Savor eclectic fare and views of the area's prettiest park at this pond-side restaurant.

Hartford's answer to New York's Tavern on the Green treats diners to views of Elizabeth Park's pretty duck pond. The dining room's decor feels like a tribute to eggplant: the rich purple tone adorns everything from the waiters' shirts to the walls. The restaurant has a loungelike feel during the day, but morphs into a romantic dining den, complete with candles and Judy Garland tunes, at sunset.

The menu changes regularly to incorporate seasonal ingredients, so it's always full of surprises. For example, the chipotle-barbecued rainbow trout, laden with yellow beefsteak-tomato salsa, comes with lilac-purple mashed potatoes (the potato's natural color). Meanwhile, the abundance of Arctic sea bass, shrimp and crayfish in the Moroccan stew nearly bursts from the bowl. For breakfast, try French toast filled with apple-ricotta cheese and topped with brown sugar-ginger sauce.

If you don't have a window seat, the allure of the cafe will elude you. Make reservations for a table with a view.

Plan a visit in late June, when Elizabeth Park's famous roses are in bloom.