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Hidden Gems Of Hartford And Tolland Counties

Our latest Hidden Gem assures that no patron will ever leave hungry.

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Carl Cox is co-owner and head chef at Cedar Knob Restaurant & Banquets in Somers.
Carl Cox is co-owner and head chef at Cedar Knob Restaurant & Banquets in Somers. (Tim Jensen/Patch)

SOMERS, CT — Thousands of people know about Cedar Knob Golf Course in Somers, one of the finest tracks in north-central Connecticut. However, until now, not enough people know about Cedar Knob Restaurant & Banquets, a privately-owned dining establishment located on the grounds of the club. Owners Carl and Tanya Cox assure that no visitor will ever leave their restaurant hungry. From personal experience, the portions offered are - to put it mildly - generous.

The couple had a wealth of experience in the food service industry prior to purchasing the business three years ago. Carl started 35 years ago as a chef at the former Windrose Restaurant in Enfield, worked at several other top-notch area restaurants and spent 20 years as food service supervisor for the Department of Corrections. Tanya, who also holds a full-time job, has 20 years in the industry, starting as a dishwasher in an Italian restaurant in Pittsburgh.

"I moved up to bussing, waitressing, bartending, managing and now owning," she said.

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Dinner is served Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. until closing. Weekend specials include prime rib, fresh seafood and chicken dinners.

"Everything is fresh, from French fries to steaks to seafood," Tanya said.

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One need not be a golfer to enjoy the dining experience at Cedar Knob. That became particularly evident during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic 15 months ago.

"We've always had great support from golf course owner John Gale, but when COVID hit, we were very lucky to have the support of the community," she explained. "About 90 percent were non-golfers."

A delightful dining room also plays host to banquets, weddings and parties. Outdoor patio seating is available, and will soon be expanded as a gazebo is constructed in memory of longtime club pro Jeff Swanson, who died unexpectedly in February.

Entertainment has also been added to the offerings, with live acoustic music Fridays at 6 p.m., Saturdays at 1 p.m. on the patio, and Saturdays at 6 p.m. in the dining room.

More information about the restaurant, banquet facility and catering packages may be found here.

A rendering of the soon-to-be-built gazebo on the patio honoring Jeff Swanson. Photos: Tim Jensen/Patch

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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 tim.jensen@patch.com.

Other columns in this series:

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