Every January, Connecticut Magazine kicks off the new year by compiling their list of the state’s Best Restaurants, both the “Readers’ Choice” and “Experts’ Picks”.
Among the 2021 winners are four Ridgefield restaurants: Bernard’s and Luc’s (Most Romantic), Bailey’s (New American), and HooDoo Brown (BBQ). In addition, a fifth, Mannen, earned notoriety in the “Honorable Mention” category. Noteworthy: Luc’s won in two categories including “Best French” in Fairfield County and HooDoo BBQ which won Best in the State!
Here’s how the voting rolls. Connecticut Magazine explains:
For our annual Readers’ Choice survey, conducted this past September, we asked our readers to pick their favorite places in 36 categories ranging from cuisines to overall excellence. This year, readers were allowed to vote for up to three restaurants in each category, with their choices ranked in order of preference and weighted accordingly in the tabulation. In addition, restaurants were limited to Readers’ Choice wins in a maximum of four categories, determined by where they got the most votes; after that, awards in any further categories went to the next qualifying restaurant. (Exercising its judgment, the editorial staff disqualified restaurants that did not meet the criteria for a given category.)
Once the results were tabulated, our experts went to work, choosing restaurants in each category to supplement the survey results. For the Overall Excellence category, they selected (independently of the survey results) 15 restaurants they believe represent the best in Connecticut dining.
Here they are, Connecticut Magazine’s 2021Readers' Choice and Experts' Picks
MOST ROMANTIC — Experts' Picks:
Bernard’s, Ridgefield
Luc’s Cafe, Ridgefield
NEW AMERICAN — Experts' Picks:
Bailey’s Backyard, Ridgefield
FRENCH — Readers' Choice:
Fairfield County: Luc’s Cafe, Ridgefield
BARBECUE — Readers' Choice:
Statewide Winner: HooDoo Brown BBQ, Ridgefield
Fairfield County: HooDoo Brown BBQ, Ridgefield
Honorable Mention
Mannen Japanese Restaurant, Ridgefield
Read about all of the restaurants Connecticut Magazine’s deemed “best” here.