Luxurious base for Connecticut sojourn
Iwas researching different places to stay, and came across the Winvian in Morris, Conn. I never thought of the area of Morris, and the surrounding town of Litchfield, as being a destination of its own, but after discovering the beautiful accommodations, shops, restaurants, history, and some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met, it’s worth putting at the top of your travel list.
Checking into the Winvian Farm
(155 Alain White Road, Morris)
This luxury resort hotel was almost like its own little community packed into one location. I love featuring places like this; it’s comforting to get away to a private cottage that you know has been cleaned and properly sanitized by staff, with dining experiences and spa treatments all located on the property for you to enjoy. We decided to stay in the treehouse, which was like bringing a childhood fantasy to life. When we stepped inside the treehouse, the first floor showed off a huge king bed, jacuzzi tub, terrace, steam room and double fireplace. The second had a common room with couches, a little kitchen, and a workspace. The on-property spa was open for appointments only for guests, so I was able to get a relaxing Swedish massage. Everything was extremely clean, staff wore masks, and they spread out the appointments, so there was proper social distancing.
Where to eat
I’d highly recommend checking out the dining experience at the hotel. Everything from the ambience of the romantic fireplace and soft jazz music to a delicious tasting menu made this experience a special one. Their menu changes constantly with executive chef Chris Eddy
consistently working to create farm-to-table dining experiences with any fresh ingredients they can get their hands on from neighboring farms. They’ve received five AAA diamonds and, according to their website, a membership in Relais & Chateaux, a fellowship of outstanding hotels and luxury restaurants worldwide. Their pre-fixe menu is worth trying. My boyfriend and I each did the three-course dining experience, starting with the grilled octopus with polenta, rocoto pepper, and olives along with handrolled fettuccine with lamb ragout and parmesan. The following course consisted of a tender bone-in pork chop with a side of root vegetables and lardon, and the Atlanta halibut with a side of assorted mushrooms and a red-wine sauce. The tasting ended with dessert, and we opted for all three; the warm chocolate lava cake with caramel cremeux; the vanilla cream with pineapple; and the yogurt moose with maple syrup and poached pear. Between each course, there were surprises from the chef like a fresh cauliflower soup, an onion roll with dill butter, and a palate cleanser. I recommend the Fire and Ice cocktail made with
habanero tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, mint and cucumber. Even breakfast with creamy scrambled eggs that tasted like cheesy grits and smashed potatoes was out of this world.
Arethusa Farm Dairy (822 Bantam Road, Bantam)
Arethusa has a variety of establishments under the same umbrella including a creamery, a coffee shop, and a very well-known restaurant, all under the name Arethusa in the same proximity. They take everything to the next level and their menu looks outstanding. For this trip, we opted to just go to the cheese and creamery shop. I bought some of their homemade brie and grabbed a scoop of their seasonal pumpkin ice cream which tasted like a blended pumpkin pie, very rich and sweet. A small scoop will do.
Toast &. Co. (18 Commons Drive, Litchfield)
I always have to mention a coffee shop because a traveling cup is a staple for me when it comes to fueling up in preparation of exploring a new area. They have some amazing options and plenty of flavor shots like almond, butterscotch, cookie dough, lavender, pumpkin, toasted marshmallow and more to add a little spice to your latte.
Things to do Thorncrest Farm & Milk House Chocolates
(280 Town Hill Road, Goshen)
Thorncrest Farm came highly recommended to me by a few people. With a motto that states “The magic is in our milk,” they use milk from their cows in chocolates, caramels, cream and butter that contain no preservatives. You can choose from their selection of milk and dark chocolates, creating your own box of treats with varying flavors. While you’re waiting for the customized box of chocolates to be put together, you can go into the farm and meet the cows behind the milk. They have a selection of caramels, and state specifically what cow made the milk.