The Connecticut Restaurant Association has named the honorees and finalists for its 2025 CRAZIES Awards, with winners to be celebrated at the group’s annual gala on Dec. 8 at Foxwoods Resort Casino.
The awards recognize restaurants, chefs, hospitality staff and vendors across more than 20 categories. Public voting is open through November, with results combined with input from a nominating panel of food writers, critics and industry professionals.
Esaul Rodriguez, of Puerto Vallarta Restaurant Group, was named Restaurateur of the Year. Rodriguez oversees eight locations statewide and has led events spotlighting Mexican cuisine and Latino restaurant owners.
Two businesses will be inducted into the Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame: Spartan Restaurant & Bar in Waterbury and Willimantic Brewing Co. in Willimantic.
Anthony Anthony, the state’s chief marketing officer, will be recognized as Friend of the Industry for his role in promoting tourism and hospitality.
More than 70 additional finalists were announced across categories including Chef of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, Restaurant Newcomer, and Restaurant of the Year by county.
Last year’s CRAZIES Awards drew about 1,500 guests and 25,000 public votes.
The finalists for this year’s awards include:
VENDOR OF THE YEAR
- Athletic Brewing Company | Milford
- Bella Bella Gourmet Foods | West Haven
- Nit Noi Provisions | Norwalk
- Restaurant Equipment Paradise | East Hartford
- Stonington Kelp Company | Stonington
CATERER OF THE YEAR
- Bleu on Bank | New Milford
- Distinctive Ideas | Bloomfield
- Nikki Glekas Collective | Norwalk
- Riverhouse Catering | Haddam
- Small Kitchen Big Taste | North Haven
BAR & BEVERAGE TEAM OF THE YEAR
- Beauty & Essex | Mohegan Sun
- Drift | Essex
- Hartford Flavor Cocktail Parlour | Hartford
- I Know You Know | New Britain
- Perfusion Bar | Newtown
SERVICE TEAM OF THE YEAR
- David Burke Prime | Foxwoods
- Gabrielle’s of Westport | Westport
- Max’s Oyster Bar | West Hartford
- The Wharf at Madison Beach Hotel | Madison
- Viron Rondo Osteria | Cheshire
PASTRY CHEF OF THE YEAR
- James Arena | DORO Restaurant Group
- Stacy D’Angelo | Arethusa al tavolo
- Raphaël Dequeker | Raphaël’s Bakery
- Julien Tessier | Julien’s Farm Store
- Chelsea Tripp | Kouign Bakery
CHEF OF THE YEAR
- Ryan Carbone | Ore Hill & Swyft
- Ashley Flagg | The Laurel
- Bolivar Hilario | Community Table
- Johan Jensen | Whitecrest Eatery
- Christian Wilki | The CottageÂ
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
- Dew Drop Inn | Derby
- Paul’s Pasta | Groton
- The Po Café | Washington
- Valencia Luncheria | Norwalk
- Woke Breakfast & Coffee | Coventry
RESTAURANT NEWCOMER
- Bar Bushido | Norwalk
- Belden House | Litchfield
- The Foundry | Hartford
- The Laurel | West Hartford
- ROLi | New Haven
LITCHFIELD COUNTY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
- Community Table | New Preston
- Geppetto Osteria e Bisteccheria | Torrington
- Lost Fox Inn | Litchfield
- Materia Ristorante | Bantam
FAIRFIELD COUNTY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
- 29 Markle Ct | Bridgeport
- Allium Eatery | Westport
- Çka Ka Qëllu | Stamford
- Restaurant L’Ostal | Darien
HARTFORD COUNTY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
- J. Gilbert’s | Glastonbury
- Le Mazet | West Hartford
- Máncora Restobar | Hartford
- Villa Mulino Ristorante | Avon
NEW HAVEN COUNTY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
- Café Melba | Milford
- Fair Haven Oyster Co. | New Haven
- Gioia Cafe & Bar | New Haven
- Hachiroku Shokudo & Sake Bar | New Haven
TOLLAND COUNTY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
- Camille’s Wood Fired Pizza | Tolland
- Ocho Rios Grill | Vernon
- PhoLy | Vernon
- Trattoria da Lepri | Ellington
MIDDLESEX COUNTY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
- The Essex | Old Saybrook
- Grano Arso | Chester
- OSA | Middletown
- River Tavern | Chester
WINDHAM COUNTY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
- ANYA | Thompson
- Harp on Church | Willimantic
- Heirloom Food Company | Danielson
- Trigo Wood Fired Pizza | Willimantic
NEW LONDON COUNTY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
- 374 Kitchen + Cocktails | Niantic
- Nana’s Bakery & Pizza | Mystic
- The Port of Call | Mystic
- Whitecrest Eatery | Stonington
