Hidden Gems Of Hartford And Tolland Counties

Manchester CT

12 February, 2021

9:11 AM

Description

MANCHESTER, CT — Today's foray into a Hidden Gem brings us to Lena's Italian Kitchen, on the eastern end of a small strip plaza at 206 West Center St. in Manchester. Undoubtedly, it is one of the few places in Connecticut where, in the summertime, you can find lobster pizza. Jim and Tammy Bourque, who had owned Kristalena in the Manchester Parkade, bought the shop formerly known as The Italian Kitchen seven years ago. They added the name Lena's due to the pending birth of their granddaughter of that name. "She was born a week after we bought it," Jim Bourque said. A recent trip into the restaurant prompted amazement at the sheer amount of food contained in each order. "All our grinders are huge, with almost a pound of meat in a half-grinder," Bourque said. The couple said the most popular sandwich is the Italian mix, followed by meatball, roast beef and steak. A variety of pizza combinations, appetizers, soups and salads are also available. Online ordering may be done through the restaurant's website. Photos: Tammy Bourque____ The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path, all located within Hartford and Tolland counties. Do you have a favorite "hidden gem" in the area that you wish to see featured in this column? Email your ideas to [email protected]. Other columns in this series: Southwood Antiques & MarketplaceSwank PearceVernon Depot Historic ParkFarr's Sporting GoodsRobs Drivin DinerPowder Mill BarnAt the DamLena's RestaurantThe Genius of ConnecticutThe NotchLuAnn's BakeryEcker Hill Disc Golf CourseThe Kona Ice TruckOlympia DinerMountain DairyAnthony Jacks Wood-Fired GrillPabs African RestaurantHenry's PizzeriaSouth Windsor Wildlife SanctuaryThe Country ButcherAby's BakeryLiberty Street Market & DeliWilderness Lake Campground and ResortTime Machine toy and hobby storePaul Gregory's Bistro CafeThe ScoopCheney Brothers National Historic Landmark DistrictFaddy's Donuts and Ice CreamRiverfront Miniature Golf & Ice CreamThe Historic Babcock TavernHigh Grade FinishingCraig's KitchenSikorsky S-16 Bi-Plane FighterNavy ZNP-K Airship Control CarRosedale Farms & VineyardsNathan Hale HomesteadBurke Ridge FarmsNecker's ToylandCivil War Monument at Mt. Hope CemeteryGene Pitney Memorial BenchesJoe McCluskey/Manchester Road Race StatueSamuel Field Knight Historic MarkerCarol's LunchboxCountry CasualsDakota RestaurantCountry CobblerBeau's Burger ShackDaniel Glazier TavernMount Southington Ski SchoolAwards & MoreMarquis de Lafayette MonumentThe Little Red StoreRiver Bend BookshopGerry's DonutsTraveler RestaurantFirst Decorated Christmas TreeThe Stanley-Whitman HouseVernon's Santa HouseVintage Radio and Communications Museum of ConnecticutOld Country Banquet HallBrazilian Gula GrillThomas' Smokey Pit StopCongregational Church of Burlington labyrinthNoah Webster HouseThe Bushnell's Green Room WallBelding Wildlife Management AreaThe Aborn CastleHeublein TowerBirthplace of Jonathan EdwardsGrave of Revolutionary War Soldier Heman BakerJessica's Garden, Lobster and Ice Cream ShackShade Swamp SanctuaryKen's Corner Breakfast & LunchTolland Red and WhiteThe Packing HouseCold Harbor SeafoodNye Holman State Forest/Heron Cove ParkHosmer Mountain Soda ShackConnecticut Trolley MuseumMatterhorn Mini GolfWood Memorial Library & MuseumHastings FarmLiquid NirvanaIwo Jima Survivors Memorial ParkAcademy HallSouthington Drive-InLittle Theatre of Manchester at Cheney HallSomersvillage Gifts & Gourmet BasketsNew England Civil War MuseumThe Pinchot SycamoreStafford Palace TheaterMansfield Hollow State ParkOld Tolland County Jail and MuseumHill-Stead MuseumMark's Restaurant To register for free, local breaking news alerts from more than 100 Connecticut communities, click here.