Community Table - New Preston, CT

As I sit here eating last night’s leftovers for lunch, I can’t help but reminisce about a magical experience that only happened yesterday. Easily one of the tastiest, most interactive eating experiences I have ever had in my life.

This gastronomic journey began with pull apart pumpernickel rolls accompanied by whipped maple horseradish butter, and a winter lettuce salad with grapefruit segments served over a whipped goat cheese spread. These dishes were delicious and beautiful in their simplicity and made for good conversation about the projects that Torie and I hope to attempt, baking bread and growing lettuce in our own garden. As our second course, we had the homemade rigatoni in a kale, pistachio, and pesto sauce topped with pecorino romano. The texture of this lavish homemade rigatoni was unlike any other. The sauce was a symphony of flavors, it was rich yet tangy and the saltiness from the cheese really transformed the bite. This was my favorite dish in case you were wondering! Next were the seared diver scallops paired with lobster arancini served over a lobster jus, aka sauce. Torie isn’t exactly fond of seafood, however after the first bite, we immediately glanced at each other and couldn’t deny how delicious it was. The scallops were seared to perfection and the contrast of flavors and textures worked harmoniously.

For my main entree, I had the roasted cluster of Hen of the Woods Mushrooms served on a bed of barley and a winter squash puree. The mushrooms were so tender, juicy, and had earthy traces of its local grounding. Concentrating the flavors just right, I was captivated by a seasoning that enhanced the already existing flavors instead of modifying the flavor.

Now for the part we are always eagerly waiting for…….dessert! I ordered the sticky toffee pudding finished with a bourbon sauce and Torie ordered the chocolate pot de creme with toasted white chocolate. On the side, we had two scoops of cinnamon, cardamom chocolate ice cream and local french press coffee. Oh man… the toffee pudding was perfectly crisp on the outside yet soft and yes sticky on the inside. The other selections were good too, but all I needed was toffee and coffee. Needless to say that the presentation of these dishes were as I used above, beautiful in their simplicity.

We had a conversation with the executive chef behind this lovely meal. Christian Hunter is his name and I have been following his work on instagram, even before learning about Community Table. In fact, much of his content had inspired me to get more creative with food. Christian Hunter was born in Lexington, Kentucky where he grew up surrounded by great cooks such as his mom, grandmother, and grandfather. His childhood memories of food are deeply rooted in his exposure to diverse, authentic cuisines and an interactive relationship with planting and harvesting in his grandfather’s garden. Those experiences were solidified at a young age, and were set to manifest later in his life. 

Christian’s culinary identity started to radiate its true colors in Charleston, SC where an abundance of local, seasonal produce assisted his love for learning different cultural techniques. After fully realizing his niche, it was a natural progression from there. “I’ve been honing my craft for over a decade and increasingly noticed the importance of supporting local farmers. I wanted to find a home that carried the same value as me.” The opportunity presented itself at Community Table Restaurant and in less than two weeks he had packed up his life in Charleston, SC and moved to Western Connecticut. It turned out that Connecticut would be a whole new challenge for Christian, proving his ability to adapt and get creative with what each season permits.

I got a real sweetness from Chef Christian, and I’m not talking about the toffee pudding. Christian has a passion for cooking for people as to spark curiosity and engagement with the dish that he is presenting. He himself seems to embody the authenticity and simplicity of his very own food. 

There was something that was constantly on my mind as I savored my meal- where did it come from? Cooking is all about interdependence and community. Aside from mother nature, it starts with the farmers who grow the food, then the butchers who slaughter the meat, the workers who transport it to its destination, and the chefs who transform it into a meal. Ultimately, this is what Community Table represents, for the community by the community. Chef Christian shared that before the pandemic, 75% of Community Table’s food was sourced locally. That calls for an endlessly inventive menu by which Christian is inspired to “Make food fun again by doing something different.” Being open for business as usual has proved difficult for Community Table admits covid-19, but they have proven resilient. During our conversation with Christian, we looked on the bright side and agreed that covid is forcing people to get more personal with their food. A big part of me wishes that everyone had the opportunity to eat this good regularly, but I realize that there is no way that a restaurant could afford ethically raised meat, dairy, and produce from a local farmer and still offer affordable prices for the average person. However, as people participate in the attention to their food, I believe more establishments such as these will become a greater reality for us all. 

Throughout our time dining in, we were given great attention by our lovely server Megan and the manager who came by a few times to tell us about the locality of other things in the restaurant such as the art, the coffee, and even the pottery. An establishment that seems to put the idea of support local in a more profound emphasis than what we had imagined. To me, Community Table signifies a true nature that they have so lovingly preserved in every aspect of their restaurant. Our time in Litchfield County ended pleasantly as we were met with the alluring smell of wood fires burning through the night.

We thank Chef Christian and Community Table for an enlightening experience full of flavor, inspiration, and comfort. Until next time.