date, a reservation and off we went. Our service was impeccable all the way from the owner checking on us to Lamott and the other servers who chipped in clearing the tables, bringing breads and butters (house made), filling our glasses and taking orders and requests. I posted pictures of some of the plates and added a description to each. Our group had a wonderful evening. We collectively give 4 starts as some of the dishes were a bit on the salty side. Otherwise, we enjoyed the ombience of the room, the service and the food. Plus we each were able to find parking in the lot behind the restaurant. Chester is a quaint and bustling hamlet. Check it out sometime.

We have been here before but last night's dinner knocked it out of the park! It was our anniversary and we decided to splurge. We ordered the chef's tasting menu. Every dish was perfect. One of the best ever. Excellent food.

Came back here for my GF's birthday. We both got the tasting menu, and it was fantastic! The perfect amount of food, all of which was unique, tasty, and plated beautifully. The tasting menu also came with optional wine parings, but we opted to get our own cocktails instead I got the daiquiri #9 again and enjoyed it just as much as the first time I came here. I also realized it was pretty strong... They also gave us 2 complimentary flutes of champagne each, along with a dish of ice cream (with a candle in it) for my GF's BDay We were seated in a back part of the restaurant, which I did not even know existed the first time that I came! Apparently the restaurant is inside of an old bank, so this part of it was hidden to me when I came before. In this side of the restaurant I noticed that they had a "lounge" (AKA a giant rap around couch with some small nightstand-esk cocktail tables) where you could come in without a reservation and order their drinks & small bites to eat. I also saw that they keep their wine and spirits inside of the bank's old vault, and apparently you can rent that space out for parties as well Overall a great experience. My GF and I were both very pleased with our experience, and we were happy with our choice to come here for her BDay 9

Grano consistently has some of the best food around! We go here often for date night and are always super happy with everything. The drinks are always delicious! And the service is always above and beyond. The bolognese was so fresh and to die for! I always recommend this place to everyone.

From start to finish the whole evening was special. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. I recommend doing the chef's tasting.

Dinner was good last night the service extremely slow and the ambiance too loud. Best Italian on ct shoreline!

Outstanding food and service. The homemade bread is the best I have ever had. The rigatoni bolognese is outstanding! The eggplant Al Forno appetizer was delicious. Topped off by the chocolate affogato desert that was also excellent. This is a five star restaurant in my opinion!

We had a wonderful experience at Grano Arso The food was so delicious The service was very attentive to everything and very friendly and helpful wonderful ambiance we went early so it was quiet and very enjoyable Would definitely refer it to others

Really amazing stuff, years later Grano continues to outdo themselves in so many ways with innovative and creative dishes that will knock your socks off with flavor. Tasting menus, or standalone dishes, great to share.

I finally got to go to one of my bucket list spots last weekend and try the chef's tasting menu @granoct This was one of the top 5 meals I've ever had! The service, atmosphere, cocktails, and culinary mastery makes this restaurant one of the best in CT. Highlights for me included: sweet corn ravioli: sun gold tomatoes/basil/lime/smoked ricotta salata Duck: wellstone tropia onion/Scott's nectarines/ chanterelles/scarlet turnip purée halibut: smoked farrotto/ wellstone shishito peppers/salmon roe/ anise hyssop I would highly recommend getting down for a meal you won't forget!

Highly recommend the Chef's tasting menu. We had such a great service tonight. The pics I'm attaching to this review says it all. I think it's the best bang for your buck if you want to go out to a fancy dinner and try a little bit of everything. My absolute favorite was the Blackfish, wellstone potatoes, rosemary mostarda, fennel and puntarelle alla romana. Just the perfect amount of crunch on the fish that was perfectly seared. Close second was the duck, which happens to be their popular dish. The sunchokes was incredibly delicious that it inspired me to grow them in the garden next year.

A self-described "modern Italian farm-to-table" with the bulk of the menu changing on a frequent basis, Grano Arso (burnt grain) was a delight as a culinary experience. Cocktail list has lots of interesting takes on classics - my martini was with a really unique, light and delicate gin (highclere) with vergano vermouth and a vin de liqueur from Cedrat in France. Served in a coupe with a saffron hue and an orange twist. Shared a "misticanza" salad with a carmelized lemon vinaigrette and tapping reeve cheese - this combination of flavor was really nice. Continuing to share we did a plate of mafaldine with a pork shank ragu, followed by a final share of a lobster risotto. By that time I'd thought to get a snap because of the excellent technique, flavor and presentation. Highly recommend - service was team-based and very good.

Magical place to visit at Christmas time Restaurant has excellent service and food. Bread and pasta is made fresh at restaurant!

Wonderful atmosphere, impeccable service in a comfortable environment. Tables are spaced to accommodate private conversations. Of course the food was delicious! Though this is an Italian restaurant, it is not the run of the mill spaghetti and chicken parmigiana! All pasta is homemade with a creative twist on all entrees. Owner came to each table to introduce himself and check on satisfaction. Definitely a return place.

All of their food simply melts in your mouth. I could not recommend a better Italian restaurant to be situated in Chester village. The food was divine with a seasonal menu and all from wheat they grow themselves. The vibe is classy and the dishes can be expensive. With an appetizer, entree, drink, and dessert expect to spend between $75-$100/person. It is well worth it and they have such cute Christmas vibes right now with a tree. I'd also check out the old bank vault in the restaurant that now serves as wine storage. It's a relic of history and adds to the charm of the restaurant. The service was quick and they were helpful in proving recommendations. I can't wait to go back here!

Super food and service. Not yoir average Italian restaurant! Comfortable dining area.

