A spell was casted on me…read more.. Taste of Spellbound is a bakery that does custom dessert orders. They've been around since 2012 and offers a variety of treats; from macarons, cupcakes, bars, pies, truffles, and cookies. There are three locations; Avon, South Windsor, and West Hartford. This one in Avon is super cute and whimsical; love the decor with the picture frames on the wall. There was a table and some chairs to enjoy your treats. I decided to get a few macarons, bars, and a cupcake. All were so good but my favorite were the macarons. They were the perfect texture, lightly crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside. This place is definitely a gem and I can't wait to go back!

When it comes to their desserts, calling ahead and ordering may be the way to go. I'm not a coffee…read moredrinker so I can't speak to that, and the desserts they had on hand were delicious. But there may be more options available.... Definitely worth a pop-in to get something small and taste the deliciousness. Regardless, the interior is beautiful decorated. It feels like a modern tea room with some availability to sit. The walls are a beautiful calm blue. They have some cold drinks, and the cups cakes - very moist, definitely have standing life in them. The employee was very kind and friendly, and the shop seems smoothly run. The shop seems to be in two plazas, and have designated parking on either side next to the building. Watch carefully for the signs, because the plaza is a little nondescript from the road.

I have not had one bad thing from here. I save my cheat days for her scones and butterscotch…read morelattes. I love coming in here, as everyone is so helpful and kind. The owner is so generous and loving and you can tell that this is a genuine passion of hers. Whether you preorder, go in and sit or take away you will have a great experience. I recently learned that if you put in a pre-order and the shop closes early, you can still pick your pre-order up at the candy store ( BouNom Emporium) across the way. She's really thought of everything!

I had really high hopes for this bakery, especially since it's part of the local pastry trail, and…read moreoverall, it delivered a solid experience. First off, it's definitely one of those small, tucked-away spots you could easily miss if you didn't know it was there, but once you walk in, the decor is so cute. Think cozy, shabby chic vibes that make it feel warm and welcoming right away. The standout for me? The dinner roll. Honestly, one of the best I've ever had. It was dense, rich, and satisfying, not your typical light, airy Kaiser roll. It reminded me more of a Jamaican hard dough bread in texture and weight, which I personally loved. Super flavorful and filling. I was also really happy about their buy three, get one free promotion. It made it easy to try a few different things without feeling like I was overdoing it. As for the pastries, I tried the cinnamon roll and carrot cake. I didn't finish either, but the carrot cake definitely gave true homemade vibes. It had coconut mixed in, wasn't overly sweet, and felt more traditional than indulgent. If you like a less sugary, more classic-style carrot cake, you'll probably appreciate it. Overall, this bakery is worth a stop, especially if you're exploring the pastry trail. Not everything wowed me, but there were definitely some highlights that made it a good visit.

I'm newish to the area and I've been hearing a buzz about this place for a while, so I had to check…read moreit out. There are two locations but the one in Canton is temporarily closed. This one is located in Avon in the Old Avon Village plaza. There were plenty of parking when I went. The bakery is pretty spacious with some tables and seats. The display was filled with delicious looking cupcakes and other treats. They are known for their cupcakes. I got a few different ones to try with my family; the Oreo, funfetti, and brownie flavors. We were all very happy with the outcome; they were moist and up there with the best cupcakes I've had in a while. They also have gluten free, vegan, mini cupcakes, and cupcakes kits. Other treat options were the chocolate covered Oreos and cannoli chips and dip. I bought a few of those Oreos and they didn't disappoint. I can't wait to go back and try out more treats!

This lovely place is already rated one of the top cupcake shops in CT so the 5 stars should come as…read moreNO surprise. Their Avon location is cute and quaint and boy of boy does it smell good when you walk in! I've gone here many times to get some sweet treats for the kids and I. They NEVER disappoint. My daughter usually cons me into getting way more than we need but I'm never truly upset about it because everything is so good. I for one am not a big super sweet frosting person. I've always preferred the whipped cream frosting or cream cheese frosting but their buttercream is something that even I enjoy. They keep their peanut butter options completely separate from the other flavors and even asked if I wanted my peanut butter cupcake in a separate box for allergy purposes. They offer dietary accommodations including gluten free and vegan as well and they have a table of delicious chocolate dipped Oreos and beautiful hot cocoa bombs. There's also an ice cream counter. They even have something for the 4 legged friends!! With multiple locations they are pretty accessible to give a try

Le Banh is a hidden Simsbury treasure. The unique fusion of French and Vietnamese cooking styles…read moreand ingredients results in some amazing flavors. Her truffles are a family favorite. The owner takes great care and pride in everything she makes and it shows. We haven't tried her cake yet, but it's on our list!

