Fall roundup

Location: all over Connecticut

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.