(860) 574-9414, cinnamongrill.net
If it s true that Asian food options in America start with Chinese and then cluster between Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese and, ah, others, then it s extra great that Cinnamon Grill s goal is to introduce folks to a variety of perhaps lesser-known options.
The menu focuses on Sri Lankan fare, but includes generous and creative representations from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, India, Malaysia, and Maldives. And it s very good.
Located in a familiar spot that has previously hosted Gaspar s, Steak Out and 385 Bank Street, Cinnamon Grill is clean and handsome, with very friendly servers and a set up that makes the on-site diner feel comfortable and safe.
Village Café, which opened in mid-2020 is a small, hole-in-the-wall place but it shouldn’t be overlooked.
During the winter, even on chilly days, I would see customers swaddled in jackets sitting at the tables lined along the outside walls of the café. The big heaters set up near the tables obviously shed warmth, but I figured the food must be enough of a lure to draw folks in, even in the cold.
(It should be noted that, as of now, the place only offers take-out and outdoor seating. The interior is relatively small and basic, but here’s hoping the pandemic eases enough for us to dine in there this coming winter.)