Fall roundup

Fall Roundup

all over CT

This week we had our first snowfall here in CT, and while it was really just an hour of flurries, I’m officially calling it: fall is over. I know the calendar says otherwise, but Starbucks and I have decided it’s winter. Goodbye pumpkin spice, hello sugar cookie latte.

But if you’re not quite ready to let go of the best season of the year, I pulled together a little report of my favorite fall goodies. Let’s reminisce while we still can, and if you’re lucky, you can still try a few of these before it officially becomes “too cold to leave the house” season.

Let’s start strong: the Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll from Downright Breads. Off Whalley Ave in New Haven, Chef Soli is putting out some of the most divine pastries and breads — all perfectly on theme for fall. If you’re making the trip, grab a few rolls, plus an apple cider cake, chai sourdough cookies, and a loaf of caraway bread. And when you get home? Pop that cinnamon roll in the oven for a few minutes. Gooey, warm, unreal. 

If you want fall drinks that aren’t coffee, head to Dockside Brewery. They fully took the crown this fall with their seasonal lineup—my personal favorite: The Bad Apple margarita with apple cider and cinnamon-infused tequila. Say less. Other crowd favorites? The Pumpkin Mudslide, the frozen apple cider slushie, and Pumpkin Downeast on tap — a seasonal staple.

Now step away from pumpkin and apple (briefly) and bring on carrot cake. Blank Street dropped a carrot-cake matcha and a carrot-cake latte that were actually as good as they looked. And while you’re at it, their banana bread latte/matcha absolutely belongs in this recap too.

Staying on the caffeine train, a quick shoutout to Drowsy Whaler in Stratford. Their new location is serving a Boo-berry latte, pumpkin cold brew, and my personal pick: the Salty Lumberjack. Also — not seasonal, but their BEC is genuinely worth the stop.

Before we move on, one more drink that needs a mention: Bishop’s Orchards apple cider wine. It’s perfect with cranberry goat cheese and those pumpkin-cranberry crisps from Trader Joe’s. A fall charcuterie dream. (For the sake of everyone’s attention span, I’ll save the full Trader Joe’s fall haul for another day.)

Onto food — and something you can make at home now that it’s getting colder: Half Baked Harvest’s pumpkin cookies, I’ll link the recipe (I don’t gatekeep), but give my friend Sophie her credit for introducing them to my life. Addictive.

https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/pumpkin-butter-chocolate-chip-cookies/ 

And finally, a classic: Apple cider donuts. Silverman’s Farm takes the top spot for me this year, with Plasko’s Farms right behind. Pair them with Silverman’s sparkling apple cider or a scoop of homemade ice cream from Plasko’s and you’re golden. Happy fall to all and to all a good night — and if it’s not too soon… happy holidays.