We were given a gift certificate to this restaurant. I probably should rate it higher than four stars. My rigatoni Bolognese was very tasty. It is a very elegant menu. The service was very professional. It is a classy restaurant. But I was staggered when we got the bill. Everything is so expensive!

Farm-to-table in this area is hard to come by so after glancing through the creative menu offerings, we decided to give it a try. The restaurant conveniently offers its own parking lot in the back. When I stepped inside and walked into the bar area, I thought that was it - but wait - there's more. The hostess walked us past the bar area where we were seated in the main dining room, which was spacious, airy, and beautifully decorated. The bread and pasta are made fresh daily in-house so we knew where we would focus our attention on the menu. We started out by ordering cocktails: the Smoking Gun and Admiral's Reserve. The bartender had 'bathed' the rim of the Smoking Gun in the smoke of Laprohaig for extra smokiness, and I must say it worked. The Admiral's Reserve was herbal and sweet all at the same time. We thoroughly enjoyed the fresh baked bread and the butter was outstanding. We ordered Roasted Sunchokes to start - the sunchokes smothered with the black garlic were so 'meaty' - my vegetarian enjoyed them very much. My vegetarian ordered the Orecchiette Integrale - mushrooms were so 'meaty,' and I ordered the Spaghetti. The flavors and textures were all very novel and we enjoyed the experience. We topped off our evening with a glass of red and the pana cotta - the miso caramel was so interesting. The proprietress took great care of us and our server was super helpful in helping us pick out our dining selections. With a menu that rotates on a regular basis to reflect the seasonality of ingredients and hospitality to boot, you can bet we will be back.

My favorite dining experience this summer was at Grano Arso. This charming, modern Italian restaurant offers locally sourced produce and ingredients for the freshest, most delicious meals. From start to finish my husband and I marveled about how our dishes were so flavorful and so well done. We ordered misticanza, a light and delicate salad with caramelized lemon vinaigrette and Arethusa cheese. Did not leave one bite behind. Light. Refreshing. Delicate and delicious. The tomato insalata with stracciatella, roasted peaches, and pistachio salsa verde!!! I have no words. Read those ingredients. Omg. Out of this world. The bed tartare was very well done, too. Great flavor. We also had a eggplant al forno. Grano's marinara sauce is excellent- pleasant tomato flavor with a great balance of herbs and spices. The ricotta in this dish was so creamy. We loved our food so much that it is certainly one of our top dining experiences to date in CT. Drinks were hand crafted and nicely prepared- hibiscus margarita and summer of '69. The summer of '69 had a gorgeous chamomile ice cube. Just so pretty and so enjoyable. The staff was remarkably engaging and accommodating. So kind and gave their time to chat for a few minutes as we inquired about menu items. Grano is an outstanding restaurant and in my opinion, is unmatched in their expertise with modern Italian cuisine. Chef Joel is extremely talented and so creative. I have every confidence that anyone who chooses to dine at Grano will leave feeling very happy. Can't wait to come back.

If we could give it more than 5 stars, we would! Grano is a modern Italian cuisine with fresh local products, freshly made bread and butter (that is to die for). You literally feel like you're in Italy with the food you're eating! The menu is constantly changing due to the fresh ingredients, what's in season, and what's not in season. There is indoor and an outdoor patio, we recommend making a reservation.

Worst Italian food I've ever had -service was dreadful too . I don't understand the hype

Wow....what a wonderful surprise. Stumbled across this adorable town and saw stellar reviews for this place while visiting friends in New Heaven. We were coming back from a day at the beach and ready for dinner. Luck had us in a canceled reservation (definitely make reservations for this place well in advance) and seated on their gorgeous patio under ancient trees and next to a small river (the white noise was magical). While it was warm outside (we had a late evening shower (but the umbrella over the table did it's job) it was VERY warm indoors (maybe the AC was broken). We started with some cocktails from their seasonally rotating menu and some in house made butter and bread. Their take on standard negronis (with white rum), Manhattans (with dark rum), and caiparinhas, were bright and delightful. The home whipped butter was perfect and the bread was fresh, soft and delicious. The seasonal menu also played with the summer months with blackened cod, spicy seafood pastas and a roasted corn and parmesan pasta! Our server was amazing and because we were torn between getting the classic bolognas and the spicy seafood, he brought us out a complementary tasting of the bolognaise..it......was....spectacular (I kinda wished we would have bought an order to go and had it the next day for lunch...wow). Every pasta dish was perfectly al dente, bountifully dressed with cheese and balanced with fillings and sauces (not over or under sauced). The kitchen knows what they are doing and we came to find out this has been a neighborhood staple for years. The blackend cod was succulent and sat atop a Shishito pepper sauce that was so unique and tasty, I must deconstruct and copy that recipe myself! The kitchen was slammed (this place is popular for a reason) but the pacing was punctuated by our wonderful waiter telling us more about the history of the restaurant and general banter that filled the gaps and added to the pleasantness of the night. Don't come if you are in a hurry, but DO come if you want a delicious and beautiful meal under the stars!!

Original Review - January 2020 - Amazing food, amazing and VERY clean place. I travelled all the way from NYC with friends to stop by here and it was well worth the trip. The staff and owners are extremely passionate about their restaurant and it shows in the quality and cleanliness of the place. I highly recommend the pan roasted chicken. Update 6/28/2022 - Food still as legendary as I remember it. Quality has improved over the past two years even though it feels impossible to improve perfection. This is literally my favorite restaurant I've ever been to and the 2 hour trip is worth every second. Please do yourself a favor and come here. Get the chicken and pasta.

Great food and service. It's definitely pricier but worth it. The eggplant al forno was fantastic & their homemade bread was to die for!!!!