A (New York) Yankee in Connecticut's Gold Coast

Hop on a train from Grand Central and in thirty minutes you're in a different world.

Valencia Luncheria, 172 Main Street, Norwalk

Every time I visit friends in Connecticut this is the one place that gets my taste buds excited. My college roommate introduced me to this Venezuelan luncheria and I am hooked. I even braved a horrible storm in November and drove over the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge while I thought my car was going to fly off the upper level to get my arepas con arroz and platanos. However, the main ingredient that makes this unforgettable is the liquefied cilantro sauce. It can be placed on anything on a plate and it is absolutely delicious. I'm sure I would just eat/drink the sauce by the spoonful if it would not be considered such a sin against the gastronomic experience. 

The restaurant has also been showcased on Diners, Dives, and Drive-Ins and in The New York Times, so now it's your turn (before the sauce disappears). Even the coffee brewed here is amazing. It is another time when I can bypass my daily cup of Dunkin' Donuts and trust me, that doesn't happen often. 

Norwalk's Yummy Little Secret

Sweet Ashley's, 248 East Ave., Norwalk

Coffee Heath Bar Crunch. Of course, that is one of the many homemade ice-cream creations at Sweet Ashley's; however, the image your mind should have you already salivating. Unfortunately, there's this thing called closing shop for the winter, so summer needs to get here as soon as possible. After Valencia, this is another gem in Norwalk.

Brasitas, 954 East Main Street, Stamford

Perhaps you might think that my diet in Connecticut consists of only two types of cuisine: Spanish and ice cream. It might be the case, but Brasitas allows for a Valencia-type experience for dinner. Paella, huevos rancheros, and of course, sangria are just a sampling of the menu. The Stamford location might be a challenge for parking, but the tres leches cake will make you forget the seething sensation you had when you had to basically double-park in the lot behind the restaurant. 

Hopkins Vineyard, 25 Warren Road, Warren

Just up the road from the Gold Coast, you can drive a scenic route to the area of Litchfield Hills. This is the country-esque Connecticut that I thought existed while watching the "estate episodes" of I Love Lucy. While rounding Lake Waramaug, the Hopkins Vineyard will surprise and delight all patrons. Its ideal location overlooking the lake make it an optimal get-away. And if you're searching for the type of bed-and-breakfast that doesn't allow your cell phone to get service, start packing now. 

The vineyard offers tastings and tours and is part of the Connecticut Wine Trail. My personal favorite was the semi-sweet Westwind that is perfect for summer. The vineyard recommends pairing it with appetizer-type dishes, but it would suffice for everything in my book, so pardon my palate. Its light yet bubbly taste made me savor the lake and its accoutrements. I wanted nothing else except to sit on the porch for days and forget everything else. Perhaps if I have a glass now, summer will arrive sooner and Sweet Ashley's will then give me my ice cream. 

How Bubbly!