Contrary to what may be popular belief, Hartford and the surrounding area has many good and some great restaurants. Working here I do get chances to entertain on occasion.

Two places in the "city" I would recommend are Max's Downtown and Savannah. In the suburbs, I suggest Apricots in Farmington and Cavey's in Manchester (the french dining room). All four should serve as a nice meeting place for your new in-laws. Congratulations and best wishes.

Second the recommendation for Apricots. Wonderful food, very comfortable ambience, classy but not snooty. We thoroughly enjoyed this place.

Any other (or updated) restaurant suggestions in Hartford or West Hartford for a special occasion dinner?

I have not been to these restaurants so can't really recommned but you should search for reviews for Grant's and Azul in West Hartford center.

In Hartford - Max Downtown is excellent (be sure to hcave reservations.....they have valet parking) Savannah is closed. Trumbull Kitchen is very good (don't let the name fool you). At the train station is Hot Tomatoes for good Italian eats (be sure to have the garlic bread). Something fun is Black Eyed Sally's (cajun, jazz mix). A little less in price is Vito's on the Park - good Italian.

In West Hartford, Grants is excellent! Brico is good as is Max's Oyster Bar. Lemon Grass is nice for Thai food. I've heard mixed things about Azul. Good lunch spot is The Elbow Room.

Apricot's is an institution......well worth the trip and price.

Oh, I miss Hot Tomatoes. It was one of my faves before I moved to CA.

Max Dowtown!

Max Downtown is always a great choice in Hartford. I think that it is more of a romantic kind of place for a couple. Trumbull Kitchen is a little more relaxed, fun and a little noisier which may be good for meeting inlaws. I love it there. In West Hartford, Azul was good-a little trendier I think. Grants would be a good choice too (they own Max Downtown). I used to live in WHtfd and always loved dining in their center since you can walk around afterwords and grab an ice cream at Baskin Robbins.

Anybody know which of these is still open, popular, great?

Also looking for a hotel in the East Hartford area.

If anybody has an idea for a safe and clean hotel and great restaurant in the Rentschler Field area, please reply! Thanks in advance.

How far would the above restaurants be from East Hartford?

East Hartford is a 5 minute walk across the river from Hartford. That assumes you are staying on the ends of the bridge (lol). Otherwise the drive is a matter of minutes. Not sure what your reasons for being in the are are,and oddly I'm not familiar with the E. Hartford hotels. Assuming you have a car, I would suggest staying in either the newly re-opened Hilton, Residence Inn or the Holiday Inn in Hartford. The first two are in the immediate area of the resteraunts mentioned. West Hartford is about a 10 minute drive. My vote is stay in Hartford, and drive to the field..... E hartford is sort of , well, let's just say, I don't go there..... All of he Hartford mentioned places are still open - except Savanah. Hartford is enjoying a revival...lot's to sse and do - enjoy and let us know how it turns out.

Thank you for the good advice. We're in the area late August for a Rolling Stones concert. Will post regarding the experience after we return!

Just learned that the new Marriot at the conventio center opens early August - maybe you can get a weekend deal and stay in a new hotel!

I'd add several more Hartford restaurant suggestions (tho' Max Downtown would be great too): Casa Mia on Franklin Ave. for delicious traditional Italian, excellent ambiance. Peppercorns on Main St., more noveau Italian, incredible food and also excellent ambiance, on the edge of but not in downtown (a 2 minute drive). La Casona on Wethersfield Ave., excellent Latina food from several different countries, very helpful but not intrusive servers, fine ambiance, also not downtown. All of these would be only a 5 to 10 minute drive from your East Hartford destination.

The Hilton in Hartford is a good choice. If you want more of a basic motel, family members of mine stayed at the Hampton Inn on the Silas Deane Highway in Rocky Hill and were pleased. Basic, clean, affordable, right off highway, 10 minute drive at most to downtown Hartford or to East HArtford. If you stay there, I can tell you a way to drive to the field that'll make it so you bypass a lot of the traffic going to the concert. Worked for me for Bruce Springsteen!

Btw, imho Hartford is *hoping* for a revival, not yet experiencing one. There's a lot of great stuff to do if you look for it, plan ahead, and know where to go (i.e. Hartford Stage, scattered music venues, Wadsworth Atheneum)...but it's not (yet?) a city with a vibrant downtown where it's fun to just walk around.