When in need of a break from MoCon dining, Wesleyan students retreat to any number of local restaurants in downtown Middletown. Main Street, which stretches 8 blocks, is home to some 40 eateries, including Thai, Italian, organic, Tibetan and many more options.
Italian-food lovers never have to worry about going through withdrawal, with six Italian restaurants on Main Street alone. Amici’s Italian Grill, 280 Main Street, has been known to serve large portions of food that have diners up to their elbows in spaghetti. Down the street from Amici’s is Fiore II, 332 Main Street, which serves its traditional Italian dishes in a more intimate setting.
“Cornerstones [another Italian restaurant on Main Street] is a little further down Main Street, but the food is really good, especially the seafood,” said Khalia Frazier ’07.
At the northern end of Main Street is O’Rourke’s, Middletown’s oldest diner. Despite the diner’s simple steel façade, the menu includes an extensive list of specialty omelets and French toast. Some students have to adjust to serving times, since the diner is only open from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m..
“Go early or go late,” said Ilana Matfis ’05.
She also noted that the long lines that often collect at the door are often worth facing.
It’s Only Natural, located in the Main Street Market, is an organic restaurant with a menu of vegan, vegetarian and seafood entrees. The restaurant is also adorned by artwork belonging to the former Renana Gallery. Patrons can opt to eat outdoors in the patio overlooking the Connecticut River, weather permitting. A natural food store with the same name is also available in the Market.
Also in the Market is Sister’s Place, a soul food eatery. Their collard greens are most likely as close to the South as students will get in this New England town.
For a quick meal, students can go to Neon Deli, across the street from Freeman Athletic Center. Sandwiches are made to order, and specialty sandwiches with humorous names like “The #1 Stunna” are also available. There is also Mamouns, 324 Main Street, where students can get vegetarian falafels or chicken kebabs in just a few minutes and at a low cost.
Pizza lovers are usually torn between Giuseppe’s Pizza on Church Street, with its deep dish pizza, and Carminucciu’s, Middletown’s newest pizzeria, located on Broad Street.
Rhoda Tamakloe ’05 specifically praised Carminucciu’s “garden-fresh toppings” and “amazing” BBQ chicken pizza.
While the nearest Starbucks is 8 miles north of Middletown, Klekolo World Coffee at 181 Court Street offers a chance for a local coffee experience. The small café specializes in java drinks with funky names, such as Pony Express, that will assuage any caffeine fix.
On any given night, a handful of Wesleyan students can be spotted at Thai Gardens at 300 Plaza Middlesex, which accepts points from the University as payment. Many students, however, are talking more and more about its competitor across the street, Typhoon, 344 Main Street.
“The atmosphere is a less formal at Typhoons,” says Natasha McLeod ’06, “but the food is just as good.”
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