AAA has named four southwestern Connecticut restaurants among the top in their rating categories.
“With 59,000 Diamond Rated establishments from which to choose, AAA has unveiled a new ‘Best Of’ designation to give travelers another way to find great options for any trip or budget,” the travel association said in a press release.
Ten restaurants in AAA Northeast’s Connecticut territory of Litchfield, Fairfield and New Haven counties earned a “Best Of” title. Six of the restaurants were located in New Haven County, including four in downtown New Haven. They are: Caseus Fromagerie Bistro, New Haven; Claire’s Corner Copia, New Haven; Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, New Haven; Union League Café, New Haven; Fairfield Inn by Marriott New Haven, Wallingford and Marco Pizzeria of Branford.
AAA said its new classification system includes only 7 percent of its Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants, specifically those with its One, Two and Three Diamond Ratings.
According to AAA, restaurants with one diamond offer quick food, restaurants with two diamonds have food “often cooked to order, served in casual surroundings,” and restaurants with three diamonds “provide trendy cuisine, skillfully prepared and served, with expanded beverage options.”
“These establishments have overall ratings in the top 20 percent for their Diamond Rating level, no member complaints in the past 12 months and, for hotels only, A Rated cleanliness and condition,” the release said.
Union League Cafe earned three diamonds, Caseus Fromagerie Bistro and Marco’s Pizzeria each earned two diamonds, and Claire’s Corner Copia and Pepe Pizzeria each earned one diamond.
Fairfield Inn by Marriott earned two diamonds on the hotel category.