Cute little bakery, always delicious, stylish and centrally located, love its organic.read more

Popover's is a super nice little restaurant in town Simsbury that serves a terrific breakfast. My…read morefavorite is the Simsbury feast. The feast comes with two eggs done anyway you like them, two slices of bacon, two turkey, sausage, patties, fried potatoes, and your choice of toast. The sour dough bread is top notch, full of genuine sour dough flavor. The fried potatoes have a bit of crunch on the outside while soft in the middle. The cold brew coffee is terrific and together this makes a first rate breakfast. $23

I love this place for its great variety of breakfast options and fun coffee choices. I was recently…read morediagnosed with celiac disease, and finding good baked goods can be challenging--so I was very happy to see gluten-free bread options and even waffles on the menu. I decided to try their gluten-free English muffin and was absolutely surprised by how good it was! I learned they source their English muffins from a local baker, and I only wish I knew who it was because I'd buy a bunch myself. The food was delicious and came out quickly. I also tried their gluten-free blueberry scone and--again--loved it! Even though I don't live in the area, I definitely plan to visit again.

Finally got to the beautiful new location!! Service was great, even though they were busy. Food…read morewas excellent had a breakfast sandwich, wanted a taste of everything will be going back soon for one the delicious looking pastries.

The setting for this cafe is amazing. It resides on a beautiful horse farm and seating is…read moreprimarily outdoors so the weather needs to be a consideration if you plan on enjoying their menu on the premises. They serve an array of tasty donuts (not like donuts found elsewhere) croissants, other french style pastries as well as other breakfast and lunch items. Although the line for service can appear long, it moves very quickly. Everything is excellent. They have become so popular that they now have another location as well

From the moment you walk in, the experience is nothing short of exceptional. The staff consistently…read moregoes above and beyond--warm, welcoming, and genuinely invested in making every visit memorable. It's the kind of place where you feel like more than just a customer. The food is outstanding every single time--fresh, flavorful, and clearly crafted with care. And the bakery? Truly in a league of its own. Every item feels thoughtfully made, with a level of quality and taste that's hard to find anywhere else. This is exactly the kind of small business that deserves to be celebrated and supported in Simsbury, CT. A true local gem that continues to raise the bar--not just in Simsbury, but across the surrounding towns. When it comes to breakfast and lunch, other restaurants inevitably find themselves being compared to Harvest Cafe.

My go to for breakfast is The Harvest Cafe and bakery in Simsbury. My picture this time is of…read moresomething I created called the build your own Benedict. One slice of house sourdough bread toasted and cut in half. On each half, goes a bit of grilled ham, then a poached egg with hollandaise and asparagus topped with bacon crumbles and scallions. Usually, I have a few slices of bacon on the side. Fantastic! I have iced coffee with my breakfast, as would any self-respecting New Englander. Come by the harvest for breakfast or lunch be a little creative even though the menu is full of things that are just outstanding. Say hello to the super manager, Mr. Scott and his crew of servers who never cease to amaze.

A few years back, well, maybe bridging on Many Years now. My daughter was diagnosed with Celiac…read moreDisease along with other dietary and internal sensitivities. Originally "Gluten Free" seemed to be in-scripted in a language only known to little visitors from Mars and further beyond. As time passed, our brave Gluten Free Warriors grew in numbers and gained popularity while this knowledge battle grew within popularity and Hero's have been gaining notoriety from their Gluten Free Trenches. One of these Hero's is a Team of Sisters that formed the Pure Love Gluten Free Bakery, in Avon, CT! Impeccable service and smiles flow across the counter to each customer looking for relief. Every time the glass counters, freezers, prepping table are loaded with jaw dropping goodies. This non-gluten free even fells an inner giggle and eye rolling at every bite. No I'm not a 5 year old, just an old peasant turned Gluten Free Supporter having a personal connection to its strife in past years. Indoors warm, bright and the aroma make you want to sit, inside or out, so when consumed you can jump up, and purchase more to share with others back home without guilt.

I was really excited to order from here as their website is beautiful and their desserts look…read moreincredible. Unfortunately, the experience didn't match that first impression. I was trying to arrange a delivery for my mom's 87th birthday at a large senior living facility just 6 miles away, but they don't offer delivery and aren't available on DoorDash or Uber Eats. What was most disappointing was the lack of flexibility or willingness to help find a solution, especially given the circumstances. I completely understand that not every business offers delivery, but a little guidance or effort would have gone a long way. Sadly, I had to look elsewhere for such an important occasion.

