Abigail’s Grille and Wine Bar (CT)

Article by Stavros

Nestled at the foot of Talcott Mountain and at the intersection of Rt. 202 and 185 in Simsbury, Connecticut; Abigail’s Grille and Wine Bar was the perfect location for a seafood lunch in late February. Built on an 18^th-century Adam-style house the restaurant has multiple dining areas, an open kitchen concept with a gas fire oven, an inviting bar area, and multiple fireplaces keeping the rooms cozy in the winter months.

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We dropped by for a lunch on a sunny and snow-covered Friday and were seated in the East facing, and brightly sunlight dining room.

The room was full of guests already enjoying their numerous brightly colored salads, juicy burgers, and overflowing sandwiches. The hostess sat us directly across the aisle from one of the fireplaces that was firing away and giving off a pleasant and cozy sensation to the room.  

The décor consisted of a modern look with painted wooden beams running across the ceiling. A stone wall adorned with an ornate iron piece, and snow-covered fir trees tucked behind booths which were framed by large windows that let in an abundance of natural light. The tone of the room was that of light conversation and the sounds of guests enjoying their meals, wines, and cocktails. 

We started off our lunch with the P.E.I. Poulette mussels dressed in a garlic, herb, and Chardonnay wine and cream sauce. The mussels were large, plump and very tender and burst with the garlic, herb and white wine sauce with every bite. They were an absolutely delicious way to start off our lunch. Our waitress dropped off three large, freshly baked rolls drizzled in holt olive oil, garlic, parmesan cheese, and herbs. 

Straight out of the oven and steamy when pulled apart, these rolls were perfect to dip into the wine sauce and soak up all that flavor. 

For our meals, we chose the English-Style Fish & Chips that were coated in a traditional beer batter and served with beer battered fries and jalapeno coleslaw.  The two fillets were thick and full of meat and only got better with a drizzle of lemon.

The jalapeno coleslaw was a refreshing change from the traditional side and added an extra level of flavor to the dish. 

Our second choice was the Pan Seared Day Boat Sea Scallops served on wild mushroom and spinach risotto in a lemon beurre blanc sauce. Five large and tender scallops were filling and the bed of risotto was very well cooked. Our meal was topped off with the great atmosphere and great laughs that we shared. 

To learn a little more about the history of Abigail’s Grille and Wine bar, we visited their website. The original building was erected in 1780 and served as the first stagecoach stop from Hartford on the Boston to Albany Turnpike. The establishment was built for Jonathon Pettibone, Jr., and was named the Pettibone Tavern until it was sold in 2008 and renamed Abigail’s.

In its early days, the Pettibone served as a meeting place and inn for people like John Adams when he traveled from Boston to New York. Harriett Beecher Stowe is also known to have spent countless nights at the Pettibone during her stagecoach trips from Hartford to Litchfield. During the year of 1800 the tavern was tragically burned to the ground by the natives of the area, but quickly rebuilt and became operational by 1803. To this day one can still walk down the stairs to the basement of Abigail’s and see the burned remains of the oak beams that supported the original tavern.