Spring break is over, and we’re in the final stretch of the semester. It’s time to actually do those big projects that your professors have been talking about since January. Sometimes we all want to forget the stress momentarily and head out for a relaxing dinner with a drink. We’ve both chosen our favorite places for an all-around good meal that will leave you feeling satisfied and ready to take on the rest of the semester.
Kait’s Pick
The Southport Brewing Company, or SBC, has become my go-to spot on the nights when I can’t make up my mind about where to eat. The first time I visited SBC, I immediately liked it because the cover of the menu reads, “Break the Chains. Eat Globally, Drink Locally.” The inside of the menu is even better. My favorite dish from the start has been the turkey burger. It comes on a roll with roasted peppers, provolone, and what I consider to be the “icing on the cake,” onion mayo. I also recently tried the pesto chicken wrap; it includes prosciutto, roasted peppers, melted mozzarella, arugula pesto, and chicken. It tasted ridiculously fresh and was just as good when I ate the other half for lunch the next day.
For those of you who prefer red meat, SBC has a good selection of regular burgers, and a lot of them have a fun twist, like the pretzel burger. There are also steaks on the menu and a special slow roasted prime rib served on the weekends.
If you’re a vegetarian or just not feeling like meat, there are nine salads to choose from (some have meat, but SBC is always happy to remove what you don’t want). For a bigger meal, you can also get a salad and half pizza. There are the regulars like cheese and margarita, but also loaded potato and salciccia.
SBC is best known as being a brewery, and the menu demonstrates how their 27 home-brews go “from grain to glass.” On the website, southportbrewing.com, there is a list of what’s on tap as well as comparisons to more common beers so that you know what you’re ordering. In the restaurant itself is a big bar with great specials and other cocktails if you’re not a beer drinker.
There are five SBC locations in Connecticut (and only Connecticut). Three are in Milford, Hamden, and Branford so you’re sure to find one close to UNH. Check it out and let us know what you think!
Shawn’s Pick
We all have that friend who always wants to go to the same place over and over again. I am definitely that friend, and Prime 16 is that place. There are so many different options for food, beer, and wine… what isn’t to love about this amazing establishment? Let me break it down for you.
The food menu is almost endless. They have some of the best appetizers, in my opinion, in downtown New Haven (Cubanito Sliders are my favorite- three mini brioche sliders topped with pulled pork, Canadian bacon, melted Swiss, mustard, jalapeno relish, and roasted garlic)! Don’t even get me started with the burgers-yum! The Latino Burger is definitely my favorite, with beef and chorizo sausage, topped with lettuce, tomato, pepperjack cheese, caramelized onion, and jalapeno relish).
With every burger, you get the choice of Cajun fries, hand cut fries, or sweet potato fries; I almost always get the sweet potato option, because it’s so good. If burgers aren’t your thing, Prime also has a decent selection of salads and sandwiches.
The main draw to Prime is its unique brews of beer. Each month, they choose a brewery of the month and showcase that brewery’s work on free tasting Wednesdays. With tons of bottled and on-tap options, you cannot go wrong. They have everything from American Ales, Lagers, India Ales, Scotch Ales, English Browns, Lambics, Belgium Strong Ales, Stout, and German options! Is beer not your thing? They also have a strong wine, liquor, and martini list.
This is a great place to go to with close friends or a huge group. They do accept reservations and call ahead seating for your convenience. Hope to see you there soon!
