Valentine Dates - 2012 -

a country drive ending at a cozy pub on a winter's afternoon. Cue the snowflakes!
Here's another entry from our feature on Connecticut dates for Valentine's Day (or thereabouts—or anytime, for that matter). You can find the rest of them right here. A Pub in the Country This wonderful country pub has become something of a destination in the Litchfield Hills, and it’s not hard to see why.
The welcome is warm at The White Horse Tavern on Route 202 in Marbledale, and there’s always a big fire crackling on the raised hearth. Then, whether you dine in the atmospheric tavern or a dining room practically on top of the East Aspetuck River, you’re sure to find something to love on the menu—chicken potpie, perhaps? Guinness beef stew, bangers and mash, (truly superior) fish-and-chips? The highest price on the menu, for the New York Steak, is $18.75. As you may have guessed by now, owner John Harris is an expatriate Brit—and just wait till you see the “Ridiculously Good” desserts—bourbon bread pudding, crêpes Princesse (renamed “crêpes Suzette” by the Prince of Wales “after one of his favorite dinner companions”) and Banoffi Pie (“a banana, toffee, cream pie kind of thing favored by the royals”). But I won’t have done my duty by you, dear readers, if I don’t mention the pub’s signature burger, a half pound of Black Angus sirloin, brisket and short rib topped with applewood-smoked bacon, caramelized onions and sage derby blue cheese sauce on a toasted buttered brioche. 860/868-1469.