Monday through Thursday from 3 to 11 p.m.

Friday from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m

Visit the Brookside Steakhouse & Tavern for great meals, local entertainment and good times.

For reservations, call (860)554-0710

For more than three decades, the space at the far end of a small commercial complex in the heart of Higganum has been the ultimate destination for food.

For many years, the space was home to the Glockenspiel , known for its traditional German cuisine . It then changed hands, becoming the Glock Grill, with more pub fare. Several months ago the space underwent yet another transformation, emerging after several months of construction as the Brookside Steakhouse and Tavern.

The owners of the Brookside Steakhouse, John and Anna Kanaras, are veteran restaurateurs, and it shows from the tasty menu to the comfortable décor.

The couple opened their first restaurant, A.J.s Pizza, in the Higganum plaza back in 1989. Seventeen years later, they moved one door down to open the Daybreak Café, a popular breakfast spot known for its unique specials and friendly staff.
In the summer of 2008, the energetic couple, along with their teenage sons, Nick and Teddy, took on a new challenge: transforming the vacant space into a top-notch steakhouse. After completely refurbishing the inside of the building, the steakhouse opened in December to rave reviews. The building’s exterior received a modern update, and the outdoor patio is perfect for warm summer days.

Upon entering the lobby, guests are treated to a warm welcome and ushered into the cozy dining room or directed to the revamped tavern. The Brookside’s owners said one of their goals was to revive the family atmosphere of the old Glockenspiel, right down to the original, handmade wooden booths. And, like their other culinary endeavors, the Kanaras family provides great food in a comfortable setting. The dining room, with booths overlooking the brook, is versatile enough to suit a romantic dinner for two, a family gathering , or a special occasion for 12.

In the tavern, big-screen televisions are strategically placed around a U-shaped wooden bar, providing enough options to satisfy even the most avid sports fan, and yet, managing to be unobtrusive to diners.

The menu is diverse with appetizers, burgers or gourmet meals available in both the dining room and the tavern.
Every entrée is served with a warm loaf of the house’s homemade bread served with garlic butter, followed by soup or salad, and the Brookside boasts nightly specials, which can end with tasty homemade desserts or a relaxing after-dinner drink.

The Brookside also offers happy hour specials weekdays from 3 to 5 p.m. and live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays.