LIFE

Michelle Mullin and Lori Segar, the two founding owners of the Lucky Gut Collective in Simsbury, have been business partners in The Children’s Clubhouse daycare centers for almost 30 years. The long-time friends also share an interest in helping families to enjoy the benefits of healthy living. They have opened a multi-use, food-centered concept in the Fiddler’s Green building, where they offer a local artisan market, workshops and classes on healthy eating, and events for th

There is a certain feel to the Not a Phase Café at 1100 Main St. in Town Center that one notices on a first visit. That’s an intentional appeal conceived by co-owners Kim Parker and Jared Linn. Their eatery is a place where folks can enjoy breakfast and luncheon fare. The menu features breakfast sandwiches, bagels, pancakes and other food items. There are numerous hot and cold beverages with a seemingly endless selection of specialty coffees and teas.

The food, the décor and the beverages all suggest that No Mames Mexican Cantina is not a typical Mexican restaurant. The newest member of the Doro Restaurant Group is designed to stand out for serving high-quality food and beverages. The eatery is celebrating its first anniversary since opening in the Marshalls plaza at 1140 Silas Deane Highway this past year. Phill Alves serves as the general manager and Ryan de Grouw is the executive chef.

It’s a hot and humid day in July—what do we want? Ice cream!

Kate Buffone of Avon has turned a baking hobby into a home-based new business with a focus on healthy ingredients. Breadheads has been attracting attention on social media and by word of mouth recently.

Joe Cusano moved to West Hartford from Southington and made a name for himself as a skilled chef in major restaurants. Now, the well-known master of the kitchen has opened his own food business, Mozz & Co, at 22 Raymond Road. Within a week of opening, he already had a regular following, with some people waiting in line before opening time to submit their orders.

The spirit of independence runs deep at the 1851 Kitchen and Cocktail Bar. Named after the year the town of Cromwell was separated from Middletown and became its own official municipality, the restaurant serves “new American cuisine” reflecting global influences.

Walk into Beyoglu Market and it quickly becomes apparent that this is not a typical grocery store. Most of the cans and packages are labeled in Turkish. There are fresh fruits not usually found in other stores such as pomegranates. The place exudes the feel of Turkey, the historic crossroads between Europe and Asia.