Five Stars! We had such a great experience here! The service…read morewas excellent our waitress was so friendly, had great manners, and made us feel welcome right away. As soon as we sat down, they brought us bread immediately which was a nice touch. We started with the meatballs and they were so good full of flavor and cooked perfectly. For pizza, we ordered a margarita pizza and a cheese pizza, and the margarita was absolutely delicious. We split a Caesar salad salad, and my husband had the truffle bisque. For our main, the kids loved the homemade mac & cheese, and my husband ordered the pork chop... he cleaned his entire plate! I had the Chicken Parm Brooklyn with vodka sauce and cherry peppers and WOW it was amazing. So flavorful and the cherry peppers gave it the perfect kick. Not too spicy! I'm more of a buffalo spicy kind of a gal. We also shared the Brussels sprouts with aïoli and they were delicious too. Deff would re order. Portions were definitely big, which we loved we ended up taking food home. And to top it all off, we tried the butterscotch dessert and ate it so fast there wasn't even time for a photo We'll definitely be back!!!!!

"But when I see you darlin' It's like we both are fallin' in…read morelove again It'll be just like startin' over" (John Lennon) After a very successful 34-year run at 70 East Main Street in Avon, Max A Mia has started over by moving about two miles west into the Avon Marketplace in a spot previously occupied by Bertucci's. The makeover is stunning and Max A Mia's design team really deserves a lot of credit for putting together such a gorgeous design. The walled bar that used to be closed in is now open and very inviting, and the open dining room furniture and décor look modern and glitzy. Their dinner menu speaks with an Italian accent, so you'll see Minestrone, Arancini, Meatballs, Pasta, Parmigiana, Lasagne, and Pizzas among the fish, chicken, and steak choices. Arianna was our server, and she was a gem. With an engaging personality off the charts, she wowed us with her effortless knowledge of the menu, explaining every minute detail of the cocktail and meal specials we asked about. She started us off with a complimentary basket of assorted breads served with a baked head of garlic and a ramekin of tomato sugo. Three of us had cocktails, a Rio Lowball ($13) with cacacha, sauvignon blanc syrup, and lime quarters, a Paper Plane ($13) with bourbon, aperol, amaro, and lemon, and one of their non-alcohol choices -a Pink & Bubbly ($10). Max a Mia takes non-alcoholic drinks seriously, they were quite a few NA cocktails on the menu PLUS four NA wines ($10-$14/glass) for a Sparkling Reisling, a Riesling, a Sauvignon Blanc, and a Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot. I definitely wasn't in an NA mood, so the Paper Plane was my choice after a discussion with Arianna. She gave me great advice, because it was strong, smooth, and excellent. Our meal choices were from every corner of Max a Mia's menu - two Lobster Fra Diavlos (@ $36), a Brooklyn Chicken Parmigiana ($31), an Eggplant Lasagna ($27), and a Truffle Mushroom Pizza ($19). I was one of the Lobster Fra Diavlos, and I have to tell ya, it was one of the best meals I've had all year. It was one of the evening's specials, and Arianna described it in detail - a half pound of lobster meat, an in-depth explanation of Buccatini pasta, and reassurance that I was OK with a "spicy" sauce, which I enthusiastically am. The lobster was perfect, the pasta was great, and yes... that sauce sure was spicy. We ended the evening with a visit to the dessert menu with a Tiramisu ($9), a Bocci Ball ($9 with bonus points for presentation because it came out sliced), an Affogato, and a big dish of vanilla gelato ($7). I had the Affogato (Espresso, vanilla gelato, house made biscotti) and it was a perfect mix of flavors and textures. Our pre-Thanksgiving family meal was fantastic, and we enjoyed every detail of the food, service, atmosphere, and the manager's visit who came over to chat with us. Five stars for sure. Historical Note So, what became of the old Max A Mia space? Today it's occupied by Dogology pet supplies and New England Puppy Rescue.

We had chocked down innumerable pizzas in Connecticut touted to be amongst the very best. Golly,…read morehow depressing! We were missing the West like crazy by this point... Ah, California dreamin'!! Okay, we need our adrenaline shot of pizza, but we were shivering at the thought of trying... yet ANOTHER... pizzeria. Sigh, here's one. "Might as well get this over with!" we groaned in unison. We waited at a small table fearing the worst. Then the smiling young lady brought a pizza brimming with delightful wafts evoking memories of the marketplace in Florence. Ah, yes! Now THIS was good pizza!!

"Mr. Big Stuff Who do you think you are?"…read more(Jean Knight) The size of their pizza slices destroys their competitors. Seriously, imagine cutting a large pizza into quarters, then call each quarter a "slice". Their slice equals two normal sized slices, and you need to cut their slice into two half-slices to eat it without making a mess. We sampled their massively mammoth pizza slices and were quite happy with their quality as well as the quantity. The slices had plenty of sauce and cheese in good proportion and was a very good slice with chewy crusts around the edge and a nice thin base crust. There are plenty of good pizza restaurants around my zip code- Little City, Amorosa, E&D, and more. Fresh Mozzarella's pizza has definitely entered the